Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - MEC - Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventory, Raw Materials and Supplies, Gross	$ 523	$ 529
Replacement cost of inventory	27	8
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventory, Raw Materials and Supplies, Gross	99	105
Public utility inventory, coal	137	102
Public utility inventory - natural gas in storage	24	27
Replacement cost of inventory	$ 27	$ 8

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of coal, which is a combustible rock or minerals which are extracted from the ground and used as fuel.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of natural gas stored underground in depleted gas reservoirs, aquifers, or salt caverns to meet seasonal and peak load demands, and also as insurance against unforeseen supply disruptions, and deemed to be a current asset because it is expected to be used within twelve months or in the normal operating cycle.

+ References

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- Definition

The excess of replacement or current cost over the stated LIFO (last in first out) inventory value when the LIFO inventory method is utilized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(c))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Gross amount of unprocessed materials to be used in manufacturing or production process and supplies that will be consumed.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a)(4),(5))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Balance Type:	debit
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- Details

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