Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 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
Customer
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	$ 37,000	$ 36,000
Other
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	3,000	8,000
FES
Common stockholders' equity-
Common stock, par value
Common stock, shares authorized	750	750
Common stock, shares outstanding	7	7
FES | Customer
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	16,000	17,000
FES | Other
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	3,000	7,000
OE
Common stockholders' equity-
Common stock, par value
Common stock, shares authorized	175,000,000	175,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	60	60
OE | Customer
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	4,000	4,000
CEI
Common stockholders' equity-
Common stock, par value
Common stock, shares authorized	105,000,000	105,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	67,930,743	67,930,743
CEI | Customer
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	2,933	4,589
TE
Common stockholders' equity-
Common stock, par value
Common stock, shares authorized	60,000,000	60,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	29,402,054	29,402,054
TE | Customer
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	1,467	1
TE | Other
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	264	330
JCP&L
Common stockholders' equity-
Common stock, par value	$ 10.00	$ 10.00
Common stock, shares authorized	16,000,000	16,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	13,628,447	13,628,447
JCP&L | Customer
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	4,000	4,000
Met-Ed
Common stockholders' equity-
Common stock, par value
Common stock, shares authorized	900,000	900,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	740,905	859,500
Met-Ed | Customer
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	3,015	3,868
Penelec
Common stockholders' equity-
Common stock, par value	$ 20.00	$ 20.00
Common stock, shares authorized	5,400,000	5,400,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	4,427,577	4,427,577
Penelec | Customer
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	2,243	3,369
Penelec | Other
Receivables-
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	$ 2	$ 1