Asset Retirement Obligations (MEC) (Tables) (MidAmerican Energy Company and Subsidiaries [Member])

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

MidAmerican Energy Company and Subsidiaries [Member]

Asset Retirement Obligations Disclosure [Line Items]

Asset Retirement Obligations by Type [Table Text Block]

The following table presents MidAmerican Energy's ARO liabilities by asset type as of December 31, (in millions):

	2012		2011
Quad Cities Station	$	243	$	230
Thermal facilities	24		23
Wind generating facilities	48		36
Other	3		4
Total asset retirement obligations	$	318	$	293
Quad Cities Station nuclear decommissioning trust funds(1)	$	337	$	306

Asset Retirement Obligations Disclosure [Table Text Block]

The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of MidAmerican Energy's ARO liabilities for the years ended December 31, (in millions):

	2012			2011
Beginning balance	$	293		$	220
Change in estimated costs	—			50
Additions	10			10
Retirements	(1		)	—
Accretion	16			13
Ending balance	$	318		$	293