1.0.0.3 false CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands false 1 $ false false u000 Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 u001 Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 u002 Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 false 2 $ false false u000 Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 u001 Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 u002 Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 5 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 No definition available. false 6 Consolidated net income 4 us-gaap_ProfitLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 true true 932310000 932310 false false 2 true true 1064963000 1064963 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 7 Consolidated net income Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash flow 4 etr_ConsolidatedNetIncomeAdjustmentsToReconcileConsolidatedNetIncomeToNetCashFlow etr false 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 No definition available. false 8 Reserve for regulatory adjustments 5 etr_ReserveForRegulatoryAdjustments etr false credit duration monetary The provision recorded in the period the offset to which is either a reduction or an increase in a regulatory asset or... false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -1080000 -1080 false false 2 false true -1861000 -1861 false false The provision recorded in the period the offset to which is either a reduction or an increase in a regulatory asset or liability. No authoritative reference available. false 9 Other regulatory charges (credits) - net 5 etr_OtherRegulatoryChargesCreditsNet etr false na duration monetary Represents the debit or credit to defer certain costs or revenues because they will be recovered or returned to customers in... false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -29371000 -29371 false false 2 false true 99970000 99970 false false Represents the debit or credit to defer certain costs or revenues because they will be recovered or returned to customers in the future. No authoritative reference available. false 10 Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning 5 us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 947301000 947301 false false 2 false true 896945000 896945 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 11 Deferred income taxes, investment tax credits, and non-current taxes accrued 5 us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxesAndTaxCredits us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 512795000 512795 false false 2 false true 561704000 561704 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 12 Equity in losses of unconsolidated equity affiliates - net of dividends 5 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsNetOfDividendsOrDistributions us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 442000 442 false false 2 false true 2042000 2042 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 13 Changes in working capital: 5 etr_ChangesInWorkingCapital etr false 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 No definition available. false 14 Receivables 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 14856000 14856 false false 2 false true -265349000 -265349 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 15 Fuel inventory 6 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFuelInventories us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 9830000 9830 false false 2 false true -19881000 -19881 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 16 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 -189586000 -189586 false false 2 false true 126665000 126665 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 17 Taxes accrued 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 46931000 46931 false false 2 false true 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 18 Interest accrued 6 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInterestPayableNet us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -12176000 -12176 false false 2 false true -8152000 -8152 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 19 Deferred fuel 6 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredFuelCosts us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 196111000 196111 false false 2 false true -395618000 -395618 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 20 Other working capital accounts 6 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingCapitalNet us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -117671000 -117671 false false 2 false true -88417000 -88417 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 21 Provision for estimated losses and reserves 5 us-gaap_ProvisionForOtherLosses us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -10326000 -10326 false false 2 false true 230834000 230834 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 22 Changes in other regulatory assets 5 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilities us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -332547000 -332547 false false 2 false true 941625000 941625 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 23 Changes in pensions and other postretirement liabilities 5 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPensionAndPostretirementObligations us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -52714000 -52714 false false 2 false true -221679000 -221679 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 24 Other 5 us-gaap_OtherNoncashExpense us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 94226000 94226 false false 2 false true -230977000 -230977 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 25 Net cash flow 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 2009331000 2009331 false false 2 false true 2692814000 2692814 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 26 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 No definition available. false 27 Construction/capital expenditures 4 us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -1342840000 -1342840 false false 2 false true -1455657000 -1455657 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 28 Allowance for equity funds used during construction 4 us-gaap_AllowanceForFundsUsedDuringConstructionInvestingActivities us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 47499000 47499 false false 2 false true 28782000 28782 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 29 Nuclear fuel purchases 4 etr_NuclearFuelPurchases etr false debit duration monetary The net cash outflow from any material that is commonly used in the generation of nuclear energy. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -291721000 -291721 false false 2 false true -327606000 -327606 false false The net cash outflow from any material that is commonly used in the generation of nuclear energy. No authoritative reference available. false 30 Proceeds from sale/leaseback of nuclear fuel 4 etr_ProceedsFromSaleLeasebackOfNuclearFuel etr false credit duration monetary The net cash inflow from any material that is commonly used in the generation of nuclear energy. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 197706000 197706 false false 2 false true 250447000 250447 false false The net cash inflow from any material that is commonly used in the generation of nuclear energy. No authoritative reference available. false 31 Proceeds from sale of assets and businesses 4 us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfProductiveAssets us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 39054000 39054 false false 2 false true 30725000 30725 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 32 Payment for purchase of plant 4 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireOtherPropertyPlantAndEquipment 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 -266823000 -266823 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 33 Insurance proceeds received for property damages 4 us-gaap_ProceedsFromInsuranceSettlementInvestingActivities us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 32914000 32914 false false 2 false true 130120000 130120 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 34 Changes in transition charge account 4 etr_ChangesInTransitionChargeAccount etr false debit duration monetary Changes in the account in which recoveries from customers through a transition charge are deposited and and from which... false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -8359000 -8359 false false 2 false true -2151000 -2151 false false Changes in the account in which recoveries from customers through a transition charge are deposited and and from which payments are made to service the securitization bonds issued by Entergy Gulf States Reconstruction Funding. No authoritative reference available. false 35 NYPA value sharing payment 4 etr_NypaValueSharingPayment etr false debit duration monetary Payments made under amended value sharing agreements with NYPA. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -72000000 -72000 false false 2 false true -72000000 -72000 false false Payments made under amended value sharing agreements with NYPA. No authoritative reference available. false 36 Increase (decrease) in other investments 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 24305000 24305 false false 2 false true -227976000 -227976 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 37 Proceeds from nuclear decommissioning trust fund sales 4 us-gaap_ProceedsFromDecommissioningFund us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 1733370000 1733370 false false 2 false true 1228760000 1228760 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 38 Investment in nuclear decommissioning trust funds 4 us-gaap_PaymentsToInvestInDecommissioningFund us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -1807589000 -1807589 false false 2 false true -1259288000 -1259288 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 39 Net cash flow 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 -1447661000 -1447661 false false 2 false true -1942667000 -1942667 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 41 Proceeds from the issuance of: 4 etr_ProceedsFromIssuanceOf etr false 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 No definition available. false 42 Long-term debt 5 us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 781497000 781497 false false 2 false true 3433184000 3433184 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 43 Common stock and treasury stock 5 us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOrSaleOfEquity us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 17215000 17215 false false 2 false true 35841000 35841 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 44 Retirement 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 -1084732000 -1084732 false false 2 false true -2004118000 -2004118 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 45 Changes in credit line borrowings - 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 No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 46 Repurchase of common stock 4 us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -613125000 -613125 false false 2 false true -468079000 -468079 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 47 Redemption of preferred stock 4 us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 1847000 1847 false false 2 false true 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 48 Dividends paid: 4 etr_DividendsPaid etr false 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 No definition available. false 49 Common stock 5 us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -435178000 -435178 false false 2 false true -431032000 -431032 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 50 Preferred stock 5 us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -14993000 -14993 false false 2 false true -15028000 -15028 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 51 Net cash flow provided by (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 -1351163000 -1351163 false false 2 false true 550768000 550768 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 52 Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents 3 us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -218000 -218 false false 2 false true 1245000 1245 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 53 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 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 -789711000 -789711 false false 2 false true 1302160000 1302160 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 54 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 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 1920491000 1920491 false false 2 false true 1253728000 1253728 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 55 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 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 1130780000 1130780 false false 2 false true 2555888000 2555888 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 57 Cash paid (received) during the period for: 4 etr_CashPaidReceivedDuringPeriodFor etr false 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 No definition available. false 58 Interest - net of amount capitalized 5 us-gaap_CashPaidForCapitalizedInterest us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 442345000 442345 false false 2 false true 455791000 455791 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 59 Income taxes 5 us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 18915000 18915 false false 2 false true 127953000 127953 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 60 Noncash financing activities: 4 etr_NoncashFinancingActivities etr false 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 No definition available. false 61 Long-term debt retired (equity unit notes) 5 us-gaap_NotesReduction us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -500000000 -500000 false false 2 false true 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 62 Common stock issued in settlement of equity unit purchase contracts 5 us-gaap_StockIssued us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 true true 500000000 500000 false false 2 true true 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false false 2 56 false Thousands UnKnown UnKnown false true