Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Net income	$ 242	$ 236
Other Comprehensive Income
Unrecognized prior service credit (net of income tax of $5 during respective periods)	6	6
Unrecognized net gain (net of income tax of $11 during respective periods for Corporation and $10 and $11 during respective periods for Utility)	17	21
Unrecognized net transition obligation (net of income tax of $2 in 2012)	0	4
Transfer to regulatory account (net of income tax of $13 and $15 during respective periods)	(19)	(21)
Other (net of income tax of $4 in 2013)	6	0
Total other comprehensive income	10	10
Comprehensive Income	252	246
Preferred stock dividend requirement of subsidiary	3	3
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Common Shareholders	249	243
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Net income	237	231
Other Comprehensive Income
Unrecognized prior service credit (net of income tax of $5 during respective periods)	6	6
Unrecognized net gain (net of income tax of $11 during respective periods for Corporation and $10 and $11 during respective periods for Utility)	18	21
Unrecognized net transition obligation (net of income tax of $2 in 2012)	0	4
Transfer to regulatory account (net of income tax of $13 and $15 during respective periods)	(19)	(21)
Total other comprehensive income	5	10
Comprehensive Income	$ 242	$ 241