Operating Segments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Costs and Expenses	$ 2,970		$ 2,831		$ 8,680		$ 8,955
Loss from Catastrophes					121
Loss From Catastrophes Net Of Tax					74
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, after-tax	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	(147)	[1]
Before Tax Gain From Agreement To Sell Appalachian EP	0		0		0		2,467
After Tax Gain From Agreement To Sell Appalachian EP							1,400.0
Charge primarily reflecting severance pay and other benefits related to a workforce reduction program, before tax							338
Charge primarily reflecting severance pay and other benefits related to a workforce reduction program, after-tax							206
Impairment Of Emissions Allowances					57
Impairment Of Emissions Net Of Taxes					34
Operating Income (Loss)	(833)		(1,119)		(2,521)		(4,963)
Corporate and Other [Member]
After Tax Net Benefits Expenses Attributable To Operating Segments					217		1,100
Costs and Expenses					213		905
Dominion Virginia Power [Member]
Charge primarily reflecting severance pay and other benefits related to a workforce reduction program, after-tax							67
Dominion Energy [Member]
Charge primarily reflecting severance pay and other benefits related to a workforce reduction program, after-tax							24
Dominion Generation [Member]
Charge primarily reflecting severance pay and other benefits related to a workforce reduction program, after-tax							115
Impairment charges					55		163
Impairment charges, after-tax					39		95
Operating Income (Loss)					56
Operating Income Loss After Tax					32
Peoples [Member]
Benefit from gain on sale Dominion's Appalachian E&P operations, before tax							134
Benefit from gain on sale Dominion's Appalachian E&P operations, after-tax							$ 147

[1] Includes income tax expense of $13 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.