Regulatory Assets and Liabilities (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities (Policies)	Jun. 30, 2011
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities	Cleco Power follows the authoritative guidance on regulated operations, which allows utilities to capitalize or defer certain costs based on regulatory approval and management’s ongoing assessment that it is probable these items will be recovered through the ratemaking process.

Describes the entity's criteria for recording regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities only because they are included in the rate-setting process, and rate-related accruals and deferrals, such as amounts receivable from (or due to) customers under fuel adjustment clauses and interim rates collected prior to regulatory approval.

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