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Investment in ATC - FERC Complaints (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Sensitivity Analysis [Member]  
Sensitivity Analysis [Line Items]  
Basis Point Reduction on Approved Rate of Return on Common Equity 50ale_BasisPointReductiononApprovedRateofReturnonCommonEquity
/ ale_SensitivityAnalysisAxis
= ale_SensitivityAnalysisMember
After-tax [Member] | Sensitivity Analysis [Member]  
Sensitivity Analysis [Line Items]  
Effect on Future Earnings, Amount $ 0.5us-gaap_EffectOnFutureEarningsAmount
/ ale_ExpensePresentationAxis
= ale_AftertaxMember
/ ale_SensitivityAnalysisAxis
= ale_SensitivityAnalysisMember
Pre-tax [Member] | Sensitivity Analysis [Member]  
Sensitivity Analysis [Line Items]  
Effect on Future Earnings, Amount 0.9us-gaap_EffectOnFutureEarningsAmount
/ ale_ExpensePresentationAxis
= ale_PretaxMember
/ ale_SensitivityAnalysisAxis
= ale_SensitivityAnalysisMember
FERC Complaint 1 [Member]  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Equity Method Investment, Proposed Return on Common Equity 9.15%ale_EquityMethodInvestmentProposedReturnonCommonEquity
/ ale_FERCComplaintAxis
= ale_FERCComplaint1Member
FERC Complaint 2 [Member]  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Equity Method Investment, Proposed Return on Common Equity 8.67%ale_EquityMethodInvestmentProposedReturnonCommonEquity
/ ale_FERCComplaintAxis
= ale_FERCComplaint2Member
Rainy River Energy [Member]  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss 1.4us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ale_RainyRiverEnergyMember
Rainy River Energy [Member] | FERC Complaint 2 [Member]  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss $ 1.1us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss
/ ale_FERCComplaintAxis
= ale_FERCComplaint2Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ale_RainyRiverEnergyMember