Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Deferred Project Costs, Inventories, Accounts Receivable, Financing Receivables and Reserves (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Inventories
Storeroom operating expenses allocated to inventory	$ 4.7	$ 3.2
Deferred storeroom operating expenses remaining in materials and supplies inventory	5.0	1.9
Accounts Receivable
Allowance for doubtful accounts	1.1	3.5
Financing Receivables
Net investment in direct financing lease	13.6
Reserves
Percentage of total liabilities represented by general liability and workers compensation reserves (in hundredths)	0.20%
Cleco Power [Member]
Deferred Project Costs [Abstract]
Resource planning projects	$ 1.2	$ 0.2