Acquisitions Dispositions and Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Acquisitions Dispositions and Discontinued Operations (Textuals) [Abstract]
Acquisitions of Assets	$ 88,000,000	$ 10,000,000
Goodwill	90,000,000		76,000,000
Transmission Facilities Sold to ETT	8,000,000	94,000,000
Generation and Marketing [Member] \| BlueStar Energy [Member]
Acquisitions Dispositions and Discontinued Operations (Textuals) [Abstract]
Acquisitions of Assets	70,000,000
Goodwill	14,000,000
Intangible Assets Associated with Sales Contracts and Customer Accounts	59,000,000
Liabilities Associated with Supply Contracts	25,000,000
Ohio Power Co [Member]
Acquisitions Dispositions and Discontinued Operations (Textuals) [Abstract]
Acquisitions of Assets	48,000	1,714,000
Transmission Facilities Sold to ETT	$ 5,475,000	$ 45,129,000

Fair Value of the liabilities incurred by the acquirer to former owners of the acquiree, including the fair value of any contingent consideration. If liabilities transferred as consideration remain within the combined entity after the business combination (for example, because the assets or liabilities were transferred to the acquiree rather than to its former owners), and the acquirer therefore retains control of them; in that situation, the acquirer measures those liabilities at their carrying amounts immediately before the acquisition date.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

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-Clause 1

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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-Publisher FASB

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-Topic 350

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The cash inflow from the sale of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale.

+ References+ Details