Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Revenues, Expenses And Patronage Capital (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Revenues, Expenses And Patronage Capital [Abstract]
Operating Revenues	$ 229,909	$ 245,430	$ 681,056	$ 605,150
Operating Expenses:
Fuel	28,573	51,136	90,689	119,388
Purchased power	149,258	155,610	455,542	339,567
Deferred energy	28	(8,308)	(12,884)	5,443
Operations and maintenance	12,305	10,546	28,992	28,907
Administrative and general	9,142	9,409	29,092	32,198
Depreciation and amortization	10,382	10,373	31,082	31,050
Amortization of regulatory asset/(liability), net	819	761	3,030	2,460
Accretion of asset retirement obligations	886	841	2,656	2,492
Taxes, other than income taxes	1,917	2,103	6,335	6,413
Total Operating Expenses	213,310	232,471	634,534	567,918
Operating Margin	16,599	12,959	46,522	37,232
Other income (expense), net	(1,865)	(446)	(2,412)	(1,317)
Investment income	1,060	1,067	3,873	3,414
Interest charges, net	(13,132)	(10,746)	(39,928)	(31,954)
Income taxes	2	(7)	12
Net Margin including Non-controlling Interest	2,664	2,827	8,067	7,375
Non-controlling Interest	6	(28)	46	(2)
Net Margin attributable to ODEC	2,670	2,799	8,113	7,373
Patronage Capital-Beginning of Period	345,121	334,094	339,678	329,520
Patronage Capital-End of Period	$ 347,791	$ 336,893	$ 347,791	$ 336,893