Derivatives and Hedge Accounting Activities (Fair Value of Derivatives) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Total Fair Value, Assets	$ 1,272		$ 1,070
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	1,110		1,157
Current Assets
Total Fair Value, Assets	822		705
Current Assets | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	784		671
Current Assets | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	38		34
Noncurrent Assets
Total Fair Value, Assets	450	[1]	365	[1]
Noncurrent Assets | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	394		294
Noncurrent Assets | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	56		71
Current Liabilities
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	871		951
Current Liabilities | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	698		692
Current Liabilities | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	173		259
Noncurrent Liabilities
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	239	[2]	206	[2]
Noncurrent Liabilities | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	236		196
Noncurrent Liabilities | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	3		10
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting
Total Fair Value, Assets	701		479
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	515		502
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting | Current Assets
Total Fair Value, Assets	350		210
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting | Current Assets | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	312		176
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting | Current Assets | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	38		34
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting | Noncurrent Assets
Total Fair Value, Assets	351	[1]	269	[1]
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting | Noncurrent Assets | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	295		198
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting | Noncurrent Assets | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	56		71
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting | Current Liabilities
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	364		384
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting | Current Liabilities | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	206		162
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting | Current Liabilities | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	158		222
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting | Noncurrent Liabilities
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	151	[2]	118	[2]
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting | Noncurrent Liabilities | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	151		118
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting | Noncurrent Liabilities | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	0		0
Fair Value - Derivatives not under Hedge Accounting
Total Fair Value, Assets	571		591
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	595		655
Fair Value - Derivatives not under Hedge Accounting | Current Assets
Total Fair Value, Assets	472		495
Fair Value - Derivatives not under Hedge Accounting | Current Assets | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	472		495
Fair Value - Derivatives not under Hedge Accounting | Current Assets | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	0		0
Fair Value - Derivatives not under Hedge Accounting | Noncurrent Assets
Total Fair Value, Assets	99	[1]	96	[1]
Fair Value - Derivatives not under Hedge Accounting | Noncurrent Assets | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	99		96
Fair Value - Derivatives not under Hedge Accounting | Noncurrent Assets | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	0		0
Fair Value - Derivatives not under Hedge Accounting | Current Liabilities
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	507		567
Fair Value - Derivatives not under Hedge Accounting | Current Liabilities | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	492		530
Fair Value - Derivatives not under Hedge Accounting | Current Liabilities | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	15		37
Fair Value - Derivatives not under Hedge Accounting | Noncurrent Liabilities
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	88	[2]	88	[2]
Fair Value - Derivatives not under Hedge Accounting | Noncurrent Liabilities | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	85		78
Fair Value - Derivatives not under Hedge Accounting | Noncurrent Liabilities | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	$ 3		$ 10

[1] Noncurrent derivative assets are presented in other deferred charges and other assets in Dominion’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[2] Noncurrent derivative liabilities are presented in other deferred credits and other liabilities in Dominion’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.