XML 176 R82.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Pension Benefits - Schedule of Fair Value of Plan Assets (Detail) (Pension Benefits [Member], USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments $ 12,415ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments $ 11,759ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments    
Funds for retiree health benefits (358)us-gaap_SupplementalUnemploymentBenefitsContinuationOfHealthCare (372)us-gaap_SupplementalUnemploymentBenefitsContinuationOfHealthCare    
Investments (excluding funds for retiree health benefits) 12,057ed_InvestmentsExcludingFundsForRetireeHealthBenefits 11,387ed_InvestmentsExcludingFundsForRetireeHealthBenefits    
Pending activities (562)ed_DefinedBenefitPlanPendingActivities (632)ed_DefinedBenefitPlanPendingActivities    
Total fair value of plan net assets 11,495us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets 10,755us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets 9,135us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets 7,800us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
U.S. Equity [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 3,168ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= ed_UsEquityMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
3,057ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= ed_UsEquityMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
International Equity [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 3,202ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= ed_InternationalEquityMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
3,174ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= ed_InternationalEquityMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Private Equity [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 114ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
67ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Total fair value of plan net assets 114us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
67us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
20us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
U.S. Government Issued Debt [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 2,113ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
1,855ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Corporate Bonds Debt [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 1,351ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
1,151ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Structured Assets Debt [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 4ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_StructuredFinanceMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
4ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_StructuredFinanceMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Other Fixed Income Debt [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 208ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= ed_OtherFixedIncomeMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
150ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= ed_OtherFixedIncomeMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Real Estate [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 1,137ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
1,062ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Total fair value of plan net assets 1,137us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
1,062us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
833us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 665ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
685ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Futures [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 229ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= ed_FuturesMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
348ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= ed_FuturesMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Hedge Funds [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 224ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_HedgeFundsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
206ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_HedgeFundsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Total fair value of plan net assets 224us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_HedgeFundsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
206us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_HedgeFundsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Level 1 [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 6,389ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
5,835ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
   
Funds for retiree health benefits (184)us-gaap_SupplementalUnemploymentBenefitsContinuationOfHealthCare
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
(185)us-gaap_SupplementalUnemploymentBenefitsContinuationOfHealthCare
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
   
Investments (excluding funds for retiree health benefits) 6,205ed_InvestmentsExcludingFundsForRetireeHealthBenefits
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
5,650ed_InvestmentsExcludingFundsForRetireeHealthBenefits
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
   
Level 1 [Member] | U.S. Equity [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 3,168ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= ed_UsEquityMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
3,057ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= ed_UsEquityMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
   
Level 1 [Member] | International Equity [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 2,841ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= ed_InternationalEquityMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
2,303ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= ed_InternationalEquityMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
   
Level 1 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 188ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
127ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
   
Level 1 [Member] | Futures [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 192ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= ed_FuturesMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
348ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= ed_FuturesMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
   
Level 2 [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 4,551ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
4,589ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
   
Funds for retiree health benefits (131)us-gaap_SupplementalUnemploymentBenefitsContinuationOfHealthCare
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
(145)us-gaap_SupplementalUnemploymentBenefitsContinuationOfHealthCare
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
   
Investments (excluding funds for retiree health benefits) 4,420ed_InvestmentsExcludingFundsForRetireeHealthBenefits
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
4,444ed_InvestmentsExcludingFundsForRetireeHealthBenefits
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
   
Level 2 [Member] | International Equity [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 361ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= ed_InternationalEquityMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
871ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= ed_InternationalEquityMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
   
Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Government Issued Debt [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 2,113ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
1,855ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
   
Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Bonds Debt [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 1,351ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
1,151ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
   
Level 2 [Member] | Structured Assets Debt [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 4ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_StructuredFinanceMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
4ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_StructuredFinanceMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
   
Level 2 [Member] | Other Fixed Income Debt [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 208ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= ed_OtherFixedIncomeMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
150ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= ed_OtherFixedIncomeMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
   
Level 2 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 477ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
558ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
   
Level 2 [Member] | Futures [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 37ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= ed_FuturesMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
     
Level 3 [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 1,475ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
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1,335ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
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Funds for retiree health benefits (43)us-gaap_SupplementalUnemploymentBenefitsContinuationOfHealthCare
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(42)us-gaap_SupplementalUnemploymentBenefitsContinuationOfHealthCare
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Investments (excluding funds for retiree health benefits) 1,432ed_InvestmentsExcludingFundsForRetireeHealthBenefits
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1,293ed_InvestmentsExcludingFundsForRetireeHealthBenefits
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Level 3 [Member] | Private Equity [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 114ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
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67ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
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Level 3 [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments 1,137ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
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1,062ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
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Level 3 [Member] | Hedge Funds [Member]
       
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Total investments $ 224ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
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$ 206ed_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsInvestments
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