1.0.0.3 false Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands false 1 $ false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 false 2 $ false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 false 3 $ false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 5 Cash Flows from Operating Activities: 3 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 6 Net income (loss) 4 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 true true 402812000 402812 false false 2 true true -739675000 -739675 false false 3 true true 365107000 365107 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 7 (Income) loss from discontinued operations 4 rri_IncomeFromDiscontinuedOperations rri false credit duration monetary Overall income (loss) from a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity, net of income tax, reported as a... false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -881844000 -881844 false false 2 false true 629409000 629409 false false 3 false true -566738000 -566738 false false Overall income (loss) from a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity, net of income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items and the cumulative effect of accounting changes. Includes the following (net of tax): income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal. No authoritative reference available. true 8 Loss from Continuing Operations 4 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -479032000 -479032 false false 2 false true -110266000 -110266 false false 3 false true -201631000 -201631 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 9 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: 4 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 10 Goodwill and long-lived assets impairments 5 rri_GoodwillAndLongLivedAssetsImpairments rri false debit duration monetary Loss recognized during the period resulting from write-downs of the carrying amounts of goodwill and long-lived assets to... false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 210771000 210771 false false 2 false true 304859000 304859 false false 3 false true 0 0 false false Loss recognized during the period resulting from write-downs of the carrying amounts of goodwill and long-lived assets to fair value. No authoritative reference available. false 11 Depreciation and amortization 5 us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 269191000 269191 false false 2 false true 312642000 312642 false false 3 false true 398691000 398691 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 12 Deferred income taxes 5 us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -120646000 -120646 false false 2 false true 99930000 99930 false false 3 false true -153344000 -153344 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 13 Net changes in energy derivatives 5 rri_NetChangesInEnergyDerivatives rri false credit duration monetary The increases/decreases in non-cash gains/losses related to future periods based on current changes in forward commodity... false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -21285000 -21285 false false 2 false true 8556000 8556 false false 3 false true -6549000 -6549 false false The increases/decreases in non-cash gains/losses related to future periods based on current changes in forward commodity prices for derivative instruments receiving mark-to-market accounting treatment and the ineffective portion of cash flow hedges, plus amortization of option premiums. No authoritative reference available. false 14 Amortization of deferred financing costs 5 us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 7086000 7086 false false 2 false true 6653000 6653 false false 3 false true 9213000 9213 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 15 Debt extinguishments losses 5 rri_DebtExtinguishmentsGainsLosses rri false credit duration monetary Reflects the difference between the fair value of payments made to legally extinguish a debt and its carrying value at that... false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 7501000 7501 false false 2 false true 2257000 2257 false false 3 false true 113522000 113522 false false Reflects the difference between the fair value of payments made to legally extinguish a debt and its carrying value at that time. This item includes associated write-off of amounts previously capitalized as debt issuance costs. No authoritative reference available. false 16 Gains on sales of assets and emission and exchange allowances, net 5 rri_GainLossOnSalesAssetsEmissionExchangeAllowancesNet rri false credit duration monetary Net gains or losses resulting from the sale or disposal of assets and emission and exchange allowances. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -21913000 -21913 false false 2 false true -92202000 -92202 false false 3 false true -25699000 -25699 false false Net gains or losses resulting from the sale or disposal of assets and emission and exchange allowances. No authoritative reference available. false 17 Western states litigation and similar settlements 5 rri_WesternStatesLitigationAndSimilarSettlement rri false debit duration monetary Represents charges incurred for which payments were not made during the period for Western States litigation and similar... false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 0 0 false false 2 false true 3467000 3467 false false 3 false true 0 0 false false Represents charges incurred for which payments were not made during the period for Western States litigation and similar settlements. No authoritative reference available. false 18 Other, net 5 us-gaap_AdjustmentsNoncashItemsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesOther us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -13121000 -13121 false false 2 false true -10486000 -10486 false false 3 false true 6342000 6342 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 19 Changes in other assets and liabilities: 5 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 20 Accounts and notes receivable, net 6 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 108985000 108985 false false 2 false true 9978000 9978 false false 3 false true -40630000 -40630 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 21 Changes in notes, receivables and payables with affiliate, net 6 rri_ChangesInNotesWithAffiliate rri false credit duration monetary Net change in notes, receivables and payables from affiliates (Channelview). false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 43000 43 false false 2 false true 3687000 3687 false false 3 false true -13078000 -13078 false false Net change in notes, receivables and payables from affiliates (Channelview). No