10-Q

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

__________________

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
þ	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

OR

o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM __________________ TO __________________

	Registrant, State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization
Commission file number	Address of Principal Executive Offices, Zip Code and Telephone Number	I.R.S. Employer Identification No.
1-31447	CenterPoint Energy, Inc.	74-0694415
	(a Texas corporation)
	1111 Louisiana
	Houston, Texas 77002
	(713-207-1111)
1-3187	CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC	22-3865106
	(a Texas limited liability company)
	1111 Louisiana
	Houston, Texas 77002
	(713-207-1111)
1-13265	CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.	76-0511406
	(a Delaware corporation)
	1111 Louisiana
	Houston, Texas 77002
	(713-207-1111)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.            Yes þ  No o

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC    Yes þ  No o

CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.        Yes þ  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.            Yes þ  No o

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC    Yes þ  No o

CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.        Yes þ  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.	Large accelerated filer þ	Accelerated filer o	Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o	Emerging growth company o
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC	Large accelerated filer o	Accelerated filer o	Non-accelerated filer þ	Smaller reporting company o	Emerging growth company o
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.	Large accelerated filer o	Accelerated filer o	Non-accelerated filer þ	Smaller reporting company o	Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.            Yes o  No þ

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC    Yes o  No þ

CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.        Yes o  No þ

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers’ classes of common stock as of October 22, 2018:

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.	501,191,387 shares of common stock outstanding, excluding 166 shares held as treasury stock
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC	1,000 common shares outstanding, all held by Utility Holding, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.	1,000 shares of common stock outstanding, all held by Utility Holding, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

This combined Form 10-Q is filed separately by three registrants: CenterPoint Energy, Inc., CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC and CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. Information contained herein relating to any individual registrant is filed by such registrant solely on its own behalf. Each registrant makes no representation as to information relating exclusively to the other registrants.

Except as discussed in the last paragraph in Note 12 to the Registrants’ Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, no registrant has an obligation in respect of any other Registrant’s debt securities, and holders of such debt securities should not consider the financial resources or results of operations of any Registrant other than the obligor in making a decision with respect to such securities.

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC and CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. meet the conditions set forth in General Instructions H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and are therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format specified in General Instruction H(2) of Form 10-Q.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements	1
	CenterPoint Energy, Inc. Financial Statements (unaudited)	1
	CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC Financial Statements (unaudited)	6
	CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. Financial Statements (unaudited)	11
	Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	16
	(1) Background and Basis of Presentation	16
	(2) New Accounting Pronouncements	17
	(3) Pending Merger with Vectren	20
	(4) Revenue Recognition	20
	(5) Employee Benefit Plans	23
	(6) Regulatory Accounting	25
	(7) Derivative Instruments	26
	(8) Fair Value Measurements	30
	(9) Unconsolidated Affiliate	32
	(10) Goodwill and Other Intangibles	35
	(11) Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) and Securities Related to ZENS	36
	(12) Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt	37
	(13) Income Taxes	39
	(14) Commitments and Contingencies	40
	(15) Earnings Per Share	42
	(16) Reportable Business Segments	42
	(17) Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information	45
	(18) Related Party Transactions	45
	(19) Equity	46
	(20) Subsequent Events	49
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	50
	Recent Events	50
	Consolidated Results of Operations	51
	Results of Operations by Business Segment	55
	Certain Factors Affecting Future Earnings	62
	Liquidity and Capital Resources	62
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	72
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	73
PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	74
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	74
Item 6.	Exhibits	74
	Signatures	77

i

GLOSSARY
AEM	Atmos Energy Marketing, LLC, previously a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atmos Energy Corporation
AMA	Asset Management Agreement
AMS	Advanced Metering System
APSC	Arkansas Public Service Commission
ARAM	Average rate assumption method
ARP	Alternative revenue program
ASC	Accounting Standards Codification
ASU	Accounting Standards Update
AT&T	AT&T Inc.
AT&T Common	AT&T common stock
Bcf	Billion cubic feet
Bond Companies	Bond Company II, Bond Company III, Bond Company IV and Restoration Bond Company, each a wholly-owned, bankruptcy remote entity formed solely for the purpose of purchasing and owning transition or system restoration property through the issuance of Securitization Bonds
Bond Company II	CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company II, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Houston Electric
Bond Company III	CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company III, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Houston Electric
Bond Company IV	CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company IV, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Houston Electric
Brazos Valley Connection	A portion of the Houston region transmission project between Houston Electric’s Zenith substation and the Gibbons Creek substation owned by the Texas Municipal Power Agency
Bridge Facility	A $5 billion 364-day senior unsecured bridge term loan facility
CECL	Current expected credit losses
CenterPoint Energy	CenterPoint Energy, Inc., and its subsidiaries
CERC Corp.	CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.
CERC	CERC Corp., together with its subsidiaries
CES	CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CERC Corp.
Charter Common	Charter Communications, Inc. common stock
CIP	Conservation Improvement Program
CNP Midstream	CenterPoint Energy Midstream, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy
COLI	Corporate-owned life insurance
Common Stock	CenterPoint Energy, Inc. common stock, par value $0.01 per share
Continuum	The retail energy services business of Continuum Retail Energy Services, LLC, including its wholly-owned subsidiary Lakeshore Energy Services, LLC and the natural gas wholesale assets of Continuum Energy Services, LLC
DCRF	Distribution Cost Recovery Factor
EDIT	Excess deferred income taxes
EECR	Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery
EECRF	Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor
Enable	Enable Midstream Partners, LP
Enable GP	Enable GP, LLC, Enable’s general partner
Enable Series A Preferred Units	Enable’s 10% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Non-Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units, representing limited partner interests in Enable

ii

GLOSSARY
EPA	Environmental Protection Agency
ERCOT	Electric Reliability Council of Texas
FCC	Federal Communications Commission
FERC	Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Fitch	Fitch, Inc.
Form 10-Q	Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
FRP	Formula Rate Plan
FTC	Federal Trade Commission
Gas Daily	Platts gas daily indices
GenOn	GenOn Energy, Inc.
GMES	Government Mandated Expenditure Surcharge
GRIP	Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program
GWh	Gigawatt-hours
Houston Electric	CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC and its subsidiaries
HSR	Hart-Scott-Rodino
Interim Condensed Financial Statements	Unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and combined notes
IRS	Internal Revenue Service
kV	Kilovolt
LIBOR	London Interbank Offered Rate
LPSC	Louisiana Public Service Commission
Meredith	Meredith Corporation
Merger	The merger of Merger Sub with and into Vectren on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, with Vectren continuing as the surviving corporation and as a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
Merger Agreement	Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 21, 2018, among CenterPoint Energy, Vectren and Merger Sub
Merger Sub	Pacer Merger Sub, Inc., an Indiana corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy
MGP	Manufactured gas plant
MLP	Master Limited Partnership
MMBtu	One million British thermal units
Moody’s	Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
MPSC	Mississippi Public Service Commission
MPUC	Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
NGD	Natural gas distribution business
NGLs	Natural gas liquids
NOPR	Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
NRG	NRG Energy, Inc.
NYMEX	New York Mercantile Exchange
NYSE	New York Stock Exchange
OCC	Oklahoma Corporation Commission
OGE	OGE Energy Corp.
PBRC	Performance Based Rate Change
PRPs	Potentially responsible parties
PUCT	Public Utility Commission of Texas
Railroad Commission	Railroad Commission of Texas
Registrants	CenterPoint Energy, Houston Electric and CERC, collectively
Reliant Energy	Reliant Energy, Incorporated

iii

GLOSSARY
REP	Retail electric provider
Restoration Bond Company	CenterPoint Energy Restoration Bond Company, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Houston Electric
Revised Policy Statement	Revised Policy Statement on Treatment of Income Taxes
ROE	Return on equity
RRA	Rate Regulation Adjustment
RRI	Reliant Resources, Inc.
RSP	Rate Stabilization Plan
SEC	Securities and Exchange Commission
Securitization Bonds	Transition and system restoration bonds
Series A Preferred Stock	CenterPoint Energy’s 6.125% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share
Series B Preferred Stock	CenterPoint Energy’s 7.00% Series B Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share
S&P	Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies
TBD	To be determined
TCEH Corp.	Formerly Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC, predecessor to Vistra Energy Corp. whose major subsidiaries include Luminant and TXU Energy
TCJA	Tax reform legislation informally called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
TCOS	Transmission Cost of Service
TDU	Transmission and distribution utility
Time	Time Inc.
Time Common	Time common stock
Transition Agreements	Services Agreement, Employee Transition Agreement, Transitional Seconding Agreement and other agreements entered into in connection with the formation of Enable
TW	Time Warner Inc.
TW Common	TW common stock
Utility Holding	Utility Holding, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy
Vectren	Vectren Corporation, an Indiana corporation
VIE	Variable interest entity
Vistra Energy Corp.	Texas-based energy company focused on the competitive energy and power generation markets
WACC	Weighted average cost of capital
ZENS	2.0% Zero-Premium Exchangeable Subordinated Notes due 2029
ZENS-Related Securities	As of September 30, 2018, consisted of AT&T Common and Charter Common and as of December 31, 2017, consisted of Charter Common, Time Common and TW Common
2017 Form 10-K	Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017

iv

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

From time to time the Registrants make statements concerning their expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “projection,” “should,” “target,” “will” or other similar words.

The Registrants have based their forward-looking statements on management’s beliefs and assumptions based on information reasonably available to management at the time the statements are made. The Registrants caution you that assumptions, beliefs, expectations, intentions and projections about future events may and often do vary materially from actual results. Therefore, the Registrants cannot assure you that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed or implied by the Registrants’ forward-looking statements. In this Form 10-Q, unless context requires otherwise, the terms “our,” “we” and “us” are used as abbreviated references to CenterPoint Energy, Inc. together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including Houston Electric and CERC.

The following are some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by the Registrants’ forward-looking statements and apply to all Registrants unless otherwise indicated:

• the performance of Enable, the amount of cash distributions CenterPoint Energy receives from Enable, Enable’s ability to redeem the Enable Series A Preferred Units in certain circumstances and the value of CenterPoint Energy’s interest in Enable, and factors that may have a material impact on such performance, cash distributions and value, including factors such as:

◦ competitive conditions in the midstream industry, and actions taken by Enable’s customers and competitors, including the extent and timing of the entry of additional competition in the markets served by Enable;

◦ the timing and extent of changes in the supply of natural gas and associated commodity prices, particularly prices of natural gas and NGLs, the competitive effects of the available pipeline capacity in the regions served by Enable, and the effects of geographic and seasonal commodity price differentials, including the effects of these circumstances on re-contracting available capacity on Enable’s interstate pipelines;

◦ the demand for crude oil, natural gas, NGLs and transportation and storage services;

◦ environmental and other governmental regulations, including the availability of drilling permits and the regulation of hydraulic fracturing;

◦ recording of non-cash goodwill, long-lived asset or other than temporary impairment charges by or related to Enable;

◦ changes in tax status;

◦ access to debt and equity capital; and

◦ the availability and prices of raw materials and services for current and future construction projects;

• industrial, commercial and residential growth in our service territories and changes in market demand, including the demand for our non-rate regulated products and services and effects of energy efficiency measures and demographic patterns;

• timely and appropriate rate actions that allow recovery of costs and a reasonable return on investment;

• future economic conditions in regional and national markets and their effect on sales, prices and costs;

• weather variations and other natural phenomena, including the impact of severe weather events on operations and capital;

• state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments affecting various aspects of our businesses (including the businesses of Enable), including, among others, energy deregulation or re-regulation, pipeline integrity and safety and changes in regulation and legislation pertaining to trade, health care, finance and actions regarding the rates charged by our regulated businesses;

• CenterPoint Energy’s expected timing, likelihood and benefits of completion of the Merger, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required approvals by regulatory agencies or the outcome of shareholder litigation filed against Vectren that could reduce anticipated benefits or cause the parties to delay or abandon the Merger, as well as the ability to successfully integrate the businesses and realize anticipated benefits and the risk that the credit ratings of the combined company or its subsidiaries may be different from what CenterPoint Energy expects;

v

• tax legislation, including the effects of the TCJA (which includes any potential changes to interest deductibility) and uncertainties involving state commissions’ and local municipalities’ regulatory requirements and determinations regarding the treatment of EDIT and our rates;

• CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s ability to mitigate weather impacts through normalization or rate mechanisms, and the effectiveness of such mechanisms;

• the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices, particularly natural gas, and the effects of geographic and seasonal commodity price differentials on CERC and Enable;

• actions by credit rating agencies, including any potential downgrades to credit ratings;

• changes in interest rates and their impact on costs of borrowing and the valuation of CenterPoint Energy’s pension benefit obligation;

• problems with regulatory approval, construction, implementation of necessary technology or other issues with respect to major capital projects that result in delays or in cost overruns that cannot be recouped in rates;

• local, state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments relating to the environment, including those related to global climate change;

• the impact of unplanned facility outages;

• any direct or indirect effects on our or Enable’s facilities, operations and financial condition resulting from terrorism, cyber-attacks, data security breaches or other attempts to disrupt our businesses or the businesses of third parties, or other catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, leaks, floods, droughts, hurricanes, pandemic health events or other occurrences;

• our ability to invest planned capital and the timely recovery of our investments;

• our ability to control operation and maintenance costs;

• the sufficiency of our insurance coverage, including availability, cost, coverage and terms and ability to recover claims;

• the investment performance of CenterPoint Energy’s pension and postretirement benefit plans;

• commercial bank and financial market conditions, our access to capital, the cost of such capital, and the results of our financing and refinancing efforts, including availability of funds in the debt capital markets;

• changes in rates of inflation;

• inability of various counterparties to meet their obligations to us;

• non-payment for our services due to financial distress of our customers;

• the extent and effectiveness of our and Enable’s risk management and hedging activities, including, but not limited to financial and weather hedges and commodity risk management activities;

• timely and appropriate regulatory actions, which include actions allowing securitization, for any future hurricanes or natural disasters or other recovery of costs, including costs associated with Hurricane Harvey;

• CenterPoint Energy’s or Enable’s potential business strategies and strategic initiatives, including restructurings, joint ventures and acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses (including a reduction of CenterPoint Energy’s interest in Enable, if any, whether through its decision to sell all or a portion of the Enable common units it owns in the public equity markets or otherwise, subject to certain limitations), which CenterPoint Energy and Enable cannot assure will be completed or will have the anticipated benefits to CenterPoint Energy or Enable;

• acquisition and merger activities involving us or our competitors, including the ability to successfully complete merger, acquisition and divestiture plans;

• our or Enable’s ability to recruit, effectively transition and retain management and key employees and maintain good labor relations;

• the outcome of litigation;

• the ability of REPs, including REP affiliates of NRG and Vistra Energy Corp., formerly known as TCEH Corp., to satisfy their obligations to CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric;

• the ability of GenOn (formerly known as RRI Energy, Inc., Reliant Energy and RRI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG, and its subsidiaries, currently the subject of bankruptcy proceedings, to satisfy their obligations to us, including indemnity obligations, which may be contested by GenOn;

vi

• changes in technology, particularly with respect to efficient battery storage or the emergence or growth of new, developing or alternative sources of generation;

• the timing and outcome of any audits, disputes and other proceedings related to taxes;

• the effective tax rates;

• the effect of changes in and application of accounting standards and pronouncements; and

• other factors discussed in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of each of the Registrants’ 2017 Form 10-K and in Item 1A of Part II of CenterPoint Energy’s First Quarter 2018 Form 10-Q, which are incorporated herein by reference, and other reports the Registrants file from time to time with the SEC.

You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and the Registrants undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Investors should note that the Registrants announce material financial information in SEC filings, press releases and public conference calls. Based on guidance from the SEC, the Registrants may use the Investors section of CenterPoint Energy’s website (www.centerpointenergy.com) to communicate with investors about the Registrants. It is possible that the financial and other information posted there could be deemed to be material information. The information on CenterPoint Energy’s website is not part of this combined Form 10-Q.

vii

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME

(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Revenues:
Utility revenues	$	1,299		$	1,233		$	4,534		$	4,001
Non-utility revenues	913			865			3,019			2,975
Total	2,212			2,098			7,553			6,976
Expenses:
Utility natural gas	134			106			959			706
Non-utility natural gas	864			832			2,927			2,843
Operation and maintenance	567			501			1,714			1,562
Depreciation and amortization	326			269			982			749
Taxes other than income taxes	95			93			307			288
Total	1,986			1,801			6,889			6,148
Operating Income	226			297			664			828
Other Income (Expense):
Gain on marketable securities	43			37			66			104
Loss on indexed debt securities	(44		)	(36		)	(316		)	(59		)
Interest and other finance charges	(90		)	(80		)	(259		)	(235		)
Interest on Securitization Bonds	(16		)	(18		)	(46		)	(58		)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate, net	81			68			208			199
Other, net	9			(1		)	16			(2		)
Total	(17		)	(30		)	(331		)	(51		)
Income Before Income Taxes	209			267			333			777
Income tax expense	51			98			85			281
Net Income	158			169			248			496
Series A Preferred Stock dividend requirement	5			—			5			—
Income Available to Common Shareholders	$	153		$	169		$	243		$	496
Basic Earnings Per Common Share	$	0.35		$	0.39		$	0.56		$	1.15
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	$	0.35		$	0.39		$	0.56		$	1.14
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Basic	432			431			431			431
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Diluted	435			434			435			434

See Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

1

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In Millions)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	September 30,					September 30,
	2018		2017			2018		2017
Net income	$	158	$	169		$	248	$	496
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Adjustment to pension and other postretirement plans (net of tax of $1, $2, $2 and $4)	1		—			4		2
Net deferred gain (loss) from cash flow hedges (net of tax of $1, $2, $2 and $2)	3		(2		)	6		(3		)
Total	4		(2		)	10		(1		)
Comprehensive income	$	162	$	167		$	258	$	495

See Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

2

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Millions)

(Unaudited)

ASSETS

	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents ($278 and $230 related to VIEs, respectively)	$	293	$	260
Investment in marketable securities	627		960
Accounts receivable ($92 and $73 related to VIEs, respectively), less bad debt reserve of $15 and $19, respectively	918		1,000
Accrued unbilled revenues	212		427
Natural gas inventory	207		222
Materials and supplies	198		175
Non-trading derivative assets	76		110
Taxes receivable	38		—
Prepaid expenses and other current assets ($37 and $35 related to VIEs, respectively)	157		241
Total current assets	2,726		3,395
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, plant and equipment	19,861		19,031
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	6,208		5,974
Property, plant and equipment, net	13,653		13,057
Other Assets:
Goodwill	867		867
Regulatory assets ($1,146 and $1,590 related to VIEs, respectively)	1,934		2,347
Non-trading derivative assets	38		44
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate	2,457		2,472
Preferred units – unconsolidated affiliate	363		363
Other	190		191
Total other assets	5,849		6,284
Total Assets	$	22,228	$	22,736

See Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

3

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS – (continued)

(In Millions, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

	September 30, 2018			December 31, 2017
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	$	—		$	39
Current portion of VIE Securitization Bonds long-term debt	456			434
Indexed debt, net	25			122
Current portion of other long-term debt	50			50
Indexed debt securities derivative	685			668
Accounts payable	708			963
Taxes accrued	152			181
Interest accrued	80			104
Dividends accrued	—			120
Non-trading derivative liabilities	33			20
Other	392			368
Total current liabilities	2,581			3,069
Other Liabilities:
Deferred income taxes, net	3,220			3,174
Non-trading derivative liabilities	6			4
Benefit obligations	722			785
Regulatory liabilities	2,506			2,464
Other	433			357
Total other liabilities	6,887			6,784
Long-term Debt:
VIE Securitization Bonds, net	1,045			1,434
Other long-term debt, net	6,207			6,761
Total long-term debt, net	7,252			8,195
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Shareholders’ Equity:
Cumulative preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized
Series A Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, $800,000 aggregate liquidation preference, 800,000 shares outstanding	790			—
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 431,555,853 shares and 431,044,845 shares outstanding, respectively	4			4
Additional paid-in capital	4,221			4,209
Retained earnings	551			543
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(58		)	(68		)
Total shareholders’ equity	5,508			4,688
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	22,228		$	22,736

See Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

4

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

(In Millions)

(Unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$	248		$	496
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	982			749
Amortization of deferred financing costs	34			18
Deferred income taxes	33			185
Unrealized gain on marketable securities	(66		)	(104		)
Loss on indexed debt securities	316			59
Write-down of natural gas inventory	2			—
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate, net of distributions	(15		)	(199		)
Pension contributions	(67		)	(46		)
Changes in other assets and liabilities, excluding acquisitions:
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net	355			216
Inventory	(10		)	(52		)
Taxes receivable	(38		)	30
Accounts payable	(262		)	(137		)
Fuel cost recovery	53			(30		)
Non-trading derivatives, net	63			(53		)
Margin deposits, net	2			(49		)
Interest and taxes accrued	(53		)	2
Net regulatory assets and liabilities	44			(135		)
Other current assets	11			18
Other current liabilities	16			19
Other assets	(3		)	(3		)
Other liabilities	24			28
Other, net	10			16
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,679			1,028
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(1,121		)	(994		)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(132		)
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliate in excess of cumulative earnings	30			223
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	398			—
Other, net	19			6
Net cash used in investing activities	(674		)	(897		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings, net	(39		)	13
Payments of commercial paper, net	(1,551		)	(428		)
Proceeds from long-term debt, net	997			1,096
Payments of long-term debt	(368		)	(597		)
Debt issuance costs	(36		)	(13		)
Payment of dividends on Common Stock	(360		)	(346		)
Proceeds from issuance of Series A Preferred Stock, net	790			—
Distribution to ZENS note holders	(398		)	—
Other, net	(5		)	(4		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(970		)	(279		)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	35			(148		)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period	296			381
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period	$	331		$	233

See Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

5

CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

(AN INDIRECT, WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME

(Millions of Dollars)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Revenues	$	897		$	843		$	2,506		$	2,233
Expenses:
Operation and maintenance	369			337			1,062			1,021
Depreciation and amortization	242			193			737			525
Taxes other than income taxes	59			59			180			177
Total	670			589			1,979			1,723
Operating Income	227			254			527			510
Other Income (Expense):
Interest and other finance charges	(32		)	(32		)	(101		)	(97		)
Interest on Securitization Bonds	(16		)	(18		)	(46		)	(58		)
Other, net	—			(3		)	(6		)	(9		)
Total	(48		)	(53		)	(153		)	(164		)
Income Before Income Taxes	179			201			374			346
Income tax expense	36			71			78			123
Net Income	$	143		$	130		$	296		$	223

See Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

6

CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

(AN INDIRECT, WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Millions of Dollars)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Net income	$	143	$	130	$	296	$	223
Other comprehensive income:
Net deferred gain (loss) from cash flow hedges (net of tax of $1, $-0-, $2 and $-0-)	3		—		7		(1		)
Total	3		—		7		(1		)
Comprehensive income	$	146	$	130	$	303	$	222

See Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

7

CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

(AN INDIRECT, WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Millions of Dollars)

(Unaudited)

ASSETS

	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents ($278 and $230 related to VIEs, respectively)	$	279	$	238
Accounts and notes receivable ($92 and $73 related to VIEs, respectively), less bad debt reserve of $1 and $1, respectively	389		284
Accounts and notes receivable–affiliated companies	13		7
Accrued unbilled revenues	122		120
Materials and supplies	129		119
Taxes receivable	9		—
Non-trading derivative assets	3		—
Prepaid expenses and other current assets ($37 and $35 related to VIEs, respectively)	50		62
Total current assets	994		830
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, plant and equipment	11,962		11,496
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	3,742		3,633
Property, plant and equipment, net	8,220		7,863
Other Assets:
Regulatory assets ($1,146 and $1,590 related to VIEs, respectively)	1,202		1,570
Other	20		29
Total other assets	1,222		1,599
Total Assets	$	10,436	$	10,292

See Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

8

CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

(AN INDIRECT, WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Millions of Dollars)

(Unaudited)

LIABILITIES AND MEMBER’S EQUITY

	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
Current Liabilities:
Current portion of VIE Securitization Bonds long-term debt	$	456	$	434
Accounts payable	220		243
Accounts and notes payable–affiliated companies	113		104
Taxes accrued	88		116
Interest accrued	43		65
Other	111		120
Total current liabilities	1,031		1,082
Other Liabilities:
Deferred income taxes, net	1,044		1,059
Benefit obligations	142		146
Regulatory liabilities	1,265		1,263
Other	79		54
Total other liabilities	2,530		2,522
Long-term Debt:
VIE Securitization Bonds, net	1,045		1,434
Other, net	3,281		2,885
Total long-term debt, net	4,326		4,319
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Member’s Equity:
Common stock	—		—
Paid-in capital	1,696		1,696
Retained earnings	846		673
Accumulated other comprehensive income	7		—
Total member’s equity	2,549		2,369
Total Liabilities and Member’s Equity	$	10,436	$	10,292

See Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

9

CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

(AN INDIRECT, WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

(Millions of Dollars)

(Unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$	296		$	223
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	737			525
Amortization of deferred financing costs	8			10
Deferred income taxes	(24		)	29
Changes in other assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable, net	(95		)	(131		)
Accounts receivable/payable–affiliated companies	(12		)	(49		)
Inventory	(10		)	(3		)
Accounts payable	(6		)	105
Taxes receivable	(9		)	6
Interest and taxes accrued	(50		)	(28		)
Net regulatory assets and liabilities	(66		)	(149		)
Other current assets	13			8
Other current liabilities	(9		)	25
Other assets	4			1
Other liabilities	16			(1		)
Other, net	(5		)	(4		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	788			567
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(678		)	(603		)
Decrease in notes receivable–affiliated companies	—			29
Other, net	15			5
Net cash used in investing activities	(663		)	(569		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt, net	398			298
Payments of long-term debt	(368		)	(347		)
Decrease in notes payable–affiliated companies	15			—
Dividend to parent	(123		)	(87		)
Debt issuance costs	(4		)	(3		)
Other, net	—			—
Net cash used in financing activities	(82		)	(139		)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	43			(141		)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period	274			381
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period	$	317		$	240

See Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

10

CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(AN INDIRECT, WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME

(Millions of Dollars)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Revenues:
Utility revenues	$	402		$	390		$	2,032		$	1,767
Non-utility revenues	910			861			3,008			2,964
Total	1,312			1,251			5,040			4,731
Expenses:
Utility natural gas	134			106			959			706
Non-utility natural gas	864			832			2,927			2,843
Operation and maintenance	211			182			666			587
Depreciation and amortization	77			68			222			202
Taxes other than income taxes	33			32			120			104
Total	1,319			1,220			4,894			4,442
Operating Income (Loss)	(7		)	31			146			289
Other Income (Expense):
Interest and other finance charges	(30		)	(32		)	(92		)	(92		)
Other, net	—			(4		)	(5		)	(13		)
Total	(30		)	(36		)	(97		)	(105		)
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	(37		)	(5		)	49			184
Income tax expense (benefit)	(2		)	(1		)	14			69
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations	(35		)	(4		)	35			115
Income from discontinued operations (net of tax of $13, $26, $44 and $75, respectively)	44			42			140			124
Net Income	$	9		$	38		$	175		$	239

See Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

11

CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(AN INDIRECT, WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Millions of Dollars)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Net income	$	9	$	38	$	175	$	239
Comprehensive income	$	9	$	38	$	175	$	239

See Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

12

CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(AN INDIRECT, WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Millions of Dollars)

(Unaudited)

ASSETS

	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1	$	12
Accounts receivable, less bad debt reserve of $14 and $18, respectively	527		713
Accrued unbilled revenues	90		307
Accounts and notes receivable–affiliated companies	9		6
Materials and supplies	69		56
Natural gas inventory	206		222
Non-trading derivative assets	73		110
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	85		166
Total current assets	1,060		1,592
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, plant and equipment	7,260		6,888
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	2,185		2,036
Property, plant and equipment, net	5,075		4,852
Other Assets:
Goodwill	867		867
Regulatory assets	170		181
Non-trading derivative assets	38		44
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate - discontinued operations	—		2,472
Other	95		104
Total other assets	1,170		3,668
Total Assets	$	7,305	$	10,112

See Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

13

CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(AN INDIRECT, WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Millions of Dollars)

(Unaudited)

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	$	—	$	39
Accounts payable	429		669
Accounts and notes payable–affiliated companies	44		611
Taxes accrued	64		75
Interest accrued	31		32
Customer deposits	74		76
Non-trading derivative liabilities	33		20
Other	171		137
Total current liabilities	846		1,659
Other Liabilities:
Deferred income taxes, net	370		362
Deferred income taxes, net - discontinued operations	—		927
Non-trading derivative liabilities	6		4
Benefit obligations	98		97
Regulatory liabilities	1,241		1,201
Other	350		297
Total other liabilities	2,065		2,888
Long-Term Debt	2,257		2,457
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Stockholder’s Equity:
Common stock	—		—
Paid-in capital	1,668		2,528
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	463		574
Accumulated other comprehensive income	6		6
Total stockholder’s equity	2,137		3,108
Total Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity	$	7,305	$	10,112

See Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

14

CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(AN INDIRECT, WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

(Millions of Dollars)

(Unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$	175		$	239
Less: Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	140			124
Income from continuing operations	35			115
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	222			202
Amortization of deferred financing costs	7			7
Deferred income taxes	6			69
Write-down of natural gas inventory	2			—
Changes in other assets and liabilities, excluding acquisitions:
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net	449			346
Accounts receivable/payable–affiliated companies	—			(1		)
Inventory	1			(49		)
Accounts payable	(261		)	(227		)
Fuel cost recovery	53			(30		)
Interest and taxes accrued	(9		)	(13		)
Non-trading derivatives, net	60			(51		)
Margin deposits, net	2			(49		)
Net regulatory assets and liabilities	73			(28		)
Other current assets	7			16
Other current liabilities	24			(5		)
Other assets	5			5
Other liabilities	(2		)	4
Other, net	—			1
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	674			312
Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations	176			—
Net cash provided by operating activities	850			312
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(411		)	(373		)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(132		)
Other, net	5			2
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations	(406		)	(503		)
Net cash provided by investing activities from discontinued operations	47			223
Net cash used in investing activities	(359		)	(280		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings, net	(39		)	13
Payments of commercial paper, net	(800		)	(40		)
Proceeds from long-term debt	599			298
Dividends to parent	(286		)	(337		)
Debt issuance costs	(5		)	(4		)
Decrease in notes payable–affiliated companies	(570		)	—
Contribution from parent	600			38
Other, net	(1		)	—
Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations	(502		)	(32		)
Net cash provided by financing activities from discontinued operations	—			—
Net cash used in financing activities	(502		)	(32		)
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(11		)	—
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	12			1
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	1		$	1

See Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

15

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

COMBINED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) Background and Basis of Presentation

No Registrant makes any representations as to the information related solely to CenterPoint Energy or the subsidiaries of CenterPoint Energy other than itself.

General. Included in this combined Form 10-Q are the Interim Condensed Financial Statements of CenterPoint Energy, Houston Electric and CERC, which are referred to collectively as the Registrants. The Combined Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements apply to all Registrants unless otherwise indicated. The Interim Condensed Financial Statements are unaudited, omit certain financial statement disclosures and should be read with each of the Registrants’ 2017 Form 10-K.

Background. CenterPoint Energy, Inc. is a public utility holding company and owns interests in Enable as described below. CenterPoint Energy’s operating subsidiaries, Houston Electric and CERC, own and operate electric transmission and distribution and natural gas distribution facilities and supply natural gas to commercial and industrial customers and electric and natural gas utilities.

• Houston Electric engages in the electric transmission and distribution business in the Texas Gulf Coast area that includes the city of Houston; and

• CERC Corp. (i) owns and operates natural gas distribution systems in six states and (ii) obtains and offers competitive variable and fixed-price physical natural gas supplies and services primarily to commercial and industrial customers and electric and natural gas utilities in 33 states through its wholly-owned subsidiary, CES.

As of September 30, 2018, CenterPoint Energy, indirectly through CNP Midstream, owned approximately 54.0% of the common units representing limited partner interests in Enable, 50% of the management rights and 40% of the incentive distribution rights in Enable GP and also directly owned an aggregate of 14,520,000 Enable Series A Preferred Units. Enable owns, operates and develops natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets.

On September 4, 2018, CERC entered into a Contribution Agreement, by and between CERC and CNP Midstream, a new subsidiary formed by CERC in June 2018, pursuant to which CERC contributed its equity investment in Enable consisting of Enable common units and its interests in Enable GP, to CNP Midstream (collectively, the Enable Contribution). Immediately following the Enable Contribution, CERC distributed all of its interest in CNP Midstream to Utility Holding, CERC’s sole stockholder and a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy. Utility Holding then distributed all of its interest in CNP Midstream to CenterPoint Energy, its sole member (collectively with the Enable Contribution, the Internal Spin). CERC executed the Internal Spin to, among other things, enhance the access of CERC and CenterPoint Energy to low cost debt and equity through increased transparency and understandability of the financial statements, improve CERC’s credit quality by eliminating the exposure to Enable’s midstream business and provide clarity of internal reporting and performance metrics to enhance management’s decision making for CERC and CNP Midstream.

As a result of the Internal Spin, CERC’s equity in earnings in Enable and related income taxes have been classified as discontinued operations in CERC’s Interim Condensed Financial Statements. For further information regarding the Internal Spin and CERC’s presentation of discontinued operations, see Note 9.

As of September 30, 2018, CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric had VIEs consisting of the Bond Companies, which are consolidated. The consolidated VIEs are wholly-owned, bankruptcy-remote, special purpose entities that were formed specifically for the purpose of securitizing transition and system restoration-related property. Creditors of CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric have no recourse to any assets or revenues of the Bond Companies. The bonds issued by these VIEs are only payable from and secured by transition and system restoration property, and the bondholders have no recourse to the general credit of CenterPoint Energy or Houston Electric.

Basis of Presentation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

16

The Interim Condensed Financial Statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the respective periods. Amounts reported in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income are not necessarily indicative of amounts expected for a full-year period due to the effects of, among other things, (a) seasonal fluctuations in demand for energy and energy services, (b) changes in energy commodity prices, (c) timing of maintenance and other expenditures and (d) acquisitions and dispositions of businesses, assets and other interests. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. See Notes 2 and 9 for further discussion.

For a description of the Registrants’ reportable business segments, see Note 16.

(2) New Accounting Pronouncements

The following table provides an overview of recently adopted or issued accounting pronouncements applicable to all the Registrants, unless otherwise noted.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
ASU Number and Name	Description	Date of Adoption	Financial Statement Impact upon Adoption
ASU 2014-09- Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and related amendments	This standard provides a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires revenue to be recognized in a manner that depicts the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. Transition method: modified retrospective	January 1, 2018	Note 4 addresses the disclosure requirements. Adoption of the standard did not result in significant changes to revenue recognition. A substantial amount of the Registrants’ revenues are tariff and/or derivative based, which were not significantly impacted by these ASUs.
ASU 2017-05- Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets	This standard clarifies when and how to apply ASC 610-20, which was issued as part of ASU 2014-09. It amends or supersedes the guidance in ASC 350 and ASC 360 on determining a gain or loss recognized upon the derecognition of nonfinancial assets. Transition method: modified retrospective	January 1, 2018	ASU 2017-05 eliminates industry specific guidance, including ASC 360-20 Property, Plant, and Equipment - Real Estate Sales, for the recognition of gains or losses upon the sale of in-substance real estate. CenterPoint Energy and CERC elected to apply the practical expedient upon adoption to only evaluate transactions that were not determined to be complete as of the date of adoption. Subsequent to adoption, gains or losses on sales or dilution events in CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable may result in gains or losses recognized in earnings. See Note 9 for further discussion.
ASU 2016-01-Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities ASU 2018-03-Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities	This standard requires equity investments that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method to be measured at fair value and to recognize any changes in fair value in net income unless the investments qualify for the new practicability exception. It does not change the guidance for classifying and measuring investments in debt securities and loans. It also changes certain disclosure requirements and other aspects related to recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. Transition method: cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings, and two features prospective	January 1, 2018	The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Registrants elected the practicability exception for investments without a readily determinable fair value to be measured at cost. This includes the Enable Series A Preferred Units owned by CenterPoint Energy, which were previously accounted for under the cost method. See Note 9 for further discussion.
ASU 2016-15- Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments	This standard provides clarifying guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows and eliminates the variation in practice related to such classifications. Transition method:retrospective	January 1, 2018	The adoption did not have a material impact on the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or disclosures. However, CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows reflect an increase in investing activities and a corresponding decrease in operating activities of $1 million and $3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, due to the requirement that cash proceeds from COLI policies be classified as cash inflows from investing activity.

17

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
ASU Number and Name	Description	Date of Adoption	Financial Statement Impact upon Adoption
ASU 2016-18- Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash	This standard requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. As a result, the statement of cash flows will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. When cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents are presented in more than one line item on the balance sheet, the new guidance requires a reconciliation of the totals in the statement of cash flows to the related captions in the balance sheet. Transition method: retrospective	January 1, 2018	The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or disclosures. However, CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows are reconciled to cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, resulting in a decrease in investing activities of $2 million and an increase in investing activities of $8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. See Note 17 for further discussion.
ASU 2017-01- Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business	This standard revises the definition of a business. If substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, then under ASU 2017-01, the asset or group of assets is not a business. The guidance also requires a business to include at least one substantive process and narrows the definition of outputs to be more closely aligned with how outputs are described in ASC 606. Transition method: prospective	January 1, 2018	The adoption of this revised definition will reduce the number of transactions that are accounted for as a business combination, and therefore may have a potential impact on the Registrants’ accounting for future acquisitions.
ASU 2017-04- Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment	This standard eliminates Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which required a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. Transition method: prospective	January 1, 2018	The adoption of this standard will have an impact on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s future calculation of goodwill impairments if an impairment is identified.
ASU 2017-07- Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost	This standard requires an employer to report the service cost component of the net periodic pension cost and postretirement benefit cost in the same line item(s) as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period; all other components will be presented separately from the line item(s) that includes the service cost and outside of any subtotal of operating income. In addition, only the service cost component will be eligible for capitalization in assets. Transition method: retrospective for the presentation of the service cost component and other components; prospective for the capitalization of the service cost component	January 1, 2018	The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures; however, it resulted in the increases to operating income and corresponding decreases to other income reported in the table below. Other components previously capitalized in assets will be recorded as regulatory assets in the Registrants’ rate-regulated businesses, prospectively.
ASU 2017-09- Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting	This standard clarifies when changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as a modification. Entities will apply the modification accounting guidance if the value, vesting conditions or classification of the award changes. Transition method: prospective	January 1, 2018	The adoption of this standard will have an impact on CenterPoint Energy’s accounting for future changes to share-based payment awards.
ASU 2017-12- Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities	This standard expands an entity’s ability to hedge and account for risk components, reduces the complexity of applying certain aspects of hedge accounting and updates the presentation and disclosure requirements. The guidance eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness. Transition method: cumulative-effect adjustment for elimination of the separate measurement of ineffectiveness; prospective for presentation and disclosure	July 1, 2018 Applicable January 1, 2018	The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or cash flows. As a result of the adoption, the Registrants will no longer recognize ineffectiveness for derivatives designated as cash flow hedges; all changes in fair value will flow through other comprehensive income. As the Registrants did not have existing cash flow hedges as of the initial application date and the adoption date, no cumulative effective adjustment was recorded. Note 7 reflects disclosures modified upon adoption.
ASU 2018-13- Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement	This standard eliminates, modifies and adds certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Transition method: prospective for additions and one modification and retrospective for all other amendments	Adoption of eliminations and modifications as of September 30, 2018; Additions will be adopted January 1, 2020	The adoption of this standard did not impact the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Note 8 reflects the disclosures modified upon adoption.

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The table below reflects the impact of adoption of ASU 2017-07:

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Increase to operating income	$	9	$	3	$	—	$	18	$	7	$	5
Decrease to other income	9		3		—		18		7		5
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Increase to operating income	$	38	$	18	$	8	$	52	$	22	$	16
Decrease to other income	38		18		8		52		22		16

Issued, Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards
ASU Number and Name	Description	Date of Adoption	Financial Statement Impact upon Adoption
ASU 2016-02- Leases (Topic 842) and related amendments ASU 2018-01- Leases (Topic 842) Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842 ASU 2018-10 - Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases ASU 2018-11- Leases (Topic 842)-Targeted Improvements	ASU 2016-02 provides a comprehensive new lease model that requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for most leases and would change certain aspects of lessor accounting. Transition method: modified retrospective ASU 2018-01 allows entities to elect not to assess whether existing land easements that were not previously accounted for in accordance with ASC 840 Leases under ASC 842 Leases when transitioning to the new leasing standard. ASU 2018-10 makes sixteen narrow-scope amendments to ASC 842 Leases. ASU 2018-11 allows entities the transition option to not apply the new lease standards in the comparative financial statements presented in the year of adoption. It also gives lessors the practical expedient to not separate non-lease and lease components when certain criteria are met.	January 1, 2019 Early adoption is permitted	The Registrants will elect the practical expedient on existing easements provided by ASU 2018-01, and the transition option to not apply the new lease standards in the comparative financial statements presented in the year of adoption provided by ASU 2018-11. The Registrants are evaluating other available transitional practical expedients. The Registrants are in the process of reviewing contracts to identify leases as defined in ASU 2016-02 and expect to recognize on the statements of financial position right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for the majority of their respective leases that are currently classified as operating leases. The Registrants are continuing to assess the impact that adoption of these standards will have on their financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.
ASU 2016-13- Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments	This standard requires a new model called CECL to estimate credit losses for (1) financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost and (2) certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. Upon initial recognition of the exposure, the CECL model requires an entity to estimate the credit losses expected over the life of an exposure based on historical information, current information and reasonable and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments. Transition method: modified retrospective	January 1, 2020 Early adoption is permitted starting January 1, 2019	The Registrants are currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on their financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.
ASU 2018-02-Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	This standard allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the TCJA and requires entities to provide certain disclosures regarding stranded tax effects. Transition method: either in the period of adoption or retrospective	January 1, 2019 Early adoption is permitted	The adoption of this standard will allow the Registrants to reclass stranded deferred tax adjustments primarily related to benefit plans from other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The Registrants are currently assessing the impact that adoption of this standard will have on their financial position and disclosures.

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Issued, Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards
ASU Number and Name	Description	Date of Adoption	Financial Statement Impact upon Adoption
ASU 2018-14-Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans	This standard eliminates, modifies and adds certain disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. Transition method: retrospective	January 1, 2021 Early adoption is permitted	The adoption of this standard will impact the Registrants’ annual disclosures and is not expected to have an impact on their financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. The Registrants are currently assessing the standard’s impact on the Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans footnote.
ASU 2018-15- Intangibles-Goodwill and Other- Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract	This standard aligns accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is accounted for as a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The update also prescribes the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow classification of the capitalized implementation costs and related amortization expense, and requires additional quantitative and qualitative disclosures. Transition method: retrospective or prospective	January 1, 2020 Early adoption is permitted	The adoption of this standard will allow the Registrants to capitalize certain implementation costs incurred in cloud computing arrangements that are accounted for as service contracts. The Registrants are currently assessing the impact that adoption of this standard will have on their financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.

Management believes that other recently adopted standards and recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or cash flows upon adoption.

(3) Pending Merger with Vectren (CenterPoint Energy)

On April 21, 2018, CenterPoint Energy entered into the Merger Agreement. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, CenterPoint Energy will acquire Vectren for approximately $6 billion in cash. Upon closing, Vectren will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, upon the closing of the Merger, each share of Vectren common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the closing will be converted automatically into the right to receive $72.00 in cash per share. During August and October 2018, CenterPoint Energy completed its permanent financing for the Merger through offerings of the Series A Preferred Stock, depositary shares, each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of Series B Preferred Stock, Common Stock and unsecured senior notes. See Notes 12 and 19 for further details regarding the Merger financings. As of September 30, 2018, Vectren and its subsidiaries had outstanding $325 million of short-term debt and $2.0 billion of long-term debt, including current maturities. It is anticipated that Vectren and its subsidiaries will have approximately $2.5 billion of outstanding short-term and long-term debt as of December 31, 2018.

Consummation of the Merger is conditioned upon approval by federal regulatory commissions, orders from state regulatory commissions, expiration or termination of the applicable HSR waiting period and approval of the Merger by Vectren shareholders. In June 2018, CenterPoint Energy and Vectren (i) submitted their filings with the FERC and the FCC, (ii) submitted their filings with the FTC pursuant to the HSR Act and (iii) initiated informational proceedings with regulators in Indiana and Ohio. On June 26, 2018, CenterPoint Energy and Vectren received notice from the FTC granting early termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act in connection with the Merger. On August 28, 2018, shareholders of Vectren, during a special shareholders’ meeting, approved the Merger. The FCC granted approvals on July 20 and 24, 2018, and on October 5, 2018, the FERC authorized the Merger. A hearing before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission was held on October 17, 2018 with respect to the Merger. CenterPoint Energy has requested a final order for this proceeding by the end of January or early February 2019.

The Merger Agreement contains termination rights for both CenterPoint Energy and Vectren, and provides that, upon termination of the Merger Agreement under specified circumstances, CenterPoint Energy would be required to pay a termination fee of $210 million to Vectren or Vectren would be required to pay CenterPoint Energy a termination fee of $150 million.

Subject to receipt of required regulatory and statutory approvals and satisfaction and/or waiver of the closing conditions, CenterPoint Energy continues to anticipate closing the Merger in the first quarter of 2019.

(4) Revenue Recognition

The Registrants adopted ASC 606 and all related amendments on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method for those contracts that were not completed as of the date of adoption. Application of the new revenue standard did not result in a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The comparative information has not been restated and

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continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In accordance with ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Registrants expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for these goods or services. Contract assets and liabilities are not material.

The following tables disaggregate revenues by reportable business segment and major source:

CenterPoint Energy

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018														2017
	Electric Transmission & Distribution (1)			Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Other Operations (2)		Total			Electric Transmission & Distribution (1)			Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Other Operations (2)		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	904		$	398		$	82		$	1	$	1,385		$	852		$	396		$	97		$	2	$	1,347
Derivatives income	—			—			838			—		838			—			—			774			—		774
Other (3)	(7		)	12			—			2		7			(9		)	2			—			2		(5		)
Eliminations	—			(8		)	(10		)	—		(18		)	—			(8		)	(10		)	—		(18		)
Total revenues	$	897		$	402		$	910		$	3	$	2,212		$	843		$	390		$	861		$	4	$	2,098
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018														2017
	Electric Transmission & Distribution (1)			Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Other Operations (2)		Total			Electric Transmission & Distribution (1)			Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Other Operations (2)		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	2,525		$	2,093		$	338		$	4	$	4,960		$	2,254		$	1,784		$	355		$	4	$	4,397
Derivatives income	(4		)	—			2,727			—		2,723			1			—			2,643			—		2,644
Other (3)	(19		)	(35		)	—			7		(47		)	(21		)	7			—			7		(7		)
Eliminations	—			(26		)	(57		)	—		(83		)	—			(24		)	(34		)	—		(58		)
Total revenues	$	2,502		$	2,032		$	3,008		$	11	$	7,553		$	2,234		$	1,767		$	2,964		$	11	$	6,976

Houston Electric

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	904		$	852		$	2,525		$	2,254
Other (3)	(7		)	(9		)	(19		)	(21		)
	$	897		$	843		$	2,506		$	2,233

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CERC

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018									2017
	Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Total			Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	398		$	82		$	480		$	396		$	97		$	493
Derivatives income	—			838			838			—			774			774
Other (3)	12			—			12			2			—			2
Eliminations	(8		)	(10		)	(18		)	(8		)	(10		)	(18		)
Total revenues	$	402		$	910		$	1,312		$	390		$	861		$	1,251
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018									2017
	Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Total			Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	2,093		$	338		$	2,431		$	1,784		$	355		$	2,139
Derivatives income	—			2,727			2,727			—			2,643			2,643
Other (3)	(35		)	—			(35		)	7			—			7
Eliminations	(26		)	(57		)	(83		)	(24		)	(34		)	(58		)
Total revenues	$	2,032		$	3,008		$	5,040		$	1,767		$	2,964		$	4,731

(1) Reflected in Utility revenues in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

(2) Reflected in Non-utility revenues in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

(3) Primarily consists of income from ARPs and leases. ARPs are contracts between the utility and its regulators, not between the utility and a customer. The Registrants recognize ARP revenue as other revenues when the regulator-specified conditions for recognition have been met. Upon recovery of ARP revenue through incorporation in rates charged for utility service to customers, ARP revenue is reversed and recorded as revenue from contracts with customers. The recognition of ARP revenues and the reversal of ARP revenues upon recovery through rates charged for utility service may not occur in the same period.

Revenues from Contracts with Customers

Electric Transmission & Distribution. Houston Electric distributes electricity to customers over time and customers consume the electricity when delivered. Revenue, consisting of both volumetric and fixed tariff rates set by the PUCT, is recognized as electricity is delivered and represents amounts both billed and unbilled. Discretionary services requested by customers are provided at a point in time with control transferring upon the completion of the service. Revenue for discretionary services is recognized upon completion of service based on the tariff rates set by the PUCT. Payments for electricity distribution and discretionary services are aggregated and received on a monthly basis. Houston Electric performs transmission services over time as a stand-ready obligation to provide a reliable network of transmission systems. Revenue is recognized upon time elapsed, and the monthly tariff rate set by the PUCT. Payments are received on a monthly basis.

Natural Gas Distribution. CERC distributes and transports natural gas to customers over time, and customers consume the natural gas when delivered. Revenue, consisting of both volumetric and fixed tariff rates set by the state governing agency for that service area, is recognized as natural gas is delivered and represents amounts both billed and unbilled. Discretionary services requested by the customer are satisfied at a point in time and revenue is recognized upon completion of service and the tariff rates set by the applicable state regulator. Payments of natural gas distribution, transportation and discretionary services are aggregated and received on a monthly basis.

Energy Services. The majority of CES natural gas sales contracts are considered a derivative, as the contracts typically have a stated minimum or contractual volume of delivery.

For contracts in which CES delivers the full requirement of the natural gas needed by the customer and a volume is not stated, a contract as defined under ASC 606 is created upon the customer’s exercise of its option to take natural gas. CES supplies natural

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gas to retail customers over time as customers consume the natural gas when delivered. For wholesale customers, CES supplies natural gas at a point in time because the wholesale customer is presumed to have storage capabilities. Control is transferred to both types of customers upon delivery of natural gas. Revenue is recognized on a monthly basis based on the estimated volume of natural gas delivered and the price agreed upon with the customer. Payments are received on a monthly basis.

AMAs are natural gas sales contracts under which CES also assumes management of a customer’s physical storage and/or transportation capacity. AMAs have two distinct performance obligations, which consist of natural gas sales and natural gas delivery because delivery could occur separate from the sale of natural gas (e.g., from storage to customer premises). Most AMAs’ natural gas sales performance obligations are accounted for as embedded derivatives. The transaction price is allocated between the sale of natural gas and the delivery based on the stand-alone selling price as stated in the contract. CES performs natural gas delivery over time as customers take delivery of the natural gas and recognizes revenue on an aggregated monthly basis based on the volume of natural gas delivered and the fees stated within the contract. Payments are received on a monthly basis.

Practical Expedients and Exemption. Sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers are excluded from the transaction price.

(5) Employee Benefit Plans

The Registrants’ net periodic cost, before considering amounts subject to overhead allocations for capital expenditure projects or for amounts subject to deferral for regulatory purposes, includes the following components relating to pension and postretirement benefits:

Pension Benefits (CenterPoint Energy)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	10		$	9		$	28		$	27
Interest cost (2)	20			22			59			66
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(27		)	(24		)	(80		)	(72		)
Amortization of prior service cost (2)	3			2			7			7
Amortization of net loss (2)	10			14			32			43
Net periodic cost	$	16		$	23		$	46		$	71

Postretirement Benefits

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018									2017
	CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric			CERC			CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric			CERC
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	—		$	—		$	1		$	—		$	—		$	1
Interest cost (2)	3			2			1			4			3			1
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(1		)	(1		)	—			(1		)	(1		)	(1		)
Amortization of prior service credit (2)	(1		)	(1		)	—			(1		)	(2		)	—
Net periodic cost	$	1		$	—		$	2		$	2		$	—		$	1
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018									2017
	CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric			CERC			CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric			CERC
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	1		$	—		$	1		$	1		$	—		$	1
Interest cost (2)	10			6			3			12			7			3
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(4		)	(3		)	(1		)	(4		)	(3		)	(1		)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (2)	(3		)	(4		)	1			(3		)	(4		)	1
Net periodic cost (credit)	$	4		$	(1	)	$	4		$	6		$	—		$	4

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(1) Amounts presented in the table above are included in Operation and maintenance expense in each of the Registrants’ respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, net of amounts capitalized and regulatory deferrals.

(2) Amounts presented in the table above are included in Other, net in each of the Registrants’ respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, net of regulatory deferrals.

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to defined benefit and postretirement plans are as follows:

CenterPoint Energy

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	(in millions)
Beginning Balance	$	(63	)	$	(70	)	$	(66	)	$	(72	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service cost (1)	—			—			1			1
Actuarial losses (1)	2			2			5			5
Tax expense	(1		)	(2		)	(2		)	(4		)
Net current period other comprehensive income	1			—			4			2
Ending Balance	$	(62	)	$	(70	)	$	(62	)	$	(70	)

(1) These accumulated other comprehensive components are included in the computation of net periodic cost.

The table below reflects the expected contributions to be made to the pension plans and postretirement benefit plan during 2018:

	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Expected minimum contribution to pension plans during 2018	$	67	$	—	$	—
Expected contribution to postretirement benefit plan in 2018	16		10		5

The table below reflects the contributions made to the pension plans and postretirement benefit plan during 2018:

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018						Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Pension plans	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	67	$	—	$	—
Postretirement benefit plan	4		3		1		11		7		3

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(6) Regulatory Accounting

The following is a list of regulatory assets and liabilities reflected on the Registrants’ Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

	September 30, 2018									December 31, 2017
	CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric			CERC			CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric			CERC
Regulatory Assets:	(in millions)
Current regulatory assets (1)	$	60		$	—		$	60		$	130		$	—		$	130
Non-current regulatory assets:
Securitized regulatory assets	1,146			1,146			—			1,590			1,590			—
Unrecognized equity return (2)	(225		)	(225		)	—			(287		)	(287		)	—
Unamortized loss on reacquired debt	70			70			—			75			75			—
Pension and postretirement-related regulatory asset (3)	609			32			15			646			31			20
Hurricane Harvey restoration costs (4)	67			61			6			64			58			6
Regulatory assets related to TCJA (5)	48			34			14			48			33			15
Other long-term regulatory assets (6)	219			84			135			211			70			140
Total non-current regulatory assets	1,934			1,202			170			2,347			1,570			181
Total regulatory assets	1,994			1,202			230			2,477			1,570			311
Regulatory Liabilities:
Current regulatory liabilities (7)	47			22			25			24			22			2
Non-current regulatory liabilities:
Regulatory liabilities related to TCJA (5)	1,362			858			504			1,354			862			492
Estimated removal costs	887			275			612			878			285			593
Other long-term regulatory liabilities	257			132			125			232			116			116
Total non-current regulatory liabilities	2,506			1,265			1,241			2,464			1,263			1,201
Total regulatory liabilities	2,553			1,287			1,266			2,488			1,285			1,203
Total regulatory assets and liabilities, net	$	(559	)	$	(85	)	$	(1,036	)	$	(11	)	$	285		$	(892	)

(1) Current regulatory assets are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Registrants’ Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(2) The unrecognized equity return will be recognized as it is recovered in rates through 2024. During the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric recognized approximately $17 million and $13 million, respectively, of the allowed equity return. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric recognized approximately $62 million and $30 million, respectively, of the allowed equity return. The timing of CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s recognition of the 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.

(3) Includes a portion of NGD’s actuarially determined pension and other postemployment expense in excess of the amount being recovered through rates that is being deferred for rate making purposes, of which $4 million and $7 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, were not earning a return.

(4) The Registrants are not earning a return on Hurricane Harvey restoration costs.

(5) The EDIT and deferred revenues will be recovered or refunded to customers as required by tax and regulatory authorities.

