Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net issuances of commercial paper, discount	$ 1	$ 3
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of premium, discount, and issuance costs	9	10
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Net issuances of commercial paper, discount	1	3
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of premium, discount, and issuance costs	$ 9	$ 10

Discount and issuance costs related to the issuance of long-term debt.

No definition available.

Name:	pcg_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebtDiscountAndIssuanceCosts
Namespace Prefix:	pcg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration