Quarterly Financial and Common Stock Data (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Asset Impairment After Tax		$ 139,000,000			$ 139,000,000
Workforce Reduction Program Charges Net Of Tax				206,000,000		206,000,000
After-tax loss from the discontinued operations				149,000,000		(155,000,000)	[1]
After-tax gain from agreement to sell Appalachian EP	1,400,000,000		1,400,000,000
Impairment charges, after tax			$ 95,000,000

[1] Amounts attributable to Dominion's common shareholders.