Derivative Instruments (Income Statement Disclosure) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Effect of Cash Flow Hedges on Results of Operations [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net	$ (9)	$ (15)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	(25)	(25)
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	142	(182)
Gains (losses) on commodity contracts, recorded as regulatory assets and or liabilities on the balance sheet due to regulatory treatment	(252)	(1)
Commodity contracts [Member]
Effect of Cash Flow Hedges on Results of Operations [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net	0	0
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	1	5
Commodity contracts [Member] | Gains (losses) included in operating revenues [Member]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	190	(152)
Commodity contracts [Member] | Gains (losses) included in fuel, purchased power and interchange [Member]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	(11)	(25)
Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Effect of Cash Flow Hedges on Results of Operations [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net	1	1
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	(16)	(19)
Foreign currency swaps [Member]
Effect of Cash Flow Hedges on Results of Operations [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net	(10)	(16)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	(10)	(11)
Foreign currency swaps [Member] | Gains (losses) included in Other - net [Member]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	(37)	(5)
Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedge Ineffectiveness, Net [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedge Ineffectiveness, Net	1	6
Number of instruments held	6	3
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Currency Swap [Member] | Gains (losses) included in interest expense [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	$ (1)	$ (1)