Long-Term Debt ( Total Long Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Dominion Resources, Inc. total principal	$ 18,745		$ 16,229
Fair value hedge valuation	105	[1]	49	[1]
Securities due within one year	(1,479)		(497)
Unamortized discount and premium, net	23		(23)
Dominion Resources, Inc. total long-term debt	17,394		15,758
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.30%
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium	48
Pledged Assets Separately Reported, Other Assets Pledged as Collateral, at Fair Value			530
Percent Common Stock Is Above Conversion Price 20 of 30 Consecutive Business Days To Be Elgible For Conversion Of Cash And Stock	120.00%
Percent Of Principal Amount Securites Are Convertible Into	100.00%
Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount And Fair Value Hedge Valuation	4
5.25% Senior Notes Due 2033 [Member]
Senior Notes	510
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.25%
Long Term Debt Maturity Date	2033
Unsecured Senior Notes 1.8% to 7.195%, due 2012 to 2016 [Member]
Senior Notes	3,195		2,345
Weighted average coupon rate of Unsecured Senior Notes	4.31%
Debt instrument interest rate minimum	1.80%
Debt instrument interest rate maximum	7.195%
Debt instrument maturity year minimum	2012
Debt instrument maturity year maximum	2016
Unsecured Snior Notes 4.45% to 8.875% due 2017 to 2041 [Member]
Senior Notes	4,749	[2]	3,749	[2]
Weighted average coupon rate of Unsecured Senior Notes	6.07%	[2]
Debt instrument interest rate minimum	4.45%
Debt instrument interest rate maximum	8.875%
Debt instrument maturity year minimum	2017
Debt instrument maturity year maximum	2041
Unsecured Convertible Senior Notes, 2.125%, due 2023 [Member]
Unsecured Convertible Senior Notes, 2.125%, due 2023	143	[3]	202	[3]
Debt instrument interest rate maximum	2.125%
Debt instrument maturity year	2,023
Unsecured Junior Subordinated Notes Payable to Affiliated Trusts, 7.83% and 8.4%, due 2027 and 2031 [Member]
Unsecured Junior Subordinated Notes Payable to Affiliated Trusts	268		268
Weighted average coupon rate of Unsecured Junior Subordinated Notes Payable	7.85%
Debt instrument interest rate minimum	7.83%
Debt instrument interest rate maximum	8.40%
Debt instrument maturity year minimum	2027
Debt instrument maturity year maximum	2031
Enhanced Junior Subordinated Notes, 6.3% to 8.375%, due 2064 and 2066 [Member]
Enhanced Junior Subordinated Notes, 6.3% to 8.375%, due 2064 and 2066	985	[4]	1,469	[4]
Weighted average coupon rate of Enhanced Junior Subordinated Notes	8.11%	[4]
Debt instrument interest rate minimum	6.30%
Debt instrument interest rate maximum	8.375%
Debt instrument maturity year minimum	2064
Debt instrument maturity year maximum	2066
Enhanced Junior Subordinated Notes, variable rate, due 2066 [Member]
Enhanced Junior Subordinated Notes, 6.3% to 8.375%, due 2064 and 2066	468	[4]	0	[4]
Weighted average coupon rate of Enhanced Junior Subordinated Notes	2.67%	[4]
Debt instrument maturity year	2,066
5.0% to 6.85%, due 2010 to 2014 [Member]
Unsecured Debentures and Senior Notes	622	[5]	1,091	[5]
Weighted average coupon rate of Unsecured Debentures and Senior Notes	5.06%	[5]
Debt instrument interest rate minimum	5.00%
Debt instrument interest rate maximum	6.85%
Debt instrument maturity year minimum	2011
Debt instrument maturity year maximum	2014
6.8% and 6.875%, due 2026 and 2027 [Member]
Unsecured Debentures and Senior Notes	89	[5]	89	[5]
Weighted average coupon rate of Unsecured Debentures and Senior Notes	6.81%	[5]
Debt instrument interest rate minimum	6.80%
Debt instrument interest rate maximum	6.875%
Debt instrument maturity year minimum	2026
Debt instrument maturity year maximum	2027
Secured Senior Notes, 5.13% to 5.78%, due 2013 [Member]
Secured Senior Note	842	[6]	0	[6]
Weighted Average Coupon rate of secured senior notes	5.07%	[6]
Debt instrument interest rate minimum	5.13%
Debt instrument interest rate maximum	5.78%
Debt instrument maturity year	2,013
Secured Senior Note, 7.33%, due 2020 [Member]
Secured Senior Note	159	[7]	171	[7]
Debt instrument interest rate minimum	7.33%
Debt instrument maturity year	2,020
Tax-Exempt Financings, 2.25% and 5.75%, due 2033 to 2042 [Member]
Tax-Exempt Financings	284	[8]	124	[8]
Weighted average coupon rate on tax exempt financings	3.52%	[8]
Debt instrument interest rate minimum	2.25%
Debt instrument interest rate maximum	5.75%
Debt instrument maturity year minimum	2033
Debt instrument maturity year maximum	2042
Tax Exempt Financing, variable rate, due 2041 [Member]
Tax-Exempt Financings	75	[8]	0	[8]
Weighted average coupon rate on tax exempt financings	1.15%	[8]
Debt instrument maturity year	2,041
Tax Exempt Bonds Included In Consolidated Balance Sheets Due to Being Remarked To Third Parties	235
securities due within one year [Member]
Securities due within one year	1,479	[9]	497	[9]
Weighted average coupon rate of Securities due within one year	5.62%	[9]
8.875% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Senior Notes	600
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	8.88%
Long Term Debt Maturity Date	2019
6.3% 2006 Series B Enhanced Junior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Enhanced Junior Subordinated Notes, 6.3% to 8.375%, due 2064 and 2066	$ 500
Debt instrument maturity year	2,066
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.30%

[1] Represents the valuation of certain fair value hedges associated with Dominion's fixed-rate debt.

[2] At the option of holders, $510 million of Dominion's 5.25% senior notes due 2033 and $600 million of Dominion's 8.875% senior notes due 2019 are subject to redemption at 100% of the principal amount plus accrued interest in August 2015 and January 2014, respectively.

[3] Convertible into a combination of cash and shares of Dominion's common stock at any time when the closing price of common stock equals 120% of the applicable conversion price or higher for at least 20 out of the last 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the previous calendar quarter. At the option of holders on December 15, 2013 or 2018, these securities are subject to redemption at 100% of the principal amount plus accrued interest. These senior notes have been callable by Dominion since December 15, 2011.

[4] In September 2011, the $500 million 6.3% 2006 Series B Enhanced Junior Subordinated Notes due 2066 began bearing interest at the three-month LIBOR plus 2.3%, reset quarterly.

[5] Represents debt assumed by Dominion from the merger of its former CNG subsidiary.

[6] Juniper notes issued in 2004 and consolidated in October 2011 due to Dominion becoming the primary beneficiary of this VIE. This amount excludes $48 million of net unamortized premium in 2011.

[7] Represents debt associated with Kincaid. The debt is non-recourse to Dominion and is secured by the facility's assets ($530 million at December 31, 2011) and revenue.

[8] $235 million of tax-exempt bonds due in 2041 issued by the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency on behalf of Brayton Point were remarketed to third parties in July and August 2011, and included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. These bonds were originally issued in December 2010 but were not included in the 2010 Consolidated Balance Sheet because the bonds had been temporarily purchased and were held by Dominion.

[9] Includes $4 million of net unamortized discount in 2011.