1.0.0.3 false Background and Basis of Presentation false 1 $ false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 2 Background and Basis of Presentation 0 rri_BackgroundAndBasisOfPresentation rri false na duration string Background and Basis of Presentation false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false Background and Basis of Presentation false 3 Background and Basis of Presentation 1 us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureTextBlock us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 <div><div><p class="Heading2A" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .3in; text-indent: -.3in; font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman Bold'; layout-grid-mode: line; font-weight: bold;"><a name="_AUCdd26af82cc364c5b8cce1adc041a8e6d">(1)     Background and Basis of Presentation</a> Background.  “RRI Energy” refers to RRI Energy, Inc. and “we,” “us” and “our” refer to RRI Energy, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.  We provide energy, capacity, ancillary and other energy services to wholesale customers in competitive energy markets in the United States through our ownership and operation of and contracting for power generation capacity.  Our business consists of four reportable segments.  See note 20.   RRI Energy, a Delaware corporation, was formed in August 2000 by CenterPoint Energy, Inc.  (CenterPoint) (known as Reliant Energy, Incorporated at the time) in connection with the planned separation of its regulated and unregulated operations.  CenterPoint transferred substantially all of its unregulated businesses to us.  In May 2001, Reliant Energy became a publicly traded company and in September 2002, CenterPoint distributed its remaining ownership of our common stock to its shareholders. We sold our retail business in three transactions occurring in December 2008, May 2009 and December 2009.  We began reporting this business as discontinued operations in the first quarter of 2009.  In connection with the Texas retail sale, we changed our name to RRI Energy, Inc. from Reliant Energy, Inc. effective May 2, 2009.  See note 23. Basis of Presentation.  All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Channelview.  In August 2007, four of our whollyowned subsidiaries, Reliant Energy Channelview LP (Channelview LP), Reliant Energy Channelview (Texas) LLC, Reliant Energy Channelview (Delaware) LLC and Reliant Energy Services Channelview LLC (collectively, Channelview), filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.  As Channelview was subject to the supervision of the bankruptcy court, we deconsolidated Channelview’s financial results beginning August 20, 2007, and began reporting our investment in Channelview using the cost method.  The Channelview plant was sold in July 2008.  Channelview emerged from bankruptcy in October 2009 at which time we reconsolidated the entities.  See note 22. </div></div> (1)     Background and Basis of Presentation Background.  “RRI Energy” refers to RRI Energy, Inc. and “we,” false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false false 1 2 false UnKnown UnKnown UnKnown false true