Schedule I Condensed Statements of Cash Flows Schedule I Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows from operating activities	$ 6,980	$ 5,146	$ 4,669
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(144)	(150)	(228)
Proceeds from sale of investments	142	118	191
Other, net	41	(11)	13
Net cash flows from investing activities	(6,230)	(9,418)	(10,194)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from BHE senior debt	0	1,478	1,981
Proceeds from BHE junior subordinated debentures	0	1,500	2,594
Proceeds from issuance of BHE common stock	0	0	1,000
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	36	0	0
Net (repayments of) proceeds from short-term debt	(421)	1,055	(849)
Other, net	(73)	(44)	(104)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(255)	3,725	5,926
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	491	(558)	399
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	617	1,175	776
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,108	617	1,175
MidAmerican Funding LLC [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows from operating activities	(13)	(13)	(13)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net cash flows from investing activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in amounts payable to subsidiary	13	13	13
Net cash flows from financing activities	13	13	13
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	0	0	0
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows from operating activities	2,528	1,937	2,295
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in subsidiaries	(1,506)	(4,937)	(6,522)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(36)	(56)	(106)
Proceeds from sale of investments	47	35	89
Notes receivable from affiliate, net	19	(55)	(37)
Other, net	(7)	(7)	(16)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(1,483)	(5,020)	(6,592)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from BHE senior debt	0	1,478	1,981
Proceeds from BHE junior subordinated debentures	0	1,500	2,594
Proceeds from issuance of BHE common stock	0	0	1,000
Repayments of BHE senior debt	0	(250)	0
Repayments of BHE subordinated debt	(850)	(300)	0
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	36	0	0
Net (repayments of) proceeds from short-term debt	(142)	395	(825)
Notes payable to affiliate, net	4	(30)	(173)
Other, net	(1)	1	(1)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(1,025)	2,794	4,576
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	20	(289)	279
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	3	292	13
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 23	$ 3	$ 292