Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits (Expected Employer Contributions) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012
Change in Plan Assets
Pension contributions made through April 2012	$ 97,600
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2012 pension contributions	54,301
Pension contributions made through April 2012	20,024
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2012	34,277
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2012 pension contributions	19,763
Pension contributions made through April 2012	7,376
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2012	12,387
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2012 pension contributions	38,813
Pension contributions made through April 2012	18,818
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2012	19,995
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2012 pension contributions	13,854
Pension contributions made through April 2012	5,477
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2012	8,377
Entergy New Orleans
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2012 pension contributions	7,815
Pension contributions made through April 2012	3,807
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2012	4,008
Entergy Texas [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2012 pension contributions	12,829
Pension contributions made through April 2012	5,352
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2012	7,477
System Energy [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2012 pension contributions	13,496
Pension contributions made through April 2012	6,046
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2012	$ 7,450