Earnings Per Share (Reconciliation Of PG&E Corporation's Income Available For Common Shareholders And Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding For Calculating Diluted EPS) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income available for common shareholders	$ 233	$ 199
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic	414	396
Employee share-based compensation	2	1
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted	416	397
Total earnings per common share, diluted	$ 0.56	$ 0.50

Earnings Per Share (Reconciliation Of PG&E Corporation's Income Available For Common Shareholders And Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding For Calculating Diluted EPS) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2011

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Income available for common shareholders

$ 233

$ 199

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic

414

396

Employee share-based compensation

Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted

416

397

Total earnings per common share, diluted

$ 0.56

$ 0.50

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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- Definition

The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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