(6) Other long-term regulatory assets that are not earning a return were not material as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

(7) Current regulatory liabilities are included in Other current liabilities in each of the Registrants’ respective Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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(7) Derivative Instruments

The Registrants are exposed to various market risks. These risks arise from transactions entered into in the normal course of business.  The Registrants utilize derivative instruments such as physical forward contracts, swaps and options to mitigate the impact of changes in commodity prices, weather and interest rates on its operating results and cash flows. Such derivatives are recognized in the Registrants’ Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair value unless the Registrants elect the normal purchase and sales exemption for qualified physical transactions. A derivative may be designated as a normal purchase or normal sale if the intent is to physically receive or deliver the product for use or sale in the normal course of business.

CenterPoint Energy has a Risk Oversight Committee composed of corporate and business segment officers that oversees commodity price, weather and credit risk activities, including the Registrants’ marketing, risk management services and hedging activities. The committee’s duties are to establish the Registrants’ commodity risk policies, allocate board-approved commercial risk limits, approve the use of new products and commodities, monitor positions and ensure compliance with the Registrants’ commercial risk management policy and procedures and limits established by CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors.

The Registrants’ policies prohibit the use of leveraged financial instruments. A leveraged financial instrument, for this purpose, is a transaction involving a derivative whose financial impact will be based on an amount other than the notional amount or volume of the instrument.

(a) Non-Trading Activities

Commodity Derivative Instruments. CenterPoint Energy and CERC, through CES, enter into certain derivative instruments to mitigate the effects of commodity price movements. Certain financial instruments used to hedge portions of the natural gas inventory of the Energy Services business segment are designated as fair value hedges for accounting purposes. All other financial instruments do not qualify or are not designated as cash flow or fair value hedges.

Weather Hedges. CenterPoint Energy and CERC have weather normalization or other rate mechanisms that mitigate the impact of weather on NGD in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Minnesota and Oklahoma. NGD and electric operations in Texas do not have such mechanisms, although fixed customer charges are historically higher in Texas for NGD compared to its other jurisdictions. As a result, fluctuations from normal weather may have a positive or negative effect on NGD’s results in Texas and on electric operations’ results in its service territory.

CenterPoint Energy and CERC, as applicable, enter into winter season weather hedges from time to time for certain NGD jurisdictions and electric operations’ service territory to mitigate the effect of fluctuations from normal weather on results of operations and cash flows. These weather hedges are based on heating degree days at 10-year normal weather. Houston Electric does not enter into weather hedges.

The table below summarizes CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s current weather hedge gain (loss) activity:

				Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
Jurisdiction	Winter Season	Bilateral Cap		2018		2017		2018			2017
		(in millions)
Certain NGD jurisdictions	2018 – 2019	$	9	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—
Certain NGD jurisdictions	2017 – 2018	8		—		—		—			—
Total CERC (1)				—		—		—			—
Electric operations’ service territory	2018 – 2019	8		—		—		—			—
Electric operations’ service territory	2017 – 2018	9		—		—		(4		)	—
Electric operations’ service territory	2016 – 2017	9		—		—		—			1
Total CenterPoint Energy (1)				$	—	$	—	$	(4	)	$	1

(1) Weather hedge gains (losses) are recorded in Revenues in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

Cash Flow Hedging of Interest Expense. From time to time, the Registrants enter into forward interest rate agreements with certain counterparties designated as cash flow hedges. The objective of these cash flow hedges is to reduce exposure to variability in cash flows related to interest payments on anticipated future fixed rate debt offerings or other exposure to variable rate debt. In October 2018, Houston Electric entered into an additional $100 million of notional amount on forward interest rate agreements

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classified as cash flow hedges. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the total outstanding notional amount of Houston Electric’s forward interest rate agreements related to cash flow hedges was $100 million and $-0-, respectively. The maximum length of time over which Houston Electric is exposed to the variability in future cash flows of the forecasted debt offerings is less than 12 months.

Economic Hedging of Interest Rate Risk. From time to time, the Registrants may enter into forward interest rate agreements with certain counterparties designated as economic hedges. The objective of these economic hedges is to offset any interest rate risk borne by one or more of the Registrants in connection with an anticipated future fixed rate debt offering or other exposure to variable rate debt. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the total outstanding notional amount of CenterPoint Energy’s forward interest rate agreements related to economic hedges in connection with the permanent financing for the Merger was $200 million and $-0-, respectively. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the fair value of interest rate derivatives was less than $1 million and therefore was not included in the tabular presentation below.

(b) Derivative Fair Values and Income Statement Impacts

The following tables present information about derivative instruments and hedging activities. The first two tables provide a balance sheet overview of Derivative Assets and Liabilities, while the last table provides a breakdown of the related income statement impacts.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments and Hedged Items

		September 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Balance Sheet Location	Derivative Assets Fair Value		Derivative Liabilities Fair Value		Derivative Assets Fair Value		Derivative Liabilities Fair Value
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:		(in millions)
Interest rate derivatives	Current Assets: Non-trading derivative assets	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	—
Total Houston Electric		3		—		—		—
Derivatives designated as fair value hedges:
Natural gas derivatives (1) (2) (3)	Current Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	—		2		13		1
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Natural gas derivatives (1) (2) (3)	Current Assets: Non-trading derivative assets	76		3		114		4
Natural gas derivatives (1) (2) (3)	Other Assets: Non-trading derivative assets	38		—		44		—
Natural gas derivatives (1) (2) (3)	Current Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	31		72		38		78
Natural gas derivatives (1) (2) (3)	Other Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	16		33		9		24
Total CERC		161		110		218		107
Indexed debt securities derivative	Current Liabilities	—		685		—		668
Total CenterPoint Energy		$	164	$	795	$	218	$	775

(1) The fair value shown for natural gas contracts is comprised of derivative gross volumes totaling 1,865 Bcf or a net 310 Bcf long position and 1,795 Bcf or a net 224 Bcf long position as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.  Certain natural gas contracts hedge basis risk only and lack a fixed price exposure.

(2) Natural gas contracts are presented on a net basis in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as they are subject to master netting arrangements. This netting applies to all undisputed amounts due or past due and causes derivative assets (liabilities) to be ultimately presented net in a liability (asset) account within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The net of total non-trading natural gas derivative assets and liabilities was a $72 million asset and a $130 million asset as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, as shown on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (and as detailed in the Offsetting of Natural Gas Derivative Assets and Liabilities table below), and was comprised of the natural gas contracts derivative assets and liabilities separately shown above, impacted by collateral netting of $21 million and $19 million, respectively.

(3) Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities include no material amounts related to physical forward transactions with Enable.

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Cumulative Basis Adjustment for Fair Value Hedges (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

		September 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Balance Sheet Location	Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets/(Liabilities)		Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged Item		Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets/(Liabilities)		Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged Item
Hedged items in fair value hedge relationship:		(in millions)
Natural gas inventory	Current Assets: Natural gas inventory	$	39	$	1	$	80	$	14
Total CenterPoint Energy and CERC		$	39	$	1	$	80	$	14

Offsetting of Natural Gas Derivative Assets and Liabilities (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

	September 30, 2018									December 31, 2017
	Gross AmountsRecognized (1)			Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Net Amount Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (2)			Gross Amounts Recognized (1)			Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Net Amount Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (2)
	(in millions)
Current Assets: Non-trading derivative assets	$	107		$	(34	)	$	73		$	165		$	(55	)	$	110
Other Assets: Non-trading derivative assets	54			(16		)	38			53			(9		)	44
Current Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	(77		)	44			(33		)	(83		)	63			(20		)
Other Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	(33		)	27			(6		)	(24		)	20			(4		)
Total	$	51		$	21		$	72		$	111		$	19		$	130

(1) Gross amounts recognized include some derivative assets and liabilities that are not subject to master netting arrangements.

(2) The derivative assets and liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets exclude accounts receivable or accounts payable that, should they exist, could be used as offsets to these balances in the event of a default.

Income Statement Impact of Hedge Accounting Activity (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	Location and Amount of Gain (Loss) recognized in Income on Hedging Relationship (2)
	Non-utility natural gas expense						Non-utility natural gas expense
	(in millions)
Total amounts presented in the statements of income in which the effects of hedges are recorded	$	864		$	832		$	2,927		$	2,843
Gain (loss) on fair value hedging relationships:
Commodity contracts:
Hedged items - Natural gas inventory	1			4			(13		)	(10		)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	(1		)	(4		)	13			10
Amounts excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in earnings immediately (1)	6			(9		)	(73		)	(93		)

(1) As a result of the adoption of ASU 2017-12 effective January 1, 2018 (see Note 2 for additional information), CenterPoint Energy and CERC exclude from their assessment of hedge effectiveness the natural gas market price difference between locations of the hedged inventory and the delivery location specified in the hedge instruments. Prior to the adoption of this accounting guidance, the timing difference between the spot price and the futures price, as well as the difference between the timing of the settlement of the futures and the valuation of the underlying physical commodity, was excluded from the assessment of effectiveness for CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s existing fair value hedges and will continue to be excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. CenterPoint Energy and CERC elected to continue to

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immediately recognize amounts excluded from hedge effectiveness in their respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

(2) Income statement impact associated with cash flow hedge activity is related to gains and losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income. Amounts are immaterial for the Registrants for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	Income Statement Location	2018			2017			2018			2017
Effects of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the income statement:		(in millions)
Commodity contracts	Gains (Losses) in Non-utility revenues	$	2		$	30		$	70		$	162
Total CERC		2			30			70			162
Indexed debt securities derivative	Gains (Losses) in Other Income (Expense)	(44		)	(36		)	(316		)	(59		)
Interest rate derivatives	Gains (Losses) in Interest and other finance charges	—			—			—			—
Total CenterPoint Energy		$	(42	)	$	(6	)	$	(246	)	$	103

Effect of Cash Flow Hedge Accounting on Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax on Derivative
	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017			2018			2017
	(in millions)
Effects of cash flow hedging
Interest rate derivatives (1)	$	3	$	—		$	7		$	(1	)
Total Houston Electric	3		—			7			(1		)
Interest rate derivatives (1)	—		(1		)	—			(1		)
Total CERC	—		(1		)	—			(1		)
Interest rate derivatives (1)	—		(1		)	(1		)	(1		)
Total CenterPoint Energy	$	3	$	(2	)	$	6		$	(3	)

(1) Gains and losses are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income when the hedged transactions affect earnings. The reclassification amounts are included in Interest and other finance charges in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income. Amounts are less than $1 million for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. Over the next twelve months, estimated amortization of accumulated other comprehensive income into related income is expected to be immaterial.

(c) Credit Risk Contingent Features

CenterPoint Energy and CERC enter into financial derivative contracts containing material adverse change provisions.  These provisions could require CenterPoint Energy or CERC to post additional collateral if the S&P or Moody’s credit ratings of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. or its subsidiaries, including CERC Corp., are downgraded. 

CenterPoint Energy and CERC

	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
	(in millions)
Aggregate fair value of derivatives containing material adverse change provisions in a net liability position	$	2	$	2
Fair value of collateral already posted	—		—
Additional collateral required to be posted if credit risk contingent features triggered	1		2

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(8) Fair Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value in the Registrants’ Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their value. Hierarchical levels, as defined below and directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuations of these assets and liabilities, are as follows:

Level 1: Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. The types of assets carried at Level 1 fair value generally are exchange-traded derivatives and equity securities, as well as natural gas inventory that has been designated as the hedged item in a fair value hedge.

Level 2: Inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. Fair value assets and liabilities that are generally included in this category are derivatives with fair values based on inputs from actively quoted markets.  A market approach is utilized to value the Registrants’ Level 2 natural gas derivative assets or liabilities. CenterPoint Energy’s Level 2 indexed debt securities derivative is valued using an option model and a discounted cash flow model, which uses projected dividends on the ZENS-Related Securities and a discount rate as observable inputs.

Level 3: Inputs are unobservable for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs reflect the Registrants’ judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability since limited market data exists. The Registrants develop these inputs based on the best information available, including the Registrants’ own data. A market approach is utilized to value the Registrants’ Level 3 assets or liabilities. As of September 30, 2018, CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Level 3 assets and liabilities are comprised of physical natural gas forward contracts and options. Level 3 physical natural gas forward contracts and options include illiquid forward price curve locations (ranging from $1.28 to $6.88 per MMBtu) as an unobservable input. CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Level 3 physical natural gas forward contracts and options derivative assets and liabilities consist of both long and short positions (forwards and options). Forward price decreases (increases) as of September 30, 2018 would have resulted in lower (higher) values, respectively, for long forwards and options and higher (lower) values, respectively, for short forwards and options.

The Registrants determine the appropriate level for each financial asset and liability on a quarterly basis. The Registrants also recognize purchases of Level 3 financial assets and liabilities at their fair market value at the end of the reporting period.

The following tables present information about the Registrants’ assets and liabilities (including derivatives that are presented net) measured at fair value on a recurring basis and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Registrants to determine such fair value.

CenterPoint Energy

	September 30, 2018											December 31, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting (1)			Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting (1)			Total
Assets	(in millions)
Corporate equities	$	630	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	630	$	963	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	963
Investments, including money market funds (2)	70		—		—		—			70		68		—		—		—			68
Interest rate derivatives	3		—		—		—			3		—		—		—		—			—
Natural gas derivatives (3)	—		134		27		(50		)	111		—		161		57		(64		)	154
Hedged portion of natural gas inventory	1		—		—		—			1		14		—		—		—			14
Total assets	$	704	$	134	$	27	$	(50	)	$	815	$	1,045	$	161	$	57	$	(64	)	$	1,199
Liabilities
Indexed debt securities derivative	$	—	$	685	$	—	$	—		$	685	$	—	$	—	$	668	$	—		$	668
Natural gas derivatives (3)	—		105		5		(71		)	39		—		96		11		(83		)	24
Total liabilities	$	—	$	790	$	5	$	(71	)	$	724	$	—	$	96	$	679	$	(83	)	$	692

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Houston Electric

	September 30, 2018										December 31, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting		Total
Assets	(in millions)
Investments, including money market funds (2)	$	52	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	52	$	51	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	51
Interest rate derivatives	3		—		—		—		3		—		—		—		—		—
Total assets	$	55	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	55	$	51	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	51

CERC

	September 30, 2018											December 31, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting (1)			Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting (1)			Total
Assets	(in millions)
Corporate equities	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	3	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	3
Investments, including money market funds (2)	10		—		—		—			10		11		—		—		—			11
Natural gas derivatives (3)	—		134		27		(50		)	111		—		161		57		(64		)	154
Hedged portion of natural gas inventory	1		—		—		—			1		14		—		—		—			14
Total assets	$	14	$	134	$	27	$	(50	)	$	125	$	28	$	161	$	57	$	(64	)	$	182
Liabilities
Natural gas derivatives (3)	$	—	$	105	$	5	$	(71	)	$	39	$	—	$	96	$	11	$	(83	)	$	24
Total liabilities	$	—	$	105	$	5	$	(71	)	$	39	$	—	$	96	$	11	$	(83	)	$	24

(1) Amounts represent the impact of legally enforceable master netting arrangements that allow CenterPoint Energy and CERC to settle positive and negative positions and also include cash collateral of $21 million and $19 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, posted with the same counterparties.

(2) Amounts are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(3) Natural gas derivatives include no material amounts related to physical forward transactions with Enable.

The following table presents additional information about assets or liabilities, including derivatives that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which CenterPoint Energy and CERC have utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value:

	Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017						2018						2017
	CenterPoint Energy			CERC			CenterPoint Energy			CERC			CenterPoint Energy			CERC			CenterPoint Energy			CERC
	(in millions)
Beginning balance	$	(628	)	$	13		$	(712	)	$	28		$	(622	)	$	46		$	(704	)	$	13
Total gains (losses)	1			1			(38		)	(2		)	4			4			(38		)	21
Total settlements	(1		)	(1		)	(1		)	(1		)	(36		)	(36		)	(5		)	(5		)
Transfers into Level 3	—			—			7			7			(2		)	(2		)	9			9
Transfers out of Level 3 (1)	650			9			(6		)	(6		)	678			10			(12		)	(12		)
Ending balance (2)	$	22		$	22		$	(750	)	$	26		$	22		$	22		$	(750	)	$	26
The amount of total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at the reporting date:
	$	11		$	11		$	(36	)	$	—		$	9		$	9		$	(42	)	$	17

(1) As of September 30, 2018, CenterPoint Energy transferred its indexed debt securities derivative from Level 3 to Level 2 to reflect changes in the significance of the unobservable inputs used in the valuation.

(2) CenterPoint Energy and CERC did not have significant Level 3 sales or purchases during either of the three or nine months ended September 30, 2018 or 2017.

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Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, investments in debt and equity securities classified as “trading” and short-term borrowings are estimated to be approximately equivalent to carrying amounts and have been excluded from the table below. The carrying amounts of non-trading derivative assets and liabilities and CenterPoint Energy’s ZENS indexed debt securities derivative are stated at fair value and are excluded from the table below.  The fair value of each debt instrument is determined by multiplying the principal amount of each debt instrument by a combination of historical trading prices and comparable issue data. These liabilities, which are not measured at fair value in the Registrants’ Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, but for which the fair value is disclosed, would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

	September 30, 2018						December 31, 2017
	CenterPoint Energy (1)		Houston Electric (1)		CERC		CenterPoint Energy (1)		Houston Electric (1)		CERC
Long-term debt, including current maturities	(in millions)
Carrying amount	$	7,758	$	4,782	$	2,257	$	8,679	$	4,753	$	2,457
Fair value	7,888		4,813		2,367		9,220		5,034		2,708

(1) Includes Securitization Bond debt.

(9) Unconsolidated Affiliate (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

CenterPoint Energy has the ability to significantly influence the operating and financial policies of Enable, a publicly traded MLP, and, accordingly, account for the investment in Enable’s common units using the equity method of accounting. Upon the adoption of ASU 2014-09 and ASU 2017-05 on January 1, 2018, CenterPoint Energy evaluated transactions in the investment in Enable that occurred prior to January 1, 2018 (the effective date) and concluded a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings was not required. See Note 2 for further discussion.

CenterPoint Energy’s maximum exposure to loss related to Enable, a VIE in which CenterPoint Energy is not the primary beneficiary, is limited to the equity investment, the Series A Preferred Unit investment and outstanding current accounts receivable from Enable.

On September 4, 2018, CERC completed the Internal Spin of its equity investment in Enable and Enable GP. The Internal Spin has been accounted for under the guidance for transactions between entities under common control. As of September 4, 2018, CERC derecognized its investment in Enable at carrying value on the date of distribution of $2.4 billion, net of deferred income taxes of $974 million, and CNP Midstream recorded the net asset contribution from CERC at CERC’s carrying value. Neither CERC nor CNP Midstream recognized a gain or loss upon the distribution or contribution, respectively, of net assets involved in the Internal Spin. In connection with the Internal Spin, CenterPoint Energy, through Utility Holding, made a $600 million capital contribution to CERC, which was used by CERC to repay outstanding indebtedness that historically supported CERC’s legacy midstream assets. See Note 18 for further discussion.

Limited Partner Interest and Units Held in Enable (CenterPoint Energy):

	September 30, 2018
	Limited Partner Interest (1)		Common Units	Enable Series A Preferred Units (2)
CenterPoint Energy (3)	54.0	%	233,856,623	14,520,000
OGE	25.6	%	110,982,805	—
Public unitholders	20.4	%	88,376,728	—
Total units outstanding	100.0	%	433,216,156	14,520,000

(1) Excludes the Enable Series A Preferred Units owned by CenterPoint Energy.

(2) The carrying amount of the Enable Series A Preferred Units, reflected as Preferred units - unconsolidated affiliate on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $363 million as of both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. No impairment charges or adjustment due to observable price changes were made during the current or prior reporting periods. See Note 2 for further discussion.

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(3) Includes Enable Series A Preferred Units held directly by CenterPoint Energy and common units held indirectly through CNP Midstream.

Generally, sales to any person or entity (including a series of sales to the same person or entity) of more than 5% of the aggregate of the common units CNP Midstream owns in Enable or sales to any person or entity (including a series of sales to the same person or entity) by OGE of more than 5% of the aggregate of the common units it owns in Enable are subject to mutual rights of first offer and first refusal set forth in Enable’s Agreement of Limited Partnership.

Interests Held in Enable GP (CenterPoint Energy):

	September 30, 2018
	Management Rights (1)		Incentive Distribution Rights (2)
CenterPoint Energy (3)	50	%	40	%
OGE	50	%	60	%

(1) Enable is controlled jointly by CenterPoint Energy and OGE. Sale of CenterPoint Energy’s or OGE’s ownership interests in Enable GP to a third party is subject to mutual rights of first offer and first refusal, and CenterPoint Energy is not permitted to dispose of less than all of its interest in Enable GP.

(2) Enable is expected to pay a minimum quarterly distribution of $0.2875 per common unit on its outstanding common units to the extent it has sufficient cash from operations after establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including payments to Enable GP and its affiliates, within 60 days after the end of each quarter. If cash distributions to Enable’s unitholders exceed $0.330625 per common unit in any quarter, Enable GP will receive increasing percentages or incentive distributions rights, up to 50%, of the cash Enable distributes in excess of that amount. In certain circumstances Enable GP will have the right to reset the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels at which the incentive distributions receive increasing percentages to higher levels based on Enable’s cash distributions at the time of the exercise of this reset election. To date, no incentive distributions have been made.

(3) Includes interests held through CNP Midstream.

Distributions Received from Enable (CenterPoint Energy and CERC):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Investment in Enable common units (1)	$	74	$	74	$	223	$	223
Total CERC (2)	74		74		223		223
Investment in Enable Series A Preferred Units (3)	9		9		27		27
Total CenterPoint Energy	$	83	$	83	$	250	$	250

(1) Reflects cash distributions of $0.318 and $0.954 per common unit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

(2) On September 4, 2018, CERC completed the Internal Spin. After such date, CNP Midstream owned the Enable common units previously owned by CERC.

(3) Reflects cash distributions of $0.625 and $1.875 per Enable Series A Preferred Unit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

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Transactions with Enable (CenterPoint Energy and CERC):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Reimbursement of transition services (1) (CenterPoint Energy)	$	1	$	—	$	4	$	3
Natural gas expenses, including transportation and storage costs (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)	23		23		89		80

(1) Represents amounts billed under the Transition Agreements for certain support services provided to Enable. Actual transition services costs are recorded net of reimbursement.

	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
	(in millions)
Accounts receivable for amounts billed for transition services (CenterPoint Energy)	$	3	$	1
Accounts payable for natural gas purchases from Enable (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)	8		13

Summarized unaudited consolidated income information for Enable is as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Operating revenues	$	928	$	705	$	2,481	$	1,997
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization	516		349		1,335		936
Depreciation and amortization	100		90		292		267
Operating income	171		137		436		399
Net income attributable to Enable common units	129		104		320		301
Reconciliation of Equity in Earnings, net:
CenterPoint Energy’s interest	$	70	$	56	$	173	$	163
Basis difference amortization (1)	11		12		35		36
CenterPoint Energy’s equity in earnings, net	$	81	$	68	$	208	$	199

(1) Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate includes CenterPoint Energy’s share of Enable’s earnings adjusted for the amortization of the basis difference of CenterPoint Energy’s original investment in Enable and their underlying equity in Enable’s net assets. The basis difference is amortized over approximately 31 years, the average life of the assets to which the basis difference is attributed.

Summarized unaudited consolidated balance sheet information for Enable is as follows:

	September 30, 2018			December 31, 2017
	(in millions)
Current assets	$	481		$	416
Non-current assets	11,454			11,177
Current liabilities	1,403			1,279
Non-current liabilities	2,964			2,660
Non-controlling interest	11			12
Preferred equity	362			362
Enable partners’ equity	7,195			7,280
Reconciliation of Investment in Enable:
CenterPoint Energy’s ownership interest in Enable partners’ equity	$	3,883		$	3,935
CenterPoint Energy’s basis difference	(1,426		)	(1,463		)
CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable	$	2,457		$	2,472

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Discontinued Operations (CERC):

The Internal Spin represents a significant strategic shift that has a material effect on CERC’s operations and financial results and, as a result, CERC’s distribution of its equity investment in Enable met the criteria for discontinued operations classification. CERC has no continuing involvement in the equity investment of Enable. Therefore, CERC’s equity in earnings and related income taxes have been classified as Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, in CERC’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income for the periods presented. CERC’s equity method investment and related deferred income tax liabilities have been classified as Investment in unconsolidated affiliate - discontinued operations and Deferred income taxes, net - discontinued operations, respectively, in CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for the periods presented. The following table presents amounts included in Income from discontinued operations, net of tax in CERC’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate, net	$	57	$	68	$	184	$	199
Income tax expense	13		26		44		75
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	44	$	42	$	140	$	124

(10) Goodwill and Other Intangibles (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s goodwill by reportable business segment as of both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 is as follows:

	(in millions)
Natural Gas Distribution	$	746
Energy Services (1)	110
Other Operations	11
Total	$	867

(1) Amount presented is net of the accumulated goodwill impairment charge of $252 million recorded in 2012.

CenterPoint Energy and CERC perform goodwill impairment tests at least annually and evaluate goodwill when events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying value may not be recoverable. The impairment evaluation for goodwill is performed by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit with the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit is primarily determined on the basis of discounted cash flows. If the carrying amount is in excess of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, then the excess amount is the impairment charge that should be recorded, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. See Note 2 for further discussion.

CenterPoint Energy and CERC performed the annual goodwill impairment test in the third quarter of 2018 and determined that no goodwill impairment charge was required for any reporting unit, which approximate the reportable segments.

The tables below present information on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s other intangible assets recorded in Other non-current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

		September 30, 2018							December 31, 2017
	Useful Lives	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Balance		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Balance
	(in years)	(in millions)
Customer relationships	15	$	86	$	(26	)	$	60	$	86	$	(21	)	$	65
Covenants not to compete	4	4		(2		)	2		4		(2		)	2
Other	Various	15		(10		)	5		15		(8		)	7
Total		$	105	$	(38	)	$	67	$	105	$	(31	)	$	74

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	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Amortization expense of intangible assets	$	2	$	2	$	7	$	5

(11) Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) and Securities Related to ZENS (CenterPoint Energy)

(a) Investment in Securities Related to ZENS

In 1995, CenterPoint Energy sold a cable television subsidiary to TW and received certain TW securities as partial consideration. A subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy holds shares of certain securities detailed in the table below, which are classified as trading securities and are expected to be held to facilitate CenterPoint Energy’s ability to meet its obligation under the ZENS. Unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in the market value of the ZENS-Related Securities are recorded in CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

	Shares Held
	September 30, 2018	December 31, 2017
AT&T Common	10,212,945	—
Charter Common	872,503	872,503
Time Common	—	888,392
TW Common	—	7,107,130

(b) ZENS

In September 1999, CenterPoint Energy issued ZENS having an original principal amount of $1 billion of which $828 million remain outstanding as of September 30, 2018. Each ZENS was originally exchangeable at the holder’s option at any time for an amount of cash equal to 95% of the market value of the reference shares of TW Common attributable to such note. The number and identity of the reference shares attributable to each ZENS are adjusted for certain corporate events.

On October 22, 2016, AT&T announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire TW in a stock and cash transaction. On February 15, 2017, TW shareholders approved the announced transaction with AT&T. The merger closed on June 14, 2018. CenterPoint Energy received $53.75 and 1.437 shares of AT&T Common for each share of TW Common held, resulting in cash proceeds of $382 million and 10,212,945 shares of AT&T Common. In accordance with the terms of the ZENS, CenterPoint Energy remitted $382 million to ZENS note holders in July 2018, which reduced the contingent principal amount. 

On November 26, 2017, Meredith announced that it had entered into a definitive merger agreement with Time. Pursuant to the merger agreement, upon closing of the merger, a subsidiary of Meredith would purchase for cash all outstanding Time Common shares for $18.50 per share. The transaction was consummated on January 31, 2018. CenterPoint Energy elected to make a reference share offer adjustment and distribute additional interest, if any, in accordance with the terms of its ZENS rather than electing to increase the early exchange ratio to 100%. CenterPoint Energy’s distribution of additional interest in connection with the reference share offer was proportionate to the percentage of eligible shares that were validly tendered by Time stockholders in Meredith’s tender offer. CenterPoint Energy received $18.50 for each share of Time Common held, resulting in cash proceeds of approximately $16 million. In accordance with the terms of the ZENS, CenterPoint Energy distributed additional interest of approximately $16 million to ZENS holders on March 6, 2018, which reduced the contingent principal amount.

As a result, CenterPoint Energy recorded the following during the nine months ended September 30, 2018:

	Meredith/Time			AT&T/TW
	(in millions)
Cash payment to ZENS note holders	$	16		$	382
Indexed debt – reduction	(4		)	(95		)
Indexed debt securities derivative – reduction	(1		)	(45		)
Loss on indexed debt securities	$	11		$	242

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CenterPoint Energy’s reference shares for each ZENS consisted of the following:

	September 30, 2018	December 31, 2017
	(in shares)
AT&T Common	0.7185	—
Charter Common	0.061382	0.061382
Time Common	—	0.0625
TW Common	—	0.5

As of September 30, 2018, the contingent principal amount of the ZENS was $98 million.

(12) Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt

(a) Short-term Borrowings (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

Inventory Financing. NGD has AMAs associated with its utility distribution service in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. In March 2018, NGD’s third party AMAs in Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma expired, and NGD entered into new AMAs with CES effective April 1, 2018 in these states. The AMAs have varying terms, the longest of which expires in 2021. Pursuant to the provisions of the agreements, NGD sells natural gas and agrees to repurchase an equivalent amount of natural gas during the winter heating seasons at the same cost. These transactions are accounted for as an inventory financing and had an associated principal obligation of $ -0- and $39 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

(b) Long-term Debt

Debt Issuances. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the following debt instruments were issued:

	Issuance Date	Debt Instrument	Aggregate Principal Amount		Interest Rate	Maturity Date
			(in millions)
Houston Electric	February 2018	General mortgage bonds	$	400	3.95%	2048
CERC Corp.	March 2018	Unsecured senior notes	300		3.55%	2023
CERC Corp.	March 2018	Unsecured senior notes	300		4.00%	2028

The proceeds from these issuances were used for general limited liability company and corporate purposes, as applicable, including to repay portions of outstanding commercial paper and borrowings under CenterPoint Energy’s money pool.

Merger Financings. On October 5, 2018, the following debt instruments were issued:

	Debt Instrument	Aggregate Principal Amount		Interest Rate	Maturity Date
		(in millions)
CenterPoint Energy	Unsecured senior notes	$	500	3.60%	2021
CenterPoint Energy	Unsecured senior notes	500		3.85%	2024
CenterPoint Energy	Unsecured senior notes	500		4.25%	2028

CenterPoint Energy intends to use the net proceeds from these debt issuances to fund a portion of the pending Merger and to pay related fees and expenses.

If CenterPoint Energy does not consummate the Merger on or prior to October 31, 2019, or if, on or prior to such date, the Merger Agreement is terminated, CenterPoint Energy will be required to redeem all of the outstanding notes at a redemption price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of such special mandatory redemption.  The notes may also be redeemed at CenterPoint Energy’s option, in whole but not in part, at any time before October 31, 2019, at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the date of such redemption, if CenterPoint Energy determines, in its reasonable judgment, that the Merger will not be consummated on or before close of business on October 31, 2019.

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Credit Facility. In May 2018, CenterPoint Energy entered into an amendment to its revolving credit facility to increase the aggregate commitments from $1.7 billion to $3.3 billion effective the earlier of (i) the termination of all commitments by certain lenders to provide the Bridge Facility and (ii) the payment in full of all obligations (other than contingent obligations) under the Bridge Facility and termination of all commitments to advance additional credit thereunder, and in each case, so long as the Merger Agreement has not been terminated pursuant to the terms thereof without consummation of the Merger. This increase to CenterPoint Energy’s revolving credit facility will automatically expire on the earlier of the (a) termination date of the revolving credit facility and (b) if the Merger Agreement is terminated without consummation of the Merger, the date that is 90 days after such termination. In addition, the amendment provides for a temporary increase on the maximum ratio of debt for borrowed money to capital from 65% to 75% until the earlier of (i) June 30, 2019 and (ii) the termination of all commitments in respect of the Bridge Facility without any borrowing thereunder. On October 5, 2018, CenterPoint Energy terminated all remaining commitments by lenders to provide the Bridge Facility. As a result, the aggregate commitments under the revolving credit facility automatically increased from $1.7 billion to $3.3 billion and the maximum ratio of debt for borrowed money to capital reverted to 65%.

The Registrants had the following revolving credit facilities and utilization of such facilities:

				September 30, 2018								December 31, 2017
	Size of Facility			Loans		Letters of Credit		Commercial Paper		Weighted Average Interest Rate		Loans		Letters of Credit		Commercial Paper		Weighted Average Interest Rate
	(in millions, except weighted average interest rate)
CenterPoint Energy	$	1,700	(1)	$	—	$	6	$	104	2.42	%	$	—	$	6	$	855	1.88	%
Houston Electric	300			—		4		—		—		—		4		—		—
CERC Corp.	900			—		1		98		2.43	%	—		1		898		1.72	%
Total	$	2,900		$	—	$	11	$	202			$	—	$	11	$	1,753

(1) Pursuant to the amendment entered into in May 2018, the aggregate commitments under the CenterPoint Energy revolving credit facility increased to $3.3 billion on October 5, 2018 as a result of the satisfaction of certain conditions described above.

Execution  Date	Company	Size of Facility			Draw Rate of LIBOR plus (1)	Financial Covenant Limit on Debt for Borrowed Money to Capital Ratio		Debt for Borrowed Money to Capital Ratio as of September 30, 2018 (2)	Termination Date
		(in millions)
March 3, 2016	CenterPoint Energy	$	1,700	(3)	1.250%	75%	(4) (5)	47.5%	March 3, 2022
March 3, 2016	Houston Electric	300			1.125%	65%	(5)	50.7%	March 3, 2022
March 3, 2016	CERC Corp.	900			1.125%	65%		48.6%	March 3, 2022

(1) Based on current credit ratings.

(2) As defined in the revolving credit facility agreement, excluding Securitization Bonds.

(3) Pursuant to the amendment entered into in May 2018, the aggregate commitments under the CenterPoint Energy revolving credit facility increased to $3.3 billion on October 5, 2018 as a result of the satisfaction of certain conditions described above.

(4) On October 5, 2018, CenterPoint Energy’s financial covenant limit returned to 65% due to the termination of all commitments in respect of the Bridge Facility without any borrowing thereunder.

(5) For CenterPoint Energy (whenever its financial covenant limit is 65%) and Houston Electric, the financial covenant limit will temporarily increase from 65% to 70% if Houston Electric experiences damage from a natural disaster in its service territory and CenterPoint Energy certifies to the administrative agent that Houston Electric has incurred system restoration costs reasonably likely to exceed $100 million in a consecutive 12-month period, all or part of which Houston Electric intends to seek to recover through securitization financing. Such temporary increase in the financial covenant would be in effect from the date CenterPoint Energy delivers its certification until the earliest to occur of (i) the completion of the

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securitization financing, (ii) the first anniversary of CenterPoint Energy’s certification or (iii) the revocation of such certification.

The Registrants were in compliance with all financial debt covenants as of September 30, 2018.

Other. As of both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Houston Electric had issued $118 million of general mortgage bonds as collateral for long-term debt of CenterPoint Energy. These bonds are not reflected in Houston Electric’s consolidated financial statements because of the contingent nature of the obligations.

(13) Income Taxes

The Registrants reported the following effective tax rates:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
CenterPoint Energy (1)	24	%	37	%	26	%	36	%
Houston Electric (2)	20	%	35	%	21	%	36	%
CERC - Continuing operations (3) (4)	5	%	20	%	29	%	38	%
CERC - Discontinued operations (5)	23	%	38	%	24	%	38	%

(1) CenterPoint Energy’s lower effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods for 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. The effective tax rate decreased by 5% and 4%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 due to the amortization of EDIT. These decreases were partially offset by an increase to the effective tax rate of 5% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2018 as a result of the establishment of a state valuation allowance on certain net operating loss deferred tax assets that are no longer expected to be utilized prior to expiration after the Internal Spin. The effective tax rate increased by 7% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018 due to state law changes and the state valuation allowance. See Note 9 for further discussion on the Internal Spin.

(2) Houston Electric’s lower effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods for 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. The effective tax rate was further reduced by 2% for both periods due to the amortization of EDIT.

(3) CERC’s lower effective tax rate on the loss from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. The effective tax rate decreased by 18% due to state taxes as a result of the establishment of a state valuation allowance on certain net operating loss deferred tax assets that are no longer expected to be utilized prior to expiration after the Internal Spin. These decreases were partially offset by an increase to the effective tax rate of 15% due to the amortization of EDIT. See Note 9 for further discussion on the Internal Spin.

(4) CERC’s lower effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. The effective tax rate decreased by 20% due to the amortization of EDIT. These decreases were partially offset by an increase to the effective tax rate of 22% as a result of an increase in state tax rates and the establishment of a state valuation allowance on certain net operating loss deferred tax assets that are no longer expected to be utilized prior to expiration after the Internal Spin. See Note 9 for further discussion on the Internal Spin.

(5) CERC’s lower effective tax rate on income from discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. See Note 9 for further discussion on the Internal Spin and the associated discontinued operations presentation.

The Registrants reported no uncertain tax liability as of September 30, 2018 and expect no significant changes to the uncertain tax liability over the next twelve months. Tax years through 2016 have been audited and settled with the IRS, however, during the

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three months ended September 30, 2018, CenterPoint Energy filed an amended 2014 tax return to claim additional tax credits that is currently under review by the IRS. For the 2017 and 2018 tax years, CenterPoint Energy is a participant in the IRS’s Compliance Assurance Process.

(14) Commitments and Contingencies

(a) Natural Gas Supply Commitments (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

Natural gas supply commitments include natural gas contracts related to CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas Distribution and Energy Services business segments, which have various quantity requirements and durations, that are not classified as non-trading derivative assets and liabilities in CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 as these contracts meet an exception as “normal purchases contracts” or do not meet the definition of a derivative. Natural gas supply commitments also include natural gas transportation contracts that do not meet the definition of a derivative.

As of September 30, 2018, minimum payment obligations for natural gas supply commitments are approximately:

	(in millions)
Remaining three months of 2018	$	88
2019	325
2020	303
2021	219
2022	183
2023 and beyond	1,644

(b) Legal, Environmental and Other Matters

Legal Matters

Gas Market Manipulation Cases (CenterPoint Energy and CERC).  CenterPoint Energy, its predecessor, Reliant Energy, and certain of their former subsidiaries were named as defendants in a large number of lawsuits filed against numerous gas market participants in a number of federal and western state courts in connection with the operation of the natural gas markets in 2000-2002. CenterPoint Energy and its affiliates were released or dismissed from all such cases, except for one case pending in federal court in Nevada in which CES, a subsidiary of CERC Corp., is a defendant. Plaintiffs in that case allege a conspiracy to inflate Wisconsin natural gas prices in 2000-2002. In May 2016, the district court granted CES’s motion for summary judgment, dismissing CES from the case. In August 2018, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that ruling, and CES requested further appellate review of that decision.

Under a master separation agreement between CenterPoint Energy and a former subsidiary, RRI, CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries are entitled to be indemnified by RRI and its successors for any losses, including certain attorneys’ fees and other costs, arising out of these lawsuits.  Through a series of transactions, RRI became known as GenOn and a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG. None of those transactions alters GenOn’s contractual obligations to indemnify CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries for certain liabilities, including their indemnification obligations regarding the gas market manipulation litigation. In June 2017, however, GenOn and various affiliates filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and are expected to emerge from Chapter 11 in 2018. CenterPoint Energy, CERC, and CES submitted proofs of claim in the bankruptcy proceedings to protect their indemnity rights.

In October 2018, CES, GenOn, and the plaintiffs reached an agreement to settle all claims against CES and CES’s indemnity claims against GenOn, subject to approvals by the bankruptcy court and the federal district court. If the settlement agreement is not approved and if GenOn’s bankruptcy proceedings result in it not being required to fulfill its indemnity obligations, CES could incur liability and be responsible for satisfying it. CenterPoint Energy does not expect the ultimate outcome of this matter to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Minnehaha Academy (CenterPoint Energy and CERC).  On August 2, 2017, a natural gas explosion occurred at the Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, Minnesota, resulting in the deaths of two school employees, serious injuries to others and significant property damage to the school.  CenterPoint Energy, certain of its subsidiaries, including CERC, and the contractor company working in the school have been named in litigation arising out of this incident.  CenterPoint Energy has reached confidential settlement agreements with some claimants. Additionally, CenterPoint Energy is cooperating with the ongoing investigation conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board. Further, CenterPoint Energy is contesting approximately $200,000 in

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fines imposed by the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety.  In early 2018, the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration concluded its investigation without any adverse findings against CenterPoint Energy. CenterPoint Energy’s general and excess liability insurance policies provide coverage for third party bodily injury and property damage claims. 

Environmental Matters

MGP Sites (CenterPoint Energy and CERC). CERC and its predecessors operated MGPs in the past.  With respect to certain Minnesota MGP sites, CERC has completed state-ordered remediation and continues state-ordered monitoring and water treatment. As of September 30, 2018, CERC had a recorded liability of $7 million for continued monitoring and any future remediation required by regulators in Minnesota. The estimated range of possible remediation costs for the sites for which CERC believes it may have responsibility was $4 million to $30 million based on remediation continuing for 30 to 50 years. The cost estimates are based on studies of a site or industry average costs for remediation of sites of similar size. The actual remediation costs will depend on the number of sites to be remediated, the participation of other PRPs, if any, and the remediation methods used. 

In addition to the Minnesota sites, the EPA and other regulators have investigated MGP sites that were owned or operated by CERC or may have been owned by one of its former affiliates. CenterPoint Energy and CERC do not expect the ultimate outcome of these matters to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of either CenterPoint Energy or CERC.

Asbestos.Some facilities owned by the Registrants or their predecessors in interest contain or have contained asbestos insulation and other asbestos-containing materials. The Registrants are from time to time named, along with numerous others, as defendants in lawsuits filed by a number of individuals who claim injury due to exposure to asbestos, and the Registrants anticipate that additional claims may be asserted in the future.  Although their ultimate outcome cannot be predicted at this time, the Registrants do not expect these matters, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on their financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Other Environmental. From time to time, the Registrants identify the presence of environmental contaminants during operations or on property where predecessor companies have conducted operations.  Other such sites involving contaminants may be identified in the future.  The Registrants have and expect to continue to remediate any identified sites consistent with state and federal legal obligations.  From time to time, the Registrants have received notices, and may receive notices in the future, from regulatory authorities or others regarding status as a PRP in connection with sites found to require remediation due to the presence of environmental contaminants. In addition, the Registrants have been, or may be, named from time to time as defendants in litigation related to such sites. Although the ultimate outcome of such matters cannot be predicted at this time, the Registrants do not expect these matters, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on their financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Other Proceedings

The Registrants are involved in other legal, environmental, tax and regulatory proceedings before various courts, regulatory commissions and governmental agencies regarding matters arising in the ordinary course of business. From time to time, the Registrants are also defendants in legal proceedings with respect to claims brought by various plaintiffs against broad groups of participants in the energy industry. Some of these proceedings involve substantial amounts. The Registrants regularly analyze current information and, as necessary, provide accruals for probable and reasonably estimable liabilities on the eventual disposition of these matters. The Registrants do not expect the disposition of these matters to have a material adverse effect on the Registrants’ financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

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(15) Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy)

The following table reconciles numerators and denominators of CenterPoint Energy’s basic and diluted earnings per share calculations:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions, except share and per share amounts)
Income available to common shareholders	$	153	$	169	$	243	$	496
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	431,554,000		431,026,000		431,437,000		430,939,000
Plus: Incremental shares from assumed conversions:
Restricted stock	3,337,000		3,060,000		3,337,000		3,060,000
Diluted weighted average common shares	434,891,000		434,086,000		434,774,000		433,999,000
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.35	$	0.39	$	0.56	$	1.15
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.35	$	0.39	$	0.56	$	1.14

(16) Reportable Business Segments

The Registrants’ determination of reportable business segments considers the strategic operating units under which the Registrants manage sales, allocate resources and assess performance of various products and services to wholesale or retail customers in differing regulatory environments. The Registrants use operating income as the measure of profit or loss for the business segments other than Midstream Investments, where equity in earnings is used.

As of September 30, 2018, reportable business segments by Registrant are as follows:

	Electric Transmission & Distribution	Natural Gas Distribution	Energy  Services	Midstream Investments	Other Operations
CenterPoint Energy	X	X	X	X	X
Houston Electric	X
CERC		X	X	(1)	X

(1) In the three months ended September 30, 2018, CERC completed the Internal Spin. Previously, CERC’s equity method investment in Enable was included in the Midstream Investments segment. CERC’s equity in earnings in Enable, net of basis difference amortization and income tax, has been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. See Note 9 for further discussion on the Internal Spin and the associated discontinued operations presentation.

Electric Transmission & Distribution consists of the electric transmission and distribution function. Natural Gas Distribution consists of intrastate natural gas sales to, and natural gas transportation and distribution for, residential, commercial, industrial and institutional customers. Energy Services consists of non-rate regulated natural gas sales and services operations. Midstream Investments consists of the equity investment in Enable (excluding the Enable Series A Preferred Units). Other Operations consists primarily of other corporate operations which support all of the business operations.

Houston Electric consists of a single reportable business segment and therefore is not included in the tabular business segment presentation below. Operating income (loss) amounts for 2017 have been recast to reflect the adoption of ASU 2017-07 (see Note 2 for further information).

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Financial data for business segments is as follows:

CenterPoint Energy

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018									2017
	Revenues from External Customers			Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income (Loss)			Revenues from External Customers			Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income
	(in millions)
Electric Transmission & Distribution	$	897	(1)	$	—		$	227		$	843	(1)	$	—		$	254
Natural Gas Distribution	402			8			3			390			8			25
Energy Services	910			10			(9		)	861			10			7
Midstream Investments (2)	—			—			—			—			—			—
Other Operations	3			—			5			4			—			11
Eliminations	—			(18		)	—			—			(18		)	—
Consolidated	$	2,212		$	—		$	226		$	2,098		$	—		$	297

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018									2017
	Revenues from External Customers			Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income (Loss)			Revenues from External Customers			Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income
	(in millions)
Electric Transmission & Distribution	$	2,502	(1)	$	—		$	523		$	2,234	(1)	$	—		$	511
Natural Gas Distribution	2,032			26			166			1,767			24			235
Energy Services	3,008			57			(20		)	2,964			34			58
Midstream Investments (2)	—			—			—			—			—			—
Other Operations	11			—			(5		)	11			—			24
Eliminations	—			(83		)	—			—			(58		)	—
Consolidated	$	7,553		$	—		$	664		$	6,976		$	—		$	828

(1) CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s Electric Transmission & Distribution revenues from major customers are as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Affiliates of NRG	$	213	$	221	$	543	$	540
Affiliates of Vistra Energy Corp.	79		72		192		172

(2) CenterPoint Energy’s Midstream Investments’ equity earnings, net are as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Enable	$	81	$	68	$	208	$	199

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CERC

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018								2017
	Revenues from External Customers		Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income (Loss)			Revenues from External Customers		Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income (Loss)
	(in millions)
Natural Gas Distribution	$	402	$	8		$	3		$	390	$	8		$	25
Energy Services	910		10			(9		)	861		10			7
Other Operations	—		—			(1		)	—		—			(1		)
Eliminations	—		(18		)	—			—		(18		)	—
Consolidated	$	1,312	$	—		$	(7	)	$	1,251	$	—		$	31

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018								2017
	Revenues from External Customers		Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income (Loss)			Revenues from External Customers		Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income  (Loss)
	(in millions)
Natural Gas Distribution	$	2,032	$	26		$	166		$	1,767	$	24		$	235
Energy Services	3,008		57			(20		)	2,964		34			58
Other Operations	—		—			—			—		—			(4		)
Eliminations	—		(83		)	—			—		(58		)	—
Consolidated	$	5,040	$	—		$	146		$	4,731	$	—		$	289

CenterPoint Energy and CERC

	Total Assets
	September 30, 2018								December 31, 2017
	CenterPoint  Energy				CERC				CenterPoint Energy				CERC
	(in millions)
Electric Transmission & Distribution	$	10,436			$	—			$	10,292			$	—
Natural Gas Distribution	6,557				6,557				6,608				6,608
Energy Services	1,253				1,253				1,521				1,521
Midstream Investments	2,457				—				2,472				—
Assets of discontinued operations	—				—			(1)	—				2,472			(1)
Other Operations	2,206			(2)	110				2,497			(2)	70
Eliminations	(681		)		(615		)		(654		)		(559		)
Consolidated	$	22,228			$	7,305			$	22,736			$	10,112

(1) On September 4, 2018, CERC completed the Internal Spin. For further information regarding the Internal Spin, see Note 9.

(2) Includes pension and other postemployment-related regulatory assets of $566 million and $600 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

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(17) Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

The table below provides supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash Payments/Receipts:
Interest, net of capitalized interest	$	301	$	173	$	85	$	306	$	176	$	86
Income taxes, net	89		122		3		14		76		4
Non-cash transactions:
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures	140		87		66		111		70		53
Capital distribution associated with the Internal Spin	—		—		1,460		—		—		—

The table below provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets to the amount reported in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows:

	September 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric
	(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	293	$	279	$	260	$	238
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets	37		37		35		35
Restricted cash included in Other	1		1		1		1
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows	$	331	$	317	$	296	$	274

CERC does not have restricted cash and therefore was not included in the table above.

(18) Related Party Transactions(Houston Electric and CERC)

Houston Electric and CERC participate in a money pool through which they can borrow or invest on a short-term basis. Funding needs are aggregated and external borrowing or investing is based on the net cash position. The net funding requirements of the money pool are expected to be met with borrowings under CenterPoint Energy’s revolving credit facility or the sale of CenterPoint Energy’s commercial paper.

The table below summarizes money pool activity:

	September 30, 2018						December 31, 2017
	Houston Electric			CERC			Houston Electric			CERC
	(in millions)
Money pool investments (borrowings) (1)	$	(75	)	$	—		$	(60	)	$	(570	)
Weighted average interest rate	2.45		%	2.45		%	1.90		%	1.90		%

(1) Included in Accounts and notes receivable (payable)–affiliated companies in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Houston Electric and CERC affiliate related net interest income (expense) were as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018					2017				2018					2017
	Houston Electric		CERC			Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC			Houston Electric		CERC
						(in millions)
Interest income (expense) (1)	$	1	$	(2	)	$	1	$	—	$	1	$	(4	)	$	3	$	—

(1) Interest income is included in Other, net and interest expense is included in Interest and other finance charges on the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

CenterPoint Energy provides some corporate services to Houston Electric and CERC. The costs of services have been charged directly to Houston Electric and CERC using methods that management believes are reasonable. These methods include negotiated usage rates, dedicated asset assignment and proportionate corporate formulas based on operating expenses, assets, gross margin, employees and a composite of assets, gross margin and employees. Houston Electric provides certain services to CERC. These services are billed at actual cost, either directly or as an allocation and include fleet services, shop services, geographic services, surveying and right-of-way services, radio communications, data circuit management and field operations. Additionally, CERC provides certain services to Houston Electric. These services are billed at actual cost, either directly or as an allocation and include line locating and other miscellaneous services. These charges are not necessarily indicative of what would have been incurred had Houston Electric and CERC not been affiliates.

Amounts charged for these services were as follows and are included primarily in operation and maintenance expenses:

	Three Months Ended September 30,										Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018					2017					2018					2017
	Houston Electric			CERC		Houston Electric			CERC		Houston Electric			CERC		Houston Electric			CERC
	(in millions)
Corporate service charges	$	47		$	36	$	41		$	30	$	138		$	105	$	127		$	93
Net affiliate service charges (billings)	(3		)	3		(1		)	1		(8		)	8		(6		)	6

The table below presents transactions among Houston Electric, CERC and their parent, Utility Holding.

	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018				2017				2018				2017
	Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash dividends paid to parent	$	60	$	75	$	45	$	89	$	123	$	286	$	87	$	337
Cash contribution from parent	—		600		—		—		—		600		—		38
Capital distribution to parent associated with the Internal Spin	—		1,460		—		—		—		1,460		—		—

(19) Equity (CenterPoint Energy)

Dividends Declared

CenterPoint Energy declared dividends for the periods presented in the table below:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
Equity Instrument	2018		2017		2018 (1)		2017
	(per share)
Common Stock	$	0.2775	$	0.2675	$	0.5550	$	0.8025

(1) On December 13, 2017, CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.2775 per share of Common Stock, payable on March 8, 2018 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 15, 2018.

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Series A Preferred Stock

On August 22, 2018, CenterPoint Energy completed the issuance of 800,000 shares of its Series A Preferred Stock, at a price of $1,000 per share, resulting in net proceeds of $790 million after issuance costs. The aggregate liquidation value of the Series A Preferred Stock is $800 million with a per share liquidation value of $1,000.

CenterPoint Energy intends to use the net proceeds from the Series A Preferred Stock offering to fund a portion of the pending Merger and to pay related fees and expenses.

Dividends. The Series A Preferred Stock accrue cumulative dividends, calculated as a percentage of the stated amount per share, at a fixed annual rate of 6.125% per annum to, but excluding, September 1, 2023, and at an annual rate of three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 3.270% thereafter to be paid in cash if, when and as declared. If declared, prior to September 1, 2023, dividends are payable semi-annually in arrears on each March 1 and September 1, beginning on March 1, 2019, and, for the period commencing on September 1, 2023, dividends are payable quarterly in arrears each March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1, beginning on December 1, 2023. Cumulative dividends accrued during the applicable periods are presented on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income as Series A Preferred Stock dividend requirement.

Optional Redemption. On or after September 1, 2023, CenterPoint Energy may, at its option, redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, for cash at a redemption price of $1,000 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date.

At any time within 120 days after the conclusion of any review or appeal process instituted by CenterPoint Energy, if any, following the occurrence of a ratings event, CenterPoint Energy may, at its option, redeem the Series A Preferred Stock in whole, but not in part, at a redemption price in cash per share equal to $1,020 (102% of the liquidation value of $1,000) plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date, whether or not declared.

Ranking. The Series A Preferred Stock, with respect to anticipated dividends and distributions upon CenterPoint Energy’s liquidation or dissolution, or winding-up of CenterPoint Energy’s affairs, ranks or will rank:

• senior to Common Stock and to each other class or series of capital stock established after the initial issue date of the Series A Preferred Stock that is expressly made subordinated to the Series A Preferred Stock;

• on a parity with any class or series of capital stock established after the initial issue date of the Series A Preferred Stock that is not expressly made senior or subordinated to the Series A Preferred Stock, including the Series B Preferred Stock;

• junior to any class or series of capital stock established after the initial issue date of the Series A Preferred Stock that is expressly made senior to the Series A Preferred Stock;

• junior to all existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness outstanding under CenterPoint Energy’s credit facilities, senior notes and commercial paper) and other liabilities with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against CenterPoint Energy; and

• structurally subordinated to any existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of CenterPoint Energy’s subsidiaries and capital stock of CenterPoint Energy’s subsidiaries held by third parties.

Voting Rights. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock generally will not have voting rights. Whenever dividends on shares of Series A Preferred Stock have not been declared and paid for the equivalent of three or more semi-annual or six or more quarterly dividend periods (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the dividend period beginning on, and including, the original issue date and ending on, but excluding, March 1, 2019), whether or not consecutive, the holders of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class with holders of any and all other series of voting preferred stock (as defined in the Statement of Resolution for the Series A Preferred Stock) then outstanding, will be entitled at CenterPoint Energy’s next annual or special meeting of shareholders to vote for the election of a total of two additional members of CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors, subject to certain limitations. This right will terminate if and when all accumulated dividends have been paid in full and, upon such termination, the term of office of each director so elected will terminate at such time and the number of directors on CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors will automatically decrease by two, subject to the revesting of such rights in the event of each subsequent nonpayment.

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Series B Preferred Stock

On October 1, 2018, CenterPoint Energy completed the issuance of 19,550,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of its Series B Preferred Stock, at a price of $50 per depositary share, resulting in net proceeds of $950 million after issuance costs. The aggregate liquidation value of Series B Preferred Stock is $978 million with a per share liquidation value of $1,000. The amount issued included 2,550,000 depositary shares issued pursuant to the exercise in full of the option granted to the underwriters to purchase additional depositary shares.

CenterPoint Energy intends to use the net proceeds from the offering of depositary shares, each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of Series B Preferred Stock, to fund a portion of the pending Merger and to pay related fees and expenses.

