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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 sqmi	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Supply of electricity, area covered (square mile)	50,000
Cash Equivalents
Money market funds	$ 28	$ 21
Maximum maturity period of cash equivalent investments (in months)	3 months
Cash reclassified to accounts payable under cash management program	233	220
Inventory
Fuel	19	24
Materials and supplies, spare parts	319	326
Total inventory	$ 338	$ 350

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- Definition

This element represents the amount of cash which is reclassified as accounts payable under the cash management program.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

This element represents the maximum maturity period of the investments considered as cash equivalents.

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the spare parts, materials and supplies.

+ References

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- Definition

This element represents the total area covered in supply of electricity.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of merchandise, goods, commodities, or supplies relating to a source of usable power held for future sale or future use in manufacturing or production process.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph a

-Article 5

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- Definition

Carrying amount (lower of cost or market) as of the balance sheet date of inventories less all valuation and other allowances. Excludes noncurrent inventory balances (expected to remain on hand past one year or one operating cycle, if longer).

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

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 330

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6386567&loc=d3e3927-108312



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Investment in short-term money-market instruments (such as commercial paper, banker's acceptances, repurchase agreements, government securities, certificates of deposit, and so forth) which are highly liquid (that is, readily convertible to known amounts of cash) and so near their maturity that they present an insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify as cash equivalents by definition. Original maturity means an original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three-years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Cash Equivalents

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 8, 9

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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