Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	$ 6,193	$ 5,644	$ 15,332	$ 15,148
Cost of sales	1,169	1,230	3,095	3,471
Energy:
Operations and maintenance	1,033	845	2,564	2,469
Depreciation and amortization	789	795	2,323	2,243
Property and other taxes	152	130	456	427
Real estate	1,503	1,194	3,492	3,210
Total operating expenses	4,646	4,194	11,930	11,820
Operating income	1,547	1,450	3,402	3,328
Other income (expense):
Interest Costs Incurred	(504)	(475)	(1,490)	(1,428)
Capitalized interest	24	23	60	56
Allowance for equity funds	50	56	122	126
Interest and dividend income	17	25	57	91
Gains (losses) on marketable securities, net	1,797	(234)	2,407	(296)
Other, net	36	2	61	67
Total other income (expense)	1,420	(603)	1,217	(1,384)
Income before income tax expense (benefit) and equity loss	2,967	847	4,619	1,944
Income tax expense (benefit)	80	(302)	(111)	(526)
Equity loss	(41)	(4)	(91)	(12)
Net income	2,846	1,145	4,639	2,458
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	4	8	11	15
Net income attributable to BHE shareholders	2,842	1,137	4,628	2,443
Electricity and natural gas [Member]
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	4,451	4,337	11,504	11,729
Residential real estate brokerage and mortgage businesses [Member]
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	$ 1,742	$ 1,307	$ 3,828	$ 3,419