Property, Plant, And Equipment (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Construction expenditures in accounts payable	$ 172,000	$ 172,000		$ 234,000
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use		7,361	$ 0
Asset Write-Offs, Impairments, And Related Charges		7,361	$ 0
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Construction expenditures in accounts payable	29,300	29,300		43,000
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Construction expenditures in accounts payable	40,500	40,500		68,600
Cash payment representing the purchase price to acquire the undivided interests in Waterford 3	60,000
Portion of Waterford 3 purchase price satisfied through issuance of debt	52,000
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Construction expenditures in accounts payable	2,500	2,500		11,400
Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Construction expenditures in accounts payable	400	400		1,500
Entergy Texas [Member]
Construction expenditures in accounts payable	17,300	17,300		33,100
System Energy [Member]
Construction expenditures in accounts payable	$ 24,700	$ 24,700		$ 6,800