Debt [Line Items]

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	pcg_
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, before unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
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+ 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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

- Definition

Amount of unamortized debt discount (premium) and debt issuance costs.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(3)
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+ Details

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

- Definition

Noncurrent portion of a debt security issued by a state, certain agencies or authorities, a local government, or development corporation to finance the construction of air- or water-pollution control facilities or sewage or solid waste disposal facilities pursuant to federal law. The bonds are backed by the credit of the beneficiary of the financing rather than the credit of the issuer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents the current and noncurrent portions of a debt security issued by a state, certain agencies or authorities, a local government, or development corporation to finance the construction of air- or water-pollution control facilities or sewage or solid waste disposal facilities pursuant to federal law. The bonds are backed by the credit of the beneficiary of the financing rather than the credit of the issuer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
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-Section S99
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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), excluding current portion. Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
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+ Details

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

- 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

+ Details

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

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the portion of long-term notes having the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation, due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to debt holders having a lesser priority of repayment.

+ References

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-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
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DEBT (Schedule of Long-term Debt) (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020	Jul. 01, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt [Line Items]
Unamortized discount, net of premium and debt issuance costs	$ (178,000,000)
Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Unamortized discount, net of premium and debt issuance costs	(88,000,000)
Pre-petition Long Term Debt \| PG&E Corporation
Debt [Line Items]
Debt	0		$ 650,000,000
PG&E Corporation Revolving Credit Facilities - Stated Maturity: 2022 \| PG&E Corporation
Debt [Line Items]
Debt	0		$ 300,000,000
PG&E Corporation Revolving Credit Facilities - Stated Maturity: 2022 \| PG&E Corporation \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			3.24%
Term Loan - Stated Maturity: 2020 \| PG&E Corporation
Debt [Line Items]
Debt	0		$ 350,000,000
Term Loan - Stated Maturity: 2020 \| PG&E Corporation \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			2.96%
Pre-petition Senior Notes \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Debt	0		$ 17,525,000,000
Senior Notes Due 2020 Through 2022 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Debt	$ 0		1,750,000,000
Senior Notes Due 2020 Through 2022 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Minimum
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	2.45%
Senior Notes Due 2020 Through 2022 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Maximum
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	4.25%
First Mortgage Bonds Due 2025 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		3.45%
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 875,000,000
First Mortgage Bonds Due 2025 \| PG&E Corporation
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		3.45%
First Mortgage Bonds Due 2028 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		3.75%
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 875,000,000
First Mortgage Bonds Due 2028 \| PG&E Corporation
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		3.75%
Senior Notes Due 2023 Through 2028 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Debt	$ 0		5,025,000,000
Senior Notes Due 2023 Through 2028 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Minimum
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	2.95%
Senior Notes Due 2023 Through 2028 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Maximum
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	4.65%
Senior Notes Due 2034 Through 2040 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Debt	$ 0		5,700,000,000
Senior Notes Due 2034 Through 2040 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Minimum
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	5.40%
Senior Notes Due 2034 Through 2040 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Maximum
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	6.35%
First Mortgage Bonds Due 2030 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		4.55%
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 3,100,000,000
First Mortgage Bonds Due 2030 \| PG&E Corporation
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		4.55%
First Mortgage Bonds Due 2050 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		4.95%
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 3,100,000,000
First Mortgage Bonds Due 2050 \| PG&E Corporation
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		4.95%
Senior Notes Due 2041 Through 2042 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Debt	$ 0		1,000,000,000
Senior Notes Due 2041 Through 2042 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Minimum
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	3.75%
Senior Notes Due 2041 Through 2042 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Maximum
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	4.50%
Senior Notes Due 2043 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Debt	$ 0		500,000,000
Stated interest rate	5.13%
Senior Notes Due 2043 Through 2047 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Debt	$ 0		3,550,000,000
Senior Notes Due 2043 Through 2047 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Minimum
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	3.95%
Senior Notes Due 2043 Through 2047 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Maximum
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	4.75%
Pre-petition Pollution Control Bonds \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Pollution control bonds	$ 0		863,000,000
Pollution Control Bonds - Series 2008 F and 2010 E, due 2026 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	1.75%
Pollution control bonds	$ 0	$ 100,000,000	$ 100,000,000
Pollution Control Bonds - Series 2009 A-B, due 2026 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			7.95%
Pollution control bonds	0		$ 149,000,000
