Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Common stockholders' equity-
Common stock, par value	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common stock, shares authorized	490,000,000	375,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	418,216,437	304,835,407
FES
Common stockholders' equity-
Common Stock, No Par Value
Common stock, shares authorized	750
Common stock, shares outstanding	7
FES | Other [Member]
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	$ 3,000	$ 7,000
FES | Customer [Member]
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	19,000	17,000
OE
Common stockholders' equity-
Common Stock, No Par Value
Common stock, shares authorized	175,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	60
OE | Customer [Member]
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	4,000	4,000
CEI
Common stockholders' equity-
Common Stock, No Par Value
Common stock, shares authorized	105,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	67,930,743
CEI | Customer [Member]
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	3,169	4,589
TE
Common stockholders' equity-
Common stock, par value	$ 5
Common stock, shares authorized	60,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	29,402,054
TE | Other [Member]
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	257	330
TE | Customer [Member]
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	1,550	1
JCP&L
Common stockholders' equity-
Common stock, par value	$ 10
Common stock, shares authorized	16,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	13,628,447
JCP&L | Customer [Member]
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	4,000	4,000
Met-Ed
Common stockholders' equity-
Common Stock, No Par Value
Common stock, shares authorized	900,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	740,905	859,500
Met-Ed | Customer [Member]
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	3,191	3,868
Penelec
Common stockholders' equity-
Common stock, par value	$ 20
Common stock, shares authorized	5,400,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	4,427,577
Penelec | Customer [Member]
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	2,263	3,369
Other [Member]
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	9,000	8,000
Customer [Member]
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	$ 37,000	$ 36,000