Schedule I Condensed Statements of Cash Flows Schedule I Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows from operating activities	$ 6,056	$ 6,980	$ 5,146
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(141)	(144)	(150)
Proceeds from sale of investments	191	142	118
Other, net	(34)	41	(11)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(5,746)	(6,230)	(9,418)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from BHE senior debt	0	0	1,478
Proceeds from BHE junior subordinated debentures	0	0	1,500
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	0	36	0
Net proceeds from (repayments of) short-term debt	879	(421)	1,055
Other, net	(65)	(73)	(44)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(690)	(255)	3,725
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(387)	491	(558)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,108	617	1,175
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	721	1,108	617
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	2,760	2,528	1,937
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in subsidiaries	(1,080)	(1,506)	(4,937)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(24)	(36)	(56)
Proceeds from sale of investments	20	47	35
Notes receivable from affiliate, net	(307)	19	(55)
Other, net	(5)	(7)	(7)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(1,396)	(1,483)	(5,020)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from BHE senior debt	0	0	1,478
Proceeds from BHE junior subordinated debentures	0	0	1,500
Proceeds from issuance of BHE common stock	0	0	0
Repayments of BHE senior debt	0	0	(250)
Repayments of BHE subordinated debt	(2,000)	(850)	(300)
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	0	36	0
Net proceeds from (repayments of) short-term debt	581	(142)	395
Notes payable to affiliate, net	69	4	(30)
Other, net	(4)	(1)	1
Net cash flows from financing activities	(1,354)	(1,025)	2,794
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	10	20	(289)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	23	3	292
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 33	$ 23	$ 3