Long-Term Debt (Trust Preferred Securities and Junior Subordinated Notes Outstanding) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified					12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2011 December 1997 [Member] Dominion Resources Capital Trust I [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 January 2001 [Member] Dominion Resources Capital Trust III [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 7.83% Debentures due 12/1/2027 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 8.4% Debentures due 1/15/2031 [Member]
Date Established					December 1997		January 2001
Units					250	[1]	10	[2]
Rate					7.83%	[1]	8.40%	[2]
Trust Preferred Securities Amount					$ 250	[1]	$ 10	[2]
Common Securities Amount	5,180.0	[3]	5,715.0	[3]	7.7	[1]	0.3	[2]
Junior subordinated notes									$ 258	$ 10
Debt instrument, interest rate									7.83%	8.40%
Debt instrument maturity date									Dec. 01, 2027	Jan. 15, 2031

[1] $258 million-Dominion Resources, Inc. 7.83% Debentures due 12/1/2027.

[2] Primarily reflects the effect of lower anticipated costs due to the expected future recovery from the DOE of certain spent fuel storage costs.

[3] 1 billion shares authorized; 570 million shares and 581 million shares outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.