Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Table Text Block]

As of June 30, 2020, minimum purchase obligations are approximately:

	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions)
Remaining six months of 2020	$	356	$	246
2021	669		484
2022	499		321
2023	390		236
2024	321		224
2025	266		219
2026 and beyond	1,812		1,495

Schedule of Environmental Loss Contingencies by Site [Table Text Block]

Total costs that may be incurred in connection with addressing these sites cannot be determined at this time. The estimated accrued costs are limited to CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s share of the remediation efforts and are therefore net of exposures of other PRPs. The estimated range of possible remediation costs for the sites for which CenterPoint Energy and CERC believe they may have responsibility was based on remediation continuing for the minimum time frame given in the table below.

	June 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions, except years)
Amount accrued for remediation	$	11	$	7
Minimum estimated remediation costs	7		5
Maximum estimated remediation costs	53		32
Minimum years of remediation	5		30
Maximum years of remediation	50		50