Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	240,000,000	240,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	113,459,216	110,935,680
Shares in deferred compensation trust (in shares)	215,093	238,935
Shares in deferred compensation trust, weighted average cost per share (in dollars per share)	$ 39.69	$ 37.45
IPL [Member]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 2.50	$ 2.50
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	24,000,000	24,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	13,370,788	13,370,788
WPL [Member]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 5	$ 5
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	18,000,000	18,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	13,236,601	13,236,601