Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Pension plan liability adjustments, taxes	$ 4	$ (12)	$ 5
CECONY [Member]
Pension plan liability adjustments, taxes	$ (1)	$ (1)	$ (1)

Tax effect, net of reclassification adjustments, of pension and other postretirement benefit plans (gain) loss included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e640-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 10A

-Subparagraph (i-k)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=SL7669646-108580

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration