Gains and Losses from Derivative Instruments (Details) (Commodity Contracts, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Designated as Hedging Instruments \| Fuel and purchased power
Gains and losses from derivative instruments
Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion Realized)	$ (2,343)	$ (4,439)
Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Gains and losses from derivative instruments
Net Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income from Derivative Instruments	(44,851)	18,015
Not Designated as Hedging Instruments \| Revenue
Gains and losses from derivative instruments
Net Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income from Derivative Instruments	(48)	(92)
Not Designated as Hedging Instruments \| Fuel and purchased power
Gains and losses from derivative instruments
Net Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income from Derivative Instruments	(44,803)	18,107
Other comprehensive income \| Designated as Hedging Instruments
Gains and losses from derivative instruments
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI on derivative instruments (effective portion)	$ (327)	$ 177

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

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

- Definition

The effective portion of net gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4D

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624177-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The effective portion of gains and losses (net) on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments that was recognized in other comprehensive income during the current period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of realized and unrealized gain (loss) of derivative instruments not designated or qualifying as hedging instruments.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: