Balance Sheet Components (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Balance Sheet Components [Abstract]

Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block]

The activity in the allowance for uncollectible accounts is as follows (in millions):

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2013			2012
Balance as of beginning of period	$	5		$	6
Provision, net	3			4
Amounts written off, less recoveries	(3		)	(4		)
Balance as of end of period	$	5		$	6

Schedule of Other Current Assets [Table Text Block]

Other current assets consist of the following (in millions):

	June 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
Prepaid expenses	$	33	$	37
Current deferred income tax asset	38		51
Assets from price risk management activities	3		4
Other	4		1
Other current assets	$	78	$	93

Schedule of Public Utility Property, Plant, and Equipment [Table Text Block]

Electric utility plant, net consists of the following (in millions):

	June 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
Electric utility plant	$	6,913		$	6,811
Construction work in progress	267			140
Total cost	7,180			6,951
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(2,648		)	(2,559		)
Electric utility plant, net	$	4,532		$	4,392

As of December 31, 2012, Construction work in progress included $46 million related to the Cascade Crossing Transmission Project (Cascade Crossing), which was originally proposed as a 215-mile, 500 kV transmission project between Boardman, Oregon and Salem, Oregon. In January 2013, PGE entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to pursue modifications to the original project. Based on subsequent analysis and an updated forecast of demand and future transmission capacity in the region, PGE has since determined that original projections of transmission capacity limitations contemplated in the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) process were not likely to fully materialize. In addition, the parties are exploring alternatives that could provide PGE with needed transmission capacity at a lower cost to customers and with reduced environmental impact. As a result of these efforts, PGE and BPA have worked toward refining the scope of the project and executed a new, non-binding, MOU in May 2013. The MOU provides that the parties will explore a new option under which BPA could provide PGE with ownership of approximately 1,500 MW in transmission capacity phased in over the next few years. As a result of the changed conditions reflected in the MOU, PGE has suspended permitting and development of Cascade Crossing and charged $52 million of capitalized costs related to Cascade Crossing to expense in the second quarter of 2013. Additionally, in June 2013, the Company filed with the OPUC seeking deferral of these costs for future recovery in customer prices. Management is unable to predict at this time what amount, if any, of these costs will be recoverable through customer prices. If any portion of these costs becomes probable of recovery, PGE will record the related amount as a regulatory asset, with a corresponding reduction to expense.

PGE completed construction of a $10 million, 1.75 MW solar powered electric generating facility, which was sold to, and simultaneously leased-back from, a financial institution in January 2012. The Company operates the facility and receives 100% of the power generated by the facility. This transaction is reflected as an investing activity in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

Accumulated depreciation and amortization in the table above includes accumulated amortization related to intangible assets of $162 million and $151 million as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Text Block]

Regulatory assets and liabilities consist of the following (in millions):

	June 30, 2013					December 31, 2012
	Current			Noncurrent		Current			Noncurrent
Regulatory assets:
Price risk management	$	101		$	77	$	123		$	71
Pension and other postretirement plans	—			308		—			321
Deferred income taxes	—			76		—			80
Deferred broker settlements	9			1		20			1
Debt reacquisition costs	—			19		—			22
Deferred capital projects	—			24		—			16
Other	4			14		1			13
Total regulatory assets	$	114		$	519	$	144		$	524
Regulatory liabilities:
Asset retirement removal costs	$	—		$	720	$	—		$	692
Asset retirement obligations	—			38		—			39
Power cost adjustment mechanism	3			—		6			—
Other	4			38		6			34
Total regulatory liabilities	$	7	(1)	$	796	$	12	(1)	$	765

(1) Included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Other Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block]

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following (in millions):

	June 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	$	39	$	46
Accrued interest payable	22		23
Accrued taxes payable	24		21
Accrued dividends payable	21		21
Regulatory liabilities—current	7		12
Other	62		56
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	175	$	179

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]

Components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows (in millions):

	Three Months Ended June 30,
	Defined Benefit Pension Plan						Other Postretirement Benefits					Non-Qualified Benefit Plans
	2013			2012			2013			2012		2013		2012
Service cost	$	4		$	3		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—
Interest cost	8			8			1			1		1		—
Expected return on plan assets	(10		)	(10		)	(1		)	—		—		—
Amortization of prior service cost	—			—			1			—		—		—
Amortization of net actuarial loss	6			4			—			—		—		—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	8		$	5		$	1		$	1	$	1	$	—

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	Defined Benefit Pension Plan						Other Postretirement Benefits					Non-Qualified Benefit Plans
	2013			2012			2013			2012		2013		2012
Service cost	$	8		$	6		$	1		$	1	$	—	$	—
Interest cost	16			16			2			2		1		1
Expected return on plan assets	(20		)	(20		)	(1		)	—		—		—
Amortization of prior service cost	—			—			1			—		—		—
Amortization of net actuarial loss	12			8			—			—		—		—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	16		$	10		$	3		$	3	$	1	$	1