Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	$ 2,636		$ 2,535		$ 7,593		$ 7,546
Real estate	372		285		970		764
Total operating revenue	3,008		2,820		8,563		8,310
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	367		324		1,072		988
Depreciation and amortization	371		327		1,086		997
Operating income (loss)	757		728		2,041		2,009
Interest expense	(298)		(301)		(884)		(907)
Capitalized interest	15		13		37		31
Interest and dividend income	3		2		8		11
Other, net	35		17		86		63
Income before income tax expense and equity income	512		459		1,288		1,207
Assets	51,110				51,110				47,718
PacifiCorp [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	1,327		1,198		3,671		3,408
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	164		154		488		465
Operating income (loss)	382		320		917		858
Interest expense	98		106		294		309
Assets	22,813				22,813				22,364
MidAmerican Funding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	828		866		2,411		2,650
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	107		79		300		248
Operating income (loss)	139		148		311		346
Interest expense	41		45		126		138
Assets	13,105				13,105				12,430
MidAmerican Energy Pipeline Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	203		202		698		697
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	48		44		144		137
Operating income (loss)	68		79		322		320
Interest expense	24		25		70		78
Assets	5,107				5,107				4,854
Northern Powergrid Holdings [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	240		237		747		727
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	44		42		127		125
Operating income (loss)	118		136		406		431
Interest expense	36		38		103		116
Assets	6,314				6,314				5,690
MidAmerican Renewables [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	51		45		112		107
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	7		8		22		23
Operating income (loss)	34		34		66		67
Interest expense	21		3		50		13
Assets	2,089				2,089				890
HomeServices [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate	372		285		970		764
Depreciation and amortization	4		3		14		9
Operating income (loss)	25		18		49		25
Interest expense	1		0		1		0
Assets	786				786				649
MEHC And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	(13)	[1]	(13)	[1]	(46)	[1]	(43)	[1]
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	(3)	[1]	(3)	[1]	(9)	[1]	(10)	[1]
Operating income (loss)	(9)	[1]	(7)	[1]	(30)	[1]	(38)	[1]
Interest expense	77	[1]	84	[1]	240	[1]	253	[1]
Assets	$ 896	[1]			$ 896	[1]			$ 841	[1]

[1] The remaining differences between the segment amounts and the consolidated amounts described as "MEHC and Other" relate principally to intersegment eliminations for operating revenue and, for the other items presented, to (a) corporate functions, including administrative costs, interest expense, corporate cash and investments and related interest income and (b) intersegment eliminations.