Commitments And Contingencies (Change In Accruals Related To Third-Party Claims) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Ending Balance		$ 52
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Beginning Balance	277	214	0
Additional loss accrued	80	155
Loss accrued			220
Less: Payments	(173)	(92)	(6)
Ending Balance	$ 184	$ 277	$ 214

The amount of cash paid for the settlement of litigation or for other legal issues during the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 25

-Subparagraph (g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3536-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 27

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsForLegalSettlements
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration