Fair Value (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Financial Transmission Rights Fair Value Disclosure	$ 1,842	$ 543
Forward Power Contracts Fair Value Disclosure	314
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	44,816
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	3,657	3,225
Asset retirement obligations	191,996	195,236
Unamortized deferred financing costs	25,800	26,000
Unamortized debt discount	6,400	6,600
Financial Transmission Rights Fair Value Disclosure	1,842	543
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	5,813	3,768
Derivative Liability		63,215
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 44,816	63,215
Forward Power Contracts Combined Notional Amount Outstanding	162,960
Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 14	16
Mutual Fund [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	3,643	3,209
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Financial Transmission Rights Fair Value Disclosure	1,842	543
Forward Power Contracts Fair Value Disclosure	0
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	0
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Financial Transmission Rights Fair Value Disclosure	1,842	543
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,842	543
Derivative Liability		0
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Mutual Fund [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Financial Transmission Rights Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Forward Power Contracts Fair Value Disclosure	314
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	44,816
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	3,643	3,209
Financial Transmission Rights Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	3,957	3,209
Derivative Liability		63,215
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	44,816	63,215
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Mutual Fund [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	3,643	3,209
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Financial Transmission Rights Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Forward Power Contracts Fair Value Disclosure	0
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	0
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	14	16
Financial Transmission Rights Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	14	16
Derivative Liability		0
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	14	16
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Mutual Fund [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	$ 0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 400,000

Derivative, Notional Amount, Purchase (Sales), Net

No definition available.

Name:	cik0000728391_DerivativeNotionalAmountPurchaseSalesNet
Namespace Prefix:	cik0000728391_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Financial Transmission Rights Fair Value Disclosure

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cik0000728391_FinancialTransmissionRightsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	cik0000728391_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Forward Power Contracts Combined Notional Amount Outstanding

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cik0000728391_ForwardPowerContractsCombinedNotionalAmountOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	cik0000728391_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Forward Power Contracts Fair Value Disclosure

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cik0000728391_ForwardPowerContractsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	cik0000728391_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Noncurrent portion of the carrying amount of a liability for an asset retirement obligation. An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation associated with the disposal or retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that results from the acquisition, construction or development, or the normal operations of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 410
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6392692&loc=d3e7535-110849

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value portion of probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123874694&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt discount.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124435984&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1D
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123466505&loc=SL123495340-112611

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt issuance costs. Includes, but is not limited to, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1D
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123466505&loc=SL123495340-112611

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124435984&loc=d3e28555-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226008-175313

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123594938&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 22
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226052-175313

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueOptionQuantitativeDisclosuresLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of all interest rate derivative liabilities designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-Subparagraph (c)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=125515794&loc=SL5624163-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value portion of investment securities, including, but not limited to, marketable securities, derivative financial instruments, and investments accounted for under the equity method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123874694&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of financial and nonfinancial obligations.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=us-gaap_MutualFundMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis=us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: