Operating Segments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Costs and Expenses				$ 11,518,000,000	$ 11,964,000,000	$ 12,229,000,000
Asset Impairment Charges				228,000,000
Asset Impairment After Tax	139,000,000			139,000,000
Charge for restoration costs from Hurricane Irene				96,000,000
Charge for restoration costs from Hurricane Irene, net of tax				59,000,000
Operating loss from operations of Kewaunee				(2,861,000,000)	(5,700,000,000)	(2,569,000,000)
Impairment charges, after tax		95,000,000
Impairment Of Emissions Allowances				57,000,000
Impairment Of Emissions Net Of Taxes				34,000,000
Gain (adjustment to gain) on sale of E&P operations				0	2,467,000,000	0
After Tax Gain From Agreement To Sell Appalachian EP					1,400,000,000
Charge Primarily Reflecting Severance Pay And Other Benefits Related To Workforce Reduction Program, Before Tax					338,000,000
Charge Primarily Reflecting Severance Pay and Other Benefits Related To Workforce Reduction Program After Tax			206,000,000		206,000,000
Ceiling test impairment charge					21,000,000	455,000,000
Ceiling test impairment charge net of tax					13,000,000	281,000,000
Reserve for rate case proceedings						712,000,000
Reserve for rate case proceedings , net of tax						435,000,000
Dominion Virginia Power [Member]
Charge Primarily Reflecting Severance Pay and Other Benefits Related To Workforce Reduction Program After Tax					67,000,000
Ceiling test impairment charge net of tax						178,000,000
Dominion Generation [Member]
Operating loss from operations of Kewaunee				66,000,000
Operating loss from operations of Kewaunee, net of tax				39,000,000
Impairment charges related to State Line				55,000,000	194,000,000
Impairment charges, after tax				39,000,000	127,000,000
Charge Primarily Reflecting Severance Pay and Other Benefits Related To Workforce Reduction Program After Tax					115,000,000
Ceiling test impairment charge net of tax						257,000,000
Peoples [Member]
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax					134,000,000
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax					155,000,000
Dominion Energy [Member]
Charge Primarily Reflecting Severance Pay and Other Benefits Related To Workforce Reduction Program After Tax					24,000,000
Corporate and Other [Member]
Costs and Expenses				346,000,000	837,000,000	655,000,000
After Tax Net Benefits Expenses Attributable To Operating Segments				$ 375,000,000	$ 1,000,000,000	$ 688,000,000