Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Net issuances of commercial paper, discount	$ 3	$ 2
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of discount and issuance costs	10	6
Issuance costs	3	2
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Net issuances of commercial paper, discount	3	2
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of discount and issuance costs	$ 10	$ 6

The cash outflow for cost incurred directly with the issuance of an equity security.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 18, 19, 20

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 15

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3291-108585

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