Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 257	$ 513
Restricted cash ($56 and $51 related to energy recovery bonds at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011)	385	380
Accounts receivable
Customers (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $80 and $81 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011)	926	992
Accrued unbilled revenue	614	763
Regulatory balancing accounts	1,425	1,082
Other	817	839
Regulatory assets ($227 and $336 related to energy recovery bonds at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011)	1,024	1,090
Inventories
Gas stored underground and fuel oil	97	159
Materials and supplies	273	261
Income taxes receivable	154	183
Other	194	218
Total current assets	6,166	6,480
Property, Plant, and Equipment
Electric	36,329	35,851
Gas	12,015	11,931
Construction work in progress	2,011	1,770
Other	1	15
Total property, plant, and equipment	50,356	49,567
Accumulated depreciation	(16,107)	(15,912)
Net property, plant, and equipment	34,249	33,655
Other Noncurrent Assets
Regulatory assets	6,565	6,506
Nuclear decommissioning trusts	2,134	2,041
Income taxes receivable	412	386
Other	662	682
Total other noncurrent assets	9,773	9,615
TOTAL ASSETS	50,188	49,750
Current Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	1,401	1,647
Long-term debt, classified as current	50	50
Energy recovery bonds, classified as current	321	423
Accounts payable
Trade creditors	873	1,177
Disputed claims and customer refunds	658	673
Regulatory balancing accounts	641	374
Other	494	420
Interest payable	798	843
Income taxes payable	110	110
Deferred income taxes	160	196
Other	1,769	1,836
Total current liabilities	7,275	7,749
Noncurrent Liabilities
Long-term debt	11,767	11,766
Regulatory liabilities	4,927	4,733
Pension and other postretirement benefits	3,464	3,396
Asset retirement obligations	1,620	1,609
Deferred income taxes	6,190	6,008
Other	2,133	2,136
Total noncurrent liabilities	30,101	29,648
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)
Shareholders' Equity
Preferred stock
Common stock	8,011	7,602
Reinvested earnings	4,752	4,712
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(203)	(213)
Total shareholders' equity	12,560	12,101
Noncontrolling Interest - Preferred Stock of Subsidiary	252	252
Total equity	12,812	12,353
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	50,188	49,750
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	45	304
Restricted cash ($56 and $51 related to energy recovery bonds at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011)	385	380
Accounts receivable
Customers (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $80 and $81 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011)	926	992
Accrued unbilled revenue	614	763
Regulatory balancing accounts	1,425	1,082
Other	821	840
Regulatory assets ($227 and $336 related to energy recovery bonds at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011)	1,024	1,090
Inventories
Gas stored underground and fuel oil	97	159
Materials and supplies	273	261
Income taxes receivable	212	242
Other	188	213
Total current assets	6,010	6,326
Property, Plant, and Equipment
Electric	36,329	35,851
Gas	12,015	11,931
Construction work in progress	2,011	1,770
Total property, plant, and equipment	50,355	49,552
Accumulated depreciation	(16,106)	(15,898)
Net property, plant, and equipment	34,249	33,654
Other Noncurrent Assets
Regulatory assets	6,565	6,506
Nuclear decommissioning trusts	2,134	2,041
Income taxes receivable	413	384
Other	330	331
Total other noncurrent assets	9,442	9,262
TOTAL ASSETS	49,701	49,242
Current Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	1,401	1,647
Long-term debt, classified as current	50	50
Energy recovery bonds, classified as current	321	423
Accounts payable
Trade creditors	873	1,177
Disputed claims and customer refunds	658	673
Regulatory balancing accounts	641	374
Other	522	417
Interest payable	788	838
Income taxes payable	118	118
Deferred income taxes	165	199
Other	1,562	1,628
Total current liabilities	7,099	7,544
Noncurrent Liabilities
Long-term debt	11,418	11,417
Regulatory liabilities	4,927	4,733
Pension and other postretirement benefits	3,391	3,325
Asset retirement obligations	1,620	1,609
Deferred income taxes	6,347	6,160
Other	2,071	2,070
Total noncurrent liabilities	29,774	29,314
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)
Shareholders' Equity
Preferred stock	258	258
Common stock	1,322	1,322
Additional paid-in capital	4,181	3,796
Reinvested earnings	7,259	7,210
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(192)	(202)
Total shareholders' equity	12,828	12,384
Total equity	12,828	12,384
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 49,701	$ 49,242