Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts (Details) (Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Period	$ 31,159	$ 31,777	$ 27,631
Additions Charged to Income or Regulatory Assets	2,448	512	1,569
Other Changes Deductions from Provisions	1,651	1,130	(2,577)
Balance at End of Period	31,956	31,159	31,777
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Period	26,155	24,402	21,853
Additions Charged to Income or Regulatory Assets	2,188	1,753	2,549
Balance at End of Period	28,343	26,155	24,402
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Period	843	1,306	1,235
Additions Charged to Income or Regulatory Assets	123	(235)	(413)
Other Changes Deductions from Provisions	255	228	(484)
Balance at End of Period	711	843	1,306
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Period	1,147	1,961	1,312
Additions Charged to Income or Regulatory Assets	121	(453)	(112)
Other Changes Deductions from Provisions	401	361	(761)
Balance at End of Period	867	1,147	1,961
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Period	756	985	1,018
Additions Charged to Income or Regulatory Assets	154	(229)	(33)
Balance at End of Period	910	756	985
Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Period	465	734	1,166
Additions Charged to Income or Regulatory Assets	12	(241)	(491)
Other Changes Deductions from Provisions	31	28	(59)
Balance at End of Period	446	465	734
Entergy Texas [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Period	1,461	2,185	844
Additions Charged to Income or Regulatory Assets	(21)	(212)	69
Other Changes Deductions from Provisions	760	512	(1,272)
Balance at End of Period	$ 680	$ 1,461	$ 2,185