Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Deferred Project Costs, Inventories, Accounts Receivable, Financing Receivables and Reserves (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
General and Administrative Costs in Inventory, Amount Incurred	$ 4,300,000	$ 4,700,000
Accounts Receivable
Allowance for doubtful accounts	1,100,000	1,100,000
Financing Receivables
Net investment in direct financing lease	13,542,000	13,633,000
Reserves
Percentage of total liabilities represented by general liability and workers compensation reserves (in hundredths)	0.20%	0.20%
General and Administrative Costs in Inventory, Amount Remaining	4,900,000	5,000,000
Cleco Power [Member]
Deferred Project Costs [Abstract]
Resource planning projects	$ 1,200,000	$ 1,200,000