XML 57 R62.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Nature Of Operations And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Depreciation Provisions For Utility Plant As A Percentage Of The Original Cost) (Details)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Electric Operations [Member]      
Basis Of Accounting Presentation [Line Items]      
Depreciation provisions for utility plant, percentage 3.00%ni_DepreciationProvisionsForUtilityPlantPercentage
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ni_ElectricOperationsMember
3.20%ni_DepreciationProvisionsForUtilityPlantPercentage
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ni_ElectricOperationsMember
3.40%ni_DepreciationProvisionsForUtilityPlantPercentage
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ni_ElectricOperationsMember
Gas Distribution Operations [Member]      
Basis Of Accounting Presentation [Line Items]      
Depreciation provisions for utility plant, percentage 1.80%ni_DepreciationProvisionsForUtilityPlantPercentage
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ni_GasDistributionOperationsMember
1.80%ni_DepreciationProvisionsForUtilityPlantPercentage
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ni_GasDistributionOperationsMember
1.90%ni_DepreciationProvisionsForUtilityPlantPercentage
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ni_GasDistributionOperationsMember