Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Net income	$ 46,686	$ 70,348	$ 76,718	$ 99,363
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Amortization of postretirement benefit net loss (net of tax)	525	304	888	640
Net derivatives loss (net of tax)	(3,809)	0	(944)	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(3,249)	249	1,549	531
Comprehensive income, net of tax	43,437	70,597	78,267	99,894
Interest Expense [Member]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Reclassification of net (gain) loss (net of tax)	35	(55)	35	(109)
Regulatory Asset [Member]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Reclassification of net (gain) loss (net of tax)			1,570	0
Cleco Power [Member]
Net income	37,284	35,694	64,089	65,724
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Amortization of postretirement benefit net loss (net of tax)	226	188	430	373
Net derivatives loss (net of tax)	(3,809)	0	(944)	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(3,548)	133	1,091	264
Comprehensive income, net of tax	33,736	35,827	65,180	65,988
Cleco Power [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Reclassification of net (gain) loss (net of tax)	35	(55)	35	(109)
Cleco Power [Member] | Regulatory Asset [Member]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Reclassification of net (gain) loss (net of tax)			$ 1,570	$ 0