Retirement, Other Postretirement Benefits, And Defined Contribution Plans (Schedule Of Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized In The Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current liabilities	$ (95,900)	$ (44,031)
Non-current liabilities	(3,725,886)	(3,133,657)
Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	5,187,635	4,301,218
Service cost	150,763	121,961
Interest cost	260,929	236,992
Actuarial (gain)/loss	693,017	703,895
Employee contributions	789	828
Benefits paid	(196,494)	(177,259)
Balance at end of year	6,096,639	5,187,635
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	3,399,916	3,216,268
Actual return on plan assets	458,137	(40,453)
Employer contributions	170,512	400,532
Fair value of assets at end of year	3,832,860	3,399,916
Funded status	(2,263,779)	(1,787,719)
Non-current liabilities	(2,263,779)	(1,787,719)
Prior service cost/(credit)	308	9,836
Net loss	2,352,234	2,048,743
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset	2,352,542	2,058,579
Prior service cost	9,444	2,648
Net loss	633,146	551,613
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	642,590	554,261
Other Postretirement [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	1,652,369	1,386,370
Service cost	68,883	59,340	52,313
Interest cost	82,561	74,522	76,078
Plan amendments		(29,507)
Actuarial (gain)/loss	102,833	216,549
Employee contributions	18,102	14,650
Benefits paid	(83,825)	(77,454)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	5,999	4,551
Early Retiree Reinsurance Program proceeds		3,348
Balance at end of year	1,846,922	1,652,369	1,386,370
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	427,172	404,430
Actual return on plan assets	44,752	9,432
Employer contributions	82,247	76,114
Fair value of assets at end of year	488,448	427,172	404,430
Funded status	(1,358,474)	(1,225,197)
Current liabilities	(33,813)	(32,832)
Non-current liabilities	(1,324,661)	(1,192,365)
Total funded status	(1,358,474)	(1,225,197)
Transition obligation		2,557
Prior service cost/(credit)	(5,307)	(6,628)
Net loss	367,519	353,905
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset	362,212	349,834
Transition obligation		620
Prior service cost	(49,335)	(66,176)
Net loss	355,900	313,379
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	306,565	247,823
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Medicare Part D subsidy received	1,331
Non-current liabilities	(614,805)	(539,016)
Total funded status		(4,153)
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	1,116,572	950,595
Service cost	22,169	18,072
Interest cost	55,686	51,965
Actuarial (gain)/loss	134,691	146,514
Benefits paid	(54,232)	(50,574)
Balance at end of year	1,274,886	1,116,572
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	707,275	646,491
Actual return on plan assets	95,321	(9,042)
Employer contributions	37,163	120,400
Fair value of assets at end of year	785,527	707,275
Funded status	(489,359)	(409,297)
Non-current liabilities	(489,359)	(409,297)
Prior service cost/(credit)	23	223
Net loss	683,790	619,430
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset	683,813	619,653
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	290,613	256,859
Service cost	9,089	8,053	7,372
Interest cost	14,452	13,742	14,515
Actuarial (gain)/loss	13,256	23,394
Employee contributions	4,440	3,680
Benefits paid	(17,873)	(16,850)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	1,331	1,025
Early Retiree Reinsurance Program proceeds		710
Balance at end of year	315,308	290,613	256,859
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	164,846	148,622
Actual return on plan assets	18,219	2,681
Employer contributions	24,386	26,713
Fair value of assets at end of year	194,018	164,846	148,622
Funded status	(121,290)	(125,767)
Non-current liabilities	(121,290)	(125,767)
Total funded status	(121,290)	(125,767)
Transition obligation		820
Prior service cost/(credit)	(2,146)	(2,676)
Net loss	129,484	128,723
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset	127,338	126,867
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Medicare Part D subsidy received	779
Current liabilities	(7,803)	(7,911)
Non-current liabilities	(416,220)	(332,672)
Total funded status		(2,781)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	512,432	431,870
Service cost	12,273	9,848
Interest cost	25,679	23,713
Actuarial (gain)/loss	92,275	65,000
Benefits paid	(19,591)	(17,999)
Balance at end of year	623,068	512,432
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	366,555	361,207
Actual return on plan assets	49,438	(3,971)
Employer contributions	13,569	27,318
Fair value of assets at end of year	409,971	366,555
Funded status	(213,097)	(145,877)
Non-current liabilities	(213,097)	(145,877)
Prior service cost/(credit)	8	23
Net loss	283,847	214,833
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset	283,855	214,856
Prior service cost	1	6
Net loss	42,414	50,393
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	42,415	50,399
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	191,877	154,466
Service cost	7,521	6,158	5,481
Interest cost	9,590	8,298	8,574
Actuarial (gain)/loss	5,818	28,721
Employee contributions	1,945	1,525
Benefits paid	(9,543)	(8,359)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	779	585
Early Retiree Reinsurance Program proceeds		483
Balance at end of year	207,987	191,877	154,466
Employer contributions	7,598	6,834
Funded status	(207,987)	(191,877)
Current liabilities	(7,546)	(7,651)
Non-current liabilities	(200,441)	(184,226)
Total funded status	(207,987)	(191,877)
Transition obligation		238
Prior service cost	(2,687)	(3,511)
Net loss	77,113	76,032
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	74,426	72,759
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Medicare Part D subsidy received	908
Current liabilities	(9,170)	(9,161)
Non-current liabilities	(539,703)	(459,685)
Total funded status		(118)
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	704,748	596,730
Service cost	14,675	11,543
Interest cost	35,201	32,636
Actuarial (gain)/loss	93,817	93,175
Benefits paid	(30,696)	(29,336)
Balance at end of year	817,745	704,748
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	432,418	406,216
Actual return on plan assets	58,489	(5,059)
Employer contributions	28,816	60,597
Fair value of assets at end of year	489,027	432,418
Funded status	(328,718)	(272,330)
Non-current liabilities	(328,718)	(272,330)
Prior service cost/(credit)	83	291
Net loss	456,800	408,835
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset	456,883	409,126
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	196,352	163,720
Service cost	7,796	6,540	5,483
Interest cost	9,781	8,767	9,075
Actuarial (gain)/loss	16,215	24,837
Employee contributions	2,725	2,218
Benefits paid	(13,760)	(10,883)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	908	683
Early Retiree Reinsurance Program proceeds		470
Balance at end of year	220,017	196,352	163,720
Employer contributions	11,035	8,665
Funded status	(220,017)	(196,352)
Current liabilities	(9,152)	(9,143)
Non-current liabilities	(210,865)	(187,209)
Total funded status	(220,017)	(196,352)
Transition obligation		382
Prior service cost	(1,095)	(1,342)
Net loss	83,795	71,939
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	82,700	70,979
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Medicare Part D subsidy received	434
Non-current liabilities	(160,866)	(144,088)
Total funded status		(1,682)
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	326,377	286,179
Service cost	6,410	5,308
Interest cost	16,279	15,637
Actuarial (gain)/loss	36,329	33,865
Benefits paid	(15,543)	(14,612)
Balance at end of year	369,852	326,377
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	223,981	212,122
Actual return on plan assets	30,169	(2,698)
Employer contributions	9,665	29,169
Fair value of assets at end of year	248,272	223,981
Funded status	(121,580)	(102,396)
Non-current liabilities	(121,580)	(102,396)
Prior service cost/(credit)	10	39
Net loss	185,903	169,329
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset	185,913	169,368
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	94,570	81,464
Service cost	3,093	2,632	2,200
Interest cost	4,716	4,370	4,370
Actuarial (gain)/loss	1,625	9,695
Employee contributions	1,269	994
Benefits paid	(5,199)	(4,986)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	434	336
Early Retiree Reinsurance Program proceeds		65
Balance at end of year	100,508	94,570	81,464
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	54,452	52,064
Actual return on plan assets	5,874	1,003
Employer contributions	6,555	5,377
Fair value of assets at end of year	62,951	54,452	52,064
Funded status	(37,557)	(40,118)
Non-current liabilities	(37,557)	(40,118)
Total funded status	(37,557)	(40,118)
Transition obligation		351
Prior service cost/(credit)	(566)	(705)
Net loss	41,855	44,504
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset	41,289	44,150
Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Medicare Part D subsidy received	396
Non-current liabilities	(83,790)	(74,017)
Total funded status		(376)
Entergy New Orleans [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	151,966	128,477
Service cost	2,824	2,242
Interest cost	7,608	7,050
Actuarial (gain)/loss	18,000	19,695
Benefits paid	(5,813)	(5,498)
Balance at end of year	174,585	151,966
