Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Net income	$ 239	$ 366	$ 475	$ 568
Other Comprehensive Income
Unrecognized prior service credit (net of income tax of $5 and $6 in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $10 and $11 in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	6	9	12	19
Unrecognized net gain (net of income tax of $15 and $5 in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $26 and $11 in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	19	8	40	15
Unrecognized net transition obligation (net of income tax of $2 and $2 in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $4 and $4 in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	4	4	8	8
Transfer to regulatory account (net of income tax of $15 and $8 in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $30 and $18 in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	(21)	(12)	(42)	(24)
Total other comprehensive income	8	9	18	18
Comprehensive Income	247	375	493	586
Preferred stock dividend requirement of subsidiary	4	4	7	7
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Common Shareholders	243	371	486	579
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Net income	227	359	458	560
Other Comprehensive Income
Unrecognized prior service credit (net of income tax of $5 and $6 in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $10 and $11 in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	6	9	12	19
Unrecognized net gain (net of income tax of $15 and $5 in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $26 and $11 in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	19	8	40	15
Unrecognized net transition obligation (net of income tax of $2 and $2 in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $4 and $4 in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	4	4	8	8
Transfer to regulatory account (net of income tax of $15 and $8 in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $30 and $18 in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	(21)	(12)	(42)	(24)
Total other comprehensive income	8	9	18	18
Comprehensive Income	$ 235	$ 368	$ 476	$ 578