Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation, Policy	The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Cleco include the accounts of Cleco and its majority-owned subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions.
Basis of Presentation, Policy	The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. The year-end Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet data was derived from audited financial statements. Because the interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for annual financial statements, the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and other information included in this quarterly report should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes in the Registrants’ Combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, in the opinion of management, reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are necessary to fairly present the financial position and results of operations of Cleco. Amounts reported in Cleco’s interim financial statements are not necessarily indicative of amounts expected for the annual periods due to the effects of seasonal temperature variations on energy consumption, regulatory rulings, the timing of maintenance on electric generating units, changes in mark-to-market valuations, changing commodity prices, discrete income tax items, and other factors. In preparing financial statements that conform to GAAP, management must make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Unbilled Revenue, Policy	Cleco Power accrues estimated revenue monthly for energy used by customers but not yet billed. The monthly estimated unbilled revenue amounts are recorded as unbilled revenue and a receivable. During the third quarter of 2014, Cleco Power began using actual customer energy consumption data available from its installation of AMI to calculate unbilled revenues.
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Policy	Property, plant, and equipment consists primarily of regulated utility generation and energy transmission assets. Regulated assets, utilized primarily for retail operations and electric transmission and distribution, are stated at the cost of construction, which includes certain materials, labor, payroll taxes and benefits, administrative and general costs, and the estimated cost of funds used during construction. Jointly owned assets are reflected in property, plant, and equipment at Cleco Power’s share of the cost to construct or purchase the assets.
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy	Various agreements to which Cleco is subject contain covenants that restrict its use of cash. As certain provisions under these agreements are met, cash is transferred out of related escrow accounts and becomes available for its intended purposes and/or general corporate purposes. Cleco Katrina/Rita has the right to bill and collect storm restoration costs from Cleco Power’s customers. As cash is collected, it is restricted for payment of administration fees, interest, and principal on storm recovery bonds.
Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, Policy	Various accounting pronouncements require certain assets and liabilities to be measured at their fair values. Some assets and liabilities are required to be measured at their fair value each reporting period, while others are required to be measured only one time, generally the date of acquisition or debt issuance. Cleco and Cleco Power are required to disclose the fair value of certain assets and liabilities by one of three levels when required for recognition purposes under GAAP. Cleco utilizes different valuation techniques for fair value calculations. In order to measure the fair value for Level 1 assets and liabilities, Cleco obtains the closing price from published indices in active markets for the various instruments and multiplies this price by the appropriate number of instruments held. Level 2 fair values are determined by obtaining the closing price of similar assets and liabilities from published indices in active markets and then discounted to the current period using a United States Treasury published interest rate as a proxy for a risk-free rate of return. Cleco has consistently applied the Level 2 fair value technique from fiscal period to fiscal period. Level 3 fair values occur in situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date and therefore estimated prices are used in the discounted cash flow approach.
Risk Management, Policy	Market risk inherent in Cleco’s market risk-sensitive instruments and positions includes potential changes in value arising from changes in interest rates and the commodity market prices of power, FTRs, and natural gas in the industry on different energy exchanges. Cleco’s Energy Market Risk Management Policy authorizes the use of various derivative instruments, including exchange traded futures and option contracts, forward purchase and sales contracts, and swap transactions to reduce exposure to fluctuations in the price of power, FTRs, and natural gas. Cleco applies the authoritative guidance as it relates to derivatives and hedging to determine whether the market risk-sensitive instruments and positions are required to be marked-to-market. Generally, Cleco Power’s market risk-sensitive instruments and positions qualify for the normal-purchase, normal-sale exception to mark-to-market accounting because Cleco Power takes physical delivery and the instruments and positions are used