Commitments And Contingencies (Legal And Regulatory Contingencies) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$ 70,000
CPUC Disallowed Future Spending	850,000
SED Maximum Statutory Penalty Per Violaiton	$ 50
Butte Fire [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of plaintiffs	1,300
Loss Contingency Range Of Possible Loss Minimum	$ 350,000
Number of complaints filed against utility	32
Fire Fighting Costs Recovery Requested By Cal Fire	$ 90,000
Natural Gas Distribution Facilities Record Keeping OII [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
SED recommended penalty	112,000
City of Carmel Recommended Penalty	652,000
Portion of Carmel Recommended Penalty Related to Carmel Explosion	137,000
Utility Recommended Maximum Penalty	$ 33,600
Number of days until Presiding Officer Decision Expected from Filing Date	60 days
Number Of Days From Presising Officer Decision Until Decision Is Final If No Appeals	30 days
Criminal investigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Total maximum statutory penalties	$ 6,500
CAISO And PX [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Disputed Claims Liability Balance		$ 454,000
Other Receivables Disputed Claims		228,000
CAISO And PX [Member] | Joint Offer Of Settlement [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Settlement Refund	256,000
Ex Parte Communications [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
California Public Utilities Commission Imposed Penalty Per Day Per Violation	$ 50
Ex Parte Communication Count Already Included in OII	46
Additional Ex Parte Communication Count	113
Ex Parte Communication to be Considered in Briefing	21
Maximum Allowable Award [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Energy Efficiency Award For 2006-2008 Program Cycle	$ 180,000
Actual Award [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Energy Efficiency Award For 2006-2008 Program Cycle	104,000
Pipeline Saftey Enhancement Plan [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Capitalized PSEP costs	1,300,000
Cummulative unrecoverable PSEP capital costs	665,000
CPUC Authorized For Recovery PSEP Capital Costs	766,000
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution Facilities Record Keeping OII [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
CPUC Imposed Penalty	10,850
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member] | Criminal investigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Statutory penalty for each count of alleged violation	500
Gross Gain Derived From Alleged Violation	281,000
Maximum Alternative Fine Sought	$ 562,000
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member] | Criminal investigation [Member] | Alleged obstruction of NTSB's investigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of felony counts	1
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member] | Criminal investigation [Member] | Dismissed Criminal Indictment Counts [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of felony counts	15
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member] | Criminal investigation [Member] | Remaining Criminal Indictment Counts [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of felony counts	12
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
SED fines for self-reported violations	$ 50
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
SED fines for self-reported violations	16,800
Utility [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrued legal liabilities	$ 55,000	$ 63,000