authoritative reference available. false 22 Inventory 6 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -14711000 -14711 false false 2 false true -31862000 -31862 false false 3 false true -21863000 -21863 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 23 Margin deposits, net 6 rri_MarginDepositsNet rri false credit duration monetary Net change during the reporting period in cash placed with / held from a futures clearing merchant or counterparty as a... false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -256046000 -256046 false false 2 false true 199370000 199370 false false 3 false true 285641000 285641 false false Net change during the reporting period in cash placed with / held from a futures clearing merchant or counterparty as a security for a trading, derivative or non-derivative transactions, as well as, accounts receivable/payable. No authoritative reference available. false 24 Net derivative assets and liabilities 6 rri_NetDerivativeAssetsLiabilities rri false credit duration monetary The net change in derivative assets and liabilities not included in earnings during the period. Includes net option premiums... false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -32460000 -32460 false false 2 false true 3049000 3049 false false 3 false true -8253000 -8253 false false The net change in derivative assets and liabilities not included in earnings during the period. Includes net option premiums purchased/sold and settlement of exchange transactions prior to the contractual period. No authoritative reference available. false 25 Western states litigation and similar settlements payments 6 rri_WesternStatesLitigationAndSimilarSettlementsPayments rri false debit duration monetary Represents the difference between payaments made and charges incurrred during the period for Western States litigation and... false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -3449000 -3449 false false 2 false true 0 0 false false 3 false true -35000000 -35000 false false Represents the difference between payaments made and charges incurrred during the period for Western States litigation and similar settlements. No authoritative reference available. false 26 Accounts payable 6 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -12776000 -12776 false false 2 false true -48470000 -48470 false false 3 false true -19771000 -19771 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 27 Other current assets 6 rri_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherCurrentAssets rri false credit duration monetary The net change during the reporting period in other operating current assets not otherwise defined in the taxonomy. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 12269000 12269 false false 2 false true 1969000 1969 false false 3 false true 2559000 2559 false false The net change during the reporting period in other operating current assets not otherwise defined in the taxonomy. No authoritative reference available. false 28 Other assets 6 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -6466000 -6466 false false 2 false true 10207000 10207 false false 3 false true -12633000 -12633 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 29 Taxes payable / receivable 6 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedIncomeTaxesPayable us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -6883000 -6883 false false 2 false true 24325000 24325 false false 3 false true -9166000 -9166 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 30 Other current liabilities 6 rri_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherCurrentOperatingLiabilities rri false debit duration monetary The net change during the reporting period in other current operating obligations not otherwise defined in the taxonomy. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -11157000 -11157 false false 2 false true 10091000 10091 false false 3 false true -56011000 -56011 false false The net change during the reporting period in other current operating obligations not otherwise defined in the taxonomy. No authoritative reference available. false 31 Other liabilities 6 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -7417000 -7417 false false 2 false true -4327000 -4327 false false 3 false true -8810000 -8810 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 32 Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations from operating activities 4 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -391516000 -391516 false false 2 false true 703427000 703427 false false 3 false true 203530000 203530 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 33 Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations from operating activities 4 us-gaap_CashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 585045000 585045 false false 2 false true -520732000 -520732 false false 3 false true 558213000 558213 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 34 Net cash provided by operating activities 4 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 193529000 193529 false false 2 false true 182695000 182695 false false 3 false true 761743000 761743 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 35 Cash Flows from Investing Activities: 3 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 36 Capital expenditures 4 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -189511000 -189511 false false 2 false true -278757000 -278757 false false 3 false true -174589000 -174589 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 37 Proceeds from sale of assets, net 4 rri_ProceedsFromSaleOfAssetsNet rri false debit duration monetary The cash inflow from the sale of all assets, excluding emission and exchange allowances, net of selling costs. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 35931000 35931 false false 2 false true 526956000 526956 false false 3 false true 82075000 82075 false false The cash inflow from the sale of all assets, excluding emission and exchange allowances, net of selling costs. No authoritative reference available. false 38 Proceeds from sales of emission and exchange allowances 4 rri_ProceedsFromSalesOfEmissionAndExchangeAllowances rri false debit duration monetary The cash inflow from sales of emission and exchange allowances. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 19180000 19180 false false 2 false true 42458000 42458 false false 3 false true 6815000 6815 false false The cash inflow from sales of emission and exchange allowances. No authoritative reference available. false 39 Purchases of emission allowances 4 rri_PurchasesOfEmissionAllowances rri false debit duration monetary The cash outflow to aquire emission allowances. