Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits (Expected Employer Contributions) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013
Change in Plan Assets
Pension contributions made through Year To Date	$ 43,700
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	35,382
Pension contributions made through Year To Date	8,076
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	27,306
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	11,550
Pension contributions made through Year To Date	2,714
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	8,836
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	21,151
Pension contributions made through Year To Date	5,535
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	15,616
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	8,152
Pension contributions made through Year To Date	1,914
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	6,238
Entergy New Orleans
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	4,175
Pension contributions made through Year To Date	1,094
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	3,081
Entergy Texas [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	6,880
Pension contributions made through Year To Date	1,660
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	5,220
System Energy [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	8,304
Pension contributions made through Year To Date	2,045
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	$ 6,259