Business Segment Information (Segment Financial Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Financial Information
Operating revenues	$ 3,458,110	$ 3,351,959	$ 9,663,603	$ 8,699,041
Income taxes (benefits)	161,765	24,553	507,474	214,202
Consolidated net income	234,916	244,182	835,250	579,220	[1]
Utility [Member]
Segment Financial Information
Operating revenues	2,852,088	2,732,482	7,566,187	6,948,258
Income taxes (benefits)	172,188	170,816	410,135	340,817
Consolidated net income	315,263	352,303	732,838	680,694
Entergy Wholesale Commodities [Member]
Segment Financial Information
Operating revenues	605,740	623,321	2,095,752	1,770,577
Income taxes (benefits)	2,303	(107,337)	140,777	(64,968)
Consolidated net income	(32,678)	(92,828)	236,255	818
All Other [Member]
Segment Financial Information
Operating revenues	275	787	1,765	2,775
Income taxes (benefits)	(12,726)	(38,926)	(43,438)	(61,647)
Consolidated net income	(14,793)	11,102	(47,869)	(23,107)
Eliminations [Member]
Segment Financial Information
Operating revenues	7	(4,631)	(101)	(22,569)
Consolidated net income	$ (32,876)	$ (26,395)	$ (85,974)	$ (79,185)

[1] Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2014 and 2013 include $6.4 million and $6.6 million, respectively, of preferred dividends on subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented within equity.