Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	$ 5,637	$ 5,283	$ 15,070	$ 14,003
Cost of sales	1,271	1,212	3,565	3,380
Energy:
Operations and maintenance	901	772	2,534	2,334
Depreciation and amortization	667	635	2,110	1,905
Property and other taxes	142	142	428	421
Real estate	1,133	882	3,067	2,311
Total operating expenses	4,114	3,643	11,704	10,351
Operating income	1,523	1,640	3,366	3,652
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(453)	(464)	(1,380)	(1,379)
Capitalized interest	17	14	44	34
Allowance for equity funds	30	24	75	59
Interest and dividend income	27	32	85	85
Gains (losses) on marketable securities, net	260	3	(336)	8
Other, net	19	(17)	50	8
Total other income (expense)	(100)	(408)	(1,462)	(1,185)
Income before income tax expense (benefit) and equity income	1,423	1,232	1,904	2,467
Income tax expense (benefit)	23	184	(366)	319
Equity income	9	30	35	80
Net income	1,409	1,078	2,305	2,228
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	8	10	19	30
Net income attributable to BHE shareholders	1,401	1,068	2,286	2,198
Electricity and natural gas [Member]
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	4,419	4,322	11,818	11,501
Residential real estate brokerage and mortgage businesses [Member]
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	$ 1,218	$ 961	$ 3,252	$ 2,502