Palo Verde Sale Leaseback Variable Interest Entities Schedule of VIEs (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Amounts relating to the VIEs included in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Palo Verde sale leaseback property plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	$ 122,222,000	$ 125,125,000
Current maturities of long-term debt	368,841,000	540,424,000
Equity — Noncontrolling interests	152,097,000	145,990,000
Arizona Public Service Company
Amounts relating to the VIEs included in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Palo Verde sale leaseback property plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	122,222,000	125,125,000
Current maturities of long-term debt	368,841,000	540,424,000
Equity — Noncontrolling interests	152,097,000	145,990,000
Arizona Public Service Company | Consolidation of VIEs
Amounts relating to the VIEs included in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Palo Verde sale leaseback property plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	122,000,000	125,000,000
Current maturities of long-term debt	37,000,000	26,000,000
Long-term debt excluding current maturities	1,000,000	13,000,000
Equity — Noncontrolling interests	$ 152,000,000	$ 146,000,000