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	94,202	88,688
Actual return on plan assets	12,578	(1,148)
Employer contributions	5,811	12,160
Fair value of assets at end of year	106,778	94,202
Funded status	(67,807)	(57,764)
Non-current liabilities	(67,807)	(57,764)
Prior service cost/(credit)	2	10
Net loss	103,072	95,667
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset	103,074	95,677
Entergy New Orleans [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	69,316	60,735
Service cost	1,689	1,448	1,389
Interest cost	3,422	3,225	3,598
Actuarial (gain)/loss	3,240	7,974
Employee contributions	742	615
Benefits paid	(4,605)	(5,074)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	396	358
Early Retiree Reinsurance Program proceeds		35
Balance at end of year	74,200	69,316	60,735
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	53,418	52,005
Actual return on plan assets	4,691	2,228
Employer contributions	4,405	3,644
Fair value of assets at end of year	58,651	53,418	52,005
Funded status	(15,549)	(15,898)
Non-current liabilities	(15,549)	(15,898)
Total funded status	(15,549)	(15,898)
Transition obligation		1,189
Prior service cost/(credit)	114	152
Net loss	26,502	25,801
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset	26,616	27,142
Entergy Texas [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Medicare Part D subsidy received	644
Current liabilities	(853)	(1,029)
Non-current liabilities	(155,241)	(137,735)
Total funded status		(10,103)
Entergy Texas [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	337,669	292,551
Service cost	5,684	4,788
Interest cost	16,823	15,971
Actuarial (gain)/loss	38,328	40,122
Benefits paid	(16,328)	(15,763)
Balance at end of year	382,176	337,669
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	237,438	237,502
Actual return on plan assets	31,909	(2,536)
Employer contributions	9,091	18,235
Fair value of assets at end of year	262,110	237,438
Funded status	(120,066)	(100,231)
Non-current liabilities	(120,066)	(100,231)
Prior service cost/(credit)	7	22
Net loss	189,589	171,023
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset	189,596	171,045
Entergy Texas [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	133,602	111,106
Service cost	3,651	3,074	2,789
Interest cost	6,650	5,945	6,326
Actuarial (gain)/loss	2,645	17,994
Employee contributions	1,526	1,222
Benefits paid	(6,604)	(6,326)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	644	489
Early Retiree Reinsurance Program proceeds		98
Balance at end of year	142,114	133,602	111,106
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	105,181	103,214
Actual return on plan assets	10,869	2,365
Employer contributions	4,852	4,706
Fair value of assets at end of year	115,824	105,181	103,214
Funded status	(26,290)	(28,421)
Non-current liabilities	(26,290)	(28,421)
Total funded status	(26,290)	(28,421)
Transition obligation		187
Prior service cost/(credit)	(1,709)	(2,137)
Net loss	61,077	65,206
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset	59,368	63,256
System Energy [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Medicare Part D subsidy received	170
Non-current liabilities	(142,617)	(139,719)
System Energy [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	258,268	213,098
Service cost	5,920	4,941
Interest cost	12,987	11,758
Actuarial (gain)/loss	13,691	35,775
Benefits paid	(8,025)	(7,304)
Balance at end of year	282,841	258,268
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	147,091	128,007
Actual return on plan assets	19,860	(1,963)
Employer contributions	9,771	28,351
Fair value of assets at end of year	168,697	147,091
Funded status	(114,144)	(111,177)
Non-current liabilities	(114,144)	(111,177)
Prior service cost/(credit)	6	19
Net loss	166,276	165,011
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset	166,282	165,030
System Energy [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	60,526	49,501
Service cost	3,293	2,642	2,251
Interest cost	3,028	2,666	2,562
Actuarial (gain)/loss	2,861	7,144
Employee contributions	820	687
Benefits paid	(2,764)	(2,513)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	170	116
Early Retiree Reinsurance Program proceeds		283
Balance at end of year	67,934	60,526	49,501
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	32,012	29,347
Actual return on plan assets	3,419	760
Employer contributions	5,987	3,731
Fair value of assets at end of year	39,474	32,012	29,347
Funded status	(28,460)	(28,514)
Non-current liabilities	(28,460)	(28,514)
Total funded status	(28,460)	(28,514)
Transition obligation		8
Prior service cost/(credit)	(246)	(309)
Net loss	29,773	29,700
Amount recognized as a regulatory asset	$ 29,527	$ 29,399