Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	240,000,000	240,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	110,987,400	111,018,821
Shares in deferred compensation trust (in shares)	261,057	262,735
Shares in deferred compensation trust, weighted average cost per share (in dollars per share)	$ 32.68	$ 31.68
IPL [Member]
Common stock, par value	$ 2.50	$ 2.50
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	24,000,000	24,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	13,370,788	13,370,788
WPL [Member]
Common stock, par value	$ 5	$ 5
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	18,000,000	18,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	13,236,601	13,236,601