Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (MEC) (MidAmerican Energy Company and Subsidiaries [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
MidAmerican Energy Company and Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 355	$ 319	$ 357
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	392	336	344
Deferred income taxes and amortization of investment tax credits	178	463	137
Changes in other assets and liabilities	49	33	32
Losses from impairment of assets	0	0	8
Other, net	(21)	(27)	(7)
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables, net	(14)	27	25
Inventories	(40)	(40)	(1)
Derivative collateral, net	4	(12)	6
Contributions to pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net	(53)	(41)	(6)
Accounts payable	12	(26)	(10)
Taxes accrued	420	(255)	(56)
Other current assets and liabilities	(6)	(7)	2
Net cash flows from operating activities	1,276	770	831
Net cash flows from investing activities:
Utility construction expenditures	(645)	(565)	(337)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(64)	(77)	(80)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	45	70	73
Proceeds from sales of other investments	7	0	0
Other, net	18	13	8
Net cash flows from investing activities	(639)	(559)	(336)
Net cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends	(1)	(1)	(376)
Repayments of long-term debt	(283)	(412)	0
Repurchase of preferred securities	0	0	(3)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(284)	(413)	(379)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	353	(202)	116
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	1	203	87
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 354	$ 1	$ 203