Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	$ 5,644	$ 5,637	$ 15,148	$ 15,070
Cost of sales	1,230	1,271	3,471	3,565
Energy:
Operations and maintenance	845	901	2,469	2,534
Depreciation and amortization	795	667	2,243	2,110
Property and other taxes	130	142	427	428
Real estate	1,194	1,133	3,210	3,067
Total operating expenses	4,194	4,114	11,820	11,704
Operating income	1,450	1,523	3,328	3,366
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(475)	(453)	(1,428)	(1,380)
Capitalized interest	23	17	56	44
Allowance for equity funds	56	30	126	75
Interest and dividend income	25	27	91	85
(Losses) gains on marketable securities, net	(234)	260	(296)	(336)
Other, net	2	19	67	50
Total other income (expense)	(603)	(100)	(1,384)	(1,462)
Income before income tax benefit and equity income (loss)	847	1,423	1,944	1,904
Income tax (benefit) expense	(302)	23	(526)	(366)
Equity (loss) income	(4)	9	(12)	35
Net income	1,145	1,409	2,458	2,305
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	8	8	15	19
Net income attributable to BHE shareholders	1,137	1,401	2,443	2,286
Electricity and natural gas [Member]
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	4,337	4,419	11,729	11,818
Residential real estate brokerage and mortgage businesses [Member]
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	$ 1,307	$ 1,218	$ 3,419	$ 3,252