Pension Plan and Employee Benefits, SERP (Details) (SERP Benefits [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Components of periodic benefit costs
Service cost	$ 630,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost	$ 468,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
Interest cost	758,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost	725,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
Prior period service cost	13,000	12,000
Net loss	726,000	385,000
Net periodic benefit cost	2,127,000	1,590,000
Curent portion of SERP liability	3,000,000		3,000,000
Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Liabilities, Noncurrent	71,600,000		70,900,000
Cleco Power [Member]
Components of periodic benefit costs
Net periodic benefit cost	500,000	300,000
Curent portion of SERP liability	800,000		800,000
Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Liabilities, Noncurrent	$ 19,100,000		$ 19,000,000

This represents the current liability recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with the defined benefit pension plans.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

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-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24)

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- Definition

This represents the noncurrent liability recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with the defined benefit pension plans.

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The amount of gains or losses recognized in net periodic benefit cost.

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The amount of the prior service cost or credit recognized in net periodic benefit cost relating to benefit changes attributable to plan participants' prior service pursuant to a plan amendment or a plan initiation.

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The increase in a defined benefit pension plan's projected benefit obligation or a defined benefit postretirement plan's accumulated postretirement benefit obligation due to the passage of time.

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The total amount of net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans for the period. Periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain (loss), prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain (loss) due to settlements or curtailments.

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The actuarial present value of benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to services rendered by employees during the period. The portion of the expected postretirement benefit obligation attributed to employee service during the period. The service cost component is a portion of the benefit obligation and is unaffected by the funded status of the plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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