10-Q

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

__________________

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
☑	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2021

OR

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

Commission file number 1-31447

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas			74-0694415
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)			(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1111 Louisiana	Houston	Texas	77002
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)			(Zip Code)

(713) 207-1111

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

Commission file number 1-3187

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas			22-3865106
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)			(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1111 Louisiana	Houston	Texas	77002
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)			(Zip Code)

(713) 207-1111

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

Commission file number 1-13265

CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware			76-0511406
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)			(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1111 Louisiana	Houston	Texas	77002
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)			(Zip Code)

(713) 207-1111

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Registrant	Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.	Common Stock, $0.01 par value	CNP	The New York Stock Exchange
			Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.	Depositary Shares for 1/20 of 7.00% Series B Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value	CNP/PB	The New York Stock Exchange
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC	6.95% General Mortgage Bonds due 2033	n/a	The New York Stock Exchange
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.	6.625% Senior Notes due 2037	n/a	The New York Stock Exchange

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.

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

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	☐	No	þ
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC	Yes	☐	No	þ
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.	Yes	☐	No	þ

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers’ classes of common stock as of July 23, 2021:

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.	592,890,377	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.

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)	7
	CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. Financial Statements (unaudited)	13
	Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited)	19
	(1) Background and Basis of Presentation	19
	(2) New Accounting Pronouncements	20
	(3) Held for Sale and Divestitures	20
	(4) Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Credit Losses	24
	(5) Employee Benefit Plans	27
	(6) Regulatory Accounting	29
	(7) Derivative Instruments	31
	(8) Fair Value Measurements	33
	(9) Unconsolidated Affiliates	34
	(10) Goodwill and Other Intangibles	38
	(11) Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) and Securities Related to ZENS	39
	(12) Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt	40
	(13) Income Taxes	42
	(14) Commitments and Contingencies	44
	(15) Earnings Per Share	49
	(16) Reportable Segments	51
	(17) Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information	53
	(18) Related Party Transactions	53
	(19) Equity	55
	(20) Subsequent Events	57
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	58
	Recent Events	58
	Consolidated Results of Operations	59
	Results of Operations by Reportable Segment	60
	Certain Factors Affecting Future Earnings	68
	Liquidity and Capital Resources	69
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	82
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	83
PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	83
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	83
Item 6.	Exhibits	83
	Signatures	89

i

GLOSSARY
ACE	Affordable Clean Energy
AMA	Asset Management Agreement
APSC	Arkansas Public Service Commission
ARO	Asset retirement obligation
ARP	Alternative revenue program
ARPA	American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
ASC	Accounting Standards Codification
Asset Purchase Agreement	Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 29, 2021, by and between CERC Corp. and Southern Col Midco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an affiliate of Summit Utilities, Inc.
ASU	Accounting Standards Update
AT&T	AT&T Inc.
AT&T Common	AT&T common stock
Bcf	Billion cubic feet
Board	Board of Directors of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
Bond Companies	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 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
BTA	Build Transfer Agreement
Business Review and Evaluation Committee	Business Review and Evaluation Committee of the Board of Directors of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
Capital Dynamics	Capital Dynamics, Inc.
CARES Act	Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
CCN	Certificate of Convenience and Necessity
CCR	Coal Combustion Residuals
CEIP	CenterPoint Energy Intrastate Pipelines, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CERC Corp.
CenterPoint Energy	CenterPoint Energy, Inc., and its subsidiaries
CERC	CERC Corp., together with its subsidiaries
CERC Corp.	CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.
CES	CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc. (now known as Symmetry Energy Solutions, LLC), previously a wholly-owned subsidiary of CERC Corp.
Charter Common	Charter Communications, Inc. common stock
CIP	Conservation Improvement Program
CNG	Compressed Natural Gas
CNP Midstream	CenterPoint Energy Midstream, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy
CODM	Chief Operating Decision Maker, who is each Registrant’s Chief Operating Executive
Common Stock	CenterPoint Energy, Inc. common stock, par value $0.01 per share
Compensation Committee	Compensation Committee of the Board
COVID-19	Novel coronavirus disease 2019 and related global outbreak that was subsequently declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization
COVID-19 ERP	COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program
CPCN	Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
CPP	Clean Power Plan
CSIA	Compliance and System Improvement Adjustment

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GLOSSARY
DCRF	Distribution Cost Recovery Factor
DRR	Distribution Replacement Rider
DSMA	Demand Side Management Adjustment
ECA	Environmental Cost Adjustment
EDIT	Excess deferred income taxes
EECR	Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery
EECRF	Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor
EEFC	Energy Efficiency Funding Component
EEFR	Energy Efficiency Funding Rider
Elk GP Merger Sub	Elk GP Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Energy Transfer
Elk Merger Sub	Elk Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Energy Transfer
Enable	Enable Midstream Partners, LP
Enable GP	Enable GP, LLC, Enable’s general partner
Enable Merger	The proposed merger of Elk Merger Sub with and into Enable and the merger of Elk GP Merger Sub with and into Enable GP, in each case on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Enable Merger Agreement, with Enable and Enable GP surviving as wholly-owned subsidiaries of Energy Transfer
Enable Merger Agreement	Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Energy Transfer, Elk Merger Sub LLC, Elk GP Merger Sub, Enable, Enable GP and, solely for the purposes of Section 2.1(a)(i) therein, Energy Transfer GP, and solely for the purposes of Section 1.1(b)(i) therein, CenterPoint Energy
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
Energy Services	Offered competitive variable and fixed-priced physical natural gas supplies primarily to commercial and industrial customers and electric and natural gas utilities through CES and CEIP
Energy Services Disposal Group	Substantially all of the businesses within CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Energy Services reporting unit that were sold under the Equity Purchase Agreement
Energy Transfer	Energy Transfer LP, a Delaware limited partnership
Energy Transfer GP	LE GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and sole general partner of Energy Transfer
Energy Transfer Series G Preferred Units	Energy Transfer Series G Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units
EPA	Environmental Protection Agency
Equity Purchase Agreement	Equity Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2020, by and between CERC Corp. and Symmetry Energy Solutions Acquisition, LLC (f/k/a Athena Energy Services Buyer, LLC)
ERCOT	Electric Reliability Council of Texas
ESG	Energy Systems Group, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vectren
February 2021 Winter Storm Event	The extreme and unprecedented winter weather event in February 2021 (Winter Storm Uri) that resulted in electricity generation supply shortages, including in Texas, and natural gas supply shortages and increased wholesale prices of natural gas in the United States, primarily due to prolonged freezing temperatures
FERC	Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Fitch	Fitch Ratings, Inc.
Form 10-Q	Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
FRP	Formula Rate Plan
GHG	Greenhouse gases
Governance Committee	Governance Committee of the Board
GRIP	Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program

iii

GLOSSARY
GWh	Gigawatt-hours
Houston Electric	CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC and its subsidiaries
IDEM	Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Indiana Electric	Operations of SIGECO’s electric transmission and distribution services, and includes its power generating and wholesale power operations
Indiana Gas	Indiana Gas Company, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vectren
Indiana North	Gas operations of Indiana Gas
Indiana South	Gas operations of SIGECO
Indiana Utilities	The combination of Indiana Electric, Indiana North and Indiana South
Infrastructure Services	Provided underground pipeline construction and repair services through VISCO and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Miller Pipeline, LLC and Minnesota Limited, LLC
Infrastructure Services Disposal Group	Businesses within the Infrastructure Services reporting unit that were sold under the Securities Purchase Agreement
Interim Condensed Financial Statements	Unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and combined notes
IRP	Integrated Resource Plan
IRS	Internal Revenue Service
IURC	Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
kV	Kilovolt
LIBOR	London Interbank Offered Rate
LNG	Liquefied Natural Gas
LPSC	Louisiana Public Service Commission
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
MES	CenterPoint Energy Mobile Energy Solutions, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CERC Corp.
MGP	Manufactured gas plant
MLP	Master Limited Partnership
Moody’s	Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
MPSC	Mississippi Public Service Commission
MPUC	Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
MW	Megawatts
NERC	North American Electric Reliability Corporation
NGLs	Natural gas liquids
NOLs	Net operating losses
NRG	NRG Energy, Inc.
OCC	Oklahoma Corporation Commission
OGE	OGE Energy Corp.
PBRC	Performance Based Rate Change
Posey Solar	Posey Solar, LLC, a special purpose entity
PowerTeam Services	PowerTeam Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, now known as Artera Services, LLC
PPA	Power Purchase Agreement
PRPs	Potentially responsible parties
PUCO	Public Utilities Commission of Ohio

iv

GLOSSARY
PUCT	Public Utility Commission of Texas
Railroad Commission	Railroad Commission of Texas
RCRA	Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976
Registrants	CenterPoint Energy, Houston Electric and CERC, collectively
REP	Retail electric provider
Restoration Bond Company	CenterPoint Energy Restoration Bond Company, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Houston Electric
ROE	Return on equity
ROU	Right of use
RRA	Rate Regulation Adjustment
RSP	Rate Stabilization Plan
SEC	Securities and Exchange Commission
Securities Purchase Agreement	Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2020, by and among Vectren Utility Services, Inc., PowerTeam Services and, solely for purposes of Section 10.17 of the Securities Purchase Agreement, Vectren
Securitization Bonds	Transition and system restoration bonds
Series A Preferred Stock	CenterPoint Energy’s 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
Series C Preferred Stock	CenterPoint Energy’s Series C Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share
SIGECO	Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vectren
SOFR	Secured Overnight Financing Rate
S&P	S&P Global Ratings
SRC	Sales Reconciliation Component
Symmetry Energy Solutions Acquisition	Symmetry Energy Solutions Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (f/k/a Athena Energy Services Buyer, LLC) and subsidiary of Energy Capital Partners, LLC
TBD	To be determined
TCJA	Tax reform legislation informally called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
TCOS	Transmission Cost of Service
TCRF	Transmission Cost Recovery Factor
TDSIC	Transmission, Distribution and Storage System Improvement Charge
TDU	Transmission and distribution utility
Tenaska	Tenaska Wind Holdings, LLC
Texas RE	Texas Reliability Entity
TOB	Tariffed On Bill
Utility Holding	Utility Holding, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy
Vectren	Vectren Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy as of February 1, 2019
VEDO	Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vectren
VIE	Variable interest entity
VISCO	Vectren Infrastructure Services Corporation, formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vectren

v

GLOSSARY
Vistra Energy Corp.	Texas-based energy company focused on the competitive energy and power generation markets, whose major subsidiaries include Luminant and TXU Energy
VRP	Voluntary Remediation Program
VUHI	Vectren Utility Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vectren
ZENS	2.0% Zero-Premium Exchangeable Subordinated Notes due 2029
ZENS-Related Securities	As of both June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, consisted of AT&T Common and Charter Common
2020 Form 10-K	Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 as filed with the SEC on February 25, 2021

vi

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, CERC and Vectren.

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 drilling, production and capital spending decisions of third parties and 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 and its commodity risk management activities;

◦economic effects of the actions of certain crude oil-exporting countries and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, which have in the past resulted in a substantial decrease in oil and natural gas prices, and the combined impact of these events and COVID-19 on commodity prices;

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

◦the timing of payments from Enable’s customers under existing contracts, including minimum volume commitment payments;

◦changes in tax status; and

•access to debt and equity capital;

•the integration of the businesses acquired in the Merger, including the integration of technology systems; the outcome of shareholder litigation filed against Vectren that could reduce the benefits of the Merger; the ability to realize additional benefits and commercial opportunities from the Merger, including the development of new opportunities and the performance of projects undertaken by ESG, which are subject to, among other factors, the level of success in bidding contracts and cancellation and/or reductions in the scope of projects by customers, and obligations related to warranties, guarantees and other contractual and legal obligations;

•the recording of impairment charges;

•industrial, commercial and residential growth in our service territories and changes in market demand, including the demand for our non-utility 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, including the timing and amount of natural gas purchase costs associated with the February 2021 Winter Storm Event recovered;

•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, such as impacts from the February 2021 Winter Storm Event;

•CenterPoint Energy’s or Enable’s business strategies and strategic initiatives, restructurings, joint ventures and acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses, including the announced sale of our Natural Gas businesses in

vii

Arkansas and Oklahoma, which we cannot assure will be completed or will have the anticipated benefits to us, and the Enable Merger, which we cannot assure will be completed or will have the anticipated benefits to us or Enable;

•the outcome of litigation, including litigation related to the February 2021 Winter Storm Event;

•the ability of REPs, including REP affiliates of NRG and Vistra Energy Corp., to satisfy their obligations to CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric, including the negative impact on such ability related to COVID-19 and the February 2021 Winter Storm Event;

•the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on our and Enable’s operations, business and financial condition, our industries and the communities we serve, U.S. and world financial markets and supply chains, potential regulatory actions and changes in customer and stakeholder behaviors relating thereto;

•volatility and historical substantial declines in the markets for oil and natural gas as a result of the actions of certain crude-oil exporting countries and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and reduced worldwide consumption due to the COVID-19 pandemic;

•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;

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

•tax legislation, including the effects of the CARES Act and of the TCJA (which includes but is not limited to any potential changes to tax rates, tax credits and/or interest deductibility), as well as any changes in tax laws under the Biden administration, and uncertainties involving state commissions’ and local municipalities’ regulatory requirements and determinations regarding the treatment of EDIT and our rates;

•our ability to mitigate weather impacts through normalization or rate mechanisms, and the effectiveness of such mechanisms;

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

•matters affecting regulatory approval, legislative actions, construction, implementation of necessary technology or other issues with respect to major capital projects that result in delays or cancellation 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, among others, those related to global climate change, air emissions, carbon, waste water discharges and the handling and disposal of CCR that could impact operations, cost recovery of generation plant costs and related assets, and CenterPoint Energy’s carbon emissions reduction targets;

•the impact of unplanned facility outages or other closures;

•our ability to fund and invest planned capital and the timely recovery of our investments, including those related to Indiana Electric’s generation transition plan as part of its most recent IRP;

•our ability to successfully construct and operate electric generating facilities, including complying with applicable environmental standards and the implementation of a well-balanced energy and resource mix, as appropriate;

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

•the availability and prices of raw materials and services and changes in labor for current and future construction projects and operations and maintenance costs, including our ability to control such costs;

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

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

•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;

•timely and appropriate regulatory actions, which include actions allowing securitization, for any future hurricanes or other severe weather events, or natural disasters or other recovery of costs;

•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;

viii

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

•the impact of alternate energy sources on the demand for natural gas;

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

•the effective tax rates;

•political and economic developments, including energy and environmental policies under the Biden administration;

•the transition to a replacement for the LIBOR benchmark interest rate;

•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 the Registrants’ combined 2020 Form 10-K, which are incorporated herein by reference, and in 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.

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Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions, except per share amounts)
Revenues:
Utility revenues	$	1,652	$	1,476	$	4,136	$	3,549
Non-utility revenues	90		99		153		193
Total	1,742		1,575		4,289		3,742
Expenses:
Utility natural gas, fuel and purchased power	258		202		1,193		811
Non-utility cost of revenues, including natural gas	58		69		98		133
Operation and maintenance	677		643		1,346		1,317
Depreciation and amortization	327		297		634		579
Taxes other than income taxes	126		129		269		265
Goodwill impairment	—		—		—		185
Total	1,446		1,340		3,540		3,290
Operating Income	296		235		749		452
Other Income (Expense):
Gain (loss) on marketable securities	75		75		52		(69)
Gain (loss) on indexed debt securities	(77)		(76)		(51)		59
Interest expense and other finance charges	(119)		(128)		(232)		(267)
Interest expense on Securitization Bonds	(5)		(7)		(11)		(15)
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	67		43		175		(1,432)
Other income, net	11		22		3		36
Total	(48)		(71)		(64)		(1,688)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	248		164		685		(1,236)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(3)		29		71		(318)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	251		135		614		(918)
Loss from Discontinued Operations (net of tax expense of $-0-, $38, $-0- and $21, respectively)	—		(30)		—		(176)
Net Income (Loss)	251		105		614		(1,094)
Income allocated to preferred shareholders	30		46		59		75
Income (Loss) Available to Common Shareholders	$	221	$	59	$	555	$	(1,169)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations	$	0.38	$	0.17	$	0.98	$	(1.93)
Basic loss per common share - discontinued operations	—		(0.06)		—		(0.34)
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	0.38		0.11		0.98		(2.27)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations	$	0.37	$	0.17	$	0.93	$	(1.93)
Diluted loss per common share - discontinued operations	—		(0.06)		—		(0.34)
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	$	0.37	$	0.11	$	0.93	$	(2.27)
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Basic	586		528		569		515
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Diluted	596		531		596		515

See Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements

1

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Net Income (Loss)	$	251	$	105	$	614	$	(1,094)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Adjustment to pension and other postretirement plans (net of tax of $1, $1, $1 and $2)	1		1		3		2
Reclassification of net deferred losses from cash flow hedges (net of tax of $-0-, $4, $-0- and $4)	—		15		—		15
Other comprehensive income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates (net of tax of $-0-, $-0-, $-0- and $-0-)	1		—		2		(3)
Total	2		16		5		14
Comprehensive income (loss)	253		121		619		(1,080)
Income allocated to preferred shareholders	30		46		59		75
Comprehensive income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	223	$	75	$	560	$	(1,155)

See Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements

2

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

ASSETS

	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions)
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents ($106 and $139 related to VIEs, respectively)	$	136	$	147
Investment in marketable securities	923		871
Accounts receivable ($38 and $23 related to VIEs, respectively), less allowance for credit losses of $62 and $52, respectively	651		676
Accrued unbilled revenues, less allowance for credit losses of $2 and $5, respectively	270		505
Natural gas and coal inventory	121		203
Materials and supplies	319		297
Non-trading derivative assets	6		—
Taxes receivable	78		82
Current assets held for sale	2,192		—
Prepaid expenses and other current assets ($17 and $15 related to VIEs, respectively)	483		139
Total current assets	5,179		2,920
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, plant and equipment	32,004		32,514
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	9,908		10,152
Property, plant and equipment, net	22,096		22,362
Other Assets:
Goodwill	4,294		4,697
Regulatory assets ($542 and $633 related to VIEs, respectively)	3,427		2,094
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	882		783
Preferred units – unconsolidated affiliate	363		363
Other non-current assets	225		252
Total other assets	9,191		8,189
Total Assets	$	36,466	$	33,471

See Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements

3

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS – (continued)

(Unaudited)

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions, except share amounts)
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	$	3	$	24
Current portion of VIE Securitization Bonds long-term debt	215		211
Indexed debt, net	12		15
Current portion of other long-term debt	63		1,669
Indexed debt securities derivative	1,004		953
Accounts payable	797		853
Taxes accrued	203		265
Interest accrued	155		145
Dividends accrued	—		136
Customer deposits	109		119
Non-trading derivative liabilities	—		3
Current liabilities held for sale	472		—
Other current liabilities	336		432
Total current liabilities	3,369		4,825
Other Liabilities:
Deferred income taxes, net	3,698		3,603
Non-trading derivative liabilities	14		27
Benefit obligations	665		680
Regulatory liabilities	3,051		3,448
Other non-current liabilities	946		1,019
Total other liabilities	8,374		8,777
Long-term Debt:
VIE Securitization Bonds, net	424		536
Other long-term debt, net	15,429		10,985
Total long-term debt, net	15,853		11,521
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Shareholders’ Equity:
Cumulative preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, 1,775,903 shares and 2,402,400 shares outstanding, respectively, $1,776 and 2,402 liquidation preference, respectively (Note 19)	1,739		2,363
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 592,852,490 shares and 551,355,861 shares outstanding, respectively	6		6
Additional paid-in capital	7,553		6,914
Accumulated deficit	(343)		(845)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(85)		(90)
Total shareholders’ equity	8,870		8,348
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	36,466	$	33,471

See Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements

4

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020
	(in millions)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$	614	$	(1,094)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	634		579
Amortization of deferred financing costs	15		15
Amortization of intangible assets in non-utility cost of revenues	—		1
Deferred income taxes	51		(477)
Goodwill impairment and loss from reclassification to held for sale	—		172
Goodwill impairment	—		185
Unrealized loss on marketable securities	(52)		69
Gain on indexed debt securities	51		(59)
Write-down of natural gas inventory	—		3
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated affiliates	(175)		1,432
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	77		109
Pension contributions	(8)		(5)
Changes in other assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net	220		312
Inventory	53		22
Taxes receivable	4		106
Accounts payable	(120)		(221)
Non-trading derivatives, net	(23)		(3)
Margin deposits, net	—		65
Interest and taxes accrued	(48)		14
Net regulatory assets and liabilities	(2,329)		(65)
Other current assets	24		1
Other current liabilities	(76)		(39)
Other non-current assets	—		15
Other non-current liabilities	7		41
Other, net	5		3
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(1,076)		1,181
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(1,383)		(1,278)
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliate in excess of cumulative earnings	—		7
Proceeds from divestitures (Note 3)	—		1,136
Other, net	7		(8)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,376)		(143)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings, net	(27)		19
Proceeds from (payments of) commercial paper, net	225		(1,498)
Proceeds from long-term debt	4,493		299
Payments of long-term debt	(1,960)		(1,032)
Borrowings from revolving credit facilities	—		1,050
Payments of revolving credit facilities	—		(1,050)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(37)		(3)
Payment of dividends on Common Stock	(183)		(227)
Payment of dividends on Preferred Stock	(65)		(66)
Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock, net	—		673
Proceeds from issuance of Series C Preferred Stock, net	—		724
Other, net	(4)		(4)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	2,442		(1,115)
Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	(10)		(77)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period	167		271
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period	$	157	$	194

See Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements

5

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CHANGES IN EQUITY

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021			2020			2021			2020
	Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount
	(in millions of dollars and shares)
Cumulative Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 20,000,000 shares
Balance, beginning of period	3	$	2,363	2	$	1,740	3	$	2,363	2	$	1,740
Issuances of Series C Preferred Stock, net of issuance costs and beneficial conversion feature	—	—		1	701		—	—		1	701
Conversion of Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock	—	(624)		—	—		—	(624)		—	—
Balance, end of period	3	1,739		3	2,441		3	1,739		3	2,441
Common Stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000,000 shares
Balance, beginning of period	552	6		502	5		551	6		502	5
Issuances of Common Stock	41	—		42	—		41	—		42	—
Issuances related to benefit and investment plans	—	—		1	—		1	—		1	—
Balance, end of period	593	6		545	5		593	6		545	5
Additional Paid-in-Capital
Balance, beginning of period		6,916			6,086			6,914			6,080
Issuances of Common Stock, net of issuance costs		624			673			624			673
Issuances related to benefit and investment plans		13			10			15			16
Recognition of beneficial conversion feature		—			32			—			32
Balance, end of period		7,553			6,801			7,553			6,801
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
Balance, beginning of period		(482)			(761)			(845)			632
Net income (loss)		251			105			614			(1,094)
Common Stock dividends declared (see Note 19)		(95)			(82)			(95)			(227)
Preferred Stock dividends declared (see Note 19)		(17)			(24)			(17)			(66)
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature		—			(9)			—			(9)
Adoption of ASU 2016-13		—			—			—			(7)
Balance, end of period		(343)			(771)			(343)			(771)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance, beginning of period		(87)			(100)			(90)			(98)
Other comprehensive income		2			16			5			14
Balance, end of period		(85)			(84)			(85)			(84)
Total Shareholders’ Equity		$	8,870		$	8,392		$	8,870		$	8,392

 See Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements

6

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Revenues	$	786	$	720	$	1,470	$	1,354
Expenses:
Operation and maintenance	390		364		763		723
Depreciation and amortization	161		140		302		269
Taxes other than income taxes	65		64		128		128
Total	616		568		1,193		1,120
Operating Income	170		152		277		234
Other Income (Expense):
Interest expense and other finance charges	(47)		(43)		(92)		(84)
Interest expense on Securitization Bonds	(5)		(7)		(11)		(15)
Other income, net	3		1		8		6
Total	(49)		(49)		(95)		(93)
Income Before Income Taxes	121		103		182		141
Income tax expense	18		16		26		21
Net Income	$	103	$	87	$	156	$	120

See Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements

7

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Net income	$	103	$	87	$	156	$	120
Other comprehensive income:
Reclassification of net deferred losses from cash flow hedges (net of tax of $-0-, $4, $-0- and $4)	—		15		—		15
Total	—		15		—		15
Comprehensive income	$	103	$	102	$	156	$	135

See Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements

8

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

ASSETS

	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions)
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents ($106 and $139 related to VIEs, respectively)	$	120	$	139
Accounts receivable ($38 and $23 related to VIEs, respectively), less allowance for credit losses of $1 and $1, respectively	313		268
Accounts and notes receivable–affiliated companies	125		7
Accrued unbilled revenues	116		113
Materials and supplies	209		195
Prepaid expenses and other current assets ($17 and $15 related to VIEs, respectively)	28		47
Total current assets	911		769
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, plant and equipment	14,296		13,593
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	4,026		3,930
Property, plant and equipment, net	10,270		9,663
Other Assets:
Regulatory assets ($542 and $633 related to VIEs, respectively)	803		848
Other non-current assets	33		36
Total other assets	836		884
Total Assets	$	12,017	$	11,316

See Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements

9

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS – (continued)

(Unaudited)

LIABILITIES AND MEMBER’S EQUITY

	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions)
Current Liabilities:
Current portion of VIE Securitization Bonds long-term debt	215		211
Current portion of other long-term debt	—		402
Accounts payable	413		281
Accounts and notes payable–affiliated companies	37		96
Taxes accrued	149		158
Interest accrued	84		71
Other current liabilities	114		117
Total current liabilities	1,012		1,336
Other Liabilities:
Deferred income taxes, net	1,069		1,041
Benefit obligations	75		75
Regulatory liabilities	1,114		1,252
Other non-current liabilities	100		95
Total other liabilities	2,358		2,463
Long-term Debt:
VIE Securitization Bonds, net	424		536
Other long-term debt, net	4,956		3,870
Total long-term debt, net	5,380		4,406
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Member’s Equity:
Common stock	—		—
Additional paid-in capital	2,548		2,548
Retained earnings	719		563
Total member’s equity	3,267		3,111
Total Liabilities and Member’s Equity	$	12,017	$	11,316

See Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements

10

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020
	(in millions)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$	156	$	120
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	302		269
Amortization of deferred financing costs	5		5
Deferred income taxes	(3)		(10)
Changes in other assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable, net	(56)		(102)
Accounts receivable/payable–affiliated companies	(72)		(6)
Inventory	(14)		(28)
Accounts payable	49		9
Interest and taxes accrued	4		(2)
Non-trading derivatives, net	—		15
Net regulatory assets and liabilities	(142)		(13)
Other current assets	21		16
Other current liabilities	(3)		2
Other assets	9		(1)
Other liabilities	8		12
Other, net	(10)		(8)
Net cash provided by operating activities	254		278
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(735)		(548)
Decrease (increase) in notes receivable–affiliated companies	(97)		448
Other, net	(5)		(7)
Net cash used in investing activities	(837)		(107)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Increase in short-term borrowings, net	—		5
Proceeds from long-term debt	1,096		299
Payments of long-term debt	(510)		(132)
Decrease in notes payable–affiliated companies	(8)		—
Dividend to parent	—		(405)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(12)		(3)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	566		(236)
Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	(17)		(65)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period	154		235
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period	$	137	$	170

See Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements

11

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CHANGES IN EQUITY

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021			2020			2021			2020
	Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount
	(in millions, except share amounts)
Common Stock
Balance, beginning of period	1,000	$	—	1,000	$	—	1,000	$	—	1,000	$	—
Balance, end of period	1,000	—		1,000	—		1,000	—		1,000	—
Additional Paid-in-Capital
Balance, beginning of period		2,548			2,486			2,548			2,486
Balance, end of period		2,548			2,486			2,548			2,486
Retained Earnings
Balance, beginning of period		616			428			563			780
Net income		103			87			156			120
Dividend to parent		—			(20)			—			(405)
Balance, end of period		719			495			719			495
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance, beginning of period		—			(15)			—			(15)
Other comprehensive income		—			15			—			15
Balance, end of period		—			—			—			—
Total Member’s Equity		$	3,267		$	2,981		$	3,267		$	2,981

See Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements

12

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Revenues:
Utility revenues	$	549	$	467	$	1,717	$	1,463
Non-utility revenues	25		16		34		31
Total	574		483		1,751		1,494
Expenses:
Utility natural gas	182		137		805		609
Non-utility cost of revenues, including natural gas	10		7		12		13
Operation and maintenance	194		179		392		388
Depreciation and amortization	80		74		160		148
Taxes other than income taxes	44		44		100		94
Total	510		441		1,469		1,252
Operating Income	64		42		282		242
Other Expense:
Interest expense and other finance charges	(25)		(29)		(49)		(59)
Other income (expense), net	1		—		—		(4)
Total	(24)		(29)		(49)		(63)
Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	40		13		233		179
Income tax expense (benefit)	(18)		(4)		24		31
Income From Continuing Operations	58		17		209		148
Loss from Discontinued Operations (net of tax expense (benefit) of $-0-, $8, $-0- and $(3), respectively)	—		(4)		—		(68)
Net Income	$	58	$	13	$	209	$	80

See Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements

13

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Net income	$	58	$	13	$	209	$	80
Comprehensive income	$	58	$	13	$	209	$	80

See Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements

14

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

ASSETS

	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions)
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1	$	1
Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses of $55 and $45, respectively	199		233
Accrued unbilled revenues, less allowance for credit losses of $2 and $4, respectively	80		260
Accounts and notes receivable–affiliated companies	10		8
Materials and supplies	64		58
Natural gas inventory	84		121
Current assets held for sale	1,935		—
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	241		26
Total current assets	2,614		707
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, plant and equipment	7,519		8,972
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	2,001		2,414
Property, plant and equipment, net	5,518		6,558
Other Assets:
Goodwill	611		757
Regulatory assets	1,598		220
Other non-current assets	38		66
Total other assets	2,247		1,043
Total Assets	$	10,379	$	8,308

See Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements

15

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS – (continued)

(Unaudited)

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions)
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	$	3	$	24
Accounts payable	226		296
Accounts and notes payable–affiliated companies	44		50
Taxes accrued	55		74
Interest accrued	29		28
Customer deposits	65		76
Current liabilities held for sale	472		—
Other current liabilities	127		178
Total current liabilities	1,021		726
Other Liabilities:
Deferred income taxes, net	619		584
Benefit obligations	83		83
Regulatory liabilities	955		1,226
Other non-current liabilities	582		694
Total other liabilities	2,239		2,587
Long-Term Debt	4,343		2,428
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Stockholder’s Equity:
Common stock	—		—
Additional paid-in capital	2,046		2,046
Retained earnings	720		511
Accumulated other comprehensive income	10		10
Total stockholder’s equity	2,776		2,567
Total Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity	$	10,379	$	8,308

See Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements

16

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020
	(in millions)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$	209	$	80
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	160		148
Amortization of deferred financing costs	8		5
Deferred income taxes	24		26
Goodwill impairment and loss from reclassification to held for sale	—		93
Write-down of natural gas inventory	—		3
Changes in other assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net	182		357
Accounts receivable/payable–affiliated companies	(8)		(7)
Inventory	23		52
Accounts payable	(76)		(183)
Interest and taxes accrued	(13)		(27)
Non-trading derivatives, net	—		(13)
Margin deposits, net	—		65
Net regulatory assets and liabilities	(2,004)		2
Other current assets	5		2
Other current liabilities	(33)		(22)
Other assets	(9)		7
Other liabilities	(31)		5
Other, net	—		(6)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(1,563)		587
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(327)		(376)
Increase in notes receivable–affiliated companies	—		(9)
Proceeds from divestiture (Note 3)	—		286
Other, net	12		2
Net cash used in investing activities	(315)		(97)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings, net	(27)		14
Proceeds from (payments of) commercial paper, net	217		(145)
Proceeds from long-term debt	1,699		—
Dividends to parent	—		(72)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(10)		—
Capital distribution to parent associated with the sale of CES	—		(286)
Other, net	(1)		(2)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,878		(491)
Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	—		(1)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period	1		2
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period	$	1	$	1

See Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CHANGES IN EQUITY

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021			2020			2021			2020
	Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount
	(in millions, except share amounts)
Common Stock
Balance, beginning of period	1,000	$	—	1,000	$	—	1,000	$	—	1,000	$	—
Balance, end of period	1,000	—		1,000	—		1,000	—		1,000	—
Additional Paid-in-Capital
Balance, beginning of period		2,046			2,116			2,046			2,116
Capital distribution to parent associated with the sale of CES		—			(286)			—			(286)
Other		—			(1)			—			(1)
Balance, end of period		2,046			1,829			2,046			1,829
Retained Earnings
Balance, beginning of period		662			545			511			515
Net income		58			13			209			80
Dividend to parent		—			(40)			—			(72)
Adoption of ASU 2016-13		—			—			—			(5)
Balance, end of period		720			518			720			518
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Balance, beginning of period		10			10			10			10
Balance, end of period		10			10			10			10
Total Stockholder’s Equity		$	2,776		$	2,357		$	2,776		$	2,357

See Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

COMBINED NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) Background and Basis of Presentation

General. 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 or the subsidiaries of CenterPoint Energy other than itself or its subsidiaries.

Except as discussed in the last paragraph in Note 12 to the Registrants’ Interim Condensed 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.

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 Interim Condensed Financial Statements are unaudited, omit certain financial statement disclosures and should be read with the Registrants’ financial statements included in the Registrants’ combined 2020 Form 10-K. The Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements apply to all Registrants and specific references to Houston Electric and CERC herein also pertain to CenterPoint Energy, unless otherwise indicated.

Background. CenterPoint Energy, Inc. is a public utility holding company and owns interests in Enable, a publicly traded MLP, as described below. As of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy’s operating subsidiaries reported as continuing operations were as follows:

•Houston Electric provides electric transmission service to transmission service customers in the ERCOT region and distribution service to REPs serving the Texas Gulf Coast area that includes the city of Houston.

•CERC (i) owns and operates natural gas distribution systems in six states; (ii) owns and operates permanent pipeline connections through interconnects with various interstate and intrastate pipeline companies through CEIP; and (iii) provides temporary delivery of LNG and CNG throughout the contiguous 48 states through MES.

•Vectren holds three public utilities through its wholly-owned subsidiary, VUHI, a public utility holding company:

•Indiana Gas provides energy delivery services to natural gas customers located in central and southern Indiana;

•SIGECO provides energy delivery services to electric and natural gas customers located in and near Evansville in southwestern Indiana and owns and operates electric generation assets to serve its electric customers and optimizes those assets in the wholesale power market; and

•VEDO provides energy delivery services to natural gas customers located in and near Dayton in west-central Ohio.

•Vectren performs non-utility activities through ESG, which provides energy performance contracting and sustainable infrastructure services, such as renewables, distributed generation and combined heat and power projects.

On April 29, 2021, CenterPoint Energy, through its subsidiary CERC Corp., entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to sell its Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses. See Note 3 for further information.

As of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy’s reportable segments were Electric, Natural Gas and Midstream Investments. Houston Electric and CERC each consist of a single reportable segment. For a description of CenterPoint Energy’s reportable segments, see Note 16.

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As of June 30, 2021, CNP Midstream owned approximately 53.7% of the common units representing limited partner interests in Enable, which owns, operates and develops natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets; CNP Midstream also owned 50% of the management rights and 40% of the incentive distribution rights in Enable GP. On February 16, 2021, Enable entered into the Enable Merger Agreement. At the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Enable Merger Agreement, if and when it occurs, Energy Transfer will acquire all of Enable’s outstanding equity interests, including all Enable common units and Enable Series A Preferred Units held by CenterPoint Energy, and in return CenterPoint Energy will receive Energy Transfer common units and Energy Transfer Series G Preferred Units. For additional information regarding CenterPoint Energy’s interest in Enable, including the 14,520,000 Enable Series A Preferred Units directly owned by CenterPoint Energy, and the Enable Merger, see Note 9.

As of June 30, 2021, 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 solely 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 payable only 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 the Registrants’ 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, (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 reportable segment presentation described in the 2020 Form 10-K.

(2) New Accounting Pronouncements

Management believes that recently adopted and recently issued accounting 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) Held for Sale and Divestitures (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

Held for Sale. On April 29, 2021, CenterPoint Energy, through its subsidiary CERC Corp., entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to sell its Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses for $2.15 billion in cash, including recovery of approximately $425 million of storm-related incremental natural gas costs incurred in the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, subject to certain adjustments set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement. The assets include approximately 17,000 miles of main pipeline in Arkansas, Oklahoma and certain portions of Bowie County, Texas serving more than half a million customers. The Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses are reflected in CenterPoint Energy’s Natural Gas reportable segment and CERC’s single reportable segment, as applicable. Filings were made on June 11, 2021 to the APSC and June 24, 2021 to the OCC requesting approval of the transaction. The transaction is anticipated to close by the end of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, including Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust clearance and state regulatory approvals. As announced in December 2020, CenterPoint Energy’s business strategy incorporated the Business Review and Evaluation Committee’s recommendations to increase its planned capital expenditures in its electric and natural gas businesses to support rate base growth and sell certain of its Natural Gas businesses located in Arkansas and Oklahoma as a means to efficiently finance a portion of such increased capital expenditures, among other recommendations.

In April 2021, certain assets and liabilities representing the Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses met the held for sale criteria. The sale will be considered an asset sale for tax purposes, requiring net deferred tax liabilities to be excluded from held for sale balances. The deferred taxes associated with the businesses will be recognized as a deferred income tax benefit by CenterPoint Energy and CERC upon closing.

The Registrants record assets and liabilities held for sale at the lower of their carrying value or their estimated fair value less cost to sell. Neither CenterPoint Energy nor CERC recognized any gains or losses upon classification of held for sale during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. See Note 10 for further information about the allocation of goodwill to the businesses to be disposed.

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The assets and liabilities of the Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses classified as held for sale in CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, as applicable, included the following:

	June 30, 2021
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions)
Receivables, net	$	28	$	28
Accrued unbilled revenues	14		14
Natural gas inventory	20		20
Materials and supplies	8		8
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,238		1,238
Goodwill	403		146
Regulatory assets	386		386
Other	95		95
Total current assets held for sale	$	2,192	$	1,935
Short term borrowings (1)	$	14	$	14
Accounts payable	20		20
Taxes accrued	5		5
Customer deposits	12		12
Regulatory liabilities	286		286
Other	135		135
Total current liabilities held for sale	$	472	$	472

(1)Represents third-party AMAs associated with utility distribution service in Arkansas and Oklahoma. These transactions are accounted for as an inventory financing. For further information, see Note 12.

Although the Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses met the held for sale criteria, their disposals do not represent a strategic shift to CenterPoint Energy and CERC as both will retain significant operations in, and will continue to invest in, their natural gas businesses. Therefore, the assets and liabilities associated with these transactions are not reflected as discontinued operations on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, as applicable, and the December 31, 2020 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were not required to be recast for assets held for sale. Since the depreciation on the Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas assets will continue to be reflected in revenues through customer rates until the expected closing of the transaction and will be reflected in the carryover basis of the rate-regulated assets once sold, CenterPoint Energy and CERC will continue to record depreciation on those assets through the expected closing of the transaction.

The pre-tax income for the Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses, excluding interest and corporate allocations, included in CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income is as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	$	10	$	8	$	62	$	60

Divestiture of Infrastructure Services and Energy Services (CenterPoint Energy and CERC). CenterPoint Energy completed the sale of the Infrastructure Services Disposal Group on April 9, 2020 for $850 million and collected a receivable of $4 million from PowerTeam Services in January 2021 for full and final settlement of the working capital adjustment in the Securities Purchase Agreement. CenterPoint Energy, through its subsidiary CERC Corp., completed the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group on June 1, 2020 for $286 million in cash and collected a receivable for $79 million in October 2020 for full and final settlement of the working capital adjustment. The earnings and expenses directly associated with these dispositions for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 are reflected as discontinued operations on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income through the closing of the transactions, as applicable.

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A summary of the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups presented in CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, as applicable, is as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy						CERC
	Infrastructure Services Disposal Group		Energy Services Disposal Group		Total		Energy Services Disposal Group
	(in millions)
Revenues	$	28	$	281	$	309	$	281
Expenses:
Non-utility cost of revenues	6		300		306		300
Operation and maintenance	21		14		35		14
Taxes other than income taxes	—		2		2		2
Total	27		316		343		316
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	1		(35)		(34)		(35)
Gain on sale, net	3		39		42		39
Income tax expense	30		8		38		8
Net loss from discontinued operations	$	(26)	$	(4)	$	(30)	$	(4)

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy						CERC
	Infrastructure Services Disposal Group		Energy Services Disposal Group		Total		Energy Services Disposal Group
	(in millions)
Revenues	$	250	$	1,167	$	1,417	$	1,167
Expenses:
Non-utility cost of revenues	50		1,108		1,158		1,108
Operation and maintenance	184		34		218		34
Taxes other than income taxes	1		3		4		3
Total	235		1,145		1,380		1,145
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	15		22		37		22
Loss on classification to held for sale, net (1)	(93)		(99)		(192)		(93)
Income tax expense (benefit)	25		(4)		21		(3)
Net loss from discontinued operations	$	(103)	$	(73)	$	(176)	$	(68)

(1)Loss from classification to held for sale is inclusive of goodwill impairment, gains and losses recognized upon sale, and for CenterPoint Energy, its costs to sell.

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CenterPoint Energy and CERC have elected not to separately disclose discontinued operations on their respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows. The following table summarizes CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s cash flows from discontinued operations and certain supplemental cash flow disclosures related to the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups, as applicable:

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy				CERC
	Infrastructure Services Disposal Group		Energy Services Disposal Group		Energy Services Disposal Group
	(in millions)
Write-down of natural gas inventory	$	—	$	3	$	3
Capital expenditures	16		1		1
Non-cash transactions:
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures	2		4		4

Other Sale Related Matters (CenterPoint Energy and CERC). CES provided natural gas supply to CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas under contracts executed in a competitive bidding process, with the duration of some contracts extending into 2021. In addition, CERC is the natural gas transportation provider for a portion of CES’s customer base and will continue to be the transportation provider for these customers as long as these customers retain a relationship with the divested CES business.

Transactions between CES and CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas businesses that were previously eliminated in consolidation have been reflected in continuing operations until June 1, 2020, which was the date of closing of the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group. Revenues and expenses included in continuing operations were as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions)
Transportation revenue	$	18	$	18
Natural gas expense	3		3
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions)
Transportation revenue	$	34	$	34
Natural gas expense	48		47

In the normal course of business prior to June 1, 2020, the Energy Services Disposal Group through CES traded natural gas under supply contracts and entered into natural gas related transactions under transportation, storage and other contracts. In connection with the Energy Services Disposal Group’s business activities prior to the closing of the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group on June 1, 2020, CERC Corp. issued guarantees to certain of CES’s counterparties to guarantee the payment of CES’s obligations. For further information, see Note 14.

Natural Gas had AMAs associated with their utility distribution service in Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma with the Energy Services Disposal Group which expired in March 2021. The expired AMAs were replaced with new third-party AMAs beginning in April 2021. CenterPoint Energy and CERC had outstanding obligations related to the AMAs with the Energy Services Disposal Group of $-0- and $24 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

The Infrastructure Services Disposal Group provided pipeline construction and repair services to CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas. In accordance with consolidation guidance in ASC 980—Regulated Operations, costs incurred by Natural Gas utilities for these pipeline construction and repair services are not eliminated in consolidation when capitalized and included in rate base by the Natural Gas utility. Amounts charged for these services that are not capitalized are included primarily in Operation and maintenance expenses.

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Fees incurred by CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas segment for pipeline construction and repair services are as follows:

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions)
Pipeline construction and repair services capitalized	$	34	$	—
Pipeline construction and repair service charges in operations and maintenance expense	1		1

(1)Represents charges for the period from January 1, 2020 until the closing of the sale of the Infrastructure Services Disposal Group.

In the Securities Purchase Agreement, CenterPoint Energy agreed to a mechanism to reimburse PowerTeam Services subsequent to closing of the sale for certain amounts of specifically identified change orders that may be ultimately rejected by one of VISCO’s customers as part of on-going audits. CenterPoint Energy’s maximum contractual exposure under the Securities Purchase Agreement, in addition to the amount reflected in the working capital adjustment, for these change orders is $21 million. 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. CenterPoint Energy anticipates this matter will be resolved in 2021.

(4) Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Credit Losses

Revenues from Contracts with Customers

In accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, 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. The revenues and related balances in the following tables exclude operating revenues and balances from the Energy Services Disposal Group and the Infrastructure Services Disposal Group, which are reflected as discontinued operations prior to the date of closing of each transaction. See Note 3 for further information. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year reportable segment presentation described in the Registrants’ combined 2020 Form 10-K.

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.

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

CenterPoint Energy

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2021
	Electric		Natural Gas		Corporate  and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	933	$	718	$	64	$	1,715
Other (1)	4		22		1		27
Total revenues	$	937	$	740	$	65	$	1,742
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
	Electric		Natural Gas		Corporate  and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	1,766	$	2,373	$	117	$	4,256
Other (1)	1		30		2		33
Total revenues	$	1,767	$	2,403	$	119	$	4,289

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	Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
	Electric		Natural Gas		Corporate  and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	850	$	634	$	82	$	1,566
Other (1)	(2)		10		1		9
Total revenues	$	848	$	644	$	83	$	1,575
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
	Electric		Natural Gas		Corporate  and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	1,617	$	1,930	$	160	$	3,707
Other (1)	(2)		35		2		35
Total revenues	$	1,615	$	1,965	$	162	$	3,742

(1)Primarily consists of income from ARPs, weather hedge gains (losses) and leases. Total lease income was $2 million and $1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $4 million and $2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Houston Electric

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	791	$	722	$	1,478	$	1,360
Other (1)	(5)		(2)		(8)		(6)
Total revenues	$	786	$	720	$	1,470	$	1,354

(1)Primarily consists of income from ARPs and leases. Lease income was not significant for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.

CERC

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	558	$	472	$	1,730	$	1,456
Other (1)	16		11		21		38
Total revenues	$	574	$	483	$	1,751	$	1,494

(1)Primarily consists of income from ARPs, weather hedge gains (losses) and leases. Lease income was not significant for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.

Revenues from Contracts with Customers

Electric (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric). Houston Electric distributes electricity to customers over time and customers consume the electricity when delivered. Indiana Electric generates, distributes and transmits electricity to customers over time, and customers consume the electricity when delivered. Revenue, consisting of both volumetric and fixed tariff rates set by state regulators, such as the PUCT and the IURC, 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 provided by Houston Electric 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 regulator. Payments are received on a monthly basis. Indiana Electric customers are billed monthly and payment terms, set by the regulator, require payment within a month of billing.

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Natural Gas (CenterPoint Energy and CERC). CenterPoint Energy and CERC distribute and transport 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.

Contract Balances. When the timing of delivery of service is different from the timing of the payments made by customers and when the right to consideration is conditioned on something other than the passage of time, the Registrants recognize either a contract asset (performance precedes billing) or a contract liability (customer payment precedes performance). Those customers that prepay are represented by contract liabilities until the performance obligations are satisfied. The Registrants’ contract assets are included in Accrued unbilled revenues in their Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy’s contract assets primarily relate to ESG contracts where revenue is recognized using the input method. The Registrants’ contract liabilities are included in Accounts payable and Other current liabilities in their Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy’s contract liabilities primarily relate to ESG contracts where revenue is recognized using the input method.

The opening and closing balances of accounts receivable related to ASC 606 revenues, other accrued unbilled revenue, contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers from continuing operations as of December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2021, respectively, are presented below. The closing balances as of June 30, 2021 for CenterPoint Energy and CERC have been updated to exclude amounts reflected as held for sale on their respective Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

CenterPoint Energy

	Accounts Receivable		Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues		Contract Assets		Contract Liabilities
	(in millions)
Opening balance as of December 31, 2020	$	604	$	505	$	27	$	18
Closing balance as of June 30, 2021	505		272		24		22
Increase (decrease)	$	(99)	$	(233)	$	(3)	$	4

The amount of revenue recognized in the six-month period ended June 30, 2021 that was included in the opening contract liability was $15 million. The difference between the opening and closing balances of the contract liabilities primarily results from the timing difference between CenterPoint Energy’s performance and the customer’s payment.

Houston Electric

	Accounts Receivable		Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues		Contract Liabilities
	(in millions)
Opening balance as of December 31, 2020	$	225	$	113	$	3
Closing balance as of June 30, 2021	260		116		6
Increase	$	35	$	3	$	3

The amount of revenue recognized in the six-month period ended June 30, 2021 that was included in the opening contract liability was $2 million. The difference between the opening and closing balances of the contract liabilities primarily results from the timing difference between Houston Electric’s performance and the customer’s payment.

CERC

	Accounts Receivable		Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues
	(in millions)
Opening balance as of December 31, 2020	$	214	$	261
Closing balance as of June 30, 2021	114		81
Decrease	$	(100)	$	(180)

CERC does not have any opening or closing contract asset or contract liability balances.

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Remaining Performance Obligations (CenterPoint Energy). The table below discloses (1) the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of the end of the reporting period for contracts and (2) when CenterPoint Energy expects to recognize this revenue. Such contracts include energy performance and sustainable infrastructure services contracts of ESG, which are included in Corporate and Other.

	Rolling 12 Months		Thereafter		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue expected to be recognized on contracts in place as of June 30, 2021:
Corporate and Other	$	253	$	538	$	791
	$	253	$	538	$	791

Practical Expedients and Exemption. Sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers are excluded from the transaction price. For contracts for which revenue from the satisfaction of the performance obligations is recognized in the amount invoiced, the practical expedient was elected and revenue expected to be recognized on these contracts has not been disclosed.

Allowance for Credit Losses

CenterPoint Energy and CERC segregate financial assets that fall under the scope of Topic 326, primarily trade receivables due in one year or less, into portfolio segments based on shared risk characteristics, such as geographical location and regulatory environment, for evaluation of expected credit losses. Historical and current information, such as average write-offs, are applied to each portfolio segment to estimate the allowance for losses on uncollectible receivables. Additionally, the allowance for losses on uncollectible receivables is adjusted for reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions, which can include changing weather, commodity prices, regulations, and macroeconomic factors, among others. Houston Electric recognizes losses on financial assets that fall under the scope of Topic 326. Losses on financial assets are primarily recoverable through regulatory mechanisms and do not materially impact Houston Electric's allowance for credit losses. For a discussion of regulatory deferrals related to COVID-19 and the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, see Note 6.

(5) Employee Benefit Plans

The Registrants’ net periodic cost (benefit), 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 June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	10	$	12	$	20	$	22
Interest cost (2)	14		19		29		38
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(26)		(29)		(52)		(57)
Amortization of prior service cost (2)	—		—		—		—
Amortization of net loss (2)	10		11		19		21
Settlement cost (benefit) (2) (3)	(1)		1		(1)		1
Net periodic cost	$	7	$	14	$	15	$	25

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

(2)Amounts presented in the table above are included in Other income (expense), net in CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, net of regulatory deferrals.

(3)A one-time, non-cash settlement cost (benefit) is required when the total lump sum distributions or other settlements of plan benefit obligations during a plan year exceed the service cost and interest cost components of the net periodic cost for that year. In each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, CenterPoint Energy recognized non-cash settlement costs (benefits) due to lump sum settlement payments from Vectren pension plans.

