Earnings Per Share (Calculation of Our Basic and Diluted EPS) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]        
Net income attributable to Dominion $ 258 $ 336 [1] $ 752 [1] $ 815 [1]
Average shares of common stock outstanding - Basic (shares) 572.0 573.4 571.3 576.6
Net effect of potentially dilutive securities (shares) 1.1 [2] 1.8 [2] 1.2 [2] 1.3 [2]
Average shares of common stock outstanding - Diluted (shares) 573.1 575.2 572.5 577.9
Earnings Per Common Share - Basic (dollars per share) $ 0.45 $ 0.59 [1] $ 1.32 [1] $ 1.41 [1]
Earnings Per Common Share - Diluted (dollars per share) $ 0.45 $ 0.58 [1] $ 1.31 [1] $ 1.41 [1]
Potentially dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (shares) 0 0 0 0
[1] Consolidated Statements of Income for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 have been recast to reflect Salem Harbor and State Line as discontinued operations, as discussed in Note 3.
[2] Potentially dilutive securities consist of options, goal-based stock and contingently convertible senior notes.