1.0.0.3 true GOODWILL false 1 $ true false false false PEPCO HOLDINGS INC dei_LegalEntityAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember dei_LegalEntityAxis explicitMember Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares 0 USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDperShareItemType Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares 0 1 PEPCO HOLDINGS INC 0 na true na na na No definition available. false true false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 2 Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] 2 pom false na duration string Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] false 3 GOODWILL 2 pom_GoodwillDisclosureTextBlock pom false na duration string This block of text may be used to disclose all or part of the information related to goodwill. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 <div> (6) GOODWILL PHI’s goodwill balance of $1.4 billion was unchanged during the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2009. Substantially all of PHI’s goodwill was generated by Pepco’s acquisition of Conectiv in 2002 and is allocated to the Power Delivery reporting unit based on the aggregation of its components for purposes of assessing impairment under FASB guidance on goodwill and other intangibles (ASC 350). PHI’s annual impairment test as of July 1, 2009 indicated that goodwill was not impaired at June 30, 2009. As of September 30, 2009, after review of its significant assumptions in the goodwill impairment analysis, PHI concluded that there were no events requiring PHI to perform an interim goodwill impairment test. Although PHI’s market capitalization was below book value as of September 30, 2009, PHI’s market capitalization has improved compared to earlier periods. PHI performed interim goodwill impairment tests as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 when its market capitalization was further below book value than at September 30, 2009, and concluded that its goodwill was not impaired at those earlier dates. PHI’s next annual impairment test will be as of November 1, 2009. In order to estimate the fair value of its Power Delivery reporting unit, PHI reviews the results from two discounted cash flow models. The models differ in the method used to calculate the terminal value of the reporting unit. One model estimates terminal value based on a constant annual cash flow growth rate that is consistent with PHI’s long-term view of the business, and the other model estimates terminal value based on a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) that management believes is consistent with EBITDA multiples for comparable utilities. The models use a cost of capital appropriate for a regulated utility as the discount rate for the estimated cash flows associated with the reporting unit. PHI has consistently used this valuation approach to estimate the fair value of Power Delivery. The estimation of fair value is dependent on a number of factors that are sourced from the Power Delivery reporting unit’s business forecast, including but not limited to interest rates, growth assumptions, returns on rate base, operating and capital expenditure requirements, and other factors, changes in which could materially impact the results of impairment testing. Assumptions and methodologies used in the models were consistent with historical experience, including assumptions concerning the recovery of operating costs and capital expenditures. Sensitive, interrelated and uncertain variables that could decrease the estimated fair value of the Power Delivery reporting unit include utility sector market performance, sustained adverse business conditions, changes in forecasted revenues, higher operating and capital expenditure requirements, a significant increase in the cost of capital and other factors. In addition to estimating the fair value of its Power Delivery reporting unit, PHI estimated the fair value of its other reporting units (Conectiv Energy, Pepco Energy Services, Other Non-Regulated, and Corporate & Other) at July 1, 2009. The sum of the fair value of all reporting units was reconciled to PHI’s market capitalization at July 1, 2009 to further substantiate the estimated fair value of its reporting units. The sum of the estimated fair values of all reporting units exceeded the market capitalization of PHI at July 1, 2009. PHI believes that the excess of the estimated fair value of PHI’s reporting units as compared to PHI’s market capitalization reflects a reasonable control premium that is comparable to control premiums observed in historical acquisitions in the utility industry during various economic environments. Given the lack of a fundamental change in the Power Delivery reporting unit’s business, PHI does not believe the declines in its stock price in reporting periods prior to July 1, 2009, indicated a commensurate decline in the fair value of PHI’s Power Delivery reporting unit. PHI’s Power Delivery reporting unit consists of regulated companies with regulated recovery rates and approved rates of return allowing for generally predictable and steady streams of revenues and cash flows over an extended period of time. With the continuing volatile general market conditions, the sustained period of time that PHI’s stock price has been below its book value, and the disruptions in the credit and capital markets, PHI will continue to closely monitor for indicators of goodwill impairment. </div> false false This block of text may be used to disclose all or part of the information related to goodwill. No authoritative reference available. false 4 DELMARVA POWER & LIGHT CO /DE/ 0 na true na na na No definition available. false true false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 5 Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] 2 pom false na duration string Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] false 6 GOODWILL 2 pom_GoodwillDisclosureTextBlock pom false na duration string This block of text may be used to disclose all or part of the information related to goodwill. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 <div> (6) GOODWILL DPL’s goodwill balance of $8 million was unchanged during the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2009. All of DPL’s goodwill was generated by its acquisition of Conowingo Power Company in 1995. DPL’s annual impairment test as of July 1, 2009 indicated that goodwill was not impaired at June 30, 2009. As of September 30, 2009, after review of its significant assumptions in the goodwill impairment analysis, DPL concluded that there were no events requiring DPL to perform an interim goodwill impairment test. DPL performed an interim impairment test as of December 31, 2008 which indicated that goodwill was not impaired. DPL’s next annual impairment test will be as of November 1, 2009. In order to estimate the fair value of DPL’s business, DPL reviews the results from two discounted cash flow models. The models differ in the method used to calculate the terminal value. One model estimates terminal value based on a constant annual cash flow growth rate that is consistent with DPL’s long-term view of the business, and the other model estimates terminal value based on a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) that management believes is consistent with EBITDA multiples for comparable utilities. The models use a cost of capital appropriate for a regulated utility as the discount rate for the estimated cash flows. DPL has consistently used this valuation approach to estimate the fair value of DPL’s business. The estimation of fair value is dependent on a number of factors that are sourced from the DPL business forecast, including but not limited to interest rates, growth assumptions, returns on rate base, operating and capital expenditure requirements, and other factors, changes in which could materially impact the results of impairment testing. Assumptions and methodologies used in the models were consistent with historical experience, including assumptions concerning the recovery of operating costs and capital expenditures. Sensitive, interrelated and uncertain variables that could decrease the estimated fair value of the DPL business include utility sector market performance, sustained adverse business conditions, changes in forecasted revenues, higher operating and capital expenditure requirements, a significant increase in the cost of capital and other factors. With the continuing volatile general market conditions and the disruptions in the credit and capital markets, DPL will continue to closely monitor for indicators of goodwill impairment. </div> false false This block of text may be used to disclose all or part of the information related to goodwill. No authoritative reference available. false false 1 6 false UnKnown UnKnown UnKnown false true