Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 738	$ 839
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning	1,542	1,807
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	(78)	(79)
Deferred income taxes and tax credits, net	527	624
Disallowed capital expenditures	196	0
Other	274	230
Effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(160)	(326)
Inventories	(56)	(34)
Accounts payable	84	(55)
Income taxes receivable/payable	(133)	69
Other current assets and liabilities	(269)	16
Regulatory assets, liabilities, and balancing accounts, net	12	66
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities	156	295
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,833	3,452
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(3,881)	(3,361)
Decrease (Increase) in restricted cash	29	(38)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of nuclear decommissioning trust investments	1,152	903
Purchases of nuclear decommissioning trust investments	(1,150)	(964)
Other	37	101
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,813)	(3,359)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities	140	0
Net issuances (repayments) of commercial paper, net of discount of $1 and $3 at respective dates	322	(1,247)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of premium, discount, and issuance costs of $9 and $10 at respective dates	741	1,140
Long-term debt matured or repurchased	(461)	(50)
Energy recovery bonds matured	0	(313)
Common stock issued	724	702
Common stock dividends paid	(583)	(556)
Other	(23)	14
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	860	(310)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(120)	(217)
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	401	513
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	281	296
Cash received (paid) for:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized	(499)	(486)
Income taxes, net	(65)	114
Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities
Common stock dividends declared but not yet paid	204	195
Capital expenditures financed through accounts payable	277	228
Noncash common stock issuances	17	18
Terminated capital leases	0	136
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	728	798
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning	1,542	1,807
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	(78)	(79)
Deferred income taxes and tax credits, net	545	633
Disallowed capital expenditures	196	0
Other	231	189
Effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(162)	(327)
Inventories	(56)	(34)
Accounts payable	125	(31)
Income taxes receivable/payable	(154)	153
Other current assets and liabilities	(250)	15
Regulatory assets, liabilities, and balancing accounts, net	12	66
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities	147	315
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,826	3,505
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(3,881)	(3,361)
Decrease (Increase) in restricted cash	29	(38)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of nuclear decommissioning trust investments	1,152	903
Purchases of nuclear decommissioning trust investments	(1,150)	(964)
Other	14	14
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,836)	(3,446)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net issuances (repayments) of commercial paper, net of discount of $1 and $3 at respective dates	322	(1,247)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of premium, discount, and issuance costs of $9 and $10 at respective dates	741	1,140
Long-term debt matured or repurchased	(461)	(50)
Energy recovery bonds matured	0	(313)
Preferred stock dividends paid	(10)	(10)
Common stock dividends paid	(537)	(537)
Equity contribution	835	715
Other	(14)	25
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	876	(277)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(134)	(218)
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	194	304
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	60	86
Cash received (paid) for:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized	(487)	(476)
Income taxes, net	(86)	174
Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities
Capital expenditures financed through accounts payable	277	228
Terminated capital leases	$ 0	$ 136