Exhibit 12

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

(Millions of Dollars)

	2014 (1)			2013 (1)			2012 (1)			2011 (1)			2010 (1)
Income before extraordinary item	$	611		$	311		$	417		$	770		$	442
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions	(2		)	(58		)	8			8			13
Income taxes	274			470			341			404			263
Capitalized interest	(11		)	(11		)	(9		)	(4		)	(9		)
	872			712			757			1,178			709
Fixed charges, as defined:
Interest	471			484			569			583			621
Capitalized interest	11			11			9			4			9
Interest component of rentals charged to operating expense	4			7			9			14			26
Total fixed charges	486			502			587			601			656
Earnings, as defined	$	1,358		$	1,214		$	1,344		$	1,779		$	1,365
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges	2.79			2.42			2.29			2.96			2.08

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(1) Excluded from the computation of fixed charges for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010 is interest expense of $3 million, interest income of $6 million, interest income of $11 million, interest income of $12 million and interest expense of $9 million respectively, which is included in income tax expense.