Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 292	$ 513
Restricted cash ($71 and $51 related to energy recovery bonds at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)	381	380
Accounts receivable
Customers (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $82 and $81 at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)	937	992
Accrued unbilled revenue	747	763
Regulatory balancing accounts	1,351	1,082
Other	412	839
Regulatory assets ($109 and $336 related to energy recovery bonds at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)	793	1,090
Inventories
Gas stored underground and fuel oil	129	159
Materials and supplies	286	261
Income taxes receivable	32	183
Other	180	218
Total current assets	5,540	6,480
Property, Plant, and Equipment
Electric	37,283	35,851
Gas	12,206	11,931
Construction work in progress	1,858	1,770
Other	1	15
Total property, plant, and equipment	51,348	49,567
Accumulated depreciation	(16,446)	(15,912)
Net property, plant, and equipment	34,902	33,655
Other Noncurrent Assets
Regulatory assets	6,534	6,506
Nuclear decommissioning trusts	2,106	2,041
Income taxes receivable	385	386
Other	648	682
Total other noncurrent assets	9,673	9,615
TOTAL ASSETS	50,115	49,750
Current Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	1,079	1,647
Long-term debt, classified as current		50
Energy recovery bonds, classified as current	223	423
Accounts payable
Trade creditors	1,000	1,177
Disputed claims and customer refunds	164	673
Regulatory balancing accounts	587	374
Other	443	420
Interest payable	851	843
Income taxes payable	112	110
Deferred income taxes	166	196
Other	1,732	1,836
Total current liabilities	6,357	7,749
Noncurrent Liabilities
Long-term debt	12,166	11,766
Regulatory liabilities	5,008	4,733
Pension and other postretirement benefits	3,517	3,396
Asset retirement obligations	1,641	1,609
Deferred income taxes	6,272	6,008
Other	2,100	2,136
Total noncurrent liabilities	30,704	29,648
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)
Shareholders' Equity
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock	8,204	7,602
Reinvested earnings	4,793	4,712
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(195)	(213)
Total shareholders' equity	12,802	12,101
Noncontrolling Interest - Preferred Stock of Subsidiary	252	252
Total equity	13,054	12,353
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	50,115	49,750
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	45	304
Restricted cash ($71 and $51 related to energy recovery bonds at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)	381	380
Accounts receivable
Customers (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $82 and $81 at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)	937	992
Accrued unbilled revenue	747	763
Regulatory balancing accounts	1,351	1,082
Other	476	840
Regulatory assets ($109 and $336 related to energy recovery bonds at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)	793	1,090
Inventories
Gas stored underground and fuel oil	129	159
Materials and supplies	286	261
Income taxes receivable	28	242
Other	177	213
Total current assets	5,350	6,326
Property, Plant, and Equipment
Electric	37,283	35,851
Gas	12,206	11,931
Construction work in progress	1,858	1,770
Total property, plant, and equipment	51,347	49,552
Accumulated depreciation	(16,446)	(15,898)
Net property, plant, and equipment	34,901	33,654
Other Noncurrent Assets
Regulatory assets	6,534	6,506
Nuclear decommissioning trusts	2,106	2,041
Income taxes receivable	383	384
Other	337	331
Total other noncurrent assets	9,360	9,262
TOTAL ASSETS	49,611	49,242
Current Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	1,079	1,647
Long-term debt, classified as current		50
Energy recovery bonds, classified as current	223	423
Accounts payable
Trade creditors	1,000	1,177
Disputed claims and customer refunds	164	673
Regulatory balancing accounts	587	374
Other	458	417
Interest payable	846	838
Income taxes payable	120	118
Deferred income taxes	169	199
Other	1,523	1,628
Total current liabilities	6,169	7,544
Noncurrent Liabilities
Long-term debt	11,817	11,417
Regulatory liabilities	5,008	4,733
Pension and other postretirement benefits	3,443	3,325
Asset retirement obligations	1,641	1,609
Deferred income taxes	6,432	6,160
Other	2,040	2,070
Total noncurrent liabilities	30,381	29,314
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)
Shareholders' Equity
Preferred stock	258	258
Common stock	1,322	1,322
Additional paid-in capital	4,362	3,796
Reinvested earnings	7,303	7,210
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(184)	(202)
Total shareholders' equity	13,061	12,384
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 49,611	$ 49,242