Segment Information Segment Information - MEC (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) OperatingSegments ReportableSegments	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | OperatingSegments	8
Revenues	$ 4,041	$ 4,221
Operating income	953	930
Assets	$ 84,246		$ 83,618
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | ReportableSegments	2
Electric Domestic Regulated Revenue	$ 399	426
Revenues	625	722
Utilities Operating Expense, Depreciation and Amortization	110	100
Operating income	100	100
Assets	14,214		14,385
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] | Regulated Electric [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Electric Domestic Regulated Revenue	399	426
Utilities Operating Expense, Depreciation and Amortization	99	90
Operating income	57	53
Assets	13,015		12,970
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] | Regulated Gas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gas Domestic Regulated Revenue	226	295
Utilities Operating Expense, Depreciation and Amortization	11	10
Operating income	43	47
Assets	1,199		1,251
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Other Revenue, Net	0	$ 1
Assets	$ 0		$ 164