Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance, at the beginning of period			$ 11,494	$ 11,006
Net income	191	357	405	606
Other comprehensive (loss)	(20)	(128)	(21)	(49)
Deconsolidation of variable interest entities				(249)
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of tax				15
Common stock dividends declared ($0.64 and $0.63 per share for the period ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010 respectively)			(209)	(205)
Dividends, distributions to noncontrolling interests and other			(31)	(29)
Stock-based compensation and other			(13)	(2)
Noncash stock-based compensation and other			9	2
Issuance of preference stock			123
Balance, at the end of period	11,757	11,095	11,757	11,095
Common stock dividends declared (in dollars per share)	$ 0.320	$ 0.315	$ 0.640	$ 0.630
Equity Attributable to Edison International
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance, at the beginning of period			10,583	9,841
Net income			376	580
Other comprehensive (loss)			(21)	(49)
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of tax				15
Common stock dividends declared ($0.64 and $0.63 per share for the period ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010 respectively)			(209)	(205)
Stock-based compensation and other			(13)	(2)
Noncash stock-based compensation and other			10	2
Balance, at the end of period	10,726	10,182	10,726	10,182
Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance, at the beginning of period			2,331	2,304
Stock-based compensation and other			4	2
Noncash stock-based compensation and other			12	9
Balance, at the end of period	2,347	2,315	2,347	2,315
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance, at the beginning of period			(76)	37
Other comprehensive (loss)			(21)	(49)
Balance, at the end of period	(97)	(12)	(97)	(12)
Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance, at the beginning of period			8,328	7,500
Net income			376	580
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of tax				15
Common stock dividends declared ($0.64 and $0.63 per share for the period ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010 respectively)			(209)	(205)
Stock-based compensation and other			(17)	(4)
Noncash stock-based compensation and other			(2)	(7)
Balance, at the end of period	8,476	7,879	8,476	7,879
Other
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance, at the beginning of period			4	258
Deconsolidation of variable interest entities				(249)
Dividends, distributions to noncontrolling interests and other			(2)	(3)
Balance, at the end of period	2	6	2	6
Preferred and Preference Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance, at the beginning of period			907	907
Net income			29	26
Dividends, distributions to noncontrolling interests and other			(29)	(26)
Noncash stock-based compensation and other			(1)
Issuance of preference stock			123
Balance, at the end of period	$ 1,029	$ 907	$ 1,029	$ 907