Litigation, Other Commitments and Contingencies, and Disclosures about Guarantees, Litigation (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended		1 Months Ended				1 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014 Discrimination Complaint [Member] plaintiff	Jun. 30, 2014 Other Litigation Matters [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 Minimum [Member] Discrimination Complaint [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Minimum [Member] Discrimination Complaint [Member]	Jan. 31, 2011 Cleco Power [Member] City of Opelousas Litigation [Member] claim	May 31, 2010 Cleco Power [Member] City of Opelousas Litigation [Member] resident	Mar. 31, 2010 Cleco Power [Member] Minimum [Member] City of Opelousas Litigation [Member]	Mar. 31, 2010 Cleco Power [Member] Customer [Member] City of Opelousas Litigation [Member] customer
Litigation [Abstract]
Loss contingency, damages sought, minimum amount			$ 2.5	$ 35.0			$ 30.0
Loss contingency, number of plaintiffs (in ones)	1							3
Number of residents in second class action lawsuit (in ones)						249
Number of class action law suits (in ones)					2
Amount of estimated possible loss		$ 7.8