Schedule I Condensed Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 935	$ 721	$ 1,108	$ 617
Accounts receivable		2,014	1,751
Income tax receivable		334	0
Other current assets		815	706
Total current assets		5,778	4,673
Goodwill		9,678	9,010	9,076
Other assets		1,248	996
Total assets		90,208	85,440	83,618
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	[1]	4,488	1,869
Total current liabilities		11,603	6,313
BHE senior debt		5,452	7,418
BHE junior subordinated debentures		100	944
Long-term Debt		35,193	36,116
Other long-term liabilities		2,984	2,742
Total liabilities		61,900	60,977
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock		0	0
Additional paid-in capital		6,368	6,390
Retained earnings		22,206	19,448
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net		(398)	(1,511)
Total shareholders' equity		28,176	24,327
Noncontrolling interest		132	136
Total equity		28,308	24,463	22,535	20,573
Total liabilities and equity		90,208	85,440
Parent Company [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		346	33	23	3
Accounts receivable		0	21
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties		60	0
Due from Affiliates		391	105
Other current assets		21	2
Total current assets		818	161
Investments in subsidiaries		34,019	33,400
Other Investments		2,117	1,338
Goodwill		1,221	1,221
Other assets		1,155	1,171
Total assets		39,330	37,291
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and other current liabilities		268	357
Notes Payable, Related Parties, Current		182	194
Short-term debt		3,331	834
Current portion of senior debt		1,000	400
Total current liabilities		4,781	1,785
BHE senior debt		5,452	7,418
BHE junior subordinated debentures		100	944
Notes payable - affiliate		1	1,859
Other long-term liabilities		800	942
Total liabilities		11,134	12,948
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock		0	0
Additional paid-in capital		6,368	6,390
Retained earnings		22,206	19,448
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net		(398)	(1,511)
Total shareholders' equity		28,176	24,327
Noncontrolling interest		20	16
Total equity		28,196	24,343
Total liabilities and equity		39,330	37,291
MidAmerican Funding LLC [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		0	0	$ 0	$ 0
Due from Affiliates		2	2
Income tax receivable		13	0
Total current assets		15	2
Investments in subsidiaries		7,322	6,718
Total assets		7,337	6,720
Current liabilities:
Other accrued current liabilities		6	7
Long-term Debt		240	326
Notes payable - affiliate		431	301
Total liabilities		677	634
Shareholders' equity:
Paid-in capital		1,679	1,679
Retained earnings		4,981	4,407
Total shareholders' equity		6,660	6,086
Total liabilities and equity		$ 7,337	$ 6,720

[1] (1)The table does not include unused credit facilities and letters of credit for investments that are accounted for under the equity method.