Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) Parenthetical (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net tax benefit (expense) of amortization of post-retirement benefit net income/loss	$ (127)	$ 6	$ (276)	$ 12
Cash flow hedges:
Net tax benefit (expense) of net deriviative loss on interest rate swap arising during the period	0	23	0	131
Net tax benefit (expense) of reclassification of interest expense on interest rate swap	0	(76)	0	(153)
Net tax benefit (expense) of reclassification of interest expense on treasury rate lock	34	16	68	32
CLECO POWER [Member]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net tax benefit (expense) of amortization of post-retirement benefit net income/loss	(65)	58	(128)	116
Cash flow hedges:
Net tax benefit (expense) of net deriviative loss on interest rate swap arising during the period	0	23	0	131
Net tax benefit (expense) of reclassification of interest expense on interest rate swap	0	(76)	0	(153)
Net tax benefit (expense) of reclassification of interest expense on treasury rate lock	$ 34	$ 16	$ 68	$ 32