Debt [Line Items]

No definition available.

Name:	pcg_DebtLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	pcg_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of borrowings classified as other, maturing within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a)(7))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherShortTermBorrowings
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow during the period from the repayment of aggregate short-term and long-term debt. Excludes payment of capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3291-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SeniorNotes
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

DEBT (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)		12 Months Ended
DEBT (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	Apr. 26, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Aug. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Feb. 28, 2017
Senior Notes Two Point Four Zero Percent Due 2019
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes			$ 350,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate	2.40%		2.40%
Redemption of debt	$ 350,000,000
Floating Rate Unsecured Term Loan, Due 2020 \| Unsecured Debt
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount					$ 350,000,000
Senior Notes Due 2018 \| Senior Notes \| Forecast
Debt [Line Items]
Redemption of debt		$ 500,000,000
Senior Notes Due 2019 \| Senior Notes \| Forecast
Debt [Line Items]
Redemption of debt		$ 250,000,000
Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Floating rate unsecured term loan, matured 2018								$ 250,000,000
Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Pollution Control Bonds Series 1996 C, E, F, And 1997 B
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 613,550,000
Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Pollution Control Bonds Series 1996 C, E, F, And 1997 B \| Minimum
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate			1.55%
Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Pollution Control Bonds Series 1996 C, E, F, And 1997 B \| Maximum
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate			1.68%
Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Pollution Control Bonds Series 2009 A-B
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 148,550,000
Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Pollution Control Bonds Series 2009 A-B \| Maximum
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate			1.60%
Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Senior Notes Eight Point Two Five Percent Due 2018
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes						$ 400,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate						8.25%
Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Senior Notes Due 2023 \| Senior Notes
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount				$ 500,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate				4.25%
Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Senior Notes Due 2028 \| Senior Notes
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount				$ 300,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate				4.65%
Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Unsecured Debt \| Floating Rate Unsecured Term Loan, Due 2019
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount							$ 250,000,000