Debt [Line Items]

No definition available.

Name:	pcg_DebtLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	pcg_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts at the balance sheet date of short-term borrowings not otherwise specified in the taxonomy having initial terms less than one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a)(7))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherShortTermBorrowings
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow for a borrowing having initial term of repayment within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3291-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfShortTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SeniorNotes
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=pcg_PollutionControlBondsSeriesNineteenNinetySixCEFAndNineteenNinetySevenBMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=pcg_PollutionControlBondsSeriesTwoThousandAndNineToDMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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Balance Type:
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
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Data Type:	na
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Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=pcg_UtilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=pcg_SeniorNotesTwoPointNintyFivePercentDueTwoThousandTwentySixMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Debt [Line Items]
Short-term debt matured	$ 0	$ (300)
Pollution Control Bonds Series 1996 C, E, F, And 1997 B [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	614
Pollution Control Bonds Series 2009 A-D [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 309
Minimum [Member] \| Pollution Control Bonds Series 1996 C, E, F, And 1997 B [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	0.39%
Minimum [Member] \| Pollution Control Bonds Series 2009 A-D [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	0.38%
Maximum [Member] \| Pollution Control Bonds Series 1996 C, E, F, And 1997 B [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	0.42%
Maximum [Member] \| Pollution Control Bonds Series 2009 A-D [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	0.44%
Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Floating rate unsecured term loan, due 2017	$ 250
Utility [Member] \| Senior Notes, 2.95%, Due 2026 [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	2.95%
Senior Notes	$ 600