Financial Information By Business Segments (Financial Information By Business Segments) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss)	$ 390		$ 347		$ 1,043		$ 1,051
Total Assets	32,610				32,610				31,725
Power [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenues	1,169		1,038		3,806		3,584
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations	221		181		562		538
Net Income (Loss)	221		181		562		538
Segment Earnings (Loss)	221		181		562		538
Gross Additions to Long-Lived Assets	197		149		419		493
Total Assets	10,721				10,721				11,032
Investments in Equity Method Subsidiaries	40				40				40
PSE And G [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenues	1,666		1,683		5,084		5,029
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations	168		155		468		453
Net Income (Loss)	168		155		468		453
Segment Earnings (Loss)	168		155		468		453
Gross Additions to Long-Lived Assets	480		499		1,628		1,369
Total Assets	20,330				20,330				19,223
Investments in Equity Method Subsidiaries	0				0				0
Energy Holdings [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenues	8		15		42		49
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations	(3)		7		1		49
Net Income (Loss)	(3)		7		1		49
Segment Earnings (Loss)	(3)		7		1		49
Gross Additions to Long-Lived Assets	13		30		40		85
Total Assets	1,448				1,448				1,454
Investments in Equity Method Subsidiaries	100				100				94
PSEG Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenues	(289)	[1]	(334)	[1]	(1,282)	[1]	(1,287)	[1]
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations	4	[1]	4	[1]	12	[1]	11	[1]
Net Income (Loss)	4	[1]	4	[1]	12	[1]	11	[1]
Segment Earnings (Loss)	4	[1]	4	[1]	12	[1]	11	[1]
Gross Additions to Long-Lived Assets	6	[1]	11	[1]	15	[1]	22	[1]
Total Assets	111	[1]			111	[1]			16	[1]
Investments in Equity Method Subsidiaries	0	[1]			0	[1]			0	[1]
Consolidated [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenues	2,554		2,402		7,650		7,375
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations	390		347		1,043		1,051
Net Income (Loss)	390		347		1,043		1,051
Segment Earnings (Loss)	390		347		1,043		1,051
Gross Additions to Long-Lived Assets	696		689		2,102		1,969
Total Assets	32,610				32,610				31,725
Investments in Equity Method Subsidiaries	$ 140				$ 140				$ 134

[1] Other activities include amounts applicable to PSEG (as parent company), Services and intercompany eliminations, primarily relating to intercompany transactions between Power and PSE&G. No gains or losses are recorded on any intercompany transactions; rather, all intercompany transactions are priced in accordance with applicable regulations, including affiliate pricing rules, or in the case of the BGS and BGSS contracts between Power and PSE&G, at rates prescribed by the BPU. For a further discussion of the intercompany transactions between Power and PSE&G, see Note 18. Related-Party Transactions.