Asset Retirement Obligations - MEC - Asset Retirement Obligations By Type (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligations By Type [Line Items]
Asset Retirement Obligation		$ 954	$ 921	$ 753
Regulatory Liabilities		3,120	3,033
Quad Cities Unit Nos 1 and 2 [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligations By Type [Line Items]
Asset Retirement Obligation		343	289
Fossil Fuel Plant [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligations By Type [Line Items]
Asset Retirement Obligation		404	443
Wind Generating Facility [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligations By Type [Line Items]
Asset Retirement Obligation		124	104
Other Plant in Service [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligations By Type [Line Items]
Asset Retirement Obligation		38	42
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligations By Type [Line Items]
Asset Retirement Obligation		567	532	$ 460
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value		460	429
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] | Quad Cities Unit Nos 1 and 2 [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligations By Type [Line Items]
Asset Retirement Obligation		343	289
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] | Fossil Fuel Plant [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligations By Type [Line Items]
Asset Retirement Obligation		132	160
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] | Wind Generating Facility [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligations By Type [Line Items]
Asset Retirement Obligation		91	82
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] | Other Plant in Service [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligations By Type [Line Items]
Asset Retirement Obligation		1	1
Quad Cities Unit Nos 1 and 2 [Member] | MidAmerican Energy Company [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligations By Type [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value		460	429
Removal Costs [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligations By Type [Line Items]
Regulatory Liabilities	[1]	2,242	2,167
Removal Costs [Member] | MidAmerican Energy Company [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligations By Type [Line Items]
Regulatory Liabilities		$ 665	$ 653

[1] Amounts represent estimated costs, as accrued through depreciation rates and exclusive of ARO liabilities, of removing regulated property, plant and equipment in accordance with accepted regulatory practices. Amounts are deducted from rate base or otherwise accrue a carrying cost.