Derivatives and Hedge Accounting Activities (Selected Information About Hedge Accounting Activities) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Net ineffectiveness	$ (9)		$ 2		$ (4)
Total ineffectiveness and excluded amounts	(3)		2		19
Fair Value Hedges [Member]
Net ineffectiveness	(5)	[1]	3	[1]	(4)	[1]
Net effectiveness	6	[2],[3]	0	[2],[3]	23	[2],[3]
Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Net ineffectiveness	(4)	[4]	(1)	[4]	0	[4]
Purchased Gas [Member] | Fair Value Hedges [Member]
Net ineffectiveness	(1)		(1)		(5)
Purchased Gas [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Net ineffectiveness	(5)		(3)
Operating Revenue [Member] | Fair Value Hedges [Member]
Net ineffectiveness	(4)		4		1
Net effectiveness					22
Operating Revenue [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Net ineffectiveness	1		2
Electric Fuel and Other Energy Related Purchases | Fair Value Hedges [Member]
Net effectiveness					$ 1

[1] For the year ended December 31, 2011, includes $(1) million recorded in purchased gas and $(4) million recorded in operating revenue in Dominion's Consolidated Statement of Income. For the year ended December 31, 2010, includes $(1) million recorded in purchased gas and $4 million recorded in operating revenue in Dominion's Consolidated Statement of Income. For the year ended December 31, 2009, includes $(5) million recorded in purchased gas and $1 million recorded in operating revenue in Dominion's Consolidated Statement of Income.

[2] Amounts excluded from the measurement of ineffectiveness related to cash flow hedges for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 were not material.

[3] For the year ended December 31, 2011, amount was recorded in operating revenue in Dominion's Consolidated Statement of Income. For the year ended December 31, 2009, includes $22 million recorded in operating revenue and $1 million recorded in electric fuel and other energy-related purchases in Dominion's Consolidated Statement of Income.

[4] For the year ended December 31, 2011, includes $(5) million recorded in purchased gas and $1 million recorded in operating revenue in Dominion's Consolidated Statement of Income. For the year ended December 31, 2010, includes $(3) million recorded in purchased gas and $2 million recorded in operating revenue in Dominion's Consolidated Statement of Income.