Financial Information By Business Segments (Financial Information By Business Segments) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss)	$ 320	$ 493
Total Assets	31,712		31,725
Power [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenues	1,447	1,561
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations	137	253
Net Income (Loss)	137	253
Segment Earnings (Loss)	137	253
Gross Additions to Long-Lived Assets	143	237
Total Assets	10,865		11,032
Investments in Equity Method Subsidiaries	40		40
PSE And G [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenues	1,995	1,939
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations	179	197
Net Income (Loss)	179	197
Segment Earnings (Loss)	179	197
Gross Additions to Long-Lived Assets	572	435
Total Assets	19,488		19,223
Investments in Equity Method Subsidiaries	0		0
Energy Holdings [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenues	16	20
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations	0	40
Net Income (Loss)	0	40
Segment Earnings (Loss)	0	40
Gross Additions to Long-Lived Assets	6	11
Total Assets	1,437		1,454
Investments in Equity Method Subsidiaries	97		94
PSEG Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenues	(672)	(645)
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations	4	3
Net Income (Loss)	4	3
Segment Earnings (Loss)	4	3
Gross Additions to Long-Lived Assets	3	4
Total Assets	(78)		16
Investments in Equity Method Subsidiaries	0		0
Consolidated [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenues	2,786	2,875
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations	320	493
Net Income (Loss)	320	493
Segment Earnings (Loss)	320	493
Gross Additions to Long-Lived Assets	724	687
Total Assets	31,712		31,725
Investments in Equity Method Subsidiaries	$ 137		$ 134