Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
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)	110,922,015	110,987,400
Shares in deferred compensation trust (in shares)	212,456	216,030
Shares in deferred compensation trust, weighted average cost per share (in dollars per share)	$ 34.07	$ 33.61
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	$ 5.00	$ 5.00
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	18,000,000	18,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	13,236,601	13,236,601