XML 80 R65.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.8

Fair Value - Recurring Fair Value Measures (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Investments [Abstract]
Cash Equivalents	$ 34.2	$ 20.7
Liabilities [Abstract]
Fair Value Activity in Level 3	0	0
Fair Value Hierarchy Transfers, All Levels	0	0
Recurring Fair Value Measures [Member]
Investments [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities - Equity Securities	7.9	18.0
Available-for-sale Securities - Corporate Debt Securities	9.8	8.8
Cash Equivalents	34.2	20.7
Total Fair Value of Assets	51.9	47.5
Liabilities [Abstract]
Deferred Compensation	16.8	14.0
Derivatives - Interest Rate Swap	0.6	0.7
Total Fair Value of Liabilities	17.4	14.7
Total Net Fair Value of Assets (Liabilities)	34.5	32.8
Recurring Fair Value Measures [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Investments [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities - Equity Securities	7.9	18.0
Available-for-sale Securities - Corporate Debt Securities	0	0
Cash Equivalents	34.2	20.7
Total Fair Value of Assets	42.1	38.7
Liabilities [Abstract]
Deferred Compensation	0	0
Derivatives - Interest Rate Swap	0	0
Total Fair Value of Liabilities	0	0
Total Net Fair Value of Assets (Liabilities)	42.1	38.7
Recurring Fair Value Measures [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Investments [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities - Equity Securities	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities - Corporate Debt Securities	9.8	8.8
Cash Equivalents	0	0
Total Fair Value of Assets	9.8	8.8
Liabilities [Abstract]
Deferred Compensation	16.8	14.0
Derivatives - Interest Rate Swap	0.6	0.7
Total Fair Value of Liabilities	17.4	14.7
Total Net Fair Value of Assets (Liabilities)	(7.6)	(5.9)
Recurring Fair Value Measures [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Investments [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities - Equity Securities	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities - Corporate Debt Securities	0	0
Cash Equivalents	0	0
Total Fair Value of Assets	0	0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Deferred Compensation	0	0
Derivatives - Interest Rate Swap	0	0
Total Fair Value of Liabilities	0	0
Total Net Fair Value of Assets (Liabilities)	$ 0	$ 0

X

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion, Deferred Compensation, valued at fair value by the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ale_DeferredCompensationFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	ale_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair Value Activity in Level 3

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ale_FairValueActivityInLevel3
Namespace Prefix:	ale_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount of transfers in and out of levels 1, 2 and 3 of the fair value hierarchy during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ale_FairValueHierarchyTransfersAllLevels
Namespace Prefix:	ale_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet Investments line item's cash and cash equivalents, valued at fair value by the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ale_InvestmentsCashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	ale_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

This element represents the aggregate of the assets and liabilities reported on the balance sheet at period end measured at fair value by the entity. This element is intended to be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ale_NetAssetsAndLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	ale_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair value portion of probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25499696&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount of debt securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28360136&loc=d3e22054-111558



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6871852&loc=d3e26610-111562



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (aa)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27161-111563



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 320

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)-(g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957658&loc=d3e62557-112803

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount of equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor as trading.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28360136&loc=d3e22054-111558



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6871852&loc=d3e26610-111562



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 320

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957658&loc=d3e62557-112803

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of all interest rate derivative liabilities designated as cash flow 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 4B

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624163-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

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

X

- Definition

Fair value of financial and nonfinancial obligations.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25499696&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

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