Income Taxes - MEC - Summary of Operating Loss Carryforwards (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Federal, state and foreign carryforwards		$ 575	$ 596
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	[1]	5,819
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Federal, state and foreign carryforwards		51
Operating Loss Carryforwards		$ 745
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forwards, Domestic Federal and State, ExpirationDate		2020
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forwards, Domestic Federal and State, ExpirationDate		2038

[1] The federal net operating loss carryforwards relate principally to net operating loss carryforwards of subsidiaries that are tax residents in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The federal net operating loss carryforwards were generated prior to Berkshire Hathaway Inc.'s ownership and will begin to expire in 2020.