Subsidiary Debt - Summary (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 31,956
Other Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	21,864		14,977
Subsidiary Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	22,737
Other Long-term Debt, Current	938		1,137
Other Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	21,864		14,977
Other long-term debt	22,802		16,114
Subsidiary Debt [Member] | PacifiCorp [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	6,947
Other long-term debt	6,933		6,934
Subsidiary Debt [Member] | MidAmerican Funding [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	3,896
Other long-term debt	3,838		3,546
Subsidiary Debt [Member] | NV Energy [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	5,242
Other long-term debt	5,296		0
Subsidiary Debt [Member] | MidAmerican Energy Pipeline Group [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	1,448
Other long-term debt	1,448		1,528
Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Northern Powergrid Holdings [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	2,404	[1]
Other long-term debt	2,487		2,451
Subsidiary Debt [Member] | MidAmerican Renewables [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	2,800
Other long-term debt	$ 2,800		$ 1,655

[1] The par values for these debt instruments are denominated in sterling and have been converted to United States dollars at the applicable exchange rate.