Schedule I Condensed Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 627	$ 935
Accounts receivable		2,038	2,014
Income tax receivable		90	334
Other current assets		853	815
Total current assets		5,147	5,778
Goodwill		9,595	9,678	$ 9,010
Other assets		1,053	1,248
Total assets		92,189	90,208	85,440
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	[1]	2,516	4,488
Total current liabilities		8,770	11,603
BHE senior debt		8,577	5,452
BHE junior subordinated debentures		100	100
Long-term Debt		36,774	35,193
Other long-term liabilities		2,635	2,984
Total liabilities		62,466	61,900
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock		0	0
Additional paid-in capital		6,371	6,368
Long-term income tax receivable		(457)	0
Retained earnings		25,624	22,206
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net		(1,945)	(398)
Total shareholders' equity		29,593	28,176
Noncontrolling interest		130	132
Total equity		29,723	28,308	24,463	$ 22,535
Total liabilities and equity		92,189	90,208
Parent Company [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		9	346	33	23
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties		100	60
Due from Affiliates		156	391
Income tax receivable		103	0
Other current assets		15	21
Total current assets		383	818
Investments in subsidiaries		36,602	34,019
Other Investments		1,579	2,117
Goodwill		1,221	1,221
Other assets		546	1,155
Total assets		40,331	39,330
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and other current liabilities		183	268
Notes Payable, Related Parties, Current		328	182
Short-term debt		983	3,331
Current portion of senior debt		0	1,000
Total current liabilities		1,494	4,781
BHE senior debt		8,577	5,452
BHE junior subordinated debentures		100	100
Notes payable - affiliate		1	1
Other long-term liabilities		543	800
Total liabilities		10,715	11,134
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock		0	0
Additional paid-in capital		6,371	6,368
Retained earnings		25,624	22,206
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net		(1,945)	(398)
Total shareholders' equity		29,593	28,176
Noncontrolling interest		23	20
Total equity		29,616	28,196
Total liabilities and equity		40,331	39,330
MidAmerican Funding LLC [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		0	0	$ 0	$ 0
Due from Affiliates		2	2
Income tax receivable		0	13
Total current assets		2	15
Investments in subsidiaries		8,002	7,322
Total assets		8,004	7,337
Current liabilities:
Other accrued current liabilities		6	6
Long-term Debt		240	240
Notes payable - affiliate		429	431
Total liabilities		675	677
Shareholders' equity:
Paid-in capital		1,679	1,679
Retained earnings		5,650	4,981
Total shareholders' equity		7,329	6,660
Total liabilities and equity		$ 8,004	$ 7,337

[1] (1)The table does not include unused credit facilities and letters of credit for investments that are accounted for under the equity method.