Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	15 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Principles Of Consolidation And Basis of Presentation	Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation The consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of TECO Energy, Inc., its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries and the accounts of VIEs for which it is the primary beneficiary (TECO Energy or the company). TECO Energy is considered to be the primary beneficiary of VIEs if it has both 1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and 2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. For the periods presented, no VIEs have been consolidated (see Note 14). All significant intercompany balances and intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Generally, the equity method of accounting is used to account for investments in partnerships or other arrangements in which TECO Energy is not the primary beneficiary, but is able to exert significant influence. In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements include all adjustments that are of a recurring nature and necessary to state fairly the financial position of TECO Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of June 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011, and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. The results of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for the entire fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2012.
Use of estimates	The use of estimates is inherent in the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The year-end consolidated condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, however, this quarterly report on Form 10-Q does not include all year-end disclosures required for an annual report on Form 10-K by U.S. GAAP.
Revenues	Revenues As of June 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011, unbilled revenues of $54.1 million and $50.2 million, respectively, are included in the “Receivables” line item on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.
Accounting for Excise Taxes, Franchise Fees and Gross Receipts	Accounting for Excise Taxes, Franchise Fees and Gross Receipts TECO Coal incurs most of TECO Energy’s total excise taxes, which are accrued as an expense and reconciled to the actual cash payment of excise taxes. As general expenses, they are not specifically recovered through revenues. Excise taxes paid by the regulated utilities are not material and are expensed when incurred. The regulated utilities are allowed to recover certain costs on a dollar-per-dollar basis incurred from customers through prices approved by the FPSC. The amounts included in customers’ bills for franchise fees and gross receipt taxes are included as revenues on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income. Franchise fees and gross receipt taxes payable by the regulated utilities are included as an expense on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income in “Taxes, other than income”. These amounts totaled $28.3 million and $54.4 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to $27.1 million and $55.5 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011.
Cash Flows Related To Derivatives And Hedging Activities	Cash Flows Related to Derivatives and Hedging Activities The company classifies cash inflows and outflows related to derivative and hedging instruments in the appropriate cash flow sections associated with the item being hedged. In the case of diesel fuel swaps, which are used to mitigate the fluctuations in the price of diesel fuel, the cash inflows and outflows are included in the operating section. For natural gas and ongoing interest rate swaps, the cash inflows and outflows are included in the operating section. For interest rate swaps that settle coincident with the debt issuance, the cash inflows and outflows are treated as premiums or discounts and included in the financing section of the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows.
Tampa Electric Co [Member]
Principles Of Consolidation And Basis of Presentation	Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation TEC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TECO Energy, Inc. For the purposes of its consolidated financial reporting, TEC is comprised of the electric division, generally referred to as Tampa Electric, the natural gas division, generally referred to as PGS, and potentially the accounts of VIEs for which it is the primary beneficiary. TEC is considered to be the primary beneficiary of VIEs if it has both 1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and 2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. For the periods presented, no VIEs have been consolidated (see Note 13). All significant intercompany balances and intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements include all adjustments that are of a recurring nature and necessary to state fairly the financial position of TEC as of June 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011, and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. The results of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for the entire fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2012.
Use of estimates	The use of estimates is inherent in the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The year-end consolidated condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, however, this quarterly report on Form 10-Q does not include all year-end disclosures required for an annual report on Form 10-K by U.S. GAAP.
Revenues	Revenues As of June 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011, unbilled revenues of $54.1 million and $50.2 million, respectively, are included in the “Receivables” line item on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.
Accounting for Excise Taxes, Franchise Fees and Gross Receipts	Accounting for Franchise Fees and Gross Receipts The regulated utilities are allowed to recover certain costs on a dollar-per-dollar basis incurred from customers through prices approved by the FPSC. The amounts included in customers’ bills for franchise fees and gross receipt taxes are included as revenues on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income. Franchise fees and gross receipt taxes payable by the regulated utilities are included as an expense on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income in “Taxes, other than income”. These amounts totaled $28.3 million and $54.4 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to $27.1 million and $55.5 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011.
Cash Flows Related To Derivatives And Hedging Activities	Cash Flows Related to Derivatives and Hedging Activities TEC classifies cash inflows and outflows related to derivative and hedging instruments in the appropriate cash flow sections associated with the item being hedged. For natural gas and ongoing interest rate swaps, the cash inflows and outflows are included in the operating section. For interest rate swaps that settle coincident with the debt issuance, the cash inflows and outflows are treated as premiums or discounts and included in the financing section of the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

15 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Principles Of Consolidation And Basis of Presentation

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of TECO Energy, Inc., its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries and the accounts of VIEs for which it is the primary beneficiary (TECO Energy or the company). TECO Energy is considered to be the primary beneficiary of VIEs if it has both 1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and 2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. For the periods presented, no VIEs have been consolidated (see Note 14).

