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Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Trade Accounts Receivable [Abstract]      
Billed $ 63.7 $ 67.6  
Unbilled 15.6 18.9  
Less: Allowance for Doubtful Accounts 0.9 0.9  
Total Trade Accounts Receivable 78.4 85.6  
Income Taxes Receivable 1.3 [1] 13.9 [1]  
Total Accounts Receivable - Net 79.7 99.5  
Impairement of Long-Lived Assets [Abstract]      
Land Impairment 1.7 [2] 0 [2]  
Remaining Cost Basis 3.0    
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]      
More Likely Than Not Definition 50.00%    
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]      
Fuel 28.6 22.9  
Materials and Supplies 40.5 37.1  
Total Inventories 69.1 60.0  
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]      
Purchase of Non-Controlling Interest at Book Value 8.8    
Purchase of Non-Controlling Interest, Shares Issued 200    
Other Liabilities, Current [Abstract]      
Customer Deposits 16.3 [3] 2.9 [3]  
Other 29.3 30.8  
Total Other Current Liabilities 45.6 33.7  
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]      
Asset Retirement Obligation 57.0 50.3 44.6
Other 48.1 43.1  
Total Other Non-Current Liabilities 105.1 93.4  
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]      
Deferred Fuel Adjustment Clause 17.5 20.6  
Other 9.6 8.0  
Total Prepayments and Other Current Assets 27.1 28.6  
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]      
Cash Paid During the Period for Interest - Net of Amounts Capitalized 43.2 35.7 29.8
Cash Received During the Period for Income Taxes (11.4) [4] (54.2) [4] (5.6) [4]
Noncash Investing and Financing Activities [Abstract]      
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable for Capital Additions to Property, Plant and Equipment 5.9 7.5 (24.1)
AFUDC-Equity 2.5 4.2 5.8
ALLETE Common Stock Contributed to the Pension Plan $ (20.0) $ 0 $ (12.0)
Retail [Member]
      
Customer Information [Line Items]      
Number of Customers 144,000    
Electric [Member]
      
Customer Information [Line Items]      
Number of Customers 15,000    
Natural Gas [Member]
      
Customer Information [Line Items]      
Number of Customers 12,000    
Water [Member]
      
Customer Information [Line Items]      
Number of Customers 10,000    
Non-Affiliated Municipal Customers, Municpalities [Member]
      
Customer Information [Line Items]      
Number of Customers 16    
Non-Affiliated Municipal Customers, Private Utilities [Member]
      
Customer Information [Line Items]      
Number of Customers 1    
[1] (a)Income Taxes Receivable decreased from 2010 due to the collection of a 2010 NOL carryback claim. (See Note 14. Income Tax Expense.)
[2] (b)The land impairment charge was a result of an impairment analysis conducted in the fourth quarter of 2011 where the cost basis was reduced to the estimated fair value.
[3] (a)Higher customer deposits in 2011 were primarily due to a customer security deposit for capital expenditures relating to a transmission project.
[4] (a)Due to bonus depreciation provisions in 2009 and 2010 federal legislation, NOLs were generated which resulted in little to no estimated tax payments, and refunds were received from NOL carrybacks against prior years' taxable income.