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Postretirement Benefits

	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	—	$	—	$	1	$	1	$	—	$	—
Interest cost (2)	2		1		—		3		2		1
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(1)		(1)		—		(2)		(1)		—
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (2)	(1)		(1)		—		(1)		(2)		—
Net periodic cost (benefit)	$	—	$	(1)	$	1	$	1	$	(1)	$	1
	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	1	$	—	$	1	$	1	$	—	$	—
Interest cost (2)	4		2		1		6		3		2
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(2)		(2)		—		(3)		(2)		—
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (2)	(2)		(2)		—		(2)		(3)		—
Net periodic cost (benefit)	$	1	$	(2)	$	2	$	2	$	(2)	$	2

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

The table below reflects the expected contributions to be made to the pension and postretirement benefit plans during 2021:

	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Expected minimum contribution to pension plans during 2021	$	61	$	—	$	—
Expected contribution to postretirement benefit plans in 2021	9		1		3

On March 11, 2021, the ARPA was signed into law which includes pension plan funding relief for the sponsoring employers. As a result, the required minimum contribution to pension plans for 2021 has been significantly reduced. However, CenterPoint Energy elects to maintain the same level of funding previously planned for 2021, and therefore, the expected minimum contribution amount does not reflect this funding relief available for 2021.

The table below reflects the contributions made to the pension and postretirement benefit plans during 2021:

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2021						Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Pension plans	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	8	$	—	$	—
Postretirement benefit plans	1		—		1		4		—		2

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(6) Regulatory Matters

Equity Return

The Registrants are at times allowed by a regulator to defer an equity return as part of the recoverable carrying costs of a regulatory asset. A deferred equity return is capitalized for rate-making purposes, but it is not included in the Registrant’s regulatory assets on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The allowed equity return is recognized in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income as it is recovered in rates. The recoverable allowed equity return not yet recognized by the Registrants is as follows:

	June 30, 2021						December 31, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy (1)		Houston Electric (2)		CERC (3)		CenterPoint Energy (1)		Houston Electric (2)		CERC (3)
	(in millions)
Allowed equity return not recognized	$	217	$	121	$	14	$	229	$	137	$	13

(1)In addition to the amounts described in (2) and (3) below, CenterPoint Energy’s allowed equity return on post in-service carrying cost generally associated with investments in Indiana.

(2)Represents Houston Electric’s allowed equity return on its true-up balance of stranded costs, other changes and related interest resulting from the formerly integrated electric utilities prior to Texas deregulation to be recovered in rates through 2024 and certain storm restoration balances pending recovery in the next rate proceeding. The actual amounts recognized are adjusted at least annually to correct any over-collections or under-collections during the preceding 12 months.

(3)CERC’s allowed equity return on post in-service carrying cost associated with certain distribution facilities replacements expenditures in Texas.

The table below reflects the amount of allowed equity return recognized by each Registrant in its Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income:

	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Allowed equity return recognized	$	11	$	11	$	—	$	8	$	8	$	—
	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
Allowed equity return recognized	$	19	$	18	$	—	$	14	$	14	$	—

February 2021 Winter Storm Event

In February 2021, certain of the Registrants’ jurisdictions experienced an extreme and unprecedented winter weather event that resulted in prolonged freezing temperatures, which impacted their businesses. In Texas, the February 2021 Winter Storm Event caused an electricity generation shortage that was severely disruptive to Houston Electric’s service territory and the wholesale generation market. While demand for electricity reached extraordinary levels due to the extreme cold, the supply of electricity significantly decreased in part because of the inability of certain power generation facilities to supply electric power to the grid. Houston Electric does not own or operate any electric generation facilities. It transmits and distributes to customers of REPs electric power that the REPs obtain from power generation facilities owned by third parties. ERCOT serves as the independent system operator and regional reliability coordinator for member electric power systems in most of Texas. To comply with ERCOT’s orders, Houston Electric implemented controlled outages across its service territory, resulting in a substantial number of businesses and residents being without power, many for extended periods of time, in compliance with ERCOT’s directives as an emergency procedure to avoid prolonged large-scale state-wide blackouts and long-term damage to the electric system in Texas. In anticipation of this weather event, Houston Electric implemented its emergency operations

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plan’s processes and procedures necessary to respond to such events, including establishing an incident command center and calling for mutual assistance from other utilities where needed, among other measures. Throughout the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, Houston Electric remained in contact with its regulators and stakeholders, including federal, state and local officials, as well as the PUCT and ERCOT.

The February 2021 Winter Storm Event also impacted wholesale prices of CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s natural gas purchases and their ability to serve customers in their Natural Gas service territories, including due to the reduction in available natural gas capacity and impacts to CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s natural gas supply portfolio activities, and the effects of weather on their systems and their ability to transport natural gas, among other things. The overall natural gas market, including the markets from which CenterPoint Energy and CERC sourced a significant portion of their natural gas for their operations, experienced significant impacts caused by the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, resulting in extraordinary increases in the price of natural gas purchased by CenterPoint Energy and CERC.

On February 13, 2021, the Railroad Commission authorized each Texas natural gas distribution utility to record in a regulatory asset the extraordinary expenses associated with the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, including, but not limited to, natural gas cost and other costs related to the procurement and transportation of natural gas supply, subject to recovery in future regulatory proceedings. The Texas governor signed legislation in June 2021 that authorizes the Railroad Commission to use securitization financing and the issuance of customer rate relief bonds for recovery of extraordinary natural gas costs incurred by natural gas utilities as a result of the February 2021 Winter Storm Event. In addition, CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas utilities in jurisdictions outside of Texas deferred under-recovered natural gas cost as regulatory assets under existing recovery mechanisms and are seeking recovery of the increased cost of natural gas. As of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy and CERC have recorded current regulatory assets of $325 million and $222 million included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets, respectively, and non-current regulatory assets of $1,774 million and $1,763 million, respectively, associated with the February 2021 Winter Storm Event.

Amounts for the under recovery of natural gas costs are reflected in regulatory assets and are probable of recovery; however, the timing of recovery for the estimated incremental natural gas cost attributable to the February 2021 Winter Storm Event within each regulatory asset remains uncertain in some jurisdictions. Recovery of natural gas costs within the regulatory assets are subject to customary regulatory prudency reviews in all jurisdictions that may impact the amounts ultimately recovered. For example, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and Department of Commerce have proposed significant disallowances for all natural gas utilities, resulting in a potential disallowance of up to approximately $290 million for CenterPoint Energy and CERC. The natural gas costs in Minnesota were incurred in accordance with the plan on file with the MPUC and remain probable of recovery. Additionally, due to the uncertainty of timing and method of recovery in some jurisdictions, CenterPoint Energy and CERC may not earn a return on amounts deferred in the regulatory assets associated with the February 2021 Winter Storm Event.

On February 21, 2021, in response to the 2021 February Winter Storm Event, the PUCT issued an order prohibiting REPs from sending a request to TDUs to disconnect such REPs’ customers for non-payment, effective February 21, 2021. As a result of this order, Houston Electric did not execute any requests for disconnection from any REPs until the PUCT issues orders for disconnects to resume. In June 2021, the PUCT issued an updated order relating to disconnections and REPs resumed the distribution of disconnection notices thereafter. As of June 30, 2021, as authorized by the PUCT, CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric recorded a regulatory asset of $8 million for bad debt expenses resulting from REPs’ default on their obligation to pay delivery charges to Houston Electric net of collateral. Additionally, as of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric recorded a regulatory asset of $12 million to defer operations and maintenance costs associated with the February 2021 Winter Storm Event.

See Notes 12 and 14(d) for further information regarding debt financing transactions and litigation related to the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, respectively.

COVID-19 Regulatory Matters

Governors, public utility commissions and other authorities in the states in which the Registrants operate issued a number of different orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including orders addressing customer non-payment and disconnection. Although the disconnect moratoriums have expired or are set to expire in the third quarter of 2021 in the Registrants’ service territories, CenterPoint Energy continues to support those customers who may need payment assistance, arrangements or extensions.

The COVID-19 ERP allows program expenses to be recovered in rates. CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s COVID-19 ERP regulatory assets were $-0- as of June 30, 2021 and $6 million as of December 31, 2020.

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Commissions in all of Indiana Electric’s and CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas service territories have either (1) issued orders to record a regulatory asset for incremental bad debt expenses related to COVID-19, including costs associated with the suspension of disconnections and payment plans or (2) provided authority to recover bad debt expense through an existing tracking mechanism. CenterPoint Energy and CERC have recorded estimated incremental uncollectible receivables to the associated regulatory asset of $28 million and $26 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2021 and $22 million and $19 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2020.

In some of the states in which the Registrants operate, public utility commissions have authorized utilities to employ deferred accounting authority for certain COVID-19 related costs which ensure the safety and health of customers, employees, and contractors, that would not have been incurred in the normal course of business. CERC’s Natural Gas service territories in Minnesota and Arkansas will include any offsetting savings in the deferral. Other jurisdictions where the Registrants operate may require them to offset the deferral with savings as well. The Arkansas FRP, filed on April 5, 2021, included a request for (1) the regulatory asset as of September 30, 2020 in working capital for the 2021 historical year using a thirteen-month average of the asset balance; (2) the regulatory asset as of September 30, 2020 in working capital for the 2021 projected year using a thirteen-month average of the asset balance; and (3) the amortization of the balance over the 2021 projected year twelve-month period beginning October 1, 2021. The Mississippi RRA, filed on April 30, 2021, included the unamortized balance of the regulatory asset as of December 31, 2020 in rate base per Docket No. 2018-AD-141 Order Authorizing Utility Response and Accounting for COVID-19.

(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 swaps and options to mitigate the impact of changes in commodity prices, weather and interest rates on operating results and cash flows.

(a)Non-Trading Activities

Commodity Derivative Instruments (CenterPoint Energy). CenterPoint Energy, through the Indiana Utilities, enters into certain derivative instruments to mitigate the effects of commodity price movements. Outstanding derivative instruments designated as economic hedges at the Indiana Utilities hedge long-term variable rate natural gas purchases. The Indiana Utilities have authority to refund and recover mark-to-market gains and losses associated with hedging natural gas purchases, and thus the gains and losses on derivatives are deferred in a regulatory liability or asset.

Interest Rate Risk Derivative Instruments. From time to time, the Registrants may enter into interest rate derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges or accounted for as economic hedges. The objective of these hedges is to offset risk associated with interest rates borne by the Registrants in connection with an anticipated future fixed rate debt offering or other exposure to variable rate debt. The Indiana Utilities have authority to refund and recover mark-to-market gains and losses associated with hedging financing activity, and thus the gains and losses on derivatives are deferred in a regulatory liability or asset.

The table below summarizes the Registrants’ outstanding interest rate hedging activity:

	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
Hedging Classification	Notional Principal
	(in millions)
Economic hedge (1)	$	84	$	84

(1)Relates to interest rate derivative instruments at SIGECO.

Weather Hedges (CenterPoint Energy and CERC). CenterPoint Energy and CERC have weather normalization or other rate mechanisms that largely mitigate the impact of weather on Natural Gas in Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Minnesota, Ohio and Oklahoma, as applicable. CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas in Texas and CenterPoint Energy’s electric operations in Texas and Indiana do not have such mechanisms, although fixed customer charges are historically higher in Texas for Natural Gas compared to its other jurisdictions. As a result, fluctuations from normal weather may have a positive or negative effect on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas’ results in Texas and on CenterPoint Energy’s electric operations’ results in its Texas and Indiana service territories. The Registrants do not currently enter into weather hedges.

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(b)Derivative Fair Values and Income Statement Impacts

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

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments and Hedged Items (CenterPoint Energy)

		June 30, 2021				December 31, 2020
	Balance Sheet Location	Derivative Assets Fair Value		Derivative Liabilities Fair Value		Derivative Liabilities Fair Value
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:		(in millions)
Natural gas derivatives (1)	Current Assets: Non-trading derivative assets	$	6	$	—	$	—
Natural gas derivatives (1)	Other Assets: Other non-current assets	1		—		—
Natural gas derivatives (2)	Current Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	—		—		3
Natural gas derivatives (2)	Other Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	—		—		7
Interest rate derivatives	Other Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	—		14		20
Indexed debt securities derivative (3)	Current Liabilities	—		1,004		953
Total		$	7	$	1,018	$	983

(1)Natural gas contracts are subject to master netting arrangements. This netting applies to all undisputed amounts due or past due. However, the mark-to-market fair value of each natural gas contract is in an asset position with no offsetting amounts.

(2)Natural gas contracts are subject to master netting arrangements. This netting applies to all undisputed amounts due or past due. However, the mark-to-market fair value of each natural gas contract is in a liability position with no offsetting amounts.

(3)Derivative component of the ZENS obligation that represents the ZENS holder’s option to receive the appreciated value of the reference shares at maturity. See Note 11 for further information.

Income Statement Impact of Hedge Accounting Activity (CenterPoint Energy)

		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended  June 30,
	Income Statement Location	2021		2020		2021		2020
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:		(in millions)
Indexed debt securities derivative (1)	Gain (loss) on indexed debt securities	$	(77)	$	(76)	$	(51)	$	59
Total		$	(77)	$	(76)	$	(51)	$	59

(1)The indexed debt securities derivative is recorded at fair value and changes in the fair value are recorded in CenterPoint Energy’s Statements of Consolidated Income.

(c) Credit Risk Contingent Features (CenterPoint Energy)

Certain of CenterPoint Energy’s derivative instruments contain provisions that require CenterPoint Energy’s debt to maintain an investment grade credit rating on its long-term unsecured unsubordinated debt from S&P and Moody’s. If CenterPoint Energy’s debt were to fall below investment grade, it would be in violation of these provisions, and the counterparties to the derivative instruments could request immediate payment.

	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions)
Aggregate fair value of derivatives with credit-risk-related contingent features in a liability position	$	14	$	20
Fair value of collateral already posted	7		7
Additional collateral required to be posted if credit risk contingent features triggered (1)	7		3

(1)The maximum collateral required if further escalating collateral is triggered would equal the net liability position.

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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.

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, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. 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.

The Registrants determine the appropriate level for each financial asset and liability on a quarterly basis.

The following tables present information about the Registrants’ assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Registrants to determine such fair value.

CenterPoint Energy

	June 30, 2021								December 31, 2020
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets	(in millions)
Corporate equities	$	926	$	—	$	—	$	926	$	873	$	—	$	—	$	873
Investments, including money market funds (1)	42		—		—		42		43		—		—		43
Natural gas derivatives	—		7		—		7		—		—		—		—
Total assets	$	968	$	7	$	—	$	975	$	916	$	—	$	—	$	916
Liabilities
Indexed debt securities derivative	$	—	$	1,004	$	—	$	1,004	$	—	$	953	$	—	$	953
Interest rate derivatives	—		14		—		14		—		20		—		20
Natural gas derivatives	—		—		—		—		—		10		—		10
Total liabilities	$	—	$	1,018	$	—	$	1,018	$	—	$	983	$	—	$	983

Houston Electric

	June 30, 2021								December 31, 2020
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets	(in millions)
Investments, including money market funds (1)	$	26	$	—	$	—	$	26	$	26	$	—	$	—	$	26
Total assets	$	26	$	—	$	—	$	26	$	26	$	—	$	—	$	26

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CERC

	June 30, 2021								December 31, 2020
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets	(in millions)
Corporate equities	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	3	$	2	$	—	$	—	$	2
Investments, including money market funds (1)	11		—		—		11		11		—		—		11
Total assets	$	14	$	—	$	—	$	14	$	13	$	—	$	—	$	13

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

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

As a result of classifying the Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses as held for sale, CenterPoint Energy and CERC used a market approach consisting of the contractual sales price adjusted for estimated working capital and other contractual purchase price adjustments to determine fair value of the businesses classified as held for sale, which are Level 2 inputs. Neither CenterPoint Energy nor CERC recognized any gains or losses upon classification of held for sale during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. See Note 3 for further information.

Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, investments in debt and equity securities measured at fair value 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.

	June 30, 2021						December 31, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy (1)		Houston Electric (1)		CERC		CenterPoint Energy (1)		Houston Electric (1)		CERC
Long-term debt, including current maturities	(in millions)
Carrying amount	$	16,131	$	5,595	$	4,343	$	13,401	$	5,019	$	2,428
Fair value	17,611		6,403		4,680		15,226		5,957		2,855

(1)Includes Securitization Bonds debt.

(9) Unconsolidated Affiliates (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, accounts for its investment in Enable’s common units using the equity method of accounting. Enable is considered to be a VIE because the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Enable’s economic performance does not reside with the holders of equity investment at risk. However, CenterPoint Energy is not considered the primary beneficiary of Enable since it does not have the power to direct the activities of Enable that are considered most significant to the economic performance of Enable. As of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy’s maximum exposure to loss related to Enable is limited to its investment in unconsolidated affiliates, its investment in Enable Series A Preferred Units and outstanding current accounts receivable from Enable.

On February 16, 2021, Enable entered into the Enable Merger Agreement. At the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Enable Merger Agreement, if and when it occurs, Energy Transfer will acquire all of Enable’s outstanding equity interests, resulting in the exchange of Enable common units owned by CenterPoint Energy at the transaction exchange ratio of 0.8595x Energy Transfer common units for each Enable common unit. CenterPoint Energy will also receive $5 million in cash in exchange for its interest in Enable GP and Energy Transfer Series G Preferred Units with an aggregate liquidation preference of approximately $385 million in exchange for all of its Enable Series A Preferred Units. Pursuant to previously disclosed support agreements, CenterPoint Energy and OGE, who collectively own approximately 79.2% of Enable’s common units, delivered written consents approving the Enable Merger Agreement and, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation that will or may become payable to Enable’s named executive officers in connection with the transactions contemplated by the

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Enable Merger Agreement. The transactions contemplated under the Enable Merger Agreement are expected to be completed in 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, including Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust clearance. Upon the consummation of the transaction, the agreements relating to Enable between CenterPoint Energy, OGE and Enable and certain of their affiliates will terminate, and CenterPoint Energy will pay $30 million to OGE (or other mutually agreed upon consideration). Because CenterPoint Energy will retain an investment in the midstream industry at the completion of this transaction, the transaction does not represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on CenterPoint Energy’s operations or financial results, and as such, Enable is not classified and presented as discontinued operations. Equity method investments that do not qualify for discontinued operations are not presented as assets held for sale.

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates (CenterPoint Energy):

	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions)
Enable	$	881	$	782
Other	1		1
Total	$	882	$	783

As of June 30, 2021, Enable’s common unit price closed at $9.11 per unit.

Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Affiliates, net (CenterPoint Energy):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020 (1)
	(in millions)
Enable	$	67	$	43	$	175	$	(1,432)
Total	$	67	$	43	$	175	$	(1,432)

(1)Includes an impairment charge on CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable of $1,541 million.

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

	June 30, 2021
	Limited Partner Interest (1)		Common Units	Enable Series A Preferred Units (2)
CenterPoint Energy (3)	53.7	%	233,856,623	14,520,000
OGE	25.5	%	110,982,805	—
Public unitholders	20.8	%	91,026,711	—
Total units outstanding	100.0	%	435,866,139	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 June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. There were no settled transactions in the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 that would indicate a stand-alone, observable, and readily determinable fair value for securities identical or similar to Enable Series A Preferred Units. No impairment charges or adjustment due to observable price changes were required or recorded during the current or prior reporting periods.

(3)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 CenterPoint Energy 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.

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Interests Held in Enable GP (CenterPoint Energy):

CenterPoint Energy and OGE held the following interests in Enable GP as of both June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

	June 30, 2021
	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)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)Held indirectly through CNP Midstream.

Distributions Received from Enable (CenterPoint Energy):

	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
	Per Unit		Cash Distribution		Per Unit		Cash Distribution		Per Unit		Cash Distribution		Per Unit		Cash Distribution
	(in millions, except per unit amounts)
Enable common units	$	0.16525	$	38	$	0.16525	$	39	$	0.33050	$	77	$	0.49575	$	116
Enable Series A Preferred Units	0.58730		9		0.62500		9		1.21230		18		1.25000		18
Total CenterPoint Energy			$	47			$	48			$	95			$	134

Transactions with Enable (CenterPoint Energy and CERC):

The transactions with Enable in the following tables exclude transactions with the Energy Services Disposal Group.

	CenterPoint Energy and CERC
	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Natural gas expenses, includes transportation and storage costs	$	16	$	17	$	48	$	44

	CenterPoint Energy and CERC
	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions)
Accounts payable for natural gas purchases from Enable	$	5	$	9
Accounts receivable for amounts billed for services provided to Enable	1		1

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Summarized Financial Information for Enable (CenterPoint Energy)

Summarized unaudited consolidated income information for Enable is as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Operating revenues	$	787	$	515	$	1,757	$	1,163
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization	426		177		945		403
Depreciation and amortization	103		105		209		209
Goodwill and long-lived assets impairments	—		—		—		28
Operating income	124		80		330		226
Net income attributable to Enable common units	79		35		234		138
Reconciliation of Equity in Earnings (Losses), net:
CenterPoint Energy’s interest	$	42	$	19	$	125	$	74
Basis difference amortization (1)	25		24		50		36
Loss on dilution, net of proportional basis difference recognition	—		—		—		(1)
Impairment of CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable	—		—		—		(1,541)
CenterPoint Energy’s equity in earnings (losses), net	$	67	$	43	$	175	$	(1,432)

(1)Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate includes CenterPoint Energy’s share of Enable earnings adjusted for the amortization of the basis difference of CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable and its underlying equity in net assets of Enable. The basis difference is being amortized through the year 2048 or will cease upon the sale of CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable.

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

	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions)
Current assets	$	475	$	381
Non-current assets	11,284		11,348
Current liabilities	1,317		582
Non-current liabilities	3,249		4,052
Non-controlling interest	25		26
Preferred equity	362		362
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3)		(6)
Enable partners’ equity	6,809		6,713
Reconciliation of Investment in Enable:
CenterPoint Energy’s ownership interest in Enable partners’ equity	$	3,651	$	3,601
CenterPoint Energy’s basis difference (1)	(2,770)		(2,819)
CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable	$	881	$	782

(1)The basis difference is being amortized through the year 2048 or will cease upon sale of CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable.

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

Goodwill (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

CenterPoint Energy’s goodwill by reportable segment is as follows:

	December 31, 2020		Held For Sale		June 30, 2021
	(in millions)
Electric (1)	$	936	$	—	$	936
Natural Gas (2)	3,323		403		2,920
Corporate and Other	438		—		438
Total	$	4,697	$	403	$	4,294

CERC’s goodwill is as follows:

	December 31, 2020		Held For Sale		June 30, 2021
	(in millions)
Goodwill (2)	$	757	$	146	$	611

(1)Amount presented is net of the accumulated goodwill impairment charge of $185 million recorded in 2020.

(2)If the disposal group reflects a component of a reporting unit and meets the definition of a business, the goodwill within that reporting unit is allocated to the disposal group based on the relative fair value of the components representing a business that will be retained and disposed. As a result, goodwill attributable to the Natural Gas businesses to be disposed is classified as held for sale as of June 30, 2021. Neither CenterPoint Energy nor CERC recognized any goodwill impairments within the Natural Gas reportable segment during the three or six months ended June 30, 2021. For further information, see Note 3.

Other Intangibles (CenterPoint Energy)

The tables below present information on CenterPoint Energy’s intangible assets, excluding goodwill, recorded in Other non-current assets on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the related amortization expense included in Depreciation and amortization on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, unless otherwise indicated.

	June 30, 2021						December 31, 2020
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Balance		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Balance
	(in millions)
Customer relationships	$	33	$	(10)	$	23	$	33	$	(8)	$	25
Trade names	16		(4)		12		16		(3)		13
Construction backlog (1)	5		(5)		—		5		(5)		—
Operation and maintenance agreements (1)	12		(1)		11		12		(1)		11
Other	2		(1)		1		2		(1)		1
Total	$	68	$	(21)	$	47	$	68	$	(18)	$	50

(1)Amortization expense related to the operation and maintenance agreements and construction backlog is included in Non-utility cost of revenues, including natural gas on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

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	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Amortization expense of intangible assets recorded in Depreciation and amortization	$	2	$	2	$	3	$	3
Amortization expense of intangible assets recorded in Non-utility cost of revenues, including natural gas	—		—		—		1

CenterPoint Energy estimates that amortization expense of intangible assets with finite lives for the next five years will be as follows:

	Amortization  Expense
	(in millions)
Remaining six months of 2021	$	3
2022	6
2023	6
2024	5
2025	5
2026	5

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

(a) Investment in Securities Related to ZENS

A subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy holds shares of certain securities detailed in the table below, which are securities with a readily determinable fair value 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
	June 30, 2021	December 31, 2020
AT&T Common	10,212,945	10,212,945
Charter Common	872,503	872,503

(b) ZENS

In September 1999, CenterPoint Energy issued ZENS having an original principal amount of $1.0 billion of which $828 million remained outstanding as of June 30, 2021. Each ZENS is 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 attributable to such note. The number and identity of the reference shares attributable to each ZENS are adjusted for certain corporate events.

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

	June 30, 2021	December 31, 2020
	(in shares)
AT&T Common	0.7185	0.7185
Charter Common	0.061382	0.061382

CenterPoint Energy pays interest on the ZENS at an annual rate of 2% plus the amount of any quarterly cash dividends paid in respect of the reference shares attributable to the ZENS. The principal amount of the ZENS is subject to increases or decreases to the extent that the annual yield from interest and cash dividends on the reference shares attributable to the ZENS is less than or more than 2.309%. The adjusted principal amount is defined in the ZENS instrument as “contingent principal.” As of June 30, 2021, the ZENS, having an original principal amount of $828 million and a contingent principal amount of

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$47 million, were outstanding and were exchangeable, at the option of the holders, for cash equal to 95% of the market value of the reference shares attributable to the ZENS.

On May 17, 2021, AT&T announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement with Discovery, Inc. to combine their media assets into a new publicly traded company to be called Warner Bros. Discovery. Pursuant to the definitive agreement, AT&T shareholders are expected to receive stock representing 71% of the new company. Upon the closing of the transaction, reference shares attributable to ZENS would consist of AT&T Common, Charter Common and common stock of Warner Bros. Discovery. AT&T announced that the transaction is expected to close in the middle of 2022.

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

Inventory Financing. Upon expiration of the AMA’s with the Energy Services Disposal Group discussed in Note 3, CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas businesses entered into new third-party AMAs beginning in April 2021 associated with their utility distribution service in Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. The AMAs have varying terms, the longest of which expires in 2027. Pursuant to the provisions of the agreements, CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas either sells natural gas to the asset manager and agrees to repurchase an equivalent amount of natural gas throughout the year at the same cost, or simply purchases its full natural gas requirements at each delivery point from the asset manager. These transactions are accounted for as an inventory financing. CenterPoint Energy and CERC had $3 million and $24 million outstanding obligations related to the AMAs as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, recorded in Short-term borrowings on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Outstanding obligations related to third-party AMAs associated with utility distribution service in Arkansas and Oklahoma as of June 30, 2021 are reflected in current liabilities held for sale on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 3 for further information.

Debt Transactions. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the following debt instruments were issued or incurred:

Registrant	Issuance Date	Debt Instrument	Aggregate Principal Amount		Interest Rate	Maturity Date
	(in millions)
CERC Corp.	March 2021	Senior Notes	$	700	0.70%	2023
CERC Corp.	March 2021	Floating Rate Senior Notes	1,000		Three-month LIBOR plus 0.50%	2023
		Total CERC Corp. (1)	1,700
Houston Electric	March 2021	General Mortgage Bonds	400		2.35%	2031
Houston Electric	March 2021	General Mortgage Bonds	700		3.35%	2051
		Total Houston Electric (2)	1,100
CenterPoint Energy	May 2021	Senior Notes	500		1.45%	2026
CenterPoint Energy	May 2021	Senior Notes	500		2.65%	2031
CenterPoint Energy	May 2021	Floating Rate Senior Notes	700		SOFR plus 0.65%	2024
		Total CenterPoint Energy (3)	$	4,500

(1)In February 2021, CERC Corp. received financing commitments totaling $1.7 billion on a 364-day term loan facility to bridge any working capital needs related to the February 2021 Winter Storm Event. Total proceeds of the senior notes and floating rate senior note offerings, net of issuance expenses and fees, of approximately $1.69 billion were used for general corporate purposes, including to fund working capital. Upon the consummation of its senior notes offerings, in March 2021, CERC Corp. terminated all of the commitments for the 364-day term loan facility.

(2)Total proceeds, net of issuance expenses and fees, of approximately $1.08 billion were used for general limited liability company purposes, including capital expenditures and the repayment of outstanding debt discussed below and Houston Electric’s borrowings under the CenterPoint Energy money pool.

(3)Total proceeds, net of issuance expenses and fees, of approximately $1.69 billion, excluding amounts issued by Houston Electric and CERC Corp., were used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of outstanding debt discussed below and a portion of CenterPoint Energy’s outstanding commercial paper.

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Debt Repayments and Redemptions. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the following debt instruments were repaid at maturity or redeemed:

Registrant	Repayment/Redemption Date	Debt Instrument	Aggregate Principal		Interest Rate	Maturity Date
			(in millions)
Houston Electric	March 2021	First Mortgage Bonds	$	102	9.15%	2021
Houston Electric (1)	May 2021	General Mortgage Bonds	300		1.85%	2021
		Total Houston Electric	402
CenterPoint Energy (2)	January 2021	Senior Notes	250		3.85%	2021
CenterPoint Energy (3)	May 2021	Term Loan	700		0.76%	2021
CenterPoint Energy (4)	June 2021	Senior Notes	500		3.60%	2021
		Total CenterPoint Energy	$	1,852

(1)In April 2021, Houston Electric provided notice of redemption and on May 1, 2021, Houston Electric redeemed all of the outstanding bonds of the series at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

(2)In December 2020, CenterPoint Energy provided notice of redemption of a portion of its outstanding $500 million aggregate principal amount of the series and on January 15, 2021, CenterPoint Energy redeemed $250 million aggregate principal amount of the series at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest and an applicable make-whole premium of $26 million.

(3)In April 2021, CenterPoint Energy amended its existing term loan agreement by extending its maturity from May 15, 2021 to June 14, 2021. The outstanding LIBOR rate loan balance was prepaid in full at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, which was calculated based on the interest rate at maturity.

(4)In May 2021, CenterPoint Energy provided notice of redemption and on June 1, 2021, CenterPoint Energy redeemed all of the outstanding senior notes of the series at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and an applicable make-whole premium of $7 million.

Credit Facilities. In February 2021, each of CenterPoint Energy, Houston Electric, CERC Corp. and VUHI replaced their existing revolving credit facilities with new amended and restated credit facilities. The size of the CenterPoint Energy facility decreased from $3.3 billion to $2.4 billion, while the sizes of the Houston Electric, CERC Corp. and VUHI facilities remained unchanged.

The Registrants had the following revolving credit facilities as of June 30, 2021:

Execution  Date	Registrant	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 June 30, 2021 (2)	Termination Date
		(in millions)
February 4, 2021	CenterPoint Energy	$	2,400	1.625%	65.0%	(3)	57.7%	February 4, 2024
February 4, 2021	CenterPoint Energy (4)	400		1.250%	65.0%		50.1%	February 4, 2024
February 4, 2021	Houston Electric	300		1.375%	67.5%	(3)	55.8%	February 4, 2024
February 4, 2021	CERC	900		1.250%	65.0%		61.0%	February 4, 2024
	Total	$	4,000

(1)Based on current credit ratings.

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

(3)For CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric, the financial covenant limit will temporarily increase 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

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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.

(4)This credit facility was issued by VUHI, is guaranteed by SIGECO, Indiana Gas and VEDO and includes a $20 million letter of credit sublimit. This credit facility backstops VUHI’s commercial paper program.

The Registrants, including the subsidiaries of CenterPoint Energy discussed above, were in compliance with all financial debt covenants as of June 30, 2021.

The table below reflects the utilization of the Registrants’ respective revolving credit facilities:

	June 30, 2021								December 31, 2020
Registrant	Loans		Letters of Credit		Commercial Paper (1)		Weighted Average Interest Rate		Loans		Letters of Credit		Commercial Paper (1)		Weighted Average Interest Rate
	(in millions, except weighted average interest rate)
CenterPoint Energy	$	—	$	11	$	911	0.18	%	$	—	$	11	$	1,078	0.23	%
CenterPoint Energy (2)	—		—		268		0.18	%	—		—		92		0.22	%
Houston Electric	—		—		—		—	%	—		—		—		—	%
CERC	—		—		564		0.18	%	—		—		347		0.23	%
Total	$	—	$	11	$	1,743			$	—	$	11	$	1,517

(1)Outstanding commercial paper generally has maturities of 60 days or less and each Registrants’ commercial paper program is backstopped by such Registrants’ long-term credit facilities. Houston Electric does not have a commercial paper program.

(2)This credit facility was issued by VUHI and is guaranteed by SIGECO, Indiana Gas and VEDO.

Liens. As of June 30, 2021, Houston Electric’s assets were subject to liens securing approximately $5.0 billion of general mortgage bonds, including approximately $68 million held in trust to secure pollution control bonds that mature in 2028 for which CenterPoint Energy is obligated. The general mortgage bonds that are held in trust to secure pollution control bonds are not reflected in Houston Electric’s consolidated financial statements because of the contingent nature of the obligations. Houston Electric may issue additional general mortgage bonds on the basis of retired bonds, 70% of property additions or cash deposited with the trustee. As of March 15, 2021, no Houston Electric first mortgage bonds remained outstanding. Houston Electric could issue approximately $3.7 billion of additional general mortgage bonds on the basis of retired bonds and 70% of property additions as of June 30, 2021.

Other. As of June 30, 2021, certain financial institutions agreed to issue, from time to time, up to $20 million of letters of credit on behalf of Vectren and certain of its subsidiaries in exchange for customary fees. These agreements to issue letters of credit expire on December 31, 2021. As of June 30, 2021, such financial institutions had issued $1 million of letters of credit on behalf of Vectren and certain of its subsidiaries. 

(13) Income Taxes

The Registrants reported the following effective tax rates:

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
CenterPoint Energy - Continuing operations (1)(2)	(1)	%	18	%	10	%	26	%
CenterPoint Energy - Discontinued operations (3) (4)	—	%	475	%	—	%	(14)	%
Houston Electric (5)	15	%	16	%	14	%	15	%
CERC - Continuing operations (6)	(45)	%	(31)	%	10	%	17	%
CERC - Discontinued operations (7) (8)	—	%	200	%	—	%	4	%

(1)CenterPoint Energy’s lower effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily driven by the recording of a $46 million deferred state tax benefit, detailed further below, that was triggered by state tax law legislation in Louisiana and Oklahoma combined with the impact of the accounting held for sale classification for the Arkansas and Oklahoma natural gas sale assets and liabilities in the period ended June 30, 2021. For tax purposes, when the held for

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sale criteria is met, the CERC and unitary state apportionment rates must be updated to account for the sale and applied to the estimated post-sale net deferred tax liability which resulted in an $18 million net state tax benefit being recorded in the current quarter. Other factors in the remeasurement of the state deferred tax liability as a result of the reduction of the corporate tax rate in Oklahoma as of January 1, 2022 resulted in a benefit of $13 million and the change in the NOL carryforward period in Louisiana from 20 years to an indefinite period allowed for the release of the valuation allowance on certain Louisiana NOLs resulting in a benefit of $15 million.

(2)CenterPoint Energy’s lower than statutory tax rate on income from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was primarily due to an increase in the amount of amortization of the net regulatory EDIT liability, and the recording of a $46 million deferred state tax benefit, discussed above. This was partially offset by an increase in ordinary state income taxes. CenterPoint Energy’s higher than statutory tax rate on the loss from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to lower earnings from the impairment of CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable. Other effective tax rate drivers included the non-deductible goodwill impairment at Indiana Electric Integrated reporting unit, and an increase in the amount of remeasurement of state tax liabilities for changes in apportionment, the effect of which was compounded by the book loss in the six months ended June 30, 2020.

(3)CenterPoint Energy’s higher than statutory tax rate on income from discontinued operations for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to the tax impacts from the sales of the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups.

(4)CenterPoint Energy’s lower than statutory tax rate on the loss from discontinued operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to the tax impacts from the sales of the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups.

(5)Houston Electric’s lower effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same periods in 2020 was primarily driven by a decrease in state income taxes which is partially offset by an increase in the amount of amortization of the net regulatory EDIT liability.

(6)CERC’s lower effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same periods ended June 30, 2020 was primarily driven by a $26 million deferred state tax benefit, detailed further below, that was triggered by state tax law legislation in Louisiana combined with the accounting held for sale classification for the Arkansas and Oklahoma natural gas sale assets and liabilities in the period ended June 30, 2021. For tax purposes, when the held for sale criteria is met, the CERC state apportionment rates must be updated to account for the sale and applied to the estimated post-sale net deferred tax liability which resulted in an $11 million net state tax benefit being recorded in the current quarter. A state law change in the NOL carryforward period in Louisiana from 20 years to an indefinite period allowed for the release of the valuation allowance on certain Louisiana NOLs resulting in a benefit of $15 million.

(7)CERC’s higher than statutory tax rate on income from discontinued operations for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to the tax impacts from the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group.

(8)CERC’s lower than statutory tax rate on the loss from discontinued operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to the tax impacts from the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group.

On March 11, 2021, the ARPA was enacted in response to continued economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ARPA expands the definition of “covered employee” under section 162(m) beginning in 2027, and extends the employee retention tax credit through December 31, 2021, among other provisions. CenterPoint Energy does not currently anticipate any material impacts from this legislation. On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act provides relief to corporate taxpayers by permitting a five-year carryback of 2018-2020 NOLs, deferring the payment of the employer share of payroll taxes for the remaining months of 2020 until 2021 and 2022, increasing the 30% limitation on interest expense deductibility to 50% of adjusted taxable income for 2019 and 2020, and accelerating refunds for minimum tax credit carryforwards, among other provisions. Based on the CARES Act NOL carryback provision, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, CenterPoint Energy recorded a $-0- and $19 million benefit, respectively, resulting from carryback claims to be filed to refund taxes paid.

CenterPoint Energy reported a net uncertain tax liability, inclusive of interest and penalties, of $10 million as of June 30, 2021. Interest and penalties of $1 million were recorded on the uncertain tax liability for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The Registrants believe that it is reasonably possible that a decrease of up to $9 million in unrecognized tax benefits may occur in the next 12 months as a result of a lapse of statutes on older exposures, a tax settlement, a resolution of open audits, and/or the acceptance of an application for an accounting method change. For CenterPoint Energy, tax years through 2018 have been audited and settled with the IRS. For the 2019 through 2021 tax years CenterPoint Energy is a participant in the IRS’s Compliance Assurance Process. Vectren’s pre-Merger 2017 through 2019 tax years are still open for examination.

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(14) Commitments and Contingencies

(a)Purchase Obligations (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

Commitments include minimum purchase obligations related to CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas reportable segment and CenterPoint Energy’s Electric reportable segment. A purchase obligation is defined as an agreement to purchase goods or services that is enforceable and legally binding on the registrant and that specifies all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. Contracts with minimum payment provisions have various quantity requirements and durations and are not classified as non-trading derivative assets and liabilities in CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. These contracts meet an exception as “normal purchases contracts” or do not meet the definition of a derivative. Natural gas and coal supply commitments also include transportation contracts that do not meet the definition of a derivative.  

On February 9, 2021, Indiana Electric entered into a BTA with a subsidiary of Capital Dynamics. Pursuant to the BTA, Capital Dynamics, with its partner Tenaska, will build a 300 MW solar array in Posey County, Indiana through a special purpose entity Posey Solar. Upon completion of construction, currently projected to be at the end of 2023, and subject to IURC approval, Indiana Electric will acquire Posey Solar and its solar array assets for a fixed purchase price.

As of June 30, 2021, undiscounted minimum purchase obligations are approximately:

	CenterPoint Energy				CERC
	Natural Gas and Coal Supply		Other (1)		Natural Gas Supply
	(in millions)
Remaining six months of 2021	$	334	$	9	$	227
2022	550		12		336
2023	473		399		281
2024	392		198		259
2025	337		7		231
2026	304		7		226
2027 and beyond	1,634		143		1,330

(1)CenterPoint Energy’s undiscounted minimum payment obligations related to its 25-year agreement for its solar PPA in Warrick County, Indiana and its purchase commitment under its BTA in Posey County, Indiana are included above. The remaining undiscounted payment obligations relate primarily to technology hardware and software agreements.

Excluded from the table above are estimates for cash outlays from other PPAs through Indiana Electric that do not have minimum thresholds but do require payment when energy is generated by the provider. Costs arising from certain of these commitments are pass-through costs, generally collected dollar-for-dollar from retail customers through regulator-approved cost recovery mechanisms.

(b) Guarantees and Product Warranties (CenterPoint Energy)

In the normal course of business, ESG enters into contracts requiring it to timely install infrastructure, operate facilities, pay vendors and subcontractors and support warranty obligations and, at times, issue payment and performance bonds and other forms of assurance in connection with these contracts.

Specific to ESG’s role as a general contractor in the performance contracting industry, as of June 30, 2021, there were 47 open surety bonds supporting future performance with an aggregate face amount of approximately $484 million. ESG’s exposure is less than the face amount of the surety bonds and is limited to the level of uncompleted work under the contracts. As of June 30, 2021, approximately 34% of the work was yet to be completed on projects with open surety bonds. Further, various subcontractors issue surety bonds to ESG. In addition to these performance obligations, ESG also warrants the functionality of certain installed infrastructure generally for one year and the associated energy savings over a specified number of years. As of June 30, 2021, there were 34 warranties totaling $553 million and an additional $1.2 billion in energy savings commitments not guaranteed by Vectren. Since ESG’s inception in 1994, CenterPoint Energy believes ESG has had a history of generally meeting its performance obligations and energy savings guarantees and its installed products have operated

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effectively. CenterPoint Energy assessed the fair value of its obligation for such guarantees as of June 30, 2021 and no amounts were recorded on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

CenterPoint Energy issues parent company level guarantees to certain vendors, customers and other commercial counterparties of ESG. These guarantees do not represent incremental consolidated obligations, but rather, represent guarantees of subsidiary obligations to allow those subsidiaries to conduct business without posting other forms of assurance. As of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy, primarily through Vectren, has issued parent company level guarantees supporting ESG’s obligations. For those obligations where potential exposure can be estimated, management estimates the maximum exposure under these guarantees to be approximately $517 million as of June 30, 2021. This exposure primarily relates to energy savings guarantees on federal energy savings performance contracts. Other parent company level guarantees, certain of which do not contain a cap on potential liability, have been issued in support of federal operations and maintenance projects for which a maximum exposure cannot be estimated based on the nature of the projects. While there can be no assurance that performance under any of these parent company guarantees will not be required in the future, CenterPoint Energy considers the likelihood of a material amount being incurred as remote.

(c)Guarantees and Product Warranties (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

On February 24, 2020, CenterPoint Energy, through its subsidiary CERC Corp., entered into the Equity Purchase Agreement to sell the Energy Services Disposal Group. The transaction closed on June 1, 2020. In the normal course of business prior to June 1, 2020, the Energy Services Disposal Group through CES, traded natural gas under supply contracts and entered into natural gas related transactions under transportation, storage and other contracts. In connection with the Energy Services Disposal Group’s business activities prior to the closing of the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group on June 1, 2020, CERC Corp. issued guarantees to certain of CES’s counterparties to guarantee the payment of CES’s obligations. When CES remained wholly owned by CERC Corp., these guarantees did not represent incremental consolidated obligations, but rather, these guarantees represented guarantees of CES’s obligations to allow it to conduct business without posting other forms of assurance.

A CERC Corp. guarantee primarily had a one- or two-year term, although CERC Corp. would generally not be released from obligations incurred by CES prior to the termination of such guarantee unless the beneficiary of the guarantee affirmatively released CERC Corp. from its obligations under the guarantee. Throughout CERC Corp.’s ownership of CES and subsequent to the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group through June 30, 2021, CERC Corp. did not pay any amounts under guarantees of CES’s obligations.

Under the terms of the Equity Purchase Agreement, Symmetry Energy Solutions Acquisition must generally use reasonable best efforts to replace existing CERC Corp. guarantees with credit support provided by a party other than CERC Corp. as of and after the closing of the transaction. Additionally, to the extent that CERC Corp. retains any exposure relating to certain guarantees of CES’s obligations 90 days after closing of the transaction, Symmetry Energy Solutions Acquisition will pay a 3% annualized fee on such exposure, increasing by 1% on an annualized basis every three months. As of June 30, 2021, management estimates approximately $35 million of exposure remained outstanding under CERC Corp. guarantees issued prior to the closing of the transaction on June 1, 2020. CES has provided replacement credit support to counterparties to whom CERC Corp. had issued guarantees prior to closing representing the full amount of CERC’s remaining exposure under the guarantees. CERC believes that counterparties to whom replacement credit support has been provided would seek payment if needed under such replacement credit support instead of a CERC Corp. guarantee. No additional guarantees were provided by CERC Corp. to CES subsequent to the closing of the transaction on June 1, 2020.

If CERC Corp. is required to pay a counterparty under a guarantee in respect of obligations of CES, Symmetry Energy Solutions Acquisition is required to promptly reimburse CERC Corp. for all amounts paid. If Symmetry Energy Solutions Acquisition fails to reimburse CERC Corp., CERC Corp. has the contractual right to seek payment from Shell Energy North America (US), L.P. in an amount up to $40 million in the aggregate. While there can be no assurance that payment under any of these guarantees will not be required in the future, CenterPoint Energy and CERC consider the likelihood of a material amount being incurred as remote.

CenterPoint Energy and CERC recorded no amounts on their respective Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 related to the performance of these guarantees.

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(d) Legal, Environmental and Other Matters

Legal Matters

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 were named in wrongful death, property damage and personal injury litigation arising out of the incident and have now reached confidential settlement agreements in all litigation, and all related governmental matters were previously concluded. CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s general and excess liability insurance policies provide coverage for third party bodily injury and property damage claims. 

Litigation Related to the Merger (CenterPoint Energy). With respect to the Merger, in July 2018, seven separate lawsuits were filed against Vectren and the individual directors of Vectren’s Board of Directors in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. These lawsuits alleged violations of Sections 14(a) of the Exchange Act and SEC Rule 14a-9 on the grounds that the Vectren Proxy Statement filed on June 18, 2018 was materially incomplete because it omitted material information concerning the Merger. In August 2018, the seven lawsuits were consolidated, and the Court denied the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction. In October 2018, the plaintiffs filed their Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint. In December 2018, two plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their lawsuits. In September 2019, the court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss and dismissed the remaining plaintiffs’ claims with prejudice, which the plaintiffs appealed in October 2019. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit heard oral arguments in September 2020, and a ruling is expected in 2021. The defendants believe that the allegations asserted are without merit and intend to vigorously defend themselves against the claims raised. 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.

Litigation Related to the February 2021 Winter Storm Event. With respect to the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, CenterPoint Energy, CERC and Houston Electric, along with ERCOT, have received claims and lawsuits filed by plaintiffs alleging personal injury, property damage and other injuries and damages. Additionally, various regulatory and governmental entities have announced that they intend to conduct or are conducting inquiries, investigations and other reviews of the February 2021 Winter Storm Event and the efforts made by various entities to prepare for, and respond to, this event, including the electric generation shortfall issues. Entities that have announced that they plan to conduct or are conducting such inquiries, investigations and other reviews include the United States Congress, FERC, NERC, Texas RE, ERCOT, Texas government entities and officials such as the Texas Governor’s office, the Texas Legislature, the Texas Attorney General, the PUCT, the City of Houston and other municipal and county entities in Houston Electric’s service territory, among other entities.

Like other Texas TDUs, Houston Electric has become involved in certain of the above-referenced investigations, litigation or other regulatory and legal proceedings regarding their efforts to restore power and their compliance with NERC, ERCOT and PUCT rules and directives. CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric are responding to inquiries from the Texas Attorney General and the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office, and CenterPoint Energy and CERC are responding to inquiries from the Arkansas, Minnesota and Oklahoma Attorneys General. CenterPoint Energy, Houston Electric and CERC are subject to, and may be further subject to, litigation and claims. Such claims include, or in the future could include, wrongful death, personal injury and property damage claims, lawsuits for impacts on businesses and other organizations and entities and shareholder claims, among other claims or litigation matters. CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric have been named as a defendant in approximately 65 lawsuits related to the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, nearly all of which are pending in state court and as of June 2021 are part of a multi-district litigation proceeding. CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric intend to vigorously defend themselves against the claims raised. CenterPoint Energy, Houston Electric and CERC are unable to predict the consequences of any such matters or to estimate a range of potential losses.

Litigation Related to the Enable Merger. In March 2021, several lawsuits were filed by persons claiming to be Enable unitholders against various defendants, including Enable, the members of Enable GP’s Board of Directors, Energy Transfer, and other parties to the Enable Merger Agreement, challenging the Enable Merger and the disclosures made in connection therewith. CenterPoint Energy has been named in one such lawsuit pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuits allege violations of Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and SEC Rule 14a-9 on the grounds that the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by Energy Transfer on March 19, 2021, was materially incomplete because it omitted material information about, among other things, Enable's and Energy Transfer's financial projections and the analyses conducted by Enable's financial advisors. The lawsuits further allege that the individual defendants, including, among others, Energy Transfer and CenterPoint Energy, violated Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act as controlling persons of Enable. Plaintiffs seek to have the court enjoin the Enable Merger, require defendants to disseminate a new registration statement disclosing the allegedly omitted information, declare that defendants violated the Exchange Act, rescind the Enable Merger or

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award rescissory damages in the event the Enable Merger is consummated, along with attorneys’ fees, costs, and other relief. In May and June of 2021, three of the cases against other defendants were voluntarily dismissed without prejudice. The case against CenterPoint Energy remains pending, but CenterPoint Energy has not yet been served with process, and the dates to respond to the lawsuit in which it was sued have not yet been set. CenterPoint Energy cannot predict the outcome of litigation related to the Enable Merger Agreement, but believes the litigation is without merit, intends to defend vigorously against such litigation, and does not expect the ultimate outcome of such litigation to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Environmental Matters

MGP Sites. CenterPoint Energy, CERC and their predecessors, including predecessors of Vectren, operated MGPs in the past. The costs CenterPoint Energy or CERC, as applicable, expect to incur to fulfill their respective obligations are estimated by management using assumptions based on actual costs incurred, the timing of expected future payments and inflation factors, among others. While CenterPoint Energy and CERC have recorded obligations for all costs which are probable and estimable, including amounts they are presently obligated to incur in connection with activities at these sites, it is possible that future events may require remedial activities which are not presently foreseen, and those costs may not be subject to PRP or insurance recovery.

(i)Minnesota MGPs (CenterPoint Energy and CERC). With respect to certain Minnesota MGP sites, CenterPoint Energy and CERC have completed state-ordered remediation and continue state-ordered monitoring and water treatment. CenterPoint Energy and CERC recorded a liability as reflected in the table below for continued monitoring and any future remediation required by regulators in Minnesota.

(ii)Indiana MGPs (CenterPoint Energy). In the Indiana Gas service territory, the existence, location and certain general characteristics of 26 gas manufacturing and storage sites have been identified for which CenterPoint Energy may have some remedial responsibility. A remedial investigation/feasibility study was completed at one of the sites under an agreed upon order between Indiana Gas and the IDEM, and a Record of Decision was issued by the IDEM in January 2000. The remaining sites have been submitted to the IDEM’s VRP. CenterPoint Energy has also identified its involvement in 5 manufactured gas plant sites in SIGECO’s service territory, all of which are currently enrolled in the IDEM’s VRP. CenterPoint Energy is currently conducting some level of remedial activities, including groundwater monitoring at certain sites.

(iii)Other MGPs (CenterPoint Energy and CERC). In addition to the Minnesota and Indiana sites, the EPA and other regulators have investigated MGP sites that were owned or operated by CenterPoint Energy or CERC or may have been owned by one of their former affiliates.

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, 2021
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions, except years)
Amount accrued for remediation	$	12	$	7
Minimum estimated remediation costs	8		5
Maximum estimated remediation costs	54		32
Minimum years of remediation	5		30
Maximum years of remediation	50		50

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.

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.

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Asbestos. Some facilities owned by the Registrants or their predecessors 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.

CCR Rule (CenterPoint Energy). In April 2015, the EPA finalized its CCR Rule, which regulates ash as non-hazardous material under the RCRA. The final rule allows beneficial reuse of ash, and the majority of the ash generated by Indiana Electric’s generating plants will continue to be reused. In July 2018, the EPA released its final CCR Rule Phase I Reconsideration which extended the deadline to October 31, 2020 for ceasing placement of ash in ponds that exceed groundwater protections standards or that fail to meet location restrictions. In August 2019, the EPA proposed additional “Part A” amendments to its CCR Rule with respect to beneficial reuse of ash and other materials. Further “Part B” amendments, which related to alternate liners for CCR surface impoundments and the surface impoundment closure process, were published in March 2020. The Part A amendments were finalized in August 2020 and extended the deadline to cease placement of ash in ponds to April 11, 2021, discussed further below. The EPA published the final Part B amendments in November 2020. The Part A amendments do not restrict Indiana Electric’s current beneficial reuse of its fly ash. CenterPoint Energy continues to evaluate the Part B amendments to determine potential impacts. Shortly after taking office in January 2021, President Biden signed an executive order requiring agencies to review environmental actions taken by the Trump administration, including the CCR Rule Phase I Reconsideration, the Part A amendments, and the Part B amendments; EPA has completed its review of the Phase I Reconsideration, Part A amendments, and Part B amendments and determined that the most environmentally protective course is to implement the rules.

Indiana Electric has three ash ponds, two at the F.B. Culley facility (Culley East and Culley West) and one at the A.B. Brown facility. Under the existing CCR Rule, Indiana Electric is required to perform integrity assessments, including ground water monitoring, at its F.B. Culley and A.B. Brown generating stations. The ground water studies are necessary to determine the remaining service life of the ponds and whether a pond must be retrofitted with liners or closed in place. Indiana Electric’s Warrick generating unit is not included in the scope of the CCR Rule as this unit has historically been part of a larger generating station that predominantly serves an adjacent industrial facility. Preliminary groundwater monitoring indicates potential groundwater impacts very close to Indiana Electric’s ash impoundments, and further analysis is ongoing. The CCR Rule required companies to complete location restriction determinations by October 18, 2018. Indiana Electric completed its evaluation and determined that one F.B. Culley pond (Culley East) and the A.B. Brown pond fail the aquifer placement location restriction. As a result of this failure, Indiana Electric was required to cease disposal of new ash in the ponds and commence closure of the ponds by April 11, 2021. CenterPoint Energy has applied for the extensions available under the CCR Rule that would allow Indiana Electric to continue to use the ponds through October 15, 2023. The EPA is still reviewing industry extension requests, including CenterPoint Energy’s extension request. Companies can continue to operate ponds pending completion of the EPA’s evaluation of the requests for extension. The inability to take these extensions may result in increased and potentially significant operational costs in connection with the accelerated implementation of an alternative ash disposal system or adversely impact Indiana Electric’s future operations. Failure to comply with these requirements could also result in an enforcement proceeding including the imposition of fines and penalties. On April 24, 2019, Indiana Electric received an order from the IURC approving recovery in rates of costs associated with the closure of the Culley West pond, which has already completed closure activities. On August 14, 2019, Indiana Electric filed its petition with the IURC for recovery of costs associated with the closure of the A.B. Brown ash pond, which would include costs associated with the excavation and recycling of ponded ash. This petition was subsequently approved by the IURC on May 13, 2020. On October 28, 2020, the IURC approved Indiana Electric’s ECA proceeding, which included the initiation of recovery of the federally mandated project costs.

Indiana Electric continues to refine site specific estimates of closure costs for its ten-acre Culley East pond. In July 2018, Indiana Electric filed a Complaint for Damages and Declaratory Relief against its insurers seeking reimbursement of defense, investigation and pond closure costs incurred to comply with the CCR Rule, and has since reached confidential settlement agreements with its insurers. The proceeds of these settlements will offset costs that have been and will be incurred to close the ponds.

As of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy has recorded an approximate $88 million ARO, which represents the discounted value of future cash flow estimates to close the ponds at A.B. Brown and F.B. Culley. This estimate is subject to change due to the contractual arrangements; continued assessments of the ash, closure methods, and the timing of closure; implications of Indiana Electric’s generation transition plan; changing environmental regulations; and proceeds received from the settlements in the aforementioned insurance proceeding. In addition to these AROs, Indiana Electric also anticipates equipment purchases of between $60 million and $80 million to complete the A.B. Brown closure project.

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Clean Water Act Permitting of Groundwater Discharges. In April 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion providing that indirect discharges via groundwater or other non-point sources are subject to permitting and liability under the Clean Water Act when they are the functional equivalent of a direct discharge. The Registrants are evaluating the extent to which this decision will affect Clean Water Act permitting requirements and/or liability for their operations.

Other Environmental. From time to time, the Registrants identify the presence of environmental contaminants during operations or on property where their predecessors 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.

(15) Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy)

The Series C Preferred Stock issued in May 2020 were considered participating securities since these shares participated in dividends on Common Stock on a pari passu, pro rata, as-converted basis. As a result, beginning June 30, 2020, earnings per share on Common Stock was computed using the two-class method required for participating securities during the periods the Series C Preferred Stock was outstanding. As of May 7, 2021, all of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock have been converted into shares of Common Stock and earnings per share on Common Stock and, as such, the two-class method was no longer applicable as of June 30, 2021.

The two-class method uses an earnings allocation formula that treats participating securities as having rights to earnings that otherwise would have been available only to common shareholders. Under the two-class method, income (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations is derived by subtracting the following from income (loss) from continuing operations:

•preferred share dividend requirement;

•deemed dividends for the amortization of the beneficial conversion feature recognized at issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock; and

•an allocation of undistributed earnings to preferred shareholders of participating securities (Series C Preferred Stock) based on the securities’ right to receive dividends.

Undistributed earnings are calculated by subtracting dividends declared on Common Stock, the preferred share dividend requirement and deemed dividends for the amortization of the beneficial conversion feature from net income. Net losses are not allocated to the Series C Preferred Stock as it does not have a contractual obligation to share in the losses of CenterPoint Energy.

The Series C Preferred Stock included conversion features at a price that was below the fair value of the Common Stock on the commitment date. This beneficial conversion feature, which was approximately $32 million at issuance, represented the difference between the fair value per share of the Common Stock as of the commitment date and the conversion price, multiplied by the number of common shares issuable upon conversion. The beneficial conversion feature was recognized as a discount to Series C Preferred Stock and was amortized as a deemed dividend over the period from the issue date to the first allowable conversion date, which was November 6, 2020.

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Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders from continuing operations by the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Participating securities are excluded from basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders from continuing operations by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, including all potentially dilutive common shares, if the effect of such common shares is dilutive.

Diluted earnings per share reflects the dilutive effect of potential common shares from share-based awards and convertible preferred shares. The dilutive effect of the restricted stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock is computed using the if-converted method, as applicable, which assumes conversion of the restricted stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock at the beginning of the period, giving income recognition for the add-back of the preferred share dividends, amortization of beneficial conversion feature, and undistributed earnings allocated to preferred shareholders.

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

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions, except per share and share amounts)
Numerator:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	251	$	135	$	614	$	(918)
Less: Preferred stock dividend requirement (Note 19)	30		37		59		66
Less: Amortization of beneficial conversion feature (Note 19)	—		9		—		9
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to preferred shareholders (1)	—		—		—		—
Income (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations - basic	221		89		555		(993)
Add back: Series B Preferred Stock dividend	—		—		—		—
Add back: Undistributed earnings allocated to preferred shareholders (1)	—		—		—		—
Income (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations - diluted	221		89		555		(993)
Loss available to common shareholders from discontinued operations - basic and diluted	—		(30)		—		(176)
Income (loss) available to common shareholders - basic and diluted	$	221	$	59	$	555	$	(1,169)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	585,720,000		528,066,000		568,728,000		515,227,000
Plus: Incremental shares from assumed conversions:
Restricted stock (2)	3,558,000		2,771,000		3,558,000		—
Series B Preferred Stock (3)	—		—		—		—
Series C Preferred Stock (4)	7,052,000		—		23,844,000		—
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	596,330,000		530,837,000		596,130,000		515,227,000
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share:
Basic earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations	$	0.38	$	0.17	$	0.98	$	(1.93)
Basic loss per common share - discontinued operations	—		(0.06)		—		(0.34)
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	$	0.38	$	0.11	$	0.98	$	(2.27)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations	$	0.37	$	0.17	$	0.93	$	(1.93)
Diluted loss per common share - discontinued operations	—		(0.06)		—		(0.34)
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	$	0.37	$	0.11	$	0.93	$	(2.27)

(1)There were no undistributed earnings to be allocated to participating securities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020.

(2)2,771,000 incremental common shares from assumed conversions of restricted stock have not been included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share for the six months ended June 30, 2020, as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

(3)The computation of diluted earnings per common share outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 excludes 35,940,000 and 35,923,000 potentially dilutive shares of Series B Preferred Stock from the denominator, respectively, because the shares would be anti-dilutive. The computation of diluted earnings per common share outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 excludes 35,898,000 and 35,917,000 potentially dilutive shares of Series B Preferred Stock from the denominator, respectively, because the shares would be anti-dilutive.

(4)The computation of diluted earnings per common share outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 excludes 29,465,000 and 14,571,000 potentially dilutive shares of Series C Preferred Stock from the denominator,

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respectively, because the shares would be anti-dilutive. As of May 7, 2021, all of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock have been converted into Common Stock. For further information, see Note 19.

(16) Reportable Segments

The Registrants’ determination of reportable segments considers the strategic operating units under which its CODM manages sales, allocates resources and assesses performance of various products and services to wholesale or retail customers in differing regulatory environments. Each Registrant’s CODM views net income as the measure of profit or loss for the reportable segments. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year reportable segment presentation described in the Registrants’ combined 2020 Form 10-K.

As of June 30, 2021, reportable segments by Registrant were as follows:

CenterPoint Energy

•CenterPoint Energy’s Electric reportable segment consists of (i) electric transmission services to transmission service customers in the ERCOT region and distribution services to REPs serving the Texas Gulf Coast area and (ii) electric transmission and distribution services primarily to southwestern Indiana and includes power generation and wholesale power operations.

•CenterPoint Energy’s Natural Gas reportable segment consists of (i) intrastate natural gas sales to, and natural gas transportation and distribution for residential, commercial, industrial and institutional customers in Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas; (ii) permanent pipeline connections through interconnects with various interstate and intrastate pipeline companies through CEIP; and (iii) temporary delivery of LNG and CNG throughout the contiguous 48 states through MES.

•CenterPoint Energy’s Midstream Investments reportable segment consists of the equity investment in Enable (excluding the Enable Series A Preferred Units). See Note 9 regarding the Enable Merger.

CenterPoint Energy’s Corporate and Other consists of energy performance contracting and sustainable infrastructure    services through ESG and other corporate operations which support all of the business operations of CenterPoint Energy.

Houston Electric

•Houston Electric’s single reportable segment consists of electric transmission services to transmission service customers in the ERCOT region and distribution services to REPs serving the Texas Gulf Coast area.

CERC

•CERC’s single reportable segment consists of (i) intrastate natural gas sales to, and natural gas transportation and distribution for residential, commercial, industrial and institutional customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas; (ii) permanent pipeline connections through interconnects with various interstate and intrastate pipeline companies through CEIP; and (iii) temporary delivery of LNG and CNG throughout the contiguous 48 states through MES.

On April 29, 2021, CenterPoint Energy, through its subsidiary CERC Corp., entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to sell its Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses. The Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses are reflected in CenterPoint Energy’s Natural Gas reportable segment and CERC’s single reportable segment, as applicable, and are classified as held for sale as of June 30, 2021. See Note 3 for further details.

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Financial data for reportable segments is as follows, including Corporate and Other, and Discontinued Operations for reconciliation purposes:

CenterPoint Energy

	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2021							2020
	Revenues from External Customers			Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates		Net Income (Loss)		Revenues from External Customers			Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates		Net Income (Loss)
	(in millions)
Electric	$	937	(1)	$	—	$	125	$	848	(1)	$	—	$	106
Natural Gas	740			—		74		644			—		30
Midstream Investments	—			67		54		—			43		24
Corporate and Other	65			—		(2)		83			—		(25)
Continuing Operations	$	1,742		$	67	251		$	1,575		$	43	135
Discontinued Operations, net						—							(30)
Consolidated						$	251						$	105
	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021							2020
	Revenues from External Customers			Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates		Net Income (Loss)		Revenues from External Customers			Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates		Net Income (Loss)
	(in millions)
Electric	$	1,767	(1)	$	—	$	200	$	1,615	(1)	$	—	$	(28)
Natural Gas	2,403			—		303		1,965			—		231
Midstream Investments (2)	—			175		125		—			(1,432)		(1,103)
Corporate and Other	119			—		(14)		162			—		(18)
Continuing Operations	$	4,289		$	175	614		$	3,742		$	(1,432)	(918)
Discontinued Operations, net						—							(176)
Consolidated						$	614						$	(1,094)

(1)Houston Electric revenues from major external customers are as follows (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Affiliates of NRG	$	192	$	174	$	387	$	330
Affiliates of Vistra Energy Corp.	87		92		175		173

(2)Includes the impairment of CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable of $1,541 million recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2020.

	Total Assets
	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions)
Electric	$	15,288	$	14,493
Natural Gas	15,064		14,976
Midstream Investments	1,051		913
Corporate and Other, net of eliminations (1)	2,871		3,089
Continuing Operations	34,274		33,471
Assets Held for Sale	2,192		—
Consolidated	$	36,466	$	33,471

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(1)Total assets included pension and other postemployment-related regulatory assets of $525 million and $540 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

Houston Electric

Houston Electric consists of a single reportable segment; therefore, a tabular reportable segment presentation has not been included.

CERC

CERC consists of a single reportable segment; therefore, a tabular reportable segment presentation has not been included.

(17) Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

CenterPoint Energy and CERC elected not to separately disclose discontinued operations on their respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows. The table below provides supplemental disclosure of cash flow information and does not exclude the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups prior to the closing of the respective transactions.

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash Payments/Receipts:
Interest, net of capitalized interest	$	261	$	92	$	47	$	196	$	93	$	55
Income tax payments, net	13		—		—		4		—		—
Non-cash transactions:
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures	249		185		95		195		76		87
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities	2		—		1		14		—		5
Beneficial conversion feature	—		—		—		32		—		—
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature	—		—		—		(9)		—		—

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.

	June 30, 2021						December 31, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents (1)	$	136	$	120	$	1	$	147	$	139	$	1
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets	21		17		—		20		15		—
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows	$	157	$	137	$	1	$	167	$	154	$	1

(1)Houston Electric’s Cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 included $106 million and $139 million, respectively, of cash related to the Bond Companies.

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

Houston Electric and CERC participate in CenterPoint Energy’s 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 CenterPoint Energy 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.  

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The table below summarizes CenterPoint Energy money pool activity:

	June 30, 2021						December 31, 2020
	Houston Electric			CERC			Houston Electric			CERC
	(in millions, except interest rates)
Money pool investments (borrowings) (1)	$	97		$	—		$	(8)		$	—
Weighted average interest rate	0.18		%	0.18		%	0.24		%	0.24		%

(1)Included in Accounts and notes receivable (payable)–affiliated companies on Houston Electric’s and CERC’s respective Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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 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 June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
	Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Corporate service charges	$	47	$	52	$	45	$	49	$	90	$	102	$	94	$	104
Net affiliate service charges (billings)	(1)		1		(4)		4		(2)		2		(10)		10

The table below presents transactions among Houston Electric, CERC and their parent, CenterPoint Energy.

	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
	Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash dividends paid to parent	$	—	$	—	$	20	$	40	$	—	$	—	$	405	$	72
Capital distribution to parent associated with the sale of CES	—		—		—		286		—		—		—		286

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(19) Equity

Dividends Declared and Paid (CenterPoint Energy)

	Dividends Declared Per Share								Dividends Paid Per Share
	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,				Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020		2021		2020		2021		2020
Common Stock	$	0.1600	$	0.1500	$	0.1600	$	0.4400	$	0.1600	$	0.1500	$	0.1600	$	0.4400
Series A Preferred Stock	—		—		—		30.6250		—		—		—		30.6250
Series B Preferred Stock	17.5000		17.5000		17.5000		35.0000		17.5000		17.5000		17.5000		35.0000
Series C Preferred Stock (1)	—		0.1500		—		0.1500		—		0.1500		—		0.1500

(1)The Series C Preferred Stock was entitled to participate in any dividend or distribution (excluding those payable in Common Stock) with the Common Stock on a pari passu, pro rata, as-converted basis. The per share amount reflects the dividend per share of Common Stock as if the Series C Preferred Stock were converted into Common Stock. All of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock was converted to Common Stock during April and May 2021 as described below.

Preferred Stock (CenterPoint Energy)

	Liquidation Preference Per Share		Shares Outstanding as of		Outstanding Value as of
			June 30, 2021	December 31, 2020	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions, except shares and per share amounts)
Series A Preferred Stock	$	1,000	800,000	800,000	$	790	$	790
Series B Preferred Stock	1,000		975,903	977,400	949		950
Series C Preferred Stock	1,000		—	625,000	—		623
			1,775,903	2,402,400	$	1,739	$	2,363

Conversion of Series B Preferred Stock. The table below details the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock that were converted into shares of Common Stock in the three months ended June 30, 2021 resulting from notifications of intent to convert received from certain shareholders.

Date of Notice	Conversion Date	Shares of Series B Preferred Stock Converted	Shares of Common Stock Issued
April 27, 2021	April 28, 2021	1,490	45,653
June 28, 2021	June 29, 2021	7	214

Conversion of Series C Preferred Stock. The table below details the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock that were converted into shares of Common Stock in the three months ended June 30, 2021 resulting from notifications of intent to convert received from certain shareholders.

Date of Notice	Conversion Date	Shares of Series C Preferred Stock Converted	Shares of Common Stock Issued
April 5, 2021	April 7, 2021	400,000	26,126,714
April 16, 2021	April 19. 2021	37,500	2,449,379

`

On May 7, 2021, the remaining 187,500 shares of Series C Preferred Stock were converted into 12,246,897 shares of Common Stock.

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Income Allocated to Preferred Shareholders (CenterPoint Energy)

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Series A Preferred Stock	$	13	$	13	$	25	$	25
Series B Preferred Stock	17		17		34		34
Series C Preferred Stock	—		7		—		7
Preferred dividend requirement	30		37		59		66
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature	—		9		—		9
Total income allocated to preferred shareholders	$	30	$	46	$	59	$	75

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes in accumulated comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Beginning Balance	$	(87)	$	—	$	10	$	(100)	$	(15)	$	10
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications:
Other comprehensive income from unconsolidated affiliates	1		—		—		—		—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Prior service cost (1)	—		—		—		1		—		—
Actuarial losses (1)	2		—		—		1		—		—
Reclassification of deferred loss from cash flow hedges to regulatory assets (2)	—		—		—		19		19		—
Tax expense	(1)		—		—		(5)		(4)		—
Net current period other comprehensive income	2		—		—		16		15		—
Ending Balance	$	(85)	$	—	$	10	$	(84)	$	—	$	10
	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Beginning Balance	$	(90)	$	—	$	10	$	(98)	$	(15)	$	10
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications:
Other comprehensive income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates	2		—		—		(3)		—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Prior service cost (1)	—		—		—		1		—		—
Actuarial losses (1)	4		—		—		3		—		—
Reclassification of deferred loss from cash flow hedges to regulatory assets (2)	—		—		—		19		19		—
Tax expense	(1)		—		—		(6)		(4)		—
Net current period other comprehensive income	5		—		—		14		15		—
Ending Balance	$	(85)	$	—	$	10	$	(84)	$	—	$	10

(1)Amounts are included in the computation of net periodic cost and are reflected in Other income (expense), net in each of the Registrants’ respective Statements of Consolidated Income.

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(2)The cost of debt approved by the PUCT as part of Houston Electric’s Stipulation and Settlement Agreement included unrealized gains and losses on interest rate hedges. Accordingly, deferred gains and losses on interest rate hedges were reclassified to regulatory assets or liabilities, as appropriate.

(20) Subsequent Events (CenterPoint Energy)

CenterPoint Energy Dividend Declarations

Equity Instrument	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Per Share
Common Stock	July 21, 2021	August 19, 2021	September 9, 2021	$	0.1600
Series A Preferred Stock	July 21, 2021	August 15, 2021	September 1, 2021	30.6250
Series B Preferred Stock	July 21, 2021	August 15, 2021	September 1, 2021	17.5000

Enable Distributions Declarations (CenterPoint Energy)

Equity Instrument	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Per Unit Distribution		Expected Cash Distribution (in millions)
Enable common units	July 30, 2021	August 12, 2021	August 24, 2021	$	0.16525	$	39
Enable Series A Preferred Units	July 30, 2021	July 30, 2021	August 13, 2021	0.54390		8

Board of Directors Actions. On July 22, 2021, CenterPoint Energy announced the decision of the independent directors of the Board to implement a new independent Board leadership and governance structure, and named Martin H. Nesbitt, chair of the Governance Committee, as the new independent chair of the Board, effective immediately. To implement this new governance structure, the independent directors of the Board eliminated the Executive Chairman position, formerly held by Milton Carroll.

On the approval and recommendation of the Compensation Committee and approval of the Board (acting solely through its independent directors), CenterPoint Energy has entered into a separation agreement between CenterPoint Energy and Mr. Carroll, dated July 21, 2021. Under the terms of the separation agreement, Mr. Carroll was required to exit the position of Executive Chairman on July 21, 2021 and from his position as a Board member by September 30, 2021. Under the terms of the separation agreement, Mr. Carroll receives a lump sum cash payment of $28 million and his separation is treated as an “enhanced retirement” for purposes of his outstanding 2019, 2020 and 2021 equity award agreements.

On the approval and recommendation of the Compensation Committee and approval of the Board (acting solely through its independent directors), CenterPoint Energy has entered in a retention incentive agreement with David J. Lesar, President and Chief Executive Officer of CenterPoint Energy, dated July 20, 2021. Under the terms of the retention incentive agreement, Mr. Lesar will receive a total of 1 million shares of Common Stock to be awarded in multiple annual equity awards under CenterPoint Energy’s Long-term Incentive Plan.

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

The following combined discussion and analysis should be read in combination with the Interim Condensed Financial Statements contained in this combined Form 10-Q and the Registrants’ combined 2020 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 combined Form 10-Q, the terms “our,” “we” and “us” are used as abbreviated references to CenterPoint Energy, Inc. together with its consolidated subsidiaries. No Registrant makes any representations as to the information related solely to CenterPoint Energy or the subsidiaries of CenterPoint Energy other than itself.

RECENT EVENTS

Sale of Natural Gas Businesses. On April 29, 2021, CenterPoint Energy, through its subsidiary CERC Corp., entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to sell its Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses for $2.15 billion in cash, including recovery of approximately $425 million of storm-related incremental natural gas costs incurred in the February 2021 Winter Storm Event. For further information, see Note 3 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

February 2021 Winter Storm Event. In February 2021, portions of the United States experienced an extreme and unprecedented winter weather event that resulted in corresponding electricity generation shortages, including in Texas, and natural gas shortages and increased wholesale prices of natural gas in the United States. Many customers of Houston Electric’s REPs and, to a lesser extent, of CERC were severely impacted by outages in electricity and natural gas delivery during the February 2021 Winter Storm Event. As a result of this weather event, the governors of Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana declared states of either disaster or emergencies in their respective states. Subsequently, President Biden also approved major disaster declarations for all or parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

The February 2021 Winter Storm Event resulted in financial impacts to CenterPoint Energy, Houston Electric and CERC, including substantial increases in prices for natural gas, decreased revenues at Houston Electric due to ERCOT-mandated outages, additional interest expense related to external financing to pay for natural gas working capital, significant impacts to the REPs, including the REPs’ ability to pay invoices from Houston Electric, increases in bad debt expense, issues with counterparties and customers, litigation and investigations or inquiries from government or regulatory agencies and entities, and other financial impacts. However, CenterPoint Energy does not anticipate meaningful long-term financial impacts associated with the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, including changes to its credit profile, credit ratings or liquidity, given the regulatory mechanisms that are in place to recover the extraordinary expenses. For more information regarding regulatory impacts, debt transactions and litigation, see Notes 6, 12 and 14 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements and “—Liquidity and Capital Resources —Future Sources and Uses of Cash” and “—Regulatory Matters” below.

Enable Merger Agreement. On February 16, 2021, Enable entered into the Enable Merger Agreement. At the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Enable Merger Agreement, if and when it occurs, Energy Transfer will acquire all of Enable’s outstanding equity interests, including all Enable common units and Enable Series A Preferred Units held by CenterPoint Energy, and in return CenterPoint Energy will receive Energy Transfer common units and Energy Transfer Series G Preferred Units. For more information, see Notes 1 and 9 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

Debt Transactions. For information about debt transactions to date in 2021, see Note 12 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

Preferred Stock Conversions. For information regarding preferred stock conversions to date in 2021, see Note 19 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

Regulatory Proceedings. For information related to our pending and completed regulatory proceedings to date in 2021, see “—Liquidity and Capital Resources —Regulatory Matters” below.

Board of Directors Actions. On July 22, 2021, CenterPoint Energy announced the decision of the independent directors of the Board to implement a new independent Board leadership and governance structure, and named Martin H. Nesbitt, chair of the Governance Committee, as the new independent chair of the Board, effective immediately. To implement this new governance structure, the independent directors of the Board eliminated the Executive Chairman position. For further information, see Note 20 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

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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 the Registrants’ combined 2020 Form 10-K.

Income (loss) available to common shareholders for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		Favorable (Unfavorable)		2021		2020		Favorable (Unfavorable)
	(in millions)
Electric	$	125	$	106	$	19	$	200	$	(28)	$	228
Natural Gas	74		30		44		303		231		72
Total Utility Operations	199		136		63		503		203		300
Midstream Investments (1)	54		24		30		125		(1,103)		1,228
Corporate & Other (2)	(32)		(71)		39		(73)		(93)		20
Discontinued Operations	—		(30)		30		—		(176)		176
Total CenterPoint Energy	$	221	$	59	$	162	$	555	$	(1,169)	$	1,724

(1)For a summary of the components of equity in earnings from CenterPoint Energy’s equity investment in Enable, see Note 9 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

(2)Includes energy performance contracting and sustainable infrastructure services through ESG, unallocated corporate costs, interest income and interest expense, intercompany eliminations and the reduction of income allocated to preferred shareholders.

Three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to three months ended June 30, 2020

Income available to common shareholders increased $162 million primarily due to the following items:

•losses from discontinued operations in 2020;

•the dividend requirement and amortization of beneficial conversion feature associated with Series C Preferred Stock in 2020; and

•favorable income tax impacts in 2021.

Excluding those items, income available to common shareholders increased $70 million primarily due to the following key factors:

•rate relief, net of increases in depreciation and amortization and taxes other than income taxes;

•reduced impact of COVID-19;

•continued customer growth;

•reduced interest expense; and

•increased equity earnings in Enable.

Six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to six months ended June 30, 2020

Income available to common shareholders increased $1,724 million primarily due to the following items:

•the impairment of our investment in Enable in 2020 further discussed in Note 9 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements;

•goodwill impairment at Indiana Electric in 2020;

•losses from discontinued operations in 2020;

•the dividend requirement and amortization of beneficial conversion feature associated with Series C Preferred Stock in 2020; and

•favorable income tax impacts in 2021 partially offset by the CARES Act in 2020.

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Excluding those items, income available to common shareholders increased $143 million primarily due to the following key factors:

•rate relief, net of increases in depreciation and amortization and taxes other than income taxes;

•reduced impact of COVID-19;

•continued customer growth;

•reduced interest expense; and

•increased equity earnings in Enable.

Income Tax Expense. For a discussion of effective tax rate per period, see Note 13 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

CENTERPOINT ENERGY’S RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BY REPORTABLE SEGMENT

CenterPoint Energy’s CODM views net income as the measure of profit or loss for the reportable segments. Segment results include inter-segment interest income and expense, which may result in inter-segment profit and loss. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation described in the Registrants’ combined 2020 Form 10-K.

The following discussion of results of operations by reportable segment concentrates on CenterPoint Energy’s Utility Operations, conducted through two reportable segments, Electric and Natural Gas. A discussion of CenterPoint Energy’s Midstream Investments reportable segment results is included in the discussion of CenterPoint Energy’s consolidated results above. For additional information regarding the Midstream Investments reportable segment, see Notes 9 and 16 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

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Electric (CenterPoint Energy)

For information regarding factors that may affect the future results of operations of the Electric reportable segment, please read “Risk Factors — Risk Factors Associated with Our Consolidated Financial Condition,” “— Risk Factors Affecting Electric Generation, Transmission and Distribution Businesses,” “— Risk Factors Affecting Our Businesses” and “— General Risk Factors Affecting Our Businesses and/or CenterPoint Energy’s Interests in Enable Midstream Partners, LP” in Item 1A of Part I of the Registrants’ combined 2020 Form 10-K.

The following table provides summary data of the Electric reportable segment:

	Three Months Ended June 30,									Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021			2020			Favorable (Unfavorable)			2021			2020			Favorable (Unfavorable)
	(in millions, except operating statistics)
Revenues	$	937		$	848		$	89		$	1,767		$	1,615		$	152
Cost of revenues (1)	44			32			(12)			89			67			(22)
Revenues less Cost of revenues	893			816			77			1,678			1,548			130
Expenses:
Operation and maintenance	434			402			(32)			850			805			(45)
Depreciation and amortization	189			166			(23)			358			320			(38)
Taxes other than income taxes	69			68			(1)			136			136			—
Goodwill impairment	—			—			—			—			185			185
Total expenses	692			636			(56)			1,344			1,446			102
Operating Income	201			180			21			334			102			232
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense and other finance charges	(58)			(55)			(3)			(114)			(110)			(4)
Other income, net	5			2			3			12			9			3
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	148			127			21			232			1			231
Income tax expense	23			21			(2)			32			29			(3)
Net Income (Loss)	$	125		$	106		$	19		$	200		$	(28)		$	228
Throughput (in GWh):
Residential	8,323			8,759			(5)		%	14,393			14,438			—		%
Total	26,886			24,228			11		%	48,127			45,471			6		%
Weather (percentage of 10-year average for service area):
Cooling degree days	103		%	102		%	1		%	104		%	112		%	(8)		%
Heating degree days	138		%	113		%	25		%	105		%	73		%	32		%
Number of metered customers at end of period:
Residential	2,464,358			2,404,767			2		%	2,464,358			2,404,767			2		%
Total	2,783,920			2,716,522			2		%	2,783,920			2,716,522			2		%

(1)Includes Utility natural gas, fuel and purchased power.

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The following table provides variance explanations by major income statement caption for the Electric reportable segment:

	Favorable (Unfavorable)
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 vs 2020		Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 vs 2020
	(in millions)
Revenues less Cost of revenues
Transmission Revenues, including TCOS and TCRF and impact of the change in rate design, inclusive of costs billed by transmission providers, partially offset in operation and maintenance	$	59	$	195
Customer growth	8		16
Bond Companies, offset in other line items	13		19
Weather, efficiency improvements and other usage impacts, excluding impacts of COVID-19	(17)		(14)
Impacts from increased peak demand in 2020, collected in rates in 2021	4		6
Bond Companies equity return, related to the annual true-up of transition charges for amounts over or under collected in prior periods	3		4
Energy efficiency and pass-through offset in operation and maintenance	2		3
Miscellaneous revenues, primarily related right-of-way revenue and service connections	2		(1)
Refund of protected and unprotected EDIT, offset in income tax expense	(2)		(12)
Impacts on usage of COVID-19	17		5
Customer rates and impact of the change in rate design	(12)		(91)
Total	$	77	$	130
Operation and maintenance
Support services	$	(2)	$	5
Contract services	(6)		(1)
Labor and benefits	(2)		(1)
Energy efficiency and pass-through offset in revenues	(2)		(3)
Bond Companies, offset in other line items	1		—
All other operation and maintenance expense, including materials and supplies and insurance	3		—
Transmission costs billed by transmission providers, offset in revenues less cost of revenues	(24)		(45)
Total	$	(32)	$	(45)
Depreciation and amortization
Bond Companies, offset in other line items	$	(16)	$	(22)
Ongoing additions to plant-in-service	(7)		(16)
Total	$	(23)	$	(38)
Taxes other than income taxes
Franchise fees and other taxes	$	—	$	2
Incremental capital projects placed in service	(1)		(2)
Total	$	(1)	$	—
Goodwill Impairment
Indiana Electric goodwill impairment charge in 2020	$	—	$	185
Total	$	—	$	185
Interest expense and other finance charges
Bond Companies, offset in other line items	$	2	$	4
Debt to fund incremental capital projects	(5)		(8)
Total	$	(3)	$	(4)
Other income (expense), net
Reduction to non-service benefit cost	$	3	$	5
Investments in CenterPoint Energy Money Pool interest income	—		(1)
Bond Companies interest income, offset in other line items	—		(1)
Total	$	3	$	3

Income Tax Expense. For a discussion of effective tax rate per period by Registrant, see Note 13 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

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Natural Gas (CenterPoint Energy)

For information regarding factors that may affect the future results of operations of CenterPoint Energy’s Natural Gas reportable segment, please read “Risk Factors — Risk Factors Associated with Our Consolidated Financial Condition,” “— Risk Factors Affecting Natural Gas' Business,” “— Risk Factors Affecting Our Businesses” and “— General Risk Factors Affecting Our Businesses and/or CenterPoint Energy’s Interests in Enable Midstream Partners, LP” in Item 1A of Part I of the Registrants’ combined 2020 Form 10-K.

The following table provides summary data of CenterPoint Energy’s Natural Gas reportable segment:

	Three Months Ended June 30,									Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021			2020			Favorable (Unfavorable)			2021			2020			Favorable (Unfavorable)
	(in millions, except operating statistics)
Revenues	$	740		$	644		$	96		$	2,403		$	1,965		$	438
Cost of revenues (1)	223			177			(46)			1,116			757			(359)
Revenues less Cost of revenues	517			467			50			1,287			1,208			79
Expenses:
Operation and maintenance	246			232			(14)			502			504			2
Depreciation and amortization	123			113			(10)			245			224			(21)
Taxes other than income taxes	57			56			(1)			131			123			(8)
Total expenses	426			401			(25)			878			851			(27)
Operating Income	91			66			25			409			357			52
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense and other finance charges	(34)			(38)			4			(67)			(79)			12
Other income (expense), net	2			—			2			2			(2)			4
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	59			28			31			344			276			68
Income tax expense (benefit)	(15)			(2)			13			41			45			4
Net Income	$	74		$	30		$	44		$	303		$	231		$	72
Throughput (in Bcf):
Residential	30			32			(6)		%	158			139			14		%
Commercial and Industrial	88			87			1		%	233			233			—		%
Total	118			119			(1)		%	391			372			5		%
Weather (percentage of 10-year average for service area):
Heating degree days	104		%	117		%	(13)		%	100		%	89		%	11		%
Number of metered customers at end of period:
Residential	4,334,297			4,282,921			1		%	4,334,297			4,282,921			1		%
Commercial and Industrial	341,963			348,661			(2)		%	341,963			348,661			(2)		%
Total	4,676,260			4,631,582			1		%	4,676,260			4,631,582			1		%

(1)Includes Utility natural gas, fuel and purchased power and Non-utility cost of revenues, including natural gas.

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The following table provides variance explanations by major income statement caption for the Natural Gas reportable segment:

	Favorable (Unfavorable)
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 vs 2020		Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 vs 2020
	(in millions)
Revenues less Cost of revenues
Non-volumetric and miscellaneous revenue, excluding impacts from COVID-19	$	28	$	25
Weather and usage, excluding impacts from COVID-19	4		25
Customer rates and impact of the change in rate design, exclusive of the TCJA impact	12		13
Gross receipts tax, offset in taxes other than income taxes	3		8
Customer growth	3		10
Energy efficiency, offset in operation and maintenance	(2)		1
Refund of protected and unprotected EDIT, offset in income tax expense	(4)		(6)
Impacts of COVID-19, including usage and other miscellaneous charges	6		3
Total	$	50	$	79
Operation and maintenance
Merger related expenses, primarily severance and technology	$	—	$	2
Contract services	1		3
Energy efficiency, offset in revenues less cost of revenues	2		(1)
Labor and benefits	(7)		(7)
Support services and miscellaneous operations and maintenance expenses	(10)		5
Total	$	(14)	$	2
Depreciation and amortization
Incremental capital projects placed in service	$	(10)	$	(21)
Total	$	(10)	$	(21)
Taxes other than income taxes
Incremental capital projects placed in service	$	2	$	—
Gross receipts tax, offset in revenues less cost of revenues	(3)		(8)
Total	$	(1)	$	(8)
Interest expense and other finance charges
Reduced interest rates on outstanding borrowings, partially offset by incremental borrowings for capital expenditures	$	4	$	12
Total	$	4	$	12
Other income (expense), net
Reduction to non-service benefit cost	$	—	$	1
Money pool investments with CenterPoint Energy interest income	2		3
Total	$	2	$	4

Income Tax Expense. For a discussion of effective tax rate per period by Registrant, see Note 13 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

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HOUSTON ELECTRIC’S MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE ANALYSIS

OF CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Houston Electric’s CODM views net income as the measure of profit or loss for its reportable segment. Houston Electric consists of a single reportable segment. 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 — Risk Factors Associated with Our Consolidated Financial Condition,” “— Risk Factors Affecting Electric Generation, Transmission and Distribution Businesses,” “— Risk Factors Affecting Our Businesses” and “— General Risk Factors Affecting Our Businesses and/or CenterPoint Energy’s Interests in Enable Midstream Partners, LP” in Item 1A of Part I of the Registrants’ combined 2020 Form 10-K.

	Three Months Ended June 30,									Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021			2020			Favorable (Unfavorable)			2021			2020			Favorable (Unfavorable)
	(in millions, except operating statistics)
Revenues:
TDU	$	725		$	672		$	53		$	1,365		$	1,268		$	97
Bond Companies	61			48			13			105			86			19
Total revenues	786			720			66			1,470			1,354			116
Expenses:
Operation and maintenance, excluding Bond Companies	389			362			(27)			760			720			(40)
Depreciation and amortization, excluding Bond Companies	107			101			(6)			212			200			(12)
Taxes other than income taxes	65			64			(1)			128			128			—
Bond Companies	55			41			(14)			93			72			(21)
Total expenses	616			568			(48)			1,193			1,120			(73)
Operating Income	170			152			18			277			234			43
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense and other finance charges	(47)			(43)			(4)			(92)			(84)			(8)
Interest expense on Securitization Bonds	(5)			(7)			2			(11)			(15)			4
Other income, net	3			1			2			8			6			2
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	121			103			18			182			141			41
Income tax expense	18			16			(2)			26			21			(5)
Net Income	$	103		$	87		$	16		$	156		$	120		$	36
Throughput (in GWh):
Residential	8,024			8,440			(5)		%	13,725			13,791			—		%
Total	25,396			23,160			10		%	45,135			43,262			4		%
Weather (percentage of 10-year average for service area):
Cooling degree days	103		%	103		%	—		%	104		%	113		%	(9)		%
Heating degree days	142		%	74		%	68		%	105		%	68		%	37		%
Number of metered customers at end of period:
Residential	2,333,786			2,275,006			3		%	2,333,786			2,275,006			3		%
Total	2,634,108			2,567,699			3		%	2,634,108			2,567,699			3		%

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The following table provides variance explanations by major income statement caption for Houston Electric:

	Favorable (Unfavorable)
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 vs 2020		Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 vs 2020
	(in millions)
Revenues
Transmission Revenues, including TCOS and TCRF and impact of the change in rate design, inclusive of costs billed by transmission providers	$	59	$	195
Customer growth	8		16
Weather impacts and other usage	(22)		(16)
Bond Companies, offset in other line items	13		19
Impacts from increased peak demand in 2020, collected in rates in 2021	4		6
Equity return, related to the annual true-up of transition charges for amounts over or under collected in prior periods	3		4
Energy efficiency, offset in operation and maintenance	1		2
Miscellaneous revenues, primarily related to right-of-way revenues, and service connections	2		(3)
Refund of protected and unprotected EDIT, offset in income tax expense	(2)		(12)
Impacts on usage of COVID-19	17		5
Customer rates and impact of the change in rate design	(17)		(100)
Total	$	66	$	116
Operation and maintenance, excluding Bond Companies
Support services	$	(1)	$	5
Contract services	(1)		1
Labor and benefits	(2)		(1)
Energy efficiency, offset in revenues	(1)		(2)
Transmission costs billed by transmission providers, offset in revenues	(24)		(45)
All Other	2		2
Total	$	(27)	$	(40)
Depreciation and amortization, excluding Bond Companies
Ongoing additions to plant-in-service	$	(6)	$	(12)
Total	$	(6)	$	(12)
Taxes other than income taxes
Franchise fees and other taxes	$	—	$	2
Incremental capital projects placed in service	(1)		(2)
Total	$	(1)	$	—
Bond Companies expense
Operations and maintenance and depreciation expense, offset in other line items	$	(14)	$	(21)
	$	(14)	$	(21)
Interest expense and other finance charges
Debt to fund incremental capital projects	$	(4)	$	(8)
Total	$	(4)	$	(8)
Interest expense on Securitization Bonds
Lower outstanding principal balance, offset in other line items	$	2	$	4
Total	$	2	$	4
Other income (expense), net
Reduction to non-service benefit cost	$	2	$	4
Investments in CenterPoint Energy Money Pool interest income	—		(1)
Bond Companies interest income, offset in other line items	—		(1)
Total	$	2	$	2

Income Tax Expense. For a discussion of effective tax rate per period, see Note 13 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

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

CERC’s CODM views net income as the measure of profit or loss for its reportable segment. CERC’s results of operations are affected by seasonal fluctuations in the demand for natural gas. 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, debt service costs and income tax expense, CERC’s ability to collect receivables from customers and CERC’s ability to recover its regulatory assets. For more information regarding factors that may affect the future results of operations for CERC’s business, please read “Risk Factors — Risk Factors Associated with Our Consolidated Financial Condition,” “— Risk Factors Affecting Natural Gas’ Business,” “— Risk Factors Affecting Our Businesses” and “— General Risk Factors Affecting Our Businesses and/or CenterPoint Energy’s Interests in Enable Midstream Partners, LP” in Item 1A of Part I of the Registrants’ combined 2020 Form 10-K.

	Three Months Ended June 30,									Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021			2020			Favorable (Unfavorable)			2021			2020			Favorable (Unfavorable)
	(in millions, except operating statistics)
Revenues	$	574		$	483		$	91		$	1,751		$	1,494		$	257
Cost of revenues (1)	192			144			(48)			817			622			(195)
Revenues less Cost of revenues	382			339			43			934			872			62
Expenses:
Operation and maintenance	194			179			(15)			392			388			(4)
Depreciation and amortization	80			74			(6)			160			148			(12)
Taxes other than income taxes	44			44			—			100			94			(6)
Total expenses	318			297			(21)			652			630			(22)
Operating Income	64			42			22			282			242			40
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense and other finance charges	(25)			(29)			4			(49)			(59)			10
Other income (expense), net	1			—			1			—			(4)			4
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	40			13			27			233			179			54
Income tax expense (benefit)	(18)			(4)			14			24			31			7
Income From Continuing Operations	58			17			41			209			148			61
Loss from Discontinued Operations (net of tax expense (benefit) of $8 and ($3), respectively)	—			(4)			4			—			(68)			68
Net Income	$	58		$	13		$	45		$	209		$	80		$	129
Throughput (in Bcf):
Residential	21			22			(5)		%	114			96			19		%
Commercial and Industrial	54			51			6		%	141			141			—		%
Total	75			73			3		%	255			237			8		%
Weather (percentage of 10-year average for service area):
Heating degree days	102		%	86		%	16		%	102		%	89		%	13		%
Number of metered customers at end of period:
Residential	3,360,374			3,315,379			1		%	3,360,374			3,315,379			1		%
Commercial and Industrial	254,908			260,222			(2)		%	254,908			260,222			(2)		%
Total	3,615,282			3,575,601			1		%	3,615,282			3,575,601			1		%

(1)Includes Utility natural gas and Non-utility cost of revenues, including natural gas.

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The following table provides variance explanations by major income statement caption for CERC:

	Favorable (Unfavorable)
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 vs 2020		Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 vs 2020
	(in millions)
Revenues less Cost of revenues
Non-volumetric and miscellaneous revenue, excluding impacts from COVID-19	$	23	$	22
Weather and usage, excluding impacts from COVID-19	9		26
Customer rates and impact of the change in rate design, exclusive of the TCJA impact	6		—
Gross receipts tax, offset in taxes other than income taxes	3		8
Customer growth	2		7
Energy efficiency, offset in operation and maintenance	—		4
Refund of protected and unprotected EDIT, offset in income tax expense	(4)		(6)
Impacts of COVID-19	4		1
Total	$	43	$	62
Operation and maintenance
Merger related expenses, primarily severance and technology	$	2	$	4
Contract services	2		4
Energy efficiency, offset in revenues less cost of revenues	—		(4)
Labor and benefits	(6)		(5)
Support services and miscellaneous operations and maintenance expenses	(13)		(3)
Total	$	(15)	$	(4)
Depreciation and amortization
Incremental capital projects placed in service	$	(6)	$	(12)
Total	$	(6)	$	(12)
Taxes other than income taxes
Incremental capital projects placed in service	$	3	$	2
Gross receipts tax, offset in revenues less cost of revenues	(3)		(8)
Total	$	—	$	(6)
Interest expense and other finance charges
Reduced interest rates on outstanding borrowings, partially offset by incremental borrowings for capital expenditures	$	4	$	10
Total	$	4	$	10
Other income (expense), net
Reduction to non-service benefit cost	$	(1)	$	1
Money pool investments with CenterPoint Energy interest income	2		3
Total	$	1	$	4

Income Tax Expense. For a discussion of effective tax rate per period, see Note 13 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

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 and “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of the Registrants’ combined 2020 Form 10-K and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information” in this combined Form 10-Q.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Historical Cash Flows

The following table summarizes the net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020:

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	(1,076)	$	254	$	(1,563)	$	1,181	$	278	$	587
Investing activities	(1,376)		(837)		(315)		(143)		(107)		(97)
Financing activities	2,442		566		1,878		(1,115)		(236)		(491)

Operating Activities. The following items contributed to increased (decreased) net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2020:

	CenterPoint Energy		Houston  Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Changes in net income after adjusting for non-cash items	$	1,919	$	76	$	46
Changes in working capital	(223)		25		(144)
Increase in regulatory assets (1)	(2,264)		(129)		(2,006)
Change in equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(1,607)		—		—
Change in distributions from unconsolidated affiliates (2)	(32)		—		—
Higher pension contribution	(3)		—		—
Other	(47)		4		(46)
	$	(2,257)	$	(24)	$	(2,150)

(1)The increase in regulatory assets is primarily due to the incurred natural gas costs associated with the February 2021 Winter Storm Event. See Note 6 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements for more information on the February 2021 Winter Storm Event.

(2)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.

Investing Activities. The following items contributed to (increased) decreased net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2020:

	CenterPoint Energy		Houston  Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Capital expenditures	$	(105)	$	(187)	$	49
Net change in notes receivable from affiliated companies	—		(545)		9
Change in distributions from Enable in excess of cumulative earnings	(7)		—		—
Proceeds from divestitures	(1,136)		—		(286)
Other	15		2		10
	$	(1,233)	$	(730)	$	(218)

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Financing Activities. The following items contributed to (increased) decreased net cash used in financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2020:

	CenterPoint Energy		Houston  Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Net changes in commercial paper outstanding	$	1,723	$	—	$	362
Increased proceeds from issuances of preferred stock	(724)		—		—
Increased proceeds from issuances of common stock	(673)		—		—
Net changes in long-term debt outstanding, excluding commercial paper	3,266		419		1,699
Net changes in debt issuance costs	(34)		(9)		(10)
Net changes in short-term borrowings	(46)		(5)		(41)
Decreased payment of Common Stock dividends	44		—		—
Increased payment of preferred stock dividends	1		—		—
Net change in notes payable from affiliated companies	—		(8)		—
Dividend to parent	—		405		72
Capital contribution to parent associated with the sale of CES	—		—		286
Other	—		—		1
	$	3,557	$	802	$	2,369

Future Sources and Uses of Cash

The liquidity and capital requirements of the Registrants 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. 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, interest payments on debt, cash payment to OGE associated with the Enable Merger Agreement further discussed in Note 9 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements, and cash payment to Milton Carroll under the terms of his separation agreement further discussed in Note 20 of the Interim Condensed Financial Statements, the Registrants’ principal anticipated cash requirements for the remaining six months of 2021 include the following:

	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Estimated capital expenditures	$	1,897	$	894	$	632
Scheduled principal payments on Securitization Bonds	103		103		—
Minimum contributions to pension plans and other post-retirement plans	58		1		1

February 2021 Winter Storm Event. In February 2021, portions of the United States experienced an extreme and unprecedented winter weather event that resulted in corresponding electricity generation shortages, including in Texas, and natural gas shortages and increased wholesale prices of natural gas in the United States. As a result of this weather event, the governors of Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana declared states of either disaster or emergencies in their respective states. Subsequently, President Biden also approved major disaster declarations for all or parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

As a result of the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, from February 12, 2021 to February 22, 2021, management estimates CenterPoint Energy spent approximately an incremental $2.1 billion more on natural gas supplies (inclusive of an incremental $2.0 billion more spent by CERC on natural gas supplies). These amounts are estimates as of June 30, 2021 and remain subject to final settlement. While CenterPoint Energy and CERC will seek to recover the increased costs from its customers (although timing of recovery is uncertain), in the interim, CERC has issued additional external debt financing and used internally generated cash from operations to pay for such natural gas working capital. For further details, see Note 12 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements. The proceeds from the debt financing, along with existing sources of liquidity, provided CERC with sufficient capital to address the settlement of natural gas purchases, including the associated upstream supply charges, at the end of March 2021. Any additional external debt financing and/or partial or delayed recovery may negatively impact CenterPoint Energy’s or CERC’s credit metrics, and may lead to a downgrade of CenterPoint Energy’s or CERC’s credit rating.

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Although CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s extraordinary costs from the increase in natural gas prices are subject to available natural gas recovery mechanisms in their jurisdictions (although timing of recovery is uncertain), until such amounts are ultimately recovered from customers, CenterPoint Energy and CERC will continue to incur increased finance-related costs, resulting in a significant use of cash. See “— Regulatory Matters — February 2021 Winter Storm Event” below.

The Registrants expect that anticipated cash needs for the remaining six months of 2021 will be met with borrowings under their credit facilities, proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt, term loans or common stock, anticipated cash flows from operations, with respect to CenterPoint Energy and CERC, proceeds from commercial paper, with respect to CenterPoint Energy, distributions from Enable until the closing of the Enable Merger which is expected in 2021, including any proceeds therefrom, distributions from Energy Transfer or proceeds from dispositions of Energy Transfer common units or Energy Transfer Series G Preferred Units after the expected closing of the Enable Merger, and, with respect to CERC, proceeds from any potential asset sales, including the announced sale of our Natural Gas businesses in Arkansas and Oklahoma, which is expected to close by the end of 2021, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions. 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 and additional credit facilities may not, however, be available on acceptable terms. For further information about the Enable Merger and the announced sale of our Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses, see Notes 9 and 20, respectively, to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Other than Houston Electric’s general mortgage bonds issued as collateral for tax-exempt long-term debt of CenterPoint Energy as discussed in Note 12, guarantees as discussed in Note 14(b) to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements, we have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Regulatory Matters

COVID-19 Regulatory Matters

For information about COVID-19 regulatory matters, see Note 6 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

February 2021 Winter Storm Event

For information about the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, see Note 6 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

The table below presents the estimated incremental natural gas costs included in regulatory assets as of June 30, 2021 by state as a result of the February 2021 Winter Storm Event and CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s requested recovery status as of July 2021:

State	Recovery Status	Legislative Activity	Estimated Incremental Gas Cost (in millions)
Arkansas	Filed application on April 16, 2021 to recover over a five-year period beginning May 1, 2021. On April 28, 2021, APSC approved CERC to begin recovery effective May 2021 at a customer deposit interest rate of 0.8% over a five year period, subject to a true-up after APSC determines appropriate allocation, length of recovery, and carrying charge. A hearing is scheduled in September 2021.	A securitization bill has been signed by the Arkansas governor that allows for an alternate recovery period longer than the proposed recovery mechanism.	$	339
Louisiana	Filed application on April 16, 2021 for North Louisiana to recover over a three-year period beginning May 1, 2021. LPSC approved on April 22, 2021.	None.	74

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State	Recovery Status	Legislative Activity	Estimated Incremental Gas Cost (in millions)
Minnesota	Filed application on March 15, 2021 requesting to recover over a two-year period beginning May 1, 2021. Modified request and worked with other utilities to propose common definition of extraordinary gas costs to be recovered over a 27-month period starting September 1, 2021 using volumetric, seasonally adjusted, and stepped surcharge rates.	None.	409
Mississippi	Recovery expected to begin September 2021 through normal gas cost recovery.	None.	2
Oklahoma	Filed application on February 25, 2021 to defer incremental gas costs and OCC approved on July 1, 2021. Securitization application was filed on May 17, 2021.	A securitization bill has passed in the Oklahoma legislature.	79
Texas	Cost currently deferred to a regulatory asset. Securitization application was filed on July 30, 2021.	A securitization bill has been signed by the Texas governor which authorizes the Railroad Commission to use securitization financing and issuance of customer rate relief bonds for recovery of extraordinary gas costs.	1,082
		Total CERC	$	1,985
Indiana North	Recovery expected to begin September 2021 through normal gas recovery. On July 1, 2021, proposed to recover 50% of the February 2021 variance evenly over the 12‐month period September 2021 to August 2022, with the remainder of the variance recovered through a volumetric per‐therm allocation over the same 12-month period.	None.	96
Indiana South	IURC issued order July 28, 2021. Recovery to begin August 2021 through normal gas recovery. On June 2, 2021, proposed to recover 50% of the February 2021 variance evenly over the 12‐month period August 2021 to July 2022, with the remainder of the variance recovered through a volumetric per‐therm allocation over the same 12-month period.	None.	18
		Total CenterPoint Energy	$	2,099

Indiana Electric CPCN (CenterPoint Energy)

On February 9, 2021, Indiana Electric entered into a BTA with a subsidiary of Capital Dynamics. Under the agreement, Capital Dynamics, with its partner Tenaska, will build a 300 MW solar array in Posey County, Indiana through a special purpose entity Posey Solar. Upon completion of construction, which is projected to be at the end of 2023, and subject to approval by the IURC, Indiana Electric will acquire Posey Solar and its solar array assets for a fixed purchase price. On February 23, 2021, Indiana Electric filed a CPCN with the IURC seeking approval to purchase the project. Indiana Electric is also seeking approval for a 100 MW solar PPA in Warrick County, Indiana. The request accounts for increased cost of debt related to this PPA, which provides equivalent equity return to offset imputed debt during the 25 year life of the PPA. A hearing was conducted on June 21, 2021 and a decision on the CPCN is expected by the fourth quarter of 2021.

On June 17, 2021 Indiana Electric filed a CPCN with the IURC seeking approval to construct two natural gas combustion turbines to replace portions of its existing coal-fired generation fleet. Indiana Electric has also requested depreciation expense and post in-service carrying costs to be deferred in a regulatory asset until the date Indiana South’s base rates include a return on and recovery of depreciation expense on the facility. The estimated $323 million turbine facility would be constructed at the current site of the A.B. Brown power plant in Posey County, Indiana and would provide a combined output of 460 MW. Construction of the turbines will begin following receipt of approval by the IURC, which is anticipated in the second half of

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2022. The turbines are targeted to be operational in 2024. Subject to IURC approval, recovery of the proposed natural gas combustion turbines and regulatory asset will be requested in the next Indiana Electric rate case expected in 2023.

Indiana Electric Securitization of Planned Generation Retirements (CenterPoint Energy)

The State of Indiana has enacted legislation, Senate Bill 386, that would enable CenterPoint Energy to request approval from the IURC to securitize the remaining book value and removal costs associated with generating facilities to be retired in the next twenty-four months. The Governor of Indiana signed the legislation on April 19, 2021. CenterPoint Energy intends to seek securitization in the future associated with planned coal generation retirements.

Indiana South Base Rate Case (CenterPoint Energy)

On October 30, 2020, and as subsequently amended, Indiana South filed its base rate case with the IURC seeking approval for a revenue increase of approximately $29 million. This rate case filing is required under Indiana TDSIC statutory requirements before the completion of Indiana South’s capital expenditure program, approved in 2014 for investments starting in 2014 through 2020. The revenue increase is based upon a requested ROE of 10.15% and an overall after-tax rate of return of 5.99% on total rate base of approximately $469 million. Indiana South has utilized a projected test year, reflecting its 2021 budget as the basis for the revenue increase requested and proposes to implement rates in two phases. The first phase of rate implementation will occur as of the date of an order in this proceeding, expected in September 2021, and the second phase of rate implementation will occur at the completion of the test year, as of December 31, 2021. On April 23, 2021, a Stipulation and Settlement Agreement was filed resolving all issues in the case. The settlement recommended a revenue increase of $21 million based on a 9.7% ROE and an overall after-tax rate of return of 5.78% on total rate base of approximately $469 million. A settlement hearing was held on June 24, 2021. Under Indiana statutory requirements, the IURC has a minimum of 300 days and maximum of 360 days from the date of the filing of Indiana South’s case-in-chief to issue an order.

Indiana North Base Rate Case (CenterPoint Energy)

On December 18, 2020, Indiana North filed its base rate case with the IURC seeking approval for a revenue increase of approximately $21 million. This rate case filing is required under Indiana TDSIC statutory requirements before the completion of Indiana North’s capital expenditure program, approved in 2014 for investments starting in 2014 through 2020. The revenue increase is based upon a requested ROE of 10.15% and an overall after-tax rate of return of 6.32% on total rate base of approximately $1,611 million. Indiana North has utilized a projected test year, reflecting its 2021 budget as the basis for the revenue increase requested and proposes to implement rates in two phases. The first phase of rate implementation will occur as of the date of an order in this proceeding, expected in October 2021, and the second phase of rate implementation will occur at the completion of the test year, as of December 31, 2021. On June 25, 2021, a Stipulation and Settlement Agreement was filed resolving all issues in the case. The settlement recommended a revenue decrease of $6 million based on a 9.8% ROE and an overall after-tax rate of return of 6.16% on total rate base of approximately $1,611 million. A settlement hearing is scheduled for August 6, 2021. Under Indiana statutory requirements, the IURC has a minimum of 300 days and maximum of 360 days from the date of the filing of Indiana North’s case-in-chief to issue an order.

Space City Solar Transmission Interconnection Project (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric)

On December 17, 2020, Houston Electric filed a CCN application with the PUCT for approval to build a 345 kV transmission line in Wharton County, Texas connecting the Hillje substation on Houston Electric’s transmission system to the planned 610 MW Space City Solar Generation facility being developed by third-party developer EDF Renewables. Depending on the route ultimately approved by the PUCT, the estimated capital cost of the transmission line project ranges from approximately $23 million to $71 million. The actual capital costs of the project will depend on actual land acquisition costs, construction costs, and other factors in addition to route selection. In January 2021, Houston Electric executed a Standard Generation Interconnection Agreement for the Space City Solar Generation facility with EDF Renewables, which also provided security for the transmission line project in the form of a $23 million letter of credit, the amount of which is subject to change depending on the route approved. A hearing at the PUCT was held on June 28, 2021. The PUCT is required to issue its final decision on the transmission line project no later than December 2021. Subject to PUCT approval, Houston Electric expects to complete construction and energization of the transmission line by June 2022.

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Texas Legislation (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric)

In addition to the legislative activity discussed above, the Texas legislature enacted the following in 2021:

•Senate Bill 3 establishes weatherization and other power grid requirements including the design and operation of a load management program for nonresidential customers during an energy emergency activation level 2 or higher event and the ability to recover the reasonable and necessary costs of the program.

•Senate Bill 415 allows a TDU to seek prior PUCT approval to contract with a power generation company for a PUCT assigned proportional share of electric energy storage system at the distribution level and recover certain costs and a reasonable return on contract payments if contract terms satisfy relevant accounting standards for a capital lease or finance lease.

•House Bill 2483 allows a TDU to procure, own and operate, or jointly own with another TDU, transmission and distribution facilities with a lead time of at least six months that would aid in restoring power to the utility's distribution customers following a widespread outage, excluding storage equipment or facilities. Reasonable and necessary costs can be recovered using the rate of return on investment from the most recent base rate proceeding. Recovery of incremental operation and maintenance expenses and any return not recovered in a rate proceeding can be deferred until a future ratemaking proceeding. Additionally, a TDU may lease and operate facilities that provide temporary emergency electric energy to aid in restoring power to the utility’s distribution customers during a widespread power outage. Leasing and operating costs can be recovered using the utility’s rate of return from the most recent base rate proceeding and incremental operation and maintenance expenses can be deferred. The lease must be treated as a capital lease or finance lease for ratemaking purposes.

•Senate Bill 1281 removes the requirement for an electric utility to amend its CCN to construct a transmission line that connects existing transmission facilities to a substation or metering point if certain conditions are met and adds a customer benefit test into consideration. The bill also requires ERCOT to conduct biennial assessments of grid reliability in extreme weather scenarios.

Minnesota Base Rate Case (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

On October 28, 2019, CERC filed a general rate case with the MPUC seeking approval for a revenue increase of approximately $62 million with a projected test year ended December 31, 2020. The revenue increase is based upon a requested ROE of 10.15% and an overall after-tax rate of return of 7.41% on a total rate base of approximately $1,307 million. CERC implemented interim rates reflecting $53 million for natural gas used on and after January 1, 2020. In September 2020, a settlement that addressed all issues except the Inclusive Financing/TOB Financing proposal by the City of Minneapolis was signed by a majority of all parties and was filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings. A stipulation between the City of Minneapolis and CERC addressing the TOB proposal was filed on September 2, 2020. The settlement reflects a $39 million increase and was based on an overall after-tax rate of return of 6.86% and does not specify individual cost of capital components. On March 1, 2021, the MPUC issued a written final order approving the $39 million increase and rejected the TOB stipulation. The order also required CERC and the City of Minneapolis to submit a future filing to allow for further development of a potential TOB pilot program and additional or expanded low-income conservation improvement programs. A compliance filing was submitted on March 12, 2021 proposing a final rate implementation on June 1, 2021 and the interim refund occurring in June 2021, contingent on final MPUC approval. Pursuant to MPUC approval, final rates were implemented on June 1, 2021 and the interim rate refunds were applied to customer accounts starting on June 12, 2021.

Minnesota Legislation (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

The Natural Gas Innovation Act was passed by the Minnesota legislature in June 2021 with bipartisan support. This law establishes a regulatory framework to enable the state’s investor-owned natural gas utilities to provide customers with access to renewable energy resources and innovative technologies, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing the state’s clean energy future. Specifically, the Natural Gas Innovation Act allows a natural gas utility to submit an innovation plan for approval by the MPUC which could propose the use of renewable energy resources and innovative technologies such as:

•renewable natural gas (produces energy from organic materials such as wastewater, agricultural manure, food waste, agricultural or forest waste);

•renewable hydrogen gas (produces energy from water through electrolysis with renewable electricity such as solar);

•energy efficiency measures (avoids energy consumption in excess of the utility’s existing conservation programs); and

•innovative technologies (reduces or avoids greenhouse gas emissions using technologies such as carbon capture).

CERC expects to submit its first innovation plan to the MPUC in 2022. The maximum allowable cost for an innovation plan will start at 1.75% of the utility's revenue in the state and could increase to 4% by 2033, subject to review and approval by the MPUC.

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Rate Change Applications

The Registrants 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). CenterPoint Energy is periodically involved in proceedings to adjust its capital tracking mechanisms in Indiana (CSIA for gas and TDSIC for electric) and Ohio (DRR), its decoupling mechanism in Indiana (SRC for gas), and its energy efficiency cost trackers in Indiana (EEFC for gas and DSMA for electric) and Ohio (EEFR). The table below reflects significant applications pending or completed since the Registrants’ combined 2020 Form 10-K was filed with the SEC.

Mechanism	Annual Increase (Decrease) (1) (in millions)	Filing  Date	Effective Date	Approval Date	Additional Information
CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric (PUCT)
EECRF (1)	22	June 2021	March 2022	TBD	The requested $63 million is comprised of the following: 2022 Program and Evaluation, Measurement and Verification costs of $38 million, 2020 under-recovery of $3 million including interest, and 2020 earned bonus of $22 million.
TCOS	9	March 2021	April 2021	April 2021	Based on net change in invested capital of $80 million.
CenterPoint Energy and CERC - Arkansas (APSC)
FRP (1)	13	April 2021	TBD	TBD	Based on ROE of 9.50% with 50 basis point (+/-) earnings band. Revenue increase of $13 million based on prior test year true-up earned return on equity of 11.43% combined with projected test year earned return on equity of 3.59%. The initial term of Rider FRP will terminate on September 10, 2021; a request to extend the Rider FRP term for an additional five years was filed on May 5, 2021.
CenterPoint Energy and CERC - Beaumont/East Texas, South Texas, Houston and Texas Coast (Railroad Commission)
GRIP	28	March 2021	June 2021	June 2021	Based on net change in invested capital of $197 million.
CenterPoint Energy and CERC - Minnesota (MPUC)
Decoupling	N/A	September 2020	September 2020	March 2021	Represents under-recovery of approximately $2 million recorded for and during the period July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020, including approximately $1 million related to the period July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019.
Rate Case	39	October 2019	June 2021	March 2021	See discussion above under Minnesota Base Rate Case.
CIP Financial Incentive (1)	10	May 2021	TBD	TBD	CIP Financial Incentive based on 2020 activity.
CenterPoint Energy and CERC - Mississippi (MPSC)
RRA (1)	4	April 2021	TBD	TBD	Based on ROE of 9.81% with 100 basis point (+/-) earnings band. Revenue increase of approximately $4 million based on 2020 test year adjusted earned ROE of 6.97%.
CenterPoint Energy and CERC - Oklahoma (OCC)
PBRC (1)	(1)	March 2021	TBD	TBD	Based on ROE of 10% with 50 basis point (+/-) earnings band. Revenue credit of approximately $1 million based on 2020 test year adjusted earned ROE of 12.42%. A settlement was filed in June 2021 with a hearing held on July 1, 2021. Awaiting OCC final decision.
CenterPoint Energy - Indiana South - Gas (IURC)
Rate Case (1)	29	October 2020	TBD	TBD	See discussion above under Indiana South Base Rate Case.
CSIA	(1)	April 2021	July 2021	July 2021	Requested an increase of $11 million to rate base, which reflects a $(1 million) annual decrease in current revenues. 80% of revenue requirement is included in requested rate increase and 20% is deferred until the next rate case. The mechanism also includes refunds associated with the TCJA, resulting in no change to the previous credit provided, and a change in the total (over)/under-recovery variance of less than $1 million annually.

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Mechanism	Annual Increase (Decrease) (1) (in millions)	Filing  Date	Effective Date	Approval Date	Additional Information
CenterPoint Energy - Indiana North - Gas (IURC)
Rate Case (1)	21	December 2020	TBD	TBD	See discussion above under Indiana North Base Rate Case.
CSIA	5	April 2021	July 2021	July 2021	Requested an increase of $37 million to rate base, which reflects a $5 million annual increase in current revenues. 80% of revenue requirement is included in requested rate increase and 20% is deferred until the next rate case. The mechanism also includes refunds associated with the TCJA, resulting in no change to the previous credit provided, and a change in the total (over)/under-recovery variance of $6 million annually.
CenterPoint Energy - Ohio (PUCO)
DRR (1)	9	April 2021	September 2021	TBD	Requested an increase of $71 million to rate base for investments made in 2020, which reflects a $9 million annual increase in current revenues. A change in (over)/under-recovery variance of $5 million annually is also included in rates.
CenterPoint Energy - Indiana Electric (IURC)
TDSIC	3	February 2021	May  2021	May  2021	Requested an increase of $28 million to rate base, which reflects a $3 million annual increase in current revenues. 80% of the revenue requirement is included in requested rate increase and 20% is deferred until next rate case. The mechanism also includes a change in (over)/under-recovery variance of less than $1 million.
CECA	8	February 2021	June 2021	May  2021	Reflects an $8 million annual increase in current revenues through a non-traditional rate making approach related to a 50 MW universal solar array placed in service in January 2021.
ECA (1)	2	May  2021	August 2021	TBD	Requested an increase of $39 million to rate base, which reflects a $2 million annual increase in current revenues. 80% of the revenue requirement is included in requested rate increase and 20% is deferred until next rate case. The mechanism also included a change in (over)/under-recovery variance of less than $1 million annually.
TDSIC (1)	3	August 2021	TBD	TBD	Requested an increase of $35 million to rate base, which reflects a $3 million annual increase in current revenues. 80% of the revenue requirement is included in requested rate increase and 20% is deferred until next rate case. The mechanism also includes a change in (over)/under-recovery variance of less than $1 million.

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

CPP and ACE Rule and Other Greenhouse Gas Regulation (CenterPoint Energy)

On August 3, 2015, the EPA released its CPP Rule, which required a 32% reduction in carbon emissions from 2005 levels. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on October 23, 2015, and that action was immediately followed by litigation ultimately resulting in the U.S. Supreme Court staying implementation of the rule. On August 31, 2018, the EPA published its proposed CPP replacement rule, the ACE Rule, which was finalized on July 8, 2019 and requires states to implement a program of energy efficiency improvement targets for individual coal-fired electric generating units. On January 19, 2021, the ACE Rule was struck down by the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Various states and industry parties have filed petitions for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking review of the district court opinion; however, the Supreme Court has yet to rule on those petitions. CenterPoint Energy is currently unable to predict whether the Biden Administration will continue its defense of the CPP or ACE Rule, or what a new replacement rule would look like. President Biden has also signed an executive order requiring agencies to review environmental actions taken by the Trump administration, which would have included the ACE Rule, and the Biden administration has issued a memorandum to departments and agencies to refrain from proposing or issuing rules until a departmental or agency head appointed or designated by the Biden administration has reviewed and approved the rule.

The Biden administration recommitted the United States to the Paris Agreement, which can be expected to drive a renewed regulatory push to require further GHG emission reductions from the energy sector. Shortly after taking office in January 2021, President Biden issued a series of executive orders designed to address climate change. Reentry into the Paris Agreement and President Biden’s executive orders may result in the development of additional regulations or changes to existing regulations, and on April 22, 2021, President Biden announced a new goal of 50% reduction of economy-wide GHG emissions by 2035. On March 1, 2020, CenterPoint Energy announced corporate carbon emission goals, which are expected to be used to guide Indiana Electric’s transition to a low carbon fleet and position Indiana Electric to comply with anticipated future regulatory requirements from the Biden administration to further reduce GHG emissions from its electric fleet.

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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.

Based on the consolidated debt to capitalization covenant in the Registrants’ revolving credit facilities, the Registrants would have been permitted to utilize the full capacity of such revolving credit facilities, which aggregated approximately $4 billion as of June 30, 2021. As of July 23, 2021, the Registrants had the following revolving credit facilities and utilization of such facilities:

			Amount Utilized as of July 23, 2021
Registrant	Size of Facility		Loans		Letters of Credit		Commercial Paper		Weighted Average Interest Rate	Termination Date
	(in millions)
CenterPoint Energy	$	2,400	$	—	$	11	$	938	0.18%	February 4, 2024
CenterPoint Energy (1)	400		—		—		217		0.17%	February 4, 2024
Houston Electric	300		—		—		—		—%	February 4, 2024
CERC	900		—		—		576		0.17%	February 4, 2024
Total	$	4,000	$	—	$	11	$	1,731

(1)The credit facility was issued by VUHI and is guaranteed by SIGECO, Indiana Gas and VEDO.

Borrowings under each of the 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 revolving credit facilities, the spread to LIBOR and the commitment fees fluctuate based on the borrower’s credit rating. Each of the Registrant’s credit facilities provide for a mechanism to replace LIBOR with possible alternative benchmarks upon certain benchmark replacement events. The borrowers are currently in compliance with the various business and financial covenants in the four revolving credit facilities.

Long-term Debt

For detailed information about the Registrants’ debt transactions in 2021, see Note 12 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

Securities Registered with the SEC

On May 29, 2020, the Registrants filed a joint shelf registration statement with the SEC 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 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 May 29, 2023. For information related to the Registrants’ debt issuances in 2021, see Note 12 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

Temporary Investments

As of July 23, 2021, the Registrants had no temporary investments.

Money Pool

The Registrants participate in a money pool through which they and certain of their subsidiaries 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

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funding requirements of the CenterPoint Energy 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 net funding requirements of the CERC money pool are expected to be met with borrowings under CERC’s revolving credit facility or the sale of CERC’s commercial paper. The money pool may not provide sufficient funds to meet the Registrants’ cash needs.

The table below summarizes CenterPoint Energy money pool activity by Registrant as of July 23, 2021:

	Weighted Average Interest Rate	Houston Electric		CERC
		(in millions)
Money pool investments (borrowings)	0.18%	$	7	$	—

Impact on Liquidity of a Downgrade in Credit Ratings

The interest on borrowings under the credit facilities is based on each respective borrower’s credit ratings. As of July 23, 2021, Moody’s, S&P and Fitch had assigned the following credit ratings to the borrowers:

		Moody’s		S&P		Fitch
Registrant	Borrower/Instrument	Rating	Outlook (1)	Rating	Outlook (2)	Rating	Outlook (3)
CenterPoint Energy	CenterPoint Energy Senior Unsecured Debt	Baa2	Stable	BBB	Stable	BBB	Stable
CenterPoint Energy	Vectren Corp. Issuer Rating	n/a	n/a	BBB+	Stable	n/a	n/a
CenterPoint Energy	VUHI Senior Unsecured Debt	A3	Stable	BBB+	Stable	n/a	n/a
CenterPoint Energy	Indiana Gas Senior Unsecured Debt	n/a	n/a	BBB+	Stable	n/a	n/a
CenterPoint Energy	SIGECO Senior Secured Debt	A1	Stable	A	Stable	n/a	n/a
Houston Electric	Houston Electric Senior Secured Debt	A2	Stable	A	Stable	A	Stable
CERC	CERC Corp. Senior Unsecured Debt	A3	Negative	BBB+	Stable	A-	Stable

(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 outlook assesses the potential direction of a long-term credit rating over the intermediate to longer term.

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

The Registrants 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. The Registrants note that these credit ratings are included for informational purposes and are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold the Registrants’ 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 the Registrants’ credit ratings could have a material adverse impact on the Registrants’ ability to obtain short- and long-term financing, the cost of such financings and the execution of the Registrants’ 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 S&P and Moody’s from the ratings that existed as of June 30, 2021, the impact on the borrowing costs under the four revolving credit facilities would have been insignificant. 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 reportable segments.

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 might need to provide cash or other collateral of as much as $285 million as of June 30, 2021. The amount of collateral will depend on seasonal variations in transportation levels.

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ZENS and Securities Related to ZENS (CenterPoint Energy)

If CenterPoint Energy’s creditworthiness were to drop such that ZENS holders thought its 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 CenterPoint Energy owns or from other sources. CenterPoint Energy owns shares of ZENS-Related Securities equal to approximately 100% of the reference shares used to calculate its obligation to the holders of the ZENS. ZENS exchanges result in a cash outflow because tax deferrals related to the ZENS and shares of ZENS-Related Securities would typically cease when ZENS are exchanged or otherwise retired and shares of ZENS-Related Securities are sold. The ultimate tax liability related to the ZENS and ZENS-Related Securities 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 or exchange of the ZENS. If all ZENS had been exchanged for cash on June 30, 2021, deferred taxes of approximately $489 million would have been payable in 2021. If all the ZENS-Related Securities had been sold on June 30, 2021, capital gains taxes of approximately $168 million would have been payable in 2021 based on 2021 tax rates in effect. For additional information about ZENS, see Note 11 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

Cross Defaults

Under each of CenterPoint Energy’s (including VUHI’s), Houston Electric’s and CERC’s respective revolving credit facilities, 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 $125 million by the borrower or any of their respective significant subsidiaries will cause a default under such borrower’s respective credit facility or term loan agreement. 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, the Registrants 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. The Registrants 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 the Registrants 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. As announced in December 2020, CenterPoint Energy’s business strategy incorporated the Business Review and Evaluation Committee’s recommendations to increase its planned capital expenditures in its electric and natural gas businesses to support rate base growth and sell certain of its Natural Gas businesses located in Arkansas and Oklahoma as a means to efficiently finance a portion of such increased capital expenditures, among other recommendations. On April 29, 2021, CenterPoint Energy, through its subsidiary CERC Corp., entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to sell its Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses for $2.15 billion in cash, including recovery of approximately $425 million of storm-related incremental natural gas costs incurred in the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, subject to certain adjustments set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement. For further information, see Note 3 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

Additionally, CenterPoint Energy’s process of evaluating and optimizing the various businesses, assets and ownership interests currently held by it considered, among other things, various plans, proposals and other strategic alternatives with respect to Enable and CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable, which may result in the disposition of a portion or all of its ownership interest in Enable. In February 2021, CenterPoint Energy announced its support of the Enable Merger, which is expected to close in 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, including Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust clearance. CenterPoint Energy may not realize any or all of the anticipated strategic, financial, operational or other benefits from the Enable Merger, if completed, or from any disposition or reduction of its anticipated resulting investment in Energy Transfer. There can be no assurances that any disposal of Energy Transfer common units or Energy Transfer Series G Preferred Units will be completed. Any disposal of such securities may involve significant costs and expenses, including in connection with any public offering or private placement, a significant underwriting or other discount. For information regarding the Enable Merger, see Note 9 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

Enable Midstream Partners (CenterPoint Energy)

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

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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, the Registrants may enter into 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)

CenterPoint Energy and CERC have historically entered into partial weather hedges for certain Natural Gas jurisdictions and electric operations’ Texas service territory to mitigate the impact of fluctuations from normal weather. CenterPoint Energy and CERC remain exposed to some weather risk as a result of the partial hedges. The Registrants do not currently enter into weather hedges. For more information about 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, the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, 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 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.

Other Factors that Could Affect Cash Requirements

In addition to the above factors, the Registrants’ liquidity and capital resources could also be negatively affected by:

•further reductions in the cash distributions we receive from Enable;

•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 CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas reportable segment; 

•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 (CenterPoint Energy and CERC); 

•increased costs related to the acquisition of natural gas, including as a result of the February 2021 Winter Storm Event (CenterPoint Energy and CERC); 

•increases in interest expense in connection with debt refinancings and borrowings under credit facilities or term loans or the use of alternative sources of financings due to the effects of COVID-19 and the February 2021 Winter Storm Event on capital and other financial markets; 

•the outcome of litigation, including litigation related to the February 2021 Winter Storm Event; 

•the ability of REPs, including REP affiliates of NRG and Vistra Energy Corp., to satisfy their obligations to CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric, including the negative impact on such ability related to COVID-19 and the February 2021 Winter Storm Event;

•various legislative or regulatory actions; 

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

•slower customer payments and increased write-offs of receivables due to higher natural gas prices, changing economic conditions, COVID-19 or the February 2021 Winter Storm Event (CenterPoint Energy and CERC); 

•the satisfaction of any obligations pursuant to guarantees;

•contributions to pension and postretirement benefit plans; 

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•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 the Registrants’ combined 2020 Form 10-K.

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

Certain provisions in note purchase agreements relating to debt issued by VUHI have the effect of restricting the amount of additional first mortgage bonds issued by SIGECO. For information about the total debt to capitalization financial covenants in the Registrants’ and certain of CenterPoint Energy’s subsidiaries’ revolving credit facilities, see Note 12 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Assets held for sale

Generally, a long-lived asset to be sold is classified as held for sale in the period in which management, with approval from the Board of Directors, as applicable, commits to a plan to sell, and a sale is expected to be completed within one year. The Registrants record assets and liabilities held for sale, or the disposal group, at the lower of their carrying value or their estimated fair value less cost to sell. If a disposal group reflects a component of a reporting unit and meets the definition of a business, the goodwill within that reporting unit is allocated to the disposal group based on the relative fair value of the components representing a business that will be retained and disposed. Goodwill is not allocated to a portion of a reporting unit that does not meet the definition of a business.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, as described further in Note 3, certain assets and liabilities representing a business met the held for sale criteria. As a result, goodwill attributable to the natural gas reporting unit of $403 million and $146 million at CenterPoint Energy and CERC, respectively, was deemed attributable to assets held for sale as of June 30, 2021. Neither CenterPoint Energy nor CERC recognized any gains or losses upon classification of held for sale during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.

Fair value is the amount at which an asset, liability or business could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties and may be estimated using a number of techniques, including quoted market prices, present value techniques based on estimates of cash flows, or multiples of earnings or revenue performance measures. The fair value could be different if different estimates and assumptions in these valuation techniques were applied.

Fair value measurements require significant judgment and often unobservable inputs, including (i) projected timing and amount of future cash flows, which factor in planned growth initiatives, (ii) the regulatory environment, as applicable, and (iii) discount rates reflecting risk inherent in the future market prices. Changes in these assumptions could have a significant impact on the resulting fair value.

CenterPoint Energy and CERC used a market approach consisting of the contractual sales price adjusted for estimated working capital and other contractual purchase price adjustments to determine fair value of the businesses classified as held for sale. The fair value of the retained businesses within the natural gas reporting unit was estimated based on a weighted combination of income approach and market approaches, consistent with the methodology used in the 2020 annual goodwill impairment test. A third-party valuation specialist was utilized to determine the key assumptions used in the estimate of fair value of the retained natural gas reporting unit as of June 30, 2021. The fair value of the retained natural gas reporting unit at CenterPoint Energy and CERC significantly exceeded the carrying value of the retained businesses within that reporting unit as of June 30, 2021.

No goodwill impairment resulted from classifying assets held for sale as of June 30, 2021, and the next annual goodwill impairment test will be performed in the third quarter of 2021. An interim goodwill impairment test could be triggered outside of the annual test by the following: actual earnings results that are materially lower than expected, significant adverse changes in the operating environment, an increase in the discount rate, changes in other key assumptions which require judgment and are forward looking in nature, if CenterPoint Energy’s market capitalization falls below book value for an extended period of time, or events affecting a reporting unit such as a contemplated disposal of all or part of a reporting unit. Interim goodwill impairment tests were not required to be performed for any other reporting unit during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.

For further information, see Note 3 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.

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Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Houston Electric and CERC meet the conditions specified in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) to Form 10-Q and are therefore permitted to use the reduced disclosure format for wholly-owned subsidiaries of reporting companies. Accordingly, Houston Electric and CERC have omitted from this report the information called for by Item 3 (Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk) of Part I of the Form 10-Q.

Interest Rate Risk (CenterPoint Energy)

As of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy had outstanding long-term debt, lease obligations and obligations under its ZENS that subject it to the risk of loss associated with movements in market interest rates.

CenterPoint Energy’s floating rate obligations aggregated $3.6 billion and $2.4 billion as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. If the floating interest rates were to increase by 10% from June 30, 2021 rates, CenterPoint Energy’s combined interest expense would increase by approximately $1.8 million annually.

As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, CenterPoint Energy had outstanding fixed-rate debt (excluding indexed debt securities) aggregating $12.6 billion and $11.1 billion, respectively, in principal amount and having a fair value of $14.1 billion and $12.9 billion, respectively. Because these instruments are fixed-rate, they do not expose CenterPoint Energy 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 $363 million if interest rates were to decline by 10% from levels at June 30, 2021. In general, such an increase in fair value would impact earnings and cash flows only if CenterPoint Energy were to reacquire all or a portion of these instruments in the open market prior to their maturity.

In general, such an increase in fair value would impact earnings and cash flows only if CenterPoint Energy were to reacquire all or a portion of these instruments in the open market prior to their maturity.

The ZENS obligation is bifurcated into a debt component and a derivative component. The debt component of $12 million as of June 30, 2021 was a fixed-rate obligation and, therefore, did not expose CenterPoint Energy 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 $2 million if interest rates were to decline by 10% from levels at June 30, 2021. Changes in the fair value of the derivative component, a $1,004 million recorded liability at June 30, 2021, are recorded in CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income and, therefore, it is 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 June 30, 2021 levels, the fair value of the derivative component liability would decrease by approximately $1 million, which would be recorded as an unrealized gain in CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

Equity Market Value Risk (CenterPoint Energy)

CenterPoint Energy is exposed to equity market value risk through its ownership of 10.2 million shares of AT&T Common and 0.9 million shares of Charter Common, which CenterPoint Energy holds to facilitate its ability to meet its obligations under the ZENS. See Note 11 to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements for a discussion of CenterPoint Energy’s ZENS obligation. 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 June 30, 2021 aggregate market value of these shares would result in a net loss of less than $1 million, which would be recorded as a loss in CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

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

CenterPoint Energy’s regulated operations in Indiana have limited exposure to commodity price risk for transactions involving purchases and sales of natural gas, coal and purchased power for the benefit of retail customers due to current state regulations, which, subject to compliance with those regulations, allow for recovery of the cost of such purchases through natural gas and fuel cost adjustment mechanisms. CenterPoint Energy’s utility natural gas operations in Indiana have regulatory authority to lock in pricing for up to 50% of annual natural gas purchases using arrangements with an original term of up to 10 years. This authority has been utilized to secure fixed price natural gas using both physical purchases and financial derivatives. As of June 30, 2021, the recorded fair value of non-trading energy derivative assets was $7 million for CenterPoint Energy’s utility natural gas operations in Indiana.

Although CenterPoint Energy’s regulated operations are exposed to limited commodity price risk, natural gas and coal prices have other effects on working capital requirements, interest costs, and some level of price-sensitivity in volumes sold or

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delivered. Constructive regulatory orders, such as those authorizing lost margin recovery, other innovative rate designs and recovery of unaccounted for natural gas and other natural gas-related expenses, also mitigate the effect natural gas costs may have on CenterPoint Energy’s financial condition. In 2008, the PUCO approved an exit of the merchant function in CenterPoint Energy’s Ohio natural gas service territory, allowing Ohio customers to purchase substantially all natural gas directly from retail marketers rather than from CenterPoint Energy.

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 June 30, 2021 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 June 30, 2021 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrants’ internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

For a description of certain legal and regulatory proceedings, please read Note 14(d) 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 the Registrants’ combined 2020 Form 10-K.

Item 1A.RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in the Registrants’ combined 2020 Form 10-K.

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

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Exhibit Number	Description	Report or Registration Statement	SEC File or Registration Number	Exhibit Reference	CenterPoint Energy	Houston Electric	CERC
2.2*	Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2020, by and among Vectren Utility Services, Inc., PowerTeam Services, LLC and, solely for purposes of Section 10.17 of the Securities Purchase Agreement, Vectren Corporation	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated February 3, 2020	1-31447		x
2.3*	Equity Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2020, by and between CERC Corp. and Athena Energy Services Buyer, LLC	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated February 24, 2020	1-31447		x		x
2.4*	Asset Purchase Agreement, by and between CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. and Southern Col Midco, LLC, dated as of April 29, 2021	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March  31, 2021	1-31447	2.4	x		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
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
3.13	Statement of Resolution Establishing Series of Shares designated Series C Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock of CenterPoint Energy, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Texas and effective May 7, 2020	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated May 6, 2020	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

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Exhibit Number	Description	Report or Registration Statement	SEC File or Registration Number	Exhibit Reference	CenterPoint Energy	Houston Electric	CERC
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	$2,400,000,000 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of February 4, 2021 among CenterPoint Energy, as Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, the financial institutions as bank parties thereto and the other parties thereto	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated February 4, 2021	1-31447	4.1	x
4.7	$300,000,000 Credit Agreement dated as of February 4, 2021 among Houston Electric, as Borrower, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as Administrative Agent, the financial institutions as bank parties thereto and the other parties thereto	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated February 4, 2021	1-31447	4.2	x	x
4.8	$900,000,000 Credit Agreement dated as of February 4, 2021 among CERC Corp., as Borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, the financial institutions as bank parties thereto and the other parties thereto	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated February 4, 2021	1-31447	4.3	x		x
4.9	$400,000,000 Credit Agreement dated as of February 4, 2021 among VUHI, as Borrower, Indiana Gas, SIGECO and VEDO, as guarantors, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, the financial institutions as bank parties thereto and the other parties thereto , Inc., as Borrower, Indiana Gas Company, Inc., Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Company and Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio, Inc. as guarantors, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, the financial institutions as bank parties thereto and the other parties thereto	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated February 4, 2021	1-31447	4.4	x
4.10	$1,000,000,000 Term Loan Agreement, dated as of May 15, 2019, among CenterPoint Energy, as Borrower, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as Administrative Agent and Lead Arranger, and the banks named therein	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated May 15, 2019	1-31447	4.1	x
4.11	First Amendment to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2021, by and among CenterPoint Energy, as Borrower, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as Administrative Agent, and the banks named therein	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated April 26, 2021	1-31447	4.1	x
4.12	Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, by and among CenterPoint Energy, Inc., Elliott International, L.P., and Elliott Associates, L.P., dated May 6, 2020	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated May 6, 2020	1-31447	4.1	x
4.13	Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, by and among CenterPoint Energy, Inc., BEP Special Situations 2 LLC and BEP Special Situations IV LLC, dated May 6, 2020	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated May 6, 2020	1-31447	4.2	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	Common Stock Purchase Agreement, by and among CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and each investor identified on Schedule A thereto, dated May 6, 2020	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated May 6, 2020	1-31447	4.3	x
4.15	Common Stock Purchase Agreement, by and among CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and each investor identified on Schedule A thereto, dated May 6, 2020	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated May 6, 2020	1-31447	4.4	x
4.16	Common Stock Purchase Agreement, by and among CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and each investor identified on Schedule A thereto, dated May 6, 2020	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated May 6, 2020	1-31447	4.5	x
4.17	Indenture, dated as of February 1, 1998, between Reliant Energy Resources Corp. and Chase Bank of Texas, National Association, as Trustee	CERC’s Form 8-K dated February 5, 1998	1-13265	4.1			x
4.18	Supplemental Indenture No. 19 to Exhibit 4.16, dated as of March 2, 2021, providing for the issuance of CERC Corp.’s Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2023	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021	1-31447	4.18			x
4.19	Supplemental Indenture No. 20 to Exhibit 4.16, dated as of March 2, 2021, providing for the issuance of CERC Corp.’s 0.70% Senior Notes due 2023	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021	1-31447	4.19			x
4.20	General Mortgage Indenture, dated as of October 10, 2002, between CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee	Houston Electric’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002	1-3187	4(j)(1)		x
4.21	Thirtieth Supplemental Indenture to Exhibit 4.19, dated as of March 11, 2021, providing for the issuance of Houston Electric’s Series AE Bonds and Series AF Bonds	Houston Electric’s Form 8-K dated March 8, 2021	1-3187	4.4		x
4.22	Officer’s Certificate, dated as of March 11, 2021, setting forth the form, terms and provisions of the Series AE Bonds and the Series AF Bonds	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021	1-31447	4.22		x
4.23	Indenture dated as of May 19, 2003, between CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly JPMorgan Chase Bank)), as trustee	Form 8-K of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. dated May 19, 2003	1-31447	4.1	x
†4.24	Supplemental Indenture No. 12 to Exhibit 4.23, dated as of May 13, 2021, providing for the issuance of CenterPoint Energy’s Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2024				x
†4.25	Supplemental Indenture No. 13 to Exhibit 4.23, dated as of May 13, 2021, providing for the issuance of CenterPoint Energy’s 1.45% Senior Notes due 2026 and 2.65% Senior Notes due 2031				x
10.1	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Service-Based Vesting with Performance Goals)	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020	1-31447	10(q)(12)	x
10.2	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for CEO (Service-Based Vesting with Performance Goals)	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020	1-31447	10(q)(13)	x

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Exhibit Number	Description	Report or Registration Statement	SEC File or Registration Number	Exhibit Reference	CenterPoint Energy	Houston Electric	CERC
10.3	Governance Arrangement Agreement, by and among CenterPoint Energy, Inc., Elliott International, L.P., and Elliott Associates, dated May 6, 2020	Form 8-K of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. dated May 6, 2020	1-31447	10.1	x
10.4	Support Agreement, dated as of February 16, 2021, by and among Energy Transfer LP, Elk Merger Sub LLC, Elk GP Merger Sub LLC, Enable Midstream Partners, LP, Enable GP, LLC and CenterPoint Energy	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated February 16, 2021	1-31447	10.1	x
10.5	Form of Registration Rights Agreement, to be dated as of the Closing Date, by and among Energy Transfer LP and certain unitholders of Enable Midstream Partners, LP as set forth on Schedule I thereto	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated February 16, 2021	1-31447	10.2	x
10.6	Change in Control Plan	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated April 27, 2017	1-31447	10.1	x
10.7	First Amendment to Exhibit 10.6	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020	1-31447	10(t)(2)	x
†10.8	Retention Incentive Agreement between CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and David J. Lesar, dated July 20, 2021				x
†10.9	Separation Agreement between CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Milton Carroll, dated July 21, 2021				x
10.10	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement	CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated July 20, 2021	1-31447	10.1	x
†31.1.1	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of David J. Lesar				x
†31.1.2	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Kenneth M. Mercado					x
†31.1.3	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Scott E. Doyle						x
†31.2.1	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Jason P. Wells				x
†31.2.2	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Jason P. Wells					x
†31.2.3	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Jason P. Wells						x
†32.1.1	Section 1350 Certification of David J. Lesar				x
†32.1.2	Section 1350 Certification of Kenneth M. Mercado					x
†32.1.3	Section 1350 Certification of Scott E. Doyle						x
†32.2.1	Section 1350 Certification of Jason P. Wells				x
†32.2.2	Section 1350 Certification of Jason P. Wells					x
†32.2.3	Section 1350 Certification of Jason P. Wells						x
†101.INS	Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document				x	x	x
†101.SCH	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document				x	x	x
†101.CAL	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document				x	x	x
†101.DEF	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document				x	x	x

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Exhibit Number	Description	Report or Registration Statement	SEC File or Registration Number	Exhibit Reference	CenterPoint Energy	Houston Electric	CERC
†101.LAB	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document				x	x	x
†101.PRE	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document				x	x	x
†104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)				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: August 5, 2021

89

EX-4.24

        Exhibit 4.24

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. 12

Dated as of May 13, 2021

$700,000,000 Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2024

Active 62889350.4

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 12

Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2024

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE No. 12, dated as of May 13, 2021, 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 a new series of Securities to be designated as the “Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2024” (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. 12.

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:

ARTICLE I

Relation to Indenture; Additional Definitions

Section 101    Relation to Indenture. This Supplemental Indenture No. 12 constitutes an integral part of the Original Indenture.

Section 102    Additional Definitions. For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture No. 12:

Active 62889350.4     1

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

“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.

“Benchmark” means, initially, Compounded SOFR; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to Compounded SOFR (or the published SOFR Index used in the calculation thereof) or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement.

“Benchmark Replacement” means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Company (or the Designee) as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:

    (1)    the sum of: (a) the alternate rate of interest that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

    (2)    the sum of: (a) the ISDA Fallback Rate and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; and

    (3)    the sum of: (a) the alternate rate of interest that has been selected by the Company (or the Designee) as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark giving due consideration to any industry-accepted rate of interest as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for U.S. dollar denominated floating rate notes at such time and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Company (or the Designee) as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:

    (1)    the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement;

    (2)    if the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement is equivalent to the ISDA Fallback Rate, then the ISDA Fallback Adjustment; and

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    (3)    the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Company (or the Designee) giving due consideration to any industry-accepted spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the then-current Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for U.S. dollar denominated floating rate notes at such time.

The Benchmark Replacement Adjustment shall not include the Margin and such Margin shall be applied to the Benchmark Replacement to determine the interest payable on the Notes.

“Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition or interpretation of “interest period”, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, rounding of amounts or tenor, and other administrative matters), or any other changes to any other terms or provisions of the Notes, in each case that the Company (or the Designee) decide may be appropriate to reflect the adoption of such Benchmark Replacement in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Company (or the Designee) decide that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Company (or the Designee) determine that no market practice for use of the Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner as the Company (or the Designee) determine is reasonably necessary or practicable).

“Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:

    (1)    in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide the Benchmark; or

    (2)    in the case of clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein.

For the avoidance of doubt, if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination.

“Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark (including the daily published component used in the calculation thereof):

    (1)    a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the Benchmark (or such component) announcing that such

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administrator has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark (or such component), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark (or such component);

    (2)    a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark (or such component), the central bank for the currency of the Benchmark (or such component), an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for the Benchmark (or such component), which states that the administrator of the Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark (or such component) permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark (or such component); or

    (3)    a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that the Benchmark is no longer representative.

“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. The definition of “Business Day” in this Supplemental Indenture No. 12 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.

“Calculation Agent” means a banking institution or trust company appointed by the Company to act as calculation agent, initially The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

“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.

“Compounded SOFR” means as determined by the Calculation Agent in accordance with the following formula (and the resulting percentage will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point):

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where:

“SOFR IndexStart” = For periods other than the initial interest period, the SOFR Index value on the preceding Interest Payment Determination Date, and, for the initial interest period, the SOFR Index value two U.S. Government Securities Business Days before the Issue Date;

“SOFR IndexEnd” = The SOFR Index value on the Interest Payment Determination Date relating to the applicable Interest Payment Date (or, in the final interest period, relating to the applicable maturity date or redemption date); and

“dc” is the number of calendar days in the relevant Observation Period.

If a SOFR IndexStart or SOFR IndexEnd is not published on the associated Interest Payment Determination Date and a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have not occurred with respect to SOFR, “Compounded SOFR” means, for the applicable interest period for which such index is not available, the rate of return on a daily compounded interest investment calculated in accordance with the formula for SOFR Averages, and definitions required for such formula, published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website at https://www.newyorkfed.org/markets/treasury-repo-reference-rates-information. For the purposes of this provision, references in the SOFR Averages compounding formula and related definitions to “calculation period” shall be replaced with “Observation Period” and the words “that is, 30-, 90-, or 180- calendar days” shall be removed. If SOFR does not so appear for any day, “i” in the Observation Period, SOFRi for such day “i” shall be SOFR published in respect of the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which SOFR was published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website.

“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.

“Designee” means an independent financial advisor or such other designee of the Company.

“Finance Lease” means a lease that, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, would be recorded as a finance lease on the balance sheet of the lessee, but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any operating leases or any other non-finance leases.

“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.

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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 Finance 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.

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

“Interest Payment Determination Date” means the date two U.S. Government Securities Business Days before each Interest Payment Date.

“interest period” means the period commencing on any Interest Payment Date (or, with respect to the initial interest period only, commencing on the Issue Date) to, but excluding, the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, and, in the case of the last such period, from and including the Interest Payment Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date or, in connection with a redemption of the Notes, the Redemption Date to but excluding the Maturity Date or Redemption Date (if applicable).

“ISDA Definitions” means the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time.

“ISDA Fallback Adjustment” means the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be determined upon the occurrence of an index cessation event with respect to the Benchmark.

“ISDA Fallback Rate” means the rate that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be effective upon the occurrence of an index cessation date with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor excluding the applicable ISDA Fallback Adjustment.

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

“Margin” has the meaning set forth in Section 204 hereof.

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

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

“Observation Period” means (i), in respect of each interest period, the period from, and including, the date that is two U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the first date in such interest period to, but excluding, the date that is two U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the Interest Payment Date for such interest period (or in the final interest period, preceding the applicable maturity date) and (ii), in respect of the payment of any interest in connection with a redemption of the Notes, the period from, and including, the date that is two U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the first date in the interest period in which such redemption occurs to, but excluding, the date that is two U.S. Government Securities Business Days before such redemption.

“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 Time” with respect to any determination of the Benchmark means (1) if the Benchmark is Compounded SOFR, the SOFR Index Determination Time, and (2) if the Benchmark is not Compounded SOFR, the time determined by the Company (or the Designee) in accordance with the Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes.

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

“Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or any successor thereto.

“SOFR” means the daily secured overnight financing rate as provided by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrator’s Website.

“SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of SOFR).

“SOFR Administrator’s Website” means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.

“SOFR Index” means, with respect to any U.S. Government Securities Business Day:

    (1)    the SOFR Index value as published by the SOFR Administrator as such index appears on the SOFR Administrator’s Website at 3:00 p.m. (New York time)

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on such U.S. Government Securities Business Day (the “SOFR Index Determination Time”); provided that:

    (2)    if a SOFR Index value does not so appear as specified in (1) above at the SOFR Index Determination Time, then: (i) if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have not occurred with respect to SOFR, then Compounded SOFR shall be the rate determined pursuant to Section 206 hereof; or (ii) if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to SOFR, then Compounded SOFR shall be the rate determined pursuant to Section 206 hereof.

“SOFR Index Determination Time” has the meaning set forth in the definition of SOFR Index.

“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the Benchmark Replacement excluding the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

“U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in U.S. government securities.

    All references herein to Articles and Sections, unless otherwise specified, refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture No. 12.

The terms “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Supplemental Indenture No. 12.

ARTICLE II

The Series of Securities

Section 201    Title of the Securities. The Notes shall be designated as the “Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2024”.

Section 202    Limitation on Aggregate Principal Amount. The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver the Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $700,000,000 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 Notes that may initially be outstanding shall not exceed $700,000,000; provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of the Notes may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect.

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Section 203    Stated Maturity. The Stated Maturity of the Notes shall be May 13, 2024 (the “Maturity Date”).

Section 204    Interest and Interest Rates.

(a)    The Notes shall bear interest at an annual rate equal to Compounded SOFR plus 65 basis points (the “Margin”) from and including May 13, 2021 (the “Issue Date”) to, but excluding, the Maturity Date. Interest shall be payable quarterly in arrears on February 13, May 13, August 13 and November 13 of each year (each an “Interest Payment Date”), beginning on August 13, 2021. The record date (the “Regular Record Date”) for interest payable on any Interest Payment Date shall be the close of business on (1) the Business Day immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date so long as all of the Notes remain in book-entry only form, or (2) the 15th calendar day immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date if any of the Notes do not remain in book-entry only form. Interest on the Notes will accrue from and including the Issue Date to but excluding the first Interest Payment Date. Starting on the first Interest Payment Date, interest on the Notes will accrue from and including the last Interest Payment Date to which the Company has paid, or duly provided for the payment of, interest on the Notes to but excluding the next succeeding Interest Payment Date. No interest will accrue on the Notes for the day that the Notes matures. The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days in the Observation Period.

(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 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 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)    If any Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the Company will make the interest payment on the next succeeding Business Day unless that Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar month, in which case (other than in the case of the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date) the Company will make the interest payment on the immediately preceding Business Day. If an interest payment is made on the next succeeding Business Day, no interest will accrue as a result of the delay in payment. If the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date of the Notes falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the payment due on such date will be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day, and no further interest will accrue in respect of such postponement.

Section 205    Calculations.

(a)    On each Interest Payment Determination Date relating to the applicable Interest Payment Date, the Calculation Agent will calculate the amount of accrued interest payable on the

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Notes by multiplying (i) the outstanding principal amount of the Notes by (ii) the product of (a) the interest rate for the relevant interest period multiplied by (b) the quotient of the actual number of calendar days in such Observation Period divided by 360. In no event will the interest on the Notes be less than zero. The interest rate for any interest period will not be adjusted for any modifications or amendments to the SOFR Index or SOFR data that the Federal Reserve Bank of New York may publish after the interest rate for that interest period has been determined.