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -22711000 -22711 false false 2 false true -60986000 -60986 false false 3 false true -91923000 -91923 false false The cash outflow to aquire emission allowances. No authoritative reference available. false 40 Restricted cash 4 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCash us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -4620000 -4620 false false 2 false true 530000 530 false false 3 false true -6326000 -6326 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 41 Other, net 4 us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 3750000 3750 false false 2 false true 6562000 6562 false false 3 false true 6045000 6045 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 42 Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations from investing activities 4 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -157981000 -157981 false false 2 false true 236763000 236763 false false 3 false true -177903000 -177903 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 43 Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations from investing activities 4 us-gaap_CashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 311800000 311800 false false 2 false true -20128000 -20128 false false 3 false true -747000 -747 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 44 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 4 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 153819000 153819 false false 2 false true 216635000 216635 false false 3 false true -178650000 -178650 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 45 Cash Flows from Financing Activities: 3 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 46 Proceeds from long-term debt 4 us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 0 0 false false 2 false true 0 0 false false 3 false true 1300000000 1300000 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 47 Payments of long-term debt 4 us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -254980000 -254980 false false 2 false true -57704000 -57704 false false 3 false true -1535887000 -1535887 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 48 Increase in short-term borrowings and revolving credit facilities, net 4 us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 0 0 false false 2 false true 0 0 false false 3 false true 6554000 6554 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 49 Payments of financing costs 4 us-gaap_PaymentsOfFinancingCosts us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 0 0 false false 2 false true 0 0 false false 3 false true -31245000 -31245 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 50 Payments of debt extinguishments expenses 4 rri_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentsExpenses rri false credit duration monetary The cash outflow associated with debt extinguishment activities. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -4778000 -4778 false false 2 false true -1017000 -1017 false false 3 false true -72779000 -72779 false false The cash outflow associated with debt extinguishment activities. No authoritative reference available. false 51 Proceeds from issuances of stock 4 us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOrSaleOfEquity us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 11245000 11245 false false 2 false true 13570000 13570 false false 3 false true 41317000 41317 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 52 Net cash used in continuing operations from financing activities 4 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -248513000 -248513 false false 2 false true -45151000 -45151 false false 3 false true -292040000 -292040 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 53 Net cash used in discontinued operations from financing activities 4 us-gaap_CashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -260707000 -260707 false false 2 false true 0 0 false false 3 false true 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 54 Net cash used in financing activities 4 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -509220000 -509220 false false 2 false true -45151000 -45151 false false 3 false true -292040000 -292040 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 55 Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total Operations 3 us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -161872000 -161872 false false 2 false true 354179000 354179 false false 3 false true 291053000 291053 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 56 Less: Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents, Discontinued Operations 3 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInDiscontinuedOperations us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -100945000 -100945 false false 2 false true -126118000 -126118 false false 3 false true 92066000 92066 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 57 Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period, Continuing Operations 3 us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue us-gaap true debit instant monetary No definition available. false false false false false false true false false 1 false true 1004367000 1004367 false false 2 false true 524070000 524070 false false 3 false true 325083000 325083 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 58 Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period, Continuing Operations 3 us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue us-gaap true debit instant monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false true false 1 false true 943440000 943440 false false 2 false true 1004367000 1004367 false false 3 false true 524070000 524070 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 60 Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information: 4 rri_CashPaymentsAbstract rri false na duration string Cash payments [Abstract] false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false Cash payments [Abstract] false 61 Interest paid (net of amounts capitalized) for continuing operations 5 us-gaap_InterestPaidNet us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 194355000 194355 false false 2 false true 205956000 205956 false false 3 false true 299379000 299379 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 62 Income taxes paid (net of income tax refunds) for continuing operations 5 us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 true true 2330000 2330 false false 2 true true 12312000 12312 false false 3 true true 2833000 2833 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false false 3 57 false Thousands UnKnown UnKnown false true