Shareholders' Equity (Summary of Changes in Amounts of Stock Options Outstanding) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Outstanding and exercisable beginning, Shares	1,810		3,822		5,558
Exercised, Shares	(1,174)		(1,983)		(1,706)
Forfeited/expired, Shares	(8)		(29)		(30)
Outstanding and exercisable ending, Shares	628		1,810		3,822
Outstanding and exercisable beginning, Weighted-average Exercise Price	$ 31.76		$ 31.25		$ 30.53
Exercised, Weighted-average Exercise Price	$ 32.46		$ 30.81		$ 28.93
Forfeited/expired, Weighted-average Exercise Price	$ 31.57		$ 29.84		$ 28.89
Outstanding and exercisable ending, Weighted-average Exercise Price	$ 30.81		$ 31.76		$ 31.25
Outstanding and exercisable beginning, Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life	0.6
Outstanding and exercisable ending, Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life	0.6		0.6
Outstanding and exercisable beginning, Aggregated Intrinsic Value	$ 20	[1]	$ 29	[1]	$ 30	[1]
Exercised, Aggregated Intrinsic Value	17	[1]	22	[1]	10	[1]
Outstanding and exercisable ending, Aggregated Intrinsic Value	$ 14	[1]	$ 20	[1]	$ 29	[1]

[1] (1)Intrinsic value represents the difference between the exercise price of the option and the market value of Dominion's stock.