Operating Revenue (Operating Revenue) (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Electric sales:
Regulated	$ 1,728	$ 1,688	$ 3,458	$ 3,405
Nonregulated	794	840	1,735	1,785
Gas sales:
Regulated	44	39	183	184
Nonregulated	337	345	939	1,127
Gas transportation and storage	322	316	860	781
Other	116	105	223	219
Total operating revenue	$ 3,341	$ 3,333	$ 7,398	$ 7,501

Gas Utility Revenue [Abstract]

Name:	d_GasUtilityRevenueAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	d
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of nonregulated gas operating revenues recognized during the period.

+ Details

Name:	d_UnregulatedOperatingRevenueGas
Namespace Prefix:	d
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Revenue derived from the regulated (by a federal, state, or local government or agency) generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ElectricDomesticRegulatedRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ElectricUtilityRevenueAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Revenue derived from the unregulated generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ElectricWorldwideUnregulatedRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Revenue related to midstream and downstream gas activities. May include the following: gathering from wells, processing to remove impurities, storage, transmission, and the sale of natural gas and related products.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 932
-SubTopic 235
-Section 50
-Paragraph 23
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6821537&loc=d3e62136-109447

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 932
-SubTopic 235
-Section 50
-Paragraph 24
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6821537&loc=d3e62246-109447

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GasGatheringTransportationMarketingAndProcessingRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Revenues from the sale of other goods or rendering of other services, not elsewhere specified in the taxonomy; net of (reduced by) sales adjustments, returns, allowances, and discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 5
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(a),(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherSalesRevenueNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of regulated gas operating revenues recognized during the period.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatedOperatingRevenueGas
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 5
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration