Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011
Net income	$ 370,583	$ 320,598	$ 223,844	[1]	$ 574,277	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss)	(108,090)	(13,516)	37,345		(71,724)
Pension and other postretirement liabilities	17,060	2,339	23,327		6,598
Net unrealized investment gains	(18,025)	3,186	32,082		27,871
Foreign currency translation	(209)	11	101		311
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(109,264)	(7,980)	92,855		(36,944)
Total comprehensive income	261,319	312,618	316,699		537,333
Preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries	5,582	5,015	10,526		10,031	[1]
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation	255,737	307,603	306,173		527,302
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Net income	50,389	50,405	78,748		97,025
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Pension and other postretirement liabilities	10,507	486	11,535		1,229
Other comprehensive income (loss)	10,507	486	11,535		1,229
Total comprehensive income	60,896	50,891	90,283		98,254
Preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries			412		412
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Net income	130,714	75,103	164,009		115,401
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Pension and other postretirement liabilities	607	367	1,260		1,101
Other comprehensive income (loss)	607	367	1,260		1,101
Total comprehensive income	131,321	75,470	165,269		116,502
Preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries			$ 3,475		$ 3,475

[1] (a) Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2012 and 2011 include $7.2 million and $6.7 million, respectively, of preferred dividends on subsidiaries' preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented as equity.