Employee Benefits (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefits (Policies)	Dec. 31, 2016
Employee Benefits [Abstract]
pension and other postretirement benefits valuation methodology [Policy Text Block]	The following discussion provides information regarding the methods used in valuation of the various asset class investments held in the pension and other postretirement benefit plan trusts. Money market funds—PGE invests in money market funds that seek to maintain a stable net asset value. These funds invest in high-quality, short-term, diversified money market instruments, short-term treasury bills, federal agency securities, or certificates of deposit. Some of the money market funds held in the trusts are classified as Level 1 instruments as pricing inputs are based on unadjusted prices in an active market. The remaining money market funds are valued at NAV as a practical expedient and are not classified in the fair value hierarchy. Equity securities—Equity mutual fund and common stock securities are classified as Level 1 securities as pricing inputs are based on unadjusted prices in an active market. Principal markets for equity prices include published exchanges such as NASDAQ and NYSE. Mutual fund assets included in separately managed accounts are classified as Level 2 securities due to pricing inputs that are not directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace. Collective trust funds—Domestic and international mutual fund assets included in commingled trusts or separately managed accounts are valued at NAV as a practical expedient and not included in the fair value hierarchy. Debt securities, including municipal debt and corporate credit securities, mortgage-backed securities, and asset-backed securities included in commingled trusts are valued at NAV as a practical expedient and not included in the fair value hierarchy. Private equity funds—PGE invests in a combination of primary and secondary fund-of-funds, which hold ownership positions in privately held companies across the major domestic and international private equity sectors, including but not limited to, partnerships, joint ventures, venture capital, buyout, and special situations. Private equity investments are valued at NAV as a practical expedient.
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Pensions, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) presented on the consolidated balance sheets is comprised of the difference between the non-qualified benefit plans’ obligations recognized in net income and the unfunded position. The assets of the pension plan are held in a trust and are comprised of equity and debt instruments, all of which are recorded at fair value. Pension plan calculations include several assumptions that are reviewed annually and updated as appropriate, with the measurement date of December 31.
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Nonpension Benefits, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The assets of these plans are held in voluntary employees’ beneficiary association trusts and are comprised of money market funds, common stocks, common and collective trust funds, partnerships/joint ventures, and registered investment companies, all of which are recorded at fair value. Postretirement health and life insurance benefit plan calculations include several assumptions that are reviewed annually by PGE and updated as appropriate, with measurement dates of December 31.
Non-qualified benefit [Policy Text Block]	Non-Qualified Benefit Plans—The non-qualified benefit plans (NQBP) in the following tables include obligations for a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and a directors pension plan, both of which were closed to new participants in 1997. The NQBP also include pension make-up benefits for employees that participate in the unfunded Management Deferred Compensation Plan (MDCP). Investments in a non-qualified benefit plan trust, consisting of trust-owned life insurance policies and marketable securities, provide funding for the future requirements of these plans. The assets of such trust are included in the accompanying tables for informational purposes only and are not considered segregated and restricted under current accounting standards. The investments in marketable securities, consisting of money market, bond, and equity mutual funds, are classified as trading and recorded at fair value. The measurement date for the non-qualified benefit plans is December 31. Other NQBP—In addition to the non-qualified benefit plans discussed above, PGE provides certain employees and outside directors with deferred compensation plans, whereby participants may defer a portion of their earned compensation. These unfunded plans include the MDCP and the Outside Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan. PGE holds investments in a non-qualified benefit plan trust that are intended to be a funding source for these plans.