Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Nuclear Power Purchased From Affiliate	$ 39
Outstanding borrowings, net of repayments, under the Dominion money pool for Virginia Power's nonregulated subsidiaries	187	187	24
Short-term demand note borrowings from Dominion	0	0	79
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock		38	74	456
Virginia Power [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Commodity purchases from affiliates		376	373	327
Services provided by affiliates		393	469	420
Services provided to affiliates		21	19	24
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues			33,013	31,877
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock			$ 1,000