Revolving Credit Facilities, Lines Of Credit And Short-Term Borrowings (Issuance Of Commercial Paper To Finance Acquisition And Ownership Of Nuclear Fuel) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	$ 570.0
Entergy Arkansas VIE [Member]
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Expiration Date	July 2013
Amount of Facility	85
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings	2.28%	[1]
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	21.4
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana VIE [Member]
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Expiration Date	July 2013
Amount of Facility	85
Entergy Louisiana VIE [Member]
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Expiration Date	July 2013
Amount of Facility	90
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings	2.32%	[1]
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	54.4
System Energy VIE [Member]
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Expiration Date	July 2013
Amount of Facility	100
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings	2.32%	[1]
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	$ 20.2

[1] Includes letter of credit fees and bank fronting fees on commercial paper issuances by the nuclear fuel company variable interest entities for Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy. The nuclear fuel company variable interest entity for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana does not issue commercial paper, but borrows directly on its bank credit facility.