Shareholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended							12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended									1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 Dominion [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Dominion [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Dominion [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Stock-Based Awards [Member] Dominion [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Restricted Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Restricted Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Restricted Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Restricted Stock [Member] Dominion [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Goal-Based Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Goal-Based Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Goal-Based Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Goal-Based Stock [Member] Non-Officer Employees [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Goal-Based Stock [Member] Non-Officer Employees [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Goal-Based Stock [Member] Officer [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Goal-Based Stock [Member] Officer [Member]	Dec. 31, 2007 Cash-Based Performance Grant [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 April 2008 Awards [Member]	Feb. 28, 2011 February 2009 Awards [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 February 2009 Awards [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 February 2009 Awards [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 February 2010 Awards [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 February 2010 Awards [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Low End Share Repurchase Program [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 High End Share Repurchase Program [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 February 2011 Awards [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 February 2011 Awards [Member]
Common stock shares issued				1,200,000
Cash proceeds	$ 38	$ 74	$ 456	$ 38
Expected issuance of common stock in 2012 through employee savings plans, direct stock purchase and dividend reinvestment plans, and other employee and director benefit plans	320
Shares reserved and available for issuance	54,000,000
Common stock repurchased				13,000,000	21,400,000
Payment for repurchase of common stock	601	900	0																							600	700
Shares were available for future grants							33,000,000
Compensation cost related to stock-based compensation				39	40	44
Income tax benefits related to stock-based compensation				13	15	17
Tax benefits from the vesting of restricted stock awards				2	10	5
Cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options				38	63	49
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested awards											18
Expected weighted-average period recognized for the unrecognized compensation cost								2.1
Fair value of restricted stock awards that vested								28	26	29
Shares issued minimum percentage												0.00%
Shares issued maximum percentage												200.00%
Stock awards granted															132,000	147,000	20,000	12,000
Number of shares converted to one class to another								168,000	186,000	185,000		132,000	147,000	127,000	168,000	186,000	25,000	15,000
Shares expected to be issued												12,000
Number of shares issued												15,000
Cash-based performance grants minimum																			0.00%
Cash-based performance grants maximum																			200.00%
Cash-based performance grants																				12		14		12				12
Cash based performance grants, total expected award																								20
Cash based performance grant actual payout																				15	3	11		14
Cash based performance grant liability accrued																							$ 3		$ 5				$ 6
Average Price Per Share Of Shares Repurchased	$ 46.37