Long-term Debt

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt Disclosure [Text Block]

Long-term Debt

Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2013, CenterPoint Houston had the following revolving credit facility and utilization of such facility (in millions):

		December 31, 2012				March 31, 2013
Size of Facility		Loans		Letters of Credit		Loans		Letters of Credit
$	300	$	—	$	4	$	—	$	4

CenterPoint Houston’s$300 million credit facility, which is scheduled to terminate September 9, 2016, can be drawn at the London Interbank Offered Rate plus 125 basis points based on CenterPoint Houston’s current credit ratings. The facility contains a debt (excluding transition and system restoration bonds) to total capitalization covenant, limiting debt to 65% of its capitalization.

Other. At both December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2013, CenterPoint Houston had issued $151 million of first mortgage bonds as collateral for long-term debt of CenterPoint Energy. As of both December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2013, CenterPoint Houston had issued $408 million of general mortgage bonds as collateral for long-term debt of CenterPoint Energy. These bonds are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements because of the contingent nature of the obligations.