Schedule I Condensed Statements of Cash Flows Schedule I Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows from operating activities	$ 6,066	$ 6,056	$ 6,980
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(190)	(141)	(144)
Proceeds from sale of investments	202	191	142
Other, net	(12)	(34)	41
Net cash flows from investing activities	(6,133)	(5,746)	(6,230)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment for Debt Extinguishment or Debt Prepayment Cost	(435)	0	0
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	19	0	36
Net proceeds from (repayments of) short-term debt	2,361	879	(421)
Other, net	(73)	(65)	(73)
Net cash flows from financing activities	274	(690)	(255)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	214	(387)	491
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	721	1,108	617
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	935	721	1,108
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows from operating activities	2,450	2,760	2,528
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in subsidiaries	(1,566)	(1,080)	(1,506)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(71)	(24)	(36)
Proceeds from sale of investments	68	20	47
Notes receivable from affiliate, net	(305)	(307)	19
Other, net	(8)	(5)	(7)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(1,882)	(1,396)	(1,483)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of BHE senior debt	(1,379)	0	0
Repayments of BHE subordinated debt	(944)	(2,000)	(850)
Payment for Debt Extinguishment or Debt Prepayment Cost	(406)	0	0
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	19	0	36
Net proceeds from (repayments of) short-term debt	2,498	581	(142)
Notes payable to affiliate, net	0	69	4
Other, net	(5)	(4)	(1)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(255)	(1,354)	(1,025)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	313	10	20
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	33	23	3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	346	33	23
MidAmerican Funding LLC [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows from operating activities	(15)	(13)	(13)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net cash flows from investing activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of Long-term Debt	(86)	0	0
Payment for Debt Extinguishment or Debt Prepayment Cost	(29)	0	0
Net change in amounts payable to subsidiary	130	13	13
Net cash flows from financing activities	15	13	13
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0