Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	$ 4,894	$ 4,993	$ 9,504	$ 9,433
Cost of sales	1,027	1,126	2,241	2,294
Energy:
Operations and maintenance	822	849	1,624	1,633
Depreciation and amortization	728	739	1,448	1,443
Property and other taxes	148	142	297	286
Real estate	1,210	1,165	2,016	1,934
Total operating expenses	3,935	4,021	7,626	7,590
Operating income	959	972	1,878	1,843
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(476)	(461)	(953)	(927)
Capitalized interest	17	15	33	27
Allowance for equity funds	38	24	70	45
Interest and dividend income	36	32	66	58
Gains (losses) on marketable securities, net	6	(387)	(62)	(596)
Other, net	30	1	65	31
Total other income (expense)	(349)	(776)	(781)	(1,362)
Income before income tax benefit and equity income (loss)	610	196	1,097	481
Income tax benefit	(76)	(168)	(224)	(389)
Equity income (loss)	2	14	(8)	26
Net income	688	378	1,313	896
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	4	6	7	11
Net income attributable to BHE shareholders	684	372	1,306	885
Electricity and natural gas [Member]
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	3,567	3,720	7,392	7,399
Residential real estate brokerage and mortgage businesses [Member]
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	$ 1,327	$ 1,273	$ 2,112	$ 2,034