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Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Total UTB that, if recognized, would impact the effective income tax rate as of the end of the year   $ 20us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate
Decrease of unrecognized tax benefit 330us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsPeriodIncreaseDecrease  
Loss carryforwards, charitable contribution   219us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsCharitableContributionCarryforwards
Tax benefit from employee stock plans   24us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
Income Tax Expense Ratemaking   235pcg_IncomeTaxExpenseAdjustmentFlowThroughRatemaking
Charitable Contribution Carryforward Expiration Date [Minimum]   Dec. 31, 2015
Charitable Contribution Carryforward Expiration Date [Maximum]   Dec. 31, 2019
Minimum [Member]    
Net operating loss expiration year   Dec. 31, 2033
Maximum [Member]    
Net operating loss expiration year   Dec. 31, 2034
State [Member]    
Net operating loss carryforwards   123us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsCapitalLossCarryforwards
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= pcg_StateMember
Tax credit carryforward, amount   30us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardAmount
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= pcg_StateMember
Tax Credit Carryforward Expiration Date [Maximum]   Dec. 31, 2024
Federal [Member]    
Net operating loss carryforwards   4,100us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsCapitalLossCarryforwards
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= pcg_FederalMember
Tax credit carryforwards, expiration amount   $ 77us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsSubjectToExpiration
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= pcg_FederalMember
Tax Credit Carryforward Expiration Date [Minimum]   Dec. 31, 2029
Tax Credit Carryforward Expiration Date [Maximum]   Dec. 31, 2034