1.0.0.3 true RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS, NOT YET ADOPTED 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 RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS, NOT YET ADOPTED 2 pom_DescriptionOfNewAccountingPronouncementsNotYetAdoptedTextBlock pom false na duration string For a new accounting pronouncement that has been issued but not yet adopted, an entity's disclosure should (1) describe the... false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 <div> (4) RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS, NOT YET ADOPTED Disclosures about Pension and Postretirement Plan Assets (ASC 715) The FASB issued new disclosure requirements about the plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan that will be effective starting with financial statement reporting periods ending December 31, 2009 for PHI. Comparative disclosures are not required for earlier periods presented. The new requirements would expand current disclosures to be in line with FASB guidance on fair value measurement disclosures. The disclosures are to provide users an understanding of: (1) the investment allocation decisions made, (2) factors used in investment policies and strategies, (3) plan assets by major investment types, (4) inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets, (5) significant concentrations of risk within the plan, and (6) the effects of fair value measurement using significant unobservable inputs on changes in the value of plan assets for the period. PHI is evaluating the impact that this new guidance will have on PHI’s financial statement footnote disclosures. Transfers and Servicing (ASC 860) The FASB issued new guidance that removes the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity (QSPE) from the current guidance on transfers and servicing and the QSPE scope exception in current guidance on consolidation. The new guidance also changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets and requires additional disclosures about a transferor’s continuing involvement in transferred financial assets. The new guidance is effective for transfers of financial assets occurring in fiscal periods beginning after November 15, 2009, therefore, this guidance will be effective on January 1, 2010 for PHI. Comparative disclosures are encouraged but not required for earlier periods presented. PHI is evaluating the impact that this new guidance will have on its overall financial condition and financial statements.   Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (ASC 810) The FASB issued new consolidation guidance regarding variable interest entities that eliminates the existing quantitative analysis requirement and adds new qualitative factors to determine whether consolidation is required. The new qualitative factors would be applied on a quarterly basis to interests in variable interest entities. Under the new guidance, the holder of the interest with the power to direct the most significant activities of the entity and the right to receive benefits or absorb losses significant to the entity would consolidate. The new guidance retained the existing provision that allowed entities created before December 31, 2003 to be scoped out from a consolidation assessment if exhaustive efforts are taken and there is insufficient information to determine the primary beneficiary. The new guidance is effective for fiscal periods beginning after November 15, 2009 for existing and newly created entities; therefore, this guidance will be effective on January 1, 2010 for PHI. Comparative disclosures under this new guidance are encouraged but not required for earlier periods presented. PHI is evaluating the impact that this new guidance will have on its overall financial condition and financial statements. Fair Value Measurement of Liabilities (ASC 820) The FASB issued new guidance on the fair value measurement of liabilities when there is a lack of observable market information. The guidance clarifies that, when a quoted price is not available for the identical liability, an entity can use either the quoted price of the identical liability when it is traded as an asset, quoted price for a similar liability, or quoted price for a similar liability when traded as an asset. If these prices are not available, then entities can employ an income or market valuation approach that considers what the entity would pay to transfer the identical liability or would receive to enter into the identical liability. The guidance is effective for PHI starting October 1, 2009. PHI is evaluating the impact of this new guidance on PHI’s overall financial condition and financial statements. </div> false false For a new accounting pronouncement that has been issued but not yet adopted, an entity's disclosure should (1) describe the new pronouncement, the date that adoption is required and the date that the entity plans to adopt, if earlier; (2) discuss the methods of adoption allowed by the pronouncement and the method expected to be utilized by the entity, if determined; (3) discuss the impact that adoption of the pronouncement is expected to have on the financial statements of the entity, unless such impact is not known or reasonably estimable (in which case, a statement to that effect should be made) and; (4) disclose the potential impact of other significant matters that the entity believes might result from the adoption of the pronouncement (for example, technical violations of debt covenant agreements and planned or intended changes in business practices.) No authoritative reference available. false 4 POTOMAC ELECTRIC POWER CO 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 RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS, NOT YET ADOPTED 2 pom_DescriptionOfNewAccountingPronouncementsNotYetAdoptedTextBlock pom false na duration string For a new accounting pronouncement that has been issued but not yet adopted, an entity's disclosure should (1) describe