Notes Receivable (Changes of Allowance for Loan Losses) (Details) (EnerBank USA [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
EnerBank USA [Member]
Allowance for loan losses, at beginning of period	$ 5	$ 5
Charge-offs	(1)	(1)
Recoveries
Provision for loan losses	1	1
Allowance for loan losses, at end of period	$ 5	$ 5

A valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6965416&loc=SL6953423-111524

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

+ Details

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

- Definition

Charge to expense for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Reduction to the allowance for credit losses related to collections on financing receivables which have been partially or fully charged off as bad debts.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecoveries
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reduction to the allowance for credit losses related to financing receivables deemed uncollectible.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesWriteOffs
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration