Segment Information - Goodwill (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2012	$ 5,120
Acquisitions	12
Foreign currency translation	(54)
Other	(13)
Balance, June 30, 2013	5,065
PacifiCorp [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2012	1,126
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	0
Other	0
Balance, June 30, 2013	1,126
MidAmerican Funding [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2012	2,102
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	0
Other	0
Balance, June 30, 2013	2,102
MidAmerican Energy Pipeline Group [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2012	179
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	0
Other	(13)
Balance, June 30, 2013	166
Northern Powergrid Holdings [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2012	1,135
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	(54)
Other	0
Balance, June 30, 2013	1,081
MidAmerican Renewables [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2012	71
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	0
Other	0
Balance, June 30, 2013	71
HomeServices [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2012	507
Acquisitions	8
Foreign currency translation	0
Other	0
Balance, June 30, 2013	515
Other [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2012	0
Acquisitions	4
Foreign currency translation	0
Other	0
Balance, June 30, 2013	$ 4

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 68

-Subparagraph l

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14024403&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 43

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 72

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-Clause 1

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 34

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The aggregate amount of goodwill acquired in the period and allocated to the reportable segment. The value is stated at fair value based on the purchase price allocation.

+ References+ Details