Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 15, 2008	Dec. 17, 2007	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 17, 2010 PSEG [Member]	Jun. 26, 2009 PSEG [Member]	Mar. 31, 2010 PSEG [Member]	Oct. 27, 2010 PSEG [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 PSEG [Member] years	Dec. 31, 2011 Power [Member]	Mar. 31, 2010 PSE&G [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 PSE&G [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 New Jersey [Member]
Federal income tax rate								35.00%	35.00%		35.00%
Net operating loss carryforwards												$ 127
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration			2030
State income tax rate											9.00%
Deferred tax recorded related to health care reform						9
Amortization of regulatory asset										78
Bonus depreciation for tax purposes				100.00%			50.00%	50.00%
Average tax benefits recognition period, in years								20
Investment tax credits											51
Amount of refundable deposits with IRS	80	100	320		140
Increase in unrecognized tax benefits reasonably likely to increase or decrease within one year								97			43
Unrecognized tax benefit potential decrease on settlement with IRS								$ 300