Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (MEC) (MidAmerican Energy Company and Subsidiaries [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
MidAmerican Energy Company and Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 319	$ 357	$ 350
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	336	344	335
Deferred income taxes and amortization of investment tax credits	463	137	198
Changes in other assets and liabilities	33	32	31
Losses from impairment of assets	0	8	0
Other, net	(27)	(7)	(11)
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables, net	27	25	54
Inventories	(40)	(1)	0
Derivative collateral, net	(12)	6	23
Contributions to pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net	(41)	(6)	9
Accounts payable	(26)	(10)	(21)
Taxes accrued	(255)	(56)	(3)
Other current assets and liabilities	(7)	2	(6)
Net cash flows from operating activities	770	831	959
Cash flows from investing activities:
Utility construction expenditures	(565)	(337)	(438)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(77)	(80)	(225)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	70	73	209
Decrease in restricted cash and short-term investments	0	1	14
Other, net	13	7	17
Net cash flows from investing activities	(559)	(336)	(423)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends	(1)	(376)	(1)
Repayments of long-term debt	(412)	0	0
Repurchase of preferred securities	0	(3)	0
Net repayments of short-term debt	0	0	(457)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(413)	(379)	(458)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(202)	116	78
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	203	87	9
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 1	$ 203	$ 87