Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	$ 4,130		$ 2,778		$ 11,507		$ 8,048
Real estate	644		555		1,619		1,340
Total operating revenue	4,774		3,333		13,126		9,388
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	519		378		1,488		1,143
Depreciation and amortization	527		390		1,511		1,166
Operating income	1,375		818		3,225		2,232
Interest expense	423		309		1,266		893
Capitalized interest	20		18		71		58
Allowance for equity funds	23		17		75		55
Other, net	18		14		59		54
Income before income tax expense and equity income	1,013		558		2,164		1,506
Assets	74,022				74,022				70,000
PacifiCorp [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	1,438		1,398		3,969		3,845
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	189		173		555		518
Operating income	419		392		1,054		1,005
Interest expense	96		98		291		293
Assets	23,068				23,068				22,885
MidAmerican Funding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	864		828		2,869		2,508
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	89		98		259		309
Operating income	161		130		365		279
Interest expense	50		42		147		124
Assets	15,013				15,013				13,992
NV Energy [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	1,118		0		2,551		0
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	96		0		283		0
Operating income	396		0		682		0
Interest expense	70		0		211		0
Assets	14,672				14,672				14,233
Pipelines [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	188		194		800		685
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	48		45		146		142
Operating income	59		71		318		309
Interest expense	19		19		57		60
Assets	4,845				4,845				4,908
Northern Powergrid Holdings [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	306		243		947		796
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	52		44		150		129
Operating income	158		112		517		424
Interest expense	38		35		114		105
Assets	7,151				7,151				6,874
MidAmerican Renewables [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	244		116		458		246
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	47		18		100		51
Operating income	143		81		252		151
Interest expense	46		40		128		96
Assets	5,517				5,517				3,875
HomeServices [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate	644		555		1,619		1,340
Depreciation and amortization	8		12		23		23
Operating income	62		53		101		117
Interest expense	1		0		3		1
Assets	1,469				1,469				1,381
BHE And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	(28)	[1]	(1)	[1]	(87)	[1]	(32)	[1]
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	(2)	[1]	0	[1]	(5)	[1]	(6)	[1]
Operating income	(23)	[1]	(21)	[1]	(64)	[1]	(53)	[1]
Interest expense	103	[1]	75	[1]	315	[1]	214	[1]
Assets	$ 2,287	[1]			$ 2,287	[1]			$ 1,852	[1]

[1] The differences between the reportable segment amounts and the consolidated amounts, described as BHE and Other, relate to corporate functions, MidAmerican Transmission, LLC, other corporate entities and intersegment eliminations.