Operating Segment (Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Total revenue from external customers	$ 14,379		$ 15,197		$ 14,798
Intersegment revenue	0		0		0
Total operating revenue	14,379		15,197		14,798
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	1,069		1,055		1,138
Equity in earnings of equity method investees	35		42		42
Interest income	67		71		89
Interest and related charges	869		832		889
Income taxes	745		2,057		596
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	[1]	(155)	[1]	26	[1]
Net income attributable to Dominion	1,408		2,808		1,287
Investment in equity method investees	553		571
Capital expenditures	3,652		3,422		3,837
Total assets	45,614		42,817
Dominion Virginia Power [Member]
Total revenue from external customers	3,663		3,613		3,107
Intersegment revenue	173		207		174
Total operating revenue	3,836		3,820		3,281
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	374		353		341
Equity in earnings of equity method investees	0		0		0
Interest income	22		12		13
Interest and related charges	185		158		159
Income taxes	318		277		233
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			0		0
Net income attributable to Dominion	501		448		384
Investment in equity method investees	8		8
Capital expenditures	1,091		1,038		841
Total assets	11,500		10,800
Dominion Generation [Member]
Total revenue from external customers	7,320		8,005		8,390
Intersegment revenue	350		413		361
Total operating revenue	7,670		8,418		8,751
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	459		462		492
Equity in earnings of equity method investees	3		11		8
Interest income	54		45		49
Interest and related charges	219		185		201
Income taxes	601		771		694
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			0		0
Net income attributable to Dominion	1,003		1,291		1,281
Investment in equity method investees	415		426
Capital expenditures	1,593		1,742		2,140
Total assets	22,100		20,400
Dominion Energy [Member]
Total revenue from external customers	2,044		2,335		2,604
Intersegment revenue	1,077		1,166		1,206
Total operating revenue	3,121		3,501		3,810
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	207		210		258
Equity in earnings of equity method investees	23		21		21
Interest income	27		12		16
Interest and related charges	57		85		113
Income taxes	323		302		319
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			0		0
Net income attributable to Dominion	521		475		517
Investment in equity method investees	104		106
Capital expenditures	907		613		737
Total assets	10,600		9,700
Corporate and Other [Member]
Total revenue from external customers	54		19		(472)
Intersegment revenue	596		750		711
Total operating revenue	650		769		239
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	29		30		47
Equity in earnings of equity method investees	9		10		13
Interest income	70		92		129
Interest and related charges	514		494		534
Income taxes	(497)		707		(650)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			(155)		26
Net income attributable to Dominion	(617)		594		(895)
Investment in equity method investees	26		31
Capital expenditures	61		29		119
Total assets	11,400		10,800
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Total revenue from external customers	1,298		1,225		1,169
Intersegment revenue	(2,196)		(2,536)		(2,452)
Total operating revenue	(898)		(1,311)		(1,283)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	0		0		0
Equity in earnings of equity method investees	0		0		0
Interest income	(106)		(90)		(118)
Interest and related charges	(106)		(90)		(118)
Income taxes	0		0		0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			0		0
Net income attributable to Dominion	0		0		0
Investment in equity method investees	0		0
Capital expenditures	0		0		0
Total assets	$ (10,000)		$ (8,900)

[1] Includes income tax expense of $21 million and $16 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively.