Business Segment Information (Segment Financial Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Financial Information
Operating revenues	$ 3,351,959	$ 2,963,560	$ 8,699,041	$ 7,865,820
Income taxes (benefits)	24,553	232,503	214,202	110,140
Consolidated net income	244,182	342,670	579,220	566,513
Utility [Member]
Segment Financial Information
Operating revenues	2,732,482	2,344,885	6,948,258	6,136,101
Income taxes (benefits)	170,816	187,668	340,817	162,914
Consolidated net income	352,303	300,506	680,694	676,244
Entergy Wholesale Commodities [Member]
Segment Financial Information
Operating revenues	623,321	626,849	1,770,577	1,754,774
Income taxes (benefits)	(107,337)	56,676	(64,968)	11,427
Consolidated net income	(92,828)	86,772	818	(18,420)
All Other [Member]
Segment Financial Information
Operating revenues	787	1,060	2,775	3,027
Income taxes (benefits)	(38,926)	(11,841)	(61,647)	(64,201)
Consolidated net income	11,102	(18,213)	(23,107)	(11,487)
Eliminations [Member]
Segment Financial Information
Operating revenues	(4,631)	(9,234)	(22,569)	(28,082)
Consolidated net income	$ (26,395)	$ (26,395)	$ (79,185)	$ (79,824)