(b)    Absent willful misconduct, bad faith or manifest error, the calculation of the applicable interest rate for each interest period by the Calculation Agent, or in certain circumstances, by the Company (or the Designee) will be final and binding on the Company, the Trustee, and the holders of the Notes.

(c)    None of the Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or Calculation Agent shall be under any obligation (i) to monitor, determine or verify the unavailability or cessation of SOFR or the SOFR Index, or whether or when there has occurred, or to give notice to any other transaction party of the occurrence of, any Benchmark Transition Event or related Benchmark Replacement Date, (ii) to select, determine or designate any Benchmark Replacement, or other successor or replacement benchmark index, or whether any conditions to the designation of such a rate or index have been satisfied, (iii) to select, determine or designate any Benchmark Replacement Adjustment, or other modifier to any replacement or successor index, or (iv) to determine whether or what Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes are necessary or advisable, if any, in connection with any of the foregoing.

(d)    None of the Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or Calculation Agent shall be liable for any inability, failure or delay on its part to perform any of its duties described in the Indenture as a result of the unavailability of SOFR, the SOFR Index or other applicable Benchmark Replacement, including as a result of any failure, inability, delay, error or inaccuracy on the part of any other transaction party in providing any direction, instruction, notice or information contemplated by the Indenture and reasonably required for the performance of such duties.

Section 206    Effect of Benchmark Transition Event

(a)    If the Company (or the Designee) determine that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any determination of the Benchmark on any date, the Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes relating to the Notes in respect of such determination on such date and all determinations on all subsequent dates.

(b)    In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Company (or the Designee) will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time.

(c)    Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Company (or the Designee) pursuant this Section 206, including any determination with respect to tenor, rate or

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adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, will be made in the Company’s (or the Designee’s) sole discretion, and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any documentation relating to the Notes, shall become effective without consent from the holders of the Notes or any other party.

(d)    For the avoidance of doubt, after a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred, the interest rate for each interest period on the Notes will be an annual rate equal to the sum of the Benchmark Replacement and the Margin.

Section 207    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 208    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.

Section 209    Percentage of Principal Amount. The Notes shall be initially issued at 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest, if any, from the Issue Date.

Section 210    Global Securities. The Notes 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 hereto.

Section 211    Form of Securities. The Notes shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto.

Section 212    Securities Registrar. The Trustee shall initially serve as the Security Registrar for the Notes.

Section 213    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 214    Defeasance and Discharge; Covenant Defeasance

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(a)    Article Fourteen of the Original Indenture, including without limitation Sections 1402 and 1403 thereof (as modified by Section 214(b) hereof), shall apply to Notes.

(b)    Solely with respect to Notes 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”).”

ARTICLE III

Optional Redemption of the Notes

Section 301    Redemption Price. At any time on or after May 13, 2022 (the “Par Call Date”), the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at the Company’s option, by paying 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. The Company does not have the right to redeem the Notes prior to the Par Call Date.

Section 302    [Reserved].

Section 303    Partial Redemption. If fewer than all of the Notes 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 not previously called by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate. The Trustee may select for redemption Notes and portions of Notes 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 registered in the name of Cede & Co., the Notes to be redeemed will be determined in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company.

Section 304    Notice of Optional Redemption.

(a)    The Trustee, at the written direction of the Company, will send a notice of redemption prepared by the Company 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 Notes registered in the name of Cede & Co.) at least 15 days and not more than 60 days prior to the

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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.

(b)     Notice of any redemption of the Notes in connection with a corporate transaction that is pending (including an equity offering, an incurrence of Indebtedness or a change of control) may, at the Company’s discretion, be given subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of the transaction. If such redemption is so subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied or otherwise waived by the Redemption Date. Once notice of redemption is mailed or sent, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions precedent provided in the notice of redemption, the Notes called for redemption will become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the applicable redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date. The Company shall notify holders of Notes called for redemption of any such rescission as soon as practicable after the Company determines that such conditions precedent will not be able to be satisfied or the Company is not able or willing to waive such conditions precedent.

ARTICLE IV

Remedies

Section 401    Additional Events of Default; Acceleration of Maturity

(a)    Solely with respect to the Notes 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, 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)

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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”

(b)    Solely with respect to the Notes 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 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

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

Section 402    Amendment of Certain Provisions. Solely with respect to the Notes 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

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 501    The Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Indenture No. 12, is in all respects hereby adopted, ratified and confirmed.

Section 502    This Supplemental Indenture No. 12 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 503    THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 12 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 LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 504    If any provision in this Supplemental Indenture No. 12 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 505    In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture No. 12 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. 12 to be duly executed, as of the day and year first written above.

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

By:    ___/s/ Jason P. Wells    
Name: Jason P. Wells
Title: Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Attest:

__/s/ Vincent Mercaldi    
Name: Vincent A. Mercaldi
Title: Secretary

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
As Trustee

By:    __/s/ Julie H Ramos    
Name: Julie Hoffman-Ramos
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.
Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2024

Original Interest Accrual Date: May 13, 2021 Stated Maturity: May 13, 2024 Interest Rate: Compounded SOFR plus 0.65% Interest Payment Dates: February 13, May 13, August 13 and November 13 Initial Interest Payment Date: August 13, 2021 Regular Record Dates: [Business Day immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date]/[15th calendar day immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day)]1 Redeemable: Yes [X] No [ ] Redemption Date: On or after May 13, 2022 (the “Par Call Date”) Redemption Price: 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.

1 NTD: Insert first bracketed language if Global Security, otherwise insert second bracketed language.

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

Principal Amount    Registered No. T-1

$    2    15189T AZ0 /

        CUSIP 15189TAZ03

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, quarterly in arrears on the Interest Payment Dates specified above in each year, commencing on August 13, 2021, and at Maturity, at the Interest Rate per annum specified above, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment. The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days in the Observation Period. 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.    If any Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the Company will make the interest payment on the next succeeding Business Day unless that Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar month, in which case (other than in the case of the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date) the Company will make the interest payment on the immediately preceding Business Day. If an interest payment is made on the next succeeding Business Day, no interest will accrue as a result of the delay in payment. If the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date of the Notes falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the payment due on such date will be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day, and no further interest will accrue in respect of such postponement. 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. 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

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

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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.

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

Dated: May 13, 2021    CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

By:    
Name: Jason P. Wells
Title: Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer    

(SEAL)

Attest:

Name: Vincent A. Mercaldi
Title: 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: May 13, 2021

By:    
    Authorized Signatory

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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.

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

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[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY]

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

FLOATING RATE SENIOR 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 $700,000,000; provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of the Securities may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect.

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 May 13, 2022 (the “Par Call Date”) at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of this Security (or the portion hereof 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.

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.

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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.

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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.

Active 62889350.4 A-8    

EX-4.25

        Exhibit 4.25

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. 13

Dated as of May 13, 2021

$500,000,000 1.45% Senior Notes due 2026
$500,000,000 2.65% Senior Notes due 2031

Active 62862307.3

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 13

$500,000,000 1.45% Senior Notes due 2026
$500,000,000 2.65% Senior Notes due 2031

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE No. 13, dated as of May 13, 2021, 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 two new series of Securities to be designated as the “1.45% Senior Notes due 2026” (the “2026 Notes”) and the “2.65% Senior Notes due 2031” (the “2031 Notes” and, together with the 2026 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. 13.

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:

ARTICLE I

Relation to Indenture; Additional Definitions

Section 101    Relation to Indenture. This Supplemental Indenture No. 13 constitutes an integral part of the Original Indenture.

Active 62862307.3 1    

Section 102    Additional Definitions. For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture No. 13:

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

“2026 Notes” has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of the Recitals hereof;

“2031 Notes” has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of the Recitals hereof;

“2026 Notes Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 203 hereof;

“2031 Notes Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 203 hereof;

“2026 Par Call Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 301 hereof;

“2031 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 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. 13 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;

“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;

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“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;

“Finance Lease” means a lease that, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, would be recorded as a finance lease on the balance sheet of the lessee, but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any operating leases or any other non-finance leases;

“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 Finance 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;

“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;

“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;

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“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;

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

All references herein to Articles and Sections, unless otherwise specified, refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture No. 13; and

The terms “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Supplemental Indenture No. 13.

ARTICLE II

The Series of Securities

Section 201    Title of the Securities. The 2026 Notes shall be designated as the “1.45% Senior Notes due 2026” and the 2031 Notes shall be designated as the “2.65% Senior Notes due 2031.”

Section 202    Limitation on Aggregate Principal Amount. The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver (i) the 2026 Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $500,000,000 and (ii) the 2031 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 2026 Notes and 2031 Notes that may initially be outstanding shall not exceed $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 2026 Notes shall be June 1, 2026 (the “2026 Notes Maturity Date”) and the Stated Maturity of the 2031 Notes shall be June 1, 2031 (the “2031 Notes Maturity Date”; each of the 2026 Notes Maturity Date and the 2031 Notes Maturity Date, a “Maturity Date”).

Section 204    Interest and Interest Rates.

(a)    The 2026 Notes shall bear interest at a rate of 1.45% per year, from and including May 13, 2021 (the “Issue Date”) to, but excluding, the 2026 Notes Maturity Date. The 2031 Notes shall bear interest at a rate of 2.65% per year, from and including the Issue Date to, but

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excluding, the 2031 Notes Maturity Date. Such interest shall be payable semiannually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year (each an “Interest Payment Date”), beginning December 1, 2021, to the persons in whose names the Notes (or one or more Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on May 15 and November 15 (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 1.45% per annum (to the extent permitted by law), in the case of the 2026 Notes or 2.65% per annum (to the extent permitted by law), in the case of the 2031 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

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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.

Section 207    Percentage of Principal Amount. The 2026 Notes and the 2031 Notes shall be initially issued at 99.767% and 99.806% 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 and Exhibit B hereto, as applicable.

Section 209    Form of Securities. The 2026 Notes shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto and the 2031 Notes shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B 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 2026 Notes, on any date prior to May 1, 2026 (the “2026 Par Call Date”) and (2) in the case of the 2031 Notes, on any date prior to March 1, 2031 (the “2031 Par Call Date”; each of the 2026 Par Call Date and the 2031 Par Call Date, 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 in the case of the 2026 Notes and the 2031 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 10 basis points for the 2026 Notes and 15 basis points for the 2031 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 2026 Par Call Date or the 2031 Par Call Date, as applicable, the Company may redeem the 2026 Notes or the 2031 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 (assuming the 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 applicable 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 applicable 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.

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“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 (assuming for this purpose that the 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 five 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 five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

“Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed 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) BofA Securities, Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC and a primary U.S. government securities dealer in the United States of America (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”) designated by each of MUFG Securities Americas Inc., PNC Capital Markets LLC and U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. and each of their respective affiliates or successors,, 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., 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.

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(a)    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 days 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.

(b)     Notice of any redemption of the Notes in connection with a corporate transaction that is pending (including an equity offering, an incurrence of Indebtedness or a change of control) may, at the Company’s discretion, be given subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of the transaction. If such redemption is so subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied or otherwise waived by the Redemption Date. Once notice of redemption is mailed or sent, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions precedent provided in the notice of redemption, the Notes called for redemption will become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the applicable redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date. The Company shall notify holders of Notes called for redemption of any such rescission as soon as practicable after the Company determines that such conditions precedent will not be able to be satisfied or the Company is not able or willing to waive such conditions precedent.

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, 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

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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 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”

(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”

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(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 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

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 501    The Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Indenture No. 13, is in all respects hereby adopted, ratified and confirmed.

Section 502    This Supplemental Indenture No. 13 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 503    THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 13 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 LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 504    If any provision in this Supplemental Indenture No. 13 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 505    In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture No. 13 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. 13 to be duly executed, as of the day and year first written above.

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

By:    ___/s/ Jason P. Wells    
Name: Jason P. Wells
Title: Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Attest:

__/s/ Vincent Mercaldi    
Name: Vincent A. Mercaldi
Title: Secretary

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
As Trustee

By:    __/s/ Julie H Ramos    
Name: Julie Hoffman-Ramos
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.
1.45% Senior Notes due 2026

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Original Interest Accrual Date: May 13, 2021 Stated Maturity: June 1, 2026 Interest Rate: 1.45% Interest Payment Dates: June 1 and December 1 Initial Interest Payment Date: December 1, 2021 Regular Record Dates: May 15 and November 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 May 1, 2026 (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 10 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

$    1    15189T BA4/

        CUSIP 15189TBA43

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.***

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

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, 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 December 1, 2021, 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 1.45% 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 May 15 and November 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.

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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.

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

Dated: May 13, 2021    CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

By:    
Name: Jason P. Wells
Title: Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer    

(SEAL)

Attest:

Name: Vincent A. Mercaldi
Title: 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: May 13, 2021

By:    
    Authorized Signatory

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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.

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

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[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY]

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

1.45% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2026

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.

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 May 1, 2026 (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 10 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

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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 five 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 five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

“Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed 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) BofA Securities, Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC and a primary U.S. government securities dealer in the United States of America (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”) designated by each of MUFG Securities Americas Inc., PNC Capital Markets LLC and U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. and each of their respective affiliates or successors,, 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.

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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.

Active 62862307.3 A-9    

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.

Active 62862307.3 A-10    

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.
2.65% Senior Notes due 2031

Active 62862307.3 B-1    

Original Interest Accrual Date: May 13, 2021 Stated Maturity: June 1, 2031 Interest Rate: 2.65% Interest Payment Dates: June 1 and December 1 Initial Interest Payment Date: December 1, 2021 Regular Record Dates: May 15 and November 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 March 1, 2031 (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

15189T BB2 /

CUSIP 15189TBB26

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

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

Active 62862307.3 B-2    

***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 December 1, 2021, 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 2.65% 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 May 15 and November 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.

Active 62862307.3 B-3    

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.

Active 62862307.3 B-4    

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

Dated: May 13, 2021    CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

By:    
Name: Jason P. Wells
Title: Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer    

(SEAL)

Attest:

Name: Vincent A. Mercaldi
Title: 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: May 13, 2021

By:    
    Authorized Signatory

Active 62862307.3 B-5    

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.

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

Active 62862307.3 B-6    

[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY]

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

2.65% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2031

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.

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 March 1, 2031 (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

Active 62862307.3 B-7    

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 five 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 five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

“Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed 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) BofA Securities, Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC and a primary U.S. government securities dealer in the United States of America (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”) designated by each of MUFG Securities Americas Inc., PNC Capital Markets LLC and U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. and each of their respective affiliates or successors,, 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.

Active 62862307.3 B-8    

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.

Active 62862307.3 B-9    

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.

Active 62862307.3 B-10    

EX-10.8

Exhibit 10.8

July 20, 2021

Mr. Dave Lesar

VIA ELECTRONIC DELIVERY

Dear Dave:

This letter confirms the terms of certain incentives that CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) has agreed to provide you in consideration for your continued services with the Company as we enter a new chapter in our governance structure, in connection with which the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) has determined it is in the best interests of the Company’s stockholders for your equity ownership in the Company to be increased in order to more closely align your interests with those of the Company’s stockholders.

Incentive RSU Awards

In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company desires that you receive equity-based awards that, when combined with the grant of restricted stock units you received on July 20, 2021 (the “2021 Incentive RSU Award”), provide for a total number of shares equal to one million (the “Total Share Amount”) . These awards are as follows and are subject to your continued employment through the relevant grant dates:

•In each of February of 2022 and 2023, you will receive a grant of restricted stock units (the “2022 IncentiveRSU Award” and the “2023 Incentive RSU Award,” respectively, and collectively, the “Incentive RSU Awards”) covering shares of common stock of the Company (“Common Stock”), pursuant to the terms of the Company’s equity incentive plan (the “Plan”). The 2022 Incentive RSU Award is expected to cover the remainder of the Total Share Amount not granted under the 2021Incentive RSU Award, or such lesser amount as may be permitted under the annual grant limit set forth in the Plan, taking into account any annual equity grants the compensation committee of the Board may also determine should be granted to you in such year. The 2023 Incentive RSU Award is expected to cover the remainder of the Total Share Amount not granted under the 2021 Incentive RSU Award or the 2022 Incentive RSU Award, or such lesser amount as permitted under the annual grant limit set forth in the Plan, taking into account any annual equity grants the compensation committee of the Board may also determine should be granted to you in such year. Both grants will cliff vest on December 31, 2023 and otherwise will have the same terms and conditions as the 2021 RSU Award.

•In the event that the total number of shares that are granted under the 2021 Incentive RSU Award and the Incentive RSU Awards is less than the Total Share Amount, then in February of 2024 the Company will grant you a fully vested bonus stock grant for the remainder of the Total Share Amount (the “2024 Award”).

You will be required to hold, and not sell or pledge, all shares of Common Stock received under all of the foregoing awards until the earliest to occur of your death, permanent disability, or the date that is six months after any separation of your service from the Company.

1

Exhibit 10.8

Cash Incentive Award

In connection with the foregoing, by this letter you are also being granted a cash award under the Plan equal to the amount of dividends paid on shares subject to the Incentive RSU Awards, with (x) one portion of such award based on the amount of dividends paid between July 20, 2021 and the grant date of the 2022 Incentive RSU Award on the number of shares subject to, and vesting and payable on the same terms as, such 2022 Incentive RSU Award, (y) one portion of such award based on the amount of dividends paid between July 20, 2021 and the grant date of the 2023 Incentive RSU Award on the number of shares subject to, and vesting and payable on the same terms as, such 2023 Incentive RSU, and (z) one portion of such award based on the amount of dividends paid between July 20, 2021 and the grant date of the 2024 Award on the number of shares referenced in, and vesting and payable on the same terms as, such 2024 Award.

Liquidated Damages and Administrative Services

In the event that your death or permanent disability, termination without Cause or resignation for Good Reason (each as such term is defined in the 2021 RSU Award for purposes of this letter) occurs prior to the date any or all of the Incentive Awards and 2024 Award referenced above are granted, the Company will pay you, as liquidated damages for its failure to make any such awards to you, a lump sum cash payment equal to (x) the value of such ungranted awards, based on the closing trading price of Common Stock on the date of such occurrence, plus (y), if applicable, all amounts accrued under the Cash Incentive Award through the date of any such triggering event, provided, however, that in the event of a termination without Cause or resignation for Good Reason, such payment will be subject to your execution without revocation of a release of claims against the Company in the form used for other separating executives. This lump sum payment will be made within 10 business days after the triggering event or, if applicable, your execution of the release of claims.

In addition, in the event of your termination without Cause or resignation for Good Reason and subject to your execution of the release of claims referenced above, the Company will pay the expenses for the CEO to maintain an office and administrative assistant (so long as such office and assistant are not being used to engage in competitive activities otherwise prohibited under the 2021 Incentive RSU Award), for five years after such separation from service.

Miscellaneous

All payments of compensation by the Company to you in respect of your employment with the Company shall be subject to applicable federal, state or local payroll taxes and other withholding requirements. It is the intent of the parties that the payments and benefits under this letter agreement shall be exempt from or otherwise comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 409A”), and each payment under this letter shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. All expense reimbursements paid pursuant to this letter that are taxable income to you shall in no event be paid later than the end of the calendar year next following the year in which you incur the expense, in accordance with Section 409A. This letter may not be amended or modified except by an agreement in writing signed by you and the Company. This letter will be binding upon any successor of the Company or its

2

Exhibit 10.8

businesses (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise), in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be obligated under this letter if no succession had taken place. The term “Company,” as used in this letter, will mean the Company as defined above and any successor or assignee to the business or assets that by reason hereof becomes bound by this letter. This letter will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas without reference to conflict of law rules. To confirm the foregoing terms are acceptable to you, please execute and return the copy of this letter to me.

Sincerely,

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

/s/ Lynne Harkel-Rumford

_________________________

By: Lynne Harkel-Rumford

Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer

Acknowledged and Agreed:

/s/ Dave Lesar

________________________

Dave Lesar

3

EX-10.9

Exhibit 10.9

July 21, 2021

Mr. Milton Carroll
VIA ELECTRONIC DELIVERY

Re:    Separation Agreement

Dear Milton:

In recognition of your nearly thirty years of dedicated service that has transformed the Company and positioned it for continued success, this letter memorializes the discussions and agreement concerning your separation from employment as Executive Chairman of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) and ultimately your service on the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”), as well as our agreement regarding certain payments and arrangements in connection with such separation from the Company. As part of this letter agreement, the Company acknowledges your substantial contributions and stewardship of the Company over the past several decades, that your separation from employment and as a member of the Board pursuant to this letter agreement comes substantially in advance of the date of the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company (an “AGM”) in 2023 (the “2023 AGM Date”) on which you would, pursuant to the current bylaws of the Company, otherwise be required to retire from the Board, and that you are departing from your position as Executive Chairman now, and from your position as a director this year, including in order to assist the Company in implementing its new structural, leadership and governance transition at the Company and facilitating a smooth transition and succession.

1.Separation from Service as Executive Chairman

1.1    You and the Company agree that you will retire from employment with the Company upon the close of business of the Company on July 21, 2021 (the “Separation Date”). Effective as of the Separation Date, (a) you hereby resign your position as Executive Chairman of the Company and from all other officer and employee positions you may hold with the Company and any of the Company’s Affiliates and (b) it is agreed and understood that with respect to your service as a member of the Board, you will continue as a non-employee director of the Company through September 30, 2021, and cease your service as a member of the Board on such date and not continue to serve through the end of your elected term at the Company’s 2022 AGM. While you and the Company each agrees that such resignations are intended to be self-effectuating, you further agree to execute any documentation the Company and you determine necessary or appropriate to facilitate such resignations.

1.2    Subject to your timely execution without revocation of the Release (as such term is defined in paragraph 2 below), the Company hereby agrees that your separation from service as an employee under this letter agreement will be treated as an “Enhanced Retirement” for purposes of any outstanding equity awards granted to you under the Company’s 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”, and such awards, the “Equity Awards”), which awards will receive certain vesting treatment as s a result thereof. The Company further agrees that you will

1

continue to be provided with administrative services consistent with those you are currently provided, through at least the 2023 AGM Date.

1.3    In addition, and subject to your timely execution without revocation of the Release, you will be entitled to a lump sum cash payment equal to $28,072,000. This payment will be made to you on the 10th day after execution of both this letter agreement and the Release, so long as you do not revoke the Release (the “Payment Date”) and with the proviso that you understand that weekends, business holidays, and other business circumstances may cause reasonable delays in payment.

2.Release of Claims

You hereby acknowledge and agree that, as of the date of this letter agreement, you are not legally entitled to the payments set forth in this letter agreement, to which you will first become entitled following the execution of this letter agreement and the Release by you and the Company. In consideration of such payments, on or following the Separation Date, but not later than 21 calendar days following the Separation Date, you will shall execute and deliver to the Company the Release of Claims in the form attached to this letter agreement as Exhibit A (the “Release”).

3.Restrictive Covenants; Other Obligations

    3.1    You hereby acknowledge and agree that you will continue to be bound by, and will comply with, those restrictive covenants contained in your Equity Awards, which covenants are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this letter agreement under this Paragraph 3.1. You also hereby acknowledge and agree that by executing the Release, you are agreeing to be bound to certain other restrictive covenants and to provide such transition services and other cooperation as reasonably requested by the Company.

    3.2     You and the Company recognize that the Company will have no adequate remedy at law for breach by you of the restrictions imposed by Paragraph 3.1 above and that the Company and its subsidiaries could suffer substantial and irreparable damage if you breach any of these restrictions. For this reason, you agree that, if you breach any of the restrictions imposed under Paragraph 3.1 above, in addition to the right to seek monetary damages, the Company may seek a temporary and/or permanent injunction to restrain any breach or threatened breach of these restrictions or a decree of specific performance, mandamus or other appropriate remedy to enforce compliance with the restrictions imposed under Paragraph 3.1 above, including those remedies provided for under the Equity Awards. You agree that no bond will need to be posted for the Company to receive such an injunction and no proof will be required that monetary damages for violations of this non-competition provision would be difficult to calculate and that remedies at law would be inadequate.

4.Indemnification

Following the Separation Date, the Company will continue to indemnify you against any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding and to provide you with D&O insurance coverage, in each case, with respect to your services as an executive officer and director of the Company and its subsidiaries prior to the Separation Date, and thereafter, with respect to your services as a

2

director through the conclusion of your term and, in each case, to the same extent that such indemnification and D&O insurance coverage is provided to executive officers and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries.

5.Miscellaneous

5.1    Neither party to this letter agreement shall assign, transfer or subcontract this letter or any of its obligations hereunder without the other party’s express, prior written consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may assign this letter to a purchaser of all, or substantially all, of the Company’s assets.

5.2    No payment under this letter agreement shall be made in violation of applicable law. Except to the extent subject to federal law, this letter shall be deemed to be made under, and in all respects shall be interpreted, construed and governed by and in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such State. If any provision of this letter agreement is found by any court of competent jurisdiction (or legally empowered agency) to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable for any reason, then (a) the provision will be amended automatically to the minimum extent necessary to cure the illegality or invalidity and permit enforcement and (b) the remainder of this letter agreement will not be affected.

5.4    All payments of compensation by the Company to you in respect of your employment with the Company shall be subject to applicable federal, state or local payroll taxes and other withholding requirements. It is the intent of the parties that the payments and benefits under this letter agreement shall be exempt from or otherwise comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 409A”), and each payment under this letter shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. The Company and you agree that the Separation Date constitutes the date on which you experience a “separation from service” as an employee with the Company, within the meaning of Section 409A. In the event that upon the Separation Date, you are subject to the payout restrictions that apply to a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A, the payout of any amount under this letter agreement in connection with your separation from service during for the first six months following such separation that would violate Section 409A shall be paid on the first day of the seventh month after your separation from service. For the avoidance of doubt, the Separation Date does not constitute the date on which you experience a “separation from service” in your capacity as a member of the Board, and any deferred compensation received in respect of your service as a member of the Board shall be subject to delayed payment in accordance with the terms of the applicable deferred compensation plans and Section 409A. You further acknowledge that you are and will be solely responsible for the payment of all federal, state, local, and foreign taxes that are required by applicable laws or regulations to be paid with respect to the Consulting Fees payable or provided hereunder in respect of your services and will not be eligible to participate in or accrue benefits under any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any of its affiliates. The parties intend that the terms and provisions of this letter shall be interpreted and applied in a manner that satisfies the requirements and exemptions of Section 409A and, to the maximum extent permitted, this letter shall be interpreted so as to comply with Section 409A. With respect to the indemnification provisions referenced in Paragraph 5 of this letter agreement that provide for reimbursement of costs and expenses, the right to reimbursement shall not be

3

subject to liquidation and may not be exchanged for any other benefit, and the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement (or in-kind benefits paid) in one year shall not affect amounts reimbursable in any subsequent year. All expense reimbursements paid pursuant to this letter agreement that are taxable income to you shall in no event be paid later than the end of the calendar year next following the year in which you incur the expense, in accordance with Section 409A.

5.5    This letter agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous representations, proposals, discussions, and communications, whether oral or in writing, with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, except for any provisions of any agreements or plans that expressly survive as specified herein, which are incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in their entirety, with any defined terms used therein to be modified in order to give effect to such provisions. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this letter agreement modifies any entitlements to any deferred compensation under any Company retirement or nonqualified deferred compensation plan. This letter agreement may be modified only in a writing signed by you and an authorized named executive officer of the Company.

5.6    Any notices given under this letter (a) by the Company to you shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to you at your address listed above or (b) by you to the Company shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the General Counsel of the Company at the Company’s corporate headquarters.

5.7    The headings of this letter are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this letter.

To confirm the foregoing terms are acceptable to you, please execute and return the copy of this letter, which is enclosed for your convenience.

[Signature Page Follows]

4

Very truly yours,

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

/s/ Dave Lesar

______________________________
Dave Lesar

Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Separation Agreement]

5

Accepted and Agreed this 21st day of July, 2021:


/s/ Milton Carroll
_______________________________
Milton Carroll

[Signature Page to Separation Agreement]

6

Exhibit A

This Release of Claims (the “Release Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between yourself and CenterPoint Energy Service Company, LLC, including its associated companies and parent company and their partners, partnerships, officers, directors, managers, employees, shareholders, agents, attorneys, representatives, and assigns (hereafter referred to collectively as the "Company"). Both the Company and you are entering into this Release Agreement as a way of amicably concluding the employment relationship, and your service on the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”), following your last day of employment with, and service to, the Company on the dates defined within that certain Separation Agreement dated July 21, 2021 by and between CenterPoint Energy Service Company, LLC and you, and resolving any dispute or potential dispute or claim that you have or might have with the Company. This Release Agreement is not and should not be construed as an allegation or admission on the part of the Company that it has acted unlawfully or violated any state or federal law or regulation. The Company, its officers, directors, employees, shareholders, managers, agents, attorneys, representatives and assigns specifically disclaim any liability to you or any other person for any alleged violation of rights or for any alleged violation of any order, law, statute, duty, policy or contract.

You agree that the payments and benefits referenced in the Separation Agreement (the “Separation Benefits”), herein, constitute the entire amount of consideration provided to you in respect of this Release Agreement. You further agree that you will not seek any further compensation for any other claimed damage, costs, separation payment, severance, income, or attorney’s fees.

1.In consideration for the Separation Benefits, you acknowledge and agree that all records, papers, reports, computer programs, strategies, documents (including, without limitation, memoranda, notes, files and correspondence), opinions, evaluations, inventions, ideas, technical data, products, services, processes, procedures, and interpretations that are or have been produced by you or that you received in connection with your employment with the Company or service to the Board, whether stored physically or electronically or produced to you by any employee, officer, director, agent, contractor, or representative of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates related to the Company, whether provided in written or printed form, or orally, or on a computer, all comprise confidential and proprietary business information. You agree that you have returned or will return immediately, and maintain in strictest confidence and will not use in any way, any proprietary, confidential, or other nonpublic information or documents relating to the business and affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates. It is understood and agreed that in the event of any breach or threatened breach of this provision by you, the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates may, in their discretion, discontinue any or all payments provided for herein and recover any and all payments already made and the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates shall be entitled to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for such relief by way of specific performance, restraining order, injunction or

7

otherwise as may be appropriate to ensure compliance with this provision. Should you be served with legal process seeking to compel you to disclose any such information to any non-governmental party or any such non-governmental party’s representatives, you agree to notify the General Counsel for the Company immediately, in order that the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates may seek to resist such process if they so choose.

You agree that you shall be available to and shall assist the Company and/or its affiliates in transitioning your job duties, as reasonably requested by the Company. Additionally, you agree to be reasonably available to the Company or its representatives (including its attorneys) to provide information and assistance as requested by the Company. This includes, but is not limited to, offering truthful testimony (and preparing to testify) as a witness in any proceeding, or otherwise providing information or reasonable assistance to the Company, in connection with any investigation, claim or suit, and cooperating with the Company regarding any litigation, government investigations, administrative or regulatory matters, proceedings before government agencies and commissions, claims or other disputed items involving the Company that relate to matters within your knowledge or responsibility during your employment or service to the Board. Specifically, you agree (i) to meet with the Company’s representatives, its counsel or other designees at mutually convenient times and places with respect to any items within the scope of this provision; (ii) to provide truthful testimony regarding same to any court, agency, or other adjudicatory body; (iii) to provide the Company with immediate notice of contact or subpoena by any non-governmental adverse party (known to you to be adverse to the Company or its interests), and (iv) to not voluntarily assist any such non-governmental adverse party or such non-governmental adverse party’s representatives. The Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates agree that if you are called upon by or on behalf of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates to serve as a witness or consultant in or with respect to any potential litigation, or regulatory proceeding, any such call shall be with reasonable notice, shall not unnecessarily interfere with your later employment, and shall provide for payment for your reasonable time and costs expended for your assistance on such matters.

Additionally, in consideration for the Separation Benefits and in accordance with the following paragraph, you also agree to refrain from making any criticisms or disparaging comments about the Company, its directors, officers, or employees.

2.You acknowledge and agree that:

a.You have read this Release, and you understand its legal and binding effect. You are acting voluntarily, deliberately, and of your own free will in executing this Release and have been provided with all information needed to make an informed decision to sign this Release and given an opportunity to ask questions that you might have about this Release.

b.The consideration for this Release is in addition to anything of value to which you already are entitled, and is not wages, a wage increase, a bonus, or any other form of compensation for services performed. Standard deductions will be made to the consideration for this Release.

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c.You have had the opportunity to seek, and the Company hereby advises you in writing to seek, legal counsel prior to signing this Release.

d.You have (i) received all compensation due as a result of services performed for the Company with the receipt of your final paycheck; (ii) reported to the Company any and all work-related injuries or occupational disease incurred by during your employment by the Company; (iii) been properly provided any leave requested under the FMLA or similar state local laws and have not been subjected to any improper treatment, conduct or actions due to a request for or taking such leave; (iv) had the opportunity to provide the Company with written notice of any and all concerns regarding suspected ethical and compliance issues or violations on the part of the Company or any other released person or entity and have reported any and all such concerns; (v) reported any pending judicial and administrative complaints, claims, or actions you filed against the Company or any other released person or entity; and (vi) not raised a claim of sexual harassment or abuse with the Company.

3.In return for the Company's agreement to provide the Separation Benefits, and other items described in this Release Agreement, you agree not to sue and to release and forever discharge the Company and its parent, subsidiaries, and affiliates, specifically including but not limited to CenterPoint Energy, Inc., CenterPoint Energy Service Company, LLC, CenterPoint Energy International, Inc., CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., CenterPoint Energy Gas Transmission Company, LLC, CenterPoint Energy- Mississippi River Transmission, LLC, CenterPoint Energy Pipeline Services, Inc., CenterPoint Energy Field Services, LLC, CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc., Enable Midstream Partners, LP, CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., d/b/a CenterPoint Energy Minnesota Gas, CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., d/b/a CenterPoint Energy Arkansas Gas, CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., d/b/a CenterPoint Energy Louisiana Gas, CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., d/b/a CenterPoint Energy Mississippi Gas, CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., d/b/a CenterPoint Energy Oklahoma Gas, CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., d/b/a CenterPoint Energy Texas Gas Operations, Vectren Corporation, and their respective officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, successors, assigns, insurers, employee benefit plans and fiduciaries and agents of any of the foregoing, and any and all other persons, firms, organizations, and corporations (collectively referred to as the “Corporate Group”) from any and all damages, losses, causes of action, expenses, demands, liabilities, and claims on behalf of yourself, your heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns with respect to all matters relating to or arising out of your employment with the Company or service to the Board, including any existing claims or rights you may have under any federal, state or local law dealing with discrimination in employment on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, race, national origin, religion, age, disability, or veteran status, and you hereby accept the Separation Benefits and other consideration described herein in full and final settlement of all damages, losses, causes of action, expenses, demands, liabilities, and claims.

This release includes, but is not limited to, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §621, the Older Workers’ Benefit Protection Act of 1990, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 1991, 42 U.S.C. §2000(e) et seq., the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, as amended, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of

9

1974, as amended, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, as amended, the Energy Reorganization Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §5851, the Workers’ Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, the Texas Labor Code, the Arkansas Civil Rights Act, the Minnesota Human Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §12101, 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, any claims for breach of oral or written contract, wrongful discharge, retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim, tort or personal injury of any sort, and any claim under any other state or federal statute, regulation, or common law that may be legally waived. You further understand and agree that this release does not apply to any claims or rights which, by law, cannot be waived, including but not limited to unemployment benefits, the right to file an administrative charge, or participate in an administrative investigation or proceeding, however, if you or someone acting on your behalf files, or causes to be filed, any such claim, charge, complaint, or action against the Company, you expressly waive any right to recover any damages or other relief, whatsoever, from the Company including costs and attorneys’ fees. You affirm and agree that your employment relationship and service to the Board will end on the dates defined within the Separation Agreement and you will withdraw unequivocally, completely and finally from your employment and service to the Board and waive all rights in connection with such relationship except to vested benefits and the payments and benefits described herein. You acknowledge that you have been paid all compensation owed to you as of the date of this Release Agreement, with the exception of the Separation Benefits due and payable pursuant to the Separation Agreement or this Release Agreement. You acknowledge that neither the Company nor any other member of the Corporate Group has promised you continued employment or represented to you that you will be rehired in the future. You acknowledge that neither the Separation Agreement, nor this Release Agreement, creates any right on your part to be rehired by the Company or any other member of the Corporate Group and you hereby waive any right to future employment by the Company or any other member of the Corporate Group. You agree that this Release Agreement and the waiver contained herein are valid and that they are fair, adequate and reasonable. You agree that your consent to this Release Agreement and waiver was with your full knowledge and was not procured through fraud, duress or mistake.

4.You agree that for a period of one year following your termination of employment with the Company and service to the Board that you will not: a) solicit, encourage or take any other action that is intended, directly or indirectly, to induce any other employee of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates to terminate employment with the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates; b) interfere in any manner with the contractual or employment relationship between the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates and any other employee of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates; or c) use any confidential information to directly, or indirectly, solicit any customer of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates.

5.This Release Agreement will be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the state of Texas without regard to principles of conflict of laws. Should any of the clauses in this Release Agreement be declared invalid, null, void or unenforceable, the rest of the Release Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. If the Company elects to waive or release any obligation of yours under this Release Agreement, the remainder of the Release Agreement shall be enforced. This Release Agreement may not be modified, altered or amended except in a written agreement executed by you and the Company’s General Counsel.

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6.You agree that any disputes arising under this Release Agreement shall first be submitted to mediation with a mediator mutually agreed upon by the Company and you, and failing resolution by mediation, to a tribunal in accordance with the applicable law. You also agree that the fees associated with the mediation shall be shared equally between the Company and you, with each party bearing their own attorney’s fees associated with the mediation.

7.The Company hereby advises you in writing to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release Agreement. You acknowledge that you have been given an opportunity and are hereby encouraged in writing by the Company to have an attorney review this Release Agreement, that you have read and understand this Release Agreement, and that you have signed this Release Agreement knowingly, freely and voluntarily. You have twenty-one (21) days (the “Consideration Period”) to decide whether to sign this Release Agreement and be bound by its terms. You agree with the Company that changes, whether material or immaterial, do not restart the running of the 21-day Consideration Period. You may revoke this Release Agreement at any time within seven (7) days following your written acceptance of it below by delivery of a written notification to the undersigned. This Release Agreement will not be effective or enforceable until this seven-day revocation period has expired. In the event that this Release Agreement is canceled or revoked, the Company shall have no obligation to make the payment or provide the benefits described herein. In the event you choose to sign this Release prior to the expiration of the Consideration Period, you represent that you are knowingly and voluntarily waiving the remainder of the Consideration Period. You understand that having waived some portion of the Consideration Period, the Company may expedite the processing of benefits provided to you in exchange for signing this Release.

8.You understand this Release Agreement does not apply to (a) any claims or rights that may arise after the date that you signed this Release Agreement, (b) the Company’s expense reimbursement policies, (c) any vested rights under the Company’s ERISA-covered employee benefit plans as applicable on the date you sign this Release Agreement, and (d) any claims that the controlling law clearly states may not be released by private agreement. Moreover, nothing in this Release Agreement (including but not limited to the acknowledgements, release of claims, the promise not to sue, and the return of property provision) (x) limits or affects your right to challenge the validity of this Release Agreement under the ADEA or the OWBPA, (y) prevents you from communicating with, filing a charge or complaint with, or from participating in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC, the National Labor Relations Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal, state or local agency charged with the enforcement of any laws, including providing documents or any other information, or (z) precludes you from exercising your rights under Section 7 of the NLRA to engage in protected, concerted activity with other employees, although by signing this Release Agreement you are waiving your right to recover any individual relief (including any backpay, frontpay, reinstatement or other legal or equitable relief) in any charge, complaint, or lawsuit or other proceeding brought by you or on your behalf by any third party, except for any right you may have to receive a payment or award from a government agency (and not the Company) for information provided to the government agency. Notwithstanding my confidentiality and non-disclosure obligations in this Release Agreement and otherwise, you understand that as provided by the Federal Defend Trade Secrets Act, you will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade

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secret made: (1) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (2) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.

The purpose of the arrangements described in this letter is to arrive at a mutually agreeable and amicable basis with respect to your separation from employment with the Company and the conclusion of your service to the Board. If you agree with the foregoing, please indicate so by signing in the space designated below and returning an executed copy of this Release Agreement, and any revocation, to the Company electronically to John Price, Associate General Counsel, CenterPoint Energy Legal Department at john.price@centerpointenergy.com, and the original signed Release Agreement and any revocation to John Price, Associate General Counsel, CenterPoint Energy Legal Department, 1111 Louisiana St., 46th Floor, Houston, TX 77002.

Sincerely,

/s/ Monica Karuturi

_____________________

Monica Karuturi

Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Agreed to and Accepted this

21 day of July, 2021.

/s/ Milton Carroll

_____________________

Milton Carroll

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EX-31.1.1

Exhibit 31.1.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, David J. Lesar, 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:   August 5, 2021

/s/ David J. Lesar

David J. Lesar

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.1.2

Exhibit 31.1.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Kenneth M. Mercado, 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:  August 5, 2021

/s/ Kenneth M. Mercado

Kenneth M. Mercado

Manager, President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.1.3

Exhibit 31.1.3

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Scott E. Doyle, 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:  August 5, 2021

/s/ Scott E. Doyle

Scott E. Doyle

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2.1

Exhibit 31.2.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Jason P. Wells, 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:   August 5, 2021

/s/ Jason P. Wells

Jason P. Wells

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-31.2.2

Exhibit 31.2.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Jason P. Wells, 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:  August 5, 2021

/s/ Jason P. Wells

Jason P. Wells

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-31.2.3

Exhibit 31.2.3

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Jason P. Wells, 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:  August 5, 2021

/s/ Jason P. Wells

Jason P. Wells

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 June 30, 2021 (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, David J. Lesar, 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/ David J. Lesar

David J. Lesar

President and Chief Executive Officer

August 5, 2021

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, 2021 (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Kenneth M. Mercado, 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/ Kenneth M. Mercado

Kenneth M. Mercado

Manager, President and Chief Executive Officer

August 5, 2021

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, 2021 (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Scott E. Doyle, 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 E. Doyle

Scott E. Doyle

President and Chief Executive Officer

August 5, 2021

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 June 30, 2021 (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Jason P. Wells, 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/ Jason P. Wells

Jason P. Wells

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

August 5, 2021

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, 2021 (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Jason P. Wells, 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/ Jason P. Wells

Jason P. Wells

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

August 5, 2021

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, 2021 (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Jason P. Wells, 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/ Jason P. Wells

Jason P. Wells

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

August 5, 2021

XML

Cover Page - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jul. 23, 2021
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-31447
Entity Registrant Name	CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	TX
Entity Tax Identification Number	74-0694415
Entity Address, Address Line One	1111 Louisiana
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77002
City Area Code	713
Local Phone Number	207-1111
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		592,890,377
Entity Central Index Key	0001130310
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Houston Electric
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	TX
Entity Tax Identification Number	22-3865106
Entity Address, Address Line One	1111 Louisiana
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77002
City Area Code	713
Local Phone Number	207-1111
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,000
Entity Central Index Key	0000048732
CERC Corp
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	76-0511406
Entity Address, Address Line One	1111 Louisiana
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77002
City Area Code	713
Local Phone Number	207-1111
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,000
Entity Central Index Key	0001042773
Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value | New York Stock Exchange
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	CNP
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value | Chicago Stock Exchange
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	CNP
Security Exchange Name	CHX
Depositary shares | New York Stock Exchange
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Depositary Shares for 1/20 of 7.00% Series B Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	CNP/PB
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
6.95% General Mortgage Bonds due 2033 | New York Stock Exchange | Houston Electric
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.95% General Mortgage Bonds due 2033
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
No Trading Symbol Flag	true
6.625% Senior Notes due 2037 | New York Stock Exchange | CERC Corp
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.625% Senior Notes due 2037
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
No Trading Symbol Flag	true

XML

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Revenues:
Utility revenues	$ 1,652	$ 1,476	$ 4,136	$ 3,549
Non-utility revenues	90	99	153	193
Total	1,742	1,575	4,289	3,742
Expenses:
Utility natural gas, fuel and purchased power	258	202	1,193	811
Non-utility cost of revenues, including natural gas	58	69	98	133
Operation and maintenance	677	643	1,346	1,317
Depreciation and amortization	327	297	634	579
Taxes other than income taxes	126	129	269	265
Goodwill impairment	0	0	0	185
Total	1,446	1,340	3,540	3,290
Operating Income	296	235	749	452
Other Income (Expense):
Gain (loss) on marketable securities	75	75	52	(69)
Gain (loss) on indexed debt securities	(77)	(76)	(51)	59
Interest expense and other finance charges	(119)	(128)	(232)	(267)
Interest expense on Securitization Bonds	(5)	(7)	(11)	(15)
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	67	43	175	(1,432)
Other income, net	11	22	3	36
Total	(48)	(71)	(64)	(1,688)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	248	164	685	(1,236)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(3)	29	71	(318)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	251	135	614	(918)
Net loss from discontinued operations	0	(30)	0	(176)
Net Income (Loss)	251	105	614	(1,094)
Income allocated to preferred shareholders	30	46	59	75
Income (Loss) Available to Common Shareholders	$ 221	$ 59	$ 555	$ (1,169)
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share [Abstract]
Basic earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.17	$ 0.98	$ (1.93)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share - discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0	(0.06)	0	(0.34)
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (in dollars per share)	0.38	0.11	0.98	(2.27)
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share [Abstract]
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations (in dollars per share)	0.37	0.17	0.93	(1.93)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share - discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0	(0.06)	0	(0.34)
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.37	$ 0.11	$ 0.93	$ (2.27)
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Basic	585,720,000	528,066,000	568,728,000	515,227,000
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Diluted	596,330,000	530,837,000	596,130,000	515,227,000
Houston Electric
Revenues:
Total	$ 786	$ 720	$ 1,470	$ 1,354
Expenses:
Operation and maintenance	390	364	763	723
Depreciation and amortization	161	140	302	269
Taxes other than income taxes	65	64	128	128
Total	616	568	1,193	1,120
Operating Income	170	152	277	234
Other Income (Expense):
Interest expense and other finance charges	(47)	(43)	(92)	(84)
Interest expense on Securitization Bonds	(5)	(7)	(11)	(15)
Other income, net	3	1	8	6
Total	(49)	(49)	(95)	(93)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	121	103	182	141
Income tax expense (benefit)	18	16	26	21
Net Income (Loss)	103	87	156	120
CERC Corp
Revenues:
Utility revenues	549	467	1,717	1,463
Non-utility revenues	25	16	34	31
Total	574	483	1,751	1,494
Expenses:
Utility natural gas, fuel and purchased power	182	137	805	609
Non-utility cost of revenues, including natural gas	10	7	12	13
Operation and maintenance	194	179	392	388
Depreciation and amortization	80	74	160	148
Taxes other than income taxes	44	44	100	94
Total	510	441	1,469	1,252
Operating Income	64	42	282	242
Other Income (Expense):
Interest expense and other finance charges	(25)	(29)	(49)	(59)
Other income, net	1	0	0	(4)
Total	(24)	(29)	(49)	(63)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	40	13	233	179
Income tax expense (benefit)	(18)	(4)	24	31
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	58	17	209	148
Net loss from discontinued operations	0	(4)	0	(68)
Net Income (Loss)	$ 58	$ 13	$ 209	$ 80

XML

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Income tax benefit from discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 38	$ 0	$ 21
CERC Corp
Income Statement [Abstract]
Income tax benefit from discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 8	$ 0	$ (3)

XML

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Net income (Loss)	$ 251	$ 105	$ 614	$ (1,094)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Adjustment to pension and other postretirement plans (net of tax of $1, $1, $1 and $2)	1	1	3	2
Reclassification of net deferred losses from cash flow hedges (net of tax of $-0-, $4, $-0- and $4)	0	15	0	15
Other comprehensive income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates (net of tax of $-0-, $-0-, $-0- and $-0-)	1	0	2	(3)
Total	2	16	5	14
Comprehensive income (loss)	253	121	619	(1,080)
Income allocated to preferred shareholders	30	46	59	75
Comprehensive income (loss) available to common shareholders	223	75	560	(1,155)
Houston Electric
Net income (Loss)	103	87	156	120
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Reclassification of net deferred losses from cash flow hedges (net of tax of $-0-, $4, $-0- and $4)	0	15	0	15
Total	0	15	0	15
Comprehensive income (loss) available to common shareholders	103	102	156	135
CERC Corp
Net income (Loss)	58	13	209	80
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Total	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) available to common shareholders	$ 58	$ 13	$ 209	$ 80

XML

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Adjustment to pension and other postretirement plans, tax	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1	$ 2
Reclassification of net deferred losses from cash flow hedges, tax	0	4	0	4
Other comprehensive income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates, tax	0	0	0	0
Houston Electric
Reclassification of net deferred losses from cash flow hedges, tax	$ 0	$ 4	$ 0	$ 4

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 136	$ 147
Investment in marketable securities	923	871
Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses	651	676
Accrued unbilled revenues, less allowance for credit losses	270	505
Natural gas and coal inventory	121	203
Materials and supplies	319	297
Non-trading derivative assets	6	0
Taxes receivable	78	82
Current assets held for sale	2,192	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	483	139
Total current assets	5,179	2,920
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, plant and equipment	32,004	32,514
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	9,908	10,152
Property, plant and equipment, net	22,096	22,362
Other Assets:
Goodwill	4,294	4,697
Regulatory assets	3,427	2,094
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	882	783
Preferred units – unconsolidated affiliate	363	363
Other non-current assets	225	252
Total other assets	9,191	8,189
Total Assets	36,466	33,471
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	3	24
Current portion of VIE Securitization Bonds long-term debt	215	211
Indexed debt, net	12	15
Current portion of other long-term debt	63	1,669
Indexed debt securities derivative	1,004	953
Accounts payable	797	853
Taxes accrued	203	265
Interest accrued	155	145
Dividends accrued	0	136
Customer deposits	109	119
Non-trading derivative liabilities	0	3
Current liabilities held for sale	472	0
Other current liabilities	336	432
Total current liabilities	3,369	4,825
Other Liabilities:
Deferred income taxes, net	3,698	3,603
Non-trading derivative liabilities	14	27
Benefit obligations	665	680
Regulatory liabilities	3,051	3,448
Other non-current liabilities	946	1,019
Total other liabilities	8,374	8,777
Long-term Debt:
VIE Securitization Bonds, net	424	536
Other long-term debt, net	15,429	10,985
Total long-term debt, net	15,853	11,521
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Shareholders' Equity :
Preferred stock	1,739	2,363
Common stock	6	6
Additional paid-in capital	7,553	6,914
Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit)	(343)	(845)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(85)	(90)
Total shareholders’ equity	8,870	8,348
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	36,466	33,471
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	106	139
Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses	38	23
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	17	15
Other Assets:
Regulatory assets	542	633
Houston Electric
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	120	139
Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses	313	268
Accrued unbilled revenues, less allowance for credit losses	116	113
Accounts and notes receivable–affiliated companies	125	7
Materials and supplies	209	195
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	28	47
Total current assets	911	769
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, plant and equipment	14,296	13,593
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	4,026	3,930
Property, plant and equipment, net	10,270	9,663
Other Assets:
Regulatory assets	803	848
Other non-current assets	33	36
Total other assets	836	884
Total Assets	12,017	11,316
Current Liabilities:
Current portion of VIE Securitization Bonds long-term debt	215	211
Current portion of other long-term debt	0	402
Accounts payable	413	281
Accounts and notes payable–affiliated companies	37	96
Taxes accrued	149	158
Interest accrued	84	71
Other current liabilities	114	117
Total current liabilities	1,012	1,336
Other Liabilities:
Deferred income taxes, net	1,069	1,041
Benefit obligations	75	75
Regulatory liabilities	1,114	1,252
Other non-current liabilities	100	95
Total other liabilities	2,358	2,463
Long-term Debt:
VIE Securitization Bonds, net	424	536
Other long-term debt, net	4,956	3,870
Total long-term debt, net	5,380	4,406
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Shareholders' Equity :
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	2,548	2,548
Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit)	719	563
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Total shareholders’ equity	3,267	3,111
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	12,017	11,316
Houston Electric | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	106	139
Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses	38	23
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	17	15
Other Assets:
Regulatory assets	542	633
CERC Corp
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1	1
Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses	199	233
Accrued unbilled revenues, less allowance for credit losses	80	260
Accounts and notes receivable–affiliated companies	10	8
Natural gas and coal inventory	84	121
Materials and supplies	64	58
Current assets held for sale	1,935	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	241	26
Total current assets	2,614	707
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, plant and equipment	7,519	8,972
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	2,001	2,414
Property, plant and equipment, net	5,518	6,558
Other Assets:
Goodwill	611	757
Regulatory assets	1,598	220
Other non-current assets	38	66
Total other assets	2,247	1,043
Total Assets	10,379	8,308
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	3	24
Accounts payable	226	296
Accounts and notes payable–affiliated companies	44	50
Taxes accrued	55	74
Interest accrued	29	28
Customer deposits	65	76
Current liabilities held for sale	472	0
Other current liabilities	127	178
Total current liabilities	1,021	726
Other Liabilities:
Deferred income taxes, net	619	584
Benefit obligations	83	83
Regulatory liabilities	955	1,226
Other non-current liabilities	582	694
Total other liabilities	2,239	2,587
Long-term Debt:
Total long-term debt, net	4,343	2,428
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Shareholders' Equity :
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	2,046	2,046
Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit)	720	511
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	10	10
Total shareholders’ equity	2,776	2,567
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$ 10,379	$ 8,308

