Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
PacifiCorp [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	PacifiCorp has an intercompany administrative services agreement with BHE and its subsidiaries. Amounts charged to PacifiCorp by BHE and its subsidiaries under this agreement totaled $10 million during each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 2014, respectively. Payables associated with these administrative services were $2 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Amounts charged by PacifiCorp to BHE and its subsidiaries under this agreement totaled $4 million, $7 million and $10 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Receivables associated with these administrative services were $1 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. PacifiCorp also engages in various transactions with several subsidiaries of BHE in the ordinary course of business. Services provided by these subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and charged to PacifiCorp primarily relate to wholesale electricity purchases and transmission of electricity, transportation of natural gas and employee relocation services. These expenses totaled $7 million, $8 million and $7 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Payables associated with these services were $1 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Amounts charged by PacifiCorp to subsidiaries of BHE for wholesale electricity sales in the ordinary course of business totaled $1 million, $2 million and $5 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. PacifiCorp has long-term transportation contracts with BNSF Railway Company ("BNSF"), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, PacifiCorp's ultimate parent company. Transportation costs under these contracts were $37 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 and $39 million during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, PacifiCorp had $1 million, respectively, of accounts payable to BNSF outstanding under these contracts, including indirect payables related to a jointly owned facility. PacifiCorp participated in a captive insurance program provided by MEHC Insurance Services Ltd. ("MEISL"), a wholly owned subsidiary of BHE. MEISL covered all or significant portions of the property damage and liability insurance deductibles in many of PacifiCorp's policies, as well as overhead distribution and transmission line property damage. The policy coverage period expired on March 20, 2011 and was not renewed. Proceeds from claims were $- million, $2 million and $- million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. PacifiCorp is party to a tax-sharing agreement and is part of the Berkshire Hathaway United States federal income tax return. Federal and state income taxes receivable from BHE were $17 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, cash paid for federal and state income taxes to BHE totaled $201 million, $40 million and $161 million, respectively. PacifiCorp transacts with its equity investees, Bridger Coal and Trapper Mining Inc. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, PacifiCorp charged Bridger Coal $2 million, $19 million and $3 million, respectively, primarily for the sale of mining equipment in 2015, administrative support and management services, as well as materials, provided by PacifiCorp to Bridger Coal. Receivables for these services, as well as for certain expenses paid by PacifiCorp and reimbursed by Bridger Coal, were $5 million and $4 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Services provided by equity investees to PacifiCorp primarily relate to coal purchases. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, coal purchases from PacifiCorp's equity investees totaled $174 million, $181 million and $146 million, respectively. Payables to PacifiCorp's equity investees were $17 million and $16 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	Related Party Transactions The companies identified as affiliates of MidAmerican Energy are Berkshire Hathaway and its subsidiaries, including BHE and its subsidiaries. The basis for the following transactions is provided for in service agreements between MidAmerican Energy and the affiliates. MidAmerican Energy is reimbursed for charges incurred on behalf of its affiliates. The majority of these reimbursed expenses are for general costs, such as insurance and building rent, and for employee wages, benefits and costs related to corporate functions such as information technology, human resources, treasury, legal and accounting. The amount of such reimbursements was $41 million, $46 million and $58 million for 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. MidAmerican Energy reimbursed BHE in the amount of $6 million, $7 million and $8 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, for its share of corporate expenses. MidAmerican Energy purchases natural gas transportation and storage capacity services from Northern Natural Gas Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of BHE, and coal transportation services from BNSF Railway Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, in the normal course of business at either tariffed or market prices. These purchases totaled $135 million, $165 million and $144 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. MidAmerican Energy had accounts receivable from affiliates of $5 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, that are included in receivables on the Balance Sheets. MidAmerican Energy also had accounts payable to affiliates of $13 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, that are included in accounts payable on the Balance Sheets. MidAmerican Energy is party to a tax-sharing agreement and is part of the Berkshire Hathaway United States federal income tax return. For current federal and state income taxes, MidAmerican Energy had a payable to BHE of $6 million as of December 31, 2016, and a receivable from BHE of $102 million as of December 31, 2015. MidAmerican Energy received net cash receipts for federal and state income taxes from BHE totaling $601 million, $629 million and $149 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. MidAmerican Energy recognizes the full amount of the funded status for its pension and postretirement plans, and amounts attributable to MidAmerican Energy's affiliates that have not previously been recognized through income are recognized as an intercompany balance with such affiliates. MidAmerican Energy adjusts these balances when changes to the funded status of the respective plans are recognized and does not intend to settle the balances currently. Amounts receivable from affiliates attributable to the funded status of employee benefit plans totaled $12 million and $10 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and similar amounts payable to affiliates totaled $36 million and $29 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. See Note 11 for further information pertaining to pension and postretirement accounting.
MidAmerican Funding, LLC and Subsidiaries [Domain]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	Related Party Transactions The companies identified as affiliates of MidAmerican Funding are Berkshire Hathaway and its subsidiaries, including BHE and its subsidiaries. The basis for the following transactions is provided for in service agreements between MidAmerican Funding and the affiliates. MidAmerican Funding is reimbursed for charges incurred on behalf of its affiliates. The majority of these reimbursed expenses are for allocated general costs, such as insurance and building rent, and for employee wages, benefits and costs for corporate functions, such as information technology, human resources, treasury, legal and accounting. The amount of such reimbursements was $35 million, $35 million and $37 million for 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. MidAmerican Funding reimbursed BHE in the amount of $6 million, $7 million and $8 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, for its share of corporate expenses. MidAmerican Energy purchases natural gas transportation and storage capacity services from Northern Natural Gas Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of BHE, and coal transportation services from BNSF Railway Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, in the normal course of business at either tariffed or market prices. These purchases totaled $135 million, $165 million and $144 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. MHC has a $300 million revolving credit arrangement carrying interest at the 30-day LIBOR rate plus a spread to borrow from BHE. Outstanding balances are unsecured and due on demand. The outstanding balance was $31 million at an interest rate of 0.885% as of December 31, 2016, and $139 million at an interest rate of 0.494% as of December 31, 2015, and is reflected as note payable to affiliate on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. BHE has a $100 million revolving credit arrangement, carrying interest at the 30-day LIBOR rate plus a spread to borrow from MHC. Outstanding balances are unsecured and due on demand. There were no borrowings outstanding throughout 2016 and 2015. MidAmerican Funding had accounts receivable from affiliates of $7 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 that are included in receivables, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. MidAmerican Funding also had accounts payable to affiliates of $12 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, that are included in accounts payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. MidAmerican Funding is party to a tax-sharing agreement and is part of the Berkshire Hathaway United States federal income tax return. For current federal and state income taxes, MidAmerican Funding had a payable to BHE of $7 million as of December 31, 2016, and a receivable from BHE of $102 million as of December 31, 2015. MidAmerican Funding received net cash receipts for federal and state income taxes from BHE totaling $609 million, $631 million and $154 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. MidAmerican Funding recognizes the full amount of the funded status for its pension and postretirement plans, and amounts attributable to MidAmerican Funding's affiliates that have not previously been recognized through income are recognized as an intercompany balance with such affiliates. MidAmerican Funding adjusts these balances when changes to the funded status of the respective plans are recognized and does not intend to settle the balances currently. Amounts receivable from affiliates attributable to the funded status of employee benefit plans totaled $12 million and $10 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and similar amounts payable to affiliates totaled $36 million and $29 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. See Note 11 for further information pertaining to pension and postretirement accounting. The indenture pertaining to MidAmerican Funding's long-term debt restricts MidAmerican Funding from paying a distribution on its equity securities, unless after making such distribution either its debt to total capital ratio does not exceed 0.67:1 and its interest coverage ratio is not less than 2.2:1 or its senior secured long-term debt rating is at least BBB or its equivalent. MidAmerican Funding may seek a release from this restriction upon delivery to the indenture trustee of written confirmation from the ratings agencies that without this restriction MidAmerican Funding's senior secured long-term debt would be rated at least BBB+.
Nevada Power Company [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	Related Party Transactions Kern River Gas Transmission Company, an indirect subsidiary of BHE, provided natural gas transportation and other services to Nevada Power of $68 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, Nevada Power's Consolidated Balance Sheets included amounts due to Kern River Gas Transmission Company of $5 million. Nevada Power provided electricity and other services to PacifiCorp, an indirect subsidiary of BHE, of $2 million, $3 million and $3 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. There were no receivables associated with these services as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. PacifiCorp provided electricity and the sale of renewable energy credits to Nevada Power of $- million, $2 million and $5 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. There were no payables associated with these transactions as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. Nevada Power provided electricity to Sierra Pacific of $78 million, $69 million and $33 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Receivables associated with these transactions were $45 million and $15 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Nevada Power purchased electricity from Sierra Pacific of $17 million, $2 million and $8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Payables associated with these transactions were $12 million and $1 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Nevada Power incurs intercompany administrative and shared facility costs with NV Energy and Sierra Pacific. These transactions are governed by an intercompany service agreement and are priced at cost. Nevada Power provided services to NV Energy of $1 million for each of the years ending December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. NV Energy provided services to Nevada Power of $10 million, $12 million and $19 million for the years ending December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Nevada Power provided services to Sierra Pacific of $24 million, $22 million and $20 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Sierra Pacific provided services to Nevada Power of $14 million, $16 million and $16 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, Nevada Power's Consolidated Balance Sheets included amounts due to NV Energy of $32 million and $40 million, respectively. There were no receivables due from NV Energy as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, Nevada Power's Consolidated Balance Sheets included receivables due from Sierra Pacific of $4 million and $6 million, respectively. There were no payables due to Sierra Pacific as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. Nevada Power is party to a tax-sharing agreement with NV Energy and NV Energy is part of the Berkshire Hathaway United States federal income tax return. Federal income taxes payable to NV Energy were $68 million and $- million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. No cash payments were made for federal income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. Certain disbursements for accounts payable and payroll are made by NV Energy on behalf of Nevada Power and reimbursed automatically when settled by the bank. These amounts are recorded as accounts payable at the time of disbursement.
Sierra Pacific Power Company [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	Related Party Transactions Sierra Pacific provided electricity to Nevada Power of $17 million, $2 million and $8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Receivables associated with these transactions were $12 million and $1 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. Sierra Pacific purchased electricity from Nevada Power of $78 million, $69 million and $33 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Payables associated with these transactions were $45 million and $15 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Sierra Pacific incurs intercompany administrative and shared facility costs with NV Energy and Nevada Power. These transactions are governed by an intercompany service agreement and are priced at cost. NV Energy provided services to Sierra Pacific of $5 million, $6 million and $9 million for the years ending December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Sierra Pacific provided services to Nevada Power of $14 million, $16 million, and $16 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Nevada Power provided services to Sierra Pacific of $24 million, $22 million, and $20 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, Sierra Pacific's Consolidated Balance Sheets included amounts due to NV Energy of $18 million and $21 million, respectively. There were no receivables due from NV Energy as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, Sierra Pacific's Consolidated Balance Sheets included payables due to Nevada Power of $4 million and $6 million, respectively. There were no receivables due from Nevada Power as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. Certain disbursements for accounts payable and payroll are made by NV Energy on behalf of Sierra Pacific and reimbursed automatically when settled by the bank. These amounts are recorded as accounts payable at the time of disbursement.