Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Net income	$ 63,818	$ 65,842	$ 140,536	$ 165,205
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Amortization of postretirement benefit net loss, net of tax	332	269	1,221	910
Net derivative gain (loss), net of tax	493	(18,433)	(451)	(18,433)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	815	(18,219)	2,364	(17,687)
Comprehensive income, net of tax	64,633	47,623	142,900	147,518
Interest Expense [Member]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Reclassification of net (gain) loss, net of tax	(10)	(55)	24	164
Cleco Power [Member]
Net income	57,783	53,833	121,873	119,557
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Amortization of postretirement benefit net loss, net of tax	124	146	555	519
Net derivative gain (loss), net of tax	493	(18,433)	(451)	(18,433)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	607	(18,342)	1,698	(18,078)
Comprehensive income, net of tax	58,390	35,491	123,571	101,479
Cleco Power [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Reclassification of net (gain) loss, net of tax	(10)	(55)	24	(164)
Regulatory Asset [Member]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Reclassification of ineffectiveness to regulatory asset, net of tax			1,570	0
Regulatory Asset [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Reclassification of ineffectiveness to regulatory asset, net of tax			$ 1,570	$ 0