Rate and Regulatory Matters (Details 4) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Entergy Arkansas
Estimate of payments or receipts among utility operating companies production cost based on 2011
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	$ 156
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana
Estimate of payments or receipts among utility operating companies production cost based on 2011
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(75)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Estimate of payments or receipts among utility operating companies production cost based on 2011
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	0
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Estimate of payments or receipts among utility operating companies production cost based on 2011
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(33)
Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Estimate of payments or receipts among utility operating companies production cost based on 2011
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(5)
Entergy Texas [Member]
Estimate of payments or receipts among utility operating companies production cost based on 2011
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(43)
Production cost based on 2011 | Entergy Arkansas
Estimate of payments or receipts among utility operating companies production cost based on 2011
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	37
Production cost based on 2011 | Entergy Gulf States Louisiana
Estimate of payments or receipts among utility operating companies production cost based on 2011
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	0
Production cost based on 2011 | Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Estimate of payments or receipts among utility operating companies production cost based on 2011
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(37)
Production cost based on 2011 | Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Estimate of payments or receipts among utility operating companies production cost based on 2011
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	0
Production cost based on 2011 | Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Estimate of payments or receipts among utility operating companies production cost based on 2011
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	0
Production cost based on 2011 | Entergy Texas [Member]
Estimate of payments or receipts among utility operating companies production cost based on 2011
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	$ 0