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Commitments And Contingencies (Environmental Remediation Contingencies) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Amount of environmental loss accrual expected to be recovered	$ 548
Eligible Resident Households For Voluntary Program	350
Utility Undiscounted Future Costs	1,600
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Utility Undiscounted future costs	910	785
Hinkley Natural Gas Compressor Station [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Utility Undiscounted future costs	$ 226	$ 149

Total costs accrued as of the balance sheet date for environmental loss contingencies.

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of known and reasonably estimable amounts of recoveries from third-parties pertaining to an entity's environmental remediation obligations. An entity's balance sheet may include several assets that relate to an environmental remediation obligation. Among them are the following: a. Receivables from other potentially responsible parties that are not providing initial funding; b. anticipated recoveries from insurers; and c. anticipated recoveries from prior owners as a result of indemnification agreements.

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