Dividends. Dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock will be payable on a cumulative basis when, as and if declared at an annual rate of 7.00% on the liquidation value of $1,000 per share. CenterPoint Energy may pay declared dividends in cash or, subject to certain limitations, in shares of Common Stock, or in any combination of cash and shares of Common Stock on March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on December 1, 2018 and ending on, and including, September 1, 2021.

Acquisition Termination Redemption. If the pending Merger has not closed at or prior to close of business on April 21, 2019 or if an acquisition termination event occurs, CenterPoint Energy may, at its option, give notice of an acquisition termination redemption to the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock. If CenterPoint Energy provides such notice, then, on the acquisition termination redemption date, CenterPoint Energy will be required to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption amount per share of the Series B Preferred Stock equal to the acquisition termination redemption amount. CenterPoint Energy will pay the acquisition termination redemption amount in cash unless the acquisition termination share price is greater than the initial price, in which case CenterPoint Energy will instead pay the acquisition termination redemption amount by delivering shares of Common Stock and cash; provided, that CenterPoint Energy may elect, subject to certain limitations, to pay cash or deliver shares of Common Stock in lieu of these amounts. If CenterPoint Energy redeems shares of the Series B Preferred Stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, on the same acquisition termination redemption date, the number of the depositary shares representing the shares of the Series B Preferred Stock so redeemed.

Mandatory Conversion. Unless earlier converted or redeemed, each share of the Series B Preferred Stock will automatically convert on the mandatory conversion date, which is expected to be September 1, 2021, into not less than 30.5820 and not more than 36.6980 shares of Common Stock, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. Correspondingly, the conversion rate per depositary share will be not less than 1.5291 and not more than 1.8349 shares of Common Stock, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. The conversion rate will be determined based on a preceding 20-day volume-weighted-average-price of Common Stock.

The following table illustrates the conversion rate per share of the Series B Preferred Stock, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments:

Applicable Market Value of the Common Stock	Conversion Rate per Share of Series B Preferred Stock
Greater than $32.6990 (threshold appreciation price)	30.5820 shares of Common Stock
Equal to or less than $32.6990 but greater than or equal to $27.2494	Between 30.5820 and 36.6980 shares of Common Stock, determined by dividing $1,000 by the applicable market value
Less than $27.2494 (initial price)	36.6980 shares of Common Stock

The following table illustrates the conversion rate per depositary share, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments:

Applicable Market Value of the Common Stock	Conversion Rate per Depository Share
Greater than $32.6990 (threshold appreciation price)	1.5291 shares of Common Stock
Equal to or less than $32.6990 but greater than or equal to $27.2494	Between 1.5291 and 1.8349 shares of Common Stock, determined by dividing $50 by the applicable market value
Less than $27.2494 (initial price)	1.8349 shares of Common Stock

Optional Conversion of the Holder. Other than during a fundamental change conversion period, and unless CenterPoint Energy has redeemed the Series B Preferred Stock, a holder of the Series B Preferred Stock may, at any time prior to September 1, 2021, elect to convert such holder’s shares of the Series B Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at the minimum conversion rate of 30.5820 shares of Common Stock per share of the Series B Preferred Stock (equivalent to 1.5291 shares of Common Stock per depositary share), subject to certain anti-dilution and other adjustments. Because each depositary share represents a 1/20th fractional interest

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in a share of the Series B Preferred Stock, a holder of depositary shares may convert its depositary shares only in lots of 20 depositary shares.

Fundamental Change Conversion. If a fundamental change occurs on or prior to September 1, 2021, holders of the Series B Preferred Stock will have the right to convert their shares of the Series B Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, into shares of Common Stock at the fundamental change conversion rate during the period beginning on, and including, the effective date of such fundamental change and ending on, and including, the date that is 20 calendar days after such effective date (or, if later, the date that is 20 calendar days after holders receive notice of such fundamental change, but in no event later than September 1, 2021). Holders who convert shares of the Series B Preferred Stock during that period will also receive a make-whole dividend amount comprised of a fundamental change dividend make-whole amount, and to the extent there is any, the accumulated dividend amount. Because each depositary share represents a 1/20th fractional interest in a share of the Series B Preferred Stock, a holder of depositary shares may convert its depositary shares upon a fundamental change only in lots of 20 depositary shares.

Ranking. The Series B Preferred Stock, with respect to anticipated dividends and distributions upon CenterPoint Energy’s liquidation or dissolution, or winding-up of CenterPoint Energy’s affairs, ranks or will rank:

• senior to Common Stock and to each other class or series of capital stock established after the initial issue date of the Series B Preferred Stock that is expressly made subordinated to the Series B Preferred Stock;

• on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock and any class or series of capital stock established after the initial issue date that is not expressly made senior or subordinated to the Series B Preferred Stock;

• junior to any class or series of capital stock established after the initial issue date that is expressly made senior to the Series B Preferred Stock;

• junior to all existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness outstanding under CenterPoint Energy’s credit facilities, senior notes and commercial paper) and other liabilities with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against CenterPoint Energy; and

• structurally subordinated to any existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of CenterPoint Energy’s subsidiaries and capital stock of CenterPoint Energy’s subsidiaries held by third parties.

Voting Rights. Holders of the Series B Preferred Stock generally will not have voting rights. Whenever dividends on shares of the Series B Preferred Stock have not been declared and paid for six or more dividend periods (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the dividend period beginning on, and including, the initial issue date and ending on, but excluding, December 1, 2018), whether or not consecutive, the holders of such shares of Series B Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class with holders of any and all other series of voting preferred stock then outstanding (as defined in the Statement of Resolution for the Series B Preferred Stock), will be entitled at CenterPoint Energy’s next annual or special meeting of shareholders to vote for the election of a total of two additional members of CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors, subject to certain limitations. This right will terminate if and when all accumulated and unpaid dividends have been paid in full and, upon such termination, the term of office of each director so elected will terminate at such time and the number of directors on CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors will automatically decrease by two, subject to the revesting of such rights in the event of each subsequent nonpayment.

Common Stock

On October 1, 2018, CenterPoint Energy completed the issuance of approximately 69,633,027 shares of Common Stock at a price of $27.25 per share, for net proceeds of $1,844 million after issuance costs. The amount issued included 9,082,568 shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the exercise in full of the option granted to the underwriters to purchase additional shares of Common Stock.

CenterPoint Energy intends to use the net proceeds from the Common Stock offering to fund a portion of the pending Merger and to pay related fees and expenses.

(20) Subsequent Events (CenterPoint Energy)

CenterPoint Energy Dividend Declarations

On October 23, 2018, CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.2775 per share of Common Stock payable on December 13, 2018 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 15, 2018.

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On October 23, 2018, CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $11.6667 per share of the newly issued Series B Preferred Stock ($0.5833 per depository share) payable on December 1, 2018 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 15, 2018. For more information about the Series B Preferred Stock, see Note 19.

Enable Distributions Declarations

On November 6, 2018, Enable declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.318 per unit on all of its outstanding common units for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. Accordingly, CNP Midstream expects to receive a cash distribution of approximately $74 million from Enable in the fourth quarter of 2018 to be made with respect to CNP Midstream’s investment in common units of Enable.

On November 6, 2018, Enable declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.625 per Series A Preferred Unit for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. Accordingly, CenterPoint Energy expects to receive a cash distribution of approximately $9 million from Enable in the fourth quarter of 2018 to be made with respect to CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable Series A Preferred Units.

Merger Financing Transactions

On October 1, 2018, CenterPoint Energy completed concurrent equity offerings of depositary shares, each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of Series B Preferred Stock, and Common Stock. For more information about the concurrent equity offerings, see Note 19.

On October 5, 2018, CenterPoint Energy issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes. For more information about the senior notes offering, see Note 12.

Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

No Registrant makes any representations as to the information related solely to CenterPoint Energy or the subsidiaries of CenterPoint Energy other than itself.

The following combined discussion and analysis should be read in combination with the Interim Condensed Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q and each Registrants’ 2017 Form 10-K. When discussing CenterPoint Energy’s consolidated financial information, it includes the results of Houston Electric and CERC, which, along with CenterPoint Energy, are collectively referred to as the Registrants. Where appropriate, information relating to a specific Registrant has been segregated and labeled as such. In this Form 10-Q, the terms “our,” “we” and “us” are used as abbreviated references to CenterPoint Energy, Inc. together with its consolidated subsidiaries.

RECENT EVENTS

Pending Merger with Vectren. On April 21, 2018, CenterPoint Energy entered into the Merger Agreement. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, CenterPoint Energy will acquire Vectren for approximately $6 billion in cash. For more information about the pending Merger, see Note 3 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

Series A Preferred Stock Offering. On August 22, 2018, we completed an offering of our Series A Preferred Stock. For more information about the offering, see Note 19 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

Enable Midstream Spin. On September 4, 2018, CERC completed the Internal Spin of its equity investment in Enable and Enable GP. For further information regarding the Internal Spin, see Note 9 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

Concurrent Equity Offerings. On October 1, 2018, we completed concurrent equity offerings of depositary shares, each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of Series B Preferred Stock, and Common Stock. For more information about the concurrent equity offerings, see Note 19 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

Senior Notes Offering. On October 5, 2018, we issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes. For more information about the senior notes offering, see Note 12 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

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Credit Facility. On October 5, 2018, we terminated all remaining commitments by lenders to provide the Bridge Facility, which resulted in increased aggregate commitments under our revolving credit facility. For further information, see Note 12 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

Regulatory Proceedings. For details related to our pending and completed regulatory proceedings and orders related to the TCJA to date in 2018, see “—Liquidity and Capital Resources —Regulatory Matters” below.

CENTERPOINT ENERGY CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For information regarding factors that may affect the future results of our consolidated operations, please read “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of CenterPoint Energy’s 2017 Form 10-K and “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part II of CenterPoint Energy’s First Quarter 2018 Form 10-Q and this Form 10-Q.

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	(in millions, except per share amounts)
Revenues	$	2,212		$	2,098		$	7,553		$	6,976
Expenses	1,986			1,801			6,889			6,148
Operating Income	226			297			664			828
Interest and Other Finance Charges	(90		)	(80		)	(259		)	(235		)
Interest on Securitization Bonds	(16		)	(18		)	(46		)	(58		)
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliate, net	81			68			208			199
Other Income (Expense), net	8			—			(234		)	43
Income Before Income Taxes	209			267			333			777
Income Tax Expense	51			98			85			281
Net Income	158			169			248			496
Series A Preferred Stock dividend requirement	5			—			5			—
Income Available to Common Shareholders	$	153		$	169		$	243		$	496
Basic Earnings Per Share	$	0.35		$	0.39		$	0.56		$	1.15
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$	0.35		$	0.39		$	0.56		$	1.14

Three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to three months ended September 30, 2017

We reported income available to common shareholders of $153 million ($0.35 per diluted share) for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $169 million ($0.39 per diluted share) for the same period in 2017.

The decrease of $16 million in income available to common shareholders was primarily due to the following key factors:

• a $71 million decrease in operating income discussed below by segment in Results of Operations by Business Segment;

• a $10 million increase in interest expense primarily due to the amortization of Bridge Facility fees;

• an $8 million increase in losses on the underlying value of the indexed debt securities related to the ZENS included in Other Income (Expense), net shown above; and

• a $5 million increase in preferred dividend requirements on our Series A Preferred Stock.

These decreases in income available to common shareholders were partially offset by the following:

• a $47 million decrease in income tax expense due to lower net income and a reduction in the corporate income tax rate resulting from the TCJA;

• a $13 million increase in equity earnings from our investment in Enable, discussed further in Note 9 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements;

• a $9 million decrease in non-service cost components of net periodic pension and post-retirement costs included in Other Income (Expense), net shown above;

51

• a $6 million increase in gains on marketable securities included in Other Income (Expense), net shown above;

• a $2 million decrease in interest expense related to lower outstanding balances of our Securitization Bonds; and

• a $1 million increase in miscellaneous other non-operating income included in Other Income (Expense), net shown above.

Nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2017

We reported income available to common shareholders of $243 million ($0.56 per diluted share) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $496 million ($1.14 per diluted share) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

The decrease of $253 million in income available to common shareholders was primarily due to the following key factors:

• a $257 million increase in losses on indexed debt securities related to the ZENS included in Other Income (Expense), net shown above, resulting from a loss of $11 million from Meredith’s acquisition of Time in March 2018, a loss of $242 million from AT&T’s acquisition of TW in June 2018 and increased losses of $4 million in the underlying value of the indexed debt securities;

• a $164 million decrease in operating income discussed below by segment in Results of Operations by Business Segment;

• a $38 million decrease in gains on marketable securities included in Other Income (Expense), net shown above;

• a $24 million increase in interest expense due to higher outstanding other long-term debt and the amortization of Bridge Facility fees of $17 million; and

• a $5 million increase in preferred dividend requirements on our Series A Preferred Stock.

These decreases in income available to common shareholders were partially offset by the following:

• a $196 million decrease in income tax expense due to lower net income and a reduction in the corporate income tax rate resulting from the TCJA;

• a $14 million decrease in non-service cost components of net periodic pension and post-retirement costs included in Other Income (Expense), net shown above;

• a $12 million decrease in interest expense related to lower outstanding balances of our Securitization Bonds;

• a $9 million increase in equity earnings from our investment in Enable, discussed further in Note 9 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements; and

• a $4 million increase in miscellaneous other non-operating income included in Other Income (Expense), net shown above.

Income Tax Expense

Our effective tax rate reported for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was 24% compared to 37% for the same period in 2017. The effective tax rate reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was 26% compared to 36% for the same period in 2017. The lower effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 were primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. The effective tax rate also decreased by 5% and 4%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 due to the amortization of EDIT. These decreases were partially offset by an increase to the effective tax rate of 5% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2018 as a result of the establishment of a state valuation allowance on certain net operating loss deferred tax assets that are no longer expected to be utilized prior to expiration after the Internal Spin. The effective tax rate was increased by 7% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018 due to state law changes and the state valuation allowance. See Note 9 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements for further discussion on the Internal Spin. We expect our annual effective tax rate for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018 to be approximately 24%.

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HOUSTON ELECTRIC’S MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE ANALYSIS

OF CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Houston Electric’s results of operations are affected by seasonal fluctuations in the demand for electricity. Houston Electric’s results of operations are also affected by, among other things, the actions of various governmental authorities having jurisdiction over rates Houston Electric charges, debt service costs, income tax expense, Houston Electric’s ability to collect receivables from REPs and Houston Electric’s ability to recover its regulatory assets. For more information regarding factors that may affect the future results of operations of Houston Electric’s business, please read “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of Houston Electric’s 2017 Form 10-K.

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	(in millions, except throughput and customer data)
Revenues	$	897		$	843		$	2,506		$	2,233
Expenses	670			589			1,979			1,723
Operating income	227			254			527			510
Interest and other finance charges	(32		)	(32		)	(101		)	(97		)
Interest on Securitization Bonds	(16		)	(18		)	(46		)	(58		)
Other expense, net	—			(3		)	(6		)	(9		)
Income before income taxes	179			201			374			346
Income tax expense	36			71			78			123
Net income	$	143		$	130		$	296		$	223

Three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to three months ended September 30, 2017

Houston Electric reported net income of $143 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to net income of $130 million for the same period in 2017.  

The increase of $13 million in net income was primarily due to a $35 million decrease in income tax expense due to lower net income and a reduction in the corporate income tax rate resulting from the TCJA.

This increase in net income was partially offset by a $22 million decrease in TDU operating income as discussed below in Results of Operations by Business Segment.

Nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2017

Houston Electric reported net income of $296 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to net income of $223 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.  

The increase of $73 million in net income was primarily due to the following key factors:

• a $45 million decrease in income tax expense due to lower net income and a reduction in the corporate income tax rate resulting from the TCJA; and

• a $32 million increase in TDU operating income resulting from a $27 million increase discussed below in Results of Operations by Business Segment and increased usage of $5 million, primarily due to a return to more normal weather, which was not offset by the weather hedge loss recorded on CenterPoint Energy.

These increases in net income were partially offset by a $4 million increase in interest expense due to higher outstanding other long-term debt.

Income Tax Expense

Houston Electric’s effective tax rate reported for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was 20% compared to 35% for the same period in 2017. The effective tax rate reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was 21% compared to 36% for the same period in 2017. The lower effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was primarily

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due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. The effective tax rate also decreased by 2% for both periods due to the amortization of EDIT.

CERC’S MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

CERC’s results of operations are affected by seasonal fluctuations in the demand for natural gas and price movements of energy commodities as well as natural gas basis differentials. CERC’s results of operations are also affected by, among other things, the actions of various federal, state and local governmental authorities having jurisdiction over rates CERC charges, competition in CERC’s various business operations, the effectiveness of CERC’s risk management activities, debt service costs and income tax expense. For more information regarding factors that may affect the future results of operations for CERC’s business, please read “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of CERC’s 2017 Form 10-K.

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	(in millions)
Revenues	$	1,312		$	1,251		$	5,040		$	4,731
Expenses	1,319			1,220			4,894			4,442
Operating Income (Loss)	(7		)	31			146			289
Interest and other finance charges	(30		)	(32		)	(92		)	(92		)
Other expense, net	—			(4		)	(5		)	(13		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(37		)	(5		)	49			184
Income tax expense (benefit)	(2		)	(1		)	14			69
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(35		)	(4		)	35			115
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	44			42			140			124
Net Income	$	9		$	38		$	175		$	239

Three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to three months ended September 30, 2017

CERC reported net income of $9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to net income of $38 million for the same period in 2017.  

The decrease of $29 million in net income was primarily due to a $38 million decrease in operating income discussed below by segment in Results of Operations by Business Segment.

The decrease to net income was partially offset by the following:

• a $4 million increase in miscellaneous other non-operating income included in Other expense, net shown above, primarily due to lower non-service cost components of net periodic postretirement costs;

• a $2 million decrease in interest expense due to lower outstanding long-term debt;

• a $2 million increase in income from discontinued operations, net of tax, discussed further in Notes 9 and 13 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements; and

• a $1 million decrease in income tax expense due to lower income from continuing operations and a reduction in the corporate income tax rate resulting from the TCJA, partially offset by an increase in the state tax valuation allowance.

Nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2017

CERC reported net income of $175 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to net income of $239 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.  

The decrease of $64 million in net income was primarily due to a $143 million decrease in operating income discussed below by segment in Results of Operations by Business Segment.

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The decrease to net income was partially offset by the following:

• a $55 million decrease in income tax expense due to lower income from continuing operations and a reduction in the corporate income tax rate resulting from the TCJA, partially offset by an increase in the state tax valuation allowance;

• a $16 million increase in income from discontinued operations, net of tax, discussed further in Notes 9 and 13 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements; and

• an $8 million increase in miscellaneous other non-operating income included in Other expense, net shown above, primarily due to lower non-service cost components of net periodic postretirement costs.

Income Tax Expense - Continuing Operations

CERC’s effective tax rate on the loss from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was 5% compared to 20% for the same period in 2017. The lower effective tax rate on the loss from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. The effective tax rate decreased by 18% due to state taxes as a result of the establishment of a state valuation allowance on certain net operating loss deferred tax assets that are no longer expected to be utilized prior to expiration after the Internal Spin. These decreases were partially offset by an increase to the effective tax rate of 15% due to the amortization of EDIT. See Note 9 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements for further discussion on the Internal Spin.

CERC’s effective tax rate reported on income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was 29% compared to 38% for the same period in 2017. The lower effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. The effective tax rate also decreased by 20% due to the amortization of EDIT. These decreases were partially offset by an increase to the effective tax rate of 22% as a result of an increase in state tax rates and the establishment of a state valuation allowance on certain net operating loss deferred tax assets that are no longer expected to be utilized prior to expiration after the Internal Spin. See Note 9 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements for further discussion on the Internal Spin.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

The following table presents operating income (loss) for each business segment.  Included in revenues are intersegment sales, which are accounted for as if the sales were to third parties at current market prices. See Note 16 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements for details of business segments by Registrant.

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017		2018			2017
	(in millions)
Electric Transmission & Distribution	$	227		$	254	$	523		$	511
Natural Gas Distribution	3			25		166			235
Energy Services	(9		)	7		(20		)	58
Other Operations	5			11		(5		)	24
Total Consolidated Operating Income	$	226		$	297	$	664		$	828

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Electric Transmission & Distribution

For information regarding factors that may affect the future results of operations of the Electric Transmission & Distribution business segment, please read “Risk Factors — Risk Factors Associated with Our Consolidated Financial Condition,” “— Risk Factors Affecting Our Electric Transmission & Distribution Business” and “— Other Risk Factors Affecting Our Businesses or Our Interests in Enable Midstream Partners, LP” in Item 1A of Part I of CenterPoint Energy’s 2017 Form 10-K.

The following table provides summary data of our Electric Transmission & Distribution business segment:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions, except throughput and customer data)
Revenues:
TDU	$	735	$	729	$	2,009	$	1,944
Bond Companies	162		114		493		290
Total revenues	897		843		2,502		2,234
Expenses:
Operation and maintenance, excluding Bond Companies	367		337		1,056		1,018
Depreciation and amortization, excluding Bond Companies	95		97		293		296
Taxes other than income taxes	59		59		180		177
Bond Companies	149		96		450		232
Total expenses	670		589		1,979		1,723
Operating Income	$	227	$	254	$	523	$	511
Operating Income:
TDU	$	214	$	236	$	480	$	453
Bond Companies (1)	13		18		43		58
Total segment operating income	$	227	$	254	$	523	$	511
Throughput (in GWh):
Residential	10,555		10,419		24,486		23,512
Total	27,015		26,453		70,347		67,956
Number of metered customers at end of period:
Residential	2,188,211		2,156,624		2,188,211		2,156,624
Total	2,475,018		2,435,558		2,475,018		2,435,558

(1) Together with $3 million of interest income for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, represents the amount necessary to pay interest on the Securitization Bonds.

Three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to three months ended September 30, 2017

Our Electric Transmission & Distribution business segment reported operating income of $227 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, consisting of $214 million from the TDU and $13 million related to the Bond Companies. For the three months ended September 30, 2017, operating income totaled $254 million, consisting of $236 million from the TDU and $18 million related to the Bond Companies.

TDU operating income decreased $22 million, primarily due to the following key factors:

• increased operation and maintenance expenses, excluding transmission costs billed by transmission providers, of $38 million primarily due to the following:

◦ contract services of $10 million, largely due to increased vegetation management and preventative maintenance resiliency spend;

◦ support services of $9 million, primarily related to technology projects;

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◦ other miscellaneous operation and maintenance expenses of $9 million;

◦ labor and benefits costs of $6 million; and

◦ damage claims from third parties of $4 million;

• lower revenues of $22 million due to the recording of a regulatory liability and a corresponding decrease to revenue of $6 million reflecting the difference in revenues collected under existing customer rates and the revenues that would have been collected had existing rates been set using the lower corporate tax rate from the TCJA and lower revenues of $16 million due to lower transmission and distribution rate filings as a result of the TCJA; and

• higher depreciation and amortization expense, primarily because of ongoing additions to plant in service, and other taxes of $5 million.

These decreases to operating income were partially offset by the following:

• higher transmission-related revenues of $14 million, exclusive of the TCJA impact discussed above, and lower transmission costs billed by transmission providers of $8 million;

• customer growth of $9 million from the addition of over 39,000 customers;

• rate increases of $8 million related to distribution capital investments, exclusive of the TCJA impact discussed above; and

• higher equity return of $4 million, primarily related to the annual true-up of transition charges correcting for under-collections that occurred during the preceding 12 months.

Lower depreciation and amortization expenses related to AMS of $7 million were offset by a corresponding decrease in related revenues.

Nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2017

Our Electric Transmission & Distribution business segment reported operating income of $523 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, consisting of $480 million from the TDU and $43 million related to the Bond Companies. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, operating income totaled $511 million, consisting of $453 million from the TDU and $58 million related to the Bond Companies.

TDU operating income increased $27 million, primarily due to the following key factors:

• higher equity return of $33 million, primarily related to the annual true-up of transition charges correcting for under-collections that occurred during the preceding 12 months;

• rate increases of $29 million related to distribution capital investments, exclusive of the TCJA impact discussed below;

• higher transmission-related revenues of $28 million, exclusive of the TCJA impact discussed below, and lower transmission costs billed by transmission providers of $22 million;

• customer growth of $23 million from the addition of over 39,000 customers;

• higher usage of $12 million, primarily due to a return to more normal weather; and

• increased miscellaneous revenues, including right-of-way, of $5 million.

These increases to operating income were partially offset by the following:

• increased operation and maintenance expenses, excluding transmission costs billed by transmission providers, of $60 million primarily due to the following:

◦ support services of $17 million, primarily related to technology projects;

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◦ other miscellaneous operation and maintenance expenses of $14 million;

◦ contract services of $15 million, largely due to increase in vegetation management and preventative maintenance resiliency spend;

◦ labor and benefits costs of $10 million; and

◦ damage claims from third parties of $4 million;

• lower revenues of $53 million due to the recording of a regulatory liability and a corresponding decrease to revenue of $30 million reflecting the difference in revenues collected under existing customer rates and the revenues that would have been collected had existing rates been set using the lower corporate tax rate from the TCJA and lower revenues of $23 million due to lower transmission and distribution rate filings as a result of the TCJA; and

• higher depreciation and amortization expense, primarily because of ongoing additions to plant in service, and other taxes of $11 million.

Lower depreciation and amortization expenses related to AMS of $11 million were offset by a corresponding decrease in related revenues.

Natural Gas Distribution

For information regarding factors that may affect the future results of operations of the Natural Gas Distribution business segment, please read “Risk Factors — Risk Factors Associated with Our Consolidated Financial Condition,” “— Risk Factors Affecting Our Natural Gas Distribution and Energy Services Businesses” and “— Other Risk Factors Affecting Our Businesses or Our Interests in Enable Midstream Partners, LP” in Item 1A of Part I of CenterPoint Energy’s 2017 Form 10-K.

The following table provides summary data of our Natural Gas Distribution business segment:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions, except throughput and customer data)
Revenues	$	410	$	398	$	2,058	$	1,791
Expenses:
Natural gas	120		117		972		742
Operation and maintenance	183		157		592		516
Depreciation and amortization	73		66		210		194
Taxes other than income taxes	31		33		118		104
Total expenses	407		373		1,892		1,556
Operating Income	$	3	$	25	$	166	$	235
Throughput (in Bcf):
Residential	13		13		123		94
Commercial and industrial	53		50		208		189
Total Throughput	66		63		331		283
Number of customers at end of period:
Residential	3,205,916		3,179,284		3,205,916		3,179,284
Commercial and industrial	255,244		253,041		255,244		253,041
Total	3,461,160		3,432,325		3,461,160		3,432,325

Three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to three months ended September 30, 2017

Our Natural Gas Distribution business segment reported operating income of $3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $25 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

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Operating income decreased $22 million primarily as a result of the following key factors:

• higher operation and maintenance expenses of $25 million, primarily consisting of:

◦ support services expense of $7 million, primarily related to technology projects;

◦ contracts and services, materials and supplies and damage claims from third parties of $6 million;

◦ labor and benefits costs of $6 million; and

◦ other miscellaneous operation and maintenance expenses of $6 million;

• increased depreciation and amortization expenses of $7 million, due to ongoing additions to plant-in-service; and

• lower revenue of $6 million related to the lower corporate tax rate from the TCJA.

These decreases were partially offset by the following:

• a $6 million increase from weather and usage, driven by the timing of the decoupling mechanism in Minnesota;

• a $5 million increase in rate relief, primarily in the Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and Minnesota jurisdictions, exclusive of the TCJA impact discussed above; and

• a $2 million increase associated with customer growth from the addition of almost 29,000 customers.

Increased operation and maintenance expenses related to energy efficiency programs of $1 million and increased gross receipts taxes of $1 million were offset by corresponding increases in the related revenues.

Nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2017

Our Natural Gas Distribution business segment reported operating income of $166 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $235 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Operating income decreased $69 million as a result of the following key factors:

• higher operation and maintenance expenses of $35 million, primarily consisting of:

◦ contracts and services, materials and supplies, bad debt and damage claims from third parties of $19 million;

◦ support services expenses of $12 million, primarily related to technology projects; and

◦ other miscellaneous operation and maintenance expenses of $10 million;

◦ which decreases were partially offset by a timing-related adjustment associated with the Texas Gulf rate order of $6 million;

• higher labor and benefits costs of $28 million, resulting primarily from the recording of regulatory assets (and a corresponding reduction in expense) to recover $16 million of prior post-retirement expenses in future rates established in the Texas Gulf rate order in 2017;

• lower revenue of $26 million, associated with the recording of a regulatory liability and a corresponding decrease to revenue in certain jurisdictions of $15 million reflecting the difference in revenues collected under existing customer rates and the revenues that would have been collected had existing rates been set using the lower corporate tax rate from the TCJA and lower filing amounts in Minnesota and south Texas of $11 million associated with the lower corporate tax rate as a result of the TCJA;

• increased depreciation and amortization expense of $16 million, primarily due to ongoing additions to plant-in-service; and

• higher other taxes of $9 million, primarily due to the 2017 Minnesota property tax refund.

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These decreases were partially offset by the following:

• rate increases of $35 million, primarily in the Texas, Minnesota and Arkansas jurisdictions, exclusive of the TCJA impact discussed above;

• an increase in non-volumetric revenues of $8 million; and

• a $6 million increase associated with customer growth from the addition of almost 29,000 customers.

Increased operation and maintenance expenses related to energy efficiency programs of $13 million and increased gross receipts taxes of $6 million were offset by corresponding increases in the related revenues.

Energy Services

For information regarding factors that may affect the future results of operations of the Energy Services business segment, please read “Risk Factors — Risk Factors Associated with Our Consolidated Financial Condition,” “— Risk Factors Affecting Our Natural Gas Distribution and Energy Services Businesses” and “— Other Risk Factors Affecting Our Businesses or Our Interests in Enable Midstream Partners, LP” in Item 1A of Part I of CenterPoint Energy’s 2017 Form 10-K.

The following table provides summary data of our Energy Services business segment:

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017		2018			2017
	(in millions, except throughput and customer data)
Revenues	$	920		$	871	$	3,065		$	2,998
Expenses:
Natural gas	897			839		2,998			2,865
Operation and maintenance	28			22		74			65
Depreciation and amortization	4			3		12			9
Taxes other than income taxes	—			—		1			1
Total expenses	929			864		3,085			2,940
Operating Income (Loss)	$	(9	)	$	7	$	(20	)	$	58
Timing impacts related to mark-to-market gain (loss) (1)	$	1		$	2	$	(71	)	$	23
Throughput (in Bcf)	307			272		993			864
Approximate number of customers at end of period (2)	30,000			31,000		30,000			31,000

(1) Includes the change in unrealized mark-to-market value and the impact from derivative assets and liabilities acquired through the purchase of Continuum and AEM.

(2) Does not include approximately 67,000 and 66,000 natural gas customers as of September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, that are under residential and small commercial choice programs invoiced by their host utility.

Three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to three months ended September 30, 2017

Our Energy Services business segment reported an operating loss of $9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to operating income of $7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Operating income decreased $16 million as a result of the following key factors:

• a $9 million decrease in margin due to reduced opportunities to optimize natural gas supply costs and timing impacts related to natural gas storage activity, which offset favorable margins from incremental sales volumes.  Lower storage balances resulting from first quarter storage activity reduced opportunities to optimize natural gas supply costs in the third quarter;

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• a $6 million increase in operation and maintenance expenses, primarily due to higher legal, technology and support services expenses; and

• a $1 million decrease from mark-to-market accounting for derivatives associated with certain natural gas purchases and sales used to lock in economic margins.

Nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2017

Our Energy Services business segment reported an operating loss of $20 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to operating income of $58 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. 

Operating income decreased $78 million as a result of the following key factors:

• a $94 million decrease from mark-to-market accounting for derivatives associated with certain natural gas purchases and sales used to lock in economic margins; and

• a $9 million increase in operation and maintenance expenses, attributable to increased technology expenses, higher contract and services expense related to pipeline integrity testing, higher support services and legal expenses.

These decreases were partially offset by a $25 million increase in margin due to increased opportunities to optimize natural gas supply costs through storage and transportation capacity, primarily in the first quarter of 2018, and incremental volumes from customers. Realized commercial opportunities attributable to the Continuum and AEM acquisitions and colder than normal weather in several regions of the United States, primarily in the first quarter of 2018, drove incremental sales volumes.

Midstream Investments (CenterPoint Energy)

For information regarding factors that may affect the future results of operations of the Midstream Investments business segment, please read “Risk Factors — Risk Factors Affecting Our Interests in Enable Midstream Partners, LP” and “— Other Risk Factors Affecting Our Businesses or Our Interests in Enable Midstream Partners, LP” in Item 1A of Part I of CenterPoint Energy’s 2017 Form 10-K.

The following table provides pre-tax equity income of the Midstream Investments business segment:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Equity earnings from Enable, net	$	81	$	68	$	208	$	199

Other Operations

The following table shows the operating income (loss) of CenterPoint Energy’s Other Operations business segment:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	(in millions)
Revenues	$	3		$	4		$	11		$	11
Expenses	(2		)	(7		)	16			(13		)
Operating Income (Loss)	$	5		$	11		$	(5	)	$	24

Three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to three months ended September 30, 2017

Our Other Operations business segment reported operating income of $5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to operating income of $11 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. Operating income decreased $6 million, primarily due to costs related to the Merger.

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Nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2017

Our Other Operations business segment reported an operating loss of $5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to operating income of $24 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Operating income decreased $29 million, primarily due to costs related to the Merger.

The following table shows the operating income (loss) of CERC’s Other Operations business segment:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018		2017
	(in millions)
Revenues	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—
Expenses	1			1			—		4
Operating Income (Loss)	$	(1	)	$	(1	)	$	—	$	(4	)

CERTAIN FACTORS AFFECTING FUTURE EARNINGS

For information on other developments, factors and trends that may have an impact on the Registrants’ future earnings, please read “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Certain Factors Affecting Future Earnings” in Item 7 of Part II of CenterPoint Energy’s 2017 Form 10-K, “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of each of the Registrants’ 2017 Form 10-K and in Item 1A of Part II of CenterPoint Energy’s First Quarter 2018 Form 10-Q and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information” in this Form 10-Q.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Historical Cash Flows

The following table summarizes the net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018									2017
	CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric			CERC			CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric			CERC
	(in millions)
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	1,679		$	788		$	850		$	1,028		$	567		$	312
Investing activities	(674		)	(663		)	(359		)	(897		)	(569		)	(280		)
Financing activities	(970		)	(82		)	(502		)	(279		)	(139		)	(32		)

Operating Activities. The following items contributed to increased (decreased) net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period of 2017:

	CenterPoint Energy			Houston  Electric			CERC
	(in millions)
Changes in net income after adjusting for non-cash items	$	146		$	230		$	(121	)
Changes in working capital	352			(28		)	490
Change in equity in earnings from Enable, net of distributions (1)	184			—			—
Changes related to discontinued operations	—			—			176
Higher pension contribution	(21		)	—			—
Other	(10		)	19			(7		)
	$	651		$	221		$	538

(1) This change is partially offset by the change in distributions from Enable in excess of cumulative earnings in investing activities noted in the table below.

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Investing Activities.The following items contributed to (increased) decreased net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period of 2017:

	CenterPoint Energy			Houston  Electric			CERC
	(in millions)
Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities	$	398		$	—		$	—
AEM acquisition in 2017	132			—			132
Higher capital expenditures	(127		)	(75		)	(38		)
Net change in notes receivable from unconsolidated affiliates	—			(29		)	—
Change in distributions from Enable in excess of cumulative earnings	(193		)	—			—
Changes related to discontinued operations	—			—			(176		)
Other	13			10			3
	$	223		$	(94	)	$	(79	)

FinancingActivities. The following items contributed to (increased) decreased net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period of 2017:

	CenterPoint Energy			Houston  Electric			CERC
	(in millions)
Net changes in commercial paper outstanding	$	(1,123	)	$	—		$	(760	)
Increased proceeds from issuance of Series A Preferred Stock	790
Net changes in long-term debt outstanding, excluding commercial paper	130			79			301
Net changes in debt issuance costs	(23		)	(1		)	(1		)
Net changes in short-term borrowings	(52		)	—			(52		)
Distributions to ZENS note holders	(398		)	—			—
Increased payment of Common Stock dividends	(14		)	—			—
Net change in notes payable from affiliated companies	—			15			(570		)
Contribution from parent	—			—			562
Dividend to parent	—			(36		)	51
Other	(1		)	—			(1		)
	$	(691	)	$	57		$	(470	)

Future Sources and Uses of Cash

The liquidity and capital requirements of the Registrants, other than in connection with the pending Merger with Vectren (see Note 3 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements), are affected primarily by results of operations, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, tax payments, working capital needs and various regulatory actions. Capital expenditures are expected to be used for investment in infrastructure for electric transmission and distribution operations and natural gas distribution operations.  These capital expenditures are anticipated to maintain reliability and safety, increase resiliency and expand our systems through value-added projects. In addition to dividend payments on CenterPoint Energy’s Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Common Stock, and in addition to interest payments on debt, the Registrants’ principal anticipated cash requirements for the remaining three months of 2018 include the following:

	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Estimated capital expenditures (1)	$	538	$	280	$	232
Maturing collateralized pollution control bonds	50		—		—
Scheduled principal payments on Securitization Bonds	66		66		—

(1) Represents remaining capital expenditures based on anticipated 2018 capital expenditures as previously disclosed in CenterPoint Energy’s 2017 Form 10-K.

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The Registrants expect that anticipated cash needs for the remaining three months of 2018 will be met with borrowings under their credit facilities, proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt, anticipated cash flows from operations, with respect to CenterPoint Energy and CERC, proceeds from commercial paper and with respect to CenterPoint Energy, distributions from Enable. In addition, if CenterPoint Energy decides to sell all or a portion of the Enable common units that it owns in the public equity markets or otherwise in 2018 (reducing the amount of future distributions CenterPoint Energy receives from Enable to the extent of any such sales), any net proceeds received from such sales could provide a source for CenterPoint Energy’s remaining 2018 cash needs. Discretionary financing or refinancing may result in the issuance of equity securities of CenterPoint Energy or debt securities of the Registrants in the capital markets or the arrangement of additional credit facilities or term bank loans. Issuances of equity or debt in the capital markets, funds raised in the commercial paper markets, additional credit facilities and any sales of CenterPoint Energy’s Enable common units may not, however, be available on acceptable terms.

For more information on CenterPoint Energy’s completed financing transactions for the pending Merger, see Notes 12 and 19 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Other than Houston Electric’s first mortgage bonds and general mortgage bonds issued as collateral for tax-exempt long-term debt of CenterPoint Energy as discussed below and operating leases, we have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Regulatory Matters

Brazos Valley Connection Project (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric)

Houston Electric completed construction on and energized the Brazos Valley Connection in March 2018, ahead of the original June 1, 2018 energization date. The final capital costs of the project were approximately $285 million, which was within the estimated range of approximately $270-$310 million in the PUCT’s original order. Houston Electric applied for interim recovery of project costs through July 31, 2018 not already included in rates in a filing with the PUCT in September 2018 and is expected to receive approval for interim recovery in November 2018. Final approval by the PUCT of the project costs will occur in Houston Electric’s next base rate case.

Freeport Master Plan Project (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric)

In April 2017, Houston Electric submitted a proposal to ERCOT requesting its endorsement of a transmission project in the greater Freeport, Texas area, which includes enhancements to two existing substations and the construction of a new 345 kV double-circuit line to be located in the counties of Brazoria, Matagorda and Wharton. On December 12, 2017, Houston Electric received approval from ERCOT.  In September 2018, Houston Electric filed a certificate of convenience and necessity application with the PUCT that included capital cost estimates for the project that ranged from approximately $482-$695 million, which were higher than the initial cost estimates.  The revised project cost estimates include additional costs associated with the routing of the line to mitigate environmental and other land use impacts and structure design to address soil and coastal wind conditions.  The actual capital costs of the project will depend on those factors as well as other factors, including land acquisition costs, construction costs and the ultimate route approved by the PUCT.  On the request of the PUCT, ERCOT has intervened in the proceeding and is in the process of reviewing the cost-effectiveness of the proposed project. Houston Electric anticipates that the PUCT will issue a final decision on the certificate of convenience and necessity application as early as the third quarter of 2019.

Rate Change Applications

Houston Electric and CERC are routinely involved in rate change applications before state regulatory authorities.  Those applications include general rate cases, where the entire cost of service of the utility is assessed and reset.  In addition, Houston Electric is periodically involved in proceedings to adjust its capital tracking mechanisms (TCOS and DCRF) and annually files to adjust its EECRF.  CERC is periodically involved in proceedings to adjust its capital tracking mechanisms in Texas (GRIP), its cost of service adjustments in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma (FRP, RSP, RRA and PBRC, respectively), its decoupling mechanism in Minnesota, and its energy efficiency cost trackers in Arkansas, Minnesota, Mississippi and Oklahoma (EECR, CIP, EECR and EECR, respectively). The table below reflects significant applications pending or completed since our 2017 Form 10-K was filed with the SEC.

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Mechanism	Annual Increase (Decrease) (1) (in millions)	Filing  Date	Effective Date	Approval Date	Additional Information
Houston Electric (PUCT)
TCOS	N/A	February 2018	April 2018	April 2018	Revised TCOS annual revenue application approved in November 2017 by a reduction of $41.6 million to recognize decrease in the federal income tax rate, amortize certain EDIT balances and adjust rate base by EDIT attributable to new plant since the last rate case, all of which are related to the TCJA.
TCOS	$40.8	May 2018	July 2018	July 2018	Requested an increase of $285 million to rate base and reflects a $40.8 million annual increase in current revenues. Also reflects a one-time refund of $6.6 million in excess federal income tax collected from January to April 2018.
TCOS	2.4	September 2018	TBD	TBD	Requested an increase of $15.4 million to rate base and reflects a $2.4 million annual increase in current revenues.
EECRF	8.4	June 2018	TBD	TBD	Revised application requests recovery of 2019 EECRF of $41.7 million, including a $8.4 million performance bonus.
DCRF	30.9	April 2018	September 2018	August 2018	Unanimous settlement agreement approved by the PUCT in August 2018 results in incremental annual revenue of $30.9 million. It results in a $120.6 million annual revenue requirement effective September 1, 2018. The settlement agreement also reflects an approximately $39 million decrease in the federal income tax rate, a $20 million decrease to return to customers the reserve recorded recognizing this decrease in the federal income tax rate from January 25, 2018 through August 31, 2018 and a $19.2 million decrease related to the unprotected EDIT. Effective September 1, 2019, the reserve amount returned to customers ends. In December 2018, Houston Electric will file an updated DCRF tariff to adjust the interim DCRF rates to reflect any difference between the $20 million estimated tax-expense regulatory liability and the actual tax-expense regulatory liability recorded by Houston Electric.
CERC - South Texas (Railroad Commission)
Rate Case	(1.0)	November 2017	May 2018	May 2018	Unanimous settlement agreement approved by the Railroad Commission in May 2018 that provides for a $1 million annual decrease in current revenues. The settlement agreement also reflects an approximately $2 million decrease in the federal income tax rate and amortization of certain EDIT balances and establishes a 9.8% ROE for future GRIP filings for the South Texas jurisdiction.
CERC - Beaumont/East Texas, Houston and Texas Coast (Railroad Commission)
GRIP	14.7	March 2018	July 2018	June 2018	Based on net change in invested capital of $70.0 million and reflects a $14.7 million annual increase in current revenues. Also reflects an approximately $1.0 million decrease in the federal income tax rate.
Administrative 104.111	N/A	July 2018	September 2018	August 2018	Beaumont/East Texas, Houston and Texas Coast proposed to decrease base rates by $12.9 million to reflect the change in the federal income tax rate. In addition, Beaumont/East Texas proposed to decrease the GRIP charge to reflect the change in the federal income tax rate. The impact of deferred taxes is expected to be reflected in the next rate case.
CERC - Arkansas (APSC)
FRP	13.2	August 2018	October 2018	September 2018	Based on ROE of 9.5% as approved in the last rate case and reflects a $13.2 million annual increase in current revenues, excluding the effects of the recently enacted TCJA. With TCJA impacts considered, the annual increase is reduced by approximately $8.1 million, which include the effects of a lower federal income tax rate and amortization of EDIT balances.
CERC - Louisiana (LPSC)
RSP	6.6	September 2018	December 2018	TBD	Based on ROE of 9.95% and the 21% federal income tax rate and reflects a $6.6 million annual increase in current revenues. Other impacts of the TCJA, which were calculated outside the band, reduce the annual increase by approximately $4.3 million.

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Mechanism	Annual Increase (Decrease) (1) (in millions)	Filing  Date	Effective Date	Approval Date	Additional Information
CERC - Minnesota (MPUC)
Rate Case	3.9	August 2017	November 2018	July 2018	Includes a proposal to extend decoupling beyond current expiration date of June 2018. Interim rates reflecting an annual increase of $47.8 million were effective October 1, 2017. A unanimous settlement agreement was filed in March 2018, subject to MPUC approval. The settlement agreement increases base rates by $3.9 million, makes decoupling a permanent part of the tariff, incorporates the impact of the decrease in the federal income tax rate and amortization of EDIT balances (approximately $20 million) and establishes or continues tracker recovery mechanisms that account for approximately $13.3 million in the initial filing. The MPUC voted to approve the settlement and a formal order was issued on July 20, 2018.  Final rates (and the refund of interim rates that exceed final rates) will be implemented beginning November 1, 2018.
Decoupling	(13.8)	September 2018	September 2018	TBD	Represents revenue over-recovery of $21.9 million recorded for and during the period July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 offset by the rate and prior period adjustments totaling $8.1 million recorded in third quarter 2018.
CIP	12.5	May 2018	September 2018	September 2018	Annual reconciliation filing for program year 2017 and includes performance bonus of $12.5 million which was recorded in September 2018.
CERC - Mississippi (MPSC)
RRA	3.2	May 2018	November 2018	November 2018	Based on authorized ROE of 9.144% and a capital structure of 50% debt and 50% equity and reflects a $3.2 million annual increase in revenues.
CERC - Oklahoma (OCC)
PBRC	5.4	March 2018	October 2018	October 2018	Based on ROE of 10% and reflects a $5.4 million annual increase in revenues.  As a result of the final order, all EDIT was removed from the PBRC calculation.  Protected EDIT amortization will begin to be refunded in April 2019 via one-time annual bill credits.  Unprotected EDIT will be refunded over a five-year period via annual bill credits beginning in October 2018.

(1) Represents proposed increases (decreases) when effective date and/or approval date is not yet determined. Approved rates could differ materially from proposed rates.

Tax Reform

For Houston Electric and CERC’s NGD, federal income tax expense is included in the rates approved by state commissions and local municipalities and charged by those utilities to consumers. As Houston Electric and NGD file general rate cases and other periodic rate adjustments, the impacts of the TCJA (including the lower tax rate and the calculation and amortization of EDIT), along with other increases and decreases in our revenue requirements, will be incorporated into Houston Electric’s and NGD’s future rates as allowed by IRS rules. The effect of any potential return of tax savings resulting from the TCJA to consumers may differ depending on how each regulatory body requires us to return such savings. Regulatory commissions across most of Houston Electric’s and NGD’s jurisdictions have issued accounting orders to track or record a regulatory liability for (1) the difference between revenues collected under existing rates and revenues that would have been collected had the existing rates been set using the recently approved federal income tax rates and (2) the balance of EDIT that now exists because of the reduction in federal income tax rates.

On January 25, 2018, the PUCT issued an accounting order in Project No. 47945 directing electric utilities, including Houston Electric, to record as a regulatory liability (1) the difference between revenues collected under existing rates and revenues that would have been collected had the existing rates been set using the recently approved federal income tax rates and (2) the balance of EDIT that now exists because of the reduction in federal income tax rates. On February 13, 2018, Houston Electric and other likely parties to a future rate case announced a settlement that requires Houston Electric to make (i) a TCOS filing by February 20, 2018 to reflect the change in the federal income tax rate for Houston Electric’s transmission rate base through July 31, 2017 and account for certain EDIT (and such filing was timely submitted), (ii) a DCRF filing in April 2018 to reflect the change in the federal income tax rate for Houston Electric’s distribution rate base through December 31, 2017 (and such filing was timely submitted) and (iii) a full rate case filing by April 30, 2019. The settlement was presented to the PUCT during its open meeting on February 15, 2018. In response to the settlement, the PUCT did not proceed with a prior proposal to require Houston Electric to file a rate case in the summer of 2018. The PUCT also amended its prior accounting order to remove the requirement that utilities include carrying costs in the new regulatory liability. Additional information related to tax reform for Houston Electric is described in the table above.

On January 12, 2018, the APSC issued an order in Docket No. 18-006-U opening an investigatory docket into the TCJA and directing utilities, including CERC, to record as a regulatory liability the current and deferred impacts of the TCJA. On July 26, 2018, the APSC issued an order in the investigatory docket requiring CERC to (1) include the reduction in tax expense due to the

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January 1, 2018 change in the tax rate from 35% to 21% in the utility’s FRP as a reduction to the revenue requirement; this reduction will be reflected in the utility’s historical year netting process in the 2019 FRP filing;  (2)  file and include all unprotected EDIT, including plant-related unprotected EDIT, in a separate rider within 30 days and refund the entire balance before December 31, 2019; (3) include protected EDIT in the FRP and amortize such amount using the ARAM method; and (4) adjust all other riders impacted by the TCJA changes and apply carrying charges calculated using the pre-tax cost of capital of 6.44% for the amounts related to the TCJA within 30 days of the July 26, 2018 order. On August 24, 2018 CERC filed Rider TCJA in Docket No. 18-050-TF. This rider returns the entire unprotected excess ADIT of approximately $19 million over five months from October 2018 through February 2019. The GMES Rider, which is not currently in effect, was revised to reflect the effects of the TCJA. No other riders were impacted. On September 21, 2018, the APSC approved Rider TCJA as filed, with an effective date of October 1, 2018.

On October 5, 2018, the LPSC Staff filed its Final Report and Recommended Proposed Rule in Docket No. R-34754, which addresses the TCJA. The proposed rule recommends that CERC (1) adjust rates prospectively to reflect the new 21% federal corporate income tax rate; (2) refund to ratepayers 100% of federal corporate income taxes collected that are in excess of the new lower applicable tax rate plus carrying cost at the utility’s WACC over a 12-month period or other period approved by the LPSC; (3) accrue carrying charges on EDIT balances at the utility’s WACC until fully amortized, except to the extent ratepayers are receiving benefits of EDIT as a reduction to rate base; (4) amortize protected EDIT over ARAM and implement through an outside-the-band reduction in rates attributable to the annual amortization; and (5) amortize unprotected EDIT over 24 months or other period approved by the LPSC and implement through an outside-the-band reduction in rates or special tax rider. The LPSC Staff presented this proposed rule to the LPSC for vote at the October 26, 2018 Business & Executive Session. The anticipated implementation date for these TCJA related changes begins December 26, 2018, concurrent with the RSP implementation, with the time frame of the return of unprotected EDIT still to be determined.

On November 6, 2018, within the order approving the 2018 Mississippi RRA, the MPSC ruled that protected EDIT will be amortized over ARAM beginning with the 2019 RRA, unprotected EDIT will be amortized over a three-year period beginning December 1, 2018, and the refund due to the change in tax rate for 2018 billings prior to the 2018 RRA implementation will be a component of the 2019 RRA filing for the 2018 calendar year.

FERC Revised Policy Statement and NOPR (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

On March 15, 2018, the FERC addressed treatment of federal income tax allowances in FERC-regulated pipeline rates. The FERC issued a Revised Policy Statement stating that it will no longer permit pipelines organized as MLPs to recover an income tax allowance in their cost-of-service rates. The FERC issued the Revised Policy Statement in response to a remand from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in United Airlines v. FERC. On July 18, 2018, the FERC issued an order denying requests for rehearing of its Revised Policy Statement because it is a non-binding policy and parties will have the opportunity to address the policy as applied in future cases. Accordingly, the impacts that such changes may have on the rates Enable can charge for transportation services are unknown at this time.

On March 15, 2018, the FERC also proposed, in a NOPR, the method by which it would apply the Revised Policy Statement to FERC-jurisdictional natural gas pipeline rates, as well as account for the corporate income tax rate reduction in the TCJA. On July 18, 2018, the FERC issued a final rule requiring FERC-regulated natural gas pipelines that have cost-based rates to make a filing providing certain cost and revenue information and then either propose to reduce or support current cost-based rates, or take no further action. The final rule is currently subject to requests for rehearing. Enable Gas Transmission, LLC, an Enable subsidiary and owner of a FERC-regulated interstate natural gas pipeline, made its required filing on October 11, 2018, in which it asserted that no rate reduction is warranted. That filing remains subject to FERC review. Enable’s other interstate pipeline subsidiary, Enable Mississippi River Transmission, LLC, is not required to make such a filing as it is engaged in an ongoing rate case. At this time, we cannot predict the outcome of the final rule on Enable, but it could adversely impact the rates Enable is permitted to charge its customers.

Other Matters

Credit Facilities

The Registrants may draw on their respective revolving credit facilities from time to time to provide funds used for general corporate and limited liability company purposes, including to backstop CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s commercial paper programs. The facilities may also be utilized to obtain letters of credit. For further details related to the Registrants’ revolving credit facilities, please see Note 12 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

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As of October 22, 2018, the Registrants had the following facilities:

Registrant	Size of Facility			Amount Utilized (1)			Termination Date
(in millions)
CenterPoint Energy	$	3,300	(2)	$	6	(3)	March 3, 2022
Houston Electric	300			4		(3)	March 3, 2022
CERC Corp.	900			26		(4)	March 3, 2022

(1) Based on the consolidated debt to capitalization covenant in our revolving credit facility and the revolving credit facility of each of Houston Electric and CERC Corp., we would have been permitted to utilize the full capacity of such revolving credit facilities, which currently aggregate $4.5 billion.

(2) Pursuant to the amendment entered into in May 2018, the aggregate commitments under the CenterPoint Energy revolving credit facility increased to $3.3 billion on October 5, 2018 due to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including the termination of the Bridge Facility. For further information, see Note 12 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

(3) Represents outstanding letters of credit.

(4) Represents outstanding commercial paper of $25 million and outstanding letters of credit of $1 million.

Borrowings under each of the three revolving credit facilities are subject to customary terms and conditions. However, there is no requirement that the borrower makes representations prior to borrowing as to the absence of material adverse changes or litigation that could be expected to have a material adverse effect. Borrowings under each of the revolving credit facilities are subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of events of default that we consider customary. The revolving credit facilities also provide for customary fees, including commitment fees, administrative agent fees, fees in respect of letters of credit and other fees. In each of the three revolving credit facilities, the spread to LIBOR and the commitment fees fluctuate based on the borrower’s credit rating. The borrowers are currently in compliance with the various business and financial covenants in the three revolving credit facilities.

Long-term Debt

In February 2018, Houston Electric issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of general mortgage bonds. In March 2018, CERC Corp. issued $600 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes. In October 2018, CenterPoint Energy issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes. For further information about our 2018 debt issuances, see Note 12 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

As of September 30, 2018, Houston Electric’s outstanding first mortgage bonds and general mortgage bonds aggregated approximately $3.4 billion, of which $118 million is not reflected in its consolidated financial statements because of the contingent nature of the obligation.

The lien of the general mortgage indenture is junior to that of the mortgage pursuant to which the first mortgage bonds are issued. Houston Electric may issue additional general mortgage bonds on the basis of retired bonds, 70% of property additions or cash deposited with the trustee.  Approximately $4.2 billion of additional first mortgage bonds and general mortgage bonds could be issued on the basis of retired bonds and 70% of property additions as of September 30, 2018. Houston Electric has contractually agreed that it will not issue additional first mortgage bonds, subject to certain exceptions.

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Houston Electric’s long-term debt consists of its obligations and the obligations of its subsidiaries, including Securitization Bonds issued by its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  As of September 30, 2018, the Bond Companies had the following aggregate principal amount, exclusive of debt issuance costs, of Securitization Bonds outstanding.

Company	Aggregate Principal Amount Outstanding
	(in millions)
Bond Company II	$	208
Bond Company III	85
Bond Company IV	955
Restoration Bond Company	256
Total	$	1,504

The Securitization Bonds are paid through the imposition of “transition” or “system restoration” charges, as defined in the Texas Public Utility Regulatory Act, which are irrevocable, non-bypassable charges to provide recovery of authorized qualified costs. The Securitization Bonds are reported as our long-term debt, although the holders of these bonds have no recourse to any of our assets or revenues, and our creditors have no recourse to any assets or revenues (including, without limitation, the transition or system restoration charges) of the Bond Companies. Houston Electric has no payment obligations with respect to the Securitization Bonds except to remit collections of transition and system restoration charges as set forth in servicing agreements between Houston Electric and the Bond Companies and in an intercreditor agreement among Houston Electric, the Bond Companies and other parties.

Securities Registered with the SEC

On January 31, 2017, the Registrants filed a joint shelf registration statement with the SEC, as amended on September 24, 2018, registering indeterminate principal amounts of Houston Electric’s general mortgage bonds, CERC Corp.’s senior debt securities and CenterPoint Energy’s senior debt securities and junior subordinated debt securities and an indeterminate number of CenterPoint Energy’s shares of Common Stock, shares of preferred stock, depositary shares, as well as stock purchase contracts and equity units. The joint shelf registration statement will expire on January 31, 2020. For information related to debt and equity security issuances in 2018, see Notes 12 and 19 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

Temporary Investments

As of October 22, 2018, the Registrants had $4.2 billion temporary external investments.

Money Pool (Houston Electric and CERC)

We have a money pool through which the holding company and participating subsidiaries can borrow or invest on a short-term basis. CNP Midstream cannot borrow from the money pool but can invest in it. Funding needs are aggregated and external borrowing or investing is based on the net cash position. The net funding requirements of the money pool are expected to be met with borrowings under our revolving credit facility or the sale of our commercial paper. The money pool may not provide sufficient funds to meet our subsidiaries’ cash needs. As of October 22, 2018, Houston Electric had borrowings from the money pool of $79 million, and CERC had investments in the money pool of $38 million.

Impact on Liquidity of a Downgrade in Credit Ratings

The interest on borrowings under the Registrants’ credit facilities is based on their credit ratings. On September 4, 2018, Moody’s revised its rating outlook on CERC senior debt to positive from stable and upgraded its rating to Baa1 from Baa2. On September 6, 2018, Fitch revised its rating outlook on CERC senior debt to stable from positive and upgraded its rating to BBB+ from BBB. As of October 22, 2018, Moody’s, S&P and Fitch had assigned the following credit ratings to senior debt of the Registrants:

	Moody’s		S&P		Fitch
Company/Instrument	Rating	Outlook (1)	Rating	CreditWatch (2)	Rating	Outlook (3)
CenterPoint Energy Senior Unsecured Debt	Baa1	Negative	BBB+	Negative	BBB	Stable
Houston Electric Senior Secured Debt	A1	Stable	A	Negative	A+	Stable
CERC Corp. Senior Unsecured Debt	Baa1	Positive	A-	Negative	BBB+	Stable

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(1) A Moody’s rating outlook is an opinion regarding the likely direction of an issuer’s rating over the medium term.

(2) An S&P CreditWatch assesses the potential direction of a short-term or long-term credit rating.

(3) A Fitch rating outlook indicates the direction a rating is likely to move over a one- to two-year period.

We cannot assure that the ratings set forth above will remain in effect for any given period of time or that one or more of these ratings will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency. We note that these credit ratings are included for informational purposes and are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold our securities and may be revised or withdrawn at any time by the rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. Any future reduction or withdrawal of one or more of our credit ratings could have a material adverse impact on our ability to obtain short- and long-term financing, the cost of such financings and the execution of our commercial strategies.

A decline in credit ratings could increase borrowing costs under the Registrants’ revolving credit facilities. If the Registrants’ credit ratings had been downgraded one notch by each of the three principal credit rating agencies from the ratings that existed as of September 30, 2018, the impact on the borrowing costs under the three revolving credit facilities would have been immaterial. A decline in credit ratings would also increase the interest rate on long-term debt to be issued in the capital markets and could negatively impact the Registrants’ ability to complete capital market transactions and to access the commercial paper market. Additionally, a decline in credit ratings could increase cash collateral requirements and reduce earnings of CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas Distribution and Energy Services business segments.

CES, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CERC Corp. operating in our Energy Services business segment, provides natural gas sales and services primarily to commercial and industrial customers and electric and natural gas utilities throughout the United States. To economically hedge its exposure to natural gas prices, CES uses derivatives with provisions standard for the industry, including those pertaining to credit thresholds. Typically, the credit threshold negotiated with each counterparty defines the amount of unsecured credit that such counterparty will extend to CES. To the extent that the credit exposure that a counterparty has to CES at a particular time does not exceed that credit threshold, CES is not obligated to provide collateral. Mark-to-market exposure in excess of the credit threshold is routinely collateralized by CES. Similarly, mark-to-market exposure offsetting and exceeding the credit threshold may cause the counterparty to provide collateral to CES. As of September 30, 2018, the amount posted by CES as collateral aggregated approximately $41 million. Should the credit ratings of CERC Corp. (as the credit support provider for CES) fall below certain levels, CES would be required to provide additional collateral up to the amount of its previously unsecured credit limit. We estimate that as of September 30, 2018, unsecured credit limits extended to CES by counterparties aggregated $268 million, and none of such amount was utilized.

Pipeline tariffs and contracts typically provide that if the credit ratings of a shipper or the shipper’s guarantor drop below a threshold level, which is generally investment grade ratings from both Moody’s and S&P, cash or other collateral may be demanded from the shipper in an amount equal to the sum of three months’ charges for pipeline services plus the unrecouped cost of any lateral built for such shipper. If the credit ratings of CERC Corp. decline below the applicable threshold levels, CERC Corp. might need to provide cash or other collateral of as much as $185 million as of September 30, 2018. The amount of collateral will depend on seasonal variations in transportation levels.

ZENS and Securities Related to ZENS (CenterPoint Energy)

If our creditworthiness were to drop such that ZENS holders thought our liquidity was adversely affected or the market for the ZENS were to become illiquid, some ZENS holders might decide to exchange their ZENS for cash. Funds for the payment of cash upon exchange could be obtained from the sale of the shares of ZENS-Related Securities that we own or from other sources. We own shares of ZENS-Related Securities equal to approximately 100% of the reference shares used to calculate our obligation to the holders of the ZENS. ZENS exchanges result in a cash outflow because tax deferrals related to the ZENS and ZENS-Related Securities shares would typically cease when ZENS are exchanged or otherwise retired and ZENS-Related Securities shares are sold. The ultimate tax liability related to the ZENS continues to increase by the amount of the tax benefit realized each year, and there could be a significant cash outflow when the taxes are paid as a result of the retirement of the ZENS. If all ZENS had been exchanged for cash on September 30, 2018, deferred taxes of approximately $410 million would have been payable in 2018. If all the ZENS-Related Securities had been sold on September 30, 2018, capital gains taxes of approximately $109 million would have been payable in 2018. For additional information about ZENS, see Note 11 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

Cross Defaults

Under CenterPoint Energy’s revolving credit facility, a payment default on, or a non-payment default that permits acceleration of, any indebtedness for borrowed money and certain other specified types of obligations (including guarantees) exceeding

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$125 million by it or any of its significant subsidiaries will cause a default. A default by CenterPoint Energy would not trigger a default under its subsidiaries’ debt instruments or revolving credit facilities.

Possible Acquisitions, Divestitures and Joint Ventures

From time to time, we consider the acquisition or the disposition of assets or businesses or possible joint ventures, strategic initiatives or other joint ownership arrangements with respect to assets or businesses. Any determination to take action in this regard will be based on market conditions and opportunities existing at the time, and accordingly, the timing, size or success of any efforts and the associated potential capital commitments are unpredictable. We may seek to fund all or part of any such efforts with proceeds from debt and/or equity issuances. Debt or equity financing may not, however, be available to us at that time due to a variety of events, including, among others, maintenance of our credit ratings, industry conditions, general economic conditions, market conditions and market perceptions.

Enable Midstream Partners (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

In September 2018, CERC completed the Internal Spin, after which CERC’s equity investment in Enable met the criteria for discontinued operations classification. As a result, the operations have been classified as Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, in CERC’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income for the periods presented. For further information, see Note 9 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

CenterPoint Energy receives quarterly cash distributions from Enable on its common units and Enable Series A Preferred Units. A reduction in the cash distributions CenterPoint Energy receives from Enable could significantly impact CenterPoint Energy’s liquidity. For additional information about cash distributions from Enable, see Notes 9 and 20 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

Hedging of Interest Expense for Future Debt Issuances

From time to time, we may enter into forward interest rate agreements to hedge, in part, volatility in the U.S. treasury rates by reducing variability in cash flows related to interest payments. For further information, see Note 7(a) to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

Weather Hedge (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

We have historically entered into partial weather hedges for certain NGD jurisdictions and electric operations’ service territory to mitigate the impact of fluctuations from normal weather. We remain exposed to some weather risk as a result of the partial hedges. For more information about our weather hedges, see Note 7(a) to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

Collection of Receivables from REPs (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric)

Houston Electric’s receivables from the distribution of electricity are collected from REPs that supply the electricity Houston Electric distributes to their customers. Before conducting business, a REP must register with the PUCT and must meet certain financial qualifications. Nevertheless, adverse economic conditions, structural problems in the market served by ERCOT or financial difficulties of one or more REPs could impair the ability of these REPs to pay for Houston Electric’s services or could cause them to delay such payments. Houston Electric depends on these REPs to remit payments on a timely basis, and any delay or default in payment by REPs could adversely affect Houston Electric’s cash flows. In the event of a REP’s default, Houston Electric’s tariff provides a number of remedies, including the option for Houston Electric to request that the PUCT suspend or revoke the certification of the REP. Applicable regulatory provisions require that customers be shifted to another REP or a provider of last resort if a REP cannot make timely payments. However, Houston Electric remains at risk for payments related to services provided prior to the shift to the replacement REP or the provider of last resort. If a REP were unable to meet its obligations, it could consider, among various options, restructuring under the bankruptcy laws, in which event such REP might seek to avoid honoring its obligations and claims might be made against Houston Electric involving payments it had received from such REP. If a REP were to file for bankruptcy, Houston Electric may not be successful in recovering accrued receivables owed by such REP that are unpaid as of the date the REP filed for bankruptcy. However, PUCT regulations authorize utilities, such as Houston Electric, to defer bad debts resulting from defaults by REPs for recovery in future rate cases, subject to a review of reasonableness and necessity.

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Other Factors that Could Affect Cash Requirements

In addition to the above factors, our liquidity and capital resources could be affected by:

• cash collateral requirements that could exist in connection with certain contracts, including weather hedging arrangements, and natural gas purchases, natural gas price and natural gas storage activities of the Natural Gas Distribution and Energy Services business segments; 

• acceleration of payment dates on certain gas supply contracts, under certain circumstances, as a result of increased natural gas prices and concentration of natural gas suppliers; 

• increased costs related to the acquisition of natural gas; 

• increases in interest expense in connection with debt refinancings and borrowings under credit facilities; 

• various legislative or regulatory actions; 

• incremental collateral, if any, that may be required due to regulation of derivatives; 

• the ability of GenOn and its subsidiaries, currently the subject of bankruptcy proceedings, to satisfy their obligations to us, including indemnity obligations, which may be contested by GenOn;

• the ability of REPs, including REP affiliates of NRG and Vistra Energy Corp., formerly known as TCEH Corp., to satisfy their obligations to CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric;

• slower customer payments and increased write-offs of receivables due to higher natural gas prices or changing economic conditions; 

• the outcome of litigation; 

• contributions to pension and postretirement benefit plans; 

• restoration costs and revenue losses resulting from future natural disasters such as hurricanes and the timing of recovery of such restoration costs; and

• various other risks identified in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of each of the Registrants’ 2017 Form 10-K and Item 1A of Part II of CenterPoint Energy’s First Quarter 2018 Form 10-Q.

Certain Contractual Limits on Our Ability to Issue Securities and Borrow Money

Houston Electric has contractually agreed that it will not issue additional first mortgage bonds, subject to certain exceptions. For information about the total debt to capitalization financial covenants in our revolving credit facilities, see Note 12 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note 2 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements, incorporated herein by reference, for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements that affect us.

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk (CenterPoint Energy)

As of September 30, 2018, we had outstanding long-term debt, lease obligations and obligations under our ZENS that subject us to the risk of loss associated with movements in market interest rates.

Our floating rate obligations aggregated $202 million and $1.8 billion as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. If the floating interest rates were to increase by 10% from September 30, 2018 rates, our combined interest expense would increase by less than $1 million annually.

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As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had outstanding fixed-rate debt (excluding indexed debt securities) aggregating $7.6 billion and $7.0 billion, respectively, in principal amount and having a fair value of $7.8 billion and $7.5 billion, respectively. Because these instruments are fixed-rate, they do not expose us to the risk of loss in earnings due to changes in market interest rates. However, the fair value of these instruments would increase by approximately $263 million if interest rates were to decline by 10% from levels at September 30, 2018. In general, such an increase in fair value would impact earnings and cash flows only if we were to reacquire all or a portion of these instruments prior to their maturity.

The ZENS obligation is bifurcated into a debt component and a derivative component. The debt component of $25 million as of September 30, 2018 was a fixed-rate obligation and, therefore, did not expose us to the risk of loss in earnings due to changes in market interest rates. However, the fair value of the debt component would increase by approximately $8 million if interest rates were to decline by 10% from levels at September 30, 2018. Changes in the fair value of the derivative component, a $685 million recorded liability at September 30, 2018, are recorded in our Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income and, therefore, we are exposed to changes in the fair value of the derivative component as a result of changes in the underlying risk-free interest rate. If the risk-free interest rate were to increase by 10% from September 30, 2018 levels, the fair value of the derivative component liability would decrease by approximately $2 million, which would be recorded as an unrealized gain in our Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

Equity Market Value Risk (CenterPoint Energy)

We are exposed to equity market value risk through our ownership of 10.2 million shares of AT&T Common and 0.9 million shares of Charter Common, which we hold to facilitate our ability to meet our obligations under the ZENS. Changes in the fair value of the ZENS-Related Securities held by CenterPoint Energy are expected to substantially offset changes in the fair value of the derivative component of the ZENS. A decrease of 10% from the September 30, 2018 aggregate market value of these shares would result in a net loss of approximately less than $1 million, which would be recorded as an unrealized loss in our Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

Commodity Price Risk From Non-Trading Activities (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

We use derivative instruments as economic hedges to offset the commodity price exposure inherent in our businesses. The commodity risk created by these instruments, including the offsetting impact on the market value of natural gas inventory, is described below. We measure this commodity risk using a sensitivity analysis. For purposes of this analysis, we estimate commodity price risk by applying a $0.50 change in the forward NYMEX price to our net open fixed price position (including forward fixed price physical contracts, natural gas inventory and fixed price financial contracts) at the end of each period. As of September 30, 2018, the recorded fair value of our non-trading energy derivatives was a net asset of $51 million (before collateral), all of which is related to our Energy Services business segment. A $0.50 change in the forward NYMEX price would have had a combined impact of $7 million on our non-trading energy derivatives net asset and the market value of natural gas inventory.

Commodity price risk is not limited to changes in forward NYMEX prices. Variation of commodity pricing between the different indices used to mark to market portions of our natural gas inventory (Gas Daily) and the related fair value hedge (NYMEX) can result in volatility to our net income. Over time, any gains or losses on the sale of storage gas inventory would be offset by gains or losses on the fair value hedges.

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

In accordance with Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15, the Registrants carried out separate evaluations, under the supervision and with the participation of each company’s management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on those evaluations, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, in each case, concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2018 to provide assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

There has been no change in the Registrants’ internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrants’ internal controls over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

For a description of certain legal and regulatory proceedings, please read Note 14(b) to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Future Sources and Uses of Cash” and “— Regulatory Matters,” each of which is incorporated herein by reference. See also “Business — Regulation” and “— Environmental Matters” in Item 1 and “Legal Proceedings” in Item 3 of each of the Registrants’ 2017 Form 10-K.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in each of the Registrants’ 2017 Form 10-K and CenterPoint Energy’s First Quarter 2018 Form 10-Q.

Item 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibits filed herewith are designated by a cross (+); all exhibits not so designated are incorporated by reference to a prior filing as indicated. Agreements included as exhibits are included only to provide information to investors regarding their terms. Agreements listed below may contain representations, warranties and other provisions that were made, among other things, to provide the parties thereto with specified rights and obligations and to allocate risk among them, and no such agreement should be relied upon as constituting or providing any factual disclosures about the Registrants, any other persons, any state of affairs or other matters.

Pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K, the Registrants have not filed as exhibits to this Form 10-Q certain long-term debt instruments, including indentures, under which the total amount of securities authorized does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the Registrants and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The Registrants hereby agree to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the SEC upon request.

Exhibit Number	Description	Report or Registration Statement	SEC File or Registration Number	Exhibit Reference	CenterPoint Energy	Houston Electric	CERC
2.1*	Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 21, 2018, by and among Vectren Corporation, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Pacer Merger Sub, Inc.	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated April 21, 2018	1-31447	2.1	x
3.1	Restated Articles of Incorporation of CenterPoint Energy	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated July 24, 2008	1-31447	3.2	x
3.2	Restated Certificate of Formation of Houston Electric	Houston Electric’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011	1-3187	3.1		x
3.3	Certificate of Incorporation of RERC Corp.	CERC Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997	1-13265	3(a)(1)			x
3.4	Certificate of Merger merging former NorAm Energy Corp. with and into HI Merger, Inc. dated August 6, 1997	CERC Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997	1-13265	3(a)(2)			x
3.5	Certificate of Amendment changing the name to Reliant Energy Resources Corp.	CERC Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998	1-13265	3(a)(3)			x
3.6	Certificate of Amendment changing the name to CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.	CERC Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003	1-13265	3(a)(4)			x
3.7	Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of CenterPoint Energy	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated February 21, 2017	1-31447	3.1	x
3.8	Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Houston Electric	Houston Electric’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011	1-3187	3.2		x
3.9	Bylaws of RERC Corp.	CERC Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997	1-13265	3(b)			x

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Exhibit Number	Description	Report or Registration Statement	SEC File or Registration Number	Exhibit Reference	CenterPoint Energy	Houston Electric	CERC
3.10	Statement of Resolutions Deleting Shares Designated Series A Preferred Stock of CenterPoint Energy	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011	1-31447	3(c)	x
3.11	Statement of Resolution Establishing Series of Shares Designated Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock of CenterPoint Energy	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated August 22, 2018	1-31447	3.1	x
3.12	Statement of Resolution Establishing Series of Shares designated 7.00% Series B Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock of CenterPoint Energy	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated September 25, 2018	1-31447	3.1	x
4.1	Form of CenterPoint Energy Stock Certificate	CenterPoint Energy’s Registration Statement on Form S-4	3-69502	4.1	x
4.2	Form of Certificate representing the Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock of CenterPoint Energy	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated August 22, 2018	1-31447	4.1	x
4.3	Form of Certificate representing the 7.00% Series B Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock of CenterPoint Energy (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 3.12)	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated September 25, 2018	1-31447	4.1	x
4.4	Deposit Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2018, among CenterPoint Energy and Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc., as Depositary, and the holders from time to time of the Depositary Receipts described therein	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated September 25, 2018	1-31447	4.2	x
4.5	Form of Depositary Receipt for the Depositary Shares (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.4)	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated September 25, 2018	1-31447	4.3	x
4.6	$1,600,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of March 3, 2016, among CenterPoint Energy, as Borrower, and the banks named therein	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated March 3, 2016	1-31447	4.1	x
4.7	$300,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of March 3, 2016, among Houston Electric, as Borrower, and the banks named therein	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated March 3, 2016	1-31447	4.2	x	x
4.8	$600,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of March 3, 2016, among CERC Corp., as Borrower, and the banks named therein	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated March 3, 2016	1-31447	4.3	x		x
4.9	First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2017, by and among CenterPoint Energy, as Borrower, and the banks named therein	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated June 16, 2017	1-31447	4.1	x
4.10	Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 25, 2018, by and among CenterPoint Energy, as Borrower, and the banks named therein	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated May 25, 2018	1-31447	4.1	x
4.11	First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2017, among Houston Electric, as Borrower, and the banks named therein	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated June 16, 2017	1-31447	4.2	x	x
4.12	First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2017, among CERC Corp., as Borrower, and the banks named therein	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated June 16, 2017	1-31447	4.3	x		x
4.13	Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003, between CenterPoint Energy and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated May 19, 2003	1-31447	4.1	x

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Exhibit Number	Description	Report or Registration Statement	SEC File or Registration Number	Exhibit Reference	CenterPoint Energy	Houston Electric	CERC
+4.14	Supplemental Indenture No. 10 to Exhibit 4.11, dated as of October 5, 2018, providing for the issuance of CenterPoint Energy’s 3.60% Senior Notes due 2021, 3.85% Senior Notes due 2024 and 4.25% Senior Notes due 2028				x
+31.1.1	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Scott M. Prochazka				x
+31.1.2	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Scott M. Prochazka					x
+31.1.3	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Scott M. Prochazka						x
+31.2.1	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of William D. Rogers				x
+31.2.2	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of William D. Rogers					x
+31.2.3	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of William D. Rogers						x
+32.1.1	Section 1350 Certification of Scott M. Prochazka				x
+32.1.2	Section 1350 Certification of Scott M. Prochazka					x
+32.1.3	Section 1350 Certification of Scott M. Prochazka						x
+32.2.1	Section 1350 Certification of William D. Rogers				x
+32.2.2	Section 1350 Certification of William D. Rogers					x
+32.2.3	Section 1350 Certification of William D. Rogers						x
+101.INS	XBRL Instance Document				x	x	x
+101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document				x	x	x
+101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document				x	x	x
+101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document				x	x	x
+101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document				x	x	x
+101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document				x	x	x

* Schedules to this agreement have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted schedules will be furnished supplementally to the SEC upon request; provided, however, that the parties may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Exchange Act for any document so furnished.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
	CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC
	CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP.
By:	/s/ Kristie L. Colvin
	Kristie L. Colvin
	Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

Date: November 8, 2018

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EX-4.14

Exhibit 4.14

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

To

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly JPMorgan Chase Bank))

Trustee

__________________

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 10

Dated as of October 5, 2018

_________________

$500,000,000 3.60% Senior Notes due 2021

$500,000,000 3.85% Senior Notes due 2024

$500,000,000 4.25% Senior Notes due 2028

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 10

$500,000,000 3.60% Senior Notes due 2021

$500,000,000 3.85% Senior Notes due 2024

$500,000,000 4.25% Senior Notes due 2028

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE No. 10, dated as of October 5, 2018, between CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC., a Texas corporation (the “Company”), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly JPMorgan Chase Bank)), as Trustee (the “Trustee”).

RECITALS

The Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003 (the “Original Indenture” and, as hereby supplemented and amended, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance from time to time of one or more series of the Company’s Securities.

Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Company desires to provide for the establishment of three new series of Securities to be designated as the “3.60% Senior Notes due 2021” (the “2021 Notes”), the “3.85% Senior Notes due 2024” (the “2024 Notes”) and the “4.25% Senior Notes due 2028” (the “2028 Notes” and, together with the 2021 Notes and the 2024 Notes, the “Notes”), the form and substance of such Notes and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof to be set forth as provided in the Original Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture No. 10.

Section 301 of the Original Indenture provides that various matters with respect to any series of Securities issued under the Indenture may be established in an indenture supplemental to the Indenture.

Subparagraph (7) of Section 901 of the Original Indenture provides that the Company and the Trustee may enter into an indenture supplemental to the Indenture to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301 of the Original Indenture.

For and in consideration of the premises and the issuance of the series of Securities provided for herein, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, as follows:

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ARTICLE I

Relation to Indenture; Additional Definitions

Section 101    Relation to Indenture.  This Supplemental Indenture No. 10 constitutes an integral part of the Original Indenture.

Section 102    Additional Definitions.   For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture No. 10:

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning specified herein or in the Original Indenture, as the case may be;

“2021 Notes” has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of the Recitals hereof;

“2024 Notes” has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of the Recitals hereof;

“2028 Notes” has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of the Recitals hereof;

“2021 Notes Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 203 hereof;

“2024 Notes Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 203 hereof;

“2028 Notes Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 203 hereof;

“2024 Par Call Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 301 hereof;

“2028 Par Call Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 301 hereof;

“Affiliate” of, or a Person “affiliated” with, a specific Person means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified.  For purposes of this definition, “control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting shares, by contract, or otherwise;

“Business Day” means, with respect to any Note, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.  If any Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or Redemption Date of a Note falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the required

2

payment will be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the relevant date that the payment was due and no interest will accrue on such payment for the period from and after the Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, to the date of that payment on the next succeeding Business Day.  The definition of “Business Day” in this Supplemental Indenture No. 10 and the provisions described in the preceding sentence shall supersede the definition of Business Day in the Original Indenture and Section 113 of the Original Indenture;

“Capital Lease” means a lease that, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, would be recorded as a capital lease on the balance sheet of the lessee;

“CERC Corp.” means CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto; provided, that at any given time, there shall not be more than one such successor;

“Comparable Treasury Issue” has the meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof;

“Comparable Treasury Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof;

“Corporate Trust Office” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office as of the date hereof is located at: 601 Travis Street, 16th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention: Global Corporate Trust; telephone: (713) 483-6817; telecopy: (713) 483-7038;

“Houston Electric” means CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, and any successor thereto; provided, that at any given time, there shall not be more than one such successor;

The term “Indebtedness” as applied to any Person, means bonds, debentures, notes and other instruments or arrangements representing obligations created or assumed by such Person, in respect of:  (i) obligations for money borrowed (other than unamortized debt discount or premium); (ii) obligations evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in connection with the acquisition of any business, properties or assets of any kind; (iii) obligations as lessee under a Capital Lease; and (iv) any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness or obligations listed in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above.  All indebtedness of such type, secured by a lien upon property owned by such Person although such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such indebtedness, shall also for all purposes hereof be deemed to be indebtedness of such Person.  All indebtedness for borrowed money incurred by any other Persons which is directly guaranteed as to payment of principal by such Person shall for all purposes hereof be deemed to be indebtedness of any such Person, but no other contingent obligation of such Person in respect of indebtedness incurred by any other Persons shall for any purpose be deemed to be indebtedness of such Person;

3

“Independent Investment Banker” has the meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof;

“Interest Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 204(a) hereof;

“Issue Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 204(a) hereof;

“Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 203 hereof;

“Merger Agreement” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 21, 2018, by and among CenterPoint Energy, Vectren, and Merger Sub;

“Merger Sub” means Pacer Merger Sub, Inc., an Indiana corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company;

“Notes” has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of the Recitals hereof;

“Original Indenture” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of the Recitals hereof;

“Par Call Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 301 hereof;

“Reference Treasury Dealer” has the meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof;

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” has the meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof;

“Regular Record Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 204(a) hereof;

“Remaining Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof;

“Special Mandatory Redemption” has the meaning set forth in Section 501 hereof;

“Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger” has the meaning set forth in Section 501 hereof;

“Special Optional Redemption” has the meaning set forth in Section 601 hereof;

“Treasury Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof;

“Vectren” means Vectren Corporation, an Indiana corporation;

“Vectren Merger” means the merger of Merger Sub with and into Vectren pursuant to the Merger Agreement, with Vectren continuing as the surviving corporation in the Vectren Merger and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company;

4

All references herein to Articles and Sections, unless otherwise specified, refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture No. 10; and

The terms “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Supplemental Indenture No. 10.

ARTICLE II

The Series of Securities

Section 201    Title of the Securities.   The 2021 Notes shall be designated as the “3.60% Senior Notes due 2021,” the 2024 Notes shall be designated as the “3.85% Senior Notes due 2024” and the 2028 Notes shall be designated as the “4.25% Senior Notes due 2028.”

Section 202    Limitation on Aggregate Principal Amount.  The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver (i) the 2021 Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $500,000,000, (ii) the 2024 Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $500,000,000 and (iii) the 2028 Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $500,000,000, upon a Company Order for the authentication and delivery thereof and satisfaction of Sections 301 and 303 of the Original Indenture.  Such order shall specify the amount of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated and the name or names of the initial Holder or Holders.  The aggregate principal amount of 2021 Notes, 2024 Notes and 2028 Notes that may initially be outstanding shall not exceed $500,000,000, $500,000,000 and $500,000,000, respectively; provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of any series of the Notes may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect.

Section 203    Stated Maturity.  The Stated Maturity of the 2021 Notes shall be November 1, 2021 (the “2021 Notes Maturity Date”), the Stated Maturity of the 2024 Notes shall be February 1, 2024 (the “2024 Notes Maturity Date”), and the Stated Maturity of the 2028 Notes shall be November 1, 2028 (the “2028 Notes Maturity Date”; each of the 2021 Notes Maturity Date, the 2024 Notes Maturity Date and the 2028 Notes Maturity Date, a “Maturity Date”).

Section 204    Interest and Interest Rates.

(a)    The 2021 Notes shall bear interest at a rate of 3.60% per year, from and including October 5, 2018 (the “Issue Date”) to, but excluding, the 2021 Notes Maturity Date.  The 2024 Notes shall bear interest at a rate of 3.85% per year, from and including the Issue Date to, but excluding, the 2024 Notes Maturity Date. The 2028 Notes shall bear interest at a rate of 4.25% per year, from and including the Issue Date to, but excluding, the 2028 Notes Maturity Date. Such interest shall be payable semiannually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, in the case of the 2021 Notes and the 2028 Notes, or February 1 and August 1 of each year, in the case of the 2024 Notes (each an “Interest Payment Date”), beginning May 1, 2019, in the case of the 2021 Notes and the 2028 Notes, or February 1, 2019, in the case of the 2024 Notes, to the persons in whose names the Notes (or one or more Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on April 15

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and October 15, in the case of the 2021 Notes and the 2028 Notes, or January 15 and July 15, in the case of the 2024 Notes (each a “Regular Record Date”) (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.

(b)    Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and shall either (i) be paid to the Person in whose name such Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of the Notes of such series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or (ii) be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes of such series may be listed or traded, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system, all as more fully provided in the Indenture.

(c)    The amount of interest payable for any period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The amount of interest payable for any partial period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the days elapsed in any partial month. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on a Note is not a Business Day, then a payment of the interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on the date the payment was originally payable.

(d)    Any principal and premium, if any, and any installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of 3.60% per annum (to the extent permitted by law), in the case of the 2021 Notes, 3.85% per annum (to the extent permitted by law), in the case of the 2024 Notes, or 4.25% per annum (to the extent permitted by law), in the case of the 2028 Notes, in each case from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand.

Section 205    Paying Agent; Place of Payment.  The Trustee shall initially serve as the Paying Agent for the Notes.  The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent or approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts without notice, other than notice to the Trustee.  The Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates may act as Paying Agent.  The Place of Payment where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment shall be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.  At the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated in writing by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Security Register.

Section 206    Place of Registration or Exchange; Notices and Demands With Respect to the Notes.  The place where the Holders of the Notes may present the Notes for registration of transfer or exchange and may make notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes shall be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

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Section 207    Percentage of Principal Amount.  The 2021 Notes, the 2024 Notes and the 2028 Notes shall be initially issued at 99.971%, 99.928% and 99.599% of their principal amount, respectively, plus accrued interest, if any, from the Issue Date.

Section 208    Global Securities. The Notes of each series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities.  Such Global Securities shall be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, which shall act as Depositary with respect to the Notes.  Such Global Securities shall bear the legends set forth in the form of Security attached as Exhibit A, Exhibit B and Exhibit C hereto, as applicable.

Section 209    Form of Securities.  The 2021 Notes shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto, the 2024 Notes shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto and the 2028 Notes shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C hereto.

Section 210    Securities Registrar.  The Trustee shall initially serve as the Security Registrar for the Notes.

Section 211    Sinking Fund Obligations.  The Company shall have no obligation to redeem or purchase any Notes pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous requirement or upon the happening of a specified event or at the option of a Holder thereof.

Section 212    Defeasance and Discharge; Covenant Defeasance

(a)    Article Fourteen of the Original Indenture, including without limitation Sections 1402 and 1403 thereof (as modified by Section 212(b) hereof), shall apply to Notes of each series.

(b)    Solely with respect to Notes of each series issued hereby, the first sentence of Section 1403 of the Original Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

“Upon the Company’s exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section 1403 applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, (1) the Company shall be released from its obligations under Article Eight and under any covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(20), 901(2) or 901(7) for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and (2) the occurrence of any event specified in Sections 501(4) (with respect to Article Eight and to any such covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(20), 901(2) or 901(7)) and 501(7) shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each case with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section 1403 on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter called “Covenant Defeasance”).”

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ARTICLE III

Optional Redemption of the Notes

Section 301    Redemption Price. The Notes of each series shall be redeemable, at the option of the Company, at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, (1) in the case of the 2021 Notes, at any time, (2) in the case of the 2024 Notes, on any date prior to January 1, 2024 (the “2024Par Call Date”) and (3) in the case of the 2028 Notes, on any date prior to August 1, 2028 (the “2028Par Call Date,” the 2024 Par Call Date and the 2028 Par Call Date, each, a “Par Call Date”) at a price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes to be redeemed that would be due if the Notes of such series matured (i) in the case of the 2021 Notes, on the 2021 Notes Maturity Date or (ii) in the case of the 2024 Notes and the 2028 Notes, on the applicable Par Call Date, in each case, but for the redemption (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the Redemption Date) discounted to the Redemption Date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the applicable Treasury Rate plus 12.5 basis points for the 2021 Notes, 15 basis points for the 2024 Notes and 20 basis points for the 2028 Notes plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. On or after the 2024 Par Call Date or the 2028 Par Call Date, as applicable, the Company may redeem the 2024 Notes or the 2028 Notes, as the case may be, at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, by paying 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for the calculation of such amount.

Section 302    Calculation. The Treasury Rate will be calculated by the Independent Investment Banker on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date. For purposes of this Article III, the following terms shall mean as follows:

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield calculated on the third business day preceding the redemption date, as follows: for the latest day that appears in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily) - H.15” (or any successor publication) under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities - Nominal”, the independent investment banker shall select two yields – one for the maturity immediately before and one for the maturity immediately after the remaining maturity of the Notes to be redeemed (in the case of the 2024 Notes and the 2028 Notes, assuming the 2024 Notes and the 2028 Notes matured on the applicable Par Call Date) – and shall interpolate on a straight-line basis using such yields; if there is no such maturity either before or after, the independent investment banker shall select the maturity closest to the 2021 Notes Maturity Date, in the case of the 2021 Notes, or the applicable Par Call Date, in the case of the 2024 Notes and the 2028 Notes, that appears on the release; or if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the applicable Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated by the Independent Investment Banker using a price for the Comparable

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Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the U.S. Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term (“Remaining Term”) of the Notes to be redeemed (in the case of the 2024 Notes and the 2028 Notes, assuming for this purpose that the 2024 Notes and the 2028 Notes matured on the applicable Par Call Date) that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Term of such Notes.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means (1) the average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

“Independent Investment Banker” means one of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc. or RBC Capital Markets, LLC as specified by the Company, or if these firms are unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing selected by the Company.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of (1) Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC and a primary U.S. government securities dealer in the United States of America (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”) designated by MUFG Securities Americas Inc. and their respective affiliates or successors, each of which is a Primary Treasury Dealer, provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer and (2) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Company after consultation with the Independent Investment Banker.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.

Section 303   Partial Redemption.  If fewer than all of the Notes of a series are to be redeemed by the Company pursuant to this Article III, not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, the particular Notes or portions thereof for redemption will be selected from the outstanding Notes of such series not previously called by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate. The Trustee may select for redemption Notes of such series and portions of Notes of such series in minimum amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000.  A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note shall be issued upon the cancellation of the original Note. In the case of a partial redemption of Notes of a series registered in the name of Cede & Co,

9

the Notes of such series to be redeemed will be determined in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company.

Section 304   Notice of Optional Redemption.  The Trustee, at the written direction of the Company, will send a notice of redemption prepared by the Company to each holder of Notes of the series to be redeemed by first-class mail (or in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company with respect to Notes registered in the name of Cede & Co.) at least 15 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. Unless the Company defaults on payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the Redemption Date. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount to be redeemed.

ARTICLE IV

Remedies

Section 401    Additional Events of Default; Acceleration of Maturity

(a)    Solely with respect to the Notes of each series issued hereby, Section 501(5) of the Original Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following is substituted in lieu thereof as an Event of Default in addition to the other events set forth in Section 501 of the Original Indenture:

“(5)    the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric under any applicable federal or state law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric or of any substantial part of its respective property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its respective affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; provided that any specified event in (A) or (B) involving CERC Corp. or CenterPoint Houston shall not constitute an Event of Default if, at the time such event occurs, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric, as the case may be, shall no longer be an Affiliate of the Company; or”

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(b)    Solely with respect to the Notes of each series issued hereby, Section 501(6) of the Original Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following is substituted in lieu thereof as an Event of Default in addition to the other events set forth in Section 501 of the Original Indenture:

“(6)    the commencement by the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by any of them to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against any of them, or the filing by any of them of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable federal or state law, or the consent by any of them to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric or of any substantial part of its respective property, or the making by any of them of an assignment of a substantial part of its respective property for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by any of them in writing of the inability of any of the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric to pay its respective debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric in furtherance of any such action; provided that any such specified event involving CERC Corp. or Houston Electric shall not constitute an Event of Default if, at the time such event occurs, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric, as the case may be, shall no longer be an Affiliate of the Company; or”

(c)    Solely with respect to the Notes of each series issued hereby, and pursuant to Section 501(7) of the Original Indenture, Section 501(7) of the Original Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following is substituted in lieu thereof, as an “Event of Default” in addition to the other events set forth in Section 501 of the Original Indenture:

“(7)    The default by the Company in a scheduled payment at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, in the aggregate principal amount of $125 million or more, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, of any Indebtedness or the acceleration of any Indebtedness of the Company in such aggregate principal amount so that it becomes due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable and such payment default is not cured or such acceleration is not rescinded within 30 days after

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notice to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Indebtedness.”

Section 402   Amendment of Certain Provisions.  Solely with respect to the Notes of each series issued hereby, references to “25%” in Article Five of the Indenture are hereby deleted in their entirety and “33%” is substituted in lieu thereof.

ARTICLE V

Special Mandatory Redemption

Section 501   Special Mandatory Redemption.  

(a)    Upon the first to occur of either (i) 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on October 31, 2019, if the Vectren Merger is not consummated on or prior to such time on such date, or (ii) the date on which the Merger Agreement is terminated (each, a “Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger”), the Company shall redeem the Notes, in whole, at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, such Redemption Date (the “Special Mandatory Redemption”).

(b)    Within five Business Days after the occurrence of the Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger, the Trustee, at the Company’s written direction, shall send a notice of the Special Mandatory Redemption to each holder of Notes to be redeemed by first-class mail (or in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company with respect to the Notes registered in the name of Cede & Co.) stating, together with other matters prescribed in the Original Indenture, that a Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger has occurred and that all of the Notes being redeemed will be redeemed on the Redemption Date set forth in such notice (which will be no earlier than three Business Days and no later than 30 days from the date such notice is given).

(c)    This Section 501 shall apply to the Special Mandatory Redemption of the Notes of each series in lieu of Section 1102, Section 1103, the first sentence of Section 1104 and Section 1107 of the Original Indenture.

(d)    Upon the occurrence of the closing of the Vectren Merger, this Section 501 shall cease to apply to the Notes.

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ARTICLE VI

Special Optional Redemption

Section 601   Special Optional Redemption.  

(a)    The Notes of each series may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole but not in part, at any time before October 31, 2019, at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, such Redemption Date, if the Company determines, in its reasonable judgment, that the Vectren Merger will not be consummated on or before 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on October 31, 2019 (the “Special Optional Redemption”).

(b)    If the Company exercises the Special Optional Redemption right provided in clause (a) above, the Trustee, at the Company’s written direction, shall send a notice of the Special Optional Redemption to each holder of Notes to be redeemed by first-class mail (or in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company with respect to the Notes registered in the name of Cede & Co.) stating, together with other matters prescribed in the Original Indenture, the exercise of the Special Optional Redemption right and that all of the Notes being redeemed will be redeemed on the redemption date set forth in such notice (which will be no earlier than three Business Days and no later than 30 days from the date such notice is given).

(c)    This Section 601 shall apply to the Special Optional Redemption of the Notes of each series in lieu of Section 1102, Section 1103, the first sentence of Section 1104 and Section 1107 of the Original Indenture.

(d)    Upon the occurrence of the closing of the Vectren Merger, this Section 601 shall cease to apply to the Notes.

ARTICLE VII

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 701    The Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Indenture No. 10, is in all respects hereby adopted, ratified and confirmed.

Section 702    This Supplemental Indenture No. 10 may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 703    THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 10 AND EACH NOTE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE

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LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

Section 704    If any provision in this Supplemental Indenture No. 10 limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required to be included herein by any provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.

Section 705    In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture No. 10 or the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture No. 10 to be duly executed, as of the day and year first written above.

	CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
	By:	/s/ William D. Rogers
		William D. Rogers
		Executive Vice President and
		Chief Financial Officer
Attest:
/s/ Vincent A. Mercaldi
Vincent A. Mercaldi
Corporate Secretary
(SEAL)
	THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST
	COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
	As Trustee
	By:	/s/ Karen Yu
		Name: Karen Yu
		Title: Vice President

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Exhibit A

[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]

[IF THIS SECURITY IS TO BE A GLOBAL SECURITY -] THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY.

[FOR AS LONG AS THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS DEPOSITED WITH OR ON BEHALF OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY IT SHALL BEAR THE FOLLOWING LEGEND.]  UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

3.60% Senior Notes due 2021

Original Interest Accrual Date: October 5, 2018 Stated Maturity: November 1, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”) Interest Rate: 3.60% Interest Payment Dates: May 1 and November 1 Initial Interest Payment Date: May 1, 2019 Regular Record Dates: April 15 and October 15 immediately preceding the respective Interest Payment Date Redeemable: Yes [X] No [ ] Redemption Date: At any time. Redemption Price: At a price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of this Security or the portion hereof to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on this Security, or the portion thereof to be redeemed (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the Redemption Date) discounted to the Redemption Date on a semiannual basis at the applicable Treasury Rate plus 12.5 basis points; plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

This Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security
within the meaning of the within-mentioned Indenture.
_____________________________

Principal Amount	Registered No. T-1
$                              *	CUSIP 15189T AT4

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas (herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture referred to below), for value received, hereby promises to pay to

***CEDE & Co.***

, or its registered assigns, the principal sum of DOLLARS on the Stated Maturity specified above, and to pay interest thereon from the Original Interest Accrual Date specified above or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually in arrears on the Interest Payment Dates specified above in each year, commencing on May 1, 2019, and at Maturity, at the Interest Rate per annum specified above, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment, provided that any principal and premium, and any such installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of 3.60% per annum (to the extent permitted by applicable law), from the dates such amounts are due

______________________

*Reference is made to Schedule A attached hereto with respect to decreases and increases in the aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced hereby.

A-2

until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand. The amount of interest payable for any period shall be computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year. The amount of interest payable for any partial period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the days elapsed in any partial month.

In the event that any date on which interest is payable on this Security is not a Business Day, then a payment of the interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on the date the payment was originally payable. A “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.  The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be April 15 or October 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.  Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and shall either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Securities of this series may be listed or traded, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.

Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on this Security will be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated in writing by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Security Register.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

A-3

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated: October , 2018	CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
	By:
	Name: William D. Rogers
	Title: Executive Vice President and
		Chief Financial Officer
(SEAL)
Attest:
Name: Vincent A. Mercaldi
Title: Corporate Secretary

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

	THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
	TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL
	ASSOCIATION
	As Trustee
Dated: October , 2018
	By:
		Authorized Signatory

A-4

SCHEDULE A

         The initial aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by the Certificate to which this Schedule is attached is $                                 . The notations on the following table evidence decreases and increases in the aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by such Certificate.

			Aggregate Principal
	Decrease	Increase	Amount of Securities	Notation
	in Aggregate	in Aggregate	Remaining After	by
Date of	Principal Amount of	Principal Amount of	Such Decrease or	Security
Adjustment	Securities	Securities	Increase	Registrar

A-5

[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY]

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

3.60% NOTES DUE 2021

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003 (herein called the “ Indenture,” which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly JPMorgan Chase Bank)), as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered.  This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $500,000,000; provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of the Securities may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect.

Upon the first to occur of either (i) 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on October 31, 2019, if the merger of Pacer Merger Sub, Inc. with and into Vectren Corporation, with Vectren Corporation continuing as the surviving corporation (the “Vectren Merger”) is not consummated on or prior to such time on such date, or (ii) the date on which the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 21, 2018, by and among the Company, Vectren Corporation, and Pacer Merger Sub, Inc. is terminated (each, a “Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger”), the Company shall redeem the Notes, in whole, at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, such Redemption Date (the “Special Mandatory Redemption”).

Within five Business Days after the occurrence of the Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger, the Company will give notice of the Special Mandatory Redemption to each Holder of the Notes, stating, together with other matters prescribed in the Indenture, that a Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger has occurred and that all such Notes of this series shall be redeemed on the Redemption Date set forth in such notice (which will be no earlier than three Business Days and no later than 30 days from the date such notice is given).

The Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole but not in part, at any time before October 31, 2019, at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, such Redemption Date, if the Company determines, in its reasonable judgment, that the Vectren Merger will not be consummated on or before 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on October 31, 2019 (the “Special Optional Redemption”).

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If the Company exercises the Special Optional Redemption right, it shall provide notice to each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed, stating, together with other matters prescribed in the Indenture, that it is exercising such Special Optional Redemption right and that all such Notes of this series shall be redeemed on the redemption date set forth in such notice (which will be no earlier than three Business Days and no later than 30 days from the date such notice is given).

This Security shall be redeemable, at the option of the Company, at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, at a price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of this Security (or the portion hereof to be redeemed) or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Securities to be redeemed (or the portion hereof to be redeemed) (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the Redemption Date) discounted to the Redemption Date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the applicable Treasury Rate plus 12.5 basis points plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

The Treasury Rate will be calculated by the Independent Investment Banker on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date. For purposes of calculating the Redemption Price, the following terms shall mean as follows:

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield calculated on the third business day preceding the redemption date, as follows: for the latest day that appears in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily) - H.15” (or any successor publication) under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities - Nominal”, the independent investment banker shall select two yields – one for the maturity immediately before and one for the maturity immediately after the remaining maturity of this Security – and shall interpolate on a straight-line basis using such yields; if there is no such maturity either before or after, the independent investment banker shall select the maturity closest to the Maturity Date that appears on the release; or if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated by the Independent Investment Banker using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the U.S. Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term (“Remaining Term”) of this Security to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Term of this Security.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means (1) the average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury

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Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

“Independent Investment Banker” means one of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc. or RBC Capital Markets, LLC as specified by the Company, or if these firms are unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing selected by the Company.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of (1) Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC and a primary U.S. government securities dealer in the United States of America (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”) designated by MUFG Securities Americas Inc. and their respective affiliates or successors, each of which is a Primary Treasury Dealer, provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer and (2) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Company after consultation with the Independent Investment Banker.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.

In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

The Securities of this series are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

The Indenture contains provisions for satisfaction and discharge of the entire indebtedness of this Security upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire indebtedness of this Security or certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the

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Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected.  The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.  Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

     As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 33% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity.  The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.  No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

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The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

THE INDENTURE AND THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

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Exhibit B

[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]

[IF THIS SECURITY IS TO BE A GLOBAL SECURITY -] THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY.

[FOR AS LONG AS THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS DEPOSITED WITH OR ON BEHALF OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY IT SHALL BEAR THE FOLLOWING LEGEND.]  UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

3.85% Senior Notes due 2024

Original Interest Accrual Date: October 5, 2018 Stated Maturity: February 1, 2024 Interest Rate: 3.85% Interest Payment Dates: February 1 and August 1 Initial Interest Payment Date: February 1, 2019 Regular Record Dates: January 15 and July 15 immediately preceding the respective Interest Payment Date Redeemable: Yes [X] No [ ] Redemption Date: At any time. Redemption Price: 1) On any date prior to January 1, 2024 (the “Par Call Date”) at a price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of this Security or the portion hereof to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on this Security, or the portion thereof to be redeemed, that would be due if this Security matured on the Par Call Date but for the redemption (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the Redemption Date) discounted to the Redemption Date on a semiannual basis at the applicable Treasury Rate plus 15 basis points; plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding, the Redemption Date; or 2) on or after the Par Call Date, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of this Security or the portion thereof to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

This Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security
within the meaning of the within-mentioned Indenture.
_____________________________

Principal Amount	Registered No. T-1
$                             2	CUSIP 15189T AU1

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas (herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture referred to below), for value received, hereby promises to pay to

***CEDE & Co.***

, or its registered assigns, the principal sum of DOLLARS on the Stated

_____________________

²Reference is made to Schedule A attached hereto with respect to decreases and increases in the aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced hereby.

Maturity specified above, and to pay interest thereon from the Original Interest Accrual Date specified above or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually in arrears on the Interest Payment Dates specified above in each year, commencing on February 1, 2019, and at Maturity, at the Interest Rate per annum specified above, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment, provided that any principal and premium, and any such installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of 3.85% per annum (to the extent permitted by applicable law), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand.  The amount of interest payable for any period shall be computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year. The amount of interest payable for any partial period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the days elapsed in any partial month. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on this Security is not a Business Day, then a payment of the interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on the date the payment was originally payable. A “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.  The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be January 15 and July 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.  Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and shall either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Securities of this series may be listed or traded, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.

Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on this Security will be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated in writing by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Security Register.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated: October , 2018	CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
	By:
	Name: William D. Rogers
	Title: Executive Vice President and
		Chief Financial Officer
(SEAL)
Attest:
Name: Vincent A. Mercaldi
Title: Corporate Secretary

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

	THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
	TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL
	ASSOCIATION
	As Trustee
Dated: October , 2018
	By:
		Authorized Signatory

SCHEDULE A

         The initial aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by the Certificate to which this Schedule is attached is $                            . The notations on the following table evidence decreases and increases in the aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by such Certificate.

			Aggregate Principal
	Decrease	Increase	Amount of Securities	Notation
	in Aggregate	in Aggregate	Remaining After	by
Date of	Principal Amount of	Principal Amount of	Such Decrease or	Security
Adjustment	Securities	Securities	Increase	Registrar

[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY]

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

3.85% NOTES DUE 2024

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003 (herein called the “ Indenture,” which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly JPMorgan Chase Bank)), as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered.  This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $500,000,000; provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of the Securities may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect.

Upon the first to occur of either (i) 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on October 31, 2019, if the merger of Pacer Merger Sub, Inc. with and into Vectren Corporation, with Vectren Corporation continuing as the surviving corporation (the “Vectren Merger”) is not consummated on or prior to such time on such date, or (ii) the date on which the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 21, 2018, by and among the Company, Vectren Corporation, and Pacer Merger Sub, Inc. is terminated (each, a “Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger”), the Company shall redeem the Notes, in whole, at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, such Redemption Date (the “Special Mandatory Redemption”).

Within five Business Days after the occurrence of the Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger, the Company will give notice of the Special Mandatory Redemption to each Holder of the Notes, stating, together with other matters prescribed in the Indenture, that a Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger has occurred and that all such Notes of this series shall be redeemed on the Redemption Date set forth in such notice (which will be no earlier than three Business Days and no later than 30 days from the date such notice is given).

The Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole but not in part, at any time before October 31, 2019, at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, such Redemption Date, if the Company determines, in its reasonable judgment, that the Vectren Merger will not be consummated on or before 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on October 31, 2019 (the “Special Optional Redemption”).

If the Company exercises the Special Optional Redemption right, it shall provide notice to each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed, stating, together with other matters prescribed in the Indenture, that it is exercising such Special Optional Redemption right and that all such Notes of this series shall be redeemed on the redemption date set forth in such notice (which will be no earlier than three Business Days and no later than 30 days from the date such notice is given).

This Security shall be redeemable, at the option of the Company, at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, on any date prior to January 1, 2024 (the “Par Call Date”) at a price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of this Security (or the portion hereof to be redeemed) or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Securities to be redeemed that would be due if this Security (or the portion hereof to be redeemed) matured on the Par Call Date but for the redemption (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the Redemption Date) discounted to the Redemption Date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the applicable Treasury Rate plus 15 basis points plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. On or after the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem this Security, at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, by paying 100% of the principal amount of this Security (or such portion to be redeemed) plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for the calculation of such amount.

The Treasury Rate will be calculated by the Independent Investment Banker on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date. For purposes of calculating the Redemption Price, the following terms shall mean as follows:

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield calculated on the third business day preceding the redemption date, as follows: for the latest day that appears in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily) - H.15” (or any successor publication) under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities - Nominal”, the independent investment banker shall select two yields – one for the maturity immediately before and one for the maturity immediately after the remaining maturity of this Security (assuming this Security matured on the Par Call Date) – and shall interpolate on a straight-line basis using such yields; if there is no such maturity either before or after, the independent investment banker shall select the maturity closest to the Par Call Date that appears on the release; or if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated by the Independent Investment Banker using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the U.S. Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term (“Remaining Term”) of this Security to be redeemed (assuming for this purpose that the Securities matured on the Par Call Date) that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with

customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Term of this Security.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means (1) the average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

“Independent Investment Banker” means one of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc. or RBC Capital Markets, LLC as specified by the Company, or if these firms are unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing selected by the Company.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of (1) Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC and a primary U.S. government securities dealer in the United States of America (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”) designated by MUFG Securities Americas Inc. and their respective affiliates or successors, each of which is a Primary Treasury Dealer, provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer and (2) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Company after consultation with the Independent Investment Banker.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.

In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

The Securities of this series are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

The Indenture contains provisions for satisfaction and discharge of the entire indebtedness of this Security upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire indebtedness of this Security or certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected.  The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.  Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

     As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 33% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity.  The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.  No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

THE INDENTURE AND THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

Exhibit C

[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]

[IF THIS SECURITY IS TO BE A GLOBAL SECURITY -] THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY.

[FOR AS LONG AS THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS DEPOSITED WITH OR ON BEHALF OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY IT SHALL BEAR THE FOLLOWING LEGEND.]  UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

4.25% Senior Notes due 2028

Original Interest Accrual Date: October 5, 2018 Stated Maturity: November 1, 2028 Interest Rate: 4.25% Interest Payment Dates: May 1 and November 1 Initial Interest Payment Date: May 1, 2019 Regular Record Dates: April 15 and October 15 immediately preceding the respective Interest Payment Date Redeemable: Yes [X] No [ ] Redemption Date: At any time. Redemption Price: 1) On any date prior to August 1, 2028 (the “Par Call Date”) at a price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of this Security or the portion hereof to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on this Security, or the portion thereof to be redeemed, that would be due if this Security matured on the Par Call Date but for the redemption (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the Redemption Date) discounted to the Redemption Date on a semiannual basis at the applicable Treasury Rate plus 20 basis points; plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding, the Redemption Date; or 2) on or after the Par Call Date, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of this Security or the portion thereof to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

This Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security
within the meaning of the within-mentioned Indenture.
_____________________________

Principal Amount	Registered No. T-1
$                            ‡	CUSIP 15189T AV9

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas (herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture referred to below), for value received, hereby promises to pay to

***CEDE & Co.***

, or its registered assigns, the principal sum of DOLLARS on the Stated

‡Reference is made to Schedule A attached hereto with respect to decreases and increases in the aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced hereby.

Maturity specified above, and to pay interest thereon from the Original Interest Accrual Date specified above or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually in arrears on the Interest Payment Dates specified above in each year, commencing on May 1, 2019, and at Maturity, at the Interest Rate per annum specified above, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment, provided that any principal and premium, and any such installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of 4.25% per annum (to the extent permitted by applicable law), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand.  The amount of interest payable for any period shall be computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year. The amount of interest payable for any partial period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the days elapsed in any partial month. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on this Security is not a Business Day, then a payment of the interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on the date the payment was originally payable. A “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.  The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be April 15 and October 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.  Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and shall either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Securities of this series may be listed or traded, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.

Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on this Security will be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated in writing by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Security Register.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated: October , 2018	CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
	By:
	Name: William D. Rogers
	Title: Executive Vice President and
		Chief Financial Officer
(SEAL)
Attest:
Name: Vincent A. Mercaldi
Title: Corporate Secretary

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

	THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
	TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL
	ASSOCIATION
	As Trustee
Dated: October , 2018
	By:
		Authorized Signatory

SCHEDULE A

         The initial aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by the Certificate to which this Schedule is attached is $                              . The notations on the following table evidence decreases and increases in the aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by such Certificate.

