Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (MEC) (MidAmerican Energy Company and Subsidiaries [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
MidAmerican Energy Company and Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 155	$ 123
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	193	169
Deferred income taxes and amortization of investment tax credits	22	63
Changes in other assets and liabilities	22	15
Other, net	(8)	(7)
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables, net	51	41
Inventories	0	12
Derivative collateral, net	0	(5)
Contributions to pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net	(55)	(44)
Accounts payable	0	(49)
Taxes accrued	432	(3)
Other current assets and liabilities	3	14
Net cash flows from operating activities	815	329
Cash flows from investing activities:
Utility construction expenditures	(259)	(219)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(29)	(48)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	20	47
Other, net	7	5
Net cash flows from investing activities	(261)	(215)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends	(1)	(1)
Repayment of long-term debt	(283)	0
Net cash flows from financing activities	(284)	(1)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	270	113
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1	203
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 271	$ 316