Income Taxes - MEC - Summary of Operating Loss Carryforwards (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Federal, state and foreign carryforwards		$ 865	$ 781
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	[1]	10,084
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Federal, state and foreign carryforwards		23
Operating Loss Carryforwards		$ 488
Minimum [Member] | MidAmerican Energy Company [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forwards, Domestic Federal and State, ExpirationDate		2016
Maximum [Member] | MidAmerican Energy Company [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forwards, Domestic Federal and State, ExpirationDate		2034

[1] The federal net operating loss carry forwards relate principally to net operating loss carry forwards of subsidiaries that are tax residents in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The net operating loss carry forwards were generated prior to Berkshire Hathaway Inc.'s ownership and will begin to expire in 2022.