Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 574	$ 475
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning	1,019	1,190
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	(52)	(53)
Deferred income taxes and tax credits, net	346	234
Other	157	137
Effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(22)	13
Inventories	(31)	5
Accounts payable	28	(125)
Income taxes receivable/payable	(143)	153
Other current assets and liabilities	(367)	74
Regulatory assets, liabilities, and balancing accounts, net	(192)	(115)
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities	142	186
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,459	2,174
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(2,521)	(2,219)
Decrease (Increase) in restricted cash	25	(1)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of nuclear decommissioning trust investments	795	666
Purchases of nuclear decommissioning trust investments	(786)	(716)
Other	16	64
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,471)	(2,206)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities	140	0
Net issuances (repayments) of commercial paper, net of discount of $1 and $2 at respective dates	321	(566)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of premium, discount, and issuance costs of $8 and $6 at respective dates	742	394
Long-term debt matured or repurchased	(461)	(50)
Energy recovery bonds matured	0	(200)
Common stock issued	562	561
Common stock dividends paid	(386)	(368)
Other	(26)	40
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	892	(189)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(120)	(221)
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	401	513
Cash and cash equivalents at June 30	281	292
Cash received (paid) for:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized	(312)	(319)
Income taxes, net	(65)	114
Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities
Common stock dividends declared but not yet paid	202	194
Capital expenditures financed through accounts payable	253	256
Noncash common stock issuances	11	12
Terminated capital leases	0	136
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	566	458
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning	1,019	1,190
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	(52)	(53)
Deferred income taxes and tax credits, net	337	242
Other	126	108
Effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(24)	(50)
Inventories	(31)	5
Accounts payable	68	(107)
Income taxes receivable/payable	(162)	216
Other current assets and liabilities	(317)	78
Regulatory assets, liabilities, and balancing accounts, net	(192)	(115)
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities	126	202
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,464	2,174
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(2,521)	(2,219)
Decrease (Increase) in restricted cash	25	(1)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of nuclear decommissioning trust investments	795	666
Purchases of nuclear decommissioning trust investments	(786)	(716)
Other	8	11
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,479)	(2,259)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net issuances (repayments) of commercial paper, net of discount of $1 and $2 at respective dates	321	(566)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of premium, discount, and issuance costs of $8 and $6 at respective dates	742	394
Long-term debt matured or repurchased	(461)	(50)
Energy recovery bonds matured	0	(200)
Preferred stock dividends paid	(7)	(7)
Common stock dividends paid	(358)	(358)
Equity contribution	665	565
Other	(20)	48
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	882	(174)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(133)	(259)
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	194	304
Cash and cash equivalents at June 30	61	45
Cash received (paid) for:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized	(300)	(309)
Income taxes, net	(86)	111
Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities
Capital expenditures financed through accounts payable	253	256
Terminated capital leases	$ 0	$ 136