to satisfy customer requirements. Cleco Power may also enter into risk mitigating positions that would not meet the requirements of a normal-purchase, normal-sale transaction in order to attempt to mitigate the volatility in customer fuel costs. These positions are marked-to-market with the resulting gain or loss recorded on Cleco and Cleco Power's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as a component of energy risk management assets or liabilities. Such gain or loss is deferred as a component of deferred fuel assets or liabilities in accordance with regulatory policy. When these positions close, actual gains or losses are included in the FAC and reflected on customers’ bills as a component of the fuel cost adjustment. There were no open natural gas positions at September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013. In connection with joining MISO, Cleco Power received a direct allocation of FTRs in November 2013. Cleco Power currently purchases the majority of its FTRs in annual auctions facilitated by MISO during the second quarter of each year and may also purchase additional FTRs in monthly auctions facilitated by MISO. FTRs are derivative instruments which represent economic hedges of future congestion charges that will be incurred in serving Cleco Power’s customer load. They are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. Cleco Power initially records FTRs at their estimated fair value and subsequently adjusts the carrying value to their estimated fair value at the end of each accounting period prior to settlement. Unrealized gains or losses on FTRs held by Cleco Power are included in Accumulated deferred fuel on Cleco and Cleco Power's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Realized gains or losses on settled FTRs are recorded in Electric operations or Power purchased for utility customers on Cleco and Cleco Power’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. At September 30, 2014, Cleco and Cleco Power's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets reflected the fair value of open FTR positions of $18.5 million in Energy risk management assets and $1.7 million in Energy risk management liabilities, compared to $9.0 million in Energy risk management assets and $0.4 million in Energy risk management liabilities at December 31, 2013. For more information on FTRs, see Note 4 — “Fair Value Accounting — Derivatives and Hedging — Commodity Contracts.” Cleco and Cleco Power maintain a master netting agreement policy and monitor credit risk exposure through review of counterparty credit quality, counterparty credit exposure, and counterparty concentration levels. Cleco manages these risks by establishing appropriate credit and concentration limits on transactions with counterparties and by requiring contractual guarantees, cash deposits, or letters of credit from counterparties or their affiliates, as deemed necessary. Cleco Power has agreements in place with counterparties that authorize the netting of financial buys and sells and contract payments to mitigate credit risk for transactions entered into for risk management purposes. Cleco may enter into contracts to mitigate the volatility in interest rate risk. These contracts include, but are not limited to, interest rate swaps and treasury rate locks.
Accounting for MISO Transactions, Policy	Cleco Power participates in MISO’s Energy and Operating Reserve market where hourly sales and purchases are netted. If the hourly activity nets to sales, the result is reported in Electric operations; however, if the hourly activity nets to purchases, the result is reported in Power purchased for utility customers on Cleco and Cleco Power’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
Earnings Per Average Common Share, Policy	Stock option grants are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share if the exercise price is higher than the average market price.
Stock-Based Compensation, Policy	At September 30, 2014, Cleco had two stock-based compensation plans, the ESPP and the LTICP. Substantially all employees, excluding officers and general managers, may choose to participate in the ESPP and purchase a limited amount of common stock at a discount through a stock option agreement. In accordance with the Merger Agreement, the ESPP has been suspended pending the completion of the Merger. Effective upon the completion of the Merger, the ESPP will be cancelled. Options or restricted shares of stock, known as non-vested stock as defined by the authoritative guidance on stock-based compensation, common stock equivalents, and stock appreciation rights may be granted to certain officers, key employees, or directors of Cleco Corporation and its subsidiaries pursuant to the LTICP.
Common Stock Repurchase Program, Policy	In January 2011, Cleco Corporation’s Board of Directors approved the implementation of a common stock repurchase program. This program authorizes management to repurchase, from time to time, shares of common stock so that Cleco’s diluted average shares of common stock outstanding remain approximately equal to its diluted average shares of common stock outstanding for 2010. Under this program, purchases may be made on a discretionary basis at times and in amounts as determined by management, subject to market conditions, legal requirements, and other factors. Purchases under the program will not be announced in advance and may be made in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions.
