Operating Revenue (Operating Revenue) (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Electric sales:
Regulated	$ 2,136	$ 2,083	$ 5,594	$ 5,488
Nonregulated	915	1,072	2,650	2,857
Gas sales:
Regulated	25	25	208	209
Nonregulated	281	375	1,220	1,502
Gas transportation and storage	291	289	1,151	1,070
Other	155	106	378	325
Total operating revenue	$ 3,803	$ 3,950	$ 11,201	$ 11,451

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