Retirement, Other Postretirement Benefits, And Defined Contribution Plans (Schedule Of Accumulated Benefit Obligations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Non-Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation	$ 180,600	$ 146,500
Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation	5,400,000	4,600,000
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | Non-Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation	3,856	3,755
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation	1,161,448	1,013,605
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] | Non-Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation	2,899	2,768
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] | Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation	559,190	459,037
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Non-Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation	116	118
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation	735,376	632,759
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Non-Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation	1,590	1,460
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation	336,099	296,259
Entergy New Orleans [Member] | Non-Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation	427	345
Entergy New Orleans [Member] | Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation	157,233	136,390
Entergy Texas [Member] | Non-Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation	9,127	10,030
Entergy Texas [Member] | Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation	350,351	308,628
System Energy [Member] | Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation	$ 251,378	$ 227,617