All significant intercompany balances and intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Generally, the equity method of accounting is used to account for investments in partnerships or other arrangements in which TECO Energy is not the primary beneficiary, but is able to exert significant influence. In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements include all adjustments that are of a recurring nature and necessary to state fairly the financial position of TECO Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of June 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011, and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. The results of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for the entire fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2012.

Use of estimates

The use of estimates is inherent in the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The year-end consolidated condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, however, this quarterly report on Form 10-Q does not include all year-end disclosures required for an annual report on Form 10-K by U.S. GAAP.

Revenues

Revenues

As of June 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011, unbilled revenues of $54.1 million and $50.2 million, respectively, are included in the “Receivables” line item on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

Accounting for Excise Taxes, Franchise Fees and Gross Receipts

Accounting for Excise Taxes, Franchise Fees and Gross Receipts

TECO Coal incurs most of TECO Energy’s total excise taxes, which are accrued as an expense and reconciled to the actual cash payment of excise taxes. As general expenses, they are not specifically recovered through revenues. Excise taxes paid by the regulated utilities are not material and are expensed when incurred.

The regulated utilities are allowed to recover certain costs on a dollar-per-dollar basis incurred from customers through prices approved by the FPSC. The amounts included in customers’ bills for franchise fees and gross receipt taxes are included as revenues on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income. Franchise fees and gross receipt taxes payable by the regulated utilities are included as an expense on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income in “Taxes, other than income”. These amounts totaled $28.3 million and $54.4 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to $27.1 million and $55.5 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011.

Cash Flows Related to Derivatives and Hedging Activities

The company classifies cash inflows and outflows related to derivative and hedging instruments in the appropriate cash flow sections associated with the item being hedged. In the case of diesel fuel swaps, which are used to mitigate the fluctuations in the price of diesel fuel, the cash inflows and outflows are included in the operating section. For natural gas and ongoing interest rate swaps, the cash inflows and outflows are included in the operating section. For interest rate swaps that settle coincident with the debt issuance, the cash inflows and outflows are treated as premiums or discounts and included in the financing section of the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows.

Tampa Electric Co [Member]

Principles Of Consolidation And Basis of Presentation

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

TEC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TECO Energy, Inc. For the purposes of its consolidated financial reporting, TEC is comprised of the electric division, generally referred to as Tampa Electric, the natural gas division, generally referred to as PGS, and potentially the accounts of VIEs for which it is the primary beneficiary. TEC is considered to be the primary beneficiary of VIEs if it has both 1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and 2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. For the periods presented, no VIEs have been consolidated (see Note 13).

All significant intercompany balances and intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements include all adjustments that are of a recurring nature and necessary to state fairly the financial position of TEC as of June 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011, and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. The results of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for the entire fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2012.

Use of estimates

Revenues

Revenues

Accounting for Excise Taxes, Franchise Fees and Gross Receipts

Accounting for Franchise Fees and Gross Receipts

Cash Flows Related to Derivatives and Hedging Activities

TEC classifies cash inflows and outflows related to derivative and hedging instruments in the appropriate cash flow sections associated with the item being hedged. For natural gas and ongoing interest rate swaps, the cash inflows and outflows are included in the operating section. For interest rate swaps that settle coincident with the debt issuance, the cash inflows and outflows are treated as premiums or discounts and included in the financing section of the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for subsidiaries or other investments that are consolidated, including the accounting treatment for intercompany accounts or transactions and any noncontrolling interest.

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- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for derivatives used in hedging relationships, which may include how gains or losses are recognized and presented in the financial statements, and amortization policies for deferred amounts.

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- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for revenue recognition. If the entity has different policies for different types of revenue transactions, the policy for each material type of transaction is generally disclosed. If a sales transaction has multiple element arrangements (for example, delivery of multiple products, services or the rights to use assets) the disclosure may indicate the accounting policy for each unit of accounting as well as how units of accounting are determined and valued. The disclosure may encompass important judgment as to appropriateness of principles related to recognition of revenue. The disclosure also may indicate the entity's treatment of any unearned or deferred revenue that arises from the transaction.

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- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for revenue recognition for franchising fees, which is consideration or a share of proceeds paid to the entity by another party for the right to operate a business using the entity's name, merchandise, and supplies. Furthermore, discloses whether the installment or cost recovery method is being used to account for franchise fee revenue if no basis exists for estimating the collectability of specific franchise fees, the sales price of such franchises, the revenue and related costs deferred, the periods in which the fees will become payable by the franchisee, and fees originally deferred but later recognized because uncertainties regarding the collectability of the fees have been resolved.

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- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for the use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

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