the... false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 <div> (4) RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS, NOT YET ADOPTED Transfers and Servicing (ASC 860) The FASB issued new guidance that removes the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity (QSPE) from the current guidance on transfers and servicing and the QSPE scope exception in current guidance on consolidation. The new guidance also changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets and requires additional disclosures about a transferor’s continuing involvement in transferred financial assets. The new guidance is effective for transfers of financial assets occurring in fiscal periods beginning after November 15, 2009, therefore, this guidance will be effective on January 1, 2010 for Pepco. Comparative disclosures are encouraged but not required for earlier periods presented. Pepco is evaluating the impact that this new guidance will have on its overall financial condition and financial statements. Fair Value Measurement of Liabilities (ASC 820) The FASB issued new guidance on the fair value measurement of liabilities when there is a lack of observable market information. The guidance clarifies that, when a quoted price is not available for the identical liability, an entity can use either the quoted price of the identical liability when it is traded as an asset, quoted price for a similar liability, or quoted price for a similar liability when traded as an asset. If these prices are not available, then entities can employ an income or market valuation approach that considers what the entity would pay to transfer the identical liability or would receive to enter into the identical liability. The guidance is effective for Pepco starting October 1, 2009. We are assessing the impact of this new guidance on Pepco’s overall financial condition and financial statements. </div> false false For a new accounting pronouncement that has been issued but not yet adopted, an entity's disclosure should (1) describe the new pronouncement, the date that adoption is required and the date that the entity plans to adopt, if earlier; (2) discuss the methods of adoption allowed by the pronouncement and the method expected to be utilized by the entity, if determined; (3) discuss the impact that adoption of the pronouncement is expected to have on the financial statements of the entity, unless such impact is not known or reasonably estimable (in which case, a statement to that effect should be made) and; (4) disclose the potential impact of other significant matters that the entity believes might result from the adoption of the pronouncement (for example, technical violations of debt covenant agreements and planned or intended changes in business practices.) No authoritative reference available. false 7 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 8 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 9 RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS, NOT YET ADOPTED 2 pom_DescriptionOfNewAccountingPronouncementsNotYetAdoptedTextBlock pom false na duration string For a new accounting pronouncement that has been issued but not yet adopted, an entity's disclosure should (1) describe the... false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 <div> (4) RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS, NOT YET ADOPTED Transfers and Servicing (ASC 860) The FASB issued new guidance that removes the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity (QSPE) from the current guidance on transfers and servicing and the QSPE scope exception in current guidance on consolidation. The new guidance also changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets and requires additional disclosures about a transferor’s continuing involvement in transferred financial assets. The new guidance is effective for transfers of financial assets occurring in fiscal periods beginning after November 15, 2009, therefore, this guidance will be effective on January 1, 2010 for DPL. Comparative disclosures are encouraged but not required for earlier periods presented. DPL is evaluating the impact that this new guidance will have on its overall financial condition and financial statements. Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (ASC 810) The FASB issued new consolidation guidance regarding variable interest entities that eliminates the existing quantitative analysis requirement and adds new qualitative factors to determine whether consolidation is required. The new qualitative factors would be applied on a quarterly basis to interests in variable interest entities. Under the new guidance, the holder of the interest with the power to direct the most significant activities of the entity and the right to receive benefits or absorb losses significant to the entity would consolidate. The new guidance retained the existing provision that allowed entities created before December 31, 2003 to be scoped out from a consolidation assessment if exhaustive efforts are taken and there is insufficient information to determine the primary beneficiary. The new guidance is effective for fiscal periods beginning after November 15, 2009 for existing and newly created entities; therefore, this guidance will be effective on January 1, 2010 for DPL. Comparative disclosures under this new guidance are encouraged but not required for earlier periods presented. DPL is evaluating the impact that this new guidance will have on its overall financial condition and financial statements. Fair Value Measurement of Liabilities (ASC 820) The FASB issued new guidance on the fair value measurement of liabilities when there is a lack of observable market information. The guidance clarifies that, when a quoted price is not available for the identical liability, an entity can use either the quoted price of the identical liability when it is traded as an asset, quoted price for a similar liability, or quoted price for