Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 771	$ 859
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning	1,648	1,420
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	(64)	(89)
Deferred income taxes and tax credits, net	552	328
Other	223	203
Effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(186)	(246)
Inventories	(60)	(65)
Accounts payable	93	17
Income taxes receivable/payable	(71)	252
Other current assets and liabilities	(170)	(34)
Regulatory assets, liabilities, and balancing accounts, net	70	(32)
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities	426	(293)
Net cash provided by operating activities	3,232	2,320
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(2,968)	(2,794)
Decrease in restricted cash	170	61
Proceeds from sales and maturities of nuclear decommissioning trust investments	1,574	962
Purchases of nuclear decommissioning trust investments	(1,604)	(1,001)
Other	(102)	(25)
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,930)	(2,797)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities	358	490
Repayments under revolving credit facilities	(283)
Net issuances of commercial paper, net of discount of $2 in 2011 and 2010	196	251
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of discount and issuance costs of $6 in 2011 and $12 in 2010	544	838
Short-term debt matured		(500)
Long-term debt matured	(700)	(95)
Energy recovery bonds matured	(299)	(285)
Common stock issued	391	141
Common stock dividends paid	(525)	(492)
Other	2	(51)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(316)	297
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(14)	(180)
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	291	527
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	277	347
Cash received (paid) for:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized	(536)	(526)
Income taxes, net	8	(52)
Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities
Common stock dividends declared but not yet paid	184	180
Capital expenditures financed through accounts payable	225	229
Noncash common stock issuances	18	259
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	756	868
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning	1,648	1,419
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	(64)	(89)
Deferred income taxes and tax credits, net	564	332
Other	193	175
Effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(125)	(240)
Inventories	(60)	(65)
Accounts payable	97	15
Income taxes receivable/payable	(156)	241
Other current assets and liabilities	(153)	(33)
Regulatory assets, liabilities, and balancing accounts, net	70	(32)
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities	491	(240)
Net cash provided by operating activities	3,261	2,351
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(2,968)	(2,794)
Decrease in restricted cash	170	61
Proceeds from sales and maturities of nuclear decommissioning trust investments	1,574	962
Purchases of nuclear decommissioning trust investments	(1,604)	(1,001)
Other	13	15
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,815)	(2,757)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities	208	400
Repayments under revolving credit facilities	(208)
Net issuances of commercial paper, net of discount of $2 in 2011 and 2010	196	251
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of discount and issuance costs of $6 in 2011 and $12 in 2010	544	838
Short-term debt matured		(500)
Long-term debt matured	(700)	(95)
Energy recovery bonds matured	(299)	(285)
Preferred stock dividends paid	(10)	(11)
Common stock dividends paid	(537)	(537)
Equity contribution	350	170
Other	12	(40)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(444)	191
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	2	(215)
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	51	334
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	53	119
Cash received (paid) for:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized	(525)	(504)
Income taxes, net	6	(87)
Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities
Capital expenditures financed through accounts payable	$ 225	$ 229