Regulatory Assets and Liabilities (Regulatory Assets and Liabilities) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Deferred cost of fuel used in electric generation	$ 249	[1]	$ 174	[1]
Deferred rate adjustment clause costs	113	[2]	109	[2]
Unrecovered gas costs	48	[3]	39	[3]
Derivatives, regulatory assets-current	45	[4]	0	[4]
Virginia sales taxes	32	[5]	35	[5]
Plant retirement, regulatory assets-current	27	[6]	0	[6]
PIPP, regulatory assets-current	0	[7]	44	[7]
Other, regulatory assets-current	27		6
Regulatory assets-current	541		407
Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit costs	887	[8]	987	[8]
Deferred cost of fuel used in electric generation	122	[1]	153	[1]
Income taxes recoverable through future rates	121	[9]	90	[9]
Deferred rate adjustment clause costs	72	[2]	69	[2]
Derivatives, regulatory assets-non-current	49	[4]	0	[4]
Other postretirement benefit costs	26	[10]	29	[10]
Plant retirement, regulatory assets-non-current	25	[6]	31	[6]
Other	80		87
Regulatory assets-non-current	1,382		1,446
Total regulatory assets	1,923		1,853
Provision for rate proceedings	150		79
PIPP, regulatory liabilities-current	58	[7]	0	[7]
Other, regulatory assets-non-current	35		56
Regulatory liabilities-current	243		135
Provision for future cost of removal and AROs	901		830
Decommissioning trust	399		391
Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities Derivatives	0	[4]	68	[4]
Other	24		103
Regulatory liabilities-non-current	1,324		1,392
Total regulatory liabilities	$ 1,567		$ 1,527

[1] Primarily reflects deferred fuel expenses for the Virginia jurisdiction of Virginia Power's generation operations. See Note 14 for more information.

[2] Reflects deferrals under the electric transmission FERC formula rate and the deferral of costs associated with certain riders. See Note 14 for more information.

[3] Reflects unrecovered gas costs at Dominion's regulated gas operations, which are recovered through quarterly or annual filings with the applicable regulatory authority.

[4] As discussed under Derivative Instruments in Note 2, for jurisdictions subject to cost-based rate regulation, changes in the fair value of derivative instruments result in the recognition of regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities as they are expected to be recovered from or refunded to customers.

[5] Amounts to be recovered through an annual surcharge to reimburse Virginia Power for incremental sales taxes being incurred due to the repeal of the public service company sales tax exemption in Virginia.

[6] Reflects costs anticipated to be recovered in base rates for certain coal units expected to be retired.

[7] Under PIPP, eligible customers can receive energy assistance based on their ability to pay. The difference between the customer's total bill and the PIPP plan amount is deferred and collected or returned annually under the PIPP rider according to East Ohio tariff provisions. See Note 14 for more information regarding PIPP.

[8] Represents unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit costs expected to be recovered through future rates by certain of Dominion's rate-regulated subsidiaries.

[9] Amounts to be recovered through future rates to pay income taxes that become payable when rate revenue is provided to recover AFUDC-equity and depreciation of property, plant and equipment for which deferred income taxes were not recognized for ratemaking purposes, including amounts attributable to tax rate changes.

[10] osts recognized in excess of amounts included in regulated rates charged by Dominion's regulated gas operations before rates were updated to reflect a change in accounting method for other postretirement benefit costs