Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Accumulated provision for uncollectible accounts - customers [Member]
Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Beginning Balance	$ 37,303		$ 36,272		$ 33,431
Charged to Income	84,026		78,521		59,750
Charged to Other Accounts	36,686	[1]	38,042	[1]	37,813	[1]
Deductions	117,661	[2]	115,532	[2]	94,722	[2]
Ending Balance	40,354		37,303		36,272
Accumulated provision for uncollectible accounts - customers [Member] | FES
Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Beginning Balance	16,441		16,591		12,041
Charged to Income	10,410		11,250		9,397
Charged to Other Accounts	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Deductions	10,663	[2]	11,400	[2]	4,847	[2]
Ending Balance	16,188		16,441		16,591
Accumulated provision for uncollectible accounts - customers [Member] | OE
Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Beginning Balance	3,876		4,086		5,119
Charged to Income	10,360		8,936		6,588
Charged to Other Accounts	13,089	[1]	9,660	[1]	11,074	[1]
Deductions	23,822	[2]	18,806	[2]	18,695	[2]
Ending Balance	3,503		3,876		4,086
Accumulated provision for uncollectible accounts - customers [Member] | JCP&L
Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Beginning Balance	3,581		3,769		3,506
Charged to Income	10,194		11,419		12,487
Charged to Other Accounts	6,077	[1]	5,718	[1]	5,251	[1]
Deductions	16,604	[2]	17,325	[2]	17,475	[2]
Ending Balance	3,248		3,581		3,769
Accumulated provision for uncollectible accounts - other [Member]
Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Beginning Balance	3,447		8,252		6,969
Charged to Income	4,328		663		2,687
Charged to Other Accounts	203	[1]	927	[1]	1,037	[1]
Deductions	3,965	[2]	6,395	[2]	2,441	[2]
Ending Balance	4,013		3,447		8,252
Accumulated provision for uncollectible accounts - other [Member] | FES
Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Beginning Balance	2,500		6,765		6,702
Charged to Income	1,290		22		64
Charged to Other Accounts	0	[1]	4	[1]	0	[1]
Deductions	1,290	[2]	4,291	[2]	1	[2]
Ending Balance	2,500		2,500		6,765
Accumulated provision for uncollectible accounts - other [Member] | OE
Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Beginning Balance	9		6		18
Charged to Income	21		39		5
Charged to Other Accounts	48	[1]	208	[1]	180	[1]
Deductions	78	[2]	244	[2]	197	[2]
Ending Balance	0		9		6
Accumulated provision for uncollectible accounts - other [Member] | JCP&L
Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Beginning Balance	0		22		0
Charged to Income	2,222		(44)		209
Charged to Other Accounts	21	[1]	700	[1]	70	[1]
Deductions	2,243	[2]	678	[2]	257	[2]
Ending Balance	0		0		22
Loss carryforward tax valuation reserve [Member]
Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Beginning Balance	34,236		26,051		22,600
Charged to Income	67,461		(18,933)		3,451
Charged to Other Accounts	0		27,118		0
Deductions	0		0		0
Ending Balance	101,697		34,236		26,051
Loss carryforward tax valuation reserve [Member] | FES
Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Beginning Balance	11,650		9,290		7,189
Charged to Income	4,160		2,360		2,101
Charged to Other Accounts	0		0		0
Deductions	0		0		0
Ending Balance	$ 15,810		$ 11,650		$ 9,290

[1] Represents recoveries and reinstatements of accounts previously written off.

[2] Represents the write-off of accounts considered to be uncollectible.