Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Operating Revenues
Electric	$ 2,931	$ 2,889	$ 5,703	$ 5,506
Natural gas	662	795	1,531	1,775
Total operating revenues	3,593	3,684	7,234	7,281
Operating Expenses
Cost of electricity	962	906	1,821	1,794
Cost of natural gas	132	258	475	766
Operating and maintenance	1,426	1,237	2,794	2,463
Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning	606	591	1,190	1,082
Total operating expenses	3,126	2,992	6,280	6,105
Operating Income	467	692	954	1,176
Interest income	3	3	4	5
Interest expense	(176)	(174)	(350)	(351)
Other income, net	32	21	58	38
Income Before Income Taxes	326	542	666	868
Income tax provision	87	176	191	300
Net Income	239	366	475	568
Preferred stock dividend requirement of subsidiary	4	4	7	7
Income Available for Common Shareholders	235	362	468	561
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic	423	399	419	397
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Diluted	425	400	421	399
Net Earnings Per Common Share, Basic	$ 0.56	$ 0.91	$ 1.12	$ 1.41
Net Earnings Per Common Share, Diluted	$ 0.55	$ 0.91	$ 1.11	$ 1.41
Dividends Declared Per Common Share	$ 0.46	$ 0.46	$ 0.91	$ 0.91
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Operating Revenues
Electric	2,930	2,888	5,701	5,504
Natural gas	662	795	1,531	1,775
Total operating revenues	3,592	3,683	7,232	7,279
Operating Expenses
Cost of electricity	962	906	1,821	1,794
Cost of natural gas	132	258	475	766
Operating and maintenance	1,425	1,228	2,791	2,454
Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning	606	592	1,190	1,082
Total operating expenses	3,125	2,984	6,277	6,096
Operating Income	467	699	955	1,183
Interest income	2	2	3	4
Interest expense	(171)	(169)	(339)	(340)
Other income, net	22	16	45	33
Income Before Income Taxes	320	548	664	880
Income tax provision	93	189	206	320
Net Income	227	359	458	560
Preferred stock dividend requirement	4	4	7	7
Income Available for Common Shareholders	$ 223	$ 355	$ 451	$ 553