Name:	us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of the recorded obligation to transfer funds in the future for fixed or minimum amounts or quantities of goods or services at fixed or minimum prices (for example, as in take-or-pay contracts or throughput contracts).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 440
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121559207&loc=d3e25383-109308

Name:	us-gaap_RecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligation
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Amount of recorded unconditional purchase obligation maturing after fifth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 440
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121559207&loc=d3e25383-109308

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of recorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid in fifth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

Name:	us-gaap_RecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationDueInFifthYear
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Amount of recorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid in fourth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Amount of recorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid in second fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Amount of recorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid in third fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Amount of recorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid in next fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

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

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis=pcg_RenewableEnergyPowerPurchaseAgreementsMember
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Name:	us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis=pcg_ConventionalEnergyMember
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Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis=pcg_OtherPowerPurchaseAgreementsMember
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Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis=pcg_NaturalGasMember
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