Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 839	$ 771
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning	1,807	1,648
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	(79)	(64)
Deferred income taxes and tax credits, net	624	552
Other	230	223
Effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(326)	(186)
Inventories	(34)	(60)
Accounts payable	(55)	93
Income taxes receivable/payable	69	(71)
Other current assets and liabilities	16	(170)
Regulatory assets, liabilities, and balancing accounts, net	66	70
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities	295	426
Net cash provided by operating activities	3,452	3,232
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(3,361)	(2,968)
(Increase) Decrease in restricted cash	(38)	170
Proceeds from sales and maturities of nuclear decommissioning trust investments	903	1,574
Purchases of nuclear decommissioning trust investments	(964)	(1,604)
Other	101	(102)
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,359)	(2,930)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities	0	358
Repayments under revolving credit facilities	0	(283)
Net (payments) issuances of commercial paper, net of discount of $3 in 2012 and $2 in 2011	(1,247)	196
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of discount and issuance costs of $10 in 2012 and $6 in 2011	1,140	544
Long-term debt matured or repurchased	(50)	(700)
Energy recovery bonds matured	(313)	(299)
Common stock issued	702	391
Common stock dividends paid	(556)	(525)
Other	14	2
Net cash used in financing activities	(310)	(316)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(217)	(14)
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	513	291
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	296	277
Cash received (paid) for:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized	(486)	(536)
Income taxes, net	114	8
Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities
Common stock dividends declared but not yet paid	195	184
Capital expenditures financed through accounts payable	228	225
Noncash common stock issuances	18	18
Terminated capital leases	136	0
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	798	756
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning	1,807	1,648
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	(79)	(64)
Deferred income taxes and tax credits, net	633	564
Other	189	193
Effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(327)	(125)
Inventories	(34)	(60)
Accounts payable	(31)	97
Income taxes receivable/payable	153	(156)
Other current assets and liabilities	15	(153)
Regulatory assets, liabilities, and balancing accounts, net	66	70
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities	315	491
Net cash provided by operating activities	3,505	3,261
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(3,361)	(2,968)
(Increase) Decrease in restricted cash	(38)	170
Proceeds from sales and maturities of nuclear decommissioning trust investments	903	1,574
Purchases of nuclear decommissioning trust investments	(964)	(1,604)
Other	14	13
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,446)	(2,815)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities	0	208
Repayments under revolving credit facilities	0	(208)
Net (payments) issuances of commercial paper, net of discount of $3 in 2012 and $2 in 2011	(1,247)	196
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of discount and issuance costs of $10 in 2012 and $6 in 2011	1,140	544
Long-term debt matured or repurchased	(50)	(700)
Energy recovery bonds matured	(313)	(299)
Preferred stock dividends paid	(10)	(10)
Common stock dividends paid	(537)	(537)
Equity contribution	715	350
Other	25	12
Net cash used in financing activities	(277)	(444)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(218)	2
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	304	51
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	86	53
Cash received (paid) for:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized	(476)	(525)
Income taxes, net	174	6
Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities
Capital expenditures financed through accounts payable	228	225
Terminated capital leases	$ 136	$ 0