Operating Leases (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Leases [Abstract]

Summary of Expected Operating Lease Payments

The following table is a summary of expected operating lease payments for Cleco and Cleco Power for the years indicated.

			YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
(THOUSANDS)	CLECO		CLECO POWER		TOTAL
2012	$	24	$	12,412	$	12,436
2013	4		12,540		12,544
2014	5		4,048		4,053
2015	—		3,900		3,900
2016	—		3,325		3,325
Thereafter	—		16,836		16,836
Total operating lease payments	$	33	$	53,061	$	53,094