Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 278	$ 401
Restricted cash	304	330
Accounts receivable
Customers (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $84 and $87 at respective dates)	943	937
Accrued unbilled revenue	600	761
Regulatory balancing accounts	1,241	936
Other	298	365
Regulatory assets	486	564
Inventories
Gas stored underground and fuel oil	73	135
Materials and supplies	316	309
Income taxes receivable	166	211
Other	187	172
Total current assets	4,892	5,121
Property, Plant, and Equipment
Electric	40,356	39,701
Gas	12,786	12,571
Construction work in progress	2,100	1,894
Other	1	1
Total property, plant, and equipment	55,243	54,167
Accumulated depreciation	(16,961)	(16,644)
Net property, plant, and equipment	38,282	37,523
Other Noncurrent Assets
Regulatory assets	6,778	6,809
Nuclear decommissioning trusts	2,233	2,161
Income taxes receivable	202	176
Other	675	659
Total other noncurrent assets	9,888	9,805
TOTAL ASSETS	53,062	52,449
Current Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	489	492
Long-term debt, classified as current	1,399	400
Accounts payable
Trade creditors	1,043	1,241
Disputed claims and customer refunds	156	157
Regulatory balancing accounts	1,102	634
Other	488	444
Interest payable	831	870
Income taxes payable	10	6
Deferred income taxes	44	0
Other	1,486	2,012
Total current liabilities	7,048	6,256
Noncurrent Liabilities
Long-term debt	11,518	12,517
Regulatory liabilities	5,187	5,088
Pension and other postretirement benefits	3,626	3,575
Asset retirement obligations	2,924	2,919
Deferred income taxes	6,870	6,748
Other	2,065	2,020
Total noncurrent liabilities	32,190	32,867
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)
Shareholders' Equity
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock	8,879	8,428
Reinvested earnings	4,784	4,747
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(91)	(101)
Total shareholders' equity	13,572	13,074
Noncontrolling Interest - Preferred Stock of Subsidiary	252	252
Total equity	13,824	13,326
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	53,062	52,449
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	53	194
Restricted cash	304	330
Accounts receivable
Customers (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $84 and $87 at respective dates)	943	937
Accrued unbilled revenue	600	761
Regulatory balancing accounts	1,241	936
Other	305	366
Regulatory assets	486	564
Inventories
Gas stored underground and fuel oil	73	135
Materials and supplies	316	309
Income taxes receivable	140	186
Other	161	160
Total current assets	4,622	4,878
Property, Plant, and Equipment
Electric	40,356	39,701
Gas	12,786	12,571
Construction work in progress	2,100	1,894
Total property, plant, and equipment	55,242	54,166
Accumulated depreciation	(16,960)	(16,643)
Net property, plant, and equipment	38,282	37,523
Other Noncurrent Assets
Regulatory assets	6,778	6,809
Nuclear decommissioning trusts	2,233	2,161
Income taxes receivable	197	171
Other	403	381
Total other noncurrent assets	9,611	9,522
TOTAL ASSETS	52,515	51,923
Current Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	369	372
Long-term debt, classified as current	1,399	400
Accounts payable
Trade creditors	1,044	1,241
Disputed claims and customer refunds	156	157
Regulatory balancing accounts	1,102	634
Other	520	419
Interest payable	820	865
Income taxes payable	17	12
Deferred income taxes	36	0
Other	1,267	1,794
Total current liabilities	6,730	5,894
Noncurrent Liabilities
Long-term debt	11,168	12,167
Regulatory liabilities	5,187	5,088
Pension and other postretirement benefits	3,546	3,497
Asset retirement obligations	2,924	2,919
Deferred income taxes	7,066	6,939
Other	2,005	1,959
Total noncurrent liabilities	31,896	32,569
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)
Shareholders' Equity
Preferred stock	258	258
Common stock	1,322	1,322
Additional paid-in capital	5,051	4,682
Reinvested earnings	7,346	7,291
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(88)	(93)
Total shareholders' equity	13,889	13,460
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 52,515	$ 51,923