Fair Value Assets Unobservable Input Description

No definition available.

Name:	pcg_FairValueAssetsUnobservableInputDescription
Namespace Prefix:	pcg_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value measurement unobservable input range.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pcg_FairValueMeasurementUnobservableInputRange
Namespace Prefix:	pcg_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the aggregate of the assets reported on the balance sheet at period end measured at fair value by the entity. This element is intended to be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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

- Definition

Description of the inputs and valuation technique(s) used to measure fair value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (bbb)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the aggregate of the liabilities reported on the balance sheet at period end measured at fair value by the entity. This element is intended to be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements.

+ References

+ Details

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

Fair Value Measurements (Level 3 Measurements And Sensitivity Analysis) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012 Congestion Revenue Rights [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Power Purchase Agreements [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Minimum [Member] CRR Auction Prices [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Minimum [Member] Forward Prices [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Maximum [Member] CRR Auction Prices [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Maximum [Member] Forward Prices [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value	$ 70
Liabilities, Fair Value	$ (8)	$ (144)
Fair value measurement Valuation technique	Market approach	Discounted cash flow
Fair value measurement Unobservable Input	CRR auction prices	Forward prices
Range			(6.11)	(6.74)	92.13	63.54