Financial Instruments And Investments Unrealized gains and losses on equity securities (Details) - Equity Securities - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Unrealized Gains and losses recognized [Line Items]
Equity Securities, FV-NI, Gain (Loss)	$ 5,367	$ 3,249	$ 22,185	$ 1,258
Equity Securities, FV-NI, Realized Gain (Loss)	158	2,266	286	4,056
Equity Securities, FV-NI, Unrealized Gain (Loss)	$ 5,209	$ 983	$ 21,899	$ (2,798)

[Line Items] for Unrealized Gains and losses recognized [Table]

No definition available.

Name:	ee_UnrealizedGainsandlossesrecognizedLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	ee_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of unrealized and realized gain (loss) on investment in equity security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in net income (FV-NI).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 321
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84241550&loc=SL75117546-209714

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiGainLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of realized gain (loss) from sale of investment in equity security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in net income (FV-NI).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiRealizedGainLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of unrealized gain (loss) on investment in equity security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in net income (FV-NI).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiUnrealizedGainLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: