Earnings Per Share (Reconciliation Of PG&E Corporation's Income Available For Common Shareholders And Weighted Average Shares Of Common Stock Outstanding For Calculating Diluted EPS) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income available for common shareholders	$ 816	$ 844
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic	424	401	382
Add Incremental Shares From Assumed conversions:
Employee share-based compensation	1	1
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted	425	402	392
Net earnings per common share, basic	$ 1.92	$ 2.1	$ 2.86
Total earnings per common share, diluted	$ 1.92	$ 2.1	$ 2.82

Earnings Per Share (Reconciliation Of PG&E Corporation's Income Available For Common Shareholders And Weighted Average Shares Of Common Stock Outstanding For Calculating Diluted EPS) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Income available for common shareholders

$ 816

$ 844

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic

424

401

382

Add Incremental Shares From Assumed conversions:

Employee share-based compensation

Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted

425

402

392

Net earnings per common share, basic

$ 1.92

$ 2.1

$ 2.86

Total earnings per common share, diluted

$ 1.92

$ 2.1

$ 2.82

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References

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+ Details

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

+ References

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-Glossary Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding

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+ Details