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 136	$ 147
Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses	651	676
Allowance for credit losses	62	52
Accrued unbilled revenues, allowance for credit losses	2	5
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	483	139
Regulatory assets	$ 3,427	$ 2,094
Preferred Stock [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, authorized (in shares)	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, outstanding (in shares)	1,775,903	2,402,400
Preferred stock aggregate liquidation preference	$ 1,776	$ 2,402
Common Stock [Abstract]
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)	592,852,490	551,355,861
Houston Electric
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 120	$ 139
Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses	313	268
Allowance for credit losses	1	1
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	28	47
Regulatory assets	803	848
CERC Corp
Cash and cash equivalents	1	1
Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses	199	233
Allowance for credit losses	55	45
Accrued unbilled revenues, allowance for credit losses	2	4
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	241	26
Regulatory assets	1,598	220
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Cash and cash equivalents	106	139
Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses	38	23
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	17	15
Regulatory assets	542	633
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Houston Electric
Cash and cash equivalents	106	139
Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses	38	23
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	17	15
Regulatory assets	$ 542	$ 633

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Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 614	$ (1,094)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	634	579
Amortization of deferred financing costs	15	15
Amortization of intangible assets in non-utility cost of revenues	0	1
Deferred income taxes	51	(477)
Goodwill impairment and loss from reclassification to held for sale	0	172
Goodwill impairment	0	185
Unrealized loss on marketable securities	(52)	69
Gain on indexed debt securities	51	(59)
Write-down of natural gas inventory	0	3
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated affiliates	(175)	1,432
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	77	109
Pension contributions	(8)	(5)
Changes in other assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net	220	312
Inventory	53	22
Taxes receivable	4	106
Accounts payable	(120)	(221)
Non-trading derivatives, net	(23)	(3)
Margin deposits, net	0	65
Interest and taxes accrued	(48)	14
Net regulatory assets and liabilities	(2,329)	(65)
Other current assets	24	1
Other current liabilities	(76)	(39)
Other non-current assets	0	15
Other non-current liabilities	7	41
Other, net	5	3
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(1,076)	1,181
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(1,383)	(1,278)
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliate in excess of cumulative earnings	0	7
Proceeds from divestitures (Note 3)	0	1,136
Other, net	7	(8)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,376)	(143)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings, net	(27)	19
Proceeds from (payments of) commercial paper, net	225	(1,498)
Proceeds from long-term debt	4,493	299
Payments of long-term debt	(1,960)	(1,032)
Borrowings from revolving credit facilities	0	1,050
Payments of revolving credit facilities	0	(1,050)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(37)	(3)
Payment of dividends on Common Stock	(183)	(227)
Payment of dividends on Preferred Stock	(65)	(66)
Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock, net	0	673
Proceeds from issuance of Series C Preferred Stock, net	0	724
Other, net	(4)	(4)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations	2,442	(1,115)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	(10)	(77)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period	167	271
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period	157	194
Houston Electric
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	156	120
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	302	269
Amortization of deferred financing costs	5	5
Deferred income taxes	(3)	(10)
Changes in other assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net	(56)	(102)
Accounts receivable/payable–affiliated companies	(72)	(6)
Inventory	(14)	(28)
Accounts payable	49	9
Non-trading derivatives, net	0	15
Interest and taxes accrued	4	(2)
Net regulatory assets and liabilities	(142)	(13)
Other current assets	21	16
Other current liabilities	(3)	2
Other non-current assets	9	(1)
Other non-current liabilities	8	12
Other, net	(10)	(8)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	254	278
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(735)	(548)
Decrease (increase) in notes receivable–affiliated companies	(97)	448
Other, net	(5)	(7)
Net cash used in investing activities	(837)	(107)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings, net	0	5
Proceeds from long-term debt	1,096	299
Payments of long-term debt	(510)	(132)
Decrease in notes payable–affiliated companies	(8)	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	(12)	(3)
Dividend to parent	0	(405)
Capital distribution to parent associated with the sale of CES	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations	566	(236)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	(17)	(65)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period	154	235
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period	137	170
CERC Corp
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	209	80
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	160	148
Amortization of deferred financing costs	8	5
Deferred income taxes	24	26
Goodwill impairment and loss from reclassification to held for sale	0	93
Write-down of natural gas inventory	0	3
Changes in other assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net	182	357
Accounts receivable/payable–affiliated companies	(8)	(7)
Inventory	23	52
Accounts payable	(76)	(183)
Non-trading derivatives, net	0	(13)
Margin deposits, net	0	65
Interest and taxes accrued	(13)	(27)
Net regulatory assets and liabilities	(2,004)	2
Other current assets	5	2
Other current liabilities	(33)	(22)
Other non-current assets	(9)	7
Other non-current liabilities	(31)	5
Other, net	0	(6)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(1,563)	587
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(327)	(376)
Decrease (increase) in notes receivable–affiliated companies	0	(9)
Proceeds from divestitures (Note 3)	0	286
Other, net	12	2
Net cash used in investing activities	(315)	(97)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings, net	(27)	14
Proceeds from (payments of) commercial paper, net	217	(145)
Proceeds from long-term debt	1,699	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	(10)	0
Dividend to parent	0	(72)
Capital distribution to parent associated with the sale of CES	0	(286)
Other, net	(1)	(2)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations	1,878	(491)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	0	(1)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period	1	2
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period	$ 1	$ 1

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Condensed Statements of Consolidated Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Series A Preferred Stock	Series B Preferred Stock	Series C Preferred Stock	Preferred Stock	Preferred Stock Series C Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	AOCI Attributable to Parent	Houston Electric	Houston Electric Common Stock	Houston Electric Additional Paid-in Capital	Houston Electric Retained Earnings	Houston Electric AOCI Attributable to Parent	CERC Corp	CERC Corp Common Stock	CERC Corp Additional Paid-in Capital	CERC Corp Retained Earnings	CERC Corp AOCI Attributable to Parent	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment Retained Earnings	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment CERC Corp Retained Earnings
Balance, beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019					2,000,000
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2019					$ 1,740		$ 5	$ 6,080	$ 632	$ (98)		$ 0	$ 2,486	$ 780	$ (15)		$ 0	$ 2,116	$ 515	$ 10	$ (7)	$ (5)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock issued (in shares)						1,000,000	42,000,000
Stock issued						$ 701	$ 0	673
Conversion of Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock					$ 0
Balance, end of period (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2020					3,000,000
Balance, beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019							502,000,000					1,000					1,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuances related to benefit and investment plans (in shares)							1,000,000
Issuances related to benefit and investment plans							$ 0	16
Recognition of beneficial conversion feature	$ 32							32			$ 0					$ 0
Capital distribution to parent associated with the sale of CES											0					286		(286)
Other																		(1)
Net income (Loss)	(1,094)								(1,094)		120			120		80			80
Common Stock dividends declared (see Note 19)									(227)
Preferred Stock dividends declared (see Note 19)									(66)
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature	(9)								(9)		0					0
Dividend to parent														(405)					(72)
Other comprehensive income (loss)										14					15
Balance, end of period (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2020							545,000,000					1,000					1,000
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2020	8,392				$ 2,441		$ 5	6,801	(771)	(84)	2,981	$ 0	2,486	495	0	2,357	$ 0	1,829	518	10
Balance, beginning of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020					2,000,000
Balance, beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2020					$ 1,740		$ 5	6,086	(761)	(100)		$ 0	2,486	428	(15)		$ 0	2,116	545	10	0	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock issued (in shares)						1,000,000	42,000,000
Stock issued						$ 701	$ 0	673
Conversion of Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock					$ 0
Balance, end of period (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2020					3,000,000
Balance, beginning of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020							502,000,000					1,000					1,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuances related to benefit and investment plans (in shares)							1,000,000
Issuances related to benefit and investment plans							$ 0	10
Recognition of beneficial conversion feature								32
Capital distribution to parent associated with the sale of CES											0					286		(286)
Other																		(1)
Net income (Loss)	105								105		87			87		13			13
Common Stock dividends declared (see Note 19)									(82)
Preferred Stock dividends declared (see Note 19)									(24)
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature	(9)								(9)
Dividend to parent														(20)					(40)
Other comprehensive income (loss)										16					15
Balance, end of period (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2020							545,000,000					1,000					1,000
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2020	$ 8,392				$ 2,441		$ 5	6,801	(771)	(84)	2,981	$ 0	2,486	495	0	2,357	$ 0	1,829	518	10
Balance, beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020	2,402,400	800,000	977,400	625,000	3,000,000
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 8,348				$ 2,363		$ 6	6,914	(845)	(90)	3,111	$ 0	2,548	563	0	2,567	$ 0	2,046	511	10	0	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock issued (in shares)						0	41,000,000
Stock issued						$ 0	$ 0	624
Conversion of Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock					$ (624)
Balance, end of period (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2021	1,775,903	800,000	975,903	0	3,000,000
Balance, beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020	551,355,861						551,000,000					1,000					1,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuances related to benefit and investment plans (in shares)							1,000,000
Issuances related to benefit and investment plans							$ 0	15
Recognition of beneficial conversion feature	$ 0							0			0					0
Capital distribution to parent associated with the sale of CES											0					0		0
Other																		0
Net income (Loss)	614								614		156			156		209			209
Common Stock dividends declared (see Note 19)									(95)
Preferred Stock dividends declared (see Note 19)									(17)
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature	$ 0								0		0					0
Dividend to parent														0					0
Other comprehensive income (loss)										5					0
Balance, end of period (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2021	592,852,490						593,000,000					1,000					1,000
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2021	$ 8,870				$ 1,739		$ 6	7,553	(343)	(85)	3,267	$ 0	2,548	719	0	2,776	$ 0	2,046	720	10
Balance, beginning of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2021					3,000,000
Balance, beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2021					$ 2,363		$ 6	6,916	(482)	(87)		$ 0	2,548	616	0		$ 0	2,046	662	10	$ 0	$ 0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock issued (in shares)						0	41,000,000
Stock issued						$ 0	$ 0	624
Conversion of Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock					$ (624)
Balance, end of period (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2021	1,775,903	800,000	975,903	0	3,000,000
Balance, beginning of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2021							552,000,000					1,000					1,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuances related to benefit and investment plans (in shares)							0
Issuances related to benefit and investment plans							$ 0	13
Recognition of beneficial conversion feature								0
Capital distribution to parent associated with the sale of CES											0					0		0
Other																		0
Net income (Loss)	$ 251								251		103			103		58			58
Common Stock dividends declared (see Note 19)									(95)
Preferred Stock dividends declared (see Note 19)									(17)
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature	$ 0								0
Dividend to parent														0					0
Other comprehensive income (loss)										2					0
Balance, end of period (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2021	592,852,490						593,000,000					1,000					1,000
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2021	$ 8,870				$ 1,739		$ 6	$ 7,553	$ (343)	$ (85)	$ 3,267	$ 0	$ 2,548	$ 719	$ 0	$ 2,776	$ 0	$ 2,046	$ 720	$ 10

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Condensed Statements of Consolidated Changes in Equity (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, authorized (in shares)	20,000,000	20,000,000
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
Series C Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Series B Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	0.01	0.01
Series A Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01

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Background and Basis of Presentation

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Background and Basis of Presentation

Background and Basis of Presentation

General. 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 or the subsidiaries of CenterPoint Energy other than itself or its subsidiaries.

Except as discussed in the last paragraph in Note 12 to the Registrants’ Interim Condensed 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.

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 Interim Condensed Financial Statements are unaudited, omit certain financial statement disclosures and should be read with the Registrants’ financial statements included in the Registrants’ combined 2020 Form 10-K. The Combined Notes to Interim Condensed Financial Statements apply to all Registrants and specific references to Houston Electric and CERC herein also pertain to CenterPoint Energy, unless otherwise indicated.

Background. CenterPoint Energy, Inc. is a public utility holding company and owns interests in Enable, a publicly traded MLP, as described below. As of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy’s operating subsidiaries reported as continuing operations were as follows:

•Houston Electric provides electric transmission service to transmission service customers in the ERCOT region and distribution service to REPs serving the Texas Gulf Coast area that includes the city of Houston.

•CERC (i) owns and operates natural gas distribution systems in six states; (ii) owns and operates permanent pipeline connections through interconnects with various interstate and intrastate pipeline companies through CEIP; and (iii) provides temporary delivery of LNG and CNG throughout the contiguous 48 states through MES.

•Vectren holds three public utilities through its wholly-owned subsidiary, VUHI, a public utility holding company:

•Indiana Gas provides energy delivery services to natural gas customers located in central and southern Indiana;

•SIGECO provides energy delivery services to electric and natural gas customers located in and near Evansville in southwestern Indiana and owns and operates electric generation assets to serve its electric customers and optimizes those assets in the wholesale power market; and

•VEDO provides energy delivery services to natural gas customers located in and near Dayton in west-central Ohio.

•Vectren performs non-utility activities through ESG, which provides energy performance contracting and sustainable infrastructure services, such as renewables, distributed generation and combined heat and power projects.

On April 29, 2021, CenterPoint Energy, through its subsidiary CERC Corp., entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to sell its Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses. See Note 3 for further information.

As of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy’s reportable segments were Electric, Natural Gas and Midstream Investments. Houston Electric and CERC each consist of a single reportable segment. For a description of CenterPoint Energy’s reportable segments, see Note 16.

As of June 30, 2021, CNP Midstream owned approximately 53.7% of the common units representing limited partner interests in Enable, which owns, operates and develops natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets; CNP Midstream also owned 50% of the management rights and 40% of the incentive distribution rights in Enable GP. On February 16, 2021, Enable entered into the Enable Merger Agreement. At the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Enable Merger Agreement, if and when it occurs, Energy Transfer will acquire all of Enable’s outstanding equity interests, including all Enable common units and Enable Series A Preferred Units held by CenterPoint Energy, and in return CenterPoint Energy will receive Energy Transfer common units and Energy Transfer Series G Preferred Units. For additional information regarding CenterPoint Energy’s interest in Enable, including the 14,520,000 Enable Series A Preferred Units directly owned by CenterPoint Energy, and the Enable Merger, see Note 9.

As of June 30, 2021, 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 solely 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 payable only 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 the Registrants’ 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, (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 reportable segment presentation described in the 2020 Form 10-K.

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New Accounting Pronouncements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting PronouncementsManagement believes that recently adopted and recently issued accounting 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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Held for Sale and Divestitures (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Held for Sale and Divestitures (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

Held for Sale and Divestitures (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

Held for Sale. On April 29, 2021, CenterPoint Energy, through its subsidiary CERC Corp., entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to sell its Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses for $2.15 billion in cash, including recovery of approximately $425 million of storm-related incremental natural gas costs incurred in the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, subject to certain adjustments set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement. The assets include approximately 17,000 miles of main pipeline in Arkansas, Oklahoma and certain portions of Bowie County, Texas serving more than half a million customers. The Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses are reflected in CenterPoint Energy’s Natural Gas reportable segment and CERC’s single reportable segment, as applicable. Filings were made on June 11, 2021 to the APSC and June 24, 2021 to the OCC requesting approval of the transaction. The transaction is anticipated to close by the end of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, including Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust clearance and state regulatory approvals. As announced in December 2020, CenterPoint Energy’s business strategy incorporated the Business Review and Evaluation Committee’s recommendations to increase its planned capital expenditures in its electric and natural gas businesses to support rate base growth and sell certain of its Natural Gas businesses located in Arkansas and Oklahoma as a means to efficiently finance a portion of such increased capital expenditures, among other recommendations.

In April 2021, certain assets and liabilities representing the Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses met the held for sale criteria. The sale will be considered an asset sale for tax purposes, requiring net deferred tax liabilities to be excluded from held for sale balances. The deferred taxes associated with the businesses will be recognized as a deferred income tax benefit by CenterPoint Energy and CERC upon closing.

The Registrants record assets and liabilities held for sale at the lower of their carrying value or their estimated fair value less cost to sell. Neither CenterPoint Energy nor CERC recognized any gains or losses upon classification of held for sale during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. See Note 10 for further information about the allocation of goodwill to the businesses to be disposed.

The assets and liabilities of the Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses classified as held for sale in CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, as applicable, included the following:

	June 30, 2021
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions)
Receivables, net	$	28	$	28
Accrued unbilled revenues	14		14
Natural gas inventory	20		20
Materials and supplies	8		8
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,238		1,238
Goodwill	403		146
Regulatory assets	386		386
Other	95		95
Total current assets held for sale	$	2,192	$	1,935
Short term borrowings (1)	$	14	$	14
Accounts payable	20		20
Taxes accrued	5		5
Customer deposits	12		12
Regulatory liabilities	286		286
Other	135		135
Total current liabilities held for sale	$	472	$	472

(1)Represents third-party AMAs associated with utility distribution service in Arkansas and Oklahoma. These transactions are accounted for as an inventory financing. For further information, see Note 12.

Although the Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses met the held for sale criteria, their disposals do not represent a strategic shift to CenterPoint Energy and CERC as both will retain significant operations in, and will continue to invest in, their natural gas businesses. Therefore, the assets and liabilities associated with these transactions are not reflected as discontinued operations on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, as applicable, and the December 31, 2020 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were not required to be recast for assets held for sale. Since the depreciation on the Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas assets will continue to be reflected in revenues through customer rates until the expected closing of the transaction and will be reflected in the carryover basis of the rate-regulated assets once sold, CenterPoint Energy and CERC will continue to record depreciation on those assets through the expected closing of the transaction.

The pre-tax income for the Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses, excluding interest and corporate allocations, included in CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income is as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	$	10	$	8	$	62	$	60

Divestiture of Infrastructure Services and Energy Services (CenterPoint Energy and CERC). CenterPoint Energy completed the sale of the Infrastructure Services Disposal Group on April 9, 2020 for $850 million and collected a receivable of $4 million from PowerTeam Services in January 2021 for full and final settlement of the working capital adjustment in the Securities Purchase Agreement. CenterPoint Energy, through its subsidiary CERC Corp., completed the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group on June 1, 2020 for $286 million in cash and collected a receivable for $79 million in October 2020 for full and final settlement of the working capital adjustment. The earnings and expenses directly associated with these dispositions for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 are reflected as discontinued operations on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income through the closing of the transactions, as applicable.

A summary of the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups presented in CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, as applicable, is as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy						CERC
	Infrastructure Services Disposal Group		Energy Services Disposal Group		Total		Energy Services Disposal Group
	(in millions)
Revenues	$	28	$	281	$	309	$	281
Expenses:
Non-utility cost of revenues	6		300		306		300
Operation and maintenance	21		14		35		14
Taxes other than income taxes	—		2		2		2
Total	27		316		343		316
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	1		(35)		(34)		(35)
Gain on sale, net	3		39		42		39
Income tax expense	30		8		38		8
Net loss from discontinued operations	$	(26)	$	(4)	$	(30)	$	(4)

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy						CERC
	Infrastructure Services Disposal Group		Energy Services Disposal Group		Total		Energy Services Disposal Group
	(in millions)
Revenues	$	250	$	1,167	$	1,417	$	1,167
Expenses:
Non-utility cost of revenues	50		1,108		1,158		1,108
Operation and maintenance	184		34		218		34
Taxes other than income taxes	1		3		4		3
Total	235		1,145		1,380		1,145
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	15		22		37		22
Loss on classification to held for sale, net (1)	(93)		(99)		(192)		(93)
Income tax expense (benefit)	25		(4)		21		(3)
Net loss from discontinued operations	$	(103)	$	(73)	$	(176)	$	(68)

(1)Loss from classification to held for sale is inclusive of goodwill impairment, gains and losses recognized upon sale, and for CenterPoint Energy, its costs to sell.

CenterPoint Energy and CERC have elected not to separately disclose discontinued operations on their respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows. The following table summarizes CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s cash flows from discontinued operations and certain supplemental cash flow disclosures related to the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups, as applicable:

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy				CERC
	Infrastructure Services Disposal Group		Energy Services Disposal Group		Energy Services Disposal Group
	(in millions)
Write-down of natural gas inventory	$	—	$	3	$	3
Capital expenditures	16		1		1
Non-cash transactions:
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures	2		4		4

Other Sale Related Matters (CenterPoint Energy and CERC). CES provided natural gas supply to CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas under contracts executed in a competitive bidding process, with the duration of some contracts extending into 2021. In addition, CERC is the natural gas transportation provider for a portion of CES’s customer base and will continue to be the transportation provider for these customers as long as these customers retain a relationship with the divested CES business.

Transactions between CES and CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas businesses that were previously eliminated in consolidation have been reflected in continuing operations until June 1, 2020, which was the date of closing of the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group. Revenues and expenses included in continuing operations were as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions)
Transportation revenue	$	18	$	18
Natural gas expense	3		3
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions)
Transportation revenue	$	34	$	34
Natural gas expense	48		47

In the normal course of business prior to June 1, 2020, the Energy Services Disposal Group through CES traded natural gas under supply contracts and entered into natural gas related transactions under transportation, storage and other contracts. In connection with the Energy Services Disposal Group’s business activities prior to the closing of the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group on June 1, 2020, CERC Corp. issued guarantees to certain of CES’s counterparties to guarantee the payment of CES’s obligations. For further information, see Note 14.

Natural Gas had AMAs associated with their utility distribution service in Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma with the Energy Services Disposal Group which expired in March 2021. The expired AMAs were replaced with new third-party AMAs beginning in April 2021. CenterPoint Energy and CERC had outstanding obligations related to the AMAs with the Energy Services Disposal Group of $-0- and $24 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

The Infrastructure Services Disposal Group provided pipeline construction and repair services to CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas. In accordance with consolidation guidance in ASC 980—Regulated Operations, costs incurred by Natural Gas utilities for these pipeline construction and repair services are not eliminated in consolidation when capitalized and included in rate base by the Natural Gas utility. Amounts charged for these services that are not capitalized are included primarily in Operation and maintenance expenses.

Fees incurred by CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas segment for pipeline construction and repair services are as follows:

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions)
Pipeline construction and repair services capitalized	$	34	$	—
Pipeline construction and repair service charges in operations and maintenance expense	1		1

(1)Represents charges for the period from January 1, 2020 until the closing of the sale of the Infrastructure Services Disposal Group.

In the Securities Purchase Agreement, CenterPoint Energy agreed to a mechanism to reimburse PowerTeam Services subsequent to closing of the sale for certain amounts of specifically identified change orders that may be ultimately rejected by one of VISCO’s customers as part of on-going audits. CenterPoint Energy’s maximum contractual exposure under the Securities Purchase Agreement, in addition to the amount reflected in the working capital adjustment, for these change orders is $21 million. 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. CenterPoint Energy anticipates this matter will be resolved in 2021.

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Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Credit Losses

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Credit Losses

Revenues from Contracts with Customers

In accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, 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. The revenues and related balances in the following tables exclude operating revenues and balances from the Energy Services Disposal Group and the Infrastructure Services Disposal Group, which are reflected as discontinued operations prior to the date of closing of each transaction. See Note 3 for further information. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year reportable segment presentation described in the Registrants’ combined 2020 Form 10-K.

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.

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

CenterPoint Energy

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2021
	Electric		Natural Gas		Corporate  and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	933	$	718	$	64	$	1,715
Other (1)	4		22		1		27
Total revenues	$	937	$	740	$	65	$	1,742
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
	Electric		Natural Gas		Corporate  and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	1,766	$	2,373	$	117	$	4,256
Other (1)	1		30		2		33
Total revenues	$	1,767	$	2,403	$	119	$	4,289

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
	Electric		Natural Gas		Corporate  and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	850	$	634	$	82	$	1,566
Other (1)	(2)		10		1		9
Total revenues	$	848	$	644	$	83	$	1,575
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
	Electric		Natural Gas		Corporate  and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	1,617	$	1,930	$	160	$	3,707
Other (1)	(2)		35		2		35
Total revenues	$	1,615	$	1,965	$	162	$	3,742

(1)Primarily consists of income from ARPs, weather hedge gains (losses) and leases. Total lease income was $2 million and $1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $4 million and $2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Houston Electric

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	791	$	722	$	1,478	$	1,360
Other (1)	(5)		(2)		(8)		(6)
Total revenues	$	786	$	720	$	1,470	$	1,354

(1)Primarily consists of income from ARPs and leases. Lease income was not significant for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.

CERC

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	558	$	472	$	1,730	$	1,456
Other (1)	16		11		21		38
Total revenues	$	574	$	483	$	1,751	$	1,494

(1)Primarily consists of income from ARPs, weather hedge gains (losses) and leases. Lease income was not significant for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.

Revenues from Contracts with Customers

Electric (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric). Houston Electric distributes electricity to customers over time and customers consume the electricity when delivered. Indiana Electric generates, distributes and transmits electricity to customers over time, and customers consume the electricity when delivered. Revenue, consisting of both volumetric and fixed tariff rates set by state regulators, such as the PUCT and the IURC, 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 provided by Houston Electric 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 regulator. Payments are received on a monthly basis. Indiana Electric customers are billed monthly and payment terms, set by the regulator, require payment within a month of billing.

Natural Gas (CenterPoint Energy and CERC). CenterPoint Energy and CERC distribute and transport 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.

Contract Balances. When the timing of delivery of service is different from the timing of the payments made by customers and when the right to consideration is conditioned on something other than the passage of time, the Registrants recognize either a contract asset (performance precedes billing) or a contract liability (customer payment precedes performance). Those customers that prepay are represented by contract liabilities until the performance obligations are satisfied. The Registrants’ contract assets are included in Accrued unbilled revenues in their Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy’s contract assets primarily relate to ESG contracts where revenue is recognized using the input method. The Registrants’ contract liabilities are included in Accounts payable and Other current liabilities in their Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy’s contract liabilities primarily relate to ESG contracts where revenue is recognized using the input method.

The opening and closing balances of accounts receivable related to ASC 606 revenues, other accrued unbilled revenue, contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers from continuing operations as of December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2021, respectively, are presented below. The closing balances as of June 30, 2021 for CenterPoint Energy and CERC have been updated to exclude amounts reflected as held for sale on their respective Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

CenterPoint Energy

	Accounts Receivable		Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues		Contract Assets		Contract Liabilities
	(in millions)
Opening balance as of December 31, 2020	$	604	$	505	$	27	$	18
Closing balance as of June 30, 2021	505		272		24		22
Increase (decrease)	$	(99)	$	(233)	$	(3)	$	4

The amount of revenue recognized in the six-month period ended June 30, 2021 that was included in the opening contract liability was $15 million. The difference between the opening and closing balances of the contract liabilities primarily results from the timing difference between CenterPoint Energy’s performance and the customer’s payment.

Houston Electric

	Accounts Receivable		Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues		Contract Liabilities
	(in millions)
Opening balance as of December 31, 2020	$	225	$	113	$	3
Closing balance as of June 30, 2021	260		116		6
Increase	$	35	$	3	$	3

The amount of revenue recognized in the six-month period ended June 30, 2021 that was included in the opening contract liability was $2 million. The difference between the opening and closing balances of the contract liabilities primarily results from the timing difference between Houston Electric’s performance and the customer’s payment.

CERC

	Accounts Receivable		Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues
	(in millions)
Opening balance as of December 31, 2020	$	214	$	261
Closing balance as of June 30, 2021	114		81
Decrease	$	(100)	$	(180)

CERC does not have any opening or closing contract asset or contract liability balances.

Remaining Performance Obligations (CenterPoint Energy). The table below discloses (1) the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of the end of the reporting period for contracts and (2) when CenterPoint Energy expects to recognize this revenue. Such contracts include energy performance and sustainable infrastructure services contracts of ESG, which are included in Corporate and Other.

	Rolling 12 Months		Thereafter		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue expected to be recognized on contracts in place as of June 30, 2021:
Corporate and Other	$	253	$	538	$	791
	$	253	$	538	$	791

Practical Expedients and Exemption. Sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers are excluded from the transaction price. For contracts for which revenue from the satisfaction of the performance obligations is recognized in the amount invoiced, the practical expedient was elected and revenue expected to be recognized on these contracts has not been disclosed.

Allowance for Credit Losses

CenterPoint Energy and CERC segregate financial assets that fall under the scope of Topic 326, primarily trade receivables due in one year or less, into portfolio segments based on shared risk characteristics, such as geographical location and regulatory environment, for evaluation of expected credit losses. Historical and current information, such as average write-offs, are applied to each portfolio segment to estimate the allowance for losses on uncollectible receivables. Additionally, the allowance for losses on uncollectible receivables is adjusted for reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions, which can include changing weather, commodity prices, regulations, and macroeconomic factors, among others. Houston Electric recognizes losses on financial assets that fall under the scope of Topic 326. Losses on financial assets are primarily recoverable through regulatory mechanisms and do not materially impact Houston Electric's allowance for credit losses. For a discussion of regulatory deferrals related to COVID-19 and the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, see Note 6.

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Employee Benefit Plans

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans

The Registrants’ net periodic cost (benefit), 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 June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	10	$	12	$	20	$	22
Interest cost (2)	14		19		29		38
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(26)		(29)		(52)		(57)
Amortization of prior service cost (2)	—		—		—		—
Amortization of net loss (2)	10		11		19		21
Settlement cost (benefit) (2) (3)	(1)		1		(1)		1
Net periodic cost	$	7	$	14	$	15	$	25

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

(2)Amounts presented in the table above are included in Other income (expense), net in CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, net of regulatory deferrals.

(3)A one-time, non-cash settlement cost (benefit) is required when the total lump sum distributions or other settlements of plan benefit obligations during a plan year exceed the service cost and interest cost components of the net periodic cost for that year. In each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, CenterPoint Energy recognized non-cash settlement costs (benefits) due to lump sum settlement payments from Vectren pension plans.

Postretirement Benefits

	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	—	$	—	$	1	$	1	$	—	$	—
Interest cost (2)	2		1		—		3		2		1
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(1)		(1)		—		(2)		(1)		—
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (2)	(1)		(1)		—		(1)		(2)		—
Net periodic cost (benefit)	$	—	$	(1)	$	1	$	1	$	(1)	$	1
	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	1	$	—	$	1	$	1	$	—	$	—
Interest cost (2)	4		2		1		6		3		2
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(2)		(2)		—		(3)		(2)		—
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (2)	(2)		(2)		—		(2)		(3)		—
Net periodic cost (benefit)	$	1	$	(2)	$	2	$	2	$	(2)	$	2

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

The table below reflects the expected contributions to be made to the pension and postretirement benefit plans during 2021:

	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Expected minimum contribution to pension plans during 2021	$	61	$	—	$	—
Expected contribution to postretirement benefit plans in 2021	9		1		3

On March 11, 2021, the ARPA was signed into law which includes pension plan funding relief for the sponsoring employers. As a result, the required minimum contribution to pension plans for 2021 has been significantly reduced. However, CenterPoint Energy elects to maintain the same level of funding previously planned for 2021, and therefore, the expected minimum contribution amount does not reflect this funding relief available for 2021.

The table below reflects the contributions made to the pension and postretirement benefit plans during 2021:

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2021						Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Pension plans	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	8	$	—	$	—
Postretirement benefit plans	1		—		1		4		—		2

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Regulatory Matters

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Other Disclosures [Abstract]

Regulatory Matters

Regulatory Matters

Equity Return

The Registrants are at times allowed by a regulator to defer an equity return as part of the recoverable carrying costs of a regulatory asset. A deferred equity return is capitalized for rate-making purposes, but it is not included in the Registrant’s regulatory assets on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The allowed equity return is recognized in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income as it is recovered in rates. The recoverable allowed equity return not yet recognized by the Registrants is as follows:

	June 30, 2021						December 31, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy (1)		Houston Electric (2)		CERC (3)		CenterPoint Energy (1)		Houston Electric (2)		CERC (3)
	(in millions)
Allowed equity return not recognized	$	217	$	121	$	14	$	229	$	137	$	13

(1)In addition to the amounts described in (2) and (3) below, CenterPoint Energy’s allowed equity return on post in-service carrying cost generally associated with investments in Indiana.

(2)Represents Houston Electric’s allowed equity return on its true-up balance of stranded costs, other changes and related interest resulting from the formerly integrated electric utilities prior to Texas deregulation to be recovered in rates through 2024 and certain storm restoration balances pending recovery in the next rate proceeding. The actual amounts recognized are adjusted at least annually to correct any over-collections or under-collections during the preceding 12 months.

(3)CERC’s allowed equity return on post in-service carrying cost associated with certain distribution facilities replacements expenditures in Texas.

The table below reflects the amount of allowed equity return recognized by each Registrant in its Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income:

	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Allowed equity return recognized	$	11	$	11	$	—	$	8	$	8	$	—
	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
Allowed equity return recognized	$	19	$	18	$	—	$	14	$	14	$	—

February 2021 Winter Storm Event

In February 2021, certain of the Registrants’ jurisdictions experienced an extreme and unprecedented winter weather event that resulted in prolonged freezing temperatures, which impacted their businesses. In Texas, the February 2021 Winter Storm Event caused an electricity generation shortage that was severely disruptive to Houston Electric’s service territory and the wholesale generation market. While demand for electricity reached extraordinary levels due to the extreme cold, the supply of electricity significantly decreased in part because of the inability of certain power generation facilities to supply electric power to the grid. Houston Electric does not own or operate any electric generation facilities. It transmits and distributes to customers of REPs electric power that the REPs obtain from power generation facilities owned by third parties. ERCOT serves as the independent system operator and regional reliability coordinator for member electric power systems in most of Texas. To comply with ERCOT’s orders, Houston Electric implemented controlled outages across its service territory, resulting in a substantial number of businesses and residents being without power, many for extended periods of time, in compliance with ERCOT’s directives as an emergency procedure to avoid prolonged large-scale state-wide blackouts and long-term damage to the electric system in Texas. In anticipation of this weather event, Houston Electric implemented its emergency operations

plan’s processes and procedures necessary to respond to such events, including establishing an incident command center and calling for mutual assistance from other utilities where needed, among other measures. Throughout the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, Houston Electric remained in contact with its regulators and stakeholders, including federal, state and local officials, as well as the PUCT and ERCOT.

The February 2021 Winter Storm Event also impacted wholesale prices of CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s natural gas purchases and their ability to serve customers in their Natural Gas service territories, including due to the reduction in available natural gas capacity and impacts to CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s natural gas supply portfolio activities, and the effects of weather on their systems and their ability to transport natural gas, among other things. The overall natural gas market, including the markets from which CenterPoint Energy and CERC sourced a significant portion of their natural gas for their operations, experienced significant impacts caused by the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, resulting in extraordinary increases in the price of natural gas purchased by CenterPoint Energy and CERC.

On February 13, 2021, the Railroad Commission authorized each Texas natural gas distribution utility to record in a regulatory asset the extraordinary expenses associated with the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, including, but not limited to, natural gas cost and other costs related to the procurement and transportation of natural gas supply, subject to recovery in future regulatory proceedings. The Texas governor signed legislation in June 2021 that authorizes the Railroad Commission to use securitization financing and the issuance of customer rate relief bonds for recovery of extraordinary natural gas costs incurred by natural gas utilities as a result of the February 2021 Winter Storm Event. In addition, CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas utilities in jurisdictions outside of Texas deferred under-recovered natural gas cost as regulatory assets under existing recovery mechanisms and are seeking recovery of the increased cost of natural gas. As of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy and CERC have recorded current regulatory assets of $325 million and $222 million included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets, respectively, and non-current regulatory assets of $1,774 million and $1,763 million, respectively, associated with the February 2021 Winter Storm Event.

Amounts for the under recovery of natural gas costs are reflected in regulatory assets and are probable of recovery; however, the timing of recovery for the estimated incremental natural gas cost attributable to the February 2021 Winter Storm Event within each regulatory asset remains uncertain in some jurisdictions. Recovery of natural gas costs within the regulatory assets are subject to customary regulatory prudency reviews in all jurisdictions that may impact the amounts ultimately recovered. For example, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and Department of Commerce have proposed significant disallowances for all natural gas utilities, resulting in a potential disallowance of up to approximately $290 million for CenterPoint Energy and CERC. The natural gas costs in Minnesota were incurred in accordance with the plan on file with the MPUC and remain probable of recovery. Additionally, due to the uncertainty of timing and method of recovery in some jurisdictions, CenterPoint Energy and CERC may not earn a return on amounts deferred in the regulatory assets associated with the February 2021 Winter Storm Event.

On February 21, 2021, in response to the 2021 February Winter Storm Event, the PUCT issued an order prohibiting REPs from sending a request to TDUs to disconnect such REPs’ customers for non-payment, effective February 21, 2021. As a result of this order, Houston Electric did not execute any requests for disconnection from any REPs until the PUCT issues orders for disconnects to resume. In June 2021, the PUCT issued an updated order relating to disconnections and REPs resumed the distribution of disconnection notices thereafter. As of June 30, 2021, as authorized by the PUCT, CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric recorded a regulatory asset of $8 million for bad debt expenses resulting from REPs’ default on their obligation to pay delivery charges to Houston Electric net of collateral. Additionally, as of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric recorded a regulatory asset of $12 million to defer operations and maintenance costs associated with the February 2021 Winter Storm Event.

See Notes 12 and 14(d) for further information regarding debt financing transactions and litigation related to the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, respectively.

COVID-19 Regulatory Matters

Governors, public utility commissions and other authorities in the states in which the Registrants operate issued a number of different orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including orders addressing customer non-payment and disconnection. Although the disconnect moratoriums have expired or are set to expire in the third quarter of 2021 in the Registrants’ service territories, CenterPoint Energy continues to support those customers who may need payment assistance, arrangements or extensions.

The COVID-19 ERP allows program expenses to be recovered in rates. CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s COVID-19 ERP regulatory assets were $-0- as of June 30, 2021 and $6 million as of December 31, 2020.

Commissions in all of Indiana Electric’s and CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas service territories have either (1) issued orders to record a regulatory asset for incremental bad debt expenses related to COVID-19, including costs associated with the suspension of disconnections and payment plans or (2) provided authority to recover bad debt expense through an existing tracking mechanism. CenterPoint Energy and CERC have recorded estimated incremental uncollectible receivables to the associated regulatory asset of $28 million and $26 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2021 and $22 million and $19 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2020.

In some of the states in which the Registrants operate, public utility commissions have authorized utilities to employ deferred accounting authority for certain COVID-19 related costs which ensure the safety and health of customers, employees, and contractors, that would not have been incurred in the normal course of business. CERC’s Natural Gas service territories in Minnesota and Arkansas will include any offsetting savings in the deferral. Other jurisdictions where the Registrants operate may require them to offset the deferral with savings as well. The Arkansas FRP, filed on April 5, 2021, included a request for (1) the regulatory asset as of September 30, 2020 in working capital for the 2021 historical year using a thirteen-month average of the asset balance; (2) the regulatory asset as of September 30, 2020 in working capital for the 2021 projected year using a thirteen-month average of the asset balance; and (3) the amortization of the balance over the 2021 projected year twelve-month period beginning October 1, 2021. The Mississippi RRA, filed on April 30, 2021, included the unamortized balance of the regulatory asset as of December 31, 2020 in rate base per Docket No. 2018-AD-141 Order Authorizing Utility Response and Accounting for COVID-19.

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Derivative Instruments

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments

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 swaps and options to mitigate the impact of changes in commodity prices, weather and interest rates on operating results and cash flows.

(a)Non-Trading Activities

Commodity Derivative Instruments (CenterPoint Energy). CenterPoint Energy, through the Indiana Utilities, enters into certain derivative instruments to mitigate the effects of commodity price movements. Outstanding derivative instruments designated as economic hedges at the Indiana Utilities hedge long-term variable rate natural gas purchases. The Indiana Utilities have authority to refund and recover mark-to-market gains and losses associated with hedging natural gas purchases, and thus the gains and losses on derivatives are deferred in a regulatory liability or asset.

Interest Rate Risk Derivative Instruments. From time to time, the Registrants may enter into interest rate derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges or accounted for as economic hedges. The objective of these hedges is to offset risk associated with interest rates borne by the Registrants in connection with an anticipated future fixed rate debt offering or other exposure to variable rate debt. The Indiana Utilities have authority to refund and recover mark-to-market gains and losses associated with hedging financing activity, and thus the gains and losses on derivatives are deferred in a regulatory liability or asset.

The table below summarizes the Registrants’ outstanding interest rate hedging activity:

	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
Hedging Classification	Notional Principal
	(in millions)
Economic hedge (1)	$	84	$	84

(1)Relates to interest rate derivative instruments at SIGECO.

Weather Hedges (CenterPoint Energy and CERC). CenterPoint Energy and CERC have weather normalization or other rate mechanisms that largely mitigate the impact of weather on Natural Gas in Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Minnesota, Ohio and Oklahoma, as applicable. CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas in Texas and CenterPoint Energy’s electric operations in Texas and Indiana do not have such mechanisms, although fixed customer charges are historically higher in Texas for Natural Gas compared to its other jurisdictions. As a result, fluctuations from normal weather may have a positive or negative effect on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas’ results in Texas and on CenterPoint Energy’s electric operations’ results in its Texas and Indiana service territories. The Registrants do not currently enter into weather hedges.

(b)Derivative Fair Values and Income Statement Impacts

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

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments and Hedged Items (CenterPoint Energy)

		June 30, 2021				December 31, 2020
	Balance Sheet Location	Derivative Assets Fair Value		Derivative Liabilities Fair Value		Derivative Liabilities Fair Value
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:		(in millions)
Natural gas derivatives (1)	Current Assets: Non-trading derivative assets	$	6	$	—	$	—
Natural gas derivatives (1)	Other Assets: Other non-current assets	1		—		—
Natural gas derivatives (2)	Current Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	—		—		3
Natural gas derivatives (2)	Other Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	—		—		7
Interest rate derivatives	Other Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	—		14		20
Indexed debt securities derivative (3)	Current Liabilities	—		1,004		953
Total		$	7	$	1,018	$	983

(1)Natural gas contracts are subject to master netting arrangements. This netting applies to all undisputed amounts due or past due. However, the mark-to-market fair value of each natural gas contract is in an asset position with no offsetting amounts.

(2)Natural gas contracts are subject to master netting arrangements. This netting applies to all undisputed amounts due or past due. However, the mark-to-market fair value of each natural gas contract is in a liability position with no offsetting amounts.

(3)Derivative component of the ZENS obligation that represents the ZENS holder’s option to receive the appreciated value of the reference shares at maturity. See Note 11 for further information.

Income Statement Impact of Hedge Accounting Activity (CenterPoint Energy)

		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended  June 30,
	Income Statement Location	2021		2020		2021		2020
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:		(in millions)
Indexed debt securities derivative (1)	Gain (loss) on indexed debt securities	$	(77)	$	(76)	$	(51)	$	59
Total		$	(77)	$	(76)	$	(51)	$	59

(1)The indexed debt securities derivative is recorded at fair value and changes in the fair value are recorded in CenterPoint Energy’s Statements of Consolidated Income.

(c) Credit Risk Contingent Features (CenterPoint Energy)

Certain of CenterPoint Energy’s derivative instruments contain provisions that require CenterPoint Energy’s debt to maintain an investment grade credit rating on its long-term unsecured unsubordinated debt from S&P and Moody’s. If CenterPoint Energy’s debt were to fall below investment grade, it would be in violation of these provisions, and the counterparties to the derivative instruments could request immediate payment.

	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions)
Aggregate fair value of derivatives with credit-risk-related contingent features in a liability position	$	14	$	20
Fair value of collateral already posted	7		7
Additional collateral required to be posted if credit risk contingent features triggered (1)	7		3

(1)The maximum collateral required if further escalating collateral is triggered would equal the net liability position.

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Fair Value Measurements

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

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.

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, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. 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.

The Registrants determine the appropriate level for each financial asset and liability on a quarterly basis.

The following tables present information about the Registrants’ assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Registrants to determine such fair value.

CenterPoint Energy

	June 30, 2021								December 31, 2020
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets	(in millions)
Corporate equities	$	926	$	—	$	—	$	926	$	873	$	—	$	—	$	873
Investments, including money market funds (1)	42		—		—		42		43		—		—		43
Natural gas derivatives	—		7		—		7		—		—		—		—
Total assets	$	968	$	7	$	—	$	975	$	916	$	—	$	—	$	916
Liabilities
Indexed debt securities derivative	$	—	$	1,004	$	—	$	1,004	$	—	$	953	$	—	$	953
Interest rate derivatives	—		14		—		14		—		20		—		20
Natural gas derivatives	—		—		—		—		—		10		—		10
Total liabilities	$	—	$	1,018	$	—	$	1,018	$	—	$	983	$	—	$	983

Houston Electric

	June 30, 2021								December 31, 2020
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets	(in millions)
Investments, including money market funds (1)	$	26	$	—	$	—	$	26	$	26	$	—	$	—	$	26
Total assets	$	26	$	—	$	—	$	26	$	26	$	—	$	—	$	26

CERC

	June 30, 2021								December 31, 2020
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets	(in millions)
Corporate equities	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	3	$	2	$	—	$	—	$	2
Investments, including money market funds (1)	11		—		—		11		11		—		—		11
Total assets	$	14	$	—	$	—	$	14	$	13	$	—	$	—	$	13

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

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

As a result of classifying the Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses as held for sale, CenterPoint Energy and CERC used a market approach consisting of the contractual sales price adjusted for estimated working capital and other contractual purchase price adjustments to determine fair value of the businesses classified as held for sale, which are Level 2 inputs. Neither CenterPoint Energy nor CERC recognized any gains or losses upon classification of held for sale during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. See Note 3 for further information.

Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, investments in debt and equity securities measured at fair value 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.

	June 30, 2021						December 31, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy (1)		Houston Electric (1)		CERC		CenterPoint Energy (1)		Houston Electric (1)		CERC
Long-term debt, including current maturities	(in millions)
Carrying amount	$	16,131	$	5,595	$	4,343	$	13,401	$	5,019	$	2,428
Fair value	17,611		6,403		4,680		15,226		5,957		2,855

(1)Includes Securitization Bonds debt.

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Unconsolidated Affiliate (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Unconsolidated Affiliates (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

Unconsolidated Affiliates (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, accounts for its investment in Enable’s common units using the equity method of accounting. Enable is considered to be a VIE because the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Enable’s economic performance does not reside with the holders of equity investment at risk. However, CenterPoint Energy is not considered the primary beneficiary of Enable since it does not have the power to direct the activities of Enable that are considered most significant to the economic performance of Enable. As of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy’s maximum exposure to loss related to Enable is limited to its investment in unconsolidated affiliates, its investment in Enable Series A Preferred Units and outstanding current accounts receivable from Enable.

On February 16, 2021, Enable entered into the Enable Merger Agreement. At the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Enable Merger Agreement, if and when it occurs, Energy Transfer will acquire all of Enable’s outstanding equity interests, resulting in the exchange of Enable common units owned by CenterPoint Energy at the transaction exchange ratio of 0.8595x Energy Transfer common units for each Enable common unit. CenterPoint Energy will also receive $5 million in cash in exchange for its interest in Enable GP and Energy Transfer Series G Preferred Units with an aggregate liquidation preference of approximately $385 million in exchange for all of its Enable Series A Preferred Units. Pursuant to previously disclosed support agreements, CenterPoint Energy and OGE, who collectively own approximately 79.2% of Enable’s common units, delivered written consents approving the Enable Merger Agreement and, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation that will or may become payable to Enable’s named executive officers in connection with the transactions contemplated by the

Enable Merger Agreement. The transactions contemplated under the Enable Merger Agreement are expected to be completed in 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, including Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust clearance. Upon the consummation of the transaction, the agreements relating to Enable between CenterPoint Energy, OGE and Enable and certain of their affiliates will terminate, and CenterPoint Energy will pay $30 million to OGE (or other mutually agreed upon consideration). Because CenterPoint Energy will retain an investment in the midstream industry at the completion of this transaction, the transaction does not represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on CenterPoint Energy’s operations or financial results, and as such, Enable is not classified and presented as discontinued operations. Equity method investments that do not qualify for discontinued operations are not presented as assets held for sale.

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates (CenterPoint Energy):

	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions)
Enable	$	881	$	782
Other	1		1
Total	$	882	$	783

As of June 30, 2021, Enable’s common unit price closed at $9.11 per unit.

Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Affiliates, net (CenterPoint Energy):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020 (1)
	(in millions)
Enable	$	67	$	43	$	175	$	(1,432)
Total	$	67	$	43	$	175	$	(1,432)

(1)Includes an impairment charge on CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable of $1,541 million.

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

	June 30, 2021
	Limited Partner Interest (1)		Common Units	Enable Series A Preferred Units (2)
CenterPoint Energy (3)	53.7	%	233,856,623	14,520,000
OGE	25.5	%	110,982,805	—
Public unitholders	20.8	%	91,026,711	—
Total units outstanding	100.0	%	435,866,139	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 June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. There were no settled transactions in the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 that would indicate a stand-alone, observable, and readily determinable fair value for securities identical or similar to Enable Series A Preferred Units. No impairment charges or adjustment due to observable price changes were required or recorded during the current or prior reporting periods.

(3)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 CenterPoint Energy 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):

CenterPoint Energy and OGE held the following interests in Enable GP as of both June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

	June 30, 2021
	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)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)Held indirectly through CNP Midstream.

Distributions Received from Enable (CenterPoint Energy):

	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
	Per Unit		Cash Distribution		Per Unit		Cash Distribution		Per Unit		Cash Distribution		Per Unit		Cash Distribution
	(in millions, except per unit amounts)
Enable common units	$	0.16525	$	38	$	0.16525	$	39	$	0.33050	$	77	$	0.49575	$	116
Enable Series A Preferred Units	0.58730		9		0.62500		9		1.21230		18		1.25000		18
Total CenterPoint Energy			$	47			$	48			$	95			$	134

Transactions with Enable (CenterPoint Energy and CERC):

The transactions with Enable in the following tables exclude transactions with the Energy Services Disposal Group.

	CenterPoint Energy and CERC
	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Natural gas expenses, includes transportation and storage costs	$	16	$	17	$	48	$	44

	CenterPoint Energy and CERC
	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions)
Accounts payable for natural gas purchases from Enable	$	5	$	9
Accounts receivable for amounts billed for services provided to Enable	1		1

Summarized Financial Information for Enable (CenterPoint Energy)

Summarized unaudited consolidated income information for Enable is as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Operating revenues	$	787	$	515	$	1,757	$	1,163
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization	426		177		945		403
Depreciation and amortization	103		105		209		209
Goodwill and long-lived assets impairments	—		—		—		28
Operating income	124		80		330		226
Net income attributable to Enable common units	79		35		234		138
Reconciliation of Equity in Earnings (Losses), net:
CenterPoint Energy’s interest	$	42	$	19	$	125	$	74
Basis difference amortization (1)	25		24		50		36
Loss on dilution, net of proportional basis difference recognition	—		—		—		(1)
Impairment of CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable	—		—		—		(1,541)
CenterPoint Energy’s equity in earnings (losses), net	$	67	$	43	$	175	$	(1,432)

(1)Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate includes CenterPoint Energy’s share of Enable earnings adjusted for the amortization of the basis difference of CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable and its underlying equity in net assets of Enable. The basis difference is being amortized through the year 2048 or will cease upon the sale of CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable.

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

	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions)
Current assets	$	475	$	381
Non-current assets	11,284		11,348
Current liabilities	1,317		582
Non-current liabilities	3,249		4,052
Non-controlling interest	25		26
Preferred equity	362		362
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3)		(6)
Enable partners’ equity	6,809		6,713
Reconciliation of Investment in Enable:
CenterPoint Energy’s ownership interest in Enable partners’ equity	$	3,651	$	3,601
CenterPoint Energy’s basis difference (1)	(2,770)		(2,819)
CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable	$	881	$	782

(1)The basis difference is being amortized through the year 2048 or will cease upon sale of CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable.

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Goodwill and Other Intangibles (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

Goodwill (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

CenterPoint Energy’s goodwill by reportable segment is as follows:

	December 31, 2020		Held For Sale		June 30, 2021
	(in millions)
Electric (1)	$	936	$	—	$	936
Natural Gas (2)	3,323		403		2,920
Corporate and Other	438		—		438
Total	$	4,697	$	403	$	4,294

CERC’s goodwill is as follows:

	December 31, 2020		Held For Sale		June 30, 2021
	(in millions)
Goodwill (2)	$	757	$	146	$	611

(1)Amount presented is net of the accumulated goodwill impairment charge of $185 million recorded in 2020.

(2)If the disposal group reflects a component of a reporting unit and meets the definition of a business, the goodwill within that reporting unit is allocated to the disposal group based on the relative fair value of the components representing a business that will be retained and disposed. As a result, goodwill attributable to the Natural Gas businesses to be disposed is classified as held for sale as of June 30, 2021. Neither CenterPoint Energy nor CERC recognized any goodwill impairments within the Natural Gas reportable segment during the three or six months ended June 30, 2021. For further information, see Note 3.

Other Intangibles (CenterPoint Energy)

The tables below present information on CenterPoint Energy’s intangible assets, excluding goodwill, recorded in Other non-current assets on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the related amortization expense included in Depreciation and amortization on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, unless otherwise indicated.

	June 30, 2021						December 31, 2020
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Balance		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Balance
	(in millions)
Customer relationships	$	33	$	(10)	$	23	$	33	$	(8)	$	25
Trade names	16		(4)		12		16		(3)		13
Construction backlog (1)	5		(5)		—		5		(5)		—
Operation and maintenance agreements (1)	12		(1)		11		12		(1)		11
Other	2		(1)		1		2		(1)		1
Total	$	68	$	(21)	$	47	$	68	$	(18)	$	50

(1)Amortization expense related to the operation and maintenance agreements and construction backlog is included in Non-utility cost of revenues, including natural gas on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Amortization expense of intangible assets recorded in Depreciation and amortization	$	2	$	2	$	3	$	3
Amortization expense of intangible assets recorded in Non-utility cost of revenues, including natural gas	—		—		—		1

CenterPoint Energy estimates that amortization expense of intangible assets with finite lives for the next five years will be as follows:

	Amortization  Expense
	(in millions)
Remaining six months of 2021	$	3
2022	6
2023	6
2024	5
2025	5
2026	5

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

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

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

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

(a) Investment in Securities Related to ZENS

A subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy holds shares of certain securities detailed in the table below, which are securities with a readily determinable fair value 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
	June 30, 2021	December 31, 2020
AT&T Common	10,212,945	10,212,945
Charter Common	872,503	872,503

(b) ZENS

In September 1999, CenterPoint Energy issued ZENS having an original principal amount of $1.0 billion of which $828 million remained outstanding as of June 30, 2021. Each ZENS is 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 attributable to such note. The number and identity of the reference shares attributable to each ZENS are adjusted for certain corporate events.

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

	June 30, 2021	December 31, 2020
	(in shares)
AT&T Common	0.7185	0.7185
Charter Common	0.061382	0.061382

CenterPoint Energy pays interest on the ZENS at an annual rate of 2% plus the amount of any quarterly cash dividends paid in respect of the reference shares attributable to the ZENS. The principal amount of the ZENS is subject to increases or decreases to the extent that the annual yield from interest and cash dividends on the reference shares attributable to the ZENS is less than or more than 2.309%. The adjusted principal amount is defined in the ZENS instrument as “contingent principal.” As of June 30, 2021, the ZENS, having an original principal amount of $828 million and a contingent principal amount of

$47 million, were outstanding and were exchangeable, at the option of the holders, for cash equal to 95% of the market value of the reference shares attributable to the ZENS.

On May 17, 2021, AT&T announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement with Discovery, Inc. to combine their media assets into a new publicly traded company to be called Warner Bros. Discovery. Pursuant to the definitive agreement, AT&T shareholders are expected to receive stock representing 71% of the new company. Upon the closing of the transaction, reference shares attributable to ZENS would consist of AT&T Common, Charter Common and common stock of Warner Bros. Discovery. AT&T announced that the transaction is expected to close in the middle of 2022.

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Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt

Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt

Inventory Financing. Upon expiration of the AMA’s with the Energy Services Disposal Group discussed in Note 3, CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas businesses entered into new third-party AMAs beginning in April 2021 associated with their utility distribution service in Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. The AMAs have varying terms, the longest of which expires in 2027. Pursuant to the provisions of the agreements, CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas either sells natural gas to the asset manager and agrees to repurchase an equivalent amount of natural gas throughout the year at the same cost, or simply purchases its full natural gas requirements at each delivery point from the asset manager. These transactions are accounted for as an inventory financing. CenterPoint Energy and CERC had $3 million and $24 million outstanding obligations related to the AMAs as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, recorded in Short-term borrowings on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Outstanding obligations related to third-party AMAs associated with utility distribution service in Arkansas and Oklahoma as of June 30, 2021 are reflected in current liabilities held for sale on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 3 for further information.

Debt Transactions. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the following debt instruments were issued or incurred:

Registrant	Issuance Date	Debt Instrument	Aggregate Principal Amount		Interest Rate	Maturity Date
	(in millions)
CERC Corp.	March 2021	Senior Notes	$	700	0.70%	2023
CERC Corp.	March 2021	Floating Rate Senior Notes	1,000		Three-month LIBOR plus 0.50%	2023
		Total CERC Corp. (1)	1,700
Houston Electric	March 2021	General Mortgage Bonds	400		2.35%	2031
Houston Electric	March 2021	General Mortgage Bonds	700		3.35%	2051
		Total Houston Electric (2)	1,100
CenterPoint Energy	May 2021	Senior Notes	500		1.45%	2026
CenterPoint Energy	May 2021	Senior Notes	500		2.65%	2031
CenterPoint Energy	May 2021	Floating Rate Senior Notes	700		SOFR plus 0.65%	2024
		Total CenterPoint Energy (3)	$	4,500

(1)In February 2021, CERC Corp. received financing commitments totaling $1.7 billion on a 364-day term loan facility to bridge any working capital needs related to the February 2021 Winter Storm Event. Total proceeds of the senior notes and floating rate senior note offerings, net of issuance expenses and fees, of approximately $1.69 billion were used for general corporate purposes, including to fund working capital. Upon the consummation of its senior notes offerings, in March 2021, CERC Corp. terminated all of the commitments for the 364-day term loan facility.

(2)Total proceeds, net of issuance expenses and fees, of approximately $1.08 billion were used for general limited liability company purposes, including capital expenditures and the repayment of outstanding debt discussed below and Houston Electric’s borrowings under the CenterPoint Energy money pool.

(3)Total proceeds, net of issuance expenses and fees, of approximately $1.69 billion, excluding amounts issued by Houston Electric and CERC Corp., were used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of outstanding debt discussed below and a portion of CenterPoint Energy’s outstanding commercial paper.

Debt Repayments and Redemptions. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the following debt instruments were repaid at maturity or redeemed:

Registrant	Repayment/Redemption Date	Debt Instrument	Aggregate Principal		Interest Rate	Maturity Date
			(in millions)
Houston Electric	March 2021	First Mortgage Bonds	$	102	9.15%	2021
Houston Electric (1)	May 2021	General Mortgage Bonds	300		1.85%	2021
		Total Houston Electric	402
CenterPoint Energy (2)	January 2021	Senior Notes	250		3.85%	2021
CenterPoint Energy (3)	May 2021	Term Loan	700		0.76%	2021
CenterPoint Energy (4)	June 2021	Senior Notes	500		3.60%	2021
		Total CenterPoint Energy	$	1,852

(1)In April 2021, Houston Electric provided notice of redemption and on May 1, 2021, Houston Electric redeemed all of the outstanding bonds of the series at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

(2)In December 2020, CenterPoint Energy provided notice of redemption of a portion of its outstanding $500 million aggregate principal amount of the series and on January 15, 2021, CenterPoint Energy redeemed $250 million aggregate principal amount of the series at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest and an applicable make-whole premium of $26 million.

(3)In April 2021, CenterPoint Energy amended its existing term loan agreement by extending its maturity from May 15, 2021 to June 14, 2021. The outstanding LIBOR rate loan balance was prepaid in full at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, which was calculated based on the interest rate at maturity.

(4)In May 2021, CenterPoint Energy provided notice of redemption and on June 1, 2021, CenterPoint Energy redeemed all of the outstanding senior notes of the series at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and an applicable make-whole premium of $7 million.

Credit Facilities. In February 2021, each of CenterPoint Energy, Houston Electric, CERC Corp. and VUHI replaced their existing revolving credit facilities with new amended and restated credit facilities. The size of the CenterPoint Energy facility decreased from $3.3 billion to $2.4 billion, while the sizes of the Houston Electric, CERC Corp. and VUHI facilities remained unchanged.

The Registrants had the following revolving credit facilities as of June 30, 2021:

Execution  Date	Registrant	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 June 30, 2021 (2)	Termination Date
		(in millions)
February 4, 2021	CenterPoint Energy	$	2,400	1.625%	65.0%	(3)	57.7%	February 4, 2024
February 4, 2021	CenterPoint Energy (4)	400		1.250%	65.0%		50.1%	February 4, 2024
February 4, 2021	Houston Electric	300		1.375%	67.5%	(3)	55.8%	February 4, 2024
February 4, 2021	CERC	900		1.250%	65.0%		61.0%	February 4, 2024
	Total	$	4,000

(1)Based on current credit ratings.

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

(3)For CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric, the financial covenant limit will temporarily increase 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.

(4)This credit facility was issued by VUHI, is guaranteed by SIGECO, Indiana Gas and VEDO and includes a $20 million letter of credit sublimit. This credit facility backstops VUHI’s commercial paper program.

The Registrants, including the subsidiaries of CenterPoint Energy discussed above, were in compliance with all financial debt covenants as of June 30, 2021.

The table below reflects the utilization of the Registrants’ respective revolving credit facilities:

	June 30, 2021								December 31, 2020
Registrant	Loans		Letters of Credit		Commercial Paper (1)		Weighted Average Interest Rate		Loans		Letters of Credit		Commercial Paper (1)		Weighted Average Interest Rate
	(in millions, except weighted average interest rate)
CenterPoint Energy	$	—	$	11	$	911	0.18	%	$	—	$	11	$	1,078	0.23	%
CenterPoint Energy (2)	—		—		268		0.18	%	—		—		92		0.22	%
Houston Electric	—		—		—		—	%	—		—		—		—	%
CERC	—		—		564		0.18	%	—		—		347		0.23	%
Total	$	—	$	11	$	1,743			$	—	$	11	$	1,517

(1)Outstanding commercial paper generally has maturities of 60 days or less and each Registrants’ commercial paper program is backstopped by such Registrants’ long-term credit facilities. Houston Electric does not have a commercial paper program.

(2)This credit facility was issued by VUHI and is guaranteed by SIGECO, Indiana Gas and VEDO.

Liens. As of June 30, 2021, Houston Electric’s assets were subject to liens securing approximately $5.0 billion of general mortgage bonds, including approximately $68 million held in trust to secure pollution control bonds that mature in 2028 for which CenterPoint Energy is obligated. The general mortgage bonds that are held in trust to secure pollution control bonds are not reflected in Houston Electric’s consolidated financial statements because of the contingent nature of the obligations. Houston Electric may issue additional general mortgage bonds on the basis of retired bonds, 70% of property additions or cash deposited with the trustee. As of March 15, 2021, no Houston Electric first mortgage bonds remained outstanding. Houston Electric could issue approximately $3.7 billion of additional general mortgage bonds on the basis of retired bonds and 70% of property additions as of June 30, 2021.

Other. As of June 30, 2021, certain financial institutions agreed to issue, from time to time, up to $20 million of letters of credit on behalf of Vectren and certain of its subsidiaries in exchange for customary fees. These agreements to issue letters of credit expire on December 31, 2021. As of June 30, 2021, such financial institutions had issued $1 million of letters of credit on behalf of Vectren and certain of its subsidiaries.

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Income Taxes

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The Registrants reported the following effective tax rates:

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
CenterPoint Energy - Continuing operations (1)(2)	(1)	%	18	%	10	%	26	%
CenterPoint Energy - Discontinued operations (3) (4)	—	%	475	%	—	%	(14)	%
Houston Electric (5)	15	%	16	%	14	%	15	%
CERC - Continuing operations (6)	(45)	%	(31)	%	10	%	17	%
CERC - Discontinued operations (7) (8)	—	%	200	%	—	%	4	%

(1)CenterPoint Energy’s lower effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily driven by the recording of a $46 million deferred state tax benefit, detailed further below, that was triggered by state tax law legislation in Louisiana and Oklahoma combined with the impact of the accounting held for sale classification for the Arkansas and Oklahoma natural gas sale assets and liabilities in the period ended June 30, 2021. For tax purposes, when the held for

sale criteria is met, the CERC and unitary state apportionment rates must be updated to account for the sale and applied to the estimated post-sale net deferred tax liability which resulted in an $18 million net state tax benefit being recorded in the current quarter. Other factors in the remeasurement of the state deferred tax liability as a result of the reduction of the corporate tax rate in Oklahoma as of January 1, 2022 resulted in a benefit of $13 million and the change in the NOL carryforward period in Louisiana from 20 years to an indefinite period allowed for the release of the valuation allowance on certain Louisiana NOLs resulting in a benefit of $15 million.

(2)CenterPoint Energy’s lower than statutory tax rate on income from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was primarily due to an increase in the amount of amortization of the net regulatory EDIT liability, and the recording of a $46 million deferred state tax benefit, discussed above. This was partially offset by an increase in ordinary state income taxes. CenterPoint Energy’s higher than statutory tax rate on the loss from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to lower earnings from the impairment of CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable. Other effective tax rate drivers included the non-deductible goodwill impairment at Indiana Electric Integrated reporting unit, and an increase in the amount of remeasurement of state tax liabilities for changes in apportionment, the effect of which was compounded by the book loss in the six months ended June 30, 2020.

(3)CenterPoint Energy’s higher than statutory tax rate on income from discontinued operations for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to the tax impacts from the sales of the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups.

(4)CenterPoint Energy’s lower than statutory tax rate on the loss from discontinued operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to the tax impacts from the sales of the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups.

(5)Houston Electric’s lower effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same periods in 2020 was primarily driven by a decrease in state income taxes which is partially offset by an increase in the amount of amortization of the net regulatory EDIT liability.

(6)CERC’s lower effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same periods ended June 30, 2020 was primarily driven by a $26 million deferred state tax benefit, detailed further below, that was triggered by state tax law legislation in Louisiana combined with the accounting held for sale classification for the Arkansas and Oklahoma natural gas sale assets and liabilities in the period ended June 30, 2021. For tax purposes, when the held for sale criteria is met, the CERC state apportionment rates must be updated to account for the sale and applied to the estimated post-sale net deferred tax liability which resulted in an $11 million net state tax benefit being recorded in the current quarter. A state law change in the NOL carryforward period in Louisiana from 20 years to an indefinite period allowed for the release of the valuation allowance on certain Louisiana NOLs resulting in a benefit of $15 million.

(7)CERC’s higher than statutory tax rate on income from discontinued operations for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to the tax impacts from the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group.

(8)CERC’s lower than statutory tax rate on the loss from discontinued operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to the tax impacts from the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group.

On March 11, 2021, the ARPA was enacted in response to continued economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ARPA expands the definition of “covered employee” under section 162(m) beginning in 2027, and extends the employee retention tax credit through December 31, 2021, among other provisions. CenterPoint Energy does not currently anticipate any material impacts from this legislation. On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act provides relief to corporate taxpayers by permitting a five-year carryback of 2018-2020 NOLs, deferring the payment of the employer share of payroll taxes for the remaining months of 2020 until 2021 and 2022, increasing the 30% limitation on interest expense deductibility to 50% of adjusted taxable income for 2019 and 2020, and accelerating refunds for minimum tax credit carryforwards, among other provisions. Based on the CARES Act NOL carryback provision, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, CenterPoint Energy recorded a $-0- and $19 million benefit, respectively, resulting from carryback claims to be filed to refund taxes paid.

CenterPoint Energy reported a net uncertain tax liability, inclusive of interest and penalties, of $10 million as of June 30, 2021. Interest and penalties of $1 million were recorded on the uncertain tax liability for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The Registrants believe that it is reasonably possible that a decrease of up to $9 million in unrecognized tax benefits may occur in the next 12 months as a result of a lapse of statutes on older exposures, a tax settlement, a resolution of open audits, and/or the acceptance of an application for an accounting method change. For CenterPoint Energy, tax years through 2018 have been audited and settled with the IRS. For the 2019 through 2021 tax years CenterPoint Energy is a participant in the IRS’s Compliance Assurance Process. Vectren’s pre-Merger 2017 through 2019 tax years are still open for examination.

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Commitments and Contingencies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

(a)Purchase Obligations (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

Commitments include minimum purchase obligations related to CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas reportable segment and CenterPoint Energy’s Electric reportable segment. A purchase obligation is defined as an agreement to purchase goods or services that is enforceable and legally binding on the registrant and that specifies all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. Contracts with minimum payment provisions have various quantity requirements and durations and are not classified as non-trading derivative assets and liabilities in CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. These contracts meet an exception as “normal purchases contracts” or do not meet the definition of a derivative. Natural gas and coal supply commitments also include transportation contracts that do not meet the definition of a derivative.  

On February 9, 2021, Indiana Electric entered into a BTA with a subsidiary of Capital Dynamics. Pursuant to the BTA, Capital Dynamics, with its partner Tenaska, will build a 300 MW solar array in Posey County, Indiana through a special purpose entity Posey Solar. Upon completion of construction, currently projected to be at the end of 2023, and subject to IURC approval, Indiana Electric will acquire Posey Solar and its solar array assets for a fixed purchase price.

As of June 30, 2021, undiscounted minimum purchase obligations are approximately:

	CenterPoint Energy				CERC
	Natural Gas and Coal Supply		Other (1)		Natural Gas Supply
	(in millions)
Remaining six months of 2021	$	334	$	9	$	227
2022	550		12		336
2023	473		399		281
2024	392		198		259
2025	337		7		231
2026	304		7		226
2027 and beyond	1,634		143		1,330

(1)CenterPoint Energy’s undiscounted minimum payment obligations related to its 25-year agreement for its solar PPA in Warrick County, Indiana and its purchase commitment under its BTA in Posey County, Indiana are included above. The remaining undiscounted payment obligations relate primarily to technology hardware and software agreements.

Excluded from the table above are estimates for cash outlays from other PPAs through Indiana Electric that do not have minimum thresholds but do require payment when energy is generated by the provider. Costs arising from certain of these commitments are pass-through costs, generally collected dollar-for-dollar from retail customers through regulator-approved cost recovery mechanisms.

(b) Guarantees and Product Warranties (CenterPoint Energy)

In the normal course of business, ESG enters into contracts requiring it to timely install infrastructure, operate facilities, pay vendors and subcontractors and support warranty obligations and, at times, issue payment and performance bonds and other forms of assurance in connection with these contracts.

Specific to ESG’s role as a general contractor in the performance contracting industry, as of June 30, 2021, there were 47 open surety bonds supporting future performance with an aggregate face amount of approximately $484 million. ESG’s exposure is less than the face amount of the surety bonds and is limited to the level of uncompleted work under the contracts. As of June 30, 2021, approximately 34% of the work was yet to be completed on projects with open surety bonds. Further, various subcontractors issue surety bonds to ESG. In addition to these performance obligations, ESG also warrants the functionality of certain installed infrastructure generally for one year and the associated energy savings over a specified number of years. As of June 30, 2021, there were 34 warranties totaling $553 million and an additional $1.2 billion in energy savings commitments not guaranteed by Vectren. Since ESG’s inception in 1994, CenterPoint Energy believes ESG has had a history of generally meeting its performance obligations and energy savings guarantees and its installed products have operated

effectively. CenterPoint Energy assessed the fair value of its obligation for such guarantees as of June 30, 2021 and no amounts were recorded on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

CenterPoint Energy issues parent company level guarantees to certain vendors, customers and other commercial counterparties of ESG. These guarantees do not represent incremental consolidated obligations, but rather, represent guarantees of subsidiary obligations to allow those subsidiaries to conduct business without posting other forms of assurance. As of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy, primarily through Vectren, has issued parent company level guarantees supporting ESG’s obligations. For those obligations where potential exposure can be estimated, management estimates the maximum exposure under these guarantees to be approximately $517 million as of June 30, 2021. This exposure primarily relates to energy savings guarantees on federal energy savings performance contracts. Other parent company level guarantees, certain of which do not contain a cap on potential liability, have been issued in support of federal operations and maintenance projects for which a maximum exposure cannot be estimated based on the nature of the projects. While there can be no assurance that performance under any of these parent company guarantees will not be required in the future, CenterPoint Energy considers the likelihood of a material amount being incurred as remote.

(c)Guarantees and Product Warranties (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

On February 24, 2020, CenterPoint Energy, through its subsidiary CERC Corp., entered into the Equity Purchase Agreement to sell the Energy Services Disposal Group. The transaction closed on June 1, 2020. In the normal course of business prior to June 1, 2020, the Energy Services Disposal Group through CES, traded natural gas under supply contracts and entered into natural gas related transactions under transportation, storage and other contracts. In connection with the Energy Services Disposal Group’s business activities prior to the closing of the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group on June 1, 2020, CERC Corp. issued guarantees to certain of CES’s counterparties to guarantee the payment of CES’s obligations. When CES remained wholly owned by CERC Corp., these guarantees did not represent incremental consolidated obligations, but rather, these guarantees represented guarantees of CES’s obligations to allow it to conduct business without posting other forms of assurance.

A CERC Corp. guarantee primarily had a one- or two-year term, although CERC Corp. would generally not be released from obligations incurred by CES prior to the termination of such guarantee unless the beneficiary of the guarantee affirmatively released CERC Corp. from its obligations under the guarantee. Throughout CERC Corp.’s ownership of CES and subsequent to the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group through June 30, 2021, CERC Corp. did not pay any amounts under guarantees of CES’s obligations.

Under the terms of the Equity Purchase Agreement, Symmetry Energy Solutions Acquisition must generally use reasonable best efforts to replace existing CERC Corp. guarantees with credit support provided by a party other than CERC Corp. as of and after the closing of the transaction. Additionally, to the extent that CERC Corp. retains any exposure relating to certain guarantees of CES’s obligations 90 days after closing of the transaction, Symmetry Energy Solutions Acquisition will pay a 3% annualized fee on such exposure, increasing by 1% on an annualized basis every three months. As of June 30, 2021, management estimates approximately $35 million of exposure remained outstanding under CERC Corp. guarantees issued prior to the closing of the transaction on June 1, 2020. CES has provided replacement credit support to counterparties to whom CERC Corp. had issued guarantees prior to closing representing the full amount of CERC’s remaining exposure under the guarantees. CERC believes that counterparties to whom replacement credit support has been provided would seek payment if needed under such replacement credit support instead of a CERC Corp. guarantee. No additional guarantees were provided by CERC Corp. to CES subsequent to the closing of the transaction on June 1, 2020.

If CERC Corp. is required to pay a counterparty under a guarantee in respect of obligations of CES, Symmetry Energy Solutions Acquisition is required to promptly reimburse CERC Corp. for all amounts paid. If Symmetry Energy Solutions Acquisition fails to reimburse CERC Corp., CERC Corp. has the contractual right to seek payment from Shell Energy North America (US), L.P. in an amount up to $40 million in the aggregate. While there can be no assurance that payment under any of these guarantees will not be required in the future, CenterPoint Energy and CERC consider the likelihood of a material amount being incurred as remote.

CenterPoint Energy and CERC recorded no amounts on their respective Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 related to the performance of these guarantees.

(d) Legal, Environmental and Other Matters

Legal Matters

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 were named in wrongful death, property damage and personal injury litigation arising out of the incident and have now reached confidential settlement agreements in all litigation, and all related governmental matters were previously concluded. CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s general and excess liability insurance policies provide coverage for third party bodily injury and property damage claims. 

Litigation Related to the Merger (CenterPoint Energy). With respect to the Merger, in July 2018, seven separate lawsuits were filed against Vectren and the individual directors of Vectren’s Board of Directors in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. These lawsuits alleged violations of Sections 14(a) of the Exchange Act and SEC Rule 14a-9 on the grounds that the Vectren Proxy Statement filed on June 18, 2018 was materially incomplete because it omitted material information concerning the Merger. In August 2018, the seven lawsuits were consolidated, and the Court denied the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction. In October 2018, the plaintiffs filed their Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint. In December 2018, two plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their lawsuits. In September 2019, the court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss and dismissed the remaining plaintiffs’ claims with prejudice, which the plaintiffs appealed in October 2019. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit heard oral arguments in September 2020, and a ruling is expected in 2021. The defendants believe that the allegations asserted are without merit and intend to vigorously defend themselves against the claims raised. 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.

Litigation Related to the February 2021 Winter Storm Event. With respect to the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, CenterPoint Energy, CERC and Houston Electric, along with ERCOT, have received claims and lawsuits filed by plaintiffs alleging personal injury, property damage and other injuries and damages. Additionally, various regulatory and governmental entities have announced that they intend to conduct or are conducting inquiries, investigations and other reviews of the February 2021 Winter Storm Event and the efforts made by various entities to prepare for, and respond to, this event, including the electric generation shortfall issues. Entities that have announced that they plan to conduct or are conducting such inquiries, investigations and other reviews include the United States Congress, FERC, NERC, Texas RE, ERCOT, Texas government entities and officials such as the Texas Governor’s office, the Texas Legislature, the Texas Attorney General, the PUCT, the City of Houston and other municipal and county entities in Houston Electric’s service territory, among other entities.

Like other Texas TDUs, Houston Electric has become involved in certain of the above-referenced investigations, litigation or other regulatory and legal proceedings regarding their efforts to restore power and their compliance with NERC, ERCOT and PUCT rules and directives. CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric are responding to inquiries from the Texas Attorney General and the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office, and CenterPoint Energy and CERC are responding to inquiries from the Arkansas, Minnesota and Oklahoma Attorneys General. CenterPoint Energy, Houston Electric and CERC are subject to, and may be further subject to, litigation and claims. Such claims include, or in the future could include, wrongful death, personal injury and property damage claims, lawsuits for impacts on businesses and other organizations and entities and shareholder claims, among other claims or litigation matters. CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric have been named as a defendant in approximately 65 lawsuits related to the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, nearly all of which are pending in state court and as of June 2021 are part of a multi-district litigation proceeding. CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric intend to vigorously defend themselves against the claims raised. CenterPoint Energy, Houston Electric and CERC are unable to predict the consequences of any such matters or to estimate a range of potential losses.

Litigation Related to the Enable Merger. In March 2021, several lawsuits were filed by persons claiming to be Enable unitholders against various defendants, including Enable, the members of Enable GP’s Board of Directors, Energy Transfer, and other parties to the Enable Merger Agreement, challenging the Enable Merger and the disclosures made in connection therewith. CenterPoint Energy has been named in one such lawsuit pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuits allege violations of Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and SEC Rule 14a-9 on the grounds that the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by Energy Transfer on March 19, 2021, was materially incomplete because it omitted material information about, among other things, Enable's and Energy Transfer's financial projections and the analyses conducted by Enable's financial advisors. The lawsuits further allege that the individual defendants, including, among others, Energy Transfer and CenterPoint Energy, violated Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act as controlling persons of Enable. Plaintiffs seek to have the court enjoin the Enable Merger, require defendants to disseminate a new registration statement disclosing the allegedly omitted information, declare that defendants violated the Exchange Act, rescind the Enable Merger or

award rescissory damages in the event the Enable Merger is consummated, along with attorneys’ fees, costs, and other relief. In May and June of 2021, three of the cases against other defendants were voluntarily dismissed without prejudice. The case against CenterPoint Energy remains pending, but CenterPoint Energy has not yet been served with process, and the dates to respond to the lawsuit in which it was sued have not yet been set. CenterPoint Energy cannot predict the outcome of litigation related to the Enable Merger Agreement, but believes the litigation is without merit, intends to defend vigorously against such litigation, and does not expect the ultimate outcome of such litigation to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Environmental Matters

MGP Sites. CenterPoint Energy, CERC and their predecessors, including predecessors of Vectren, operated MGPs in the past. The costs CenterPoint Energy or CERC, as applicable, expect to incur to fulfill their respective obligations are estimated by management using assumptions based on actual costs incurred, the timing of expected future payments and inflation factors, among others. While CenterPoint Energy and CERC have recorded obligations for all costs which are probable and estimable, including amounts they are presently obligated to incur in connection with activities at these sites, it is possible that future events may require remedial activities which are not presently foreseen, and those costs may not be subject to PRP or insurance recovery.

(i)Minnesota MGPs (CenterPoint Energy and CERC). With respect to certain Minnesota MGP sites, CenterPoint Energy and CERC have completed state-ordered remediation and continue state-ordered monitoring and water treatment. CenterPoint Energy and CERC recorded a liability as reflected in the table below for continued monitoring and any future remediation required by regulators in Minnesota.

(ii)Indiana MGPs (CenterPoint Energy). In the Indiana Gas service territory, the existence, location and certain general characteristics of 26 gas manufacturing and storage sites have been identified for which CenterPoint Energy may have some remedial responsibility. A remedial investigation/feasibility study was completed at one of the sites under an agreed upon order between Indiana Gas and the IDEM, and a Record of Decision was issued by the IDEM in January 2000. The remaining sites have been submitted to the IDEM’s VRP. CenterPoint Energy has also identified its involvement in 5 manufactured gas plant sites in SIGECO’s service territory, all of which are currently enrolled in the IDEM’s VRP. CenterPoint Energy is currently conducting some level of remedial activities, including groundwater monitoring at certain sites.

(iii)Other MGPs (CenterPoint Energy and CERC). In addition to the Minnesota and Indiana sites, the EPA and other regulators have investigated MGP sites that were owned or operated by CenterPoint Energy or CERC or may have been owned by one of their former affiliates.

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, 2021
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions, except years)
Amount accrued for remediation	$	12	$	7
Minimum estimated remediation costs	8		5
Maximum estimated remediation costs	54		32
Minimum years of remediation	5		30
Maximum years of remediation	50		50

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.

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 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.

CCR Rule (CenterPoint Energy). In April 2015, the EPA finalized its CCR Rule, which regulates ash as non-hazardous material under the RCRA. The final rule allows beneficial reuse of ash, and the majority of the ash generated by Indiana Electric’s generating plants will continue to be reused. In July 2018, the EPA released its final CCR Rule Phase I Reconsideration which extended the deadline to October 31, 2020 for ceasing placement of ash in ponds that exceed groundwater protections standards or that fail to meet location restrictions. In August 2019, the EPA proposed additional “Part A” amendments to its CCR Rule with respect to beneficial reuse of ash and other materials. Further “Part B” amendments, which related to alternate liners for CCR surface impoundments and the surface impoundment closure process, were published in March 2020. The Part A amendments were finalized in August 2020 and extended the deadline to cease placement of ash in ponds to April 11, 2021, discussed further below. The EPA published the final Part B amendments in November 2020. The Part A amendments do not restrict Indiana Electric’s current beneficial reuse of its fly ash. CenterPoint Energy continues to evaluate the Part B amendments to determine potential impacts. Shortly after taking office in January 2021, President Biden signed an executive order requiring agencies to review environmental actions taken by the Trump administration, including the CCR Rule Phase I Reconsideration, the Part A amendments, and the Part B amendments; EPA has completed its review of the Phase I Reconsideration, Part A amendments, and Part B amendments and determined that the most environmentally protective course is to implement the rules.

Indiana Electric has three ash ponds, two at the F.B. Culley facility (Culley East and Culley West) and one at the A.B. Brown facility. Under the existing CCR Rule, Indiana Electric is required to perform integrity assessments, including ground water monitoring, at its F.B. Culley and A.B. Brown generating stations. The ground water studies are necessary to determine the remaining service life of the ponds and whether a pond must be retrofitted with liners or closed in place. Indiana Electric’s Warrick generating unit is not included in the scope of the CCR Rule as this unit has historically been part of a larger generating station that predominantly serves an adjacent industrial facility. Preliminary groundwater monitoring indicates potential groundwater impacts very close to Indiana Electric’s ash impoundments, and further analysis is ongoing. The CCR Rule required companies to complete location restriction determinations by October 18, 2018. Indiana Electric completed its evaluation and determined that one F.B. Culley pond (Culley East) and the A.B. Brown pond fail the aquifer placement location restriction. As a result of this failure, Indiana Electric was required to cease disposal of new ash in the ponds and commence closure of the ponds by April 11, 2021. CenterPoint Energy has applied for the extensions available under the CCR Rule that would allow Indiana Electric to continue to use the ponds through October 15, 2023. The EPA is still reviewing industry extension requests, including CenterPoint Energy’s extension request. Companies can continue to operate ponds pending completion of the EPA’s evaluation of the requests for extension. The inability to take these extensions may result in increased and potentially significant operational costs in connection with the accelerated implementation of an alternative ash disposal system or adversely impact Indiana Electric’s future operations. Failure to comply with these requirements could also result in an enforcement proceeding including the imposition of fines and penalties. On April 24, 2019, Indiana Electric received an order from the IURC approving recovery in rates of costs associated with the closure of the Culley West pond, which has already completed closure activities. On August 14, 2019, Indiana Electric filed its petition with the IURC for recovery of costs associated with the closure of the A.B. Brown ash pond, which would include costs associated with the excavation and recycling of ponded ash. This petition was subsequently approved by the IURC on May 13, 2020. On October 28, 2020, the IURC approved Indiana Electric’s ECA proceeding, which included the initiation of recovery of the federally mandated project costs.

Indiana Electric continues to refine site specific estimates of closure costs for its ten-acre Culley East pond. In July 2018, Indiana Electric filed a Complaint for Damages and Declaratory Relief against its insurers seeking reimbursement of defense, investigation and pond closure costs incurred to comply with the CCR Rule, and has since reached confidential settlement agreements with its insurers. The proceeds of these settlements will offset costs that have been and will be incurred to close the ponds.

As of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy has recorded an approximate $88 million ARO, which represents the discounted value of future cash flow estimates to close the ponds at A.B. Brown and F.B. Culley. This estimate is subject to change due to the contractual arrangements; continued assessments of the ash, closure methods, and the timing of closure; implications of Indiana Electric’s generation transition plan; changing environmental regulations; and proceeds received from the settlements in the aforementioned insurance proceeding. In addition to these AROs, Indiana Electric also anticipates equipment purchases of between $60 million and $80 million to complete the A.B. Brown closure project.

Clean Water Act Permitting of Groundwater Discharges. In April 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion providing that indirect discharges via groundwater or other non-point sources are subject to permitting and liability under the Clean Water Act when they are the functional equivalent of a direct discharge. The Registrants are evaluating the extent to which this decision will affect Clean Water Act permitting requirements and/or liability for their operations.

Other Environmental. From time to time, the Registrants identify the presence of environmental contaminants during operations or on property where their predecessors 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)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy)

Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy)

The Series C Preferred Stock issued in May 2020 were considered participating securities since these shares participated in dividends on Common Stock on a pari passu, pro rata, as-converted basis. As a result, beginning June 30, 2020, earnings per share on Common Stock was computed using the two-class method required for participating securities during the periods the Series C Preferred Stock was outstanding. As of May 7, 2021, all of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock have been converted into shares of Common Stock and earnings per share on Common Stock and, as such, the two-class method was no longer applicable as of June 30, 2021.

The two-class method uses an earnings allocation formula that treats participating securities as having rights to earnings that otherwise would have been available only to common shareholders. Under the two-class method, income (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations is derived by subtracting the following from income (loss) from continuing operations:

•preferred share dividend requirement;

•deemed dividends for the amortization of the beneficial conversion feature recognized at issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock; and

•an allocation of undistributed earnings to preferred shareholders of participating securities (Series C Preferred Stock) based on the securities’ right to receive dividends.

Undistributed earnings are calculated by subtracting dividends declared on Common Stock, the preferred share dividend requirement and deemed dividends for the amortization of the beneficial conversion feature from net income. Net losses are not allocated to the Series C Preferred Stock as it does not have a contractual obligation to share in the losses of CenterPoint Energy.

The Series C Preferred Stock included conversion features at a price that was below the fair value of the Common Stock on the commitment date. This beneficial conversion feature, which was approximately $32 million at issuance, represented the difference between the fair value per share of the Common Stock as of the commitment date and the conversion price, multiplied by the number of common shares issuable upon conversion. The beneficial conversion feature was recognized as a discount to Series C Preferred Stock and was amortized as a deemed dividend over the period from the issue date to the first allowable conversion date, which was November 6, 2020.

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders from continuing operations by the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Participating securities are excluded from basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders from continuing operations by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, including all potentially dilutive common shares, if the effect of such common shares is dilutive.

Diluted earnings per share reflects the dilutive effect of potential common shares from share-based awards and convertible preferred shares. The dilutive effect of the restricted stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock is computed using the if-converted method, as applicable, which assumes conversion of the restricted stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock at the beginning of the period, giving income recognition for the add-back of the preferred share dividends, amortization of beneficial conversion feature, and undistributed earnings allocated to preferred shareholders.

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

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions, except per share and share amounts)
Numerator:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	251	$	135	$	614	$	(918)
Less: Preferred stock dividend requirement (Note 19)	30		37		59		66
Less: Amortization of beneficial conversion feature (Note 19)	—		9		—		9
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to preferred shareholders (1)	—		—		—		—
Income (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations - basic	221		89		555		(993)
Add back: Series B Preferred Stock dividend	—		—		—		—
Add back: Undistributed earnings allocated to preferred shareholders (1)	—		—		—		—
Income (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations - diluted	221		89		555		(993)
Loss available to common shareholders from discontinued operations - basic and diluted	—		(30)		—		(176)
Income (loss) available to common shareholders - basic and diluted	$	221	$	59	$	555	$	(1,169)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	585,720,000		528,066,000		568,728,000		515,227,000
Plus: Incremental shares from assumed conversions:
Restricted stock (2)	3,558,000		2,771,000		3,558,000		—
Series B Preferred Stock (3)	—		—		—		—
Series C Preferred Stock (4)	7,052,000		—		23,844,000		—
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	596,330,000		530,837,000		596,130,000		515,227,000
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share:
Basic earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations	$	0.38	$	0.17	$	0.98	$	(1.93)
Basic loss per common share - discontinued operations	—		(0.06)		—		(0.34)
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	$	0.38	$	0.11	$	0.98	$	(2.27)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations	$	0.37	$	0.17	$	0.93	$	(1.93)
Diluted loss per common share - discontinued operations	—		(0.06)		—		(0.34)
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	$	0.37	$	0.11	$	0.93	$	(2.27)

(1)There were no undistributed earnings to be allocated to participating securities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020.

(2)2,771,000 incremental common shares from assumed conversions of restricted stock have not been included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share for the six months ended June 30, 2020, as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

(3)The computation of diluted earnings per common share outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 excludes 35,940,000 and 35,923,000 potentially dilutive shares of Series B Preferred Stock from the denominator, respectively, because the shares would be anti-dilutive. The computation of diluted earnings per common share outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 excludes 35,898,000 and 35,917,000 potentially dilutive shares of Series B Preferred Stock from the denominator, respectively, because the shares would be anti-dilutive.

(4)The computation of diluted earnings per common share outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 excludes 29,465,000 and 14,571,000 potentially dilutive shares of Series C Preferred Stock from the denominator,

respectively, because the shares would be anti-dilutive. As of May 7, 2021, all of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock have been converted into Common Stock. For further information, see Note 19.

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Reportable Segments

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Reportable Segments

Reportable Segments

The Registrants’ determination of reportable segments considers the strategic operating units under which its CODM manages sales, allocates resources and assesses performance of various products and services to wholesale or retail customers in differing regulatory environments. Each Registrant’s CODM views net income as the measure of profit or loss for the reportable segments. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year reportable segment presentation described in the Registrants’ combined 2020 Form 10-K.

As of June 30, 2021, reportable segments by Registrant were as follows:

CenterPoint Energy

•CenterPoint Energy’s Electric reportable segment consists of (i) electric transmission services to transmission service customers in the ERCOT region and distribution services to REPs serving the Texas Gulf Coast area and (ii) electric transmission and distribution services primarily to southwestern Indiana and includes power generation and wholesale power operations.

•CenterPoint Energy’s Natural Gas reportable segment consists of (i) intrastate natural gas sales to, and natural gas transportation and distribution for residential, commercial, industrial and institutional customers in Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas; (ii) permanent pipeline connections through interconnects with various interstate and intrastate pipeline companies through CEIP; and (iii) temporary delivery of LNG and CNG throughout the contiguous 48 states through MES.

•CenterPoint Energy’s Midstream Investments reportable segment consists of the equity investment in Enable (excluding the Enable Series A Preferred Units). See Note 9 regarding the Enable Merger.

CenterPoint Energy’s Corporate and Other consists of energy performance contracting and sustainable infrastructure    services through ESG and other corporate operations which support all of the business operations of CenterPoint Energy.

Houston Electric

•Houston Electric’s single reportable segment consists of electric transmission services to transmission service customers in the ERCOT region and distribution services to REPs serving the Texas Gulf Coast area.

CERC

•CERC’s single reportable segment consists of (i) intrastate natural gas sales to, and natural gas transportation and distribution for residential, commercial, industrial and institutional customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas; (ii) permanent pipeline connections through interconnects with various interstate and intrastate pipeline companies through CEIP; and (iii) temporary delivery of LNG and CNG throughout the contiguous 48 states through MES.

On April 29, 2021, CenterPoint Energy, through its subsidiary CERC Corp., entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to sell its Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses. The Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses are reflected in CenterPoint Energy’s Natural Gas reportable segment and CERC’s single reportable segment, as applicable, and are classified as held for sale as of June 30, 2021. See Note 3 for further details.

Financial data for reportable segments is as follows, including Corporate and Other, and Discontinued Operations for reconciliation purposes:

CenterPoint Energy

	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2021							2020
	Revenues from External Customers			Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates		Net Income (Loss)		Revenues from External Customers			Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates		Net Income (Loss)
	(in millions)
Electric	$	937	(1)	$	—	$	125	$	848	(1)	$	—	$	106
Natural Gas	740			—		74		644			—		30
Midstream Investments	—			67		54		—			43		24
Corporate and Other	65			—		(2)		83			—		(25)
Continuing Operations	$	1,742		$	67	251		$	1,575		$	43	135
Discontinued Operations, net						—							(30)
Consolidated						$	251						$	105
	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021							2020
	Revenues from External Customers			Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates		Net Income (Loss)		Revenues from External Customers			Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates		Net Income (Loss)
	(in millions)
Electric	$	1,767	(1)	$	—	$	200	$	1,615	(1)	$	—	$	(28)
Natural Gas	2,403			—		303		1,965			—		231
Midstream Investments (2)	—			175		125		—			(1,432)		(1,103)
Corporate and Other	119			—		(14)		162			—		(18)
Continuing Operations	$	4,289		$	175	614		$	3,742		$	(1,432)	(918)
Discontinued Operations, net						—							(176)
Consolidated						$	614						$	(1,094)

(1)Houston Electric revenues from major external customers are as follows (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Affiliates of NRG	$	192	$	174	$	387	$	330
Affiliates of Vistra Energy Corp.	87		92		175		173

(2)Includes the impairment of CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable of $1,541 million recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2020.

	Total Assets
	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions)
Electric	$	15,288	$	14,493
Natural Gas	15,064		14,976
Midstream Investments	1,051		913
Corporate and Other, net of eliminations (1)	2,871		3,089
Continuing Operations	34,274		33,471
Assets Held for Sale	2,192		—
Consolidated	$	36,466	$	33,471

(1)Total assets included pension and other postemployment-related regulatory assets of $525 million and $540 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

Houston Electric

Houston Electric consists of a single reportable segment; therefore, a tabular reportable segment presentation has not been included.

CERC

CERC consists of a single reportable segment; therefore, a tabular reportable segment presentation has not been included.

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Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

CenterPoint Energy and CERC elected not to separately disclose discontinued operations on their respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows. The table below provides supplemental disclosure of cash flow information and does not exclude the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups prior to the closing of the respective transactions.

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash Payments/Receipts:
Interest, net of capitalized interest	$	261	$	92	$	47	$	196	$	93	$	55
Income tax payments, net	13		—		—		4		—		—
Non-cash transactions:
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures	249		185		95		195		76		87
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities	2		—		1		14		—		5
Beneficial conversion feature	—		—		—		32		—		—
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature	—		—		—		(9)		—		—

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.

	June 30, 2021						December 31, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents (1)	$	136	$	120	$	1	$	147	$	139	$	1
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets	21		17		—		20		15		—
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows	$	157	$	137	$	1	$	167	$	154	$	1

(1)Houston Electric’s Cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 included $106 million and $139 million, respectively, of cash related to the Bond Companies.

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Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC)

Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC)Houston Electric and CERC participate in CenterPoint Energy’s 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 CenterPoint Energy 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 CenterPoint Energy money pool activity:

	June 30, 2021						December 31, 2020
	Houston Electric			CERC			Houston Electric			CERC
	(in millions, except interest rates)
Money pool investments (borrowings) (1)	$	97		$	—		$	(8)		$	—
Weighted average interest rate	0.18		%	0.18		%	0.24		%	0.24		%

(1)Included in Accounts and notes receivable (payable)–affiliated companies on Houston Electric’s and CERC’s respective Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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 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 June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
	Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Corporate service charges	$	47	$	52	$	45	$	49	$	90	$	102	$	94	$	104
Net affiliate service charges (billings)	(1)		1		(4)		4		(2)		2		(10)		10

The table below presents transactions among Houston Electric, CERC and their parent, CenterPoint Energy.

	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
	Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash dividends paid to parent	$	—	$	—	$	20	$	40	$	—	$	—	$	405	$	72
Capital distribution to parent associated with the sale of CES	—		—		—		286		—		—		—		286

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Equity

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Equity [Abstract]

Equity

Equity

Dividends Declared and Paid (CenterPoint Energy)

	Dividends Declared Per Share								Dividends Paid Per Share
	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,				Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020		2021		2020		2021		2020
Common Stock	$	0.1600	$	0.1500	$	0.1600	$	0.4400	$	0.1600	$	0.1500	$	0.1600	$	0.4400
Series A Preferred Stock	—		—		—		30.6250		—		—		—		30.6250
Series B Preferred Stock	17.5000		17.5000		17.5000		35.0000		17.5000		17.5000		17.5000		35.0000
Series C Preferred Stock (1)	—		0.1500		—		0.1500		—		0.1500		—		0.1500

(1)The Series C Preferred Stock was entitled to participate in any dividend or distribution (excluding those payable in Common Stock) with the Common Stock on a pari passu, pro rata, as-converted basis. The per share amount reflects the dividend per share of Common Stock as if the Series C Preferred Stock were converted into Common Stock. All of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock was converted to Common Stock during April and May 2021 as described below.

Preferred Stock (CenterPoint Energy)

	Liquidation Preference Per Share		Shares Outstanding as of		Outstanding Value as of
			June 30, 2021	December 31, 2020	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions, except shares and per share amounts)
Series A Preferred Stock	$	1,000	800,000	800,000	$	790	$	790
Series B Preferred Stock	1,000		975,903	977,400	949		950
Series C Preferred Stock	1,000		—	625,000	—		623
			1,775,903	2,402,400	$	1,739	$	2,363

Conversion of Series B Preferred Stock. The table below details the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock that were converted into shares of Common Stock in the three months ended June 30, 2021 resulting from notifications of intent to convert received from certain shareholders.

Date of Notice	Conversion Date	Shares of Series B Preferred Stock Converted	Shares of Common Stock Issued
April 27, 2021	April 28, 2021	1,490	45,653
June 28, 2021	June 29, 2021	7	214

Conversion of Series C Preferred Stock. The table below details the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock that were converted into shares of Common Stock in the three months ended June 30, 2021 resulting from notifications of intent to convert received from certain shareholders.

Date of Notice	Conversion Date	Shares of Series C Preferred Stock Converted	Shares of Common Stock Issued
April 5, 2021	April 7, 2021	400,000	26,126,714
April 16, 2021	April 19. 2021	37,500	2,449,379

`

On May 7, 2021, the remaining 187,500 shares of Series C Preferred Stock were converted into 12,246,897 shares of Common Stock.

Income Allocated to Preferred Shareholders (CenterPoint Energy)

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Series A Preferred Stock	$	13	$	13	$	25	$	25
Series B Preferred Stock	17		17		34		34
Series C Preferred Stock	—		7		—		7
Preferred dividend requirement	30		37		59		66
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature	—		9		—		9
Total income allocated to preferred shareholders	$	30	$	46	$	59	$	75

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes in accumulated comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Beginning Balance	$	(87)	$	—	$	10	$	(100)	$	(15)	$	10
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications:
Other comprehensive income from unconsolidated affiliates	1		—		—		—		—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Prior service cost (1)	—		—		—		1		—		—
Actuarial losses (1)	2		—		—		1		—		—
Reclassification of deferred loss from cash flow hedges to regulatory assets (2)	—		—		—		19		19		—
Tax expense	(1)		—		—		(5)		(4)		—
Net current period other comprehensive income	2		—		—		16		15		—
Ending Balance	$	(85)	$	—	$	10	$	(84)	$	—	$	10
	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Beginning Balance	$	(90)	$	—	$	10	$	(98)	$	(15)	$	10
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications:
Other comprehensive income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates	2		—		—		(3)		—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Prior service cost (1)	—		—		—		1		—		—
Actuarial losses (1)	4		—		—		3		—		—
Reclassification of deferred loss from cash flow hedges to regulatory assets (2)	—		—		—		19		19		—
Tax expense	(1)		—		—		(6)		(4)		—
Net current period other comprehensive income	5		—		—		14		15		—
Ending Balance	$	(85)	$	—	$	10	$	(84)	$	—	$	10

(1)Amounts are included in the computation of net periodic cost and are reflected in Other income (expense), net in each of the Registrants’ respective Statements of Consolidated Income.

(2)The cost of debt approved by the PUCT as part of Houston Electric’s Stipulation and Settlement Agreement included unrealized gains and losses on interest rate hedges. Accordingly, deferred gains and losses on interest rate hedges were reclassified to regulatory assets or liabilities, as appropriate.

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Subsequent Events (CenterPoint Energy)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events (CenterPoint Energy)

Subsequent Events (CenterPoint Energy)

CenterPoint Energy Dividend Declarations

Equity Instrument	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Per Share
Common Stock	July 21, 2021	August 19, 2021	September 9, 2021	$	0.1600
Series A Preferred Stock	July 21, 2021	August 15, 2021	September 1, 2021	30.6250
Series B Preferred Stock	July 21, 2021	August 15, 2021	September 1, 2021	17.5000

Enable Distributions Declarations (CenterPoint Energy)

Equity Instrument	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Per Unit Distribution		Expected Cash Distribution (in millions)
Enable common units	July 30, 2021	August 12, 2021	August 24, 2021	$	0.16525	$	39
Enable Series A Preferred Units	July 30, 2021	July 30, 2021	August 13, 2021	0.54390		8

Board of Directors Actions. On July 22, 2021, CenterPoint Energy announced the decision of the independent directors of the Board to implement a new independent Board leadership and governance structure, and named Martin H. Nesbitt, chair of the Governance Committee, as the new independent chair of the Board, effective immediately. To implement this new governance structure, the independent directors of the Board eliminated the Executive Chairman position, formerly held by Milton Carroll.

On the approval and recommendation of the Compensation Committee and approval of the Board (acting solely through its independent directors), CenterPoint Energy has entered into a separation agreement between CenterPoint Energy and Mr. Carroll, dated July 21, 2021. Under the terms of the separation agreement, Mr. Carroll was required to exit the position of Executive Chairman on July 21, 2021 and from his position as a Board member by September 30, 2021. Under the terms of the separation agreement, Mr. Carroll receives a lump sum cash payment of $28 million and his separation is treated as an “enhanced retirement” for purposes of his outstanding 2019, 2020 and 2021 equity award agreements.

On the approval and recommendation of the Compensation Committee and approval of the Board (acting solely through its independent directors), CenterPoint Energy has entered in a retention incentive agreement with David J. Lesar, President and Chief Executive Officer of CenterPoint Energy, dated July 20, 2021. Under the terms of the retention incentive agreement, Mr. Lesar will receive a total of 1 million shares of Common Stock to be awarded in multiple annual equity awards under CenterPoint Energy’s Long-term Incentive Plan.

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Background and Basis of Presentation (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation. The preparation of the Registrants’ 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, (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 reportable segment presentation described in the 2020 Form 10-K.

Consolidation

The Infrastructure Services Disposal Group provided pipeline construction and repair services to CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas. In accordance with consolidation guidance in ASC 980—Regulated Operations, costs incurred by Natural Gas utilities for these pipeline construction and repair services are not eliminated in consolidation when capitalized and included in rate base by the Natural Gas utility. Amounts charged for these services that are not capitalized are included primarily in Operation and maintenance expenses.

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.

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, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. 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.

The Registrants determine the appropriate level for each financial asset and liability on a quarterly basis.

Earnings Per Share

The two-class method uses an earnings allocation formula that treats participating securities as having rights to earnings that otherwise would have been available only to common shareholders. Under the two-class method, income (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations is derived by subtracting the following from income (loss) from continuing operations:

•preferred share dividend requirement;

•deemed dividends for the amortization of the beneficial conversion feature recognized at issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock; and

•an allocation of undistributed earnings to preferred shareholders of participating securities (Series C Preferred Stock) based on the securities’ right to receive dividends.

Undistributed earnings are calculated by subtracting dividends declared on Common Stock, the preferred share dividend requirement and deemed dividends for the amortization of the beneficial conversion feature from net income. Net losses are not allocated to the Series C Preferred Stock as it does not have a contractual obligation to share in the losses of CenterPoint Energy.

The Series C Preferred Stock included conversion features at a price that was below the fair value of the Common Stock on the commitment date. This beneficial conversion feature, which was approximately $32 million at issuance, represented the difference between the fair value per share of the Common Stock as of the commitment date and the conversion price, multiplied by the number of common shares issuable upon conversion. The beneficial conversion feature was recognized as a discount to Series C Preferred Stock and was amortized as a deemed dividend over the period from the issue date to the first allowable conversion date, which was November 6, 2020.

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders from continuing operations by the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Participating securities are excluded from basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders from continuing operations by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, including all potentially dilutive common shares, if the effect of such common shares is dilutive.

Diluted earnings per share reflects the dilutive effect of potential common shares from share-based awards and convertible preferred shares. The dilutive effect of the restricted stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock is computed using the if-converted method, as applicable, which assumes conversion of the restricted stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock at the beginning of the period, giving income recognition for the add-back of the preferred share dividends, amortization of beneficial conversion feature, and undistributed earnings allocated to preferred shareholders.

Revenues from Contract with Customers

Revenues from Contracts with Customers

In accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, 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. The revenues and related balances in the following tables exclude operating revenues and balances from the Energy Services Disposal Group and the Infrastructure Services Disposal Group, which are reflected as discontinued operations prior to the date of closing of each transaction. See Note 3 for further information. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year reportable segment presentation described in the Registrants’ combined 2020 Form 10-K.

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 (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric). Houston Electric distributes electricity to customers over time and customers consume the electricity when delivered. Indiana Electric generates, distributes and transmits electricity to customers over time, and customers consume the electricity when delivered. Revenue, consisting of both volumetric and fixed tariff rates set by state regulators, such as the PUCT and the IURC, 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 provided by Houston Electric 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 regulator. Payments are received on a monthly basis. Indiana Electric customers are billed monthly and payment terms, set by the regulator, require payment within a month of billing.

Natural Gas (CenterPoint Energy and CERC). CenterPoint Energy and CERC distribute and transport 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.

Contract Balances. When the timing of delivery of service is different from the timing of the payments made by customers and when the right to consideration is conditioned on something other than the passage of time, the Registrants recognize either a contract asset (performance precedes billing) or a contract liability (customer payment precedes performance). Those customers that prepay are represented by contract liabilities until the performance obligations are satisfied. The Registrants’ contract assets are included in Accrued unbilled revenues in their Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy’s contract assets primarily relate to ESG contracts where revenue is recognized using the input method. The Registrants’ contract liabilities are included in Accounts payable and Other current liabilities in their Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of June 30, 2021, CenterPoint Energy’s contract liabilities primarily relate to ESG contracts where revenue is recognized using the input method.

Allowance for Credit Losses

CenterPoint Energy and CERC segregate financial assets that fall under the scope of Topic 326, primarily trade receivables due in one year or less, into portfolio segments based on shared risk characteristics, such as geographical location and regulatory environment, for evaluation of expected credit losses. Historical and current information, such as average write-offs, are applied to each portfolio segment to estimate the allowance for losses on uncollectible receivables. Additionally, the allowance for losses on uncollectible receivables is adjusted for reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions, which can include changing weather, commodity prices, regulations, and macroeconomic factors, among others. Houston Electric recognizes losses on financial assets that fall under the scope of Topic 326. Losses on financial assets are primarily recoverable through regulatory mechanisms and do not materially impact Houston Electric's allowance for credit losses.

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Held for Sale and Divestitures (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Disclosure of Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale

The assets and liabilities of the Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses classified as held for sale in CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, as applicable, included the following:

	June 30, 2021
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions)
Receivables, net	$	28	$	28
Accrued unbilled revenues	14		14
Natural gas inventory	20		20
Materials and supplies	8		8
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,238		1,238
Goodwill	403		146
Regulatory assets	386		386
Other	95		95
Total current assets held for sale	$	2,192	$	1,935
Short term borrowings (1)	$	14	$	14
Accounts payable	20		20
Taxes accrued	5		5
Customer deposits	12		12
Regulatory liabilities	286		286
Other	135		135
Total current liabilities held for sale	$	472	$	472

(1)Represents third-party AMAs associated with utility distribution service in Arkansas and Oklahoma. These transactions are accounted for as an inventory financing. For further information, see Note 12.

The pre-tax income for the Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses, excluding interest and corporate allocations, included in CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income is as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	$	10	$	8	$	62	$	60

Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations

A summary of the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups presented in CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, as applicable, is as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy						CERC
	Infrastructure Services Disposal Group		Energy Services Disposal Group		Total		Energy Services Disposal Group
	(in millions)
Revenues	$	28	$	281	$	309	$	281
Expenses:
Non-utility cost of revenues	6		300		306		300
Operation and maintenance	21		14		35		14
Taxes other than income taxes	—		2		2		2
Total	27		316		343		316
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	1		(35)		(34)		(35)
Gain on sale, net	3		39		42		39
Income tax expense	30		8		38		8
Net loss from discontinued operations	$	(26)	$	(4)	$	(30)	$	(4)

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy						CERC
	Infrastructure Services Disposal Group		Energy Services Disposal Group		Total		Energy Services Disposal Group
	(in millions)
Revenues	$	250	$	1,167	$	1,417	$	1,167
Expenses:
Non-utility cost of revenues	50		1,108		1,158		1,108
Operation and maintenance	184		34		218		34
Taxes other than income taxes	1		3		4		3
Total	235		1,145		1,380		1,145
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	15		22		37		22
Loss on classification to held for sale, net (1)	(93)		(99)		(192)		(93)
Income tax expense (benefit)	25		(4)		21		(3)
Net loss from discontinued operations	$	(103)	$	(73)	$	(176)	$	(68)

(1)Loss from classification to held for sale is inclusive of goodwill impairment, gains and losses recognized upon sale, and for CenterPoint Energy, its costs to sell.

Transactions between CES and CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas businesses that were previously eliminated in consolidation have been reflected in continuing operations until June 1, 2020, which was the date of closing of the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group. Revenues and expenses included in continuing operations were as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions)
Transportation revenue	$	18	$	18
Natural gas expense	3		3
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions)
Transportation revenue	$	34	$	34
Natural gas expense	48		47

Fees incurred by CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas segment for pipeline construction and repair services are as follows:

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions)
Pipeline construction and repair services capitalized	$	34	$	—
Pipeline construction and repair service charges in operations and maintenance expense	1		1

(1)Represents charges for the period from January 1, 2020 until the closing of the sale of the Infrastructure Services Disposal Group.

Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations Cash Flow

The following table summarizes CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s cash flows from discontinued operations and certain supplemental cash flow disclosures related to the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups, as applicable:

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy				CERC
	Infrastructure Services Disposal Group		Energy Services Disposal Group		Energy Services Disposal Group
	(in millions)
Write-down of natural gas inventory	$	—	$	3	$	3
Capital expenditures	16		1		1
Non-cash transactions:
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures	2		4		4

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Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Credit Losses (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Disaggregation of Revenue

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

CenterPoint Energy

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2021
	Electric		Natural Gas		Corporate  and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	933	$	718	$	64	$	1,715
Other (1)	4		22		1		27
Total revenues	$	937	$	740	$	65	$	1,742
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
	Electric		Natural Gas		Corporate  and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	1,766	$	2,373	$	117	$	4,256
Other (1)	1		30		2		33
Total revenues	$	1,767	$	2,403	$	119	$	4,289

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
	Electric		Natural Gas		Corporate  and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	850	$	634	$	82	$	1,566
Other (1)	(2)		10		1		9
Total revenues	$	848	$	644	$	83	$	1,575
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
	Electric		Natural Gas		Corporate  and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	1,617	$	1,930	$	160	$	3,707
Other (1)	(2)		35		2		35
Total revenues	$	1,615	$	1,965	$	162	$	3,742

(1)Primarily consists of income from ARPs, weather hedge gains (losses) and leases. Total lease income was $2 million and $1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $4 million and $2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Houston Electric

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	791	$	722	$	1,478	$	1,360
Other (1)	(5)		(2)		(8)		(6)
Total revenues	$	786	$	720	$	1,470	$	1,354

(1)Primarily consists of income from ARPs and leases. Lease income was not significant for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.

CERC

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	558	$	472	$	1,730	$	1,456
Other (1)	16		11		21		38
Total revenues	$	574	$	483	$	1,751	$	1,494

(1)Primarily consists of income from ARPs, weather hedge gains (losses) and leases. Lease income was not significant for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.

Contract with Customer, Contract Asset, Contract Liability and Receivable

The opening and closing balances of accounts receivable related to ASC 606 revenues, other accrued unbilled revenue, contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers from continuing operations as of December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2021, respectively, are presented below. The closing balances as of June 30, 2021 for CenterPoint Energy and CERC have been updated to exclude amounts reflected as held for sale on their respective Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

CenterPoint Energy

	Accounts Receivable		Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues		Contract Assets		Contract Liabilities
	(in millions)
Opening balance as of December 31, 2020	$	604	$	505	$	27	$	18
Closing balance as of June 30, 2021	505		272		24		22
Increase (decrease)	$	(99)	$	(233)	$	(3)	$	4

The amount of revenue recognized in the six-month period ended June 30, 2021 that was included in the opening contract liability was $15 million. The difference between the opening and closing balances of the contract liabilities primarily results from the timing difference between CenterPoint Energy’s performance and the customer’s payment.

Houston Electric

	Accounts Receivable		Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues		Contract Liabilities
	(in millions)
Opening balance as of December 31, 2020	$	225	$	113	$	3
Closing balance as of June 30, 2021	260		116		6
Increase	$	35	$	3	$	3

The amount of revenue recognized in the six-month period ended June 30, 2021 that was included in the opening contract liability was $2 million. The difference between the opening and closing balances of the contract liabilities primarily results from the timing difference between Houston Electric’s performance and the customer’s payment.

CERC

	Accounts Receivable		Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues
	(in millions)
Opening balance as of December 31, 2020	$	214	$	261
Closing balance as of June 30, 2021	114		81
Decrease	$	(100)	$	(180)

CERC does not have any opening or closing contract asset or contract liability balances.

Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction

Remaining Performance Obligations (CenterPoint Energy). The table below discloses (1) the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of the end of the reporting period for contracts and (2) when CenterPoint Energy expects to recognize this revenue. Such contracts include energy performance and sustainable infrastructure services contracts of ESG, which are included in Corporate and Other.

	Rolling 12 Months		Thereafter		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue expected to be recognized on contracts in place as of June 30, 2021:
Corporate and Other	$	253	$	538	$	791
	$	253	$	538	$	791

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Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Schedule of Net Benefit Costs

The Registrants’ net periodic cost (benefit), 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 June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	10	$	12	$	20	$	22
Interest cost (2)	14		19		29		38
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(26)		(29)		(52)		(57)
Amortization of prior service cost (2)	—		—		—		—
Amortization of net loss (2)	10		11		19		21
Settlement cost (benefit) (2) (3)	(1)		1		(1)		1
Net periodic cost	$	7	$	14	$	15	$	25

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

(2)Amounts presented in the table above are included in Other income (expense), net in CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, net of regulatory deferrals.

(3)A one-time, non-cash settlement cost (benefit) is required when the total lump sum distributions or other settlements of plan benefit obligations during a plan year exceed the service cost and interest cost components of the net periodic cost for that year. In each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, CenterPoint Energy recognized non-cash settlement costs (benefits) due to lump sum settlement payments from Vectren pension plans.

Postretirement Benefits

	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	—	$	—	$	1	$	1	$	—	$	—
Interest cost (2)	2		1		—		3		2		1
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(1)		(1)		—		(2)		(1)		—
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (2)	(1)		(1)		—		(1)		(2)		—
Net periodic cost (benefit)	$	—	$	(1)	$	1	$	1	$	(1)	$	1
	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	1	$	—	$	1	$	1	$	—	$	—
Interest cost (2)	4		2		1		6		3		2
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(2)		(2)		—		(3)		(2)		—
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (2)	(2)		(2)		—		(2)		(3)		—
Net periodic cost (benefit)	$	1	$	(2)	$	2	$	2	$	(2)	$	2

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

Benefit Plan Contributions

The table below reflects the expected contributions to be made to the pension and postretirement benefit plans during 2021:

	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Expected minimum contribution to pension plans during 2021	$	61	$	—	$	—
Expected contribution to postretirement benefit plans in 2021	9		1		3

On March 11, 2021, the ARPA was signed into law which includes pension plan funding relief for the sponsoring employers. As a result, the required minimum contribution to pension plans for 2021 has been significantly reduced. However, CenterPoint Energy elects to maintain the same level of funding previously planned for 2021, and therefore, the expected minimum contribution amount does not reflect this funding relief available for 2021.

The table below reflects the contributions made to the pension and postretirement benefit plans during 2021:

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2021						Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Pension plans	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	8	$	—	$	—
Postretirement benefit plans	1		—		1		4		—		2

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Regulatory Matters (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Other Disclosures [Abstract]

Allowed Equity Return Not Recognized

The recoverable allowed equity return not yet recognized by the Registrants is as follows:

	June 30, 2021						December 31, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy (1)		Houston Electric (2)		CERC (3)		CenterPoint Energy (1)		Houston Electric (2)		CERC (3)
	(in millions)
Allowed equity return not recognized	$	217	$	121	$	14	$	229	$	137	$	13

(1)In addition to the amounts described in (2) and (3) below, CenterPoint Energy’s allowed equity return on post in-service carrying cost generally associated with investments in Indiana.

(2)Represents Houston Electric’s allowed equity return on its true-up balance of stranded costs, other changes and related interest resulting from the formerly integrated electric utilities prior to Texas deregulation to be recovered in rates through 2024 and certain storm restoration balances pending recovery in the next rate proceeding. The actual amounts recognized are adjusted at least annually to correct any over-collections or under-collections during the preceding 12 months.

(3)CERC’s allowed equity return on post in-service carrying cost associated with certain distribution facilities replacements expenditures in Texas.

Amount Allowed equity return recognized in period

The table below reflects the amount of allowed equity return recognized by each Registrant in its Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income:

	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Allowed equity return recognized	$	11	$	11	$	—	$	8	$	8	$	—
	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
Allowed equity return recognized	$	19	$	18	$	—	$	14	$	14	$	—

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Derivative Instruments (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions

The table below summarizes the Registrants’ outstanding interest rate hedging activity:

	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
Hedging Classification	Notional Principal
	(in millions)
Economic hedge (1)	$	84	$	84

(1)Relates to interest rate derivative instruments at SIGECO.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

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

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments and Hedged Items (CenterPoint Energy)

		June 30, 2021				December 31, 2020
	Balance Sheet Location	Derivative Assets Fair Value		Derivative Liabilities Fair Value		Derivative Liabilities Fair Value
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:		(in millions)
Natural gas derivatives (1)	Current Assets: Non-trading derivative assets	$	6	$	—	$	—
Natural gas derivatives (1)	Other Assets: Other non-current assets	1		—		—
Natural gas derivatives (2)	Current Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	—		—		3
Natural gas derivatives (2)	Other Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	—		—		7
Interest rate derivatives	Other Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	—		14		20
Indexed debt securities derivative (3)	Current Liabilities	—		1,004		953
Total		$	7	$	1,018	$	983

(1)Natural gas contracts are subject to master netting arrangements. This netting applies to all undisputed amounts due or past due. However, the mark-to-market fair value of each natural gas contract is in an asset position with no offsetting amounts.

(2)Natural gas contracts are subject to master netting arrangements. This netting applies to all undisputed amounts due or past due. However, the mark-to-market fair value of each natural gas contract is in a liability position with no offsetting amounts.

(3)Derivative component of the ZENS obligation that represents the ZENS holder’s option to receive the appreciated value of the reference shares at maturity. See Note 11 for further information.

Income Statement Impact of Derivative Activity

Income Statement Impact of Hedge Accounting Activity (CenterPoint Energy)

		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended  June 30,
	Income Statement Location	2021		2020		2021		2020
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:		(in millions)
Indexed debt securities derivative (1)	Gain (loss) on indexed debt securities	$	(77)	$	(76)	$	(51)	$	59
Total		$	(77)	$	(76)	$	(51)	$	59

(1)The indexed debt securities derivative is recorded at fair value and changes in the fair value are recorded in CenterPoint Energy’s Statements of Consolidated Income.

Credit-risk-related contingent features

(c) Credit Risk Contingent Features (CenterPoint Energy)

Certain of CenterPoint Energy’s derivative instruments contain provisions that require CenterPoint Energy’s debt to maintain an investment grade credit rating on its long-term unsecured unsubordinated debt from S&P and Moody’s. If CenterPoint Energy’s debt were to fall below investment grade, it would be in violation of these provisions, and the counterparties to the derivative instruments could request immediate payment.

	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions)
Aggregate fair value of derivatives with credit-risk-related contingent features in a liability position	$	14	$	20
Fair value of collateral already posted	7		7
Additional collateral required to be posted if credit risk contingent features triggered (1)	7		3

(1)The maximum collateral required if further escalating collateral is triggered would equal the net liability position.

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair value, assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis

The following tables present information about the Registrants’ assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Registrants to determine such fair value.

CenterPoint Energy

	June 30, 2021								December 31, 2020
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets	(in millions)
Corporate equities	$	926	$	—	$	—	$	926	$	873	$	—	$	—	$	873
Investments, including money market funds (1)	42		—		—		42		43		—		—		43
Natural gas derivatives	—		7		—		7		—		—		—		—
Total assets	$	968	$	7	$	—	$	975	$	916	$	—	$	—	$	916
Liabilities
Indexed debt securities derivative	$	—	$	1,004	$	—	$	1,004	$	—	$	953	$	—	$	953
Interest rate derivatives	—		14		—		14		—		20		—		20
Natural gas derivatives	—		—		—		—		—		10		—		10
Total liabilities	$	—	$	1,018	$	—	$	1,018	$	—	$	983	$	—	$	983

Houston Electric

	June 30, 2021								December 31, 2020
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets	(in millions)
Investments, including money market funds (1)	$	26	$	—	$	—	$	26	$	26	$	—	$	—	$	26
Total assets	$	26	$	—	$	—	$	26	$	26	$	—	$	—	$	26

CERC

	June 30, 2021								December 31, 2020
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets	(in millions)
Corporate equities	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	3	$	2	$	—	$	—	$	2
Investments, including money market funds (1)	11		—		—		11		11		—		—		11
Total assets	$	14	$	—	$	—	$	14	$	13	$	—	$	—	$	13

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

Estimated fair value of financial instruments, debt instruments

The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, investments in debt and equity securities measured at fair value 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.

	June 30, 2021						December 31, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy (1)		Houston Electric (1)		CERC		CenterPoint Energy (1)		Houston Electric (1)		CERC
Long-term debt, including current maturities	(in millions)
Carrying amount	$	16,131	$	5,595	$	4,343	$	13,401	$	5,019	$	2,428
Fair value	17,611		6,403		4,680		15,226		5,957		2,855

(1)Includes Securitization Bonds debt.

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Unconsolidated Affiliate (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Equity Method Investments

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates (CenterPoint Energy):

	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions)
Enable	$	881	$	782
Other	1		1
Total	$	882	$	783

Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Affiliates, net (CenterPoint Energy):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020 (1)
	(in millions)
Enable	$	67	$	43	$	175	$	(1,432)
Total	$	67	$	43	$	175	$	(1,432)

(1)Includes an impairment charge on CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable of $1,541 million.

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

	June 30, 2021
	Limited Partner Interest (1)		Common Units	Enable Series A Preferred Units (2)
CenterPoint Energy (3)	53.7	%	233,856,623	14,520,000
OGE	25.5	%	110,982,805	—
Public unitholders	20.8	%	91,026,711	—
Total units outstanding	100.0	%	435,866,139	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 June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. There were no settled transactions in the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 that would indicate a stand-alone, observable, and readily determinable fair value for securities identical or similar to Enable Series A Preferred Units. No impairment charges or adjustment due to observable price changes were required or recorded during the current or prior reporting periods.

(3)Held indirectly through CNP Midstream.

CenterPoint Energy and OGE held the following interests in Enable GP as of both June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

	June 30, 2021
	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)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)Held indirectly through CNP Midstream.

Distributions Received from Enable (CenterPoint Energy):

	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
	Per Unit		Cash Distribution		Per Unit		Cash Distribution		Per Unit		Cash Distribution		Per Unit		Cash Distribution
	(in millions, except per unit amounts)
Enable common units	$	0.16525	$	38	$	0.16525	$	39	$	0.33050	$	77	$	0.49575	$	116
Enable Series A Preferred Units	0.58730		9		0.62500		9		1.21230		18		1.25000		18
Total CenterPoint Energy			$	47			$	48			$	95			$	134

Transactions with Enable (CenterPoint Energy and CERC):

The transactions with Enable in the following tables exclude transactions with the Energy Services Disposal Group.

	CenterPoint Energy and CERC
	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Natural gas expenses, includes transportation and storage costs	$	16	$	17	$	48	$	44

	CenterPoint Energy and CERC
	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions)
Accounts payable for natural gas purchases from Enable	$	5	$	9
Accounts receivable for amounts billed for services provided to Enable	1		1

Summarized Financial Information for Enable (CenterPoint Energy)

Summarized unaudited consolidated income information for Enable is as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Operating revenues	$	787	$	515	$	1,757	$	1,163
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization	426		177		945		403
Depreciation and amortization	103		105		209		209
Goodwill and long-lived assets impairments	—		—		—		28
Operating income	124		80		330		226
Net income attributable to Enable common units	79		35		234		138
Reconciliation of Equity in Earnings (Losses), net:
CenterPoint Energy’s interest	$	42	$	19	$	125	$	74
Basis difference amortization (1)	25		24		50		36
Loss on dilution, net of proportional basis difference recognition	—		—		—		(1)
Impairment of CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable	—		—		—		(1,541)
CenterPoint Energy’s equity in earnings (losses), net	$	67	$	43	$	175	$	(1,432)

(1)Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate includes CenterPoint Energy’s share of Enable earnings adjusted for the amortization of the basis difference of CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable and its underlying equity in net assets of Enable. The basis difference is being amortized through the year 2048 or will cease upon the sale of CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable.

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

	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions)
Current assets	$	475	$	381
Non-current assets	11,284		11,348
Current liabilities	1,317		582
Non-current liabilities	3,249		4,052
Non-controlling interest	25		26
Preferred equity	362		362
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3)		(6)
Enable partners’ equity	6,809		6,713
Reconciliation of Investment in Enable:
CenterPoint Energy’s ownership interest in Enable partners’ equity	$	3,651	$	3,601
CenterPoint Energy’s basis difference (1)	(2,770)		(2,819)
CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable	$	881	$	782

(1)The basis difference is being amortized through the year 2048 or will cease upon sale of CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable

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

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill

CenterPoint Energy’s goodwill by reportable segment is as follows:

	December 31, 2020		Held For Sale		June 30, 2021
	(in millions)
Electric (1)	$	936	$	—	$	936
Natural Gas (2)	3,323		403		2,920
Corporate and Other	438		—		438
Total	$	4,697	$	403	$	4,294

CERC’s goodwill is as follows:

	December 31, 2020		Held For Sale		June 30, 2021
	(in millions)
Goodwill (2)	$	757	$	146	$	611

(1)Amount presented is net of the accumulated goodwill impairment charge of $185 million recorded in 2020.

(2)If the disposal group reflects a component of a reporting unit and meets the definition of a business, the goodwill within that reporting unit is allocated to the disposal group based on the relative fair value of the components representing a business that will be retained and disposed. As a result, goodwill attributable to the Natural Gas businesses to be disposed is classified as held for sale as of June 30, 2021. Neither CenterPoint Energy nor CERC recognized any goodwill impairments within the Natural Gas reportable segment during the three or six months ended June 30, 2021. For further information, see Note 3.

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets

The tables below present information on CenterPoint Energy’s intangible assets, excluding goodwill, recorded in Other non-current assets on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the related amortization expense included in Depreciation and amortization on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, unless otherwise indicated.

	June 30, 2021						December 31, 2020
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Balance		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Balance
	(in millions)
Customer relationships	$	33	$	(10)	$	23	$	33	$	(8)	$	25
Trade names	16		(4)		12		16		(3)		13
Construction backlog (1)	5		(5)		—		5		(5)		—
Operation and maintenance agreements (1)	12		(1)		11		12		(1)		11
Other	2		(1)		1		2		(1)		1
Total	$	68	$	(21)	$	47	$	68	$	(18)	$	50

(1)Amortization expense related to the operation and maintenance agreements and construction backlog is included in Non-utility cost of revenues, including natural gas on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

Finite-lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Amortization expense of intangible assets recorded in Depreciation and amortization	$	2	$	2	$	3	$	3
Amortization expense of intangible assets recorded in Non-utility cost of revenues, including natural gas	—		—		—		1

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense

CenterPoint Energy estimates that amortization expense of intangible assets with finite lives for the next five years will be as follows:

	Amortization  Expense
	(in millions)
Remaining six months of 2021	$	3
2022	6
2023	6
2024	5
2025	5
2026	5

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

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Schedule of Indexed Debt Securities and Marketable Securities

A subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy holds shares of certain securities detailed in the table below, which are securities with a readily determinable fair value 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
	June 30, 2021	December 31, 2020
AT&T Common	10,212,945	10,212,945
Charter Common	872,503	872,503

(b) ZENS

In September 1999, CenterPoint Energy issued ZENS having an original principal amount of $1.0 billion of which $828 million remained outstanding as of June 30, 2021. Each ZENS is 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 attributable to such note. The number and identity of the reference shares attributable to each ZENS are adjusted for certain corporate events.

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

	June 30, 2021	December 31, 2020
	(in shares)
AT&T Common	0.7185	0.7185
Charter Common	0.061382	0.061382

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

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities

Debt Transactions. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the following debt instruments were issued or incurred:

Registrant	Issuance Date	Debt Instrument	Aggregate Principal Amount		Interest Rate	Maturity Date
	(in millions)
CERC Corp.	March 2021	Senior Notes	$	700	0.70%	2023
CERC Corp.	March 2021	Floating Rate Senior Notes	1,000		Three-month LIBOR plus 0.50%	2023
		Total CERC Corp. (1)	1,700
Houston Electric	March 2021	General Mortgage Bonds	400		2.35%	2031
Houston Electric	March 2021	General Mortgage Bonds	700		3.35%	2051
		Total Houston Electric (2)	1,100
CenterPoint Energy	May 2021	Senior Notes	500		1.45%	2026
CenterPoint Energy	May 2021	Senior Notes	500		2.65%	2031
CenterPoint Energy	May 2021	Floating Rate Senior Notes	700		SOFR plus 0.65%	2024
		Total CenterPoint Energy (3)	$	4,500

(1)In February 2021, CERC Corp. received financing commitments totaling $1.7 billion on a 364-day term loan facility to bridge any working capital needs related to the February 2021 Winter Storm Event. Total proceeds of the senior notes and floating rate senior note offerings, net of issuance expenses and fees, of approximately $1.69 billion were used for general corporate purposes, including to fund working capital. Upon the consummation of its senior notes offerings, in March 2021, CERC Corp. terminated all of the commitments for the 364-day term loan facility.

(2)Total proceeds, net of issuance expenses and fees, of approximately $1.08 billion were used for general limited liability company purposes, including capital expenditures and the repayment of outstanding debt discussed below and Houston Electric’s borrowings under the CenterPoint Energy money pool.

(3)Total proceeds, net of issuance expenses and fees, of approximately $1.69 billion, excluding amounts issued by Houston Electric and CERC Corp., were used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of outstanding debt discussed below and a portion of CenterPoint Energy’s outstanding commercial paper.

Debt Repayments and Redemptions. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the following debt instruments were repaid at maturity or redeemed:

Registrant	Repayment/Redemption Date	Debt Instrument	Aggregate Principal		Interest Rate	Maturity Date
			(in millions)
Houston Electric	March 2021	First Mortgage Bonds	$	102	9.15%	2021
Houston Electric (1)	May 2021	General Mortgage Bonds	300		1.85%	2021
		Total Houston Electric	402
CenterPoint Energy (2)	January 2021	Senior Notes	250		3.85%	2021
CenterPoint Energy (3)	May 2021	Term Loan	700		0.76%	2021
CenterPoint Energy (4)	June 2021	Senior Notes	500		3.60%	2021
		Total CenterPoint Energy	$	1,852

(1)In April 2021, Houston Electric provided notice of redemption and on May 1, 2021, Houston Electric redeemed all of the outstanding bonds of the series at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

(2)In December 2020, CenterPoint Energy provided notice of redemption of a portion of its outstanding $500 million aggregate principal amount of the series and on January 15, 2021, CenterPoint Energy redeemed $250 million aggregate principal amount of the series at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest and an applicable make-whole premium of $26 million.

(3)In April 2021, CenterPoint Energy amended its existing term loan agreement by extending its maturity from May 15, 2021 to June 14, 2021. The outstanding LIBOR rate loan balance was prepaid in full at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, which was calculated based on the interest rate at maturity.

(4)In May 2021, CenterPoint Energy provided notice of redemption and on June 1, 2021, CenterPoint Energy redeemed all of the outstanding senior notes of the series at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and an applicable make-whole premium of $7 million.

Credit Facilities. In February 2021, each of CenterPoint Energy, Houston Electric, CERC Corp. and VUHI replaced their existing revolving credit facilities with new amended and restated credit facilities. The size of the CenterPoint Energy facility decreased from $3.3 billion to $2.4 billion, while the sizes of the Houston Electric, CERC Corp. and VUHI facilities remained unchanged.

The Registrants had the following revolving credit facilities as of June 30, 2021:

Execution  Date	Registrant	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 June 30, 2021 (2)	Termination Date
		(in millions)
February 4, 2021	CenterPoint Energy	$	2,400	1.625%	65.0%	(3)	57.7%	February 4, 2024
February 4, 2021	CenterPoint Energy (4)	400		1.250%	65.0%		50.1%	February 4, 2024
February 4, 2021	Houston Electric	300		1.375%	67.5%	(3)	55.8%	February 4, 2024
February 4, 2021	CERC	900		1.250%	65.0%		61.0%	February 4, 2024
	Total	$	4,000

(1)Based on current credit ratings.

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

(3)For CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric, the financial covenant limit will temporarily increase 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.

(4)This credit facility was issued by VUHI, is guaranteed by SIGECO, Indiana Gas and VEDO and includes a $20 million letter of credit sublimit. This credit facility backstops VUHI’s commercial paper program.

The Registrants, including the subsidiaries of CenterPoint Energy discussed above, were in compliance with all financial debt covenants as of June 30, 2021.

The table below reflects the utilization of the Registrants’ respective revolving credit facilities:

	June 30, 2021								December 31, 2020
Registrant	Loans		Letters of Credit		Commercial Paper (1)		Weighted Average Interest Rate		Loans		Letters of Credit		Commercial Paper (1)		Weighted Average Interest Rate
	(in millions, except weighted average interest rate)
CenterPoint Energy	$	—	$	11	$	911	0.18	%	$	—	$	11	$	1,078	0.23	%
CenterPoint Energy (2)	—		—		268		0.18	%	—		—		92		0.22	%
Houston Electric	—		—		—		—	%	—		—		—		—	%
CERC	—		—		564		0.18	%	—		—		347		0.23	%
Total	$	—	$	11	$	1,743			$	—	$	11	$	1,517

(1)Outstanding commercial paper generally has maturities of 60 days or less and each Registrants’ commercial paper program is backstopped by such Registrants’ long-term credit facilities. Houston Electric does not have a commercial paper program.

(2)This credit facility was issued by VUHI and is guaranteed by SIGECO, Indiana Gas and VEDO.

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Income Taxes (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation

The Registrants reported the following effective tax rates:

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
CenterPoint Energy - Continuing operations (1)(2)	(1)	%	18	%	10	%	26	%
CenterPoint Energy - Discontinued operations (3) (4)	—	%	475	%	—	%	(14)	%
Houston Electric (5)	15	%	16	%	14	%	15	%
CERC - Continuing operations (6)	(45)	%	(31)	%	10	%	17	%
CERC - Discontinued operations (7) (8)	—	%	200	%	—	%	4	%

(1)CenterPoint Energy’s lower effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily driven by the recording of a $46 million deferred state tax benefit, detailed further below, that was triggered by state tax law legislation in Louisiana and Oklahoma combined with the impact of the accounting held for sale classification for the Arkansas and Oklahoma natural gas sale assets and liabilities in the period ended June 30, 2021. For tax purposes, when the held for

sale criteria is met, the CERC and unitary state apportionment rates must be updated to account for the sale and applied to the estimated post-sale net deferred tax liability which resulted in an $18 million net state tax benefit being recorded in the current quarter. Other factors in the remeasurement of the state deferred tax liability as a result of the reduction of the corporate tax rate in Oklahoma as of January 1, 2022 resulted in a benefit of $13 million and the change in the NOL carryforward period in Louisiana from 20 years to an indefinite period allowed for the release of the valuation allowance on certain Louisiana NOLs resulting in a benefit of $15 million.

(2)CenterPoint Energy’s lower than statutory tax rate on income from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was primarily due to an increase in the amount of amortization of the net regulatory EDIT liability, and the recording of a $46 million deferred state tax benefit, discussed above. This was partially offset by an increase in ordinary state income taxes. CenterPoint Energy’s higher than statutory tax rate on the loss from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to lower earnings from the impairment of CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable. Other effective tax rate drivers included the non-deductible goodwill impairment at Indiana Electric Integrated reporting unit, and an increase in the amount of remeasurement of state tax liabilities for changes in apportionment, the effect of which was compounded by the book loss in the six months ended June 30, 2020.

(3)CenterPoint Energy’s higher than statutory tax rate on income from discontinued operations for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to the tax impacts from the sales of the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups.

(4)CenterPoint Energy’s lower than statutory tax rate on the loss from discontinued operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to the tax impacts from the sales of the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups.

(5)Houston Electric’s lower effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same periods in 2020 was primarily driven by a decrease in state income taxes which is partially offset by an increase in the amount of amortization of the net regulatory EDIT liability.

(6)CERC’s lower effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same periods ended June 30, 2020 was primarily driven by a $26 million deferred state tax benefit, detailed further below, that was triggered by state tax law legislation in Louisiana combined with the accounting held for sale classification for the Arkansas and Oklahoma natural gas sale assets and liabilities in the period ended June 30, 2021. For tax purposes, when the held for sale criteria is met, the CERC state apportionment rates must be updated to account for the sale and applied to the estimated post-sale net deferred tax liability which resulted in an $11 million net state tax benefit being recorded in the current quarter. A state law change in the NOL carryforward period in Louisiana from 20 years to an indefinite period allowed for the release of the valuation allowance on certain Louisiana NOLs resulting in a benefit of $15 million.

(7)CERC’s higher than statutory tax rate on income from discontinued operations for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to the tax impacts from the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group.

(8)CERC’s lower than statutory tax rate on the loss from discontinued operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to the tax impacts from the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group.

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Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-term Purchase Commitment

As of June 30, 2021, undiscounted minimum purchase obligations are approximately:

	CenterPoint Energy				CERC
	Natural Gas and Coal Supply		Other (1)		Natural Gas Supply
	(in millions)
Remaining six months of 2021	$	334	$	9	$	227
2022	550		12		336
2023	473		399		281
2024	392		198		259
2025	337		7		231
2026	304		7		226
2027 and beyond	1,634		143		1,330

(1)CenterPoint Energy’s undiscounted minimum payment obligations related to its 25-year agreement for its solar PPA in Warrick County, Indiana and its purchase commitment under its BTA in Posey County, Indiana are included above. The remaining undiscounted payment obligations relate primarily to technology hardware and software agreements.

Schedule of Environmental Loss Contingencies by Site

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, 2021
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions, except years)
Amount accrued for remediation	$	12	$	7
Minimum estimated remediation costs	8		5
Maximum estimated remediation costs	54		32
Minimum years of remediation	5		30
Maximum years of remediation	50		50

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Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy) (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted

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

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions, except per share and share amounts)
Numerator:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	251	$	135	$	614	$	(918)
Less: Preferred stock dividend requirement (Note 19)	30		37		59		66
Less: Amortization of beneficial conversion feature (Note 19)	—		9		—		9
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to preferred shareholders (1)	—		—		—		—
Income (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations - basic	221		89		555		(993)
Add back: Series B Preferred Stock dividend	—		—		—		—
Add back: Undistributed earnings allocated to preferred shareholders (1)	—		—		—		—
Income (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations - diluted	221		89		555		(993)
Loss available to common shareholders from discontinued operations - basic and diluted	—		(30)		—		(176)
Income (loss) available to common shareholders - basic and diluted	$	221	$	59	$	555	$	(1,169)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	585,720,000		528,066,000		568,728,000		515,227,000
Plus: Incremental shares from assumed conversions:
Restricted stock (2)	3,558,000		2,771,000		3,558,000		—
Series B Preferred Stock (3)	—		—		—		—
Series C Preferred Stock (4)	7,052,000		—		23,844,000		—
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	596,330,000		530,837,000		596,130,000		515,227,000
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share:
Basic earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations	$	0.38	$	0.17	$	0.98	$	(1.93)
Basic loss per common share - discontinued operations	—		(0.06)		—		(0.34)
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	$	0.38	$	0.11	$	0.98	$	(2.27)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations	$	0.37	$	0.17	$	0.93	$	(1.93)
Diluted loss per common share - discontinued operations	—		(0.06)		—		(0.34)
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	$	0.37	$	0.11	$	0.93	$	(2.27)

(1)There were no undistributed earnings to be allocated to participating securities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020.

(2)2,771,000 incremental common shares from assumed conversions of restricted stock have not been included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share for the six months ended June 30, 2020, as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

(3)The computation of diluted earnings per common share outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 excludes 35,940,000 and 35,923,000 potentially dilutive shares of Series B Preferred Stock from the denominator, respectively, because the shares would be anti-dilutive. The computation of diluted earnings per common share outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 excludes 35,898,000 and 35,917,000 potentially dilutive shares of Series B Preferred Stock from the denominator, respectively, because the shares would be anti-dilutive.

(4)The computation of diluted earnings per common share outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 excludes 29,465,000 and 14,571,000 potentially dilutive shares of Series C Preferred Stock from the denominator,

respectively, because the shares would be anti-dilutive. As of May 7, 2021, all of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock have been converted into Common Stock. For further information, see Note 19.

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Reportable Segments (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment

Financial data for reportable segments is as follows, including Corporate and Other, and Discontinued Operations for reconciliation purposes:

CenterPoint Energy

	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2021							2020
	Revenues from External Customers			Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates		Net Income (Loss)		Revenues from External Customers			Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates		Net Income (Loss)
	(in millions)
Electric	$	937	(1)	$	—	$	125	$	848	(1)	$	—	$	106
Natural Gas	740			—		74		644			—		30
Midstream Investments	—			67		54		—			43		24
Corporate and Other	65			—		(2)		83			—		(25)
Continuing Operations	$	1,742		$	67	251		$	1,575		$	43	135
Discontinued Operations, net						—							(30)
Consolidated						$	251						$	105
	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021							2020
	Revenues from External Customers			Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates		Net Income (Loss)		Revenues from External Customers			Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates		Net Income (Loss)
	(in millions)
Electric	$	1,767	(1)	$	—	$	200	$	1,615	(1)	$	—	$	(28)
Natural Gas	2,403			—		303		1,965			—		231
Midstream Investments (2)	—			175		125		—			(1,432)		(1,103)
Corporate and Other	119			—		(14)		162			—		(18)
Continuing Operations	$	4,289		$	175	614		$	3,742		$	(1,432)	(918)
Discontinued Operations, net						—							(176)
Consolidated						$	614						$	(1,094)

(1)Houston Electric revenues from major external customers are as follows (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Affiliates of NRG	$	192	$	174	$	387	$	330
Affiliates of Vistra Energy Corp.	87		92		175		173

(2)Includes the impairment of CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable of $1,541 million recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2020.

	Total Assets
	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions)
Electric	$	15,288	$	14,493
Natural Gas	15,064		14,976
Midstream Investments	1,051		913
Corporate and Other, net of eliminations (1)	2,871		3,089
Continuing Operations	34,274		33,471
Assets Held for Sale	2,192		—
Consolidated	$	36,466	$	33,471

(1)Total assets included pension and other postemployment-related regulatory assets of $525 million and $540 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

Schedule of Revenue by Major Customers by Reporting Segments

Houston Electric revenues from major external customers are as follows (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Affiliates of NRG	$	192	$	174	$	387	$	330
Affiliates of Vistra Energy Corp.	87		92		175		173

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Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures

The table below provides supplemental disclosure of cash flow information and does not exclude the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups prior to the closing of the respective transactions.

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash Payments/Receipts:
Interest, net of capitalized interest	$	261	$	92	$	47	$	196	$	93	$	55
Income tax payments, net	13		—		—		4		—		—
Non-cash transactions:
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures	249		185		95		195		76		87
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities	2		—		1		14		—		5
Beneficial conversion feature	—		—		—		32		—		—
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature	—		—		—		(9)		—		—

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.

	June 30, 2021						December 31, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents (1)	$	136	$	120	$	1	$	147	$	139	$	1
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets	21		17		—		20		15		—
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows	$	157	$	137	$	1	$	167	$	154	$	1

(1)Houston Electric’s Cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 included $106 million and $139 million, respectively, of cash related to the Bond Companies.

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

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Schedule of Money Pool Investment and Borrowing

The table below summarizes CenterPoint Energy money pool activity:

	June 30, 2021						December 31, 2020
	Houston Electric			CERC			Houston Electric			CERC
	(in millions, except interest rates)
Money pool investments (borrowings) (1)	$	97		$	—		$	(8)		$	—
Weighted average interest rate	0.18		%	0.18		%	0.24		%	0.24		%

(1)Included in Accounts and notes receivable (payable)–affiliated companies on Houston Electric’s and CERC’s respective Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Schedule of Related Party Transactions

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

	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
	Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Corporate service charges	$	47	$	52	$	45	$	49	$	90	$	102	$	94	$	104
Net affiliate service charges (billings)	(1)		1		(4)		4		(2)		2		(10)		10

The table below presents transactions among Houston Electric, CERC and their parent, CenterPoint Energy.

	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
	Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash dividends paid to parent	$	—	$	—	$	20	$	40	$	—	$	—	$	405	$	72
Capital distribution to parent associated with the sale of CES	—		—		—		286		—		—		—		286

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Equity (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Equity [Abstract]

Dividends Declared

Dividends Declared and Paid (CenterPoint Energy)

	Dividends Declared Per Share								Dividends Paid Per Share
	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,				Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020		2021		2020		2021		2020
Common Stock	$	0.1600	$	0.1500	$	0.1600	$	0.4400	$	0.1600	$	0.1500	$	0.1600	$	0.4400
Series A Preferred Stock	—		—		—		30.6250		—		—		—		30.6250
Series B Preferred Stock	17.5000		17.5000		17.5000		35.0000		17.5000		17.5000		17.5000		35.0000
Series C Preferred Stock (1)	—		0.1500		—		0.1500		—		0.1500		—		0.1500

(1)The Series C Preferred Stock was entitled to participate in any dividend or distribution (excluding those payable in Common Stock) with the Common Stock on a pari passu, pro rata, as-converted basis. The per share amount reflects the dividend per share of Common Stock as if the Series C Preferred Stock were converted into Common Stock. All of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock was converted to Common Stock during April and May 2021 as described below.

Preferred Stock

Preferred Stock (CenterPoint Energy)

	Liquidation Preference Per Share		Shares Outstanding as of		Outstanding Value as of
			June 30, 2021	December 31, 2020	June 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(in millions, except shares and per share amounts)
Series A Preferred Stock	$	1,000	800,000	800,000	$	790	$	790
Series B Preferred Stock	1,000		975,903	977,400	949		950
Series C Preferred Stock	1,000		—	625,000	—		623
			1,775,903	2,402,400	$	1,739	$	2,363

Conversion of Series B Preferred Stock. The table below details the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock that were converted into shares of Common Stock in the three months ended June 30, 2021 resulting from notifications of intent to convert received from certain shareholders.

Date of Notice	Conversion Date	Shares of Series B Preferred Stock Converted	Shares of Common Stock Issued
April 27, 2021	April 28, 2021	1,490	45,653
June 28, 2021	June 29, 2021	7	214

Conversion of Series C Preferred Stock. The table below details the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock that were converted into shares of Common Stock in the three months ended June 30, 2021 resulting from notifications of intent to convert received from certain shareholders.

Date of Notice	Conversion Date	Shares of Series C Preferred Stock Converted	Shares of Common Stock Issued
April 5, 2021	April 7, 2021	400,000	26,126,714
April 16, 2021	April 19. 2021	37,500	2,449,379

Dividend Requirement on Preferred Stock

Income Allocated to Preferred Shareholders (CenterPoint Energy)

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	(in millions)
Series A Preferred Stock	$	13	$	13	$	25	$	25
Series B Preferred Stock	17		17		34		34
Series C Preferred Stock	—		7		—		7
Preferred dividend requirement	30		37		59		66
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature	—		9		—		9
Total income allocated to preferred shareholders	$	30	$	46	$	59	$	75

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes in accumulated comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Beginning Balance	$	(87)	$	—	$	10	$	(100)	$	(15)	$	10
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications:
Other comprehensive income from unconsolidated affiliates	1		—		—		—		—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Prior service cost (1)	—		—		—		1		—		—
Actuarial losses (1)	2		—		—		1		—		—
Reclassification of deferred loss from cash flow hedges to regulatory assets (2)	—		—		—		19		19		—
Tax expense	(1)		—		—		(5)		(4)		—
Net current period other comprehensive income	2		—		—		16		15		—
Ending Balance	$	(85)	$	—	$	10	$	(84)	$	—	$	10
	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Beginning Balance	$	(90)	$	—	$	10	$	(98)	$	(15)	$	10
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications:
Other comprehensive income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates	2		—		—		(3)		—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Prior service cost (1)	—		—		—		1		—		—
Actuarial losses (1)	4		—		—		3		—		—
Reclassification of deferred loss from cash flow hedges to regulatory assets (2)	—		—		—		19		19		—
Tax expense	(1)		—		—		(6)		(4)		—
Net current period other comprehensive income	5		—		—		14		15		—
Ending Balance	$	(85)	$	—	$	10	$	(84)	$	—	$	10

(1)Amounts are included in the computation of net periodic cost and are reflected in Other income (expense), net in each of the Registrants’ respective Statements of Consolidated Income.

(2)The cost of debt approved by the PUCT as part of Houston Electric’s Stipulation and Settlement Agreement included unrealized gains and losses on interest rate hedges. Accordingly, deferred gains and losses on interest rate hedges were reclassified to regulatory assets or liabilities, as appropriate.

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Subsequent Events (CenterPoint Energy) (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Schedule of Subsequent Events

CenterPoint Energy Dividend Declarations

Equity Instrument	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Per Share
Common Stock	July 21, 2021	August 19, 2021	September 9, 2021	$	0.1600
Series A Preferred Stock	July 21, 2021	August 15, 2021	September 1, 2021	30.6250
Series B Preferred Stock	July 21, 2021	August 15, 2021	September 1, 2021	17.5000

Enable Distributions Declarations (CenterPoint Energy)

Equity Instrument	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Per Unit Distribution		Expected Cash Distribution (in millions)
Enable common units	July 30, 2021	August 12, 2021	August 24, 2021	$	0.16525	$	39
Enable Series A Preferred Units	July 30, 2021	July 30, 2021	August 13, 2021	0.54390		8

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Background and Basis of Presentation (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021 registrant state publicUtilityCompany shares
Number of registrants | registrant	3
Enable Midstream Partners
Ownership percentage of equity method investment	100.00%
Enable Midstream Partners | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Ownership percentage of equity method investment	53.70%
Enable Midstream Partners | Series A Preferred Units
Preferred units held (in shares) | shares	14,520,000
Natural Gas
Number of states in which the entity performs gas delivery services	48
CERC Corp | Natural Gas
Number of states in which entity operates	6
Number of states in which the entity performs gas delivery services	48
Vectren
Number of owned and operated utility companies | publicUtilityCompany	3
Enable GP, LLC | CenterPoint Energy
Management rights ownership (as a percent)	50.00%
Incentive distribution rights (as a percent)	40.00%

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Held for Sale and Divestitures (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) - Held for Sale Narrative (Details) $ in Millions		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2021 USD ($) mi	Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from divestitures (Note 3)		$ 0	$ 1,136
Miles of pipeline | mi	17