			Aggregate Principal
	Decrease	Increase	Amount of Securities	Notation
	in Aggregate	in Aggregate	Remaining After	by
Date of	Principal Amount of	Principal Amount of	Such Decrease or	Security
Adjustment	Securities	Securities	Increase	Registrar

[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY]

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

4.25% NOTES DUE 2028

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003 (herein called the “ Indenture,” which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly JPMorgan Chase Bank)), as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered.  This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $500,000,000; provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of the Securities may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect.

Upon the first to occur of either (i) 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on October 31, 2019, if the merger of Pacer Merger Sub, Inc. with and into Vectren Corporation, with Vectren Corporation continuing as the surviving corporation (the “Vectren Merger”) is not consummated on or prior to such time on such date, or (ii) the date on which the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 21, 2018, by and among the Company, Vectren Corporation, and Pacer Merger Sub, Inc. is terminated (each, a “Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger”), the Company shall redeem the Notes, in whole, at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, such Redemption Date (the “Special Mandatory Redemption”).

Within five Business Days after the occurrence of the Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger, the Company will give notice of the Special Mandatory Redemption to each Holder of the Notes, stating, together with other matters prescribed in the Indenture, that a Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger has occurred and that all such Notes of this series shall be redeemed on the Redemption Date set forth in such notice (which will be no earlier than three Business Days and no later than 30 days from the date such notice is given).

The Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole but not in part, at any time before October 31, 2019, at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, such Redemption Date, if the Company determines, in its reasonable judgment, that the Vectren Merger will not be consummated on or before 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on October 31, 2019 (the “Special Optional Redemption”).

If the Company exercises the Special Optional Redemption right, it shall provide notice to each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed, stating, together with other matters prescribed in the Indenture, that it is exercising such Special Optional Redemption right and that all such Notes of this series shall be redeemed on the redemption date set forth in such notice (which will be no earlier than three Business Days and no later than 30 days from the date such notice is given).

This Security shall be redeemable, at the option of the Company, at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, on any date prior to August 1, 2028 (the “Par Call Date”) at a price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of this Security (or the portion hereof to be redeemed) or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Securities to be redeemed that would be due if this Security (or the portion hereof to be redeemed) matured on the Par Call Date but for the redemption (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the Redemption Date) discounted to the Redemption Date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the applicable Treasury Rate plus 20 basis points plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. On or after the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem this Security, at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, by paying 100% of the principal amount of this Security (or such portion to be redeemed) plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for the calculation of such amount.

The Treasury Rate will be calculated by the Independent Investment Banker on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date. For purposes of calculating the Redemption Price, the following terms shall mean as follows:

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield calculated on the third business day preceding the redemption date, as follows: for the latest day that appears in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily) - H.15” (or any successor publication) under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities - Nominal”, the independent investment banker shall select two yields – one for the maturity immediately before and one for the maturity immediately after the remaining maturity of this Security (assuming this Security matured on the Par Call Date) – and shall interpolate on a straight-line basis using such yields; if there is no such maturity either before or after, the independent investment banker shall select the maturity closest to the Par Call Date that appears on the release; or if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated by the Independent Investment Banker using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the U.S. Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term (“Remaining Term”) of this Security to be redeemed (assuming for this purpose that the Securities matured on the Par Call Date) that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with

customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Term of this Security.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means (1) the average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

“Independent Investment Banker” means one of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc. or RBC Capital Markets, LLC as specified by the Company, or if these firms are unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing selected by the Company.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of (1) Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC and a primary U.S. government securities dealer in the United States of America (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”) designated by MUFG Securities Americas Inc. and their respective affiliates or successors, each of which is a Primary Treasury Dealer, provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer and (2) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Company after consultation with the Independent Investment Banker.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.

In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

The Securities of this series are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

The Indenture contains provisions for satisfaction and discharge of the entire indebtedness of this Security upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire indebtedness of this Security or certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected.  The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.  Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

     As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 33% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity.  The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.  No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

THE INDENTURE AND THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

EX-31.1.1

Exhibit 31.1.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Scott M. Prochazka, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:   November 8, 2018

/s/ Scott M. Prochazka

Scott M. Prochazka

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.1.2

Exhibit 31.1.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Scott M. Prochazka, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  November 8, 2018

/s/ Scott M. Prochazka

Scott M. Prochazka

Chairman (Principal Executive Officer)

EX-31.1.3

Exhibit 31.1.3

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Scott M. Prochazka, certify that:

1.           I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.;

2.           Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.           Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.           The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.           The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  November 8, 2018

/s/ Scott M. Prochazka

Scott M. Prochazka

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2.1

Exhibit 31.2.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, William D. Rogers, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:   November 8, 2018

/s/ William D. Rogers

William D. Rogers

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-31.2.2

Exhibit 31.2.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, William D. Rogers, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  November 8, 2018

/s/ William D. Rogers

William D. Rogers

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-31.2.3

Exhibit 31.2.3

CERTIFICATIONS

I, William D. Rogers, certify that:

1.           I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.;

2.           Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.           Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.           The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.           The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  November 8, 2018

/s/ William D. Rogers

William D. Rogers

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1.1

Exhibit 32.1.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Scott M. Prochazka, Chief Executive Officer, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of my knowledge, that:

1.The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2.The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Scott M. Prochazka

Scott M. Prochazka

President and Chief Executive Officer

November 8, 2018

EX-32.1.2

Exhibit 32.1.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2018 (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Scott M. Prochazka, Chairman (Principal Executive Officer), certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of my knowledge, that:

1.The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2.The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Scott M. Prochazka

Scott M. Prochazka

Chairman (Principal Executive Officer)

November 8, 2018

EX-32.1.3

Exhibit 32.1.3

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2018 (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Scott M. Prochazka, Chief Executive Officer, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of my knowledge, that:

1.           The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2.           The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Scott M. Prochazka

Scott M. Prochazka

President and Chief Executive Officer

November 8, 2018

EX-32.2.1

Exhibit 32.2.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, William D. Rogers, Chief Financial Officer, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of my knowledge, that:

1.The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2.The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ William D. Rogers

William D. Rogers

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

November 8, 2018

EX-32.2.2

Exhibit 32.2.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2018 (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, William D. Rogers, Chief Financial Officer, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of my knowledge, that:

1.The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2.The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ William D. Rogers

William D. Rogers

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

November 8, 2018

EX-32.2.3

Exhibit 32.2.3

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2018 (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, William D. Rogers, Chief Financial Officer, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of my knowledge, that:

1.           The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2.           The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ William D. Rogers

William D. Rogers

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

November 8, 2018

XML

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Oct. 22, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	CENTERPOINT ENERGY INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001130310
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		501,191,387
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 11,722,467,012
Houston Electric [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC LLC
Entity Central Index Key	0000048732
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,000
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
CERC Corp [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001042773
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,000
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

XML

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018		Sep. 30, 2017
Revenues:
Utility revenues		$ 1,299	$ 1,233	$ 4,534		$ 4,001
Non-utility revenues		913	865	3,019		2,975
Total		2,212	2,098	7,553		6,976
Expenses:
Utility natural gas		134	106	959		706
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	[1]	864	832	2,927		2,843
Operation and maintenance		567	501	1,714		1,562
Depreciation and amortization		326	269	982		749
Taxes other than income taxes		95	93	307		288
Total		1,986	1,801	6,889		6,148
Operating Income (Loss)		226	297	664		828
Other Income (Expense):
Gain on marketable securities		43	37	66		104
Loss on indexed debt securities		(44)	(36)	(316)		(59)
Interest and other finance charges		(90)	(80)	(259)		(235)
Interest on Securitization Bonds		(16)	(18)	(46)		(58)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate, net		81	68	208		199
Other, net		9	(1)	16		(2)
Total		(17)	(30)	(331)		(51)
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes		209	267	333		777
Income tax expense (benefit)		51	98	85		281
Net Income		158	169	248		496
Series A Preferred Stock dividend requirement		5	0	5		0
Income Available to Common Shareholders		$ 153	$ 169	$ 243		$ 496
Basic Earnings Per Common Share		$ 0.35	$ 0.39	$ 0.56		$ 1.15
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share		0.35	0.39	0.56		1.14
Dividends Declared Per Share		$ 0.2775	$ 0.2675	$ 0.5550	[2]	$ 0.8025
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Basic		431,554,000	431,026,000	431,437,000		430,939,000
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Diluted		434,891,000	434,086,000	434,774,000		433,999,000
Houston Electric [Member]
Revenues:
Total		$ 897	$ 843	$ 2,506		$ 2,233
Expenses:
Operation and maintenance		369	337	1,062		1,021
Depreciation and amortization		242	193	737		525
Taxes other than income taxes		59	59	180		177
Total		670	589	1,979		1,723
Operating Income (Loss)		227	254	527		510
Other Income (Expense):
Interest and other finance charges		(32)	(32)	(101)		(97)
Interest on Securitization Bonds		(16)	(18)	(46)		(58)
Other, net		0	(3)	(6)		(9)
Total		(48)	(53)	(153)		(164)
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes		179	201	374		346
Income tax expense (benefit)		36	71	78		123
Net Income		143	130	296		223
CERC Corp [Member]
Revenues:
Utility revenues		402	390	2,032		1,767
Non-utility revenues		910	861	3,008		2,964
Total		1,312	1,251	5,040		4,731
Expenses:
Utility natural gas		134	106	959		706
Cost of Goods and Services Sold		864	832	2,927		2,843
Operation and maintenance		211	182	666		587
Depreciation and amortization		77	68	222		202
Taxes other than income taxes		33	32	120		104
Total		1,319	1,220	4,894		4,442
Operating Income (Loss)		(7)	31	146		289
Other Income (Expense):
Interest and other finance charges		(30)	(32)	(92)		(92)
Other, net		0	(4)	(5)		(13)
Total		(30)	(36)	(97)		(105)
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes		(37)	(5)	49		184
Income tax expense (benefit)		(2)	(1)	14		69
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations		(35)	(4)	35		115
Income from discontinued operations (net of tax of $13, $26, $44 and $75, respectively)		44	42	140		124
Net Income		$ 9	$ 38	$ 175		$ 239

[1] Income statement impact associated with cash flow hedge activity is related to gains and losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income. Amounts are immaterial for the Registrants for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

[2] On December 13, 2017, CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.2775 per share of Common Stock, payable on March 8, 2018 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 15, 2018.

XML

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
CERC Corp [Member]
Income tax expense associated with discontinued operations	$ 13	$ 26	$ 44	$ 75

XML

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Net income	$ 158	$ 169	$ 248	$ 496
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Adjustment to pension and other postretirement plans (net of tax of $1, $2, $2 and $4)	1	0	4	2
Net deferred gain (loss) from cash flow hedges (net of tax)	3	(2)	6	(3)
Total	4	(2)	10	(1)
Comprehensive income	162	167	258	495
Houston Electric [Member]
Net income	143	130	296	223
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net deferred gain (loss) from cash flow hedges (net of tax)	3	0	7	(1)
Total	3	0	7	(1)
Comprehensive income	146	130	303	222
CERC Corp [Member]
Net income	9	38	175	239
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net deferred gain (loss) from cash flow hedges (net of tax)	0	(1)	0	(1)
Comprehensive income	$ 9	$ 38	$ 175	$ 239

XML

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Tax benefit (expense) on adjustment related to pension and postretirement plans	$ (1)	$ (2)	$ (2)	$ (4)
Tax expense (benefit) on net deferred gain (loss) from cash flow hedges	1	(2)	2	(2)
Houston Electric [Member]
Tax expense (benefit) on net deferred gain (loss) from cash flow hedges	$ 1	$ 0	$ 2	$ 0

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 293	$ 260
Investment in marketable securities	627	960
Accounts receivable, less bad debt reserve	918	1,000
Accrued unbilled revenues	212	427
Natural gas inventory	207	222
Materials and supplies	198	175
Non-trading derivative assets	76	110
Taxes receivable	38	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	157	241
Total current assets	2,726	3,395
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, plant and equipment	19,861	19,031
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	6,208	5,974
Property, plant and equipment, net	13,653	13,057
Other Assets:
Goodwill	867	867
Regulatory assets	1,934	2,347
Non-trading derivative assets	38	44
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate	2,457	2,472
Preferred units – unconsolidated affiliate	363	363
Other	190	191
Total other assets	5,849	6,284
Total Assets	22,228	22,736
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	0	39
Current portion of VIE Securitization Bonds long-term debt	456	434
Indexed debt, net	25	122
Current portion of other long-term debt	50	50
Indexed debt securities derivative	685	668
Accounts payable	708	963
Taxes accrued	152	181
Interest accrued	80	104
Dividends accrued	0	120
Non-trading derivative liabilities	33	20
Other	392	368
Total current liabilities	2,581	3,069
Other Liabilities:
Deferred income taxes, net	3,220	3,174
Non-trading derivative liabilities	6	4
Benefit obligations	722	785
Regulatory liabilities	2,506	2,464
Other	433	357
Total other liabilities	6,887	6,784
Long-term Debt:
VIE Securitization Bonds, net	1,045	1,434
Other long-term debt, net	6,207	6,761
Total long-term debt, net	7,252	8,195
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Shareholders’ Equity:
Cumulative preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized
Common stock	4	4
Additional paid-in capital	4,221	4,209
Retained earnings	551	543
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(58)	(68)
Total shareholders’ equity	5,508	4,688
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	22,228	22,736
Houston Electric [Member]
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	279	238
Accounts and notes receivable, less bad debt reserve	389	284
Accounts and notes receivable–affiliated companies	13	7
Accrued unbilled revenues	122	120
Materials and supplies	129	119
Non-trading derivative assets	3	0
Taxes receivable	9	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	50	62
Total current assets	994	830
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, plant and equipment	11,962	11,496
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	3,742	3,633
Property, plant and equipment, net	8,220	7,863
Other Assets:
Regulatory assets	1,202	1,570
Other	20	29
Total other assets	1,222	1,599
Total Assets	10,436	10,292
Current Liabilities:
Current portion of VIE Securitization Bonds long-term debt	456	434
Accounts payable	220	243
Accounts and notes payable–affiliated companies	113	104
Taxes accrued	88	116
Interest accrued	43	65
Other	111	120
Total current liabilities	1,031	1,082
Other Liabilities:
Deferred income taxes, net	1,044	1,059
Benefit obligations	142	146
Regulatory liabilities	1,265	1,263
Other	79	54
Total other liabilities	2,530	2,522
Long-term Debt:
VIE Securitization Bonds, net	1,045	1,434
Other long-term debt, net	3,281	2,885
Total long-term debt, net	4,326	4,319
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Shareholders’ Equity:
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	1,696	1,696
Retained earnings	846	673
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	7	0
Total shareholders’ equity	2,549	2,369
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	10,436	10,292
CERC Corp [Member]
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1	12
Accounts receivable, less bad debt reserve	527	713
Accounts and notes receivable–affiliated companies	9	6
Accrued unbilled revenues	90	307
Natural gas inventory	206	222
Materials and supplies	69	56
Non-trading derivative assets	73	110
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	85	166
Total current assets	1,060	1,592
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, plant and equipment	7,260	6,888
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	2,185	2,036
Property, plant and equipment, net	5,075	4,852
Other Assets:
Goodwill	867	867
Regulatory assets	170	181
Non-trading derivative assets	38	44
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate - discontinued operations	0	2,472
Other	95	104
Total other assets	1,170	3,668
Total Assets	7,305	10,112
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	0	39
Accounts payable	429	669
Accounts and notes payable–affiliated companies	44	611
Taxes accrued	64	75
Interest accrued	31	32
Customer deposits	74	76
Non-trading derivative liabilities	33	20
Other	171	137
Total current liabilities	846	1,659
Other Liabilities:
Deferred income taxes, net	370	362
Deferred income taxes, net - discontinued operations	0	927
Non-trading derivative liabilities	6	4
Benefit obligations	98	97
Regulatory liabilities	1,241	1,201
Other	350	297
Total other liabilities	2,065	2,888
Long-term Debt:
Total long-term debt, net	2,257	2,457
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Shareholders’ Equity:
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	1,668	2,528
Retained earnings	463	574
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	6	6
Total shareholders’ equity	2,137	3,108
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	7,305	10,112
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Shareholders’ Equity:
Series A Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, $800,000 aggregate liquidation preference, 800,000 shares outstanding	$ 790	$ 0

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 293,000,000	$ 260,000,000
Accounts receivable, less bad debt reserve	918,000,000	1,000,000,000
Bad debt reserve	15,000,000	19,000,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	157,000,000	241,000,000
Regulatory assets	$ 1,934,000,000	$ 2,347,000,000
Common stock par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock authorized (in shares)	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Common stock outstanding (in shares)	431,555,853	431,044,845
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 278,000,000	$ 230,000,000
Accounts receivable, less bad debt reserve	92,000,000	73,000,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	37,000,000	35,000,000
Regulatory assets	1,146,000,000	1,590,000,000
Houston Electric [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	279,000,000	238,000,000
Bad debt reserve	1,000,000	1,000,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	50,000,000	62,000,000
Regulatory assets	1,202,000,000	1,570,000,000
Houston Electric [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	278,000,000	230,000,000
Accounts receivable, less bad debt reserve	92,000,000	73,000,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	37,000,000	35,000,000
Regulatory assets	1,146,000,000	1,590,000,000
CERC Corp [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	1,000,000	12,000,000
Accounts receivable, less bad debt reserve	527,000,000	713,000,000
Bad debt reserve	14,000,000	18,000,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	85,000,000	166,000,000
Regulatory assets	$ 170,000,000	$ 181,000,000
Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Cumulative preferred stock authorized (in shares)	20,000,000	20,000,000
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0
Series A aggregate liquidation preference	$ 800,000	$ 0
Series A preferred stock outstanding (in shares)	800,000	0

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CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 248	$ 496
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	982	749
Amortization of deferred financing costs	34	18
Deferred income taxes	33	185
Unrealized gain on marketable securities	(66)	(104)
Loss on indexed debt securities	316	59
Write-down of natural gas inventory	2	0
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate, net of distributions	(15)	(199)
Pension contributions	(67)	(46)
Changes in other assets and liabilities, excluding acquisitions:
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net	355	216
Inventory	(10)	(52)
Taxes receivable	(38)	30
Accounts payable	(262)	(137)
Fuel cost recovery	53	(30)
Non-trading derivatives, net	63	(53)
Margin deposits, net	2	(49)
Interest and taxes accrued	(53)	2
Net regulatory assets and liabilities	44	(135)
Other current assets	11	18
Other current liabilities	16	19
Other assets	(3)	(3)
Other liabilities	24	28
Other, net	10	16
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,679	1,028
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(1,121)	(994)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(132)
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliate in excess of cumulative earnings	30	223
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	398	0
Other, net	19	6
Net cash used in investing activities	(674)	(897)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings, net	(39)	13
Payments of commercial paper, net	(1,551)	(428)
Proceeds from long-term debt, net	997	1,096
Payments of long-term debt	(368)	(597)
Debt issuance costs	(36)	(13)
Payment of dividends on Common Stock	(360)	(346)
Proceeds from issuance of Series A Preferred Stock, net	790	0
Distribution to ZENS note holders	(398)	0
Other, net	(5)	(4)
Net cash used in financing activities	(970)	(279)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	35	(148)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period	296	381
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period	331	233
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	260
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	293
Houston Electric [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	296	223
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	737	525
Amortization of deferred financing costs	8	10
Deferred income taxes	(24)	29
Changes in other assets and liabilities, excluding acquisitions:
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net	(95)	(131)
Accounts receivable/payable–affiliated companies	(12)	(49)
Inventory	(10)	(3)
Taxes receivable	(9)	6
Accounts payable	(6)	105
Interest and taxes accrued	(50)	(28)
Net regulatory assets and liabilities	(66)	(149)
Other current assets	13	8
Other current liabilities	(9)	25
Other assets	4	1
Other liabilities	16	(1)
Other, net	(5)	(4)
Net cash provided by operating activities	788	567
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(678)	(603)
Decrease in notes receivable–affiliated companies	0	29
Other, net	15	5
Net cash used in investing activities	(663)	(569)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt, net	398	298
Payments of long-term debt	(368)	(347)
Decrease in notes payable–affiliated companies	15	0
Dividend to parent	(123)	(87)
Debt issuance costs	(4)	(3)
Contribution from parent	0	0
Other, net	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(82)	(139)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	43	(141)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period	274	381
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period	317	240
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	238
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	279
CERC Corp [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	175	239
Less: Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	140	124
Income from continuing operations	35	115
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	222	202
Amortization of deferred financing costs	7	7
Deferred income taxes	6	69
Write-down of natural gas inventory	2	0
Changes in other assets and liabilities, excluding acquisitions:
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net	449	346
Accounts receivable/payable–affiliated companies	0	(1)
Inventory	1	(49)
Accounts payable	(261)	(227)
Fuel cost recovery	53	(30)
Non-trading derivatives, net	60	(51)
Margin deposits, net	2	(49)
Interest and taxes accrued	(9)	(13)
Net regulatory assets and liabilities	73	(28)
Other current assets	7	16
Other current liabilities	24	(5)
Other assets	5	5
Other liabilities	(2)	4
Other, net	0	1
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	674	312
Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations	176	0
Net cash provided by operating activities	850	312
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(411)	(373)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(132)
Other, net	5	2
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations	(406)	(503)
Net cash provided by investing activities from discontinued operations	47	223
Net cash used in investing activities	(359)	(280)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings, net	(39)	13
Payments of commercial paper, net	(800)	(40)
Proceeds from long-term debt, net	599	298
Decrease in notes payable–affiliated companies	(570)	0
Dividend to parent	(286)	(337)
Debt issuance costs	(5)	(4)
Contribution from parent	600	38
Other, net	(1)	0
Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations	(502)	(32)
Net cash provided by financing activities from discontinued operations	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(502)	(32)
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(11)	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	12	1
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$ 1	$ 1

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Background and Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Background and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]

Background and Basis of Presentation

No Registrant makes any representations as to the information related solely to CenterPoint Energy or the subsidiaries of CenterPoint Energy other than itself.

General. Included in this combined Form 10-Q are the Interim Condensed Financial Statements of CenterPoint Energy, Houston Electric and CERC, which are referred to collectively as the Registrants. The Combined Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements apply to all Registrants unless otherwise indicated. The Interim Condensed Financial Statements are unaudited, omit certain financial statement disclosures and should be read with each of the Registrants’ 2017 Form 10-K.

Background. CenterPoint Energy, Inc. is a public utility holding company and owns interests in Enable as described below. CenterPoint Energy’s operating subsidiaries, Houston Electric and CERC, own and operate electric transmission and distribution and natural gas distribution facilities and supply natural gas to commercial and industrial customers and electric and natural gas utilities.

• Houston Electric engages in the electric transmission and distribution business in the Texas Gulf Coast area that includes the city of Houston; and

• CERC Corp. (i) owns and operates natural gas distribution systems in six states and (ii) obtains and offers competitive variable and fixed-price physical natural gas supplies and services primarily to commercial and industrial customers and electric and natural gas utilities in 33 states through its wholly-owned subsidiary, CES.

As of September 30, 2018, CenterPoint Energy, indirectly through CNP Midstream, owned approximately 54.0% of the common units representing limited partner interests in Enable, 50% of the management rights and 40% of the incentive distribution rights in Enable GP and also directly owned an aggregate of 14,520,000 Enable Series A Preferred Units. Enable owns, operates and develops natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets.

On September 4, 2018, CERC entered into a Contribution Agreement, by and between CERC and CNP Midstream, a new subsidiary formed by CERC in June 2018, pursuant to which CERC contributed its equity investment in Enable consisting of Enable common units and its interests in Enable GP, to CNP Midstream (collectively, the Enable Contribution). Immediately following the Enable Contribution, CERC distributed all of its interest in CNP Midstream to Utility Holding, CERC’s sole stockholder and a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy. Utility Holding then distributed all of its interest in CNP Midstream to CenterPoint Energy, its sole member (collectively with the Enable Contribution, the Internal Spin). CERC executed the Internal Spin to, among other things, enhance the access of CERC and CenterPoint Energy to low cost debt and equity through increased transparency and understandability of the financial statements, improve CERC’s credit quality by eliminating the exposure to Enable’s midstream business and provide clarity of internal reporting and performance metrics to enhance management’s decision making for CERC and CNP Midstream.

As a result of the Internal Spin, CERC’s equity in earnings in Enable and related income taxes have been classified as discontinued operations in CERC’s Interim Condensed Financial Statements. For further information regarding the Internal Spin and CERC’s presentation of discontinued operations, see Note 9.

As of September 30, 2018, CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric had VIEs consisting of the Bond Companies, which are consolidated. The consolidated VIEs are wholly-owned, bankruptcy-remote, special purpose entities that were formed specifically for the purpose of securitizing transition and system restoration-related property. Creditors of CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric have no recourse to any assets or revenues of the Bond Companies. The bonds issued by these VIEs are only payable from and secured by transition and system restoration property, and the bondholders have no recourse to the general credit of CenterPoint Energy or Houston Electric.

Basis of Presentation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Interim Condensed Financial Statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the respective periods. Amounts reported in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income are not necessarily indicative of amounts expected for a full-year period due to the effects of, among other things, (a) seasonal fluctuations in demand for energy and energy services, (b) changes in energy commodity prices, (c) timing of maintenance and other expenditures and (d) acquisitions and dispositions of businesses, assets and other interests. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. See Notes 2 and 9 for further discussion.

For a description of the Registrants’ reportable business segments, see Note 16.

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New Accounting Pronouncements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

New Accounting Pronouncements [Text Block]

New Accounting Pronouncements

The following table provides an overview of recently adopted or issued accounting pronouncements applicable to all the Registrants, unless otherwise noted.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
ASU Number and Name	Description	Date of Adoption	Financial Statement Impact upon Adoption
ASU 2014-09- Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and related amendments	This standard provides a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires revenue to be recognized in a manner that depicts the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. Transition method: modified retrospective	January 1, 2018	Note 4 addresses the disclosure requirements. Adoption of the standard did not result in significant changes to revenue recognition. A substantial amount of the Registrants’ revenues are tariff and/or derivative based, which were not significantly impacted by these ASUs.
ASU 2017-05- Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets	This standard clarifies when and how to apply ASC 610-20, which was issued as part of ASU 2014-09. It amends or supersedes the guidance in ASC 350 and ASC 360 on determining a gain or loss recognized upon the derecognition of nonfinancial assets. Transition method: modified retrospective	January 1, 2018	ASU 2017-05 eliminates industry specific guidance, including ASC 360-20 Property, Plant, and Equipment - Real Estate Sales, for the recognition of gains or losses upon the sale of in-substance real estate. CenterPoint Energy and CERC elected to apply the practical expedient upon adoption to only evaluate transactions that were not determined to be complete as of the date of adoption. Subsequent to adoption, gains or losses on sales or dilution events in CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable may result in gains or losses recognized in earnings. See Note 9 for further discussion.
ASU 2016-01-Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities ASU 2018-03-Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities	This standard requires equity investments that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method to be measured at fair value and to recognize any changes in fair value in net income unless the investments qualify for the new practicability exception. It does not change the guidance for classifying and measuring investments in debt securities and loans. It also changes certain disclosure requirements and other aspects related to recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. Transition method: cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings, and two features prospective	January 1, 2018	The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Registrants elected the practicability exception for investments without a readily determinable fair value to be measured at cost. This includes the Enable Series A Preferred Units owned by CenterPoint Energy, which were previously accounted for under the cost method. See Note 9 for further discussion.
ASU 2016-15- Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments	This standard provides clarifying guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows and eliminates the variation in practice related to such classifications. Transition method:retrospective	January 1, 2018	The adoption did not have a material impact on the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or disclosures. However, CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows reflect an increase in investing activities and a corresponding decrease in operating activities of $1 million and $3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, due to the requirement that cash proceeds from COLI policies be classified as cash inflows from investing activity.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
ASU Number and Name	Description	Date of Adoption	Financial Statement Impact upon Adoption
ASU 2016-18- Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash	This standard requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. As a result, the statement of cash flows will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. When cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents are presented in more than one line item on the balance sheet, the new guidance requires a reconciliation of the totals in the statement of cash flows to the related captions in the balance sheet. Transition method: retrospective	January 1, 2018	The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or disclosures. However, CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows are reconciled to cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, resulting in a decrease in investing activities of $2 million and an increase in investing activities of $8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. See Note 17 for further discussion.
ASU 2017-01- Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business	This standard revises the definition of a business. If substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, then under ASU 2017-01, the asset or group of assets is not a business. The guidance also requires a business to include at least one substantive process and narrows the definition of outputs to be more closely aligned with how outputs are described in ASC 606. Transition method: prospective	January 1, 2018	The adoption of this revised definition will reduce the number of transactions that are accounted for as a business combination, and therefore may have a potential impact on the Registrants’ accounting for future acquisitions.
ASU 2017-04- Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment	This standard eliminates Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which required a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. Transition method: prospective	January 1, 2018	The adoption of this standard will have an impact on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s future calculation of goodwill impairments if an impairment is identified.
ASU 2017-07- Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost	This standard requires an employer to report the service cost component of the net periodic pension cost and postretirement benefit cost in the same line item(s) as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period; all other components will be presented separately from the line item(s) that includes the service cost and outside of any subtotal of operating income. In addition, only the service cost component will be eligible for capitalization in assets. Transition method: retrospective for the presentation of the service cost component and other components; prospective for the capitalization of the service cost component	January 1, 2018	The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures; however, it resulted in the increases to operating income and corresponding decreases to other income reported in the table below. Other components previously capitalized in assets will be recorded as regulatory assets in the Registrants’ rate-regulated businesses, prospectively.
ASU 2017-09- Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting	This standard clarifies when changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as a modification. Entities will apply the modification accounting guidance if the value, vesting conditions or classification of the award changes. Transition method: prospective	January 1, 2018	The adoption of this standard will have an impact on CenterPoint Energy’s accounting for future changes to share-based payment awards.
ASU 2017-12- Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities	This standard expands an entity’s ability to hedge and account for risk components, reduces the complexity of applying certain aspects of hedge accounting and updates the presentation and disclosure requirements. The guidance eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness. Transition method: cumulative-effect adjustment for elimination of the separate measurement of ineffectiveness; prospective for presentation and disclosure	July 1, 2018 Applicable January 1, 2018	The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or cash flows. As a result of the adoption, the Registrants will no longer recognize ineffectiveness for derivatives designated as cash flow hedges; all changes in fair value will flow through other comprehensive income. As the Registrants did not have existing cash flow hedges as of the initial application date and the adoption date, no cumulative effective adjustment was recorded. Note 7 reflects disclosures modified upon adoption.
ASU 2018-13- Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement	This standard eliminates, modifies and adds certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Transition method: prospective for additions and one modification and retrospective for all other amendments	Adoption of eliminations and modifications as of September 30, 2018; Additions will be adopted January 1, 2020	The adoption of this standard did not impact the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Note 8 reflects the disclosures modified upon adoption.

The table below reflects the impact of adoption of ASU 2017-07:

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Increase to operating income	$	9	$	3	$	—	$	18	$	7	$	5
Decrease to other income	9		3		—		18		7		5
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Increase to operating income	$	38	$	18	$	8	$	52	$	22	$	16
Decrease to other income	38		18		8		52		22		16

Issued, Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards
ASU Number and Name	Description	Date of Adoption	Financial Statement Impact upon Adoption
ASU 2016-02- Leases (Topic 842) and related amendments ASU 2018-01- Leases (Topic 842) Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842 ASU 2018-10 - Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases ASU 2018-11- Leases (Topic 842)-Targeted Improvements	ASU 2016-02 provides a comprehensive new lease model that requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for most leases and would change certain aspects of lessor accounting. Transition method: modified retrospective ASU 2018-01 allows entities to elect not to assess whether existing land easements that were not previously accounted for in accordance with ASC 840 Leases under ASC 842 Leases when transitioning to the new leasing standard. ASU 2018-10 makes sixteen narrow-scope amendments to ASC 842 Leases. ASU 2018-11 allows entities the transition option to not apply the new lease standards in the comparative financial statements presented in the year of adoption. It also gives lessors the practical expedient to not separate non-lease and lease components when certain criteria are met.	January 1, 2019 Early adoption is permitted	The Registrants will elect the practical expedient on existing easements provided by ASU 2018-01, and the transition option to not apply the new lease standards in the comparative financial statements presented in the year of adoption provided by ASU 2018-11. The Registrants are evaluating other available transitional practical expedients. The Registrants are in the process of reviewing contracts to identify leases as defined in ASU 2016-02 and expect to recognize on the statements of financial position right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for the majority of their respective leases that are currently classified as operating leases. The Registrants are continuing to assess the impact that adoption of these standards will have on their financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.
ASU 2016-13- Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments	This standard requires a new model called CECL to estimate credit losses for (1) financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost and (2) certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. Upon initial recognition of the exposure, the CECL model requires an entity to estimate the credit losses expected over the life of an exposure based on historical information, current information and reasonable and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments. Transition method: modified retrospective	January 1, 2020 Early adoption is permitted starting January 1, 2019	The Registrants are currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on their financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.
ASU 2018-02-Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	This standard allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the TCJA and requires entities to provide certain disclosures regarding stranded tax effects. Transition method: either in the period of adoption or retrospective	January 1, 2019 Early adoption is permitted	The adoption of this standard will allow the Registrants to reclass stranded deferred tax adjustments primarily related to benefit plans from other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The Registrants are currently assessing the impact that adoption of this standard will have on their financial position and disclosures.

Issued, Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards
ASU Number and Name	Description	Date of Adoption	Financial Statement Impact upon Adoption
ASU 2018-14-Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans	This standard eliminates, modifies and adds certain disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. Transition method: retrospective	January 1, 2021 Early adoption is permitted	The adoption of this standard will impact the Registrants’ annual disclosures and is not expected to have an impact on their financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. The Registrants are currently assessing the standard’s impact on the Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans footnote.
ASU 2018-15- Intangibles-Goodwill and Other- Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract	This standard aligns accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is accounted for as a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The update also prescribes the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow classification of the capitalized implementation costs and related amortization expense, and requires additional quantitative and qualitative disclosures. Transition method: retrospective or prospective	January 1, 2020 Early adoption is permitted	The adoption of this standard will allow the Registrants to capitalize certain implementation costs incurred in cloud computing arrangements that are accounted for as service contracts. The Registrants are currently assessing the impact that adoption of this standard will have on their financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.

Management believes that other recently adopted standards and recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or cash flows upon adoption.

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Pending Merger with Vectren (CenterPoint Energy)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Pending Merger with Vectren (CenterPoint Energy) [Text Block]

Pending Merger with Vectren (CenterPoint Energy)

On April 21, 2018, CenterPoint Energy entered into the Merger Agreement. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, CenterPoint Energy will acquire Vectren for approximately $6 billion in cash. Upon closing, Vectren will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, upon the closing of the Merger, each share of Vectren common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the closing will be converted automatically into the right to receive $72.00 in cash per share. During August and October 2018, CenterPoint Energy completed its permanent financing for the Merger through offerings of the Series A Preferred Stock, depositary shares, each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of Series B Preferred Stock, Common Stock and unsecured senior notes. See Notes 12 and 19 for further details regarding the Merger financings. As of September 30, 2018, Vectren and its subsidiaries had outstanding $325 million of short-term debt and $2.0 billion of long-term debt, including current maturities. It is anticipated that Vectren and its subsidiaries will have approximately $2.5 billion of outstanding short-term and long-term debt as of December 31, 2018.

Consummation of the Merger is conditioned upon approval by federal regulatory commissions, orders from state regulatory commissions, expiration or termination of the applicable HSR waiting period and approval of the Merger by Vectren shareholders. In June 2018, CenterPoint Energy and Vectren (i) submitted their filings with the FERC and the FCC, (ii) submitted their filings with the FTC pursuant to the HSR Act and (iii) initiated informational proceedings with regulators in Indiana and Ohio. On June 26, 2018, CenterPoint Energy and Vectren received notice from the FTC granting early termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act in connection with the Merger. On August 28, 2018, shareholders of Vectren, during a special shareholders’ meeting, approved the Merger. The FCC granted approvals on July 20 and 24, 2018, and on October 5, 2018, the FERC authorized the Merger. A hearing before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission was held on October 17, 2018 with respect to the Merger. CenterPoint Energy has requested a final order for this proceeding by the end of January or early February 2019.

The Merger Agreement contains termination rights for both CenterPoint Energy and Vectren, and provides that, upon termination of the Merger Agreement under specified circumstances, CenterPoint Energy would be required to pay a termination fee of $210 million to Vectren or Vectren would be required to pay CenterPoint Energy a termination fee of $150 million.

Subject to receipt of required regulatory and statutory approvals and satisfaction and/or waiver of the closing conditions, CenterPoint Energy continues to anticipate closing the Merger in the first quarter of 2019.

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Revenue Recognition

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition [Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

The Registrants adopted ASC 606 and all related amendments on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method for those contracts that were not completed as of the date of adoption. Application of the new revenue standard did not result in a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In accordance with ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Registrants expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for these goods or services. Contract assets and liabilities are not material.

The following tables disaggregate revenues by reportable business segment and major source:

CenterPoint Energy

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018														2017
	Electric Transmission & Distribution (1)			Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Other Operations (2)		Total			Electric Transmission & Distribution (1)			Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Other Operations (2)		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	904		$	398		$	82		$	1	$	1,385		$	852		$	396		$	97		$	2	$	1,347
Derivatives income	—			—			838			—		838			—			—			774			—		774
Other (3)	(7		)	12			—			2		7			(9		)	2			—			2		(5		)
Eliminations	—			(8		)	(10		)	—		(18		)	—			(8		)	(10		)	—		(18		)
Total revenues	$	897		$	402		$	910		$	3	$	2,212		$	843		$	390		$	861		$	4	$	2,098
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018														2017
	Electric Transmission & Distribution (1)			Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Other Operations (2)		Total			Electric Transmission & Distribution (1)			Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Other Operations (2)		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	2,525		$	2,093		$	338		$	4	$	4,960		$	2,254		$	1,784		$	355		$	4	$	4,397
Derivatives income	(4		)	—			2,727			—		2,723			1			—			2,643			—		2,644
Other (3)	(19		)	(35		)	—			7		(47		)	(21		)	7			—			7		(7		)
Eliminations	—			(26		)	(57		)	—		(83		)	—			(24		)	(34		)	—		(58		)
Total revenues	$	2,502		$	2,032		$	3,008		$	11	$	7,553		$	2,234		$	1,767		$	2,964		$	11	$	6,976

Houston Electric

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	904		$	852		$	2,525		$	2,254
Other (3)	(7		)	(9		)	(19		)	(21		)
	$	897		$	843		$	2,506		$	2,233

CERC

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018									2017
	Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Total			Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	398		$	82		$	480		$	396		$	97		$	493
Derivatives income	—			838			838			—			774			774
Other (3)	12			—			12			2			—			2
Eliminations	(8		)	(10		)	(18		)	(8		)	(10		)	(18		)
Total revenues	$	402		$	910		$	1,312		$	390		$	861		$	1,251
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018									2017
	Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Total			Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	2,093		$	338		$	2,431		$	1,784		$	355		$	2,139
Derivatives income	—			2,727			2,727			—			2,643			2,643
Other (3)	(35		)	—			(35		)	7			—			7
Eliminations	(26		)	(57		)	(83		)	(24		)	(34		)	(58		)
Total revenues	$	2,032		$	3,008		$	5,040		$	1,767		$	2,964		$	4,731

(1) Reflected in Utility revenues in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

(2) Reflected in Non-utility revenues in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

(3) Primarily consists of income from ARPs and leases. ARPs are contracts between the utility and its regulators, not between the utility and a customer. The Registrants recognize ARP revenue as other revenues when the regulator-specified conditions for recognition have been met. Upon recovery of ARP revenue through incorporation in rates charged for utility service to customers, ARP revenue is reversed and recorded as revenue from contracts with customers. The recognition of ARP revenues and the reversal of ARP revenues upon recovery through rates charged for utility service may not occur in the same period.

Revenues from Contracts with Customers

Electric Transmission & Distribution. Houston Electric distributes electricity to customers over time and customers consume the electricity when delivered. Revenue, consisting of both volumetric and fixed tariff rates set by the PUCT, is recognized as electricity is delivered and represents amounts both billed and unbilled. Discretionary services requested by customers are provided at a point in time with control transferring upon the completion of the service. Revenue for discretionary services is recognized upon completion of service based on the tariff rates set by the PUCT. Payments for electricity distribution and discretionary services are aggregated and received on a monthly basis. Houston Electric performs transmission services over time as a stand-ready obligation to provide a reliable network of transmission systems. Revenue is recognized upon time elapsed, and the monthly tariff rate set by the PUCT. Payments are received on a monthly basis.

Natural Gas Distribution. CERC distributes and transports natural gas to customers over time, and customers consume the natural gas when delivered. Revenue, consisting of both volumetric and fixed tariff rates set by the state governing agency for that service area, is recognized as natural gas is delivered and represents amounts both billed and unbilled. Discretionary services requested by the customer are satisfied at a point in time and revenue is recognized upon completion of service and the tariff rates set by the applicable state regulator. Payments of natural gas distribution, transportation and discretionary services are aggregated and received on a monthly basis.

Energy Services. The majority of CES natural gas sales contracts are considered a derivative, as the contracts typically have a stated minimum or contractual volume of delivery.

For contracts in which CES delivers the full requirement of the natural gas needed by the customer and a volume is not stated, a contract as defined under ASC 606 is created upon the customer’s exercise of its option to take natural gas. CES supplies natural gas to retail customers over time as customers consume the natural gas when delivered. For wholesale customers, CES supplies natural gas at a point in time because the wholesale customer is presumed to have storage capabilities. Control is transferred to both types of customers upon delivery of natural gas. Revenue is recognized on a monthly basis based on the estimated volume of natural gas delivered and the price agreed upon with the customer. Payments are received on a monthly basis.

AMAs are natural gas sales contracts under which CES also assumes management of a customer’s physical storage and/or transportation capacity. AMAs have two distinct performance obligations, which consist of natural gas sales and natural gas delivery because delivery could occur separate from the sale of natural gas (e.g., from storage to customer premises). Most AMAs’ natural gas sales performance obligations are accounted for as embedded derivatives. The transaction price is allocated between the sale of natural gas and the delivery based on the stand-alone selling price as stated in the contract. CES performs natural gas delivery over time as customers take delivery of the natural gas and recognizes revenue on an aggregated monthly basis based on the volume of natural gas delivered and the fees stated within the contract. Payments are received on a monthly basis.

Practical Expedients and Exemption. Sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers are excluded from the transaction price.

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Employee Benefit Plans

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]

Employee Benefit Plans

The Registrants’ net periodic cost, before considering amounts subject to overhead allocations for capital expenditure projects or for amounts subject to deferral for regulatory purposes, includes the following components relating to pension and postretirement benefits:

Pension Benefits (CenterPoint Energy)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	10		$	9		$	28		$	27
Interest cost (2)	20			22			59			66
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(27		)	(24		)	(80		)	(72		)
Amortization of prior service cost (2)	3			2			7			7
Amortization of net loss (2)	10			14			32			43
Net periodic cost	$	16		$	23		$	46		$	71

Postretirement Benefits

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018									2017
	CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric			CERC			CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric			CERC
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	—		$	—		$	1		$	—		$	—		$	1
Interest cost (2)	3			2			1			4			3			1
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(1		)	(1		)	—			(1		)	(1		)	(1		)
Amortization of prior service credit (2)	(1		)	(1		)	—			(1		)	(2		)	—
Net periodic cost	$	1		$	—		$	2		$	2		$	—		$	1
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018									2017
	CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric			CERC			CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric			CERC
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	1		$	—		$	1		$	1		$	—		$	1
Interest cost (2)	10			6			3			12			7			3
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(4		)	(3		)	(1		)	(4		)	(3		)	(1		)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (2)	(3		)	(4		)	1			(3		)	(4		)	1
Net periodic cost (credit)	$	4		$	(1	)	$	4		$	6		$	—		$	4

(1) Amounts presented in the table above are included in Operation and maintenance expense in each of the Registrants’ respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, net of amounts capitalized and regulatory deferrals.

(2) Amounts presented in the table above are included in Other, net in each of the Registrants’ respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, net of regulatory deferrals.

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to defined benefit and postretirement plans are as follows:

CenterPoint Energy

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	(in millions)
Beginning Balance	$	(63	)	$	(70	)	$	(66	)	$	(72	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service cost (1)	—			—			1			1
Actuarial losses (1)	2			2			5			5
Tax expense	(1		)	(2		)	(2		)	(4		)
Net current period other comprehensive income	1			—			4			2
Ending Balance	$	(62	)	$	(70	)	$	(62	)	$	(70	)

(1) These accumulated other comprehensive components are included in the computation of net periodic cost.

The table below reflects the expected contributions to be made to the pension plans and postretirement benefit plan during 2018:

	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Expected minimum contribution to pension plans during 2018	$	67	$	—	$	—
Expected contribution to postretirement benefit plan in 2018	16		10		5

The table below reflects the contributions made to the pension plans and postretirement benefit plan during 2018:

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018						Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Pension plans	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	67	$	—	$	—
Postretirement benefit plan	4		3		1		11		7		3

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Regulatory Accounting

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Other Disclosures [Abstract]

Regulatory Accounting [Text Block]

Regulatory Accounting

The following is a list of regulatory assets and liabilities reflected on the Registrants’ Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

	September 30, 2018									December 31, 2017
	CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric			CERC			CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric			CERC
Regulatory Assets:	(in millions)
Current regulatory assets (1)	$	60		$	—		$	60		$	130		$	—		$	130
Non-current regulatory assets:
Securitized regulatory assets	1,146			1,146			—			1,590			1,590			—
Unrecognized equity return (2)	(225		)	(225		)	—			(287		)	(287		)	—
Unamortized loss on reacquired debt	70			70			—			75			75			—
Pension and postretirement-related regulatory asset (3)	609			32			15			646			31			20
Hurricane Harvey restoration costs (4)	67			61			6			64			58			6
Regulatory assets related to TCJA (5)	48			34			14			48			33			15
Other long-term regulatory assets (6)	219			84			135			211			70			140
Total non-current regulatory assets	1,934			1,202			170			2,347			1,570			181
Total regulatory assets	1,994			1,202			230			2,477			1,570			311
Regulatory Liabilities:
Current regulatory liabilities (7)	47			22			25			24			22			2
Non-current regulatory liabilities:
Regulatory liabilities related to TCJA (5)	1,362			858			504			1,354			862			492
Estimated removal costs	887			275			612			878			285			593
Other long-term regulatory liabilities	257			132			125			232			116			116
Total non-current regulatory liabilities	2,506			1,265			1,241			2,464			1,263			1,201
Total regulatory liabilities	2,553			1,287			1,266			2,488			1,285			1,203
Total regulatory assets and liabilities, net	$	(559	)	$	(85	)	$	(1,036	)	$	(11	)	$	285		$	(892	)

(1) Current regulatory assets are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Registrants’ Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(2) The unrecognized equity return will be recognized as it is recovered in rates through 2024. During the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric recognized approximately $17 million and $13 million, respectively, of the allowed equity return. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric recognized approximately $62 million and $30 million, respectively, of the allowed equity return. The timing of CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s recognition of the 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.

(3) Includes a portion of NGD’s actuarially determined pension and other postemployment expense in excess of the amount being recovered through rates that is being deferred for rate making purposes, of which $4 million and $7 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, were not earning a return.

(4) The Registrants are not earning a return on Hurricane Harvey restoration costs.

(5) The EDIT and deferred revenues will be recovered or refunded to customers as required by tax and regulatory authorities.

(6) Other long-term regulatory assets that are not earning a return were not material as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

(7) Current regulatory liabilities are included in Other current liabilities in each of the Registrants’ respective Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Derivative Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments [Text Block]

Derivative Instruments

The Registrants are exposed to various market risks. These risks arise from transactions entered into in the normal course of business.  The Registrants utilize derivative instruments such as physical forward contracts, swaps and options to mitigate the impact of changes in commodity prices, weather and interest rates on its operating results and cash flows. Such derivatives are recognized in the Registrants’ Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair value unless the Registrants elect the normal purchase and sales exemption for qualified physical transactions. A derivative may be designated as a normal purchase or normal sale if the intent is to physically receive or deliver the product for use or sale in the normal course of business.

CenterPoint Energy has a Risk Oversight Committee composed of corporate and business segment officers that oversees commodity price, weather and credit risk activities, including the Registrants’ marketing, risk management services and hedging activities. The committee’s duties are to establish the Registrants’ commodity risk policies, allocate board-approved commercial risk limits, approve the use of new products and commodities, monitor positions and ensure compliance with the Registrants’ commercial risk management policy and procedures and limits established by CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors.

The Registrants’ policies prohibit the use of leveraged financial instruments. A leveraged financial instrument, for this purpose, is a transaction involving a derivative whose financial impact will be based on an amount other than the notional amount or volume of the instrument.

(a) Non-Trading Activities

Commodity Derivative Instruments. CenterPoint Energy and CERC, through CES, enter into certain derivative instruments to mitigate the effects of commodity price movements. Certain financial instruments used to hedge portions of the natural gas inventory of the Energy Services business segment are designated as fair value hedges for accounting purposes. All other financial instruments do not qualify or are not designated as cash flow or fair value hedges.

Weather Hedges. CenterPoint Energy and CERC have weather normalization or other rate mechanisms that mitigate the impact of weather on NGD in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Minnesota and Oklahoma. NGD and electric operations in Texas do not have such mechanisms, although fixed customer charges are historically higher in Texas for NGD compared to its other jurisdictions. As a result, fluctuations from normal weather may have a positive or negative effect on NGD’s results in Texas and on electric operations’ results in its service territory.

CenterPoint Energy and CERC, as applicable, enter into winter season weather hedges from time to time for certain NGD jurisdictions and electric operations’ service territory to mitigate the effect of fluctuations from normal weather on results of operations and cash flows. These weather hedges are based on heating degree days at 10-year normal weather. Houston Electric does not enter into weather hedges.

The table below summarizes CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s current weather hedge gain (loss) activity:

				Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
Jurisdiction	Winter Season	Bilateral Cap		2018		2017		2018			2017
		(in millions)
Certain NGD jurisdictions	2018 – 2019	$	9	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—
Certain NGD jurisdictions	2017 – 2018	8		—		—		—			—
Total CERC (1)				—		—		—			—
Electric operations’ service territory	2018 – 2019	8		—		—		—			—
Electric operations’ service territory	2017 – 2018	9		—		—		(4		)	—
Electric operations’ service territory	2016 – 2017	9		—		—		—			1
Total CenterPoint Energy (1)				$	—	$	—	$	(4	)	$	1

(1) Weather hedge gains (losses) are recorded in Revenues in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

Cash Flow Hedging of Interest Expense. From time to time, the Registrants enter into forward interest rate agreements with certain counterparties designated as cash flow hedges. The objective of these cash flow hedges is to reduce exposure to variability in cash flows related to interest payments on anticipated future fixed rate debt offerings or other exposure to variable rate debt. In October 2018, Houston Electric entered into an additional $100 million of notional amount on forward interest rate agreements classified as cash flow hedges. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the total outstanding notional amount of Houston Electric’s forward interest rate agreements related to cash flow hedges was $100 million and $-0-, respectively. The maximum length of time over which Houston Electric is exposed to the variability in future cash flows of the forecasted debt offerings is less than 12 months.

Economic Hedging of Interest Rate Risk. From time to time, the Registrants may enter into forward interest rate agreements with certain counterparties designated as economic hedges. The objective of these economic hedges is to offset any interest rate risk borne by one or more of the Registrants in connection with an anticipated future fixed rate debt offering or other exposure to variable rate debt. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the total outstanding notional amount of CenterPoint Energy’s forward interest rate agreements related to economic hedges in connection with the permanent financing for the Merger was $200 million and $-0-, respectively. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the fair value of interest rate derivatives was less than $1 million and therefore was not included in the tabular presentation below.

(b) Derivative Fair Values and Income Statement Impacts

The following tables present information about derivative instruments and hedging activities. The first two tables provide a balance sheet overview of Derivative Assets and Liabilities, while the last table provides a breakdown of the related income statement impacts.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments and Hedged Items

		September 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Balance Sheet Location	Derivative Assets Fair Value		Derivative Liabilities Fair Value		Derivative Assets Fair Value		Derivative Liabilities Fair Value
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:		(in millions)
Interest rate derivatives	Current Assets: Non-trading derivative assets	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	—
Total Houston Electric		3		—		—		—
Derivatives designated as fair value hedges:
Natural gas derivatives (1) (2) (3)	Current Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	—		2		13		1
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Natural gas derivatives (1) (2) (3)	Current Assets: Non-trading derivative assets	76		3		114		4
Natural gas derivatives (1) (2) (3)	Other Assets: Non-trading derivative assets	38		—		44		—
Natural gas derivatives (1) (2) (3)	Current Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	31		72		38		78
Natural gas derivatives (1) (2) (3)	Other Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	16		33		9		24
Total CERC		161		110		218		107
Indexed debt securities derivative	Current Liabilities	—		685		—		668
Total CenterPoint Energy		$	164	$	795	$	218	$	775

(1) The fair value shown for natural gas contracts is comprised of derivative gross volumes totaling 1,865 Bcf or a net 310 Bcf long position and 1,795 Bcf or a net 224 Bcf long position as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.  Certain natural gas contracts hedge basis risk only and lack a fixed price exposure.

(2) Natural gas contracts are presented on a net basis in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as they are subject to master netting arrangements. This netting applies to all undisputed amounts due or past due and causes derivative assets (liabilities) to be ultimately presented net in a liability (asset) account within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The net of total non-trading natural gas derivative assets and liabilities was a $72 million asset and a $130 million asset as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, as shown on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (and as detailed in the Offsetting of Natural Gas Derivative Assets and Liabilities table below), and was comprised of the natural gas contracts derivative assets and liabilities separately shown above, impacted by collateral netting of $21 million and $19 million, respectively.

(3) Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities include no material amounts related to physical forward transactions with Enable.

Cumulative Basis Adjustment for Fair Value Hedges (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

		September 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Balance Sheet Location	Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets/(Liabilities)		Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged Item		Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets/(Liabilities)		Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged Item
Hedged items in fair value hedge relationship:		(in millions)
Natural gas inventory	Current Assets: Natural gas inventory	$	39	$	1	$	80	$	14
Total CenterPoint Energy and CERC		$	39	$	1	$	80	$	14

Offsetting of Natural Gas Derivative Assets and Liabilities (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

	September 30, 2018									December 31, 2017
	Gross AmountsRecognized (1)			Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Net Amount Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (2)			Gross Amounts Recognized (1)			Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Net Amount Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (2)
	(in millions)
Current Assets: Non-trading derivative assets	$	107		$	(34	)	$	73		$	165		$	(55	)	$	110
Other Assets: Non-trading derivative assets	54			(16		)	38			53			(9		)	44
Current Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	(77		)	44			(33		)	(83		)	63			(20		)
Other Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	(33		)	27			(6		)	(24		)	20			(4		)
Total	$	51		$	21		$	72		$	111		$	19		$	130

(1) Gross amounts recognized include some derivative assets and liabilities that are not subject to master netting arrangements.

(2) The derivative assets and liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets exclude accounts receivable or accounts payable that, should they exist, could be used as offsets to these balances in the event of a default.

Income Statement Impact of Hedge Accounting Activity (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	Location and Amount of Gain (Loss) recognized in Income on Hedging Relationship (2)
	Non-utility natural gas expense						Non-utility natural gas expense
	(in millions)
Total amounts presented in the statements of income in which the effects of hedges are recorded	$	864		$	832		$	2,927		$	2,843
Gain (loss) on fair value hedging relationships:
Commodity contracts:
Hedged items - Natural gas inventory	1			4			(13		)	(10		)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	(1		)	(4		)	13			10
Amounts excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in earnings immediately (1)	6			(9		)	(73		)	(93		)

(1) As a result of the adoption of ASU 2017-12 effective January 1, 2018 (see Note 2 for additional information), CenterPoint Energy and CERC exclude from their assessment of hedge effectiveness the natural gas market price difference between locations of the hedged inventory and the delivery location specified in the hedge instruments. Prior to the adoption of this accounting guidance, the timing difference between the spot price and the futures price, as well as the difference between the timing of the settlement of the futures and the valuation of the underlying physical commodity, was excluded from the assessment of effectiveness for CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s existing fair value hedges and will continue to be excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. CenterPoint Energy and CERC elected to continue to immediately recognize amounts excluded from hedge effectiveness in their respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

(2) Income statement impact associated with cash flow hedge activity is related to gains and losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income. Amounts are immaterial for the Registrants for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	Income Statement Location	2018			2017			2018			2017
Effects of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the income statement:		(in millions)
Commodity contracts	Gains (Losses) in Non-utility revenues	$	2		$	30		$	70		$	162
Total CERC		2			30			70			162
Indexed debt securities derivative	Gains (Losses) in Other Income (Expense)	(44		)	(36		)	(316		)	(59		)
Interest rate derivatives	Gains (Losses) in Interest and other finance charges	—			—			—			—
Total CenterPoint Energy		$	(42	)	$	(6	)	$	(246	)	$	103

Effect of Cash Flow Hedge Accounting on Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax on Derivative
	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017			2018			2017
	(in millions)
Effects of cash flow hedging
Interest rate derivatives (1)	$	3	$	—		$	7		$	(1	)
Total Houston Electric	3		—			7			(1		)
Interest rate derivatives (1)	—		(1		)	—			(1		)
Total CERC	—		(1		)	—			(1		)
Interest rate derivatives (1)	—		(1		)	(1		)	(1		)
Total CenterPoint Energy	$	3	$	(2	)	$	6		$	(3	)

(1) Gains and losses are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income when the hedged transactions affect earnings. The reclassification amounts are included in Interest and other finance charges in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income. Amounts are less than $1 million for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. Over the next twelve months, estimated amortization of accumulated other comprehensive income into related income is expected to be immaterial.

(c) Credit Risk Contingent Features

CenterPoint Energy and CERC enter into financial derivative contracts containing material adverse change provisions.  These provisions could require CenterPoint Energy or CERC to post additional collateral if the S&P or Moody’s credit ratings of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. or its subsidiaries, including CERC Corp., are downgraded. 

CenterPoint Energy and CERC

	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
	(in millions)
Aggregate fair value of derivatives containing material adverse change provisions in a net liability position	$	2	$	2
Fair value of collateral already posted	—		—
Additional collateral required to be posted if credit risk contingent features triggered	1		2

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Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements [Text Block]

Fair Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value in the Registrants’ Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their value. Hierarchical levels, as defined below and directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuations of these assets and liabilities, are as follows:

Level 1: Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. The types of assets carried at Level 1 fair value generally are exchange-traded derivatives and equity securities, as well as natural gas inventory that has been designated as the hedged item in a fair value hedge.

Level 2: Inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. Fair value assets and liabilities that are generally included in this category are derivatives with fair values based on inputs from actively quoted markets.  A market approach is utilized to value the Registrants’ Level 2 natural gas derivative assets or liabilities. CenterPoint Energy’s Level 2 indexed debt securities derivative is valued using an option model and a discounted cash flow model, which uses projected dividends on the ZENS-Related Securities and a discount rate as observable inputs.

Level 3: Inputs are unobservable for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs reflect the Registrants’ judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability since limited market data exists. The Registrants develop these inputs based on the best information available, including the Registrants’ own data. A market approach is utilized to value the Registrants’ Level 3 assets or liabilities. As of September 30, 2018, CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Level 3 assets and liabilities are comprised of physical natural gas forward contracts and options. Level 3 physical natural gas forward contracts and options include illiquid forward price curve locations (ranging from $1.28 to $6.88 per MMBtu) as an unobservable input. CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Level 3 physical natural gas forward contracts and options derivative assets and liabilities consist of both long and short positions (forwards and options). Forward price decreases (increases) as of September 30, 2018 would have resulted in lower (higher) values, respectively, for long forwards and options and higher (lower) values, respectively, for short forwards and options.

The Registrants determine the appropriate level for each financial asset and liability on a quarterly basis. The Registrants also recognize purchases of Level 3 financial assets and liabilities at their fair market value at the end of the reporting period.

The following tables present information about the Registrants’ assets and liabilities (including derivatives that are presented net) measured at fair value on a recurring basis and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Registrants to determine such fair value.

CenterPoint Energy

	September 30, 2018											December 31, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting (1)			Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting (1)			Total
Assets	(in millions)
Corporate equities	$	630	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	630	$	963	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	963
Investments, including money market funds (2)	70		—		—		—			70		68		—		—		—			68
Interest rate derivatives	3		—		—		—			3		—		—		—		—			—
Natural gas derivatives (3)	—		134		27		(50		)	111		—		161		57		(64		)	154
Hedged portion of natural gas inventory	1		—		—		—			1		14		—		—		—			14
Total assets	$	704	$	134	$	27	$	(50	)	$	815	$	1,045	$	161	$	57	$	(64	)	$	1,199
Liabilities
Indexed debt securities derivative	$	—	$	685	$	—	$	—		$	685	$	—	$	—	$	668	$	—		$	668
Natural gas derivatives (3)	—		105		5		(71		)	39		—		96		11		(83		)	24
Total liabilities	$	—	$	790	$	5	$	(71	)	$	724	$	—	$	96	$	679	$	(83	)	$	692

Houston Electric

	September 30, 2018										December 31, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting		Total
Assets	(in millions)
Investments, including money market funds (2)	$	52	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	52	$	51	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	51
Interest rate derivatives	3		—		—		—		3		—		—		—		—		—
Total assets	$	55	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	55	$	51	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	51

CERC

	September 30, 2018											December 31, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting (1)			Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting (1)			Total
Assets	(in millions)
Corporate equities	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	3	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	3
Investments, including money market funds (2)	10		—		—		—			10		11		—		—		—			11
Natural gas derivatives (3)	—		134		27		(50		)	111		—		161		57		(64		)	154
Hedged portion of natural gas inventory	1		—		—		—			1		14		—		—		—			14
Total assets	$	14	$	134	$	27	$	(50	)	$	125	$	28	$	161	$	57	$	(64	)	$	182
Liabilities
Natural gas derivatives (3)	$	—	$	105	$	5	$	(71	)	$	39	$	—	$	96	$	11	$	(83	)	$	24
Total liabilities	$	—	$	105	$	5	$	(71	)	$	39	$	—	$	96	$	11	$	(83	)	$	24

(1) Amounts represent the impact of legally enforceable master netting arrangements that allow CenterPoint Energy and CERC to settle positive and negative positions and also include cash collateral of $21 million and $19 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, posted with the same counterparties.

(2) Amounts are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(3) Natural gas derivatives include no material amounts related to physical forward transactions with Enable.

The following table presents additional information about assets or liabilities, including derivatives that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which CenterPoint Energy and CERC have utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value:

	Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017						2018						2017
	CenterPoint Energy			CERC			CenterPoint Energy			CERC			CenterPoint Energy			CERC			CenterPoint Energy			CERC
	(in millions)
Beginning balance	$	(628	)	$	13		$	(712	)	$	28		$	(622	)	$	46		$	(704	)	$	13
Total gains (losses)	1			1			(38		)	(2		)	4			4			(38		)	21
Total settlements	(1		)	(1		)	(1		)	(1		)	(36		)	(36		)	(5		)	(5		)
Transfers into Level 3	—			—			7			7			(2		)	(2		)	9			9
Transfers out of Level 3 (1)	650			9			(6		)	(6		)	678			10			(12		)	(12		)
Ending balance (2)	$	22		$	22		$	(750	)	$	26		$	22		$	22		$	(750	)	$	26
The amount of total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at the reporting date:
	$	11		$	11		$	(36	)	$	—		$	9		$	9		$	(42	)	$	17

(1) As of September 30, 2018, CenterPoint Energy transferred its indexed debt securities derivative from Level 3 to Level 2 to reflect changes in the significance of the unobservable inputs used in the valuation.

(2) CenterPoint Energy and CERC did not have significant Level 3 sales or purchases during either of the three or nine months ended September 30, 2018 or 2017.

Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, investments in debt and equity securities classified as “trading” and short-term borrowings are estimated to be approximately equivalent to carrying amounts and have been excluded from the table below. The carrying amounts of non-trading derivative assets and liabilities and CenterPoint Energy’s ZENS indexed debt securities derivative are stated at fair value and are excluded from the table below.  The fair value of each debt instrument is determined by multiplying the principal amount of each debt instrument by a combination of historical trading prices and comparable issue data. These liabilities, which are not measured at fair value in the Registrants’ Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, but for which the fair value is disclosed, would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

	September 30, 2018						December 31, 2017
	CenterPoint Energy (1)		Houston Electric (1)		CERC		CenterPoint Energy (1)		Houston Electric (1)		CERC
Long-term debt, including current maturities	(in millions)
Carrying amount	$	7,758	$	4,782	$	2,257	$	8,679	$	4,753	$	2,457
Fair value	7,888		4,813		2,367		9,220		5,034		2,708

(1) Includes Securitization Bond debt.

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Unconsolidated Affiliate (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Unconsolidated Affiliate (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) [Text Block]

Unconsolidated Affiliate (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

CenterPoint Energy has the ability to significantly influence the operating and financial policies of Enable, a publicly traded MLP, and, accordingly, account for the investment in Enable’s common units using the equity method of accounting. Upon the adoption of ASU 2014-09 and ASU 2017-05 on January 1, 2018, CenterPoint Energy evaluated transactions in the investment in Enable that occurred prior to January 1, 2018 (the effective date) and concluded a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings was not required. See Note 2 for further discussion.

CenterPoint Energy’s maximum exposure to loss related to Enable, a VIE in which CenterPoint Energy is not the primary beneficiary, is limited to the equity investment, the Series A Preferred Unit investment and outstanding current accounts receivable from Enable.

On September 4, 2018, CERC completed the Internal Spin of its equity investment in Enable and Enable GP. The Internal Spin has been accounted for under the guidance for transactions between entities under common control. As of September 4, 2018, CERC derecognized its investment in Enable at carrying value on the date of distribution of $2.4 billion, net of deferred income taxes of $974 million, and CNP Midstream recorded the net asset contribution from CERC at CERC’s carrying value. Neither CERC nor CNP Midstream recognized a gain or loss upon the distribution or contribution, respectively, of net assets involved in the Internal Spin. In connection with the Internal Spin, CenterPoint Energy, through Utility Holding, made a $600 million capital contribution to CERC, which was used by CERC to repay outstanding indebtedness that historically supported CERC’s legacy midstream assets. See Note 18 for further discussion.

Limited Partner Interest and Units Held in Enable (CenterPoint Energy):

	September 30, 2018
	Limited Partner Interest (1)		Common Units	Enable Series A Preferred Units (2)
CenterPoint Energy (3)	54.0	%	233,856,623	14,520,000
OGE	25.6	%	110,982,805	—
Public unitholders	20.4	%	88,376,728	—
Total units outstanding	100.0	%	433,216,156	14,520,000

(1) Excludes the Enable Series A Preferred Units owned by CenterPoint Energy.

(2) The carrying amount of the Enable Series A Preferred Units, reflected as Preferred units - unconsolidated affiliate on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $363 million as of both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. No impairment charges or adjustment due to observable price changes were made during the current or prior reporting periods. See Note 2 for further discussion.

(3) Includes Enable Series A Preferred Units held directly by CenterPoint Energy and common units held indirectly through CNP Midstream.

Generally, sales to any person or entity (including a series of sales to the same person or entity) of more than 5% of the aggregate of the common units CNP Midstream owns in Enable or sales to any person or entity (including a series of sales to the same person or entity) by OGE of more than 5% of the aggregate of the common units it owns in Enable are subject to mutual rights of first offer and first refusal set forth in Enable’s Agreement of Limited Partnership.

Interests Held in Enable GP (CenterPoint Energy):

	September 30, 2018
	Management Rights (1)		Incentive Distribution Rights (2)
CenterPoint Energy (3)	50	%	40	%
OGE	50	%	60	%

(1) Enable is controlled jointly by CenterPoint Energy and OGE. Sale of CenterPoint Energy’s or OGE’s ownership interests in Enable GP to a third party is subject to mutual rights of first offer and first refusal, and CenterPoint Energy is not permitted to dispose of less than all of its interest in Enable GP.

(2) Enable is expected to pay a minimum quarterly distribution of $0.2875 per common unit on its outstanding common units to the extent it has sufficient cash from operations after establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including payments to Enable GP and its affiliates, within 60 days after the end of each quarter. If cash distributions to Enable’s unitholders exceed $0.330625 per common unit in any quarter, Enable GP will receive increasing percentages or incentive distributions rights, up to 50%, of the cash Enable distributes in excess of that amount. In certain circumstances Enable GP will have the right to reset the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels at which the incentive distributions receive increasing percentages to higher levels based on Enable’s cash distributions at the time of the exercise of this reset election. To date, no incentive distributions have been made.

(3) Includes interests held through CNP Midstream.

Distributions Received from Enable (CenterPoint Energy and CERC):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Investment in Enable common units (1)	$	74	$	74	$	223	$	223
Total CERC (2)	74		74		223		223
Investment in Enable Series A Preferred Units (3)	9		9		27		27
Total CenterPoint Energy	$	83	$	83	$	250	$	250

(1) Reflects cash distributions of $0.318 and $0.954 per common unit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

(2) On September 4, 2018, CERC completed the Internal Spin. After such date, CNP Midstream owned the Enable common units previously owned by CERC.

(3) Reflects cash distributions of $0.625 and $1.875 per Enable Series A Preferred Unit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Transactions with Enable (CenterPoint Energy and CERC):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Reimbursement of transition services (1) (CenterPoint Energy)	$	1	$	—	$	4	$	3
Natural gas expenses, including transportation and storage costs (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)	23		23		89		80

(1) Represents amounts billed under the Transition Agreements for certain support services provided to Enable. Actual transition services costs are recorded net of reimbursement.

	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
	(in millions)
Accounts receivable for amounts billed for transition services (CenterPoint Energy)	$	3	$	1
Accounts payable for natural gas purchases from Enable (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)	8		13

Summarized unaudited consolidated income information for Enable is as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Operating revenues	$	928	$	705	$	2,481	$	1,997
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization	516		349		1,335		936
Depreciation and amortization	100		90		292		267
Operating income	171		137		436		399
Net income attributable to Enable common units	129		104		320		301
Reconciliation of Equity in Earnings, net:
CenterPoint Energy’s interest	$	70	$	56	$	173	$	163
Basis difference amortization (1)	11		12		35		36
CenterPoint Energy’s equity in earnings, net	$	81	$	68	$	208	$	199

(1) Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate includes CenterPoint Energy’s share of Enable’s earnings adjusted for the amortization of the basis difference of CenterPoint Energy’s original investment in Enable and their underlying equity in Enable’s net assets. The basis difference is amortized over approximately 31 years, the average life of the assets to which the basis difference is attributed.

Summarized unaudited consolidated balance sheet information for Enable is as follows:

	September 30, 2018			December 31, 2017
	(in millions)
Current assets	$	481		$	416
Non-current assets	11,454			11,177
Current liabilities	1,403			1,279
Non-current liabilities	2,964			2,660
Non-controlling interest	11			12
Preferred equity	362			362
Enable partners’ equity	7,195			7,280
Reconciliation of Investment in Enable:
CenterPoint Energy’s ownership interest in Enable partners’ equity	$	3,883		$	3,935
CenterPoint Energy’s basis difference	(1,426		)	(1,463		)
CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable	$	2,457		$	2,472

Discontinued Operations (CERC):

The Internal Spin represents a significant strategic shift that has a material effect on CERC’s operations and financial results and, as a result, CERC’s distribution of its equity investment in Enable met the criteria for discontinued operations classification. CERC has no continuing involvement in the equity investment of Enable. Therefore, CERC’s equity in earnings and related income taxes have been classified as Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, in CERC’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income for the periods presented. CERC’s equity method investment and related deferred income tax liabilities have been classified as Investment in unconsolidated affiliate - discontinued operations and Deferred income taxes, net - discontinued operations, respectively, in CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for the periods presented. The following table presents amounts included in Income from discontinued operations, net of tax in CERC’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate, net	$	57	$	68	$	184	$	199
Income tax expense	13		26		44		75
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	44	$	42	$	140	$	124

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Goodwill and Other Intangibles (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) [Text Block]

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s goodwill by reportable business segment as of both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 is as follows:

	(in millions)
Natural Gas Distribution	$	746
Energy Services (1)	110
Other Operations	11
Total	$	867

(1) Amount presented is net of the accumulated goodwill impairment charge of $252 million recorded in 2012.

CenterPoint Energy and CERC perform goodwill impairment tests at least annually and evaluate goodwill when events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying value may not be recoverable. The impairment evaluation for goodwill is performed by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit with the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit is primarily determined on the basis of discounted cash flows. If the carrying amount is in excess of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, then the excess amount is the impairment charge that should be recorded, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. See Note 2 for further discussion.

CenterPoint Energy and CERC performed the annual goodwill impairment test in the third quarter of 2018 and determined that no goodwill impairment charge was required for any reporting unit, which approximate the reportable segments.

The tables below present information on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s other intangible assets recorded in Other non-current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

		September 30, 2018							December 31, 2017
	Useful Lives	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Balance		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Balance
	(in years)	(in millions)
Customer relationships	15	$	86	$	(26	)	$	60	$	86	$	(21	)	$	65
Covenants not to compete	4	4		(2		)	2		4		(2		)	2
Other	Various	15		(10		)	5		15		(8		)	7
Total		$	105	$	(38	)	$	67	$	105	$	(31	)	$	74

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Amortization expense of intangible assets	$	2	$	2	$	7	$	5

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Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) and Securities Related to ZENS (CenterPoint Energy)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) and Securities Related to ZENS (CenterPoint Energy) [Text Block]

Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) and Securities Related to ZENS (CenterPoint Energy)

(a) Investment in Securities Related to ZENS

In 1995, CenterPoint Energy sold a cable television subsidiary to TW and received certain TW securities as partial consideration. A subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy holds shares of certain securities detailed in the table below, which are classified as trading securities and are expected to be held to facilitate CenterPoint Energy’s ability to meet its obligation under the ZENS. Unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in the market value of the ZENS-Related Securities are recorded in CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

	Shares Held
	September 30, 2018	December 31, 2017
AT&T Common	10,212,945	—
Charter Common	872,503	872,503
Time Common	—	888,392
TW Common	—	7,107,130

(b) ZENS

In September 1999, CenterPoint Energy issued ZENS having an original principal amount of $1 billion of which $828 million remain outstanding as of September 30, 2018. Each ZENS was originally exchangeable at the holder’s option at any time for an amount of cash equal to 95% of the market value of the reference shares of TW Common attributable to such note. The number and identity of the reference shares attributable to each ZENS are adjusted for certain corporate events.

On October 22, 2016, AT&T announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire TW in a stock and cash transaction. On February 15, 2017, TW shareholders approved the announced transaction with AT&T. The merger closed on June 14, 2018. CenterPoint Energy received $53.75 and 1.437 shares of AT&T Common for each share of TW Common held, resulting in cash proceeds of $382 million and 10,212,945 shares of AT&T Common. In accordance with the terms of the ZENS, CenterPoint Energy remitted $382 million to ZENS note holders in July 2018, which reduced the contingent principal amount. 

On November 26, 2017, Meredith announced that it had entered into a definitive merger agreement with Time. Pursuant to the merger agreement, upon closing of the merger, a subsidiary of Meredith would purchase for cash all outstanding Time Common shares for $18.50 per share. The transaction was consummated on January 31, 2018. CenterPoint Energy elected to make a reference share offer adjustment and distribute additional interest, if any, in accordance with the terms of its ZENS rather than electing to increase the early exchange ratio to 100%. CenterPoint Energy’s distribution of additional interest in connection with the reference share offer was proportionate to the percentage of eligible shares that were validly tendered by Time stockholders in Meredith’s tender offer. CenterPoint Energy received $18.50 for each share of Time Common held, resulting in cash proceeds of approximately $16 million. In accordance with the terms of the ZENS, CenterPoint Energy distributed additional interest of approximately $16 million to ZENS holders on March 6, 2018, which reduced the contingent principal amount.

As a result, CenterPoint Energy recorded the following during the nine months ended September 30, 2018:

	Meredith/Time			AT&T/TW
	(in millions)
Cash payment to ZENS note holders	$	16		$	382
Indexed debt – reduction	(4		)	(95		)
Indexed debt securities derivative – reduction	(1		)	(45		)
Loss on indexed debt securities	$	11		$	242

CenterPoint Energy’s reference shares for each ZENS consisted of the following:

	September 30, 2018	December 31, 2017
	(in shares)
AT&T Common	0.7185	—
Charter Common	0.061382	0.061382
Time Common	—	0.0625
TW Common	—	0.5

As of September 30, 2018, the contingent principal amount of the ZENS was $98 million.

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Short-Term Borrowings and Long-term Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt [Text Block]

Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt

(a) Short-term Borrowings (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

Inventory Financing. NGD has AMAs associated with its utility distribution service in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. In March 2018, NGD’s third party AMAs in Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma expired, and NGD entered into new AMAs with CES effective April 1, 2018 in these states. The AMAs have varying terms, the longest of which expires in 2021. Pursuant to the provisions of the agreements, NGD sells natural gas and agrees to repurchase an equivalent amount of natural gas during the winter heating seasons at the same cost. These transactions are accounted for as an inventory financing and had an associated principal obligation of $ -0- and $39 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

(b) Long-term Debt

Debt Issuances. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the following debt instruments were issued:

	Issuance Date	Debt Instrument	Aggregate Principal Amount		Interest Rate	Maturity Date
			(in millions)
Houston Electric	February 2018	General mortgage bonds	$	400	3.95%	2048
CERC Corp.	March 2018	Unsecured senior notes	300		3.55%	2023
CERC Corp.	March 2018	Unsecured senior notes	300		4.00%	2028

The proceeds from these issuances were used for general limited liability company and corporate purposes, as applicable, including to repay portions of outstanding commercial paper and borrowings under CenterPoint Energy’s money pool.

Merger Financings. On October 5, 2018, the following debt instruments were issued:

	Debt Instrument	Aggregate Principal Amount		Interest Rate	Maturity Date
		(in millions)
CenterPoint Energy	Unsecured senior notes	$	500	3.60%	2021
CenterPoint Energy	Unsecured senior notes	500		3.85%	2024
CenterPoint Energy	Unsecured senior notes	500		4.25%	2028

CenterPoint Energy intends to use the net proceeds from these debt issuances to fund a portion of the pending Merger and to pay related fees and expenses.

If CenterPoint Energy does not consummate the Merger on or prior to October 31, 2019, or if, on or prior to such date, the Merger Agreement is terminated, CenterPoint Energy will be required to redeem all of the outstanding notes at a redemption price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of such special mandatory redemption.  The notes may also be redeemed at CenterPoint Energy’s option, in whole but not in part, at any time before October 31, 2019, at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the date of such redemption, if CenterPoint Energy determines, in its reasonable judgment, that the Merger will not be consummated on or before close of business on October 31, 2019.

Credit Facility. In May 2018, CenterPoint Energy entered into an amendment to its revolving credit facility to increase the aggregate commitments from $1.7 billion to $3.3 billion effective the earlier of (i) the termination of all commitments by certain lenders to provide the Bridge Facility and (ii) the payment in full of all obligations (other than contingent obligations) under the Bridge Facility and termination of all commitments to advance additional credit thereunder, and in each case, so long as the Merger Agreement has not been terminated pursuant to the terms thereof without consummation of the Merger. This increase to CenterPoint Energy’s revolving credit facility will automatically expire on the earlier of the (a) termination date of the revolving credit facility and (b) if the Merger Agreement is terminated without consummation of the Merger, the date that is 90 days after such termination. In addition, the amendment provides for a temporary increase on the maximum ratio of debt for borrowed money to capital from 65% to 75% until the earlier of (i) June 30, 2019 and (ii) the termination of all commitments in respect of the Bridge Facility without any borrowing thereunder. On October 5, 2018, CenterPoint Energy terminated all remaining commitments by lenders to provide the Bridge Facility. As a result, the aggregate commitments under the revolving credit facility automatically increased from $1.7 billion to $3.3 billion and the maximum ratio of debt for borrowed money to capital reverted to 65%.

The Registrants had the following revolving credit facilities and utilization of such facilities:

				September 30, 2018								December 31, 2017
	Size of Facility			Loans		Letters of Credit		Commercial Paper		Weighted Average Interest Rate		Loans		Letters of Credit		Commercial Paper		Weighted Average Interest Rate
	(in millions, except weighted average interest rate)
CenterPoint Energy	$	1,700	(1)	$	—	$	6	$	104	2.42	%	$	—	$	6	$	855	1.88	%
Houston Electric	300			—		4		—		—		—		4		—		—
CERC Corp.	900			—		1		98		2.43	%	—		1		898		1.72	%
Total	$	2,900		$	—	$	11	$	202			$	—	$	11	$	1,753

(1) Pursuant to the amendment entered into in May 2018, the aggregate commitments under the CenterPoint Energy revolving credit facility increased to $3.3 billion on October 5, 2018 as a result of the satisfaction of certain conditions described above.

Execution  Date	Company	Size of Facility			Draw Rate of LIBOR plus (1)	Financial Covenant Limit on Debt for Borrowed Money to Capital Ratio		Debt for Borrowed Money to Capital Ratio as of September 30, 2018 (2)	Termination Date
		(in millions)
March 3, 2016	CenterPoint Energy	$	1,700	(3)	1.250%	75%	(4) (5)	47.5%	March 3, 2022
March 3, 2016	Houston Electric	300			1.125%	65%	(5)	50.7%	March 3, 2022
March 3, 2016	CERC Corp.	900			1.125%	65%		48.6%	March 3, 2022

(1) Based on current credit ratings.

(2) As defined in the revolving credit facility agreement, excluding Securitization Bonds.

(3) Pursuant to the amendment entered into in May 2018, the aggregate commitments under the CenterPoint Energy revolving credit facility increased to $3.3 billion on October 5, 2018 as a result of the satisfaction of certain conditions described above.

(4) On October 5, 2018, CenterPoint Energy’s financial covenant limit returned to 65% due to the termination of all commitments in respect of the Bridge Facility without any borrowing thereunder.

(5) For CenterPoint Energy (whenever its financial covenant limit is 65%) and Houston Electric, the financial covenant limit will temporarily increase from 65% to 70% if Houston Electric experiences damage from a natural disaster in its service territory and CenterPoint Energy certifies to the administrative agent that Houston Electric has incurred system restoration costs reasonably likely to exceed $100 million in a consecutive 12-month period, all or part of which Houston Electric intends to seek to recover through securitization financing. Such temporary increase in the financial covenant would be in effect from the date CenterPoint Energy delivers its certification until the earliest to occur of (i) the completion of the securitization financing, (ii) the first anniversary of CenterPoint Energy’s certification or (iii) the revocation of such certification.

The Registrants were in compliance with all financial debt covenants as of September 30, 2018.

Other. As of both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Houston Electric had issued $118 million of general mortgage bonds as collateral for long-term debt of CenterPoint Energy. These bonds are not reflected in Houston Electric’s consolidated financial statements because of the contingent nature of the obligations.

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Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes [Text Block]

Income Taxes

The Registrants reported the following effective tax rates:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
CenterPoint Energy (1)	24	%	37	%	26	%	36	%
Houston Electric (2)	20	%	35	%	21	%	36	%
CERC - Continuing operations (3) (4)	5	%	20	%	29	%	38	%
CERC - Discontinued operations (5)	23	%	38	%	24	%	38	%

(1) CenterPoint Energy’s lower effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods for 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. The effective tax rate decreased by 5% and 4%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 due to the amortization of EDIT. These decreases were partially offset by an increase to the effective tax rate of 5% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2018 as a result of the establishment of a state valuation allowance on certain net operating loss deferred tax assets that are no longer expected to be utilized prior to expiration after the Internal Spin. The effective tax rate increased by 7% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018 due to state law changes and the state valuation allowance. See Note 9 for further discussion on the Internal Spin.

(2) Houston Electric’s lower effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods for 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. The effective tax rate was further reduced by 2% for both periods due to the amortization of EDIT.

(3) CERC’s lower effective tax rate on the loss from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. The effective tax rate decreased by 18% due to state taxes as a result of the establishment of a state valuation allowance on certain net operating loss deferred tax assets that are no longer expected to be utilized prior to expiration after the Internal Spin. These decreases were partially offset by an increase to the effective tax rate of 15% due to the amortization of EDIT. See Note 9 for further discussion on the Internal Spin.

(4) CERC’s lower effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. The effective tax rate decreased by 20% due to the amortization of EDIT. These decreases were partially offset by an increase to the effective tax rate of 22% as a result of an increase in state tax rates and the establishment of a state valuation allowance on certain net operating loss deferred tax assets that are no longer expected to be utilized prior to expiration after the Internal Spin. See Note 9 for further discussion on the Internal Spin.

(5) CERC’s lower effective tax rate on income from discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. See Note 9 for further discussion on the Internal Spin and the associated discontinued operations presentation.

The Registrants reported no uncertain tax liability as of September 30, 2018 and expect no significant changes to the uncertain tax liability over the next twelve months. Tax years through 2016 have been audited and settled with the IRS, however, during the three months ended September 30, 2018, CenterPoint Energy filed an amended 2014 tax return to claim additional tax credits that is currently under review by the IRS. For the 2017 and 2018 tax years, CenterPoint Energy is a participant in the IRS’s Compliance Assurance Process.

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Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies [Text Block]

Commitments and Contingencies

(a) Natural Gas Supply Commitments (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

Natural gas supply commitments include natural gas contracts related to CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas Distribution and Energy Services business segments, which have various quantity requirements and durations, that are not classified as non-trading derivative assets and liabilities in CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 as these contracts meet an exception as “normal purchases contracts” or do not meet the definition of a derivative. Natural gas supply commitments also include natural gas transportation contracts that do not meet the definition of a derivative.

As of September 30, 2018, minimum payment obligations for natural gas supply commitments are approximately:

	(in millions)
Remaining three months of 2018	$	88
2019	325
2020	303
2021	219
2022	183
2023 and beyond	1,644

(b) Legal, Environmental and Other Matters

Legal Matters

Gas Market Manipulation Cases (CenterPoint Energy and CERC).  CenterPoint Energy, its predecessor, Reliant Energy, and certain of their former subsidiaries were named as defendants in a large number of lawsuits filed against numerous gas market participants in a number of federal and western state courts in connection with the operation of the natural gas markets in 2000-2002. CenterPoint Energy and its affiliates were released or dismissed from all such cases, except for one case pending in federal court in Nevada in which CES, a subsidiary of CERC Corp., is a defendant. Plaintiffs in that case allege a conspiracy to inflate Wisconsin natural gas prices in 2000-2002. In May 2016, the district court granted CES’s motion for summary judgment, dismissing CES from the case. In August 2018, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that ruling, and CES requested further appellate review of that decision.

Under a master separation agreement between CenterPoint Energy and a former subsidiary, RRI, CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries are entitled to be indemnified by RRI and its successors for any losses, including certain attorneys’ fees and other costs, arising out of these lawsuits.  Through a series of transactions, RRI became known as GenOn and a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG. None of those transactions alters GenOn’s contractual obligations to indemnify CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries for certain liabilities, including their indemnification obligations regarding the gas market manipulation litigation. In June 2017, however, GenOn and various affiliates filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and are expected to emerge from Chapter 11 in 2018. CenterPoint Energy, CERC, and CES submitted proofs of claim in the bankruptcy proceedings to protect their indemnity rights.

In October 2018, CES, GenOn, and the plaintiffs reached an agreement to settle all claims against CES and CES’s indemnity claims against GenOn, subject to approvals by the bankruptcy court and the federal district court. If the settlement agreement is not approved and if GenOn’s bankruptcy proceedings result in it not being required to fulfill its indemnity obligations, CES could incur liability and be responsible for satisfying it. CenterPoint Energy does not expect the ultimate outcome of this matter to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Minnehaha Academy (CenterPoint Energy and CERC).  On August 2, 2017, a natural gas explosion occurred at the Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, Minnesota, resulting in the deaths of two school employees, serious injuries to others and significant property damage to the school.  CenterPoint Energy, certain of its subsidiaries, including CERC, and the contractor company working in the school have been named in litigation arising out of this incident.  CenterPoint Energy has reached confidential settlement agreements with some claimants. Additionally, CenterPoint Energy is cooperating with the ongoing investigation conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board. Further, CenterPoint Energy is contesting approximately $200,000 in fines imposed by the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety.  In early 2018, the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration concluded its investigation without any adverse findings against CenterPoint Energy. CenterPoint Energy’s general and excess liability insurance policies provide coverage for third party bodily injury and property damage claims. 

Environmental Matters

MGP Sites (CenterPoint Energy and CERC). CERC and its predecessors operated MGPs in the past.  With respect to certain Minnesota MGP sites, CERC has completed state-ordered remediation and continues state-ordered monitoring and water treatment. As of September 30, 2018, CERC had a recorded liability of $7 million for continued monitoring and any future remediation required by regulators in Minnesota. The estimated range of possible remediation costs for the sites for which CERC believes it may have responsibility was $4 million to $30 million based on remediation continuing for 30 to 50 years. The cost estimates are based on studies of a site or industry average costs for remediation of sites of similar size. The actual remediation costs will depend on the number of sites to be remediated, the participation of other PRPs, if any, and the remediation methods used. 

In addition to the Minnesota sites, the EPA and other regulators have investigated MGP sites that were owned or operated by CERC or may have been owned by one of its former affiliates. CenterPoint Energy and CERC do not expect the ultimate outcome of these matters to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of either CenterPoint Energy or CERC.

Asbestos.Some facilities owned by the Registrants or their predecessors in interest contain or have contained asbestos insulation and other asbestos-containing materials. The Registrants are from time to time named, along with numerous others, as defendants in lawsuits filed by a number of individuals who claim injury due to exposure to asbestos, and the Registrants anticipate that additional claims may be asserted in the future.  Although their ultimate outcome cannot be predicted at this time, the Registrants do not expect these matters, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on their financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Other Environmental. From time to time, the Registrants identify the presence of environmental contaminants during operations or on property where predecessor companies have conducted operations.  Other such sites involving contaminants may be identified in the future.  The Registrants have and expect to continue to remediate any identified sites consistent with state and federal legal obligations.  From time to time, the Registrants have received notices, and may receive notices in the future, from regulatory authorities or others regarding status as a PRP in connection with sites found to require remediation due to the presence of environmental contaminants. In addition, the Registrants have been, or may be, named from time to time as defendants in litigation related to such sites. Although the ultimate outcome of such matters cannot be predicted at this time, the Registrants do not expect these matters, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on their financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Other Proceedings

The Registrants are involved in other legal, environmental, tax and regulatory proceedings before various courts, regulatory commissions and governmental agencies regarding matters arising in the ordinary course of business. From time to time, the Registrants are also defendants in legal proceedings with respect to claims brought by various plaintiffs against broad groups of participants in the energy industry. Some of these proceedings involve substantial amounts. The Registrants regularly analyze current information and, as necessary, provide accruals for probable and reasonably estimable liabilities on the eventual disposition of these matters. The Registrants do not expect the disposition of these matters to have a material adverse effect on the Registrants’ financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

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Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy) [Text Block]

Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy)

The following table reconciles numerators and denominators of CenterPoint Energy’s basic and diluted earnings per share calculations:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions, except share and per share amounts)
Income available to common shareholders	$	153	$	169	$	243	$	496
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	431,554,000		431,026,000		431,437,000		430,939,000
Plus: Incremental shares from assumed conversions:
Restricted stock	3,337,000		3,060,000		3,337,000		3,060,000
Diluted weighted average common shares	434,891,000		434,086,000		434,774,000		433,999,000
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.35	$	0.39	$	0.56	$	1.15
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.35	$	0.39	$	0.56	$	1.14

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Reportable Business Segments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Reportable Business Segments [Text Block]

Reportable Business Segments

The Registrants’ determination of reportable business segments considers the strategic operating units under which the Registrants manage sales, allocate resources and assess performance of various products and services to wholesale or retail customers in differing regulatory environments. The Registrants use operating income as the measure of profit or loss for the business segments other than Midstream Investments, where equity in earnings is used.

As of September 30, 2018, reportable business segments by Registrant are as follows:

	Electric Transmission & Distribution	Natural Gas Distribution	Energy  Services	Midstream Investments	Other Operations
CenterPoint Energy	X	X	X	X	X
Houston Electric	X
CERC		X	X	(1)	X

(1) In the three months ended September 30, 2018, CERC completed the Internal Spin. Previously, CERC’s equity method investment in Enable was included in the Midstream Investments segment. CERC’s equity in earnings in Enable, net of basis difference amortization and income tax, has been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. See Note 9 for further discussion on the Internal Spin and the associated discontinued operations presentation.

Electric Transmission & Distribution consists of the electric transmission and distribution function. Natural Gas Distribution consists of intrastate natural gas sales to, and natural gas transportation and distribution for, residential, commercial, industrial and institutional customers. Energy Services consists of non-rate regulated natural gas sales and services operations. Midstream Investments consists of the equity investment in Enable (excluding the Enable Series A Preferred Units). Other Operations consists primarily of other corporate operations which support all of the business operations.

Houston Electric consists of a single reportable business segment and therefore is not included in the tabular business segment presentation below. Operating income (loss) amounts for 2017 have been recast to reflect the adoption of ASU 2017-07 (see Note 2 for further information).

Financial data for business segments is as follows:

CenterPoint Energy

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018									2017
	Revenues from External Customers			Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income (Loss)			Revenues from External Customers			Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income
	(in millions)
Electric Transmission & Distribution	$	897	(1)	$	—		$	227		$	843	(1)	$	—		$	254
Natural Gas Distribution	402			8			3			390			8			25
Energy Services	910			10			(9		)	861			10			7
Midstream Investments (2)	—			—			—			—			—			—
Other Operations	3			—			5			4			—			11
Eliminations	—			(18		)	—			—			(18		)	—
Consolidated	$	2,212		$	—		$	226		$	2,098		$	—		$	297

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018									2017
	Revenues from External Customers			Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income (Loss)			Revenues from External Customers			Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income
	(in millions)
Electric Transmission & Distribution	$	2,502	(1)	$	—		$	523		$	2,234	(1)	$	—		$	511
Natural Gas Distribution	2,032			26			166			1,767			24			235
Energy Services	3,008			57			(20		)	2,964			34			58
Midstream Investments (2)	—			—			—			—			—			—
Other Operations	11			—			(5		)	11			—			24
Eliminations	—			(83		)	—			—			(58		)	—
Consolidated	$	7,553		$	—		$	664		$	6,976		$	—		$	828

(1) CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s Electric Transmission & Distribution revenues from major customers are as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Affiliates of NRG	$	213	$	221	$	543	$	540
Affiliates of Vistra Energy Corp.	79		72		192		172

(2) CenterPoint Energy’s Midstream Investments’ equity earnings, net are as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Enable	$	81	$	68	$	208	$	199

CERC

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018								2017
	Revenues from External Customers		Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income (Loss)			Revenues from External Customers		Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income (Loss)
	(in millions)
Natural Gas Distribution	$	402	$	8		$	3		$	390	$	8		$	25
Energy Services	910		10			(9		)	861		10			7
Other Operations	—		—			(1		)	—		—			(1		)
Eliminations	—		(18		)	—			—		(18		)	—
Consolidated	$	1,312	$	—		$	(7	)	$	1,251	$	—		$	31

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018								2017
	Revenues from External Customers		Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income (Loss)			Revenues from External Customers		Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income  (Loss)
	(in millions)
Natural Gas Distribution	$	2,032	$	26		$	166		$	1,767	$	24		$	235
Energy Services	3,008		57			(20		)	2,964		34			58
Other Operations	—		—			—			—		—			(4		)
Eliminations	—		(83		)	—			—		(58		)	—
Consolidated	$	5,040	$	—		$	146		$	4,731	$	—		$	289

CenterPoint Energy and CERC

	Total Assets
	September 30, 2018								December 31, 2017
	CenterPoint  Energy				CERC				CenterPoint Energy				CERC
	(in millions)
Electric Transmission & Distribution	$	10,436			$	—			$	10,292			$	—
Natural Gas Distribution	6,557				6,557				6,608				6,608
Energy Services	1,253				1,253				1,521				1,521
Midstream Investments	2,457				—				2,472				—
Assets of discontinued operations	—				—			(1)	—				2,472			(1)
Other Operations	2,206			(2)	110				2,497			(2)	70
Eliminations	(681		)		(615		)		(654		)		(559		)
Consolidated	$	22,228			$	7,305			$	22,736			$	10,112

(1) On September 4, 2018, CERC completed the Internal Spin. For further information regarding the Internal Spin, see Note 9.

(2) Includes pension and other postemployment-related regulatory assets of $566 million and $600 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

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Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information [Text Block]

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

The table below provides supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash Payments/Receipts:
Interest, net of capitalized interest	$	301	$	173	$	85	$	306	$	176	$	86
Income taxes, net	89		122		3		14		76		4
Non-cash transactions:
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures	140		87		66		111		70		53
Capital distribution associated with the Internal Spin	—		—		1,460		—		—		—

The table below provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets to the amount reported in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows:

	September 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric
	(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	293	$	279	$	260	$	238
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets	37		37		35		35
Restricted cash included in Other	1		1		1		1
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows	$	331	$	317	$	296	$	274

CERC does not have restricted cash and therefore was not included in the table above.

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Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC) [Text Block]

Related Party Transactions(Houston Electric and CERC)

Houston Electric and CERC participate in a money pool through which they can borrow or invest on a short-term basis. Funding needs are aggregated and external borrowing or investing is based on the net cash position. The net funding requirements of the money pool are expected to be met with borrowings under CenterPoint Energy’s revolving credit facility or the sale of CenterPoint Energy’s commercial paper.

The table below summarizes money pool activity:

	September 30, 2018						December 31, 2017
	Houston Electric			CERC			Houston Electric			CERC
	(in millions)
Money pool investments (borrowings) (1)	$	(75	)	$	—		$	(60	)	$	(570	)
Weighted average interest rate	2.45		%	2.45		%	1.90		%	1.90		%

(1) Included in Accounts and notes receivable (payable)–affiliated companies in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Houston Electric and CERC affiliate related net interest income (expense) were as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018					2017				2018					2017
	Houston Electric		CERC			Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC			Houston Electric		CERC
						(in millions)
Interest income (expense) (1)	$	1	$	(2	)	$	1	$	—	$	1	$	(4	)	$	3	$	—

(1) Interest income is included in Other, net and interest expense is included in Interest and other finance charges on the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

CenterPoint Energy provides some corporate services to Houston Electric and CERC. The costs of services have been charged directly to Houston Electric and CERC using methods that management believes are reasonable. These methods include negotiated usage rates, dedicated asset assignment and proportionate corporate formulas based on operating expenses, assets, gross margin, employees and a composite of assets, gross margin and employees. Houston Electric provides certain services to CERC. These services are billed at actual cost, either directly or as an allocation and include fleet services, shop services, geographic services, surveying and right-of-way services, radio communications, data circuit management and field operations. Additionally, CERC provides certain services to Houston Electric. These services are billed at actual cost, either directly or as an allocation and include line locating and other miscellaneous services. These charges are not necessarily indicative of what would have been incurred had Houston Electric and CERC not been affiliates.

Amounts charged for these services were as follows and are included primarily in operation and maintenance expenses:

	Three Months Ended September 30,										Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018					2017					2018					2017
	Houston Electric			CERC		Houston Electric			CERC		Houston Electric			CERC		Houston Electric			CERC
	(in millions)
Corporate service charges	$	47		$	36	$	41		$	30	$	138		$	105	$	127		$	93
Net affiliate service charges (billings)	(3		)	3		(1		)	1		(8		)	8		(6		)	6

The table below presents transactions among Houston Electric, CERC and their parent, Utility Holding.

	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018				2017				2018				2017
	Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash dividends paid to parent	$	60	$	75	$	45	$	89	$	123	$	286	$	87	$	337
Cash contribution from parent	—		600		—		—		—		600		—		38
Capital distribution to parent associated with the Internal Spin	—		1,460		—		—		—		1,460		—		—

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Equity (CenterPoint Energy)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Equity [Abstract]

Equity (CenterPoint Energy) [Text Block]

Equity (CenterPoint Energy)

Dividends Declared

CenterPoint Energy declared dividends for the periods presented in the table below:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
Equity Instrument	2018		2017		2018 (1)		2017
	(per share)
Common Stock	$	0.2775	$	0.2675	$	0.5550	$	0.8025

(1) On December 13, 2017, CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.2775 per share of Common Stock, payable on March 8, 2018 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 15, 2018.

Series A Preferred Stock

On August 22, 2018, CenterPoint Energy completed the issuance of 800,000 shares of its Series A Preferred Stock, at a price of $1,000 per share, resulting in net proceeds of $790 million after issuance costs. The aggregate liquidation value of the Series A Preferred Stock is $800 million with a per share liquidation value of $1,000.

CenterPoint Energy intends to use the net proceeds from the Series A Preferred Stock offering to fund a portion of the pending Merger and to pay related fees and expenses.

Dividends. The Series A Preferred Stock accrue cumulative dividends, calculated as a percentage of the stated amount per share, at a fixed annual rate of 6.125% per annum to, but excluding, September 1, 2023, and at an annual rate of three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 3.270% thereafter to be paid in cash if, when and as declared. If declared, prior to September 1, 2023, dividends are payable semi-annually in arrears on each March 1 and September 1, beginning on March 1, 2019, and, for the period commencing on September 1, 2023, dividends are payable quarterly in arrears each March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1, beginning on December 1, 2023. Cumulative dividends accrued during the applicable periods are presented on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income as Series A Preferred Stock dividend requirement.

Optional Redemption. On or after September 1, 2023, CenterPoint Energy may, at its option, redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, for cash at a redemption price of $1,000 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date.

At any time within 120 days after the conclusion of any review or appeal process instituted by CenterPoint Energy, if any, following the occurrence of a ratings event, CenterPoint Energy may, at its option, redeem the Series A Preferred Stock in whole, but not in part, at a redemption price in cash per share equal to $1,020 (102% of the liquidation value of $1,000) plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date, whether or not declared.

Ranking. The Series A Preferred Stock, with respect to anticipated dividends and distributions upon CenterPoint Energy’s liquidation or dissolution, or winding-up of CenterPoint Energy’s affairs, ranks or will rank:

• senior to Common Stock and to each other class or series of capital stock established after the initial issue date of the Series A Preferred Stock that is expressly made subordinated to the Series A Preferred Stock;

• on a parity with any class or series of capital stock established after the initial issue date of the Series A Preferred Stock that is not expressly made senior or subordinated to the Series A Preferred Stock, including the Series B Preferred Stock;

• junior to any class or series of capital stock established after the initial issue date of the Series A Preferred Stock that is expressly made senior to the Series A Preferred Stock;

• junior to all existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness outstanding under CenterPoint Energy’s credit facilities, senior notes and commercial paper) and other liabilities with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against CenterPoint Energy; and

• structurally subordinated to any existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of CenterPoint Energy’s subsidiaries and capital stock of CenterPoint Energy’s subsidiaries held by third parties.

Voting Rights. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock generally will not have voting rights. Whenever dividends on shares of Series A Preferred Stock have not been declared and paid for the equivalent of three or more semi-annual or six or more quarterly dividend periods (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the dividend period beginning on, and including, the original issue date and ending on, but excluding, March 1, 2019), whether or not consecutive, the holders of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class with holders of any and all other series of voting preferred stock (as defined in the Statement of Resolution for the Series A Preferred Stock) then outstanding, will be entitled at CenterPoint Energy’s next annual or special meeting of shareholders to vote for the election of a total of two additional members of CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors, subject to certain limitations. This right will terminate if and when all accumulated dividends have been paid in full and, upon such termination, the term of office of each director so elected will terminate at such time and the number of directors on CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors will automatically decrease by two, subject to the revesting of such rights in the event of each subsequent nonpayment.

Series B Preferred Stock

On October 1, 2018, CenterPoint Energy completed the issuance of 19,550,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of its Series B Preferred Stock, at a price of $50 per depositary share, resulting in net proceeds of $950 million after issuance costs. The aggregate liquidation value of Series B Preferred Stock is $978 million with a per share liquidation value of $1,000. The amount issued included 2,550,000 depositary shares issued pursuant to the exercise in full of the option granted to the underwriters to purchase additional depositary shares.

CenterPoint Energy intends to use the net proceeds from the offering of depositary shares, each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of Series B Preferred Stock, to fund a portion of the pending Merger and to pay related fees and expenses.

Dividends. Dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock will be payable on a cumulative basis when, as and if declared at an annual rate of 7.00% on the liquidation value of $1,000 per share. CenterPoint Energy may pay declared dividends in cash or, subject to certain limitations, in shares of Common Stock, or in any combination of cash and shares of Common Stock on March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on December 1, 2018 and ending on, and including, September 1, 2021.

Acquisition Termination Redemption. If the pending Merger has not closed at or prior to close of business on April 21, 2019 or if an acquisition termination event occurs, CenterPoint Energy may, at its option, give notice of an acquisition termination redemption to the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock. If CenterPoint Energy provides such notice, then, on the acquisition termination redemption date, CenterPoint Energy will be required to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption amount per share of the Series B Preferred Stock equal to the acquisition termination redemption amount. CenterPoint Energy will pay the acquisition termination redemption amount in cash unless the acquisition termination share price is greater than the initial price, in which case CenterPoint Energy will instead pay the acquisition termination redemption amount by delivering shares of Common Stock and cash; provided, that CenterPoint Energy may elect, subject to certain limitations, to pay cash or deliver shares of Common Stock in lieu of these amounts. If CenterPoint Energy redeems shares of the Series B Preferred Stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, on the same acquisition termination redemption date, the number of the depositary shares representing the shares of the Series B Preferred Stock so redeemed.

Mandatory Conversion. Unless earlier converted or redeemed, each share of the Series B Preferred Stock will automatically convert on the mandatory conversion date, which is expected to be September 1, 2021, into not less than 30.5820 and not more than 36.6980 shares of Common Stock, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. Correspondingly, the conversion rate per depositary share will be not less than 1.5291 and not more than 1.8349 shares of Common Stock, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. The conversion rate will be determined based on a preceding 20-day volume-weighted-average-price of Common Stock.

The following table illustrates the conversion rate per share of the Series B Preferred Stock, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments:

Applicable Market Value of the Common Stock	Conversion Rate per Share of Series B Preferred Stock
Greater than $32.6990 (threshold appreciation price)	30.5820 shares of Common Stock
Equal to or less than $32.6990 but greater than or equal to $27.2494	Between 30.5820 and 36.6980 shares of Common Stock, determined by dividing $1,000 by the applicable market value
Less than $27.2494 (initial price)	36.6980 shares of Common Stock

The following table illustrates the conversion rate per depositary share, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments:

Applicable Market Value of the Common Stock	Conversion Rate per Depository Share
Greater than $32.6990 (threshold appreciation price)	1.5291 shares of Common Stock
Equal to or less than $32.6990 but greater than or equal to $27.2494	Between 1.5291 and 1.8349 shares of Common Stock, determined by dividing $50 by the applicable market value
Less than $27.2494 (initial price)	1.8349 shares of Common Stock

Optional Conversion of the Holder. Other than during a fundamental change conversion period, and unless CenterPoint Energy has redeemed the Series B Preferred Stock, a holder of the Series B Preferred Stock may, at any time prior to September 1, 2021, elect to convert such holder’s shares of the Series B Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at the minimum conversion rate of 30.5820 shares of Common Stock per share of the Series B Preferred Stock (equivalent to 1.5291 shares of Common Stock per depositary share), subject to certain anti-dilution and other adjustments. Because each depositary share represents a 1/20th fractional interest in a share of the Series B Preferred Stock, a holder of depositary shares may convert its depositary shares only in lots of 20 depositary shares.

Fundamental Change Conversion. If a fundamental change occurs on or prior to September 1, 2021, holders of the Series B Preferred Stock will have the right to convert their shares of the Series B Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, into shares of Common Stock at the fundamental change conversion rate during the period beginning on, and including, the effective date of such fundamental change and ending on, and including, the date that is 20 calendar days after such effective date (or, if later, the date that is 20 calendar days after holders receive notice of such fundamental change, but in no event later than September 1, 2021). Holders who convert shares of the Series B Preferred Stock during that period will also receive a make-whole dividend amount comprised of a fundamental change dividend make-whole amount, and to the extent there is any, the accumulated dividend amount. Because each depositary share represents a 1/20th fractional interest in a share of the Series B Preferred Stock, a holder of depositary shares may convert its depositary shares upon a fundamental change only in lots of 20 depositary shares.

Ranking. The Series B Preferred Stock, with respect to anticipated dividends and distributions upon CenterPoint Energy’s liquidation or dissolution, or winding-up of CenterPoint Energy’s affairs, ranks or will rank:

• senior to Common Stock and to each other class or series of capital stock established after the initial issue date of the Series B Preferred Stock that is expressly made subordinated to the Series B Preferred Stock;

• on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock and any class or series of capital stock established after the initial issue date that is not expressly made senior or subordinated to the Series B Preferred Stock;

• junior to any class or series of capital stock established after the initial issue date that is expressly made senior to the Series B Preferred Stock;

• junior to all existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness outstanding under CenterPoint Energy’s credit facilities, senior notes and commercial paper) and other liabilities with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against CenterPoint Energy; and

• structurally subordinated to any existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of CenterPoint Energy’s subsidiaries and capital stock of CenterPoint Energy’s subsidiaries held by third parties.

Voting Rights. Holders of the Series B Preferred Stock generally will not have voting rights. Whenever dividends on shares of the Series B Preferred Stock have not been declared and paid for six or more dividend periods (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the dividend period beginning on, and including, the initial issue date and ending on, but excluding, December 1, 2018), whether or not consecutive, the holders of such shares of Series B Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class with holders of any and all other series of voting preferred stock then outstanding (as defined in the Statement of Resolution for the Series B Preferred Stock), will be entitled at CenterPoint Energy’s next annual or special meeting of shareholders to vote for the election of a total of two additional members of CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors, subject to certain limitations. This right will terminate if and when all accumulated and unpaid dividends have been paid in full and, upon such termination, the term of office of each director so elected will terminate at such time and the number of directors on CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors will automatically decrease by two, subject to the revesting of such rights in the event of each subsequent nonpayment.

Common Stock

On October 1, 2018, CenterPoint Energy completed the issuance of approximately 69,633,027 shares of Common Stock at a price of $27.25 per share, for net proceeds of $1,844 million after issuance costs. The amount issued included 9,082,568 shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the exercise in full of the option granted to the underwriters to purchase additional shares of Common Stock.

CenterPoint Energy intends to use the net proceeds from the Common Stock offering to fund a portion of the pending Merger and to pay related fees and expenses.

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Subsequent Events (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) [Text Block]

Subsequent Events (CenterPoint Energy)

CenterPoint Energy Dividend Declarations

On October 23, 2018, CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.2775 per share of Common Stock payable on December 13, 2018 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 15, 2018.

On October 23, 2018, CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $11.6667 per share of the newly issued Series B Preferred Stock ($0.5833 per depository share) payable on December 1, 2018 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 15, 2018. For more information about the Series B Preferred Stock, see Note 19.

Enable Distributions Declarations

On November 6, 2018, Enable declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.318 per unit on all of its outstanding common units for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. Accordingly, CNP Midstream expects to receive a cash distribution of approximately $74 million from Enable in the fourth quarter of 2018 to be made with respect to CNP Midstream’s investment in common units of Enable.

On November 6, 2018, Enable declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.625 per Series A Preferred Unit for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. Accordingly, CenterPoint Energy expects to receive a cash distribution of approximately $9 million from Enable in the fourth quarter of 2018 to be made with respect to CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable Series A Preferred Units.

Merger Financing Transactions

On October 1, 2018, CenterPoint Energy completed concurrent equity offerings of depositary shares, each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of Series B Preferred Stock, and Common Stock. For more information about the concurrent equity offerings, see Note 19.

On October 5, 2018, CenterPoint Energy issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes. For more information about the senior notes offering, see Note 12.

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New Accounting Pronouncements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block]

The following table provides an overview of recently adopted or issued accounting pronouncements applicable to all the Registrants, unless otherwise noted.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
ASU Number and Name	Description	Date of Adoption	Financial Statement Impact upon Adoption
ASU 2014-09- Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and related amendments	This standard provides a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires revenue to be recognized in a manner that depicts the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. Transition method: modified retrospective	January 1, 2018	Note 4 addresses the disclosure requirements. Adoption of the standard did not result in significant changes to revenue recognition. A substantial amount of the Registrants’ revenues are tariff and/or derivative based, which were not significantly impacted by these ASUs.
ASU 2017-05- Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets	This standard clarifies when and how to apply ASC 610-20, which was issued as part of ASU 2014-09. It amends or supersedes the guidance in ASC 350 and ASC 360 on determining a gain or loss recognized upon the derecognition of nonfinancial assets. Transition method: modified retrospective	January 1, 2018	ASU 2017-05 eliminates industry specific guidance, including ASC 360-20 Property, Plant, and Equipment - Real Estate Sales, for the recognition of gains or losses upon the sale of in-substance real estate. CenterPoint Energy and CERC elected to apply the practical expedient upon adoption to only evaluate transactions that were not determined to be complete as of the date of adoption. Subsequent to adoption, gains or losses on sales or dilution events in CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable may result in gains or losses recognized in earnings. See Note 9 for further discussion.
ASU 2016-01-Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities ASU 2018-03-Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities	This standard requires equity investments that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method to be measured at fair value and to recognize any changes in fair value in net income unless the investments qualify for the new practicability exception. It does not change the guidance for classifying and measuring investments in debt securities and loans. It also changes certain disclosure requirements and other aspects related to recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. Transition method: cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings, and two features prospective	January 1, 2018	The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Registrants elected the practicability exception for investments without a readily determinable fair value to be measured at cost. This includes the Enable Series A Preferred Units owned by CenterPoint Energy, which were previously accounted for under the cost method. See Note 9 for further discussion.
ASU 2016-15- Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments	This standard provides clarifying guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows and eliminates the variation in practice related to such classifications. Transition method:retrospective	January 1, 2018	The adoption did not have a material impact on the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or disclosures. However, CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows reflect an increase in investing activities and a corresponding decrease in operating activities of $1 million and $3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, due to the requirement that cash proceeds from COLI policies be classified as cash inflows from investing activity.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
ASU Number and Name	Description	Date of Adoption	Financial Statement Impact upon Adoption
ASU 2016-18- Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash	This standard requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. As a result, the statement of cash flows will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. When cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents are presented in more than one line item on the balance sheet, the new guidance requires a reconciliation of the totals in the statement of cash flows to the related captions in the balance sheet. Transition method: retrospective	January 1, 2018	The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or disclosures. However, CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows are reconciled to cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, resulting in a decrease in investing activities of $2 million and an increase in investing activities of $8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. See Note 17 for further discussion.
ASU 2017-01- Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business	This standard revises the definition of a business. If substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, then under ASU 2017-01, the asset or group of assets is not a business. The guidance also requires a business to include at least one substantive process and narrows the definition of outputs to be more closely aligned with how outputs are described in ASC 606. Transition method: prospective	January 1, 2018	The adoption of this revised definition will reduce the number of transactions that are accounted for as a business combination, and therefore may have a potential impact on the Registrants’ accounting for future acquisitions.
ASU 2017-04- Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment	This standard eliminates Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which required a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. Transition method: prospective	January 1, 2018	The adoption of this standard will have an impact on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s future calculation of goodwill impairments if an impairment is identified.
ASU 2017-07- Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost	This standard requires an employer to report the service cost component of the net periodic pension cost and postretirement benefit cost in the same line item(s) as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period; all other components will be presented separately from the line item(s) that includes the service cost and outside of any subtotal of operating income. In addition, only the service cost component will be eligible for capitalization in assets. Transition method: retrospective for the presentation of the service cost component and other components; prospective for the capitalization of the service cost component	January 1, 2018	The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures; however, it resulted in the increases to operating income and corresponding decreases to other income reported in the table below. Other components previously capitalized in assets will be recorded as regulatory assets in the Registrants’ rate-regulated businesses, prospectively.
ASU 2017-09- Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting	This standard clarifies when changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as a modification. Entities will apply the modification accounting guidance if the value, vesting conditions or classification of the award changes. Transition method: prospective	January 1, 2018	The adoption of this standard will have an impact on CenterPoint Energy’s accounting for future changes to share-based payment awards.
ASU 2017-12- Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities	This standard expands an entity’s ability to hedge and account for risk components, reduces the complexity of applying certain aspects of hedge accounting and updates the presentation and disclosure requirements. The guidance eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness. Transition method: cumulative-effect adjustment for elimination of the separate measurement of ineffectiveness; prospective for presentation and disclosure	July 1, 2018 Applicable January 1, 2018	The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or cash flows. As a result of the adoption, the Registrants will no longer recognize ineffectiveness for derivatives designated as cash flow hedges; all changes in fair value will flow through other comprehensive income. As the Registrants did not have existing cash flow hedges as of the initial application date and the adoption date, no cumulative effective adjustment was recorded. Note 7 reflects disclosures modified upon adoption.
ASU 2018-13- Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement	This standard eliminates, modifies and adds certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Transition method: prospective for additions and one modification and retrospective for all other amendments	Adoption of eliminations and modifications as of September 30, 2018; Additions will be adopted January 1, 2020	The adoption of this standard did not impact the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Note 8 reflects the disclosures modified upon adoption.

The table below reflects the impact of adoption of ASU 2017-07:

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Increase to operating income	$	9	$	3	$	—	$	18	$	7	$	5
Decrease to other income	9		3		—		18		7		5
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Increase to operating income	$	38	$	18	$	8	$	52	$	22	$	16
Decrease to other income	38		18		8		52		22		16

Issued, Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards
ASU Number and Name	Description	Date of Adoption	Financial Statement Impact upon Adoption
ASU 2016-02- Leases (Topic 842) and related amendments ASU 2018-01- Leases (Topic 842) Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842 ASU 2018-10 - Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases ASU 2018-11- Leases (Topic 842)-Targeted Improvements	ASU 2016-02 provides a comprehensive new lease model that requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for most leases and would change certain aspects of lessor accounting. Transition method: modified retrospective ASU 2018-01 allows entities to elect not to assess whether existing land easements that were not previously accounted for in accordance with ASC 840 Leases under ASC 842 Leases when transitioning to the new leasing standard. ASU 2018-10 makes sixteen narrow-scope amendments to ASC 842 Leases. ASU 2018-11 allows entities the transition option to not apply the new lease standards in the comparative financial statements presented in the year of adoption. It also gives lessors the practical expedient to not separate non-lease and lease components when certain criteria are met.	January 1, 2019 Early adoption is permitted	The Registrants will elect the practical expedient on existing easements provided by ASU 2018-01, and the transition option to not apply the new lease standards in the comparative financial statements presented in the year of adoption provided by ASU 2018-11. The Registrants are evaluating other available transitional practical expedients. The Registrants are in the process of reviewing contracts to identify leases as defined in ASU 2016-02 and expect to recognize on the statements of financial position right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for the majority of their respective leases that are currently classified as operating leases. The Registrants are continuing to assess the impact that adoption of these standards will have on their financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.
ASU 2016-13- Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments	This standard requires a new model called CECL to estimate credit losses for (1) financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost and (2) certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. Upon initial recognition of the exposure, the CECL model requires an entity to estimate the credit losses expected over the life of an exposure based on historical information, current information and reasonable and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments. Transition method: modified retrospective	January 1, 2020 Early adoption is permitted starting January 1, 2019	The Registrants are currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on their financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.
ASU 2018-02-Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	This standard allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the TCJA and requires entities to provide certain disclosures regarding stranded tax effects. Transition method: either in the period of adoption or retrospective	January 1, 2019 Early adoption is permitted	The adoption of this standard will allow the Registrants to reclass stranded deferred tax adjustments primarily related to benefit plans from other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The Registrants are currently assessing the impact that adoption of this standard will have on their financial position and disclosures.

Issued, Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards
ASU Number and Name	Description	Date of Adoption	Financial Statement Impact upon Adoption
ASU 2018-14-Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans	This standard eliminates, modifies and adds certain disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. Transition method: retrospective	January 1, 2021 Early adoption is permitted	The adoption of this standard will impact the Registrants’ annual disclosures and is not expected to have an impact on their financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. The Registrants are currently assessing the standard’s impact on the Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans footnote.
ASU 2018-15- Intangibles-Goodwill and Other- Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract	This standard aligns accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is accounted for as a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The update also prescribes the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow classification of the capitalized implementation costs and related amortization expense, and requires additional quantitative and qualitative disclosures. Transition method: retrospective or prospective	January 1, 2020 Early adoption is permitted	The adoption of this standard will allow the Registrants to capitalize certain implementation costs incurred in cloud computing arrangements that are accounted for as service contracts. The Registrants are currently assessing the impact that adoption of this standard will have on their financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.

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Revenue Recognition (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block]

The following tables disaggregate revenues by reportable business segment and major source:

CenterPoint Energy

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018														2017
	Electric Transmission & Distribution (1)			Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Other Operations (2)		Total			Electric Transmission & Distribution (1)			Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Other Operations (2)		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	904		$	398		$	82		$	1	$	1,385		$	852		$	396		$	97		$	2	$	1,347
Derivatives income	—			—			838			—		838			—			—			774			—		774
Other (3)	(7		)	12			—			2		7			(9		)	2			—			2		(5		)
Eliminations	—			(8		)	(10		)	—		(18		)	—			(8		)	(10		)	—		(18		)
Total revenues	$	897		$	402		$	910		$	3	$	2,212		$	843		$	390		$	861		$	4	$	2,098
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018														2017
	Electric Transmission & Distribution (1)			Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Other Operations (2)		Total			Electric Transmission & Distribution (1)			Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Other Operations (2)		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	2,525		$	2,093		$	338		$	4	$	4,960		$	2,254		$	1,784		$	355		$	4	$	4,397
Derivatives income	(4		)	—			2,727			—		2,723			1			—			2,643			—		2,644
Other (3)	(19		)	(35		)	—			7		(47		)	(21		)	7			—			7		(7		)
Eliminations	—			(26		)	(57		)	—		(83		)	—			(24		)	(34		)	—		(58		)
Total revenues	$	2,502		$	2,032		$	3,008		$	11	$	7,553		$	2,234		$	1,767		$	2,964		$	11	$	6,976

Houston Electric

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	904		$	852		$	2,525		$	2,254
Other (3)	(7		)	(9		)	(19		)	(21		)
	$	897		$	843		$	2,506		$	2,233

CERC

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018									2017
	Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Total			Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	398		$	82		$	480		$	396		$	97		$	493
Derivatives income	—			838			838			—			774			774
Other (3)	12			—			12			2			—			2
Eliminations	(8		)	(10		)	(18		)	(8		)	(10		)	(18		)
Total revenues	$	402		$	910		$	1,312		$	390		$	861		$	1,251
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018									2017
	Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Total			Natural Gas Distribution (1)			Energy  Services  (2)			Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	2,093		$	338		$	2,431		$	1,784		$	355		$	2,139
Derivatives income	—			2,727			2,727			—			2,643			2,643
Other (3)	(35		)	—			(35		)	7			—			7
Eliminations	(26		)	(57		)	(83		)	(24		)	(34		)	(58		)
Total revenues	$	2,032		$	3,008		$	5,040		$	1,767		$	2,964		$	4,731

(1) Reflected in Utility revenues in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

(2) Reflected in Non-utility revenues in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

(3) Primarily consists of income from ARPs and leases. ARPs are contracts between the utility and its regulators, not between the utility and a customer. The Registrants recognize ARP revenue as other revenues when the regulator-specified conditions for recognition have been met. Upon recovery of ARP revenue through incorporation in rates charged for utility service to customers, ARP revenue is reversed and recorded as revenue from contracts with customers. The recognition of ARP revenues and the reversal of ARP revenues upon recovery through rates charged for utility service may not occur in the same period.

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Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]

The table below reflects the expected contributions to be made to the pension plans and postretirement benefit plan during 2018:

	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Expected minimum contribution to pension plans during 2018	$	67	$	—	$	—
Expected contribution to postretirement benefit plan in 2018	16		10		5

The table below reflects the contributions made to the pension plans and postretirement benefit plan during 2018:

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018						Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Pension plans	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	67	$	—	$	—
Postretirement benefit plan	4		3		1		11		7		3

The Registrants’ net periodic cost, before considering amounts subject to overhead allocations for capital expenditure projects or for amounts subject to deferral for regulatory purposes, includes the following components relating to pension and postretirement benefits:

Pension Benefits (CenterPoint Energy)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	10		$	9		$	28		$	27
Interest cost (2)	20			22			59			66
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(27		)	(24		)	(80		)	(72		)
Amortization of prior service cost (2)	3			2			7			7
Amortization of net loss (2)	10			14			32			43
Net periodic cost	$	16		$	23		$	46		$	71

Postretirement Benefits

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018									2017
	CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric			CERC			CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric			CERC
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	—		$	—		$	1		$	—		$	—		$	1
Interest cost (2)	3			2			1			4			3			1
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(1		)	(1		)	—			(1		)	(1		)	(1		)
Amortization of prior service credit (2)	(1		)	(1		)	—			(1		)	(2		)	—
Net periodic cost	$	1		$	—		$	2		$	2		$	—		$	1
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018									2017
	CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric			CERC			CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric			CERC
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	1		$	—		$	1		$	1		$	—		$	1
Interest cost (2)	10			6			3			12			7			3
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(4		)	(3		)	(1		)	(4		)	(3		)	(1		)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (2)	(3		)	(4		)	1			(3		)	(4		)	1
Net periodic cost (credit)	$	4		$	(1	)	$	4		$	6		$	—		$	4

(1) Amounts presented in the table above are included in Operation and maintenance expense in each of the Registrants’ respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, net of amounts capitalized and regulatory deferrals.

(2) Amounts presented in the table above are included in Other, net in each of the Registrants’ respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, net of regulatory deferrals.

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to defined benefit and postretirement plans are as follows:

CenterPoint Energy

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	(in millions)
Beginning Balance	$	(63	)	$	(70	)	$	(66	)	$	(72	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service cost (1)	—			—			1			1
Actuarial losses (1)	2			2			5			5
Tax expense	(1		)	(2		)	(2		)	(4		)
Net current period other comprehensive income	1			—			4			2
Ending Balance	$	(62	)	$	(70	)	$	(62	)	$	(70	)

(1) These accumulated other comprehensive components are included in the computation of net periodic cost.

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Regulatory Accounting (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Other Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]

The following is a list of regulatory assets and liabilities reflected on the Registrants’ Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

	September 30, 2018									December 31, 2017
	CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric			CERC			CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric			CERC
Regulatory Assets:	(in millions)
Current regulatory assets (1)	$	60		$	—		$	60		$	130		$	—		$	130
Non-current regulatory assets:
Securitized regulatory assets	1,146			1,146			—			1,590			1,590			—
Unrecognized equity return (2)	(225		)	(225		)	—			(287		)	(287		)	—
Unamortized loss on reacquired debt	70			70			—			75			75			—
Pension and postretirement-related regulatory asset (3)	609			32			15			646			31			20
Hurricane Harvey restoration costs (4)	67			61			6			64			58			6
Regulatory assets related to TCJA (5)	48			34			14			48			33			15
Other long-term regulatory assets (6)	219			84			135			211			70			140
Total non-current regulatory assets	1,934			1,202			170			2,347			1,570			181
Total regulatory assets	1,994			1,202			230			2,477			1,570			311
Regulatory Liabilities:
Current regulatory liabilities (7)	47			22			25			24			22			2
Non-current regulatory liabilities:
Regulatory liabilities related to TCJA (5)	1,362			858			504			1,354			862			492
Estimated removal costs	887			275			612			878			285			593
Other long-term regulatory liabilities	257			132			125			232			116			116
Total non-current regulatory liabilities	2,506			1,265			1,241			2,464			1,263			1,201
Total regulatory liabilities	2,553			1,287			1,266			2,488			1,285			1,203
Total regulatory assets and liabilities, net	$	(559	)	$	(85	)	$	(1,036	)	$	(11	)	$	285		$	(892	)

(1) Current regulatory assets are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Registrants’ Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(2) The unrecognized equity return will be recognized as it is recovered in rates through 2024. During the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric recognized approximately $17 million and $13 million, respectively, of the allowed equity return. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric recognized approximately $62 million and $30 million, respectively, of the allowed equity return. The timing of CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s recognition of the 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.

(3) Includes a portion of NGD’s actuarially determined pension and other postemployment expense in excess of the amount being recovered through rates that is being deferred for rate making purposes, of which $4 million and $7 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, were not earning a return.

(4) The Registrants are not earning a return on Hurricane Harvey restoration costs.

(5) The EDIT and deferred revenues will be recovered or refunded to customers as required by tax and regulatory authorities.

(6) Other long-term regulatory assets that are not earning a return were not material as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

(7) Current regulatory liabilities are included in Other current liabilities in each of the Registrants’ respective Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Derivative Instruments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Fair Value Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block]

The table below summarizes CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s current weather hedge gain (loss) activity:

				Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
Jurisdiction	Winter Season	Bilateral Cap		2018		2017		2018			2017
		(in millions)
Certain NGD jurisdictions	2018 – 2019	$	9	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—
Certain NGD jurisdictions	2017 – 2018	8		—		—		—			—
Total CERC (1)				—		—		—			—
Electric operations’ service territory	2018 – 2019	8		—		—		—			—
Electric operations’ service territory	2017 – 2018	9		—		—		(4		)	—
Electric operations’ service territory	2016 – 2017	9		—		—		—			1
Total CenterPoint Energy (1)				$	—	$	—	$	(4	)	$	1

(1) Weather hedge gains (losses) are recorded in Revenues in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]

The following tables present information about derivative instruments and hedging activities. The first two tables provide a balance sheet overview of Derivative Assets and Liabilities, while the last table provides a breakdown of the related income statement impacts.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments and Hedged Items

		September 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Balance Sheet Location	Derivative Assets Fair Value		Derivative Liabilities Fair Value		Derivative Assets Fair Value		Derivative Liabilities Fair Value
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:		(in millions)
Interest rate derivatives	Current Assets: Non-trading derivative assets	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	—
Total Houston Electric		3		—		—		—
Derivatives designated as fair value hedges:
Natural gas derivatives (1) (2) (3)	Current Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	—		2		13		1
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Natural gas derivatives (1) (2) (3)	Current Assets: Non-trading derivative assets	76		3		114		4
Natural gas derivatives (1) (2) (3)	Other Assets: Non-trading derivative assets	38		—		44		—
Natural gas derivatives (1) (2) (3)	Current Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	31		72		38		78
Natural gas derivatives (1) (2) (3)	Other Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	16		33		9		24
Total CERC		161		110		218		107
Indexed debt securities derivative	Current Liabilities	—		685		—		668
Total CenterPoint Energy		$	164	$	795	$	218	$	775

(1) The fair value shown for natural gas contracts is comprised of derivative gross volumes totaling 1,865 Bcf or a net 310 Bcf long position and 1,795 Bcf or a net 224 Bcf long position as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.  Certain natural gas contracts hedge basis risk only and lack a fixed price exposure.

(2) Natural gas contracts are presented on a net basis in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as they are subject to master netting arrangements. This netting applies to all undisputed amounts due or past due and causes derivative assets (liabilities) to be ultimately presented net in a liability (asset) account within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The net of total non-trading natural gas derivative assets and liabilities was a $72 million asset and a $130 million asset as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, as shown on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (and as detailed in the Offsetting of Natural Gas Derivative Assets and Liabilities table below), and was comprised of the natural gas contracts derivative assets and liabilities separately shown above, impacted by collateral netting of $21 million and $19 million, respectively.

(3) Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities include no material amounts related to physical forward transactions with Enable.

Cumulative Basis Adjustment for Fair Value Hedges (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

		September 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Balance Sheet Location	Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets/(Liabilities)		Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged Item		Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets/(Liabilities)		Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged Item
Hedged items in fair value hedge relationship:		(in millions)
Natural gas inventory	Current Assets: Natural gas inventory	$	39	$	1	$	80	$	14
Total CenterPoint Energy and CERC		$	39	$	1	$	80	$	14

Offsetting of Natural Gas Derivative Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]

Offsetting of Natural Gas Derivative Assets and Liabilities (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

	September 30, 2018									December 31, 2017
	Gross AmountsRecognized (1)			Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Net Amount Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (2)			Gross Amounts Recognized (1)			Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Net Amount Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (2)
	(in millions)
Current Assets: Non-trading derivative assets	$	107		$	(34	)	$	73		$	165		$	(55	)	$	110
Other Assets: Non-trading derivative assets	54			(16		)	38			53			(9		)	44
Current Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	(77		)	44			(33		)	(83		)	63			(20		)
Other Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	(33		)	27			(6		)	(24		)	20			(4		)
Total	$	51		$	21		$	72		$	111		$	19		$	130

(1) Gross amounts recognized include some derivative assets and liabilities that are not subject to master netting arrangements.

(2) The derivative assets and liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets exclude accounts receivable or accounts payable that, should they exist, could be used as offsets to these balances in the event of a default.

Income Statement Impact of Derivative Activity [Table Text Block]

Income Statement Impact of Hedge Accounting Activity (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	Location and Amount of Gain (Loss) recognized in Income on Hedging Relationship (2)
	Non-utility natural gas expense						Non-utility natural gas expense
	(in millions)
Total amounts presented in the statements of income in which the effects of hedges are recorded	$	864		$	832		$	2,927		$	2,843
Gain (loss) on fair value hedging relationships:
Commodity contracts:
Hedged items - Natural gas inventory	1			4			(13		)	(10		)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	(1		)	(4		)	13			10
Amounts excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in earnings immediately (1)	6			(9		)	(73		)	(93		)

(1) As a result of the adoption of ASU 2017-12 effective January 1, 2018 (see Note 2 for additional information), CenterPoint Energy and CERC exclude from their assessment of hedge effectiveness the natural gas market price difference between locations of the hedged inventory and the delivery location specified in the hedge instruments. Prior to the adoption of this accounting guidance, the timing difference between the spot price and the futures price, as well as the difference between the timing of the settlement of the futures and the valuation of the underlying physical commodity, was excluded from the assessment of effectiveness for CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s existing fair value hedges and will continue to be excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. CenterPoint Energy and CERC elected to continue to immediately recognize amounts excluded from hedge effectiveness in their respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

(2) Income statement impact associated with cash flow hedge activity is related to gains and losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income. Amounts are immaterial for the Registrants for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	Income Statement Location	2018			2017			2018			2017
Effects of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the income statement:		(in millions)
Commodity contracts	Gains (Losses) in Non-utility revenues	$	2		$	30		$	70		$	162
Total CERC		2			30			70			162
Indexed debt securities derivative	Gains (Losses) in Other Income (Expense)	(44		)	(36		)	(316		)	(59		)
Interest rate derivatives	Gains (Losses) in Interest and other finance charges	—			—			—			—
Total CenterPoint Energy		$	(42	)	$	(6	)	$	(246	)	$	103

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

Effect of Cash Flow Hedge Accounting on Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax on Derivative
	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017			2018			2017
	(in millions)
Effects of cash flow hedging
Interest rate derivatives (1)	$	3	$	—		$	7		$	(1	)
Total Houston Electric	3		—			7			(1		)
Interest rate derivatives (1)	—		(1		)	—			(1		)
Total CERC	—		(1		)	—			(1		)
Interest rate derivatives (1)	—		(1		)	(1		)	(1		)
Total CenterPoint Energy	$	3	$	(2	)	$	6		$	(3	)

(1) Gains and losses are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income when the hedged transactions affect earnings. The reclassification amounts are included in Interest and other finance charges in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income. Amounts are less than $1 million for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. Over the next twelve months, estimated amortization of accumulated other comprehensive income into related income is expected to be immaterial.

Disclosure of Credit Derivatives [Table Text Block]

CenterPoint Energy and CERC enter into financial derivative contracts containing material adverse change provisions.  These provisions could require CenterPoint Energy or CERC to post additional collateral if the S&P or Moody’s credit ratings of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. or its subsidiaries, including CERC Corp., are downgraded. 

CenterPoint Energy and CERC

	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
	(in millions)
Aggregate fair value of derivatives containing material adverse change provisions in a net liability position	$	2	$	2
Fair value of collateral already posted	—		—
Additional collateral required to be posted if credit risk contingent features triggered	1		2

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair value, assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis [Table Text Block]

The following tables present information about the Registrants’ assets and liabilities (including derivatives that are presented net) measured at fair value on a recurring basis and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Registrants to determine such fair value.

CenterPoint Energy

	September 30, 2018											December 31, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting (1)			Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting (1)			Total
Assets	(in millions)
Corporate equities	$	630	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	630	$	963	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	963
Investments, including money market funds (2)	70		—		—		—			70		68		—		—		—			68
Interest rate derivatives	3		—		—		—			3		—		—		—		—			—
Natural gas derivatives (3)	—		134		27		(50		)	111		—		161		57		(64		)	154
Hedged portion of natural gas inventory	1		—		—		—			1		14		—		—		—			14
Total assets	$	704	$	134	$	27	$	(50	)	$	815	$	1,045	$	161	$	57	$	(64	)	$	1,199
Liabilities
Indexed debt securities derivative	$	—	$	685	$	—	$	—		$	685	$	—	$	—	$	668	$	—		$	668
Natural gas derivatives (3)	—		105		5		(71		)	39		—		96		11		(83		)	24
Total liabilities	$	—	$	790	$	5	$	(71	)	$	724	$	—	$	96	$	679	$	(83	)	$	692

Houston Electric

	September 30, 2018										December 31, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting		Total
Assets	(in millions)
Investments, including money market funds (2)	$	52	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	52	$	51	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	51
Interest rate derivatives	3		—		—		—		3		—		—		—		—		—
Total assets	$	55	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	55	$	51	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	51

CERC

	September 30, 2018											December 31, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting (1)			Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting (1)			Total
Assets	(in millions)
Corporate equities	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	3	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	3
Investments, including money market funds (2)	10		—		—		—			10		11		—		—		—			11
Natural gas derivatives (3)	—		134		27		(50		)	111		—		161		57		(64		)	154
Hedged portion of natural gas inventory	1		—		—		—			1		14		—		—		—			14
Total assets	$	14	$	134	$	27	$	(50	)	$	125	$	28	$	161	$	57	$	(64	)	$	182
Liabilities
Natural gas derivatives (3)	$	—	$	105	$	5	$	(71	)	$	39	$	—	$	96	$	11	$	(83	)	$	24
Total liabilities	$	—	$	105	$	5	$	(71	)	$	39	$	—	$	96	$	11	$	(83	)	$	24

(1) Amounts represent the impact of legally enforceable master netting arrangements that allow CenterPoint Energy and CERC to settle positive and negative positions and also include cash collateral of $21 million and $19 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, posted with the same counterparties.

(2) Amounts are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(3) Natural gas derivatives include no material amounts related to physical forward transactions with Enable.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs [Table Text Block]

The following table presents additional information about assets or liabilities, including derivatives that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which CenterPoint Energy and CERC have utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value:

	Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017						2018						2017
	CenterPoint Energy			CERC			CenterPoint Energy			CERC			CenterPoint Energy			CERC			CenterPoint Energy			CERC
	(in millions)
Beginning balance	$	(628	)	$	13		$	(712	)	$	28		$	(622	)	$	46		$	(704	)	$	13
Total gains (losses)	1			1			(38		)	(2		)	4			4			(38		)	21
Total settlements	(1		)	(1		)	(1		)	(1		)	(36		)	(36		)	(5		)	(5		)
Transfers into Level 3	—			—			7			7			(2		)	(2		)	9			9
Transfers out of Level 3 (1)	650			9			(6		)	(6		)	678			10			(12		)	(12		)
Ending balance (2)	$	22		$	22		$	(750	)	$	26		$	22		$	22		$	(750	)	$	26
The amount of total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at the reporting date:
	$	11		$	11		$	(36	)	$	—		$	9		$	9		$	(42	)	$	17

(1) As of September 30, 2018, CenterPoint Energy transferred its indexed debt securities derivative from Level 3 to Level 2 to reflect changes in the significance of the unobservable inputs used in the valuation.

(2) CenterPoint Energy and CERC did not have significant Level 3 sales or purchases during either of the three or nine months ended September 30, 2018 or 2017.

Estimated fair value of financial instruments, debt instruments [Table Text Block]

The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, investments in debt and equity securities classified as “trading” and short-term borrowings are estimated to be approximately equivalent to carrying amounts and have been excluded from the table below. The carrying amounts of non-trading derivative assets and liabilities and CenterPoint Energy’s ZENS indexed debt securities derivative are stated at fair value and are excluded from the table below.  The fair value of each debt instrument is determined by multiplying the principal amount of each debt instrument by a combination of historical trading prices and comparable issue data. These liabilities, which are not measured at fair value in the Registrants’ Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, but for which the fair value is disclosed, would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

	September 30, 2018						December 31, 2017
	CenterPoint Energy (1)		Houston Electric (1)		CERC		CenterPoint Energy (1)		Houston Electric (1)		CERC
Long-term debt, including current maturities	(in millions)
Carrying amount	$	7,758	$	4,782	$	2,257	$	8,679	$	4,753	$	2,457
Fair value	7,888		4,813		2,367		9,220		5,034		2,708

(1) Includes Securitization Bond debt.

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Unconsolidated Affiliate (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]

Interests Held in Enable GP (CenterPoint Energy):

	September 30, 2018
	Management Rights (1)		Incentive Distribution Rights (2)
CenterPoint Energy (3)	50	%	40	%
OGE	50	%	60	%

(1) Enable is controlled jointly by CenterPoint Energy and OGE. Sale of CenterPoint Energy’s or OGE’s ownership interests in Enable GP to a third party is subject to mutual rights of first offer and first refusal, and CenterPoint Energy is not permitted to dispose of less than all of its interest in Enable GP.

(2) Enable is expected to pay a minimum quarterly distribution of $0.2875 per common unit on its outstanding common units to the extent it has sufficient cash from operations after establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including payments to Enable GP and its affiliates, within 60 days after the end of each quarter. If cash distributions to Enable’s unitholders exceed $0.330625 per common unit in any quarter, Enable GP will receive increasing percentages or incentive distributions rights, up to 50%, of the cash Enable distributes in excess of that amount. In certain circumstances Enable GP will have the right to reset the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels at which the incentive distributions receive increasing percentages to higher levels based on Enable’s cash distributions at the time of the exercise of this reset election. To date, no incentive distributions have been made.

(3) Includes interests held through CNP Midstream.

Distributions Received from Enable (CenterPoint Energy and CERC):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Investment in Enable common units (1)	$	74	$	74	$	223	$	223
Total CERC (2)	74		74		223		223
Investment in Enable Series A Preferred Units (3)	9		9		27		27
Total CenterPoint Energy	$	83	$	83	$	250	$	250

(1) Reflects cash distributions of $0.318 and $0.954 per common unit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

(2) On September 4, 2018, CERC completed the Internal Spin. After such date, CNP Midstream owned the Enable common units previously owned by CERC.

(3) Reflects cash distributions of $0.625 and $1.875 per Enable Series A Preferred Unit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Transactions with Enable (CenterPoint Energy and CERC):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Reimbursement of transition services (1) (CenterPoint Energy)	$	1	$	—	$	4	$	3
Natural gas expenses, including transportation and storage costs (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)	23		23		89		80

(1) Represents amounts billed under the Transition Agreements for certain support services provided to Enable. Actual transition services costs are recorded net of reimbursement.

	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
	(in millions)
Accounts receivable for amounts billed for transition services (CenterPoint Energy)	$	3	$	1
Accounts payable for natural gas purchases from Enable (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)	8		13

Summarized unaudited consolidated income information for Enable is as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Operating revenues	$	928	$	705	$	2,481	$	1,997
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization	516		349		1,335		936
Depreciation and amortization	100		90		292		267
Operating income	171		137		436		399
Net income attributable to Enable common units	129		104		320		301
Reconciliation of Equity in Earnings, net:
CenterPoint Energy’s interest	$	70	$	56	$	173	$	163
Basis difference amortization (1)	11		12		35		36
CenterPoint Energy’s equity in earnings, net	$	81	$	68	$	208	$	199

(1) Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate includes CenterPoint Energy’s share of Enable’s earnings adjusted for the amortization of the basis difference of CenterPoint Energy’s original investment in Enable and their underlying equity in Enable’s net assets. The basis difference is amortized over approximately 31 years, the average life of the assets to which the basis difference is attributed.

Summarized unaudited consolidated balance sheet information for Enable is as follows:

	September 30, 2018			December 31, 2017
	(in millions)
Current assets	$	481		$	416
Non-current assets	11,454			11,177
Current liabilities	1,403			1,279
Non-current liabilities	2,964			2,660
Non-controlling interest	11			12
Preferred equity	362			362
Enable partners’ equity	7,195			7,280
Reconciliation of Investment in Enable:
CenterPoint Energy’s ownership interest in Enable partners’ equity	$	3,883		$	3,935
CenterPoint Energy’s basis difference	(1,426		)	(1,463		)
CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable	$	2,457		$	2,472

Limited Partner Interest and Units Held in Enable (CenterPoint Energy):

	September 30, 2018
	Limited Partner Interest (1)		Common Units	Enable Series A Preferred Units (2)
CenterPoint Energy (3)	54.0	%	233,856,623	14,520,000
OGE	25.6	%	110,982,805	—
Public unitholders	20.4	%	88,376,728	—
Total units outstanding	100.0	%	433,216,156	14,520,000

(1) Excludes the Enable Series A Preferred Units owned by CenterPoint Energy.

(2) The carrying amount of the Enable Series A Preferred Units, reflected as Preferred units - unconsolidated affiliate on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $363 million as of both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. No impairment charges or adjustment due to observable price changes were made during the current or prior reporting periods. See Note 2 for further discussion.

(3) Includes Enable Series A Preferred Units held directly by CenterPoint Energy and common units held indirectly through CNP Midstream.

Discontinued Operations (CERC) [Table Text Block]

The Internal Spin represents a significant strategic shift that has a material effect on CERC’s operations and financial results and, as a result, CERC’s distribution of its equity investment in Enable met the criteria for discontinued operations classification. CERC has no continuing involvement in the equity investment of Enable. Therefore, CERC’s equity in earnings and related income taxes have been classified as Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, in CERC’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income for the periods presented. CERC’s equity method investment and related deferred income tax liabilities have been classified as Investment in unconsolidated affiliate - discontinued operations and Deferred income taxes, net - discontinued operations, respectively, in CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for the periods presented. The following table presents amounts included in Income from discontinued operations, net of tax in CERC’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate, net	$	57	$	68	$	184	$	199
Income tax expense	13		26		44		75
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	44	$	42	$	140	$	124

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Goodwill and Other Intangibles (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]

CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s goodwill by reportable business segment as of both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 is as follows:

	(in millions)
Natural Gas Distribution	$	746
Energy Services (1)	110
Other Operations	11
Total	$	867

(1) Amount presented is net of the accumulated goodwill impairment charge of $252 million recorded in 2012.

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]

The tables below present information on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s other intangible assets recorded in Other non-current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

		September 30, 2018							December 31, 2017
	Useful Lives	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Balance		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Balance
	(in years)	(in millions)
Customer relationships	15	$	86	$	(26	)	$	60	$	86	$	(21	)	$	65
Covenants not to compete	4	4		(2		)	2		4		(2		)	2
Other	Various	15		(10		)	5		15		(8		)	7
Total		$	105	$	(38	)	$	67	$	105	$	(31	)	$	74

Finite-lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Amortization expense of intangible assets	$	2	$	2	$	7	$	5

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Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) and Securities Related to ZENS (CenterPoint Energy) (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Schedule of Indexed Debt Securities and Marketable Securities [Table Text Block]

As a result, CenterPoint Energy recorded the following during the nine months ended September 30, 2018:

	Meredith/Time			AT&T/TW
	(in millions)
Cash payment to ZENS note holders	$	16		$	382
Indexed debt – reduction	(4		)	(95		)
Indexed debt securities derivative – reduction	(1		)	(45		)
Loss on indexed debt securities	$	11		$	242

CenterPoint Energy’s reference shares for each ZENS consisted of the following:

	September 30, 2018	December 31, 2017
	(in shares)
AT&T Common	0.7185	—
Charter Common	0.061382	0.061382
Time Common	—	0.0625
TW Common	—	0.5

In 1995, CenterPoint Energy sold a cable television subsidiary to TW and received certain TW securities as partial consideration. A subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy holds shares of certain securities detailed in the table below, which are classified as trading securities and are expected to be held to facilitate CenterPoint Energy’s ability to meet its obligation under the ZENS. Unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in the market value of the ZENS-Related Securities are recorded in CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

	Shares Held
	September 30, 2018	December 31, 2017
AT&T Common	10,212,945	—
Charter Common	872,503	872,503
Time Common	—	888,392
TW Common	—	7,107,130

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Short-Term Borrowings and Long-term Debt (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]

Debt Issuances. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the following debt instruments were issued:

	Issuance Date	Debt Instrument	Aggregate Principal Amount		Interest Rate	Maturity Date
			(in millions)
Houston Electric	February 2018	General mortgage bonds	$	400	3.95%	2048
CERC Corp.	March 2018	Unsecured senior notes	300		3.55%	2023
CERC Corp.	March 2018	Unsecured senior notes	300		4.00%	2028

The proceeds from these issuances were used for general limited liability company and corporate purposes, as applicable, including to repay portions of outstanding commercial paper and borrowings under CenterPoint Energy’s money pool.

Merger Financings. On October 5, 2018, the following debt instruments were issued:

	Debt Instrument	Aggregate Principal Amount		Interest Rate	Maturity Date
		(in millions)
CenterPoint Energy	Unsecured senior notes	$	500	3.60%	2021
CenterPoint Energy	Unsecured senior notes	500		3.85%	2024
CenterPoint Energy	Unsecured senior notes	500		4.25%	2028

CenterPoint Energy intends to use the net proceeds from these debt issuances to fund a portion of the pending Merger and to pay related fees and expenses.

Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities [Table Text Block]

The Registrants had the following revolving credit facilities and utilization of such facilities:

				September 30, 2018								December 31, 2017
	Size of Facility			Loans		Letters of Credit		Commercial Paper		Weighted Average Interest Rate		Loans		Letters of Credit		Commercial Paper		Weighted Average Interest Rate
	(in millions, except weighted average interest rate)
CenterPoint Energy	$	1,700	(1)	$	—	$	6	$	104	2.42	%	$	—	$	6	$	855	1.88	%
Houston Electric	300			—		4		—		—		—		4		—		—
CERC Corp.	900			—		1		98		2.43	%	—		1		898		1.72	%
Total	$	2,900		$	—	$	11	$	202			$	—	$	11	$	1,753

(1) Pursuant to the amendment entered into in May 2018, the aggregate commitments under the CenterPoint Energy revolving credit facility increased to $3.3 billion on October 5, 2018 as a result of the satisfaction of certain conditions described above.

Execution  Date	Company	Size of Facility			Draw Rate of LIBOR plus (1)	Financial Covenant Limit on Debt for Borrowed Money to Capital Ratio		Debt for Borrowed Money to Capital Ratio as of September 30, 2018 (2)	Termination Date
		(in millions)
March 3, 2016	CenterPoint Energy	$	1,700	(3)	1.250%	75%	(4) (5)	47.5%	March 3, 2022
March 3, 2016	Houston Electric	300			1.125%	65%	(5)	50.7%	March 3, 2022
March 3, 2016	CERC Corp.	900			1.125%	65%		48.6%	March 3, 2022

(1) Based on current credit ratings.

(2) As defined in the revolving credit facility agreement, excluding Securitization Bonds.

(3) Pursuant to the amendment entered into in May 2018, the aggregate commitments under the CenterPoint Energy revolving credit facility increased to $3.3 billion on October 5, 2018 as a result of the satisfaction of certain conditions described above.

(4) On October 5, 2018, CenterPoint Energy’s financial covenant limit returned to 65% due to the termination of all commitments in respect of the Bridge Facility without any borrowing thereunder.

(5) For CenterPoint Energy (whenever its financial covenant limit is 65%) and Houston Electric, the financial covenant limit will temporarily increase from 65% to 70% if Houston Electric experiences damage from a natural disaster in its service territory and CenterPoint Energy certifies to the administrative agent that Houston Electric has incurred system restoration costs reasonably likely to exceed $100 million in a consecutive 12-month period, all or part of which Houston Electric intends to seek to recover through securitization financing. Such temporary increase in the financial covenant would be in effect from the date CenterPoint Energy delivers its certification until the earliest to occur of (i) the completion of the securitization financing, (ii) the first anniversary of CenterPoint Energy’s certification or (iii) the revocation of such certification.

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Income Taxes (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

The Registrants reported the following effective tax rates:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
CenterPoint Energy (1)	24	%	37	%	26	%	36	%
Houston Electric (2)	20	%	35	%	21	%	36	%
CERC - Continuing operations (3) (4)	5	%	20	%	29	%	38	%
CERC - Discontinued operations (5)	23	%	38	%	24	%	38	%

(1) CenterPoint Energy’s lower effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods for 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. The effective tax rate decreased by 5% and 4%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 due to the amortization of EDIT. These decreases were partially offset by an increase to the effective tax rate of 5% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2018 as a result of the establishment of a state valuation allowance on certain net operating loss deferred tax assets that are no longer expected to be utilized prior to expiration after the Internal Spin. The effective tax rate increased by 7% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018 due to state law changes and the state valuation allowance. See Note 9 for further discussion on the Internal Spin.

(2) Houston Electric’s lower effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods for 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. The effective tax rate was further reduced by 2% for both periods due to the amortization of EDIT.

(3) CERC’s lower effective tax rate on the loss from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. The effective tax rate decreased by 18% due to state taxes as a result of the establishment of a state valuation allowance on certain net operating loss deferred tax assets that are no longer expected to be utilized prior to expiration after the Internal Spin. These decreases were partially offset by an increase to the effective tax rate of 15% due to the amortization of EDIT. See Note 9 for further discussion on the Internal Spin.

(4) CERC’s lower effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. The effective tax rate decreased by 20% due to the amortization of EDIT. These decreases were partially offset by an increase to the effective tax rate of 22% as a result of an increase in state tax rates and the establishment of a state valuation allowance on certain net operating loss deferred tax assets that are no longer expected to be utilized prior to expiration after the Internal Spin. See Note 9 for further discussion on the Internal Spin.

(5) CERC’s lower effective tax rate on income from discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. See Note 9 for further discussion on the Internal Spin and the associated discontinued operations presentation.

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Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Table Text Block]

As of September 30, 2018, minimum payment obligations for natural gas supply commitments are approximately:

	(in millions)
Remaining three months of 2018	$	88
2019	325
2020	303
2021	219
2022	183
2023 and beyond	1,644

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Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy) (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

The following table reconciles numerators and denominators of CenterPoint Energy’s basic and diluted earnings per share calculations:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions, except share and per share amounts)
Income available to common shareholders	$	153	$	169	$	243	$	496
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	431,554,000		431,026,000		431,437,000		430,939,000
Plus: Incremental shares from assumed conversions:
Restricted stock	3,337,000		3,060,000		3,337,000		3,060,000
Diluted weighted average common shares	434,891,000		434,086,000		434,774,000		433,999,000
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.35	$	0.39	$	0.56	$	1.15
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.35	$	0.39	$	0.56	$	1.14

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Reportable Business Segments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]

Financial data for business segments is as follows:

CenterPoint Energy

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018									2017
	Revenues from External Customers			Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income (Loss)			Revenues from External Customers			Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income
	(in millions)
Electric Transmission & Distribution	$	897	(1)	$	—		$	227		$	843	(1)	$	—		$	254
Natural Gas Distribution	402			8			3			390			8			25
Energy Services	910			10			(9		)	861			10			7
Midstream Investments (2)	—			—			—			—			—			—
Other Operations	3			—			5			4			—			11
Eliminations	—			(18		)	—			—			(18		)	—
Consolidated	$	2,212		$	—		$	226		$	2,098		$	—		$	297

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018									2017
	Revenues from External Customers			Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income (Loss)			Revenues from External Customers			Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income
	(in millions)
Electric Transmission & Distribution	$	2,502	(1)	$	—		$	523		$	2,234	(1)	$	—		$	511
Natural Gas Distribution	2,032			26			166			1,767			24			235
Energy Services	3,008			57			(20		)	2,964			34			58
Midstream Investments (2)	—			—			—			—			—			—
Other Operations	11			—			(5		)	11			—			24
Eliminations	—			(83		)	—			—			(58		)	—
Consolidated	$	7,553		$	—		$	664		$	6,976		$	—		$	828

(1) CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s Electric Transmission & Distribution revenues from major customers are as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Affiliates of NRG	$	213	$	221	$	543	$	540
Affiliates of Vistra Energy Corp.	79		72		192		172

(2) CenterPoint Energy’s Midstream Investments’ equity earnings, net are as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Enable	$	81	$	68	$	208	$	199

CERC

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018								2017
	Revenues from External Customers		Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income (Loss)			Revenues from External Customers		Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income (Loss)
	(in millions)
Natural Gas Distribution	$	402	$	8		$	3		$	390	$	8		$	25
Energy Services	910		10			(9		)	861		10			7
Other Operations	—		—			(1		)	—		—			(1		)
Eliminations	—		(18		)	—			—		(18		)	—
Consolidated	$	1,312	$	—		$	(7	)	$	1,251	$	—		$	31

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018								2017
	Revenues from External Customers		Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income (Loss)			Revenues from External Customers		Net Intersegment Revenues			Operating Income  (Loss)
	(in millions)
Natural Gas Distribution	$	2,032	$	26		$	166		$	1,767	$	24		$	235
Energy Services	3,008		57			(20		)	2,964		34			58
Other Operations	—		—			—			—		—			(4		)
Eliminations	—		(83		)	—			—		(58		)	—
Consolidated	$	5,040	$	—		$	146		$	4,731	$	—		$	289

CenterPoint Energy and CERC

	Total Assets
	September 30, 2018								December 31, 2017
	CenterPoint  Energy				CERC				CenterPoint Energy				CERC
	(in millions)
Electric Transmission & Distribution	$	10,436			$	—			$	10,292			$	—
Natural Gas Distribution	6,557				6,557				6,608				6,608
Energy Services	1,253				1,253				1,521				1,521
Midstream Investments	2,457				—				2,472				—
Assets of discontinued operations	—				—			(1)	—				2,472			(1)
Other Operations	2,206			(2)	110				2,497			(2)	70
Eliminations	(681		)		(615		)		(654		)		(559		)
Consolidated	$	22,228			$	7,305			$	22,736			$	10,112

(1) On September 4, 2018, CERC completed the Internal Spin. For further information regarding the Internal Spin, see Note 9.

(2) Includes pension and other postemployment-related regulatory assets of $566 million and $600 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

As of September 30, 2018, reportable business segments by Registrant are as follows:

	Electric Transmission & Distribution	Natural Gas Distribution	Energy  Services	Midstream Investments	Other Operations
CenterPoint Energy	X	X	X	X	X
Houston Electric	X
CERC		X	X	(1)	X

(1) In the three months ended September 30, 2018, CERC completed the Internal Spin. Previously, CERC’s equity method investment in Enable was included in the Midstream Investments segment. CERC’s equity in earnings in Enable, net of basis difference amortization and income tax, has been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. See Note 9 for further discussion on the Internal Spin and the associated discontinued operations presentation.

Schedule of Revenue by Major Customers by Reporting Segments [Table Text Block]

CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s Electric Transmission & Distribution revenues from major customers are as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Affiliates of NRG	$	213	$	221	$	543	$	540
Affiliates of Vistra Energy Corp.	79		72		192		172

Midstream Investments [Table Text Block]

CenterPoint Energy’s Midstream Investments’ equity earnings, net are as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Enable	$	81	$	68	$	208	$	199

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Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]

The table below provides supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash Payments/Receipts:
Interest, net of capitalized interest	$	301	$	173	$	85	$	306	$	176	$	86
Income taxes, net	89		122		3		14		76		4
Non-cash transactions:
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures	140		87		66		111		70		53
Capital distribution associated with the Internal Spin	—		—		1,460		—		—		—

The table below provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets to the amount reported in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows:

	September 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric
	(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	293	$	279	$	260	$	238
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets	37		37		35		35
Restricted cash included in Other	1		1		1		1
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows	$	331	$	317	$	296	$	274

CERC does not have restricted cash and therefore was not included in the table above.

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Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC) (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Schedule of Money Pool Investment and Borrowing [Table Text Block]

The table below summarizes money pool activity:

	September 30, 2018						December 31, 2017
	Houston Electric			CERC			Houston Electric			CERC
	(in millions)
Money pool investments (borrowings) (1)	$	(75	)	$	—		$	(60	)	$	(570	)
Weighted average interest rate	2.45		%	2.45		%	1.90		%	1.90		%

(1) Included in Accounts and notes receivable (payable)–affiliated companies in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block]

Houston Electric and CERC affiliate related net interest income (expense) were as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018					2017				2018					2017
	Houston Electric		CERC			Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC			Houston Electric		CERC
						(in millions)
Interest income (expense) (1)	$	1	$	(2	)	$	1	$	—	$	1	$	(4	)	$	3	$	—

(1) Interest income is included in Other, net and interest expense is included in Interest and other finance charges on the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

Amounts charged for these services were as follows and are included primarily in operation and maintenance expenses:

	Three Months Ended September 30,										Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018					2017					2018					2017
	Houston Electric			CERC		Houston Electric			CERC		Houston Electric			CERC		Houston Electric			CERC
	(in millions)
Corporate service charges	$	47		$	36	$	41		$	30	$	138		$	105	$	127		$	93
Net affiliate service charges (billings)	(3		)	3		(1		)	1		(8		)	8		(6		)	6

The table below presents transactions among Houston Electric, CERC and their parent, Utility Holding.

	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018				2017				2018				2017
	Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash dividends paid to parent	$	60	$	75	$	45	$	89	$	123	$	286	$	87	$	337
Cash contribution from parent	—		600		—		—		—		600		—		38
Capital distribution to parent associated with the Internal Spin	—		1,460		—		—		—		1,460		—		—

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Equity (CenterPoint Energy) (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Equity [Abstract]

Dividends Declared [Table Text Block]

CenterPoint Energy declared dividends for the periods presented in the table below:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
Equity Instrument	2018		2017		2018 (1)		2017
	(per share)
Common Stock	$	0.2775	$	0.2675	$	0.5550	$	0.8025

(1) On December 13, 2017, CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.2775 per share of Common Stock, payable on March 8, 2018 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 15, 2018.

Convertible Debt [Table Text Block]

The following table illustrates the conversion rate per share of the Series B Preferred Stock, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments:

Applicable Market Value of the Common Stock	Conversion Rate per Share of Series B Preferred Stock
Greater than $32.6990 (threshold appreciation price)	30.5820 shares of Common Stock
Equal to or less than $32.6990 but greater than or equal to $27.2494	Between 30.5820 and 36.6980 shares of Common Stock, determined by dividing $1,000 by the applicable market value
Less than $27.2494 (initial price)	36.6980 shares of Common Stock

The following table illustrates the conversion rate per depositary share, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments:

Applicable Market Value of the Common Stock	Conversion Rate per Depository Share
Greater than $32.6990 (threshold appreciation price)	1.5291 shares of Common Stock
Equal to or less than $32.6990 but greater than or equal to $27.2494	Between 1.5291 and 1.8349 shares of Common Stock, determined by dividing $50 by the applicable market value
Less than $27.2494 (initial price)	1.8349 shares of Common Stock

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Background and Basis of Presentation (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 state shares
Enable Midstream Partners [Member]
Ownership percentage of equity method investment	54.00%	[1],[2]
Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | Series A Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred units held | shares	14,520,000	[2],[3]
Natural Gas Distribution [Member]
Number of states in which entity operates	6
Energy Services [Member]
Number of states in which entity operates	33
Enable GP, LLC [Member] | CenterPoint Energy [Member]
Management rights ownership percentage	50.00%	[4],[5]
Incentive distribution right	40.00%	[5],[6]

[1] Excludes the Enable Series A Preferred Units owned by CenterPoint Energy.

[2] Includes Enable Series A Preferred Units held directly by CenterPoint Energy and common units held indirectly through CNP Midstream.

[3] The carrying amount of the Enable Series A Preferred Units, reflected as Preferred units - unconsolidated affiliate on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $363 million as of both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. No impairment charges or adjustment due to observable price changes were made during the current or prior reporting periods. See Note 2 for further discussion.

[4] Enable is controlled jointly by CenterPoint Energy and OGE. Sale of CenterPoint Energy’s or OGE’s ownership interests in Enable GP to a third party is subject to mutual rights of first offer and first refusal, and CenterPoint Energy is not permitted to dispose of less than all of its interest in Enable GP.

[5] Includes interests held through CNP Midstream.

[6] Enable is expected to pay a minimum quarterly distribution of $0.2875 per common unit on its outstanding common units to the extent it has sufficient cash from operations after establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including payments to Enable GP and its affiliates, within 60 days after the end of each quarter. If cash distributions to Enable’s unitholders exceed $0.330625 per common unit in any quarter, Enable GP will receive increasing percentages or incentive distributions rights, up to 50%, of the cash Enable distributes in excess of that amount. In certain circumstances Enable GP will have the right to reset the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels at which the incentive distributions receive increasing percentages to higher levels based on Enable’s cash distributions at the time of the exercise of this reset election. To date, no incentive distributions have been made.

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New Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Accounting Standards Update 2016-15 [Member]
Effect of change on cash flow activities due to adoption of new ASU			$ 1	$ 3
Accounting Standards Update 2016-15 [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]
Effect of change on cash flow activities due to adoption of new ASU			1	3
Accounting Standards Update 2016-18 [Member]
Effect of change on cash flow activities due to adoption of new ASU			(2)	8
Accounting Standards Update 2016-18 [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]
Effect of change on cash flow activities due to adoption of new ASU			(2)	8
Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member] | Operating Income [Member]
Increase to operating income and corresponding (decrease) to other income from the adoption of ASU 2017-07	$ 9	$ 18	38	52
Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Increase to operating income and corresponding (decrease) to other income from the adoption of ASU 2017-07	(9)	(18)	(38)	(52)
Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member] | Houston Electric [Member] | Operating Income [Member]
Increase to operating income and corresponding (decrease) to other income from the adoption of ASU 2017-07	3	7	18	22
Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member] | Houston Electric [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Increase to operating income and corresponding (decrease) to other income from the adoption of ASU 2017-07	(3)	(7)	(18)	(22)
Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member] | CERC Corp [Member] | Operating Income [Member]
Increase to operating income and corresponding (decrease) to other income from the adoption of ASU 2017-07	0	5	8	16
Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member] | CERC Corp [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Increase to operating income and corresponding (decrease) to other income from the adoption of ASU 2017-07	$ 0	$ (5)	$ (8)	$ (16)

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Pending Merger with Vectren (CenterPoint Energy) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Amount of cash to be paid to acquire Vectren		$ 6,000
Cash to be paid per share of Vectren common stock prior to closing of the Merger | $ / shares		$ 72.00
Short-term debt		$ 0	$ 39
Anticipated amount of short and long-term debt at the closing of the Merger		2,500
Vectren [Member]
Short-term debt		325
Long-term debt, including current maturities		2,000
Termination fee		150
CenterPoint Energy [Member]
Termination fee		$ 210
Series B Preferred Stock [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Depositary share interest in a share of Series B Preferred Stock	0.05

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Revenue Recognition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts		$ 1,385	$ 1,347	$ 4,960	$ 4,397
Derivatives income		838	774	2,723	2,644
Other (3)	[1]	7	(5)	(47)	(7)
Total revenues		2,212	2,098	7,553	6,976
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues		(18)	(18)	(83)	(58)
Electric Transmission and Distribution [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	[2]	897	843	2,502	2,234
Electric Transmission and Distribution [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues		0	0	0	0
Natural Gas Distribution [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues		402	390	2,032	1,767
Natural Gas Distribution [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues		(8)	(8)	(26)	(24)
Energy Services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues		910	861	3,008	2,964
Energy Services [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues		(10)	(10)	(57)	(34)
Other Operations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues		3	4	11	11
Other Operations [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues		0	0	0	0
Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts	[3]	(8)	(8)	(26)	(24)
Derivatives income	[4]	(10)	(10)	(57)	(34)
Total revenues		(18)	(18)	(83)	(58)
Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Electric Transmission and Distribution [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts	[3]	904	852	2,525	2,254
Derivatives income	[3]	0	0	(4)	1
Other (3)	[1],[3]	(7)	(9)	(19)	(21)
Total revenues	[3]	897	843	2,502	2,234
Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts	[3]	398	396	2,093	1,784
Derivatives income	[3]	0	0	0	0
Other (3)	[1],[3]	12	2	(35)	7
Total revenues	[3]	402	390	2,032	1,767
Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Energy Services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts	[4]	82	97	338	355
Derivatives income	[4]	838	774	2,727	2,643
Other (3)	[1],[4]	0	0	0	0
Total revenues	[4]	910	861	3,008	2,964
Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Other Operations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts	[4]	1	2	4	4
Derivatives income	[4]	0	0	0	0
Other (3)	[1],[4]	2	2	7	7
Total revenues	[4]	3	4	11	11
Houston Electric [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues		897	843	2,506	2,233
Houston Electric [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Electric Transmission and Distribution [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts		904	852	2,525	2,254
Other (3)	[1]	(7)	(9)	(19)	(21)
Total revenues		897	843	2,506	2,233
CERC Corp [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts		480	493	2,431	2,139
Derivatives income		838	774	2,727	2,643
Other (3)	[1]	12	2	(35)	7
Total revenues		1,312	1,251	5,040	4,731
CERC Corp [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues		(18)	(18)	(83)	(58)
CERC Corp [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues		402	390	2,032	1,767
CERC Corp [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues		(8)	(8)	(26)	(24)
CERC Corp [Member] | Energy Services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues		910	861	3,008	2,964
CERC Corp [Member] | Energy Services [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues		(10)	(10)	(57)	(34)
CERC Corp [Member] | Other Operations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues		0	0	0	0
CERC Corp [Member] | Other Operations [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues		0	0	0	0
CERC Corp [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts	[3]	(8)	(8)	(26)	(24)
Derivatives income	[4]	(10)	(10)	(57)	(34)
Total revenues		(18)	(18)	(83)	(58)
CERC Corp [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts	[3]	398	396	2,093	1,784
Derivatives income	[3]	0	0	0	0
Other (3)	[1],[3]	12	2	(35)	7
Total revenues	[3]	402	390	2,032	1,767
CERC Corp [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Energy Services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts	[4]	82	97	338	355
Derivatives income	[4]	838	774	2,727	2,643
Other (3)	[1],[4]	0	0	0	0
Total revenues	[4]	$ 910	$ 861	$ 3,008	$ 2,964

[1] Primarily consists of income from ARPs and leases. ARPs are contracts between the utility and its regulators, not between the utility and a customer. The Registrants recognize ARP revenue as other revenues when the regulator-specified conditions for recognition have been met. Upon recovery of ARP revenue through incorporation in rates charged for utility service to customers, ARP revenue is reversed and recorded as revenue from contracts with customers. The recognition of ARP revenues and the reversal of ARP revenues upon recovery through rates charged for utility service may not occur in the same period.

[2] CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s Electric Transmission & Distribution revenues from major customers are as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (in millions)Affiliates of NRG $213 $221 $543 $540Affiliates of Vistra Energy Corp. 79 72 192 172

[3] Reflected in Utility revenues in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

[4] Reflected in Non-utility revenues in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

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Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Accumulated Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		$ (63)	$ (70)	$ (66)	$ (72)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service cost (1)	[1]	0	0	1	1
Actuarial losses (1)	[1]	2	2	5	5
Tax expense		(1)	(2)	(2)	(4)
Net current period other comprehensive income		1	0	4	2
Ending Balance		(62)	(70)	(62)	(70)
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic cost (credit)		16	23	46	71
Total contributions expected in current year		67		67
Total contributions to the plans during the period		3		67
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic cost (credit)		1	2	4	6
Total contributions expected in current year		16		16
Total contributions to the plans during the period		4		11
Operation and maintenance expense [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost (1)	[2]	10	9	28	27
Operation and maintenance expense [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost (1)	[2]	0	0	1	1
Other, net [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost (2)	[3]	20	22	59	66
Expected return on plan assets (2)	[3]	(27)	(24)	(80)	(72)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (2)	[3]	3	2	7	7
Amortization of net loss (2)	[3]	10	14	32	43
Other, net [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost (2)	[3]	3	4	10	12
Expected return on plan assets (2)	[3]	(1)	(1)	(4)	(4)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (2)	[3]	(1)	(1)	(3)	(3)
Houston Electric [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic cost (credit)		0	0	(1)	0
Total contributions expected in current year		10		10
Total contributions to the plans during the period		3		7
Houston Electric [Member] | Operation and maintenance expense [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost (1)	[2]	0	0	0	0
Houston Electric [Member] | Other, net [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost (2)	[3]	2	3	6	7
Expected return on plan assets (2)	[3]	(1)	(1)	(3)	(3)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (2)	[3]	(1)	(2)	(4)	(4)
CERC Corp [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic cost (credit)		2	1	4	4
Total contributions expected in current year		5		5
Total contributions to the plans during the period		1		3
CERC Corp [Member] | Operation and maintenance expense [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost (1)	[2]	1	1	1	1
CERC Corp [Member] | Other, net [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost (2)	[3]	1	1	3	3
Expected return on plan assets (2)	[3]	0	(1)	(1)	(1)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (2)	[3]	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1	$ 1

[1] These accumulated other comprehensive components are included in the computation of net periodic cost.

[2] Amounts presented in the table above are included in Operation and maintenance expense in each of the Registrants’ respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, net of amounts capitalized and regulatory deferrals.

[3] Amounts presented in the table above are included in Other, net in each of the Registrants’ respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, net of regulatory deferrals.

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Regulatory Accounting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Securitized regulatory assets		$ 1,146		$ 1,146		$ 1,590
Unrecognized equity return (2)	[1]	(225)		(225)		(287)
Unamortized loss on reacquired debt		70		70		75
Regulatory assets		1,934		1,934		2,347
Total regulatory assets		1,994		1,994		2,477
Regulatory liabilities		2,506		2,506		2,464
Total regulatory liabilities		2,553		2,553		2,488
Total regulatory assets and liabilities, net		(559)		(559)		(11)
Houston Electric [Member]
Securitized regulatory assets		1,146		1,146		1,590
Unrecognized equity return (2)	[1]	(225)		(225)		(287)
Unamortized loss on reacquired debt		70		70		75
Regulatory assets		1,202		1,202		1,570
Total regulatory assets		1,202		1,202		1,570
Regulatory liabilities		1,265		1,265		1,263
Total regulatory liabilities		1,287		1,287		1,285
Total regulatory assets and liabilities, net		(85)		(85)		285
Amount of allowed equity return on the true-up balance that was recognized in the period		17	$ 13	62	$ 30
CERC Corp [Member]
Securitized regulatory assets		0		0		0
Unrecognized equity return (2)	[1]	0		0		0
Unamortized loss on reacquired debt		0		0		0
Regulatory assets		170		170		181
Total regulatory assets		230		230		311
Regulatory liabilities		1,241		1,241		1,201
Total regulatory liabilities		1,266		1,266		1,203
Total regulatory assets and liabilities, net		(1,036)		(1,036)		(892)
Hurricane Harvey [Member]
Regulatory assets	[2]	67		67		64
Hurricane Harvey [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]
Regulatory assets	[2]	61		61		58
Hurricane Harvey [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Regulatory assets	[2]	6		6		6
Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member]
Current regulatory assets (1)	[3]	60		60		130
Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]
Current regulatory assets (1)	[3]	0		0		0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Current regulatory assets (1)	[3]	60		60		130
Other current liabilities [Member]
Current regulatory liabilities (7)	[4]	47		47		24
Other current liabilities [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]
Current regulatory liabilities (7)	[4]	22		22		22
Other current liabilities [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Current regulatory liabilities (7)	[4]	25		25		2
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Costs [Member]
Regulatory assets	[5]	609		609		646
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Costs [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]
Regulatory assets	[5]	32		32		31
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Costs [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Regulatory assets	[5]	15		15		20
Amounts related to TCJA [Member]
Regulatory assets	[6]	48		48		48
Amounts related to TCJA [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]
Regulatory assets	[6]	34		34		33
Amounts related to TCJA [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Regulatory assets	[6]	14		14		15
Other Regulatory Assets (Liabilities) [Member]
Regulatory assets	[7]	219		219		211
Other Regulatory Assets (Liabilities) [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]
Regulatory assets	[7]	84		84		70
Other Regulatory Assets (Liabilities) [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Regulatory assets	[7]	135		135		140
Amounts related to TCJA [Member]
Regulatory liabilities	[6]	1,362		1,362		1,354
Amounts related to TCJA [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]
Regulatory liabilities	[6]	858		858		862
Amounts related to TCJA [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Regulatory liabilities	[6]	504		504		492
Removal Costs [Member]
Regulatory liabilities		887		887		878
Removal Costs [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]
Regulatory liabilities		275		275		285
Removal Costs [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Regulatory liabilities		612		612		593
Other Regulatory Assets (Liabilities) [Member]
Regulatory liabilities		257		257		232
Other Regulatory Assets (Liabilities) [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]
Regulatory liabilities		132		132		116
Other Regulatory Assets (Liabilities) [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Regulatory liabilities		125		125		116
Natural Gas Distribution [Member] | Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Costs [Member]
Remaining amounts of regulatory assets for which no return on investment during recovery period is provided		$ 4		$ 4		$ 7

[1] The unrecognized equity return will be recognized as it is recovered in rates through 2024. During the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric recognized approximately $17 million and $13 million, respectively, of the allowed equity return. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric recognized approximately $62 million and $30 million, respectively, of the allowed equity return. The timing of CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s recognition of the 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] The Registrants are not earning a return on Hurricane Harvey restoration costs.

[3] Current regulatory assets are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Registrants’ Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[4] Current regulatory liabilities are included in Other current liabilities in each of the Registrants’ respective Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[5] Includes a portion of NGD’s actuarially determined pension and other postemployment expense in excess of the amount being recovered through rates that is being deferred for rate making purposes, of which $4 million and $7 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, were not earning a return.

[6] The EDIT and deferred revenues will be recovered or refunded to customers as required by tax and regulatory authorities.

[7] Other long-term regulatory assets that are not earning a return were not material as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

XML

Derivative Instruments Derivatives and Hedging (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Weather hedges term				10 years
Gains (Losses) in Revenue [Member] | Weather Hedge Swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Recognized gain (loss) on weather hedges	[1]	$ 0	$ 0	$ (4)	$ 1
2018 to 2019 [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Weather hedge bilateral cap amount				9
2018 to 2019 [Member] | Electric Transmission and Distribution [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Weather hedge bilateral cap amount				8
2018 to 2019 [Member] | Gains (Losses) in Revenue [Member] | Weather Hedge Swaps [Member] | Electric Transmission and Distribution [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Recognized gain (loss) on weather hedges		0	0	0	0
2017 to 2018 [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Weather hedge bilateral cap amount				8
2017 to 2018 [Member] | Electric Transmission and Distribution [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Weather hedge bilateral cap amount				9
2017 to 2018 [Member] | Gains (Losses) in Revenue [Member] | Weather Hedge Swaps [Member] | Electric Transmission and Distribution [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Recognized gain (loss) on weather hedges		0	0	(4)	0
2016 to 2017 [Member] | Electric Transmission and Distribution [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Weather hedge bilateral cap amount				9
2016 to 2017 [Member] | Gains (Losses) in Revenue [Member] | Weather Hedge Swaps [Member] | Electric Transmission and Distribution [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Recognized gain (loss) on weather hedges		0	0	0	1
Houston Electric [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount		100		100
CERC Corp [Member] | Gains (Losses) in Revenue [Member] | Weather Hedge Swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Recognized gain (loss) on weather hedges	[1]	0	0	0	0
CERC Corp [Member] | 2018 to 2019 [Member] | Gains (Losses) in Revenue [Member] | Weather Hedge Swaps [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Recognized gain (loss) on weather hedges		0	0	0	0
CERC Corp [Member] | 2017 to 2018 [Member] | Gains (Losses) in Revenue [Member] | Weather Hedge Swaps [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Recognized gain (loss) on weather hedges		0	$ 0	0	$ 0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument, Economic Hedge [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount		$ 200		$ 200			$ 0
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Houston Electric [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount							$ 0
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Houston Electric [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount						$ 100

[1] Weather hedge gains (losses) are recorded in Revenues in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

XML

Derivative Instruments Summary of Derivative Activity (Details) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) Bcf	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) Bcf
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets Fair Value		$ 164		$ 164		$ 218
Derivative Liabilities Fair Value		795		795		775
Derivative Asset		39		39		80
Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged Item		1		1		14
Total amounts presented in the statements of income in which the effects of hedges are recorded	[1]	864	$ 832	2,927	$ 2,843
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments		(42)	(6)	(246)	103
Net deferred gain (loss) from cash flow hedges (net of tax)		3	(2)	6	(3)
Aggregate fair value of derivatives containing material adverse change provisions in a net liability position		2		2		2
Fair value of collateral already posted		0		0		0
Additional collateral required to be posted if credit risk contingent features triggered		1		1		2
Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net deferred gain (loss) from cash flow hedges (net of tax)	[2]	0	(1)	(1)	(1)
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument, Economic Hedge [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets Fair Value		1		$ 1		$ 1
Energy Related Derivative [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative gross volume notional amount (in Bcf) | Bcf				1,865		1,795
Net amount presented in the consolidated balance sheets	[3]	72		$ 72		$ 130
Gross Amounts Recognized	[4]	51		51		111
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		21		21		19
Energy Related Derivative [Member] | Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	[3]	73		73		110
Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged Item		1		1		14
Gross Amounts Recognized	[4]	107		107		165
Gross Amounts Offset		(34)		(34)		(55)
Energy Related Derivative [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	[3]	38		38		44
Gross Amounts Recognized	[4]	54		54		53
Gross Amounts Offset		(16)		(16)		(9)
Energy Related Derivative [Member] | Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross Amounts Recognized	[4]	(77)		(77)		(83)
Gross Amounts Offset		44		44		63
Derivative Liability	[3]	(33)		(33)		(20)
Energy Related Derivative [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross Amounts Recognized	[4]	(33)		(33)		(24)
Gross Amounts Offset		27		27		20
Derivative Liability	[3]	(6)		$ (6)		$ (4)
Energy Related Derivative [Member] | Long [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative gross volume notional amount (in Bcf) | Bcf				310		224
IDS Derivative [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets Fair Value		0		$ 0		$ 0
Derivative Liabilities Fair Value		685		685		668
Houston Electric [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets Fair Value		3		3		0
Derivative Liabilities Fair Value		0		0		0
Net deferred gain (loss) from cash flow hedges (net of tax)		3	0	7	(1)
Houston Electric [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net deferred gain (loss) from cash flow hedges (net of tax)	[2]	3	0	7	(1)
CERC Corp [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets Fair Value		161		161		218
Derivative Liabilities Fair Value		110		110		107
Total amounts presented in the statements of income in which the effects of hedges are recorded		864	832	2,927	2,843
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments		2	30	70	162
Net deferred gain (loss) from cash flow hedges (net of tax)		0	(1)	0	(1)
CERC Corp [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net deferred gain (loss) from cash flow hedges (net of tax)	[2]	0	(1)	0	(1)
CERC Corp [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets Fair Value	[5],[6],[7]	76		76		114
Derivative Liabilities Fair Value	[5],[6],[7]	3		3		4
CERC Corp [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets Fair Value	[5],[6],[7]	38		38		44
Derivative Liabilities Fair Value	[5],[6],[7]	0		0		0
CERC Corp [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets Fair Value	[5],[6],[7]	31		31		38
Derivative Liabilities Fair Value	[5],[6],[7]	72		72		78
CERC Corp [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets Fair Value	[5],[6],[7]	16		16		9
Derivative Liabilities Fair Value	[5],[6],[7]	33		33		24
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Houston Electric [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Designated as Fair Value Hedge [Member] | Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets Fair Value		3		3		0
Derivative Liabilities Fair Value		0		0		0
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member] | Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset		39		39		80
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | CERC Corp [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member] | Designated as Fair Value Hedge [Member] | Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets Fair Value	[5],[6],[7]	0		0		13
Derivative Liabilities Fair Value	[5],[6],[7]	2		2		$ 1
Gains (Losses) in Revenue [Member] | CERC Corp [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments		2	30	70	162
Non-utility Natural Gas Expense [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on fair value hedging instruments	[1]	1	4	(13)	(10)
Amounts excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in earnings immediately (1)	[1],[8]	6	(9)	(73)	(93)
Non-utility Natural Gas Expense [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member] | Designated as Fair Value Hedge [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on fair value hedging instruments	[1]	(1)	(4)	13	10
Gains (Losses) in Other Income (Expense) [Member] | IDS Derivative [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments		(44)	(36)	(316)	(59)
Gains (Losses) in Interest and other finance charges [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments		0	0	0	0
Gains (Losses) in Interest and other finance charges [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income		$ 1	$ (1)	$ 1	$ (1)

[1] Income statement impact associated with cash flow hedge activity is related to gains and losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income. Amounts are immaterial for the Registrants for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

[2] Gains and losses are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income when the hedged transactions affect earnings. The reclassification amounts are included in Interest and other finance charges in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income. Amounts are less than $1 million for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. Over the next twelve months, estimated amortization of accumulated other comprehensive income into related income is expected to be immaterial.

[3] The derivative assets and liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets exclude accounts receivable or accounts payable that, should they exist, could be used as offsets to these balances in the event of a default.

[4] Gross amounts recognized include some derivative assets and liabilities that are not subject to master netting arrangements.

[5] Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities include no material amounts related to physical forward transactions with Enable.

[6] Natural gas contracts are presented on a net basis in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as they are subject to master netting arrangements. This netting applies to all undisputed amounts due or past due and causes derivative assets (liabilities) to be ultimately presented net in a liability (asset) account within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The net of total non-trading natural gas derivative assets and liabilities was a $72 million asset and a $130 million asset as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, as shown on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (and as detailed in the Offsetting of Natural Gas Derivative Assets and Liabilities table below), and was comprised of the natural gas contracts derivative assets and liabilities separately shown above, impacted by collateral netting of $21 million and $19 million, respectively.

[7] The fair value shown for natural gas contracts is comprised of derivative gross volumes totaling 1,865 Bcf or a net 310 Bcf long position and 1,795 Bcf or a net 224 Bcf long position as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Certain natural gas contracts hedge basis risk only and lack a fixed price exposure.

[8] As a result of the adoption of ASU 2017-12 effective January 1, 2018 (see Note 2 for additional information), CenterPoint Energy and CERC exclude from their assessment of hedge effectiveness the natural gas market price difference between locations of the hedged inventory and the delivery location specified in the hedge instruments. Prior to the adoption of this accounting guidance, the timing difference between the spot price and the futures price, as well as the difference between the timing of the settlement of the futures and the valuation of the underlying physical commodity, was excluded from the assessment of effectiveness for CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s existing fair value hedges and will continue to be excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. CenterPoint Energy and CERC elected to continue to immediately recognize amounts excluded from hedge effectiveness in their respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

XML

Fair Value Measurements (Details) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure		$ 724		$ 724		$ 692
Assets
Derivative assets		39		39		80
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure		815		815		1,199
Total derivative assets, netting adjustment	[1]	(50)		(50)		(64)
Liabilities
Total derivative liabilities, netting adjustment	[1]	(71)		(71)		(83)
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		(628)	$ (712)	(622)	$ (704)
Total gains (losses)		1	(38)	4	(38)
Total settlements		(1)	(1)	(36)	(5)
Transfers into Level 3		0	7	(2)	9
Transfers out of Level 3 (1)	[2]	650	(6)	678	(12)
Ending balance (2)	[3]	22	(750)	22	(750)
The amount of total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at the reporting date:		11	(36)	9	(42)
Carrying Amount [Member]
Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Long-term debt, including current maturities	[4]	7,758		7,758		8,679
Fair Value [Member]
Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Long-term debt, including current maturities	[4]	7,888		7,888		9,220
Energy Related Derivative [Member]
Assets
Derivative fair value offsets, net		21		21		19
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure		0		0		0
Assets
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure		704		704		1,045
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure		790		790		96
Assets
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure		134		134		161
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure		5		5		679
Assets
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure		27		$ 27		57
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value inputs (price per MMBtu)				1.28
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value inputs (price per MMBtu)				6.88
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets
Corporate equities		630		$ 630		963
Investments, including money market funds (2)	[5]	70		70		68
Hedged portion of natural gas inventory		1		1		14
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Assets
Derivative assets		3		3		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member]
Assets
Derivative asset, netting adjustment	[1],[6]	(50)		(50)		(64)
Derivative assets	[6]	111		111		154
Liabilities
Derivative liabilities, netting adjustment	[1],[6]	(71)		(71)		(83)
Derivative liabilities	[6]	39		39		24
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | IDS Derivative [Member]
Liabilities
Derivative liabilities, netting adjustment	[1]	0		0		0
Derivative liabilities		685		685		668
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets
Corporate equities		630		630		963
Investments, including money market funds (2)	[5]	70		70		68
Hedged portion of natural gas inventory		1		1		14
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Assets
Derivative asset		3		3		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member]
Assets
Derivative asset	[6]	0		0		0
Liabilities
Derivative liability	[6]	0		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | IDS Derivative [Member]
Liabilities
Derivative liability		0		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets
Corporate equities		0		0		0
Investments, including money market funds (2)	[5]	0		0		0
Hedged portion of natural gas inventory		0		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Assets
Derivative asset		0		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member]
Assets
Derivative asset	[6]	134		134		161
Liabilities
Derivative liability	[6]	105		105		96
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | IDS Derivative [Member]
Liabilities
Derivative liability		685		685		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets
Corporate equities		0		0		0
Investments, including money market funds (2)	[5]	0		0		0
Hedged portion of natural gas inventory		0		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Assets
Derivative asset		0		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member]
Assets
Derivative asset	[6]	27		27		57
Liabilities
Derivative liability	[6]	5		5		11
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | IDS Derivative [Member]
Liabilities
Derivative liability		0		0		668
CERC Corp [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure		39		39		24
Assets
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure		125		125		182
Total derivative assets, netting adjustment	[1]	(50)		(50)		(64)
Liabilities
Total derivative liabilities, netting adjustment	[1]	(71)		(71)		(83)
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		13	28	46	13
Total gains (losses)		1	(2)	4	21
Total settlements		(1)	(1)	(36)	(5)
Transfers into Level 3		0	7	(2)	9
Transfers out of Level 3 (1)	[2]	9	(6)	10	(12)
Ending balance (2)	[3]	22	26	22	26
The amount of total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at the reporting date:		11	$ 0	9	$ 17
CERC Corp [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]
Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Long-term debt, including current maturities		2,257		2,257		2,457
CERC Corp [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Long-term debt, including current maturities		2,367		2,367		2,708
CERC Corp [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure		0		0		0
Assets
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure		14		14		28
CERC Corp [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure		105		105		96
Assets
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure		134		134		161
CERC Corp [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure		5		5		11
Assets
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure		27		27		57
CERC Corp [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets
Corporate equities		3		3		3
Investments, including money market funds (2)	[5]	10		10		11
Hedged portion of natural gas inventory		1		1		14
CERC Corp [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member]
Assets
Derivative asset, netting adjustment	[1],[6]	(50)		(50)		(64)
Derivative assets	[6]	111		111		154
Liabilities
Derivative liabilities, netting adjustment	[1],[6]	(71)		(71)		(83)
Derivative liabilities	[6]	39		39		24
CERC Corp [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets
Corporate equities		3		3		3
Investments, including money market funds (2)	[5]	10		10		11
Hedged portion of natural gas inventory		1		1		14
CERC Corp [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member]
Assets
Derivative asset	[6]	0		0		0
Liabilities
Derivative liability	[6]	0		0		0
CERC Corp [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets
Corporate equities		0		0		0
Investments, including money market funds (2)	[5]	0		0		0
Hedged portion of natural gas inventory		0		0		0
CERC Corp [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member]
Assets
Derivative asset	[6]	134		134		161
Liabilities
Derivative liability	[6]	105		105		96
CERC Corp [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets
Corporate equities		0		0		0
Investments, including money market funds (2)	[5]	0		0		0
Hedged portion of natural gas inventory		0		0		0
CERC Corp [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member]
Assets
Derivative asset	[6]	27		27		57
Liabilities
Derivative liability	[6]	5		5		11
Houston Electric [Member]
Assets
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure		55		55		51
Total derivative assets, netting adjustment		0		0		0
Houston Electric [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]
Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Long-term debt, including current maturities	[4]	4,782		4,782		4,753
Houston Electric [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Long-term debt, including current maturities	[4]	4,813		4,813		5,034
Houston Electric [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure		55		55		51
Houston Electric [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure		0		0		0
Houston Electric [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure		0		0		0
Houston Electric [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets
Investments, including money market funds (2)	[5]	52		52		51
Houston Electric [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Assets
Derivative assets		3		3		0
Houston Electric [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets
Investments, including money market funds (2)	[5]	52		52		51
Houston Electric [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Assets
Derivative asset		3		3		0
Houston Electric [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets
Investments, including money market funds (2)	[5]	0		0		0
Houston Electric [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Assets
Derivative asset		0		0		0
Houston Electric [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets
Investments, including money market funds (2)	[5]	0		0		0
Houston Electric [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Assets
Derivative asset		$ 0		$ 0		$ 0

[1] Amounts represent the impact of legally enforceable master netting arrangements that allow CenterPoint Energy and CERC to settle positive and negative positions and also include cash collateral of $21 million and $19 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, posted with the same counterparties.

[2] As of September 30, 2018, CenterPoint Energy transferred its indexed debt securities derivative from Level 3 to Level 2 to reflect changes in the significance of the unobservable inputs used in the valuation.

[3] CenterPoint Energy and CERC did not have significant Level 3 sales or purchases during either of the three or nine months ended September 30, 2018 or 2017.

[4] Includes Securitization Bond debt.

[5] Amounts are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[6] Natural gas derivatives include no material amounts related to physical forward transactions with Enable.

XML

Unconsolidated Affiliate (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018		Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018		Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 04, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Enable Units [Abstract]
Preferred units – unconsolidated affiliate		$ 363			$ 363				$ 363
Percentage of sales that trigger right of first refusal					5.00%
Enable Distributions [Abstract]
Total distributions received from Enable		83		$ 83	$ 250		$ 250
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Gross Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate, net		81		68	208		199
Equity Method Investment, Difference Between Carrying Amount and Underlying Equity [Abstract]
CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable		2,457			2,457				2,472
CERC Corp [Member]
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate - discontinued operations		0			0				2,472
Deferred income taxes, net - discontinued operations		0			0				927
Contribution from parent		600		0	600		38
Enable Distributions [Abstract]
Total distributions received from Enable	[1]	74		74	223		223
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation Disclosures [Abstract]
Income tax expense		13		26	44		75
Income from discontinued operations (net of tax of $13, $26, $44 and $75, respectively)		$ 44		42	$ 140		124
OGE [Member]
Enable Units [Abstract]
Percentage of sales that trigger right of first refusal					5.00%
Enable Midstream Partners [Member]
Enable Partnership Interest [Abstract]
Ownership percentage of equity method investment	[2],[3]	54.00%			54.00%
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Gross Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Operating revenues		$ 928		705	$ 2,481		1,997
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization		516		349	1,335		936
Depreciation and amortization		100		90	292		267
Operating income		171		137	436		399
Net income attributable to Enable common units		129		104	320		301
CenterPoint Energy’s interest		70		56	173		163
Basis difference amortization (1)	[4]	11		12	35		36
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate, net		81		68	$ 208		199
Basis difference amortization period					31 years
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]
Current assets		481			$ 481				416
Non-current assets		11,454			11,454				11,177
Current liabilities		1,403			1,403				1,279
Non-current liabilities		2,964			2,964				2,660
Non-controlling interest		11			11				12
Preferred equity		362			362				362
Enable partners’ equity		7,195			7,195				7,280
Equity Method Investment, Difference Between Carrying Amount and Underlying Equity [Abstract]
CenterPoint Energy’s ownership interest in Enable partners’ equity		3,883			3,883				3,935
CenterPoint Energy’s basis difference		(1,426)			(1,426)				(1,463)
CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable		2,457			2,457				2,472
Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | Common Units [Member]
Enable Distributions [Abstract]
Distributions received from Enable equity method investment	[5]	74		74	223		223
Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | Series A Preferred Units [Member]
Enable Distributions [Abstract]
Distributions received from Enable cost method investment	[6]	$ 9		9	$ 27		27
Common Units [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member]
Enable Units [Abstract]
Limited partner interest units held	[3]	233,856,623			233,856,623
Series A Preferred Units [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member]
Enable Units [Abstract]
Preferred Units Held	[3],[7]	14,520,000			14,520,000
Transitional Service [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member]
Related Party Transaction, Other Revenues from Transactions with Related Party	[8]	$ 1		0	$ 4		3
Transactions with Enable [Abstract]
Accounts receivable for amounts billed for transition services (CenterPoint Energy)		3			3				1
Natural Gas Expenses [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member]
Transactions with Enable [Abstract]
Natural gas expenses, including transportation and storage costs (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)		23		23	89		80
Accounts payable for natural gas purchases from Enable (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)		$ 8			$ 8				13
Enable Midstream Partners [Member]
Enable Partnership Interest [Abstract]
Limited partner ownership interest	[2]				100.00%
Enable Units [Abstract]
Maximum incentive distribution right					50.00%
Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | OGE [Member]
Enable Partnership Interest [Abstract]
Limited partner ownership interest	[2]				25.60%
Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | Public unitholders [Member]
Enable Partnership Interest [Abstract]
Limited partner ownership interest	[2]				20.40%
Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Enable Units [Abstract]
Incentive distribution per unit					$ 0.2875
Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Enable Units [Abstract]
Incentive distribution per unit					$ 0.330625
Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | Common Units [Member]
Enable Units [Abstract]
Limited partner interest units held		433,216,156			433,216,156
Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | Common Units [Member] | OGE [Member]
Enable Units [Abstract]
Limited partner interest units held		110,982,805			110,982,805
Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | Common Units [Member] | Public unitholders [Member]
Enable Units [Abstract]
Limited partner interest units held		88,376,728			88,376,728
Enable GP, LLC [Member] | CenterPoint Energy [Member]
Enable Units [Abstract]
Management rights ownership percentage	[9],[10]				50.00%
Incentive distribution right	[10],[11]				40.00%
Enable GP, LLC [Member] | OGE [Member]
Enable Units [Abstract]
Management rights ownership percentage	[9]				50.00%
Incentive distribution right	[11]				60.00%
Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale, Spinoff [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate - discontinued operations		$ 0	[12]		$ 0	[12]		$ 2,400	$ 2,472	[12]
Deferred income taxes, net - discontinued operations								$ 974
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation Disclosures [Abstract]
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate, net		57		68	184		199
Income tax expense		13		26	44		75
Income from discontinued operations (net of tax of $13, $26, $44 and $75, respectively)		$ 44		$ 42	$ 140		$ 124
Common Units [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member]
Enable Distributions [Abstract]
Enable common units distributions paid (per unit)		$ 0.318			$ 0.954
Series A Preferred Units [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member]
Enable Distributions [Abstract]
Enable common units distributions paid (per unit)		$ 0.625			$ 1.875

[1] On September 4, 2018, CERC completed the Internal Spin. After such date, CNP Midstream owned the Enable common units previously owned by CERC.

[2] Excludes the Enable Series A Preferred Units owned by CenterPoint Energy.

[3] Includes Enable Series A Preferred Units held directly by CenterPoint Energy and common units held indirectly through CNP Midstream.

[4] Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate includes CenterPoint Energy’s share of Enable’s earnings adjusted for the amortization of the basis difference of CenterPoint Energy’s original investment in Enable and their underlying equity in Enable’s net assets. The basis difference is amortized over approximately 31 years, the average life of the assets to which the basis difference is attributed.

[5] Reflects cash distributions of $0.318 and $0.954 per common unit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

[6] Reflects cash distributions of $0.625 and $1.875 per Enable Series A Preferred Unit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

[7] The carrying amount of the Enable Series A Preferred Units, reflected as Preferred units - unconsolidated affiliate on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $363 million as of both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. No impairment charges or adjustment due to observable price changes were made during the current or prior reporting periods. See Note 2 for further discussion.

[8] Represents amounts billed under the Transition Agreements for certain support services provided to Enable. Actual transition services costs are recorded net of reimbursement.

[9] Enable is controlled jointly by CenterPoint Energy and OGE. Sale of CenterPoint Energy’s or OGE’s ownership interests in Enable GP to a third party is subject to mutual rights of first offer and first refusal, and CenterPoint Energy is not permitted to dispose of less than all of its interest in Enable GP.

[10] Includes interests held through CNP Midstream.

[11] Enable is expected to pay a minimum quarterly distribution of $0.2875 per common unit on its outstanding common units to the extent it has sufficient cash from operations after establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including payments to Enable GP and its affiliates, within 60 days after the end of each quarter. If cash distributions to Enable’s unitholders exceed $0.330625 per common unit in any quarter, Enable GP will receive increasing percentages or incentive distributions rights, up to 50%, of the cash Enable distributes in excess of that amount. In certain circumstances Enable GP will have the right to reset the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels at which the incentive distributions receive increasing percentages to higher levels based on Enable’s cash distributions at the time of the exercise of this reset election. To date, no incentive distributions have been made.

[12] On September 4, 2018, CERC completed the Internal Spin. For further information regarding the Internal Spin, see Note 9.

XML

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 867		$ 867		$ 867
Intangible assets gross carrying amount		105		105		105
Intangible assets accumulated amortization		(38)		(38)		(31)
Net intangible assets		67		67		74
Amortization expense of intangible assets		2	$ 2	7	$ 5
Natural Gas Distribution [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		746		746		746
Energy Services [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	[1]	110		110		110
Accumulated goodwill impairment charge recorded in 2012		252		252		252
Other Operations [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		11		$ 11		$ 11
Customer Relationships [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible asset useful lives				15 years		15 years
Intangible assets gross carrying amount		86		$ 86		$ 86
Intangible assets accumulated amortization		(26)		(26)		(21)
Net intangible assets		60		$ 60		$ 65
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible asset useful lives				4 years		4 years
Intangible assets gross carrying amount		4		$ 4		$ 4
Intangible assets accumulated amortization		(2)		(2)		(2)
Net intangible assets		2		2		2
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible assets gross carrying amount		15		15		15
Intangible assets accumulated amortization		(10)		(10)		(8)
Net intangible assets		$ 5		$ 5		$ 7

[1] Amount presented is net of the accumulated goodwill impairment charge of $252 million recorded in 2012.

XML

Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) and Securities Related to ZENS (CenterPoint Energy) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) shares $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 14, 2018 $ / shares shares	Jan. 31, 2018 $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2017 shares	Nov. 26, 2017 $ / shares
Cash paid per share exchanged | $ / shares	$ 72.00
Distribution To ZENS holders	$ 398	$ 0
Subordinated Debt ZENS [Member]
Principal amount of debt issued	1,000
Outstanding debt balance	$ 828
Subordinated note cash exchangeable percentage of fair value	95.00%
Contingent principal amount outstanding	$ 98
AT&T To Acquire Time Warner [Member]
Distribution To ZENS holders	382
Indexed debt – reduction	(95)
Indexed debt securities derivative – reduction	(45)
Loss on indexed debt securities	242
Meredith to acquire Time [Member]
Distribution To ZENS holders	16
Indexed debt – reduction	(4)
Indexed debt securities derivative – reduction	(1)
Loss on indexed debt securities	$ 11
AT&T Common [Member]
Balance of investment owned (in shares) | shares	10,212,945
AT&T Common [Member] | Subordinated Debt ZENS [Member]
Number of shares referenced in exchangeable subordinated note | shares	0.7185
AT&T Common [Member] | AT&T To Acquire Time Warner [Member]
Cash paid per share exchanged | $ / shares			$ 53.75
Fractional shares exchanged for each TW Common share held | shares			1.437
Cash proceeds received for shares exchanged	$ 382
Total AT&T shares received in exchange for TW Common shares held | shares			10,212,945
Charter Common [Member]
Balance of investment owned (in shares) | shares	872,503				872,503
Charter Common [Member] | Subordinated Debt ZENS [Member]
Number of shares referenced in exchangeable subordinated note | shares	0.061382				0.061382
Time Common [Member]
Balance of investment owned (in shares) | shares					888,392
ZENS early exchange ratio				100.00%
Time Common [Member] | Subordinated Debt ZENS [Member]
Number of shares referenced in exchangeable subordinated note | shares					0.0625
Time Common [Member] | Meredith to acquire Time [Member]
Cash paid per share exchanged | $ / shares				$ 18.50		$ 18.50
Cash proceeds received for shares exchanged	$ 16
TW Common [Member]
Balance of investment owned (in shares) | shares					7,107,130
TW Common [Member] | Subordinated Debt ZENS [Member]
Number of shares referenced in exchangeable subordinated note | shares					0.5

XML

Short-Term Borrowings and Long-term Debt (Details)					9 Months Ended
		Oct. 05, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 26, 2018 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings					$ 0		$ 39,000,000
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Size of credit facility					2,900,000,000		2,900,000,000
Parent Company [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Size of credit facility					1,700,000,000	[1]	1,700,000,000
Temporary increased line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity					3,300,000,000
Houston Electric [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Size of credit facility					300,000,000		300,000,000
General mortgage bonds used as collateral					118,000,000		118,000,000
CERC Corp [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings					0		39,000,000
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Size of credit facility					900,000,000		900,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Long-term line of credit					0		0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Long-term line of credit					0		0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Long-term line of credit					0		0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Long-term line of credit					$ 0		0
Line of Credit [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Percentage on limitation of debt to total capitalization under covenant					65.00%
Percentage on limitation of debt to total capitalization under covenant amended (in hundredths)					70.00%
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital	[2]				0.475
System restoration costs threshold for increase in permitted debt to EBITDA covenant ratio					$ 100,000,000
Consecutive period for system restoration costs to exceed $100 million (in months)					12
Line of Credit [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Basis spread on LIBOR	[3]				1.25%
Line of Credit [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Percentage on limitation of debt to total capitalization under covenant	[4]				65.00%
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital	[2]				0.507
Line of Credit [Member] | Houston Electric [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Basis spread on LIBOR	[3]				1.125%
Line of Credit [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Percentage on limitation of debt to total capitalization under covenant					65.00%
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital	[2]				0.486
Line of Credit [Member] | CERC Corp [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Basis spread on LIBOR	[3]				1.125%
Letter of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Long-term line of credit					$ 11,000,000		11,000,000
Letter of Credit [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Long-term line of credit					6,000,000		6,000,000
Letter of Credit [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Long-term line of credit					4,000,000		4,000,000
Letter of Credit [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Long-term line of credit					1,000,000		1,000,000
Commercial Paper [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Long-term line of credit					202,000,000		1,753,000,000
Commercial Paper [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Long-term line of credit					$ 104,000,000		$ 855,000,000
Weighted average interest rate of debt					2.42%		1.88%
Commercial Paper [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Long-term line of credit					$ 0		$ 0
Commercial Paper [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Long-term line of credit					$ 98,000,000		$ 898,000,000
Weighted average interest rate of debt					2.43%		1.72%
General Mortgage Bonds Due 2048 [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Principal amount of debt issued				$ 400,000,000
Interest rate of debt issued				3.95%
Maturity date of debt issued				Mar. 01, 2048
Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Principal amount of debt issued			$ 300,000,000
Interest rate of debt issued			3.55%
Maturity date of debt issued			Apr. 01, 2023
Senior Notes Due 2028 [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Principal amount of debt issued			$ 300,000,000
Interest rate of debt issued			4.00%
Maturity date of debt issued			Apr. 01, 2028
Merger Agreement with Vectren [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Temporary increased line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity					$ 3,300,000,000
Merger Agreement with Vectren [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Percentage on limitation of debt to total capitalization under covenant amended (in hundredths)	[4],[5]				75.00%
Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Principal amount of debt issued		$ 1,500,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Principal amount of debt issued		$ 500,000,000
Interest rate of debt issued		3.60%
Maturity date of debt issued		Nov. 01, 2021
Subsequent Event [Member] | Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Principal amount of debt issued		$ 500,000,000
Interest rate of debt issued		3.85%
Maturity date of debt issued		Feb. 01, 2024
Subsequent Event [Member] | CNP Senior Notes Due 2028 [Member]
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Principal amount of debt issued		$ 500,000,000
Interest rate of debt issued		4.25%
Maturity date of debt issued		Nov. 01, 2028
Product Financing Arrangement [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings					$ 0		$ 39,000,000
Senior Notes Redemption Period One [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | CNP Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Debt instrument redemption price (percentage)		101.00%
Senior Notes Redemption Period Two [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | CNP Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Debt instrument redemption price (percentage)		101.00%

[1] Pursuant to the amendment entered into in May 2018, the aggregate commitments under the CenterPoint Energy revolving credit facility increased to $3.3 billion on October 5, 2018 as a result of the satisfaction of certain conditions described above.

[2] As defined in the revolving credit facility agreement, excluding Securitization Bonds.

[3] Based on current credit ratings.

[4] For CenterPoint Energy (whenever its financial covenant limit is 65%) and Houston Electric, the financial covenant limit will temporarily increase from 65% to 70% if Houston Electric experiences damage from a natural disaster in its service territory and CenterPoint Energy certifies to the administrative agent that Houston Electric has incurred system restoration costs reasonably likely to exceed $100 million in a consecutive 12-month period, all or part of which Houston Electric intends to seek to recover through securitization financing. Such temporary increase in the financial covenant would be in effect from the date CenterPoint Energy delivers its certification until the earliest to occur of (i) the completion of the securitization financing, (ii) the first anniversary of CenterPoint Energy’s certification or (iii) the revocation of such certification.

[5] On October 5, 2018, CenterPoint Energy’s financial covenant limit returned to 65% due to the termination of all commitments in respect of the Bridge Facility without any borrowing thereunder.

XML

Income Taxes (Details)		3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018		Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2018		Sep. 30, 2017
Effective income tax rate	[1]	24.00%		37.00%		26.00%		36.00%
Federal statutory income tax rate						21.00%		35.00%
Houston Electric [Member]
Effective income tax rate	[2]	20.00%		35.00%		21.00%		36.00%
CERC Corp [Member]
Effective income tax rate		5.00%	[3]	20.00%	[3]	29.00%	[4]	38.00%	[4]
Effective income tax rate - discontinued operations	[5]	23.00%		38.00%		24.00%		38.00%
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Percentage impact to effective income tax rate		5.00%				7.00%
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Percentage impact to effective income tax rate		18.00%				22.00%
EDIT [Member]
Percentage impact to effective income tax rate		5.00%				4.00%
EDIT [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]
Percentage impact to effective income tax rate		2.00%				2.00%
EDIT [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Percentage impact to effective income tax rate		15.00%				20.00%

[1] CenterPoint Energy’s lower effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods for 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. The effective tax rate decreased by 5% and 4%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 due to the amortization of EDIT. These decreases were partially offset by an increase to the effective tax rate of 5% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2018 as a result of the establishment of a state valuation allowance on certain net operating loss deferred tax assets that are no longer expected to be utilized prior to expiration after the Internal Spin. The effective tax rate increased by 7% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018 due to state law changes and the state valuation allowance. See Note 9 for further discussion on the Internal Spin.

[2] Houston Electric’s lower effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods for 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. The effective tax rate was further reduced by 2% for both periods due to the amortization of EDIT.

[3] CERC’s lower effective tax rate on the loss from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. The effective tax rate decreased by 18% due to state taxes as a result of the establishment of a state valuation allowance on certain net operating loss deferred tax assets that are no longer expected to be utilized prior to expiration after the Internal Spin. These decreases were partially offset by an increase to the effective tax rate of 15% due to the amortization of EDIT. See Note 9 for further discussion on the Internal Spin.

[4] CERC’s lower effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. The effective tax rate decreased by 20% due to the amortization of EDIT. These decreases were partially offset by an increase to the effective tax rate of 22% as a result of an increase in state tax rates and the establishment of a state valuation allowance on certain net operating loss deferred tax assets that are no longer expected to be utilized prior to expiration after the Internal Spin. See Note 9 for further discussion on the Internal Spin.

[5] CERC’s lower effective tax rate on income from discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017 was primarily due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as prescribed by the TCJA. See Note 9 for further discussion on the Internal Spin and the associated discontinued operations presentation.

XML

Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)
CERC Corp [Member] | Minnesota Service Territory [Member]
Legal, Environmental and Other Matters
Liability recorded for remediation of Minnesota sites	$ 7,000,000
CERC Corp [Member] | Minnesota Service Territory [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Legal, Environmental and Other Matters
Estimated remediation costs for the Minnesota sites	$ 4,000,000
Years to resolve contingency	30 years
CERC Corp [Member] | Minnesota Service Territory [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Legal, Environmental and Other Matters
Estimated remediation costs for the Minnesota sites	$ 30,000,000
Years to resolve contingency	50 years
Natural Gas Supply Commitments [Member]
Natural Gas Supply Commitments
Remaining three months of 2018	$ 88,000,000
2019	325,000,000
2020	303,000,000
2021	219,000,000
2022	183,000,000
2023 and beyond	1,644,000,000
Minnehaha Academy Gas Explosion [Member]
Legal, Environmental and Other Matters
Contested amount of fines imposed	$ 200,000

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Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income available to common shareholders	$ 153	$ 169	$ 243	$ 496
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	431,554,000	431,026,000	431,437,000	430,939,000
Plus: Incremental shares from assumed conversions:
Diluted weighted average common shares	434,891,000	434,086,000	434,774,000	433,999,000
Basic earnings per common share
Basic earnings per common share	$ 0.35	$ 0.39	$ 0.56	$ 1.15
Diluted earnings per common share
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 0.35	$ 0.39	$ 0.56	$ 1.14
Restricted Stock [Member]
Plus: Incremental shares from assumed conversions:
Restricted stock	3,337,000	3,060,000	3,337,000	3,060,000

XML

Reportable Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018		Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018		Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 04, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		$ 2,212		$ 2,098	$ 7,553		$ 6,976
Operating Income (Loss)		226		297	664		828
Equity in earnings from investment in Enable		81		68	208		199
Assets		22,228			22,228				$ 22,736
Total regulatory assets		1,994			1,994				2,477
Electric Transmission and Distribution [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	[1]	897		843	2,502		2,234
Operating Income (Loss)		227		254	523		511
Electric Transmission and Distribution [Member] | Affiliates of NRG Energy, Inc. [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		213		221	543		540
Electric Transmission and Distribution [Member] | Affiliates of Vistra Energy Corp. [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		79		72	192		172
Natural Gas Distribution [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		402		390	2,032		1,767
Operating Income (Loss)		3		25	166		235
Energy Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		910		861	3,008		2,964
Operating Income (Loss)		(9)		7	(20)		58
Midstream Investments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	[2]	0		0	0		0
Operating Income (Loss)	[2]	0		0	0		0
Equity in earnings from investment in Enable		81		68	208		199
Other Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		3		4	11		11
Operating Income (Loss)		5		11	(5)		24
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		(18)		(18)	(83)		(58)
Assets		(681)			(681)				(654)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Electric Transmission and Distribution [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		0		0	0		0
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		(8)		(8)	(26)		(24)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Energy Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		(10)		(10)	(57)		(34)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Midstream Investments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	[2]	0		0	0		0
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Other Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		0		0	0		0
Operating Segments [Member] | Electric Transmission and Distribution [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets		10,436			10,436				10,292
Operating Segments [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets		6,557			6,557				6,608
Operating Segments [Member] | Energy Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets		1,253			1,253				1,521
Operating Segments [Member] | Midstream Investments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets		2,457			2,457				2,472
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	[3]	2,206			2,206				2,497
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Costs [Member] | Other Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total regulatory assets		566			566				600
CERC Corp [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		1,312		1,251	5,040		4,731
Operating Income (Loss)		(7)		31	146		289
Assets		7,305			7,305				10,112
Assets of discontinued operations		0			0				2,472
Total regulatory assets		230			230				311
CERC Corp [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		402		390	2,032		1,767
Operating Income (Loss)		3		25	166		235
CERC Corp [Member] | Energy Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		910		861	3,008		2,964
Operating Income (Loss)		(9)		7	(20)		58
CERC Corp [Member] | Other Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		0		0	0		0
Operating Income (Loss)		(1)		(1)	0		(4)
CERC Corp [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		(18)		(18)	(83)		(58)
Assets		(615)			(615)				(559)
CERC Corp [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		(8)		(8)	(26)		(24)
CERC Corp [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Energy Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		(10)		(10)	(57)		(34)
CERC Corp [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Other Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		0		$ 0	0		$ 0
CERC Corp [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets		6,557			6,557				6,608
CERC Corp [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Energy Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets		1,253			1,253				1,521
CERC Corp [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Midstream Investments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets		0			0				0
CERC Corp [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Other Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets		110			110				70
Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale, Spinoff [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets of discontinued operations		$ 0	[4]		$ 0	[4]		$ 2,400	$ 2,472	[4]

[1] CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s Electric Transmission & Distribution revenues from major customers are as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (in millions)Affiliates of NRG $213 $221 $543 $540Affiliates of Vistra Energy Corp. 79 72 192 172

[2] CenterPoint Energy’s Midstream Investments’ equity earnings, net are as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (in millions)Enable $81 $68 $208 $199

[3] Includes pension and other postemployment-related regulatory assets of $566 million and $600 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

[4] On September 4, 2018, CERC completed the Internal Spin. For further information regarding the Internal Spin, see Note 9.

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Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Interest, net of capitalized interest			$ 301	$ 306
Income taxes, net			89	14
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures			140	111
Capital distribution associated with the Internal Spin			0	0
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 293		293		$ 260
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows	331	$ 233	331	233	296	$ 381
Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member]
Restricted cash	37		37		35
Other [Member]
Restricted cash	1		1		1
Houston Electric [Member]
Interest, net of capitalized interest			173	176
Income taxes, net			122	76
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures			87	70
Capital distribution associated with the Internal Spin	0	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents	279		279		238
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows	317	240	317	240	274	381
Houston Electric [Member] | Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member]
Restricted cash	37		37		35
Houston Electric [Member] | Other [Member]
Restricted cash	1		1		1
CERC Corp [Member]
Interest, net of capitalized interest			85	86
Income taxes, net			3	4
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures			66	53
Capital distribution associated with the Internal Spin	1,460	0	1,460	0
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1	$ 12	$ 1

XML

Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Capital distribution to parent associated with the Internal Spin				$ 0	$ 0
Houston Electric [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest income (expense) (1)	[1]	$ 1	$ 1	1	3
Cash dividends paid to parent		60	45	123	87
Cash contribution from parent		0	0	0	0
Capital distribution to parent associated with the Internal Spin		0	0	0	0
Houston Electric [Member] | Operation and maintenance expense [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Net affiliate service charges (billings)		(3)	(1)	(8)	(6)
Houston Electric [Member] | CenterPoint Energy [Member] | Operation and maintenance expense [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Corporate service charges		47	41	138	127
CERC Corp [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest income (expense) (1)	[1]	(2)	0	(4)	0
Cash dividends paid to parent		75	89	286	337
Cash contribution from parent		600	0	600	38
Capital distribution to parent associated with the Internal Spin		1,460	0	1,460	0
CERC Corp [Member] | Operation and maintenance expense [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Net affiliate service charges (billings)		3	1	8	6
CERC Corp [Member] | CenterPoint Energy [Member] | Operation and maintenance expense [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Corporate service charges		$ 36	$ 30	$ 105	$ 93
Investments [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate		2.45%		2.45%		1.90%
Investments [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate		2.45%		2.45%		1.90%
Accounts and notes receivable (payable) - affiliate companies [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Money pool investments (borrowings) (1)	[2]	$ (75)		$ (75)		$ (60)
Accounts and notes receivable (payable) - affiliate companies [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Money pool investments (borrowings) (1)	[2]	$ 0		$ 0		$ (570)

[1] Interest income is included in Other, net and interest expense is included in Interest and other finance charges on the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

[2] Included in Accounts and notes receivable (payable)–affiliated companies in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Equity (CenterPoint Energy) (Details)					3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 23, 2018 $ / shares	Oct. 01, 2018 USD ($) day $ / shares shares	Aug. 22, 2018 USD ($) day $ / shares shares	Dec. 13, 2017 $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2017 $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares		Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends Declared Per Share				$ 0.2775	$ 0.2775	$ 0.2675	$ 0.5550	[1]	$ 0.8025
Proceeds from issuance of Series A Preferred Stock, net | $							$ 790,000,000		$ 0
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock issued (in shares) | shares			800,000
Preferred stock par value (in dollars per share)			$ 1,000		$ 0.01		$ 0.01			$ 0
Preferred stock liquidation preference | $			$ 800,000,000		$ 800,000		$ 800,000			$ 0
Preferred stock liquidation preference (per share)			$ 1,000
Preferred stock dividend rate			6.125%
Preferred stock redemption price (per share)			$ 1,000
Preferred stock convertible threshold (in days) | day			120
Subsequent Event [Member] | Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock liquidation preference | $		$ 978,000,000
Preferred stock liquidation preference (per share)		$ 1,000
Preferred Stock, Convertible, Conversion Price		$ 1,000
Preferred stock dividend rate		7.00%
Proceeds from issuance of Series B Preferred Stock | $		$ 950,000,000
Conversion rate per share		0.05
Preferred Stock, Convertible, Threshold Consecutive Calendar Days | day		20
Subsequent Event [Member] | Depositary Share [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock issued (in shares) | shares		19,550,000
Number of depositary shares eligible for conversion (in shares) | shares		20
Preferred Stock, Convertible, Conversion Price		$ 50
Subsequent Event [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends Declared Per Share	$ 0.2775
Stock issued (in shares) | shares		69,633,027
Common stock issued per share price		$ 27.25
Proceeds from issuance of common stock | $		$ 1,844,000,000
Plus LIBOR Spread [Member] | Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend rate			3.27%
Minimum [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion | shares		30.5820
Preferred Stock, Convertible, Stock Price Trigger		$ 27.2494
Minimum [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Series B Depositary Shares [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Convertible, Stock Price Trigger		$ 27.2494
Minimum [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Depositary Share [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion | shares		1.5291
Maximum [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion | shares		36.6980
Preferred Stock, Convertible, Stock Price Trigger		$ 32.6990
Maximum [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Series B Depositary Shares [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Convertible, Stock Price Trigger		$ 32.6990
Maximum [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Depositary Share [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion | shares		1.8349
Over-Allotment Option [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Series B Depositary Shares [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock issued (in shares) | shares		2,550,000
Over-Allotment Option [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock issued (in shares) | shares		9,082,568
120 Days After Conclusion of Review or Appeal [Member] | Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock redemption price (per share)			$ 1,020
Preferred stock redemption percentage of liquidation value			102.00%

[1] On December 13, 2017, CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.2775 per share of Common Stock, payable on March 8, 2018 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 15, 2018.

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Subsequent Events (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions					3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Nov. 06, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares	Oct. 23, 2018 $ / shares	Oct. 01, 2018	Dec. 13, 2017 $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2018 $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2017 $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2018 $ / shares	[1]	Sep. 30, 2017 $ / shares	Oct. 05, 2018 USD ($)
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Quarterly cash dividend/distribution declared per share				$ 0.2775	$ 0.2775	$ 0.2675	$ 0.5550		$ 0.8025
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of debt issued | $										$ 1,500
Subsequent Event [Member] | Common Units [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends payable, date declared		Oct. 23, 2018
Quarterly cash dividend/distribution declared per share		$ 0.2775
Dividends payable, date to be paid		Dec. 13, 2018
Dividends payable, date of record		Nov. 15, 2018
Subsequent Event [Member] | Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends payable, date declared		Oct. 23, 2018
Dividends payable, date to be paid		Dec. 01, 2018
Dividends payable, date of record		Nov. 15, 2018
Preferred stock dividends declared per share		$ 11.6667
Depositary share interest in a share of Series B Preferred Stock			0.05
Subsequent Event [Member] | Series B Depositary Shares [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividends declared per share		$ 0.5833
Subsequent Event [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | Common Units [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Expected cash distribution from equity method investment | $	$ 74
Subsequent Event [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | Series A Preferred Units [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Expected cash distribution from cost method investment | $	$ 9
Common Units [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Quarterly Cash Distribution, Declaration Date	Nov. 06, 2018
Quarterly Cash Distribution, Distributions Declared, Per Unit	$ 0.318
Series A Preferred Units [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Quarterly Cash Distribution, Declaration Date	Nov. 06, 2018
Quarterly Cash Distribution, Distributions Declared, Per Unit	$ 0.625

[1] On December 13, 2017, CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.2775 per share of Common Stock, payable on March 8, 2018 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 15, 2018.