Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Property, Plant, and Equipment

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following:

	AT DEC. 31,
(THOUSANDS)	2014			2013
Regulated utility plants	$	4,495,490		$	4,052,774
Other	13,470			273,748
Total property, plant, and equipment	4,508,960			4,326,522
Accumulated depreciation	(1,442,960		)	(1,351,223		)
Net property, plant, and equipment	$	3,066,000		$	2,975,299

Restricted Cash

Cleco’s restricted cash and cash equivalents consisted of:

	AT DEC. 31,
(THOUSANDS)	2014		2013
Current:
Cleco Katrina/Rita’s storm recovery bonds	$	8,986	$	8,986
Non-current:
Diversified Lands’ mitigation escrow	21		21
Cleco Power’s future storm restoration costs	14,915		4,726
Cleco Power’s building renovation escrow	194		286
Non-current total	15,130		5,033
Total restricted cash and cash equivalents	$	24,116	$	14,019

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted

The following table shows the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

	FOR THE YEAR ENDED DEC. 31,
				2014					2013					2012
(THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARES AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)	INCOME		SHARES	PER SHARE AMOUNT		INCOME		SHARES	PER SHARE AMOUNT		INCOME		SHARES	PER SHARE AMOUNT
Basic net income applicable to common stock	$	154,739	60,406,001	$	2.56	$	160,685	60,434,510	$	2.66	$	163,648	60,370,588	$	2.71
Effect of dilutive securities
Add:  stock option grants			—					—					4,154
Add:  restricted stock (LTICP)			195,457					285,580					253,387
Diluted net income applicable to common stock	$	154,739	60,601,458	$	2.55	$	160,685	60,720,090	$	2.65	$	163,648	60,628,129	$	2.70

Cleco Power [Member]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Property, Plant, and Equipment, Schedule of Significant Acquisitions

The plant acquisition adjustments and accumulated amortization reported in property, plant, and equipment and accumulated depreciation on Cleco Power’s Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014 and 2013, are shown in the following table:

	AT DEC. 31,
(THOUSANDS)	2014		2013
Acadia Unit 1
Plant acquisition adjustment	$	95,578	$	95,578
Less:  accumulated amortization	15,384		12,201
Net plant acquisition adjustment	$	80,194	$	83,377
Teche
Plant acquisition adjustment	$	5,359	$	5,359
Less:  accumulated amortization	4,488		4,234
Net plant acquisition adjustment	$	871	$	1,125