Commitments and Contingencies Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Other Receivables	$ 134,223	$ 158,419
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Other Receivables	6,112	12,006
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Other Receivables	38,312	58,153
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Other Receivables	48,471	54,186
System Energy [Member]
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Other Receivables	$ 4,664	$ 3,637