INCOME TAXES Income Tax Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Reconciliation
Income tax expense at 35% statutory rate		$ 134,357	$ 138,042	$ 123,329
State income taxes (net of federal benefit)		13,366	16,054	9,110
AFUDC equity		(8,469)	(6,201)	(9,715)
Entergy Transaction expenses	[1]	0	0	(5,614)
Other — net		2,217	2,427	1,752
Total income tax provision		$ 141,471	$ 150,322	$ 118,862

[1] See Note 17 for discussion of the Entergy Transaction.