Fair Value Measurements (Net Change in the Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis and Included in the Level 3 Fair Value Category) (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Fair Value Measurements
Beginning balance	$ (163)	$ (60)	$ (50)	$ (66)
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in earnings	(22)	12	(8)	13
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)	35	61	(59)	85
Included in regulatory assets/liabilities	(11)	19	(32)	14
Settlements	39	(3)	23	(18)
Transfers out of Level 3		3	4	4
Ending balance	(122)	32	(122)	32
The amount of gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets/liabilities still held at the reporting date	$ 27	$ 3	$ 31	$ (11)

This element represents the aggregate amount of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis with a significant amount of unobservable inputs.

Name:	d_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetAndLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	d
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the amount of gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains/losses relating to assets still held at the reporting date for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis with a significant amount of unobservable inputs.

+ Details

Name:	d_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetAndLiabilitiesChangeInUnrealizedGainsAndLossesRelatedToInstrumentsHeld
Namespace Prefix:	d
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the net amount of realized and unrealized gains or (losses) included in earnings for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and included in the Level 3 fair value category.

+ Details

Name:	d_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetAndLiabilitiesIncludedInEarnings
Namespace Prefix:	d
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the net amount of realized and unrealized gains or (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss) for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and included in the Level 3 fair value category.

+ Details

Name:	d_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetAndLiabilitiesIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncome
Namespace Prefix:	d
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the net amount of realized and unrealized gains or (losses) included in regulatory assets/liabilities for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and included in the Level 3 fair value category.

+ Details

Name:	d_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetAndLiabilitiesIncludedInRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	d
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the net amount of transfers in to or out of the Level 3 fair value category for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

+ Details

Name:	d_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetAndLiabilitiesLevel3TransfersOutOf
Namespace Prefix:	d
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the net amount of settlements for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and included in the Level 3 fair value category.

+ Details

Name:	d_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetAndLiabilitiesSettlements
Namespace Prefix:	d
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset And Liabilities Total Gains Losses Realized Unrealized [Abstract]

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueDisclosuresAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration