Repurchase price of debt obligations expressed as a percentage of principal amount

No definition available.

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- Definition

First Mortgage Bonds Retired

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

First Mortgage Bonds Used as Collateral

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

General mortgage bonds used as collateral

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	cehe_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage on limitation of debt to total capitalization under covenant.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	cehe_
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- Definition

Description of the interest rate as being fixed or variable, and, if variable, identification of the index or rate on which the interest rate is based and the number of points or percentage added to that index or rate to set the rate, and other pertinent information, such as frequency of rate resets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 129

-Paragraph 2, 4

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gross amount of debt extinguished.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount borrowed under the credit facility as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Description of the interest rate for the amounts borrowed under the credit facility, including the terms and the method for determining the interest rate (for example, fixed or variable, LIBOR plus a percentage, increasing rate, timing of interest rate resets, remarketing provisions).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 129

-Paragraph 2, 4

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

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Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified			6 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Line of Credit [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Line of Credit [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 Intercompany note payable	Aug. 31, 2013 CenterPoint Energy [Member] Bonds Pollution Control Due2015 Member	Aug. 31, 2013 CenterPoint Houston [Member] Intercompany note payable	Aug. 31, 2013 CenterPoint Houston [Member] Bonds First Mortgage Due2015 Member [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			$ 300	$ 300
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description			London Interbank Offered Rate plus 125
Loans Outstanding			0	0
Letters Of Credit Outstanding			4	4
Percentage on limitation of debt to total capitalization under covenant (in hundredths)			65.00%
First Mortgage Bonds Used as Collateral	151	151
General mortgage bonds used as collateral	408	408
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount					92	92	92
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Terms					0.04		0.04
Extinguishment Of Debt Purchase Price Percentage Of Principal							101.00%
First Mortgage Bonds Retired								$ 92