Recent Authoritative Guidance, Policy	The Registrants adopted, or will adopt, the recent authoritative guidance listed below on their respective effective dates. In January 2014, FASB amended the accounting guidance for investments in qualified affordable housing projects. This guidance modifies the conditions that must be met to present the pre-tax effects and related tax benefits of such investments as a component of income taxes. The adoption of this guidance is effective for annual periods and interim reporting periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 31, 2014. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have an effect on the financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows of the Registrants. In January 2014, FASB amended the accounting guidance for service concession arrangements. This guidance states that certain service concession arrangements with public-sector grantors are not within the scope of lease accounting. Operating entities entering into these arrangements should not recognize the related infrastructure as its property, plant, and equipment and should apply other accounting guidance. The adoption of this guidance is effective for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have an effect on the financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows of the Registrants. In April 2014, FASB amended the accounting guidance for the reporting of discontinued operations. These amendments improve the definition of discontinued operations by limiting discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. This guidance also requires additional disclosures about discontinued operations. The adoption of this guidance is effective for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have an effect on the financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows of the Registrants. In May 2014, FASB amended the accounting guidance for revenue recognition. The amended guidance affects entities that enter into contracts for the transfer of non-financial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards. The core principle of this guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The adoption of this guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Management is currently evaluating the effect the adoption of this guidance will have on the financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of the Registrants. In June 2014, FASB amended the accounting guidance for transfers and servicing specifically related to repurchase-to-maturity transactions, repurchase financings and disclosures. Entities will be subject to new disclosure requirements for certain transactions that involve a transfer of a financial asset accounted for as a sale. All entities will also be subject to new disclosure requirements for repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions, and repurchase-to-maturity transactions accounted for as secured borrowings. The adoption of this guidance is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have an effect on the financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows of the Registrants. In June 2014, FASB amended the accounting guidance for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. The amendments in this guidance require that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. The adoption of this guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have an effect on the financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows of the Registrants. In August 2014, FASB amended the accounting guidance for the presentation and disclosure of uncertainties about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. This guidance requires management to evaluate and disclose whether there is substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The guidance provides that management should consider relevant conditions or events that are known or reasonably known on the date the financial statements are issued. The adoption of this guidance is effective for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have an effect on the financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows of the Registrants.
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Policy	Cleco Power follows the authoritative guidance on regulated operations, which allows utilities to capitalize or defer certain costs based on regulatory approval and management’s ongoing assessment that it is probable these items will be recovered through the ratemaking process.
Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy	Because Cleco Power’s investment strategy for these investments was within the requirements established by the LPSC for the restricted reserve fund, realized and unrealized gains and losses, interest income, investment management fees, and custody fees were recorded directly to Cleco Power’s restricted storm reserve rather than in earnings or OCI. As a result, no amounts were recorded to OCI for these investments.
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Policy	Cleco’s 401(k) Plan is intended to provide active, eligible employees with voluntary, long-term savings and investment opportunities. The Plan is a defined contribution plan and is subject to the applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. In accordance with the Plan, employer contributions can be in the form of Cleco Corporation stock or cash. Cash contributions are invested in proportion to the participant’s voluntary contribution investment choices. Plan participants are allowed to choose whether to have dividends on Cleco Corporation common stock distributed in cash or reinvested in additional shares of Cleco Corporation common stock. Participation in the Plan is voluntary, and active Cleco employees are eligible to participate. Cleco’s retirees and their dependents may be eligible to receive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits (other benefits). Cleco recognizes the expected cost of these other benefits during the periods in which the benefits are earned. Certain Cleco officers are covered by SERP. SERP is a non-qualified, non-contributory, defined benefit pension plan. Benefits under the plan reflect an employee’s years of service, age at retirement, and the sum of the highest base salary paid out of the last five calendar years plus the average of the three highest cash bonuses paid during the 60 months prior to retirement, reduced by benefits received from any other defined benefit pension plan, supplemental executive retirement plan, or Cleco contributions under the enhanced 401(k) Plan to the extent such contributions exceed the limits of the 401(k) Plan. Most employees hired before August 1, 2007, are covered by a non-contributory, defined benefit pension plan. Benefits under the plan reflect an employee’s years of service, age at retirement, and highest total average compensation for any consecutive five calendar years during the last ten years of employment with Cleco. Cleco’s policy is to base its contributions to the employee pension plan upon actuarial computations utilizing the projected unit credit method, subject to the IRS’s full funding limitation.
Income Tax, Policy	Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. Cleco classifies all interest related to uncertain tax positions as a component of interest payable and interest expense. Cleco classifies income tax penalties as a component of other expense.
Segment Reporting, Policy	The financial results of Cleco’s segments are presented on an accrual basis. Management evaluates the performance of its segment and allocates resources to it based on segment profit and the requirements to implement new strategic initiatives and projects to meet current business objectives.
Equity Method Investments, Policy	Cleco and Cleco Power report investments in VIEs in accordance with the authoritative guidance. Cleco and Cleco Power report the investment in Oxbow under the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, the assets and liabilities of Oxbow are reported as equity investment in investees on Cleco and Cleco Power’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The revenue and expenses (excluding income taxes) of Oxbow are netted and reported as equity income or loss from investees on Cleco and Cleco Power’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy	Oxbow is owned 50% by Cleco Power and 50% by SWEPCO and is accounted for as an equity method investment. Cleco Power is not the primary beneficiary because it shares the power to control Oxbow’s significant activities with SWEPCO.