Pension, OPEB and Savings Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of PSEG's defined contribution plans	2
Historical annualized rate of return	9.50%
Defined benefit plan funded status of plan percentage	106.00%
Rabbi trust assets used to fund nonqualified pension plans	$ 179,000,000
Defined benefit plans, projected benefit and accumulated benefit obligations	4,500,000,000	4,900,000,000
PSEG expected contribution to postretirement healthcare plan for calendar year 2014	14,000,000
Maximum annual 401(k) contribution per employee, percent	50.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match	50.00%
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, Noncurrent	121,000,000	876,000,000
Interest in Master Trust assets percentage	94.00%
Other Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, Noncurrent	$ 1,095,000,000	$ 1,285,000,000
Interest in Master Trust assets percentage		6.00%
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation percentage of assets	70.00%
Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation percentage of assets	30.00%
Savings Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer matching contribution, percent	7.00%
Thrift Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer matching contribution, percent	8.00%
Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	8.00%	8.00%	8.50%
Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Member] | Other Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	8.00%	8.00%	8.50%