a similar liability when traded as an asset. If these prices are not available, then entities can employ an income or market valuation approach that considers what the entity would pay to transfer the identical liability or would receive to enter into the identical liability. The guidance is effective for DPL starting October 1, 2009. We are assessing the impact of this new guidance on DPL’s overall financial condition and financial statements. </div> false false For a new accounting pronouncement that has been issued but not yet adopted, an entity's disclosure should (1) describe the new pronouncement, the date that adoption is required and the date that the entity plans to adopt, if earlier; (2) discuss the methods of adoption allowed by the pronouncement and the method expected to be utilized by the entity, if determined; (3) discuss the impact that adoption of the pronouncement is expected to have on the financial statements of the entity, unless such impact is not known or reasonably estimable (in which case, a statement to that effect should be made) and; (4) disclose the potential impact of other significant matters that the entity believes might result from the adoption of the pronouncement (for example, technical violations of debt covenant agreements and planned or intended changes in business practices.) No authoritative reference available. false 10 ATLANTIC CITY ELECTRIC CO 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 11 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 12 RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS, NOT YET ADOPTED 2 pom_DescriptionOfNewAccountingPronouncementsNotYetAdoptedTextBlock pom false na duration string For a new accounting pronouncement that has been issued but not yet adopted, an entity's disclosure should (1) describe the... false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 <div> (4) RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS, NOT YET ADOPTED Transfers and Servicing (ASC 860) The FASB issued new guidance that removes the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity (QSPE) from the current guidance on transfers and servicing and the QSPE scope exception in current guidance on consolidation. The new guidance also changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets and requires additional disclosures about a transferor’s continuing involvement in transferred financial assets. The new guidance is effective for transfers of financial assets occurring in fiscal periods beginning after November 15, 2009, therefore, this guidance will be effective on January 1, 2010 for ACE. Comparative disclosures are encouraged but not required for earlier periods presented. ACE is evaluating the impact that this new guidance will have on its overall financial condition and financial statements. Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (ASC 810) The FASB issued new consolidation guidance regarding variable interest entities that eliminates the existing quantitative analysis requirement and adds new qualitative factors to determine whether consolidation is required. The new qualitative factors would be applied on a quarterly basis to interests in variable interest entities. Under the new guidance, the holder of the interest with the power to direct the most significant activities of the entity and the right to receive benefits or absorb losses significant to the entity would consolidate. The new guidance retained the existing provision that allowed entities created before December 31, 2003 to be scoped out from a consolidation assessment if exhaustive efforts are taken and there is insufficient information to determine the primary beneficiary. The new guidance is effective for fiscal periods beginning after November 15, 2009 for existing and newly created entities; therefore, this guidance will be effective on January 1, 2010 for ACE. Comparative disclosures under this new guidance are encouraged but not required for earlier periods presented. ACE is evaluating the impact that this new guidance will have on its overall financial condition and financial statements. Fair Value Measurement of Liabilities (ASC 820) The FASB issued new guidance on the fair value measurement of liabilities when there is a lack of observable market information. The guidance clarifies that, when a quoted price is not available for the identical liability, an entity can use either the quoted price of the identical liability when it is traded as an asset, quoted price for a similar liability, or quoted price for a similar liability when traded as an asset. If these prices are not available, then entities can employ an income or market valuation approach that considers what the entity would pay to transfer the identical liability or would receive to enter into the identical liability. The guidance is effective for PHI starting October 1, 2009. We are assessing the impact of this new guidance on ACE’s overall financial condition and financial statements. </div> false false For a new accounting pronouncement that has been issued but not yet adopted, an entity's disclosure should (1) describe the new pronouncement, the date that adoption is required and the date that the entity plans to adopt, if earlier; (2) discuss the methods of adoption allowed by the pronouncement and the method expected to be utilized by the entity, if determined; (3) discuss the impact that adoption of the pronouncement is expected to have on the financial statements of the entity, unless such impact is not known or reasonably estimable (in which case, a statement to that effect should be made) and; (4) disclose the potential impact of other significant matters that the entity believes might result from the adoption of the pronouncement (for example, technical violations of debt covenant agreements and planned or intended changes in business practices.) No authoritative reference available. false false 1 12 false UnKnown UnKnown UnKnown false true