CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION (Parenthetical)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Long-term debt:
Notes payable, Interest Rate, Percentage (as a percent)	1.46%	1.46%
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation | Mortgage notes payable to National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation at interest rates varying from 3.25% to 4.90% (average rate of 4.19% at December 31, 2012) due in quarterly installments through 2020
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Minimum (as a percent)	3.25%	3.25%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Maximum (as a percent)	4.90%	4.90%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Average (as a percent)	4.19%
Public | Mortgage bonds payable: Series 2006 First Mortgage Bonds, 5.534%, due 2031 through 2035
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)	5.534%	5.534%
Public | Mortgage bonds payable: Series 2007 First Mortgage Bonds, 6.191%, due 2024 through 2031
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)	6.191%	6.191%
Public | Mortgage bonds payable: Series 2009A First Mortgage Bonds, 6.10%, due 2019
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)	6.10%	6.10%
Public | Mortgage bonds payable: Series 2009B First Mortgage Bonds, 5.95%, due 2039
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)	5.95%	5.95%
Public | Mortgage bonds payable: Series 2009 Clean renewable energy bond, 1.81%, due 2024
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)	1.81%	1.81%
Public | Mortgage bonds payable: Series 2010A First Mortgage Bonds, 5.375% due 2040
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)	5.375%	5.375%
Public | Mortgage bonds payable: Series 2011A First Mortgage Bonds, 5.25% due 2050
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)	5.25%	5.25%
Public | Mortgage bonds payable: Series 2012A First Mortgage Bonds, 4.20% due 2042
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)	4.20%
Georgia Development Authorities | Mortgage notes issued in connection with the sale of pollution control revenue bonds: Series 2003A Burke, Heard, Monroe and 2003B Burke Auction rate bonds, 0.32%, due 2024
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)	0.32%	0.32%
Georgia Development Authorities | Mortgage notes issued in connection with the sale of pollution control revenue bonds: Series 2004 Burke and Monroe Auction rate bonds, 0.32%, due 2020
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)	0.32%	0.32%
Georgia Development Authorities | Mortgage notes issued in connection with the sale of pollution control revenue bonds: Series 2005 Burke and Monroe Auction rate bonds, 0.32%, due 2040
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)	0.32%	0.32%
Georgia Development Authorities | Mortgage notes issued in connection with the sale of pollution control revenue bonds: Series 2008A through 2008C Burke Fixed rate bonds, 5.30% to 5.70%, due 2032 through 2043
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Minimum (as a percent)	5.30%	5.30%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Maximum (as a percent)	5.70%	5.70%
Georgia Development Authorities | Mortgage notes issued in connection with the sale of pollution control revenue bonds: Series 2008E Burke Fixed rate bonds, 7.00%, due 2020 through 2023
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)	7.00%	7.00%
Georgia Development Authorities | Mortgage notes issued in connection with the sale of pollution control revenue bonds: Series 2008G Burke Term rate bonds, 0.90% through February 28, 2013, due 2039
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)	0.90%	0.90%
Georgia Development Authorities | Mortgage notes issued in connection with the sale of pollution control revenue bonds: Series 2009A Heard and Monroe, and 2009B Monroe Weekly rate bonds, 0.15%, due 2030 through 2038
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Minimum (as a percent)	0.15%	0.15%
Georgia Development Authorities | Mortgage notes issued Series 2010A Burke and Monroe, and 2010B Burke Weekly rate bonds, 0.13% to 0.15%, due 2036 through 2037
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Minimum (as a percent)	0.13%	0.13%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Maximum (as a percent)	0.15%	0.15%
Georgia Development Authorities | Mortgage notes issued Series 2011A Appling, Burke and Monroe Term rate bonds, 2.50% through February 28, 2013, due 2038 through 2040
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)	2.50%	2.50%
Georgia Development Authorities | Mortgage notes issued Series 2012A Monroe, Term rate bonds, 0.90% through February 28, 2013, due 2039
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)	0.90%	0.90%
CoBank | ACB notes payable: Transmission mortgage notes payable: variable at 2.09% to 3.25% through January 30, 2013, due in bimonthly installments through September 1, 2019
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Minimum (as a percent)	2.09%	2.09%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Maximum (as a percent)	3.25%	3.25%
Federal Financing Bank | Mortgage notes payable to the Federal Financing Bank at interest rates varying from 2.20% to 8.43% (average rate of 4.86% at December 31, 2012) due in quarterly installments through 2043
Long-term debt:
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Minimum (as a percent)	2.20%	2.20%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Maximum (as a percent)	8.43%	8.43%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Average (as a percent)	4.86%