Goodwill (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Goodwill [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	GOODWILL In a business combination, the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment at least annually and more frequently if indicators of impairment arise. In accordance with the accounting standards, if the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value (including goodwill), the goodwill is tested for impairment. Impairment is indicated and a loss is recognized if the implied fair value of a reporting unit's goodwill is less than the carrying value of its goodwill. With the completion of the AE merger in the first quarter of 2011, FirstEnergy reorganized its management structure, which resulted in changes to its operating segments (see Note 14). FirstEnergy's goodwill from the merger of $873 million was assigned to the Competitive Energy Services segment based on expected synergies from the merger. FirstEnergy's reporting units are consistent with its operating segments, and consist of Regulated Distribution, Regulated Independent Transmission and Competitive Energy Services. Goodwill is allocated to these operating segments based on the original purchase price allocation for acquisitions, including the AE merger, within the various reporting units. As of September 30, 2011, goodwill balances for Regulated Distribution and Competitive Energy Services were $5,551 million and $897 million, respectively. No goodwill has been allocated to the Regulated Independent Transmission segment. Annual impairment testing is conducted during the third quarter of each year and for 2011, the analysis indicated no impairment of goodwill. For purposes of annual testing the estimated fair values of Regulated Distribution and Competitive Energy Services were determined using a discounted cash flow approach. The discounted cash flow model of the Regulated Distribution and Competitive Energy Services segments reporting units is based on the forecasted operating cash flow for the current year, projected operating cash flows (determined using forecasted amounts as well as an estimated growth rate) and a terminal value. Discounted cash flows consist of the operating cash flows for each reporting unit less an estimate for capital expenditures. The key assumptions incorporated in the discounted cash flow approach include growth rates, projected operating income, changes in working capital, projected capital expenditures, planned funding of pension plans, anticipated funding of nuclear decommissioning trusts, expected results of future rate proceedings (applicable to Regulated Distribution segment only) and a discount rate equal to assumed long-term cost of capital. Cash flows may be adjusted to exclude certain non-recurring or unusual items. Reporting unit income, which excludes non-recurring or unusual items, was the starting point for determining operating cash flow and there were no non-recurring or unusual items excluded from the calculations of operating cash flow in any of the periods included in the determination of fair value. This approach involves management judgment and estimates that are used in relation to changing market conditions and business environment; unanticipated changes in assumptions could have a significant effect on FirstEnergy's evaluation of goodwill. At the time FirstEnergy conducted the annual impairment testing in 2011, fair value would have to have declined in excess of 44% and 53% for Regulated Distribution and Competitive Energy Services, respectively, to indicate a potential goodwill impairment. Fair value would have to have declined more than 20% for CEI, 16% for TE, 38% for JCP&L, 62% for Met-Ed, 58% for Penelec and 62% for FES to indicate a potential goodwill impairment.

GOODWILL

In a business combination, the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment at least annually and more frequently if indicators of impairment arise. In accordance with the accounting standards, if the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value (including goodwill), the goodwill is tested for impairment. Impairment is indicated and a loss is recognized if the implied fair value of a reporting unit's goodwill is less than the carrying value of its goodwill.

With the completion of the AE merger in the first quarter of 2011, FirstEnergy reorganized its management structure, which resulted in changes to its operating segments (see Note 14). FirstEnergy's goodwill from the merger of $873 million was assigned to the Competitive Energy Services segment based on expected synergies from the merger. FirstEnergy's reporting units are consistent with its operating segments, and consist of Regulated Distribution, Regulated Independent Transmission and Competitive Energy Services. Goodwill is allocated to these operating segments based on the original purchase price allocation for acquisitions, including the AE merger, within the various reporting units. As of September 30, 2011, goodwill balances for Regulated Distribution and Competitive Energy Services were $5,551 million and $897 million, respectively. No goodwill has been allocated to the Regulated Independent Transmission segment.

Annual impairment testing is conducted during the third quarter of each year and for 2011, the analysis indicated no impairment of goodwill. For purposes of annual testing the estimated fair values of Regulated Distribution and Competitive Energy Services were determined using a discounted cash flow approach.

The discounted cash flow model of the Regulated Distribution and Competitive Energy Services segments reporting units is based on the forecasted operating cash flow for the current year, projected operating cash flows (determined using forecasted amounts as well as an estimated growth rate) and a terminal value. Discounted cash flows consist of the operating cash flows for each reporting unit less an estimate for capital expenditures. The key assumptions incorporated in the discounted cash flow approach include growth rates, projected operating income, changes in working capital, projected capital expenditures, planned funding of pension plans, anticipated funding of nuclear decommissioning trusts, expected results of future rate proceedings (applicable to Regulated Distribution segment only) and a discount rate equal to assumed long-term cost of capital. Cash flows may be adjusted to exclude certain non-recurring or unusual items. Reporting unit income, which excludes non-recurring or unusual items, was the starting point for determining operating cash flow and there were no non-recurring or unusual items excluded from the calculations of operating cash flow in any of the periods included in the determination of fair value.

This approach involves management judgment and estimates that are used in relation to changing market conditions and business environment; unanticipated changes in assumptions could have a significant effect on FirstEnergy's evaluation of goodwill. At the time FirstEnergy conducted the annual impairment testing in 2011, fair value would have to have declined in excess of 44% and 53% for Regulated Distribution and Competitive Energy Services, respectively, to indicate a potential goodwill impairment. Fair value would have to have declined more than 20% for CEI, 16% for TE, 38% for JCP&L, 62% for Met-Ed, 58% for Penelec and 62% for FES to indicate a potential goodwill impairment.