Income Taxes, Income Tax Uncertainties (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Uncertain Tax Positions [Abstract]
Interest payable associated with uncertain tax positions	$ 2,166,000		$ 2,166,000		$ 13,843,000
Interest charges related to uncertain tax positions	(121,000)	93,000	(8,477,000)	2,954,000
Liability for unrecognized tax benefit [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			56,235,000
Additions for tax positions of current period			640,000
Reductions for tax positions of current period			0
Additions for tax positions of proir periods			0
Reduction for tax positions of prior periods			22,418,000
Reduction for settlement with tax authority			32,062,000
Reduction for lapse of statute of limitations			0
Balance at end of period	2,395,000		2,395,000
Increase (Decrease) in Regulatory Assets and Liabilities			30,532,000	40,204,000
Cleco Power [Member]
Uncertain Tax Positions [Abstract]
Interest payable associated with uncertain tax positions	5,502,000		5,502,000		17,327,000
Interest charges related to uncertain tax positions	133,000	(420,000)	(9,504,000)	1,356,000
Regulatory Assets	6,000,000		6,000,000		9,300,000
Liability for unrecognized tax benefit [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			52,558,000
Additions for tax positions of current period			640,000
Reductions for tax positions of current period			0
Additions for tax positions of proir periods			0
Reduction for tax positions of prior periods			21,327,000
Reduction for settlement with tax authority			32,062,000
Reduction for lapse of statute of limitations			0
Balance at end of period	(191,000)		(191,000)
Increase (Decrease) in Regulatory Assets and Liabilities			$ 30,532,000	$ 40,204,000