Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (MEC) (MidAmerican Energy Company and Subsidiaries [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
MidAmerican Energy Company and Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 74	$ 74
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	93	85
Deferred income taxes and amortization of investment tax credits	13	29
Changes in other assets and liabilities	11	8
Other, net	(5)	4
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables, net	32	10
Inventories	18	35
Derivative collateral, net	8	12
Contributions to pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net	2	3
Accounts payable	(38)	(46)
Taxes accrued	(46)	(27)
Other current assets and liabilities	(4)	4
Net cash flows from operating activities	158	191
Cash flows from investing activities:
Utility construction expenditures	(117)	(98)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(14)	(29)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	8	33
Other, net	6	1
Net cash flows from investing activities	(117)	(93)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net cash flows from financing activities	0	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	41	98
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1	203
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 42	$ 301