Debt (Schedule Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Debt [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, net of current portion	$ 17,753		$ 16,220
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, net of current portion	17,403		15,872
Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Less: current portion	400	[1]	700
Unamortized discount, net of premium and debt issuance costs	185		161
Total senior notes, net of current portion	16,540		14,764
Less: current portion	45		0
Total pollution control bonds	863		1,108
PG&E Corporation [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Unamortized discount, net of premium and debt issuance costs	0		2
Total senior notes, net of current portion	350		348
Total long-term debt, net of current portion	350		348
Senior Notes, 2.40% Due 2019 [Member] | PG&E Corporation [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	350		350
Senior Notes, 5.625% Due 2017 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	0		700
Senior Notes, 8.25% Due 2018 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	400		800
Senior Notes, 3.50% Due 2020 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	800		800
Senior Notes, 3.25% - 4.25% Due 2021[Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	550		550
Senior Notes, 2.45% Due 2022 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	400		400
Senior Notes, 2.95%-6.35% Due 2023-2047 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	14,975		12,375
Pollution Control Bonds, Series 1996 C,E,F 1997 B, Variable Rates, Due 2026 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Pollution control bonds	$ 614	[2],[3]	614
Interest rate on bonds, minimum	1.45%
Interest rate on bonds, maximum	1.70%
Pollution Control Bonds, Series 2004 A-D, 4.75%, Due 2023 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Pollution control bonds	$ 0	[4]	345
Pollution Control Bonds, Series 2008 F and 2010 E, 1.75% Due 2026 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Pollution control bonds	100	[5]	0
Pollution Control Bonds, Series 2008 G, 1.05%, Due 2018 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Pollution control bonds	45	[6]	0
Pollution Control Bonds, Series 2009 A-B, 1.78%, Due 2026 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Pollution control bonds	$ 149	[7]	$ 149

[1] On January 19, 2018, the Utility sent a notice of redemption to redeem all $400 million aggregate principal amount of the 8.25% senior notes due October 15, 2018 on February 18, 2018. On January 31, 2018, the Utility deposited with the trustee funds sufficient to effect the early redemption of these bonds and satisfy and discharge its remaining obligation of $400 million.

[2] At December 31, 2017, the interest rate on these bonds ranged from 1.45% - 1.70%.

[3] Each series of these bonds is supported by a separate letter of credit. In December 2015, the letters of credit were extended to December 1, 2020. Although the stated maturity date is 2026, each series will remain outstanding only if the Utility extends or replaces the letter of credit related to the series or otherwise obtains consent from the issuer to the continuation of the series without a credit facility.

[4] In June 2017, the Utility repurchased and retired $345 million principal amount of Pollution Control Bonds series 2004 A-D.

[5] Pollution Control Bonds series 2008F and 2010E were remarketed and issued in June 2017. Although the stated maturity date for both series is 2026, these bonds have a mandatory redemption date of May 30, 2022.

[6] Pollution Control Bonds series 2008 G were remarketed and issued in June 2017 and mature on December 1, 2018.

[7] Each series of these bonds is supported by a separate direct-pay letter of credit. Subject to certain requirements, the Utility may choose not to provide a credit facility without issuer content.