EQUITY (Changes in Equity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)	520,338,710
Beginning balance	$ 12,903	$ 19,472
Net income (loss)	136	445
Comprehensive income (loss)	136	445
Common stock issued, net	85	35
Stock-based compensation amortization	5	34
Preferred stock dividend requirement of subsidiary	$ (3)	(3)
Ending balance (in shares)	529,210,278
Ending balance	$ 13,129	19,983
Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)	264,374,809
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 133	452
Ending balance (in shares)	264,374,809
Total Shareholders’ Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 12,651	19,220
Net income (loss)	136	445
Common stock issued, net	85	35
Stock-based compensation amortization	5	34
Preferred stock dividend requirement of subsidiary		(3)
Ending balance	12,877	19,731
Total Shareholders’ Equity | Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	12,955	19,747
Net income (loss)	133	452
Preferred stock dividend		(3)
Ending balance	13,088	20,196
Preferred Stock | Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	258	258
Ending balance	$ 258	$ 258
Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)	520,338,710	514,775,845
Beginning balance	$ 12,910	$ 12,632
Common stock issued, net (in shares)	8,871,568	1,248,112
Common stock issued, net	$ 85	$ 35
Stock-based compensation amortization	$ 5	$ 34
Ending balance (in shares)	529,210,278.000000	516,023,957.000000
Ending balance	$ 13,000	$ 12,701
Common Stock | Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,322	1,322
Ending balance	1,322	1,322
Additional Paid-in Capital | Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	8,550	8,505
Ending balance	8,550	8,505
Reinvested Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(250)	6,596
Net income (loss)	136	445
Preferred stock dividend requirement of subsidiary		(3)
Ending balance	(114)	7,038
Reinvested Earnings | Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	2,826	9,656
Net income (loss)	133	452
Comprehensive income (loss)		2
Preferred stock dividend		(3)
Ending balance	2,959	10,107
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(9)	(8)
Ending balance	(9)	(8)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(1)	6
Comprehensive income (loss)		(2)
Ending balance	(1)	4
Non controlling Interest - Preferred Stock of Subsidiary
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	252	252
Ending balance	$ 252	$ 252