Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Summary of Property, Plant, and Equipment) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Public Utility, Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Public Utilities, Allowance for Funds Used During Construction, Capitalized Interest	$ 0.9	$ 1.1	$ 3.4	$ 3.5
DP&L [Member]
Public Utility, Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Public Utilities, Allowance for Funds Used During Construction, Capitalized Interest	$ 0.9	$ 1.1	$ 3.4	$ 3.5

Amount capitalized of allowance for funds used during construction.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 71

-Paragraph 15

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Allowance for Funds Used during Construction

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6504829

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 980

-SubTopic 835

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6501662&loc=d3e56162-110433

Name:	us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesAllowanceForFundsUsedDuringConstructionCapitalizedInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration