Consolidated Statements of Common Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative hedges taxes	$ 8,000	$ 14,000	$ 24,000
Unrealized gain on investments taxes	7,000	3,000	(31,000)
Taxes on pension and other postretirement taxes	(64,000)	(91,000)	135,000
FES
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative hedges taxes	5,000	9,000	7,000
Unrealized gain on investments taxes	6,000	3,000	(21,000)
Taxes on pension and other postretirement taxes	(9,000)	(8,000)	28,000
OE
Unrealized gain on investments taxes	0	0	(4,000)
Taxes on pension and other postretirement taxes	(15,000)	9,000	23,000
CEI
Taxes on pension and other postretirement taxes	(6,842)	(14,732)	19,297
TE
Unrealized gain on investments taxes	1,610	(46)	5,756
Taxes on pension and other postretirement taxes	(2,906)	(1,467)	(5,223)
JCP&L
Taxes on pension and other postretirement taxes	(15,000)	(10,000)	(4,000)
Met-Ed
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative hedges taxes	139	522
Taxes on pension and other postretirement taxes	(11,057)	(8,074)	3,070
Penelec
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative hedges taxes	(27)	105	7
Unrealized gain on investments taxes			(15)
Taxes on pension and other postretirement taxes	$ (14,593)	$ (11,899)	$ 4,839