Pollution Control Bonds - Series 1996 C, E, F, 1997 B due 2026 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Pollution control bonds	0		$ 614,000,000
Pollution Control Bonds - Series 1996 C, E, F, 1997 B due 2026 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Minimum
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			7.95%
Pollution Control Bonds - Series 1996 C, E, F, 1997 B due 2026 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Maximum
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			8.08%
Pre-Petition Credit Facility \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Debt	0		$ 3,138,000,000
Utility Revolving Credit Facilities - Stated Maturity: 2022 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Debt	0		$ 2,888,000,000
Utility Revolving Credit Facilities - Stated Maturity: 2022 \| PG&E Corporation \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			3.04%
Term Loan - Stated Maturity: 2019 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Debt	0		$ 250,000,000
Term Loan - Stated Maturity: 2019 \| PG&E Corporation \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			2.36%
First Mortgage Bonds Due 2026 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		3.15%
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 1,950,000,000
First Mortgage Bonds Due 2040 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		4.50%
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 1,950,000,000
Pre-Petition Debt
Debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt	0		$ 22,176,000,000
Pre-Petition Debt \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt	0		21,526,000,000
New Debt
Debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt	36,311,000,000		0
New Debt \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt	31,657,000,000		0
Unamortized discount, net of premium and debt issuance costs	(7,000,000)		0
New Debt \| PG&E Corporation
Debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt	4,654,000,000		0
Unamortized discount, net of premium and debt issuance costs	(89,000,000)		0
Term Loan, Stated Maturity 2025 \| PG&E Corporation
Debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 2,743,000,000		0
Term Loan, Stated Maturity 2025 \| PG&E Corporation \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	5.50%
Senior Notes Due 2028 \| PG&E Corporation
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	5.00%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,000,000,000		0
Senior Notes Due 2030 \| PG&E Corporation
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	5.25%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,000,000,000		0
18-Months Term Loan \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Debt	$ 1,500,000,000		0
18-Months Term Loan \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	2.44%
First Mortgage Bonds, Reinstated \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 9,575,000,000		0
Unamortized discount, net of premium and debt issuance costs	0		0
First Mortgage Bonds, Reinstated Stated Maturity 2023 through 2028 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 5,025,000,000		0
First Mortgage Bonds, Reinstated Stated Maturity 2023 through 2028 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Minimum
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	2.95%
First Mortgage Bonds, Reinstated Stated Maturity 2023 through 2028 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Maximum
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	4.65%
First Mortgage Bonds, Reinstated Stated Maturity 2041 through 2042 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,000,000,000		0
First Mortgage Bonds, Reinstated Stated Maturity 2041 through 2042 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Minimum
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	3.75%
First Mortgage Bonds, Reinstated Stated Maturity 2041 through 2042 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Maximum
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	4.50%
First Mortgage Bonds, Reinstated Stated Maturity 2043 through 2047 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 3,550,000,000		0
First Mortgage Bonds, Reinstated Stated Maturity 2043 through 2047 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Minimum
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	3.95%
First Mortgage Bonds, Reinstated Stated Maturity 2043 through 2047 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| Maximum
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	4.75%
First Mortgage Bonds, Exchange \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 11,751,000,000		0
Unamortized discount, net of premium and debt issuance costs	$ (101,000,000)		0
First Mortgage Bonds, Exchange Stated Maturity 2025 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	3.45%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 875,000,000		0
First Mortgage Bonds, Exchange Stated Maturity 2025 \| PG&E Corporation
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		3.15%
First Mortgage Bonds, Exchange Stated Maturity 2026 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	3.15%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,951,000,000		0
First Mortgage Bonds, Exchange Stated Maturity 2028 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	3.75%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 875,000,000		0
First Mortgage Bonds, Exchange Stated Maturity 2030 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	4.55%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 3,100,000,000		0
First Mortgage Bonds, Exchange Stated Maturity 2040 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	4.50%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,951,000,000		0
First Mortgage Bonds, Exchange Stated Maturity 2040 \| PG&E Corporation
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		4.50%
First Mortgage Bonds, Exchange Stated Maturity 2050 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	4.95%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 3,100,000,000		0
First Mortgage Bonds \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt	8,838,000,000		0
Unamortized discount, net of premium and debt issuance costs	(87,000,000)		0
First Mortgage Bonds, Stated Maturity 2022 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 500,000,000		0
First Mortgage Bonds, Stated Maturity 2022 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	1.72%
First Mortgage Bonds, Stated Maturity 2022 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	1.75%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 2,500,000,000		0
First Mortgage Bonds, Stated Maturity 2027 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	2.10%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,000,000,000		0
First Mortgage Bonds, Stated Maturity 2031 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	2.50%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 2,000,000,000		0
First Mortgage Bonds, Stated Maturity 2040 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	3.30%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,000,000,000		0
First Mortgage Bonds, Stated Maturity 2050 \| Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Debt [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	3.50%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,925,000,000		$ 0