Name:	ale_DeferredCompensationFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	ale_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Fair Value Activity in Level 3

No definition available.

Name:	ale_FairValueActivityInLevel3
Namespace Prefix:	ale_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of transfers in and out of levels 1, 2, and 3 of the fair value hierarchy during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	ale_FairValueTransfersBetweenLevelsAllLevels
Namespace Prefix:	ale_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet Investments line item's cash and cash equivalents, valued at fair value by the entity.

No definition available.

Name:	ale_InvestmentsCashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	ale_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

This element represents the aggregate of the assets reported on the balance sheet at period end measured at fair value on a recurring basis by the entity. This element is intended to be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureRecurring
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Total of debt securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading which are intended be sold or mature more than one year from the balance sheet date or operating cycle, if longer.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28360136&loc=d3e22054-111558

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6871852&loc=d3e26626-111562

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading which are intended be sold more than one year from the balance sheet date or operating cycle, if longer.

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecuritiesNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Fair value of asset after deduction of liability.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueNetAssetLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of all interest rate derivative liabilities designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4B

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624163-113959

Name:	us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Aggregation of the liabilities reported on the balance sheet measured at fair value on a recurring basis by the entity.

No definition available.