Storm Restoration

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Storm Restoration [Abstract]

Storm Restoration [Text Block]

On August 28, 2012, Hurricane Isaac made landfall in south Louisiana as a Category 1 hurricane, causing power outages to approximately 95,000, or 34%, of Cleco Power’s electric customers and affecting Cleco Power’s entire service territory. By September 2, 2012, power was restored to 100% of customers who could receive power.

The current estimate of the cost of restoration for Hurricane Isaac is approximately $24.0 million. The damage to equipment from the storm required replacement, as well as repair of existing assets. Therefore, the balance sheets of Cleco and Cleco Power reflect the capitalization of approximately 56% of the restoration costs recorded at December 31, 2012, or approximately $13.6 million. The remaining cost was offset against Cleco Power’s existing funded storm damage reserve.