Consolidated Statements Equity (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified		Total		Common Stock [Member]	Other Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Stockholders' Equity, Total [Member]		Noncontrolling Interest [Member]		Virginia Electric and Power Company [Member]		Virginia Electric and Power Company [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Virginia Electric and Power Company [Member] Other Paid-In Capital [Member]	Virginia Electric and Power Company [Member] Retained Earnings [Member]	Virginia Electric and Power Company [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Beginning Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2008		$ 10,077		$ 5,994	$ 182	$ 4,170		$ (269)	$ 10,077		$ 0
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2008				583											210
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income including noncontrolling interests		1,304				1,304			1,304				356	[1]			356
Consolidation of noncontrolling interests, (in shares)				6											32
Consolidation of noncontrolling interests, value		212		212					212				1,000		1,000
Stock awards and stock options exercised (net of change in unearned compensation) (in shares)				2
Stock awards and stock options exercised (net of change in unearned compensation), value		70		70					70
Other stock issuances (in shares)	[2]			8
Other stock issuances, value	[2]	249		249					249
Tax benefit from stock awards and stock options exercised		3			3				3
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle	[3]	0				12		(12)	0				0				2	(2)
Dividends		(800)	[4]			(800)	[4]		(800)	[4]			(480)				(480)
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxedit		70						70	70				23	[1]				23
Ending Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2009													7,173		4,738	1,110	1,299	26
Ending Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2009				599											242
Beginning Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2009		11,185		6,525	185	4,686		(211)	11,185		0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income including noncontrolling interests		2,825	[5]			2,825			2,825				852				852
Consolidation of noncontrolling interests, (in shares)				1											33
Consolidation of noncontrolling interests, value		10		10					10				1,000		1,000
Stock awards and stock options exercised (net of change in unearned compensation) (in shares)				2
Stock awards and stock options exercised (net of change in unearned compensation), value		80		80					80
Stock repurchases (in shares)				(21)
Stock repurchases, value		(900)		(900)					(900)
Tax benefit from stock awards and stock options exercised		9			9				9				1			1
Dividends		(1,093)	[4]			(1,093)	[4]		(1,093)	[4]			(517)				(517)
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxedit		(119)	[5]					(119)	(119)				(2)					(2)
Ending Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2010		11,997											8,507		5,738	1,111	1,634	24
Ending Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2010				581											275
Beginning Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2010		11,997		5,715	194	6,418		(330)	11,997		0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income including noncontrolling interests		1,426				1,425			1,425		1		822				822
Consolidation of noncontrolling interests, value	[6]	61							0		61
Stock awards and stock options exercised (net of change in unearned compensation) (in shares)				1
Stock awards and stock options exercised (net of change in unearned compensation), value		49		49					49
Stock repurchases (in shares)				(13)
Stock repurchases, value		(601)		(601)					(601)
Other stock issuances (in shares)	[7]			1
Other stock issuances, value	[7]	0		17	(17)				0
Tax benefit from stock awards and stock options exercised		2			2				2
Dividends		(1,151)	[4]			(1,146)	[4]		(1,146)	[4]	(5)	[4]	(574)				(574)
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxedit		(280)						(280)	(280)				(5)					(5)
Ending Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2011		$ 11,446											$ 8,750		$ 5,738	$ 1,111	$ 1,882	$ 19
Ending Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2011				570											275

[1] Other comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2009 excludes a $3 million ($2 million after-tax) adjustment to AOCI representing the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle related to the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairments.

[2] Includes at-the-market issuances and a debt-for-common stock exchange.

[3] See Note 3 for additional information.

[4] Includes subsidiary preferred dividends related to noncontrolling interests of $17 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009.

[5] Other comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2009 excludes a $20 million ($12 million after-tax) adjustment to AOCI representing the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle related to the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairments.

[6] See Note 16 for consolidation of a VIE in October 2011.

[7] Shares issued in excess of principal amounts related to converted securities.