Fair Value Accounting, Derivatives (Details) (Cleco Power [Member], Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Nov. 14, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012
Cleco Power [Member] | Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Interest rate cash flow hedge [Abstract]
Notional amount	$ 50.0
Rate basis	spot 30-year all-in swap
Fixed iterest rate	3.05%
Amount of original notional amount issuance delayed	50.0
Unrealized mark-to-market loss in other comprehensive income		6.2	1.5
Interest rate risk management asset		$ 4.9	$ 4.9