Financial Information By Business Segments (Financial Information By Business Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss)	$ 294		$ 567		$ 1,143		$ 1,282
Total Assets	29,911				29,911				29,909
Power [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	1,398		1,523		4,650		4,983
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	273		364		775		937
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, including Gain on Disposal, net of tax	29		20		96		15
Net Income (Loss)	302		384		871		952
Preferred Securities Dividends							0
Segments Earnings (Loss)	302		384		871		952
Gross Additions to Long-Lived Assets	207		251		530		579
Total Assets	11,484				11,484				11,452
Investments in Equity Method Subsidiaries	30				30				25
PSE&G [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	1,841		2,007		5,718		5,987
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	154		155		422		276
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, including Gain on Disposal, net of tax	0		0		0		0
Net Income (Loss)	154		155		422		276
Preferred Securities Dividends							(1)
Segments Earnings (Loss)	154		155		422		275
Gross Additions to Long-Lived Assets	265		341		939		871
Total Assets	17,235				17,235				16,873
Investments in Equity Method Subsidiaries	0				0				0
Energy Holdings [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	(247)		58		(206)		114
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	(166)		24		(164)		43
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, including Gain on Disposal, net of tax	0		0		0		0
Net Income (Loss)	(166)		24		(164)		43
Preferred Securities Dividends							0
Segments Earnings (Loss)	(166)		24		(164)		43
Gross Additions to Long-Lived Assets	1		12		2		61
Total Assets	1,959				1,959				2,234
Investments in Equity Method Subsidiaries	113				113				105
PSEG Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	(372)	[1]	(474)	[1]	(1,719)	[1]	(2,036)	[1]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	4	[1]	4	[1]	14	[1]	11	[1]
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, including Gain on Disposal, net of tax	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Net Income (Loss)	4	[1]	4	[1]	14	[1]	11	[1]
Preferred Securities Dividends							1	[1]
Segments Earnings (Loss)	4	[1]	4	[1]	14	[1]	12	[1]
Gross Additions to Long-Lived Assets	4	[1]	2	[1]	8	[1]	6	[1]
Total Assets	(767)	[1]			(767)	[1]			(650)	[1]
Investments in Equity Method Subsidiaries	0	[1]			0	[1]			0	[1]
Consolidated [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	2,620		3,114		8,443		9,048
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	265		547		1,047		1,267
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, including Gain on Disposal, net of tax	29		20		96		15
Net Income (Loss)	294		567		1,143		1,282
Preferred Securities Dividends							0
Segments Earnings (Loss)	294		567		1,143		1,282
Gross Additions to Long-Lived Assets	477		606		1,479		1,517
Total Assets	29,911				29,911				29,909
Investments in Equity Method Subsidiaries	$ 143				$ 143				$ 130

[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 at cost 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 17. Related-Party Transactions.