Income Taxes, Income Tax Uncertainties (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Uncertain Tax Positions [Abstract]
Interest payable associated with uncertain tax positions	$ 1,420,000	$ 13,843,000
Interest charges related to uncertain tax positions	(9,223,000)	(27,175,000)	3,930,000
Liability for unrecognized tax benefit [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	56,235,000	102,785,000	129,235,000
Reduction for tax positions of current period	0	(4,129,000)	(5,738,000)
Additions for tax positions of prior years	0	11,031,000	511,000
Reduction for tax positions of prior years	0	(8,670,000)	(6,146,000)
Reduction for settlement with tax authority	(53,109,000)	(44,782,000)	(15,077,000)
Reduction for lapse of statute of limitations	0	0	0
Balance at end of period	3,126,000	56,235,000	102,785,000
Cleco Power [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Customer Surcredits	6,200,000	9,300,000
Customer Surcredits - Interest Expenses	3,000,000	1,400,000
Uncertain Tax Positions [Abstract]
Interest payable associated with uncertain tax positions	3,358,000	17,327,000
Interest charges related to uncertain tax positions	(11,648,000)	2,116,000	(5,448,000)
Liability for unrecognized tax benefit [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	52,558,000	60,975,000	84,360,000
Reduction for tax positions of current period	0	(4,018,000)	(2,202,000)
Additions for tax positions of prior years	0	4,271,000	3,000
Reduction for tax positions of prior years	0	(8,670,000)	(6,109,000)
Reduction for settlement with tax authority	(52,310,000)	0	(15,077,000)
Reduction for lapse of statute of limitations	0	0	0
Balance at end of period	$ 248,000	$ 52,558,000	$ 60,975,000