BHE Shareholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, value, repurchased			$ 36
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock repurchased (shares)		75,000
Common stock, value, repurchased		$ 36
Subsequent Event [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock repurchased (shares)	35,000
Common stock, value, repurchased	$ 19