Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	5. Income Taxes NEE's effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was approximately 25% and (14)%, respectively. The reduction from the federal statutory rate mainly reflects the benefit of wind production tax credits (PTCs) of approximately $61 million and $79 million, respectively, related to NEER's wind projects and approximately $12 million and $7 million, respectively, of deferred income tax benefits associated with grants (convertible investment tax credits (ITCs)) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, as amended (Recovery Act), primarily for certain wind projects expected to be placed in service. NEE’s effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2011 also reflects approximately $26 million reduction in income tax expense, net of federal income taxes, primarily related to a valuation allowance reversal for certain state ITCs reflecting state tax planning initiatives (state ITC benefit). NEE recognizes PTCs as wind energy is generated and sold based on a per kilowatt-hour (kwh) rate prescribed in applicable federal and state statutes, which may differ significantly from amounts computed, on a quarterly basis, using an overall effective income tax rate anticipated for the full year. NEE uses this method of recognizing PTCs for specific reasons, including that PTCs are an integral part of the financial viability of most wind projects and a fundamental component of such wind projects' results of operations. PTCs can significantly affect NEE's effective income tax rate depending on the amount of pretax income and wind generation.

Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

5. Income Taxes

NEE's effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was approximately 25% and (14)%, respectively. The reduction from the federal statutory rate mainly reflects the benefit of wind production tax credits (PTCs) of approximately $61 million and $79 million, respectively, related to NEER's wind projects and approximately $12 million and $7 million, respectively, of deferred income tax benefits associated with grants (convertible investment tax credits (ITCs)) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, as amended (Recovery Act), primarily for certain wind projects expected to be placed in service. NEE’s effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2011 also reflects approximately $26 million reduction in income tax expense, net of federal income taxes, primarily related to a valuation allowance reversal for certain state ITCs reflecting state tax planning initiatives (state ITC benefit).

NEE recognizes PTCs as wind energy is generated and sold based on a per kilowatt-hour (kwh) rate prescribed in applicable federal and state statutes, which may differ significantly from amounts computed, on a quarterly basis, using an overall effective income tax rate anticipated for the full year. NEE uses this method of recognizing PTCs for specific reasons, including that PTCs are an integral part of the financial viability of most wind projects and a fundamental component of such wind projects' results of operations. PTCs can significantly affect NEE's effective income tax rate depending on the amount of pretax income and wind generation.