Schedule II Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - MEC (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Allowance, Credit Loss [Member]
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year		$ 42	$ 40	$ 33
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Cost and Expense		47	43	42
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deduction		(45)	(41)	(35)
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Amount		42	40	33	$ 44
Reserves not deducted from assets [Member]
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year	[1]	13	13	13
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Cost and Expense	[1]	4	6	7
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deduction	[1]	(5)	(6)	(7)
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Amount	[1]	13	13	13	12
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] | SEC Schedule, 12-09, Allowance, Credit Loss [Member]
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year		7	7	7
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Cost and Expense		9	8	8
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deduction		(11)	(8)	(8)
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Amount		7	7	7	5
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] | Reserves not deducted from assets [Member]
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year		13	13	13
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Cost and Expense		4	6	7
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deduction		(5)	(6)	(7)
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Amount		$ 13	$ 13	$ 13	$ 12

[1] serves not deducted from assets relate primarily to estimated liabilities for losses retained by BHE for workers compensation, public liability and property damage claims.