v2.4.0.6
Commitments and Contingencies (Schedule of Guarantor Obligations) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2011
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]  
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted $ 17 [1]
Loans Payable [Member]
  
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]  
Guarantee Obligations Balance On First Anniversary 76 [2]
Guarantee Obligations Balance On Second Anniversary 73 [2]
Guarantee Obligations Balance On Third Anniversary 272 [2]
Guarantee Obligations Balance On Fourth Anniversary 36 [2]
Guarantee Obligations Balance On Fifth Anniversary 36 [2]
Guarantee Obligations Due After Five Years 236 [2]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted 729 [2]
Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member]
  
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]  
Guarantee Obligations Balance On First Anniversary 669 [1],[3]
Guarantee Obligations Balance On Second Anniversary 45 [1],[3]
Guarantee Obligations Balance On Third Anniversary 0 [1],[3]
Guarantee Obligations Balance On Fourth Anniversary 0 [1],[3]
Guarantee Obligations Balance On Fifth Anniversary 0 [1],[3]
Guarantee Obligations Due After Five Years 49 [1],[3]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted 763 [1],[3]
Surety Bonds [Member]
  
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]  
Guarantee Obligations Balance On First Anniversary 0 [1],[4],[5]
Guarantee Obligations Balance On Second Anniversary 0 [1],[4],[5]
Guarantee Obligations Balance On Third Anniversary 0 [1],[4],[5]
Guarantee Obligations Balance On Fourth Anniversary 0 [1],[4],[5]
Guarantee Obligations Balance On Fifth Anniversary 0 [1],[4],[5]
Guarantee Obligations Due After Five Years 4 [1],[4],[5]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted 4 [1],[4],[5]
Gurantee Obligations Total [Member]
  
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]  
Guarantee Obligations Balance On First Anniversary 752
Guarantee Obligations Balance On Second Anniversary 125
Guarantee Obligations Balance On Third Anniversary 275
Guarantee Obligations Balance On Fourth Anniversary 36
Guarantee Obligations Balance On Fifth Anniversary 36
Guarantee Obligations Due After Five Years 289
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted $ 1,513
[1] These are contingent off balance sheet obligations.
[2] Represents Calpine Corporation guarantees of certain project debt, power plant capital leases and related interest. All guaranteed capital leases are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[3] The standby letters of credit disclosed above represent those disclosed in Note 6.
[4] The majority of surety bonds do not have expiration or cancellation dates.
[5] As of December 31, 2011, $4 million of cash collateral is outstanding related to these bonds.