Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 1,315	$ 738
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning	1,766	1,542
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	(72)	(78)
Deferred income taxes and tax credits, net	209	527
PSEP disallowed capital expenditures	0	196
Other	258	274
Effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(177)	(160)
Inventories	(43)	(56)
Accounts payable	(57)	84
Income taxes receivable/payable	397	(133)
Other current assets and liabilities	358	(269)
Regulatory assets, liabilities, and balancing accounts, net	(994)	12
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities	(3)	156
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,957	2,833
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(3,564)	(3,881)
Decrease in restricted cash	2	29
Proceeds from sales and maturities of nuclear decommissioning trust investments	1,059	1,152
Purchases of nuclear decommissioning trust investments	(1,065)	(1,150)
Other	107	37
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,461)	(3,813)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities	0	140
Repayments under revolving credit facilities	(260)	0
Net issuances (repayments) of commercial paper, net of discount of $1 at respective dates	(789)	322
Proceeds from issuance of short-term debt, net of issuance costs	300	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of premium, discount, and issuance costs of $6 and $9 for PG&E Corporation and $3 and $9 for the Utility, at respective dates	1,819	741
Repayments of long-term debt	(889)	(461)
Common stock issued	743	724
Common stock dividends paid	(617)	(583)
Other	40	(23)
Net cash provided by financing activities	347	860
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(157)	(120)
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	296	401
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	139	281
Cash received (paid) for:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized	(516)	(499)
Income taxes, net	409	(65)
Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities
Common stock dividends declared but not yet paid	216	204
Capital expenditures financed through accounts payable	232	277
Noncash common stock issuances	16	17
Terminated capital leases	71	0
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	1,271	728
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning	1,765	1,542
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	(72)	(78)
Deferred income taxes and tax credits, net	173	545
PSEP disallowed capital expenditures	0	196
Other	212	231
Effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(174)	(162)
Inventories	(43)	(56)
Accounts payable	(3)	125
Income taxes receivable/payable	407	(154)
Other current assets and liabilities	366	(250)
Regulatory assets, liabilities, and balancing accounts, net	(994)	12
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities	6	147
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,914	2,826
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(3,564)	(3,881)
Decrease in restricted cash	2	29
Proceeds from sales and maturities of nuclear decommissioning trust investments	1,059	1,152
Purchases of nuclear decommissioning trust investments	(1,065)	(1,150)
Other	22	14
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,546)	(3,836)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net issuances (repayments) of commercial paper, net of discount of $1 at respective dates	(789)	322
Proceeds from issuance of short-term debt, net of issuance costs	300	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of premium, discount, and issuance costs of $6 and $9 for PG&E Corporation and $3 and $9 for the Utility, at respective dates	1,472	741
Repayments of long-term debt	(539)	(461)
Preferred stock dividends paid	(10)	(10)
Common stock dividends paid	(537)	(537)
Equity contribution	705	835
Other	50	(14)
Net cash provided by financing activities	652	876
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	20	(134)
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	65	194
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	85	60
Cash received (paid) for:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized	(500)	(487)
Income taxes, net	408	(86)
Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities
Capital expenditures financed through accounts payable	232	277
Terminated capital leases	$ 71	$ 0