v2.4.1.9
Use of Collateral (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Use of Collateral [Abstract]    
Margin Deposit Assets $ 96us-gaap_MarginDepositAssets [1] $ 261us-gaap_MarginDepositAssets [1]
Natural gas and power prepayments 22cpn_NaturalGasAndPowerPrepayments 28cpn_NaturalGasAndPowerPrepayments
Total margin deposits and natural gas and power prepayments with our counterparties 118cpn_DerivativeCollateralRightToReclaimCashAndNaturalGasAndPowerPrepaymentsTotal [2] 289cpn_DerivativeCollateralRightToReclaimCashAndNaturalGasAndPowerPrepaymentsTotal [2]
Letters of credit issued 450cpn_LettersOfCreditIssued 488cpn_LettersOfCreditIssued
First priority liens under power and natural gas agreements 48cpn_FirstPriorityLiensUnderPowerAndNaturalGasAgreements 31cpn_FirstPriorityLiensUnderPowerAndNaturalGasAgreements
First priority liens under interest rate swap agreements 116cpn_FirstPriorityLiensUnderInterestRateSwapAgreements 132cpn_FirstPriorityLiensUnderInterestRateSwapAgreements
Total letters of credit and first priority liens with our counterparties 614cpn_LettersOfCreditIssuedAndFirstPriorityLiensUnderPowerNaturalGasAndInterestRateSwapAgreements 651cpn_LettersOfCreditIssuedAndFirstPriorityLiensUnderPowerNaturalGasAndInterestRateSwapAgreements
Security Deposit Liability 47us-gaap_SecurityDepositLiability [1],[3] 5us-gaap_SecurityDepositLiability [1],[3]
Letters of credit posted with us by our counterparties 61cpn_LettersOfCreditPostedByCounterparties 2cpn_LettersOfCreditPostedByCounterparties
Total margin deposits and letters of credit posted with us by our counterparties 108cpn_DerivativeCollateralObligationToReturnCashAndLettersOfCreditPostedByCounterparties 7cpn_DerivativeCollateralObligationToReturnCashAndLettersOfCreditPostedByCounterparties
Use of Collateral (Textuals) [Abstract]    
Margin And Prepayment Amounts Included In Other Assets 9cpn_MarginAndPrepaymentAmountsIncludedInOtherAssets 17cpn_MarginAndPrepaymentAmountsIncludedInOtherAssets
Margin And Prepayment Amounts Included In Margin Deposits And Other Prepaid Expenses $ 109cpn_MarginAndPrepaymentAmountsIncludedInMarginDepositsAndOtherPrepaidExpenses $ 272cpn_MarginAndPrepaymentAmountsIncludedInMarginDepositsAndOtherPrepaidExpenses
[1] Balances are subject to master netting arrangements and presented on a gross basis on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We do not offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement for financial statement presentation, and we do not offset amounts recognized for the right to reclaim, or the obligation to return, cash collateral with corresponding derivative instrument fair values. See Note 8 for further discussion of our derivative instruments subject to master netting arrangements.
[2] At December 31, 2014 and 2013, $109 million and $272 million, respectively, were included in margin deposits and other prepaid expense and $9 million and $17 million, respectively, were included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[3] Included in other current liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.