Selected Balance Sheet Data Balance Sheet Related Disclosures, Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Public Utilities, Inventory [Line Items]
Inventories	$ 604,226	$ 608,584
Materials and supplies
Public Utilities, Inventory [Line Items]
Inventories	312,430	290,690
Fuel
Public Utilities, Inventory [Line Items]
Inventories	181,752	202,271
Natural gas
Public Utilities, Inventory [Line Items]
Inventories	$ 110,044	$ 115,623

The period end amount for a type of inventory held by the utility in a schedule of inventories.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Inventory
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516093

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-05.6(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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