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Regulatory Accounting (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Other Disclosures [Abstract]  
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]
As of December 31, 2017, Houston Electric recorded the following:
 
 
(in millions)
Property, plant and equipment
 
$
42

Insurance proceeds received
 
(11
)
    Net property, plant and equipment
 
31

 
 
 
Operation and maintenance expense
 
75

Insurance proceeds received
 
(3
)
Insurance receivable
 
(14
)
    Net regulatory asset
 
$
58

The following is a list of regulatory assets and liabilities reflected on Houston Electric’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(in millions)
Securitized regulatory assets
$
1,590

 
$
1,919

Unrecognized equity return (1)
(287
)
 
(329
)
Unamortized loss on reacquired debt
75

 
84

Pension and postretirement-related regulatory asset
31

 
34

Hurricane Harvey restoration costs (2)
58

 

Excess deferred income taxes (3)
33

 

Other long-term regulatory assets (4)
70

 
85

Total regulatory assets
1,570

 
1,793

 
 
 
 
Current regulatory liabilities (5)
22

 
7

Non-current regulatory liabilities:
 
 
 
Excess deferred income taxes (3)
862

 

Estimated removal costs
285

 
345

Other long-term regulatory liabilities
116

 
185

Total non-current regulatory liabilities
1,263

 
530

Total regulatory liabilities
1,285

 
537

 
 
 
 
Total regulatory assets and liabilities, net
$
285

 
$
1,256

 
(1)
The unrecognized allowed equity return will be recognized as it is recovered in rates through 2024. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, Houston Electric recognized approximately $42 million, $64 million and $49 million, respectively, of the allowed equity return. The timing of Houston Electric’s recognition of the allowed equity return will vary each period based on amounts actually collected during the period. The actual amounts recognized are adjusted at least annually to correct any over-collections or under-collections during the preceding 12 months.

(2)
Houston Electric is not earning a return on its Hurricane Harvey restoration costs.

(3)
EDIT will be recovered or refunded to customers as required by tax and regulatory activities. See Note 9 for additional information.

(4)
Other long-term regulatory assets that are not earning a return were not material as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(5)
Current regulatory liabilities are included in Other current liabilities in Houston Electric’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.