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Employee Benefit Plans Narrative (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]      
Defined benefit plan percentage threshold of differences between actuarial assumptions and actual plan results that are greater than projected benefit or market value 10.00%nwe_DefinedBenefitPlanPercentageThresholdOfDifferencesBetweenActuarialAssumptionsAndActualPlanResultsThatAreGreaterThanProjectedBenefitOrMarketValue    
Pension Plan [Member]      
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]      
Matching employer contributions $ 8,700us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
$ 7,800us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
$ 7,200us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember