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Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012 gal
Trading Activity, Gains and Losses, Net [Line Items]
Lease expenses	$ 31,800,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseNet	$ 19,900,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseNet	$ 18,300,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseNet
Contracted future deliveries	308,300,000us-gaap_PurchaseCommitmentRemainingMinimumAmountCommitted
Non-monetary settlement requirement			20,000,000gpre_NonMonetarySettlementRequirement
After-tax charge for settlement			2,400,000us-gaap_PaymentsForLegalSettlements
Gain on disposal of assets	(4,658,000)gpre_GainOnInsuranceRecovery
Damages From Preferential Transfers [Member]
Trading Activity, Gains and Losses, Net [Line Items]
Damages from transfers			24,400,000us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = gpre_DamagesFromPreferentialTransfersMember
Damages From Fraudulent Transfers [Member]
Trading Activity, Gains and Losses, Net [Line Items]
Damages from transfers			28,400,000us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = gpre_DamagesFromFraudulentTransfersMember
Property Damage Portion Of Insurance Claim [Member]
Trading Activity, Gains and Losses, Net [Line Items]
Insurance Recoveries	7,800,000us-gaap_InsuranceRecoveries / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = gpre_PropertyDamagePortionOfInsuranceClaimMember
Business Interruption Portion Of Insurance Claim [Member]
Trading Activity, Gains and Losses, Net [Line Items]
Insurance Recoveries	10,500,000us-gaap_InsuranceRecoveries / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = gpre_BusinessInterruptionPortionOfInsuranceClaimMember
Green Plains Otter Tail [Member] | Property Damage Portion Of Insurance Claim [Member]
Trading Activity, Gains and Losses, Net [Line Items]
Gain on disposal of assets	$ 4,200,000gpre_GainOnInsuranceRecovery / dei_LegalEntityAxis = gpre_GreenPlainsOtterTailMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = gpre_PropertyDamagePortionOfInsuranceClaimMember

X

- Definition

Gain on property and equipment insurance recovery.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Non Monetary Settlement Requirement

+ References

No definition available.

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X

- Definition

The amount recovered from insurance. These recoveries reduce costs and losses that are reported as a separate line item under operating expenses.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

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- Definition

The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349



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-Subparagraph (a)

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Rental expense for the reporting period incurred under operating leases, including minimum and any contingent rent expense, net of related sublease income.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41499-112717

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- Definition

The amount of cash paid for the settlement of litigation or for other legal issues during the period.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 25

-Subparagraph (g)

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- Definition

Minimum amount to be expended to satisfy the terms of arrangements in which the entity has agreed to expend funds to procure goods or services, excluding long-term purchase commitments or unconditional purchase obligations.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.25)

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 25

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