v3.19.1

Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit Plans | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2018
Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit Plans [Abstract] |
Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit Plans | Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit Plans We maintain two defined contribution savings plans that are intended to be tax exempt under Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the IRC. Our non-union plan generally covers employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and our union plan covers employees who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. In 2018, we added an enhanced feature to our defined contribution plan for non-union employees consisting of a non-elective contribution for certain eligible employees who are active employees as of December 31st. We recorded expenses for these plans of approximately $20 million, $14 million and $11 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Employer matching contributions are 100% of the first 5% of compensation a participant defers for the non-union plan. The employee deferral limit is 75% of eligible compensation under both plans. We also maintain a defined benefit pension plan whereby retirement benefits are primarily a function of age attained, years of participation, years of service, vesting and level of compensation. Only approximately 3% of our employees are eligible to participate in a defined benefit pension plan. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were approximately $19 million and $21 million in plan assets and approximately $27 million and $29 million in pension liabilities, respectively. Our net pension liability recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, was approximately $8 million and $8 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we recognized net periodic benefit costs of approximately $1 million, $1 million and $2 million, respectively. Our net periodic benefit cost is included in operating and maintenance expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the total amount recognized in AOCI for actuarial losses related to pension obligation was approximately $4 million and $5 million, respectively. In making our estimates of our pension obligation and related costs, we utilize discount rates, rates of compensation increases and rates of return on our assets that we believe are reasonable. Due to the relatively small size of our pension liability (which is not considered material), significant changes in these assumptions would not have a material effect on our pension liability. During 2018 and 2017, we made contributions of approximately $1 million and $2 million, respectively, and estimated contributions to the pension plan are expected to be approximately $4 million in 2018. Estimated future benefit payments to participants in each of the next five years are expected to be approximately $1 million in each year.

X
- Definition Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit Plans [Abstract] + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cpn_DefinedContributionAndDefinedBenefitPlansAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | cpn_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The entire disclosure for pension and other postretirement benefits. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2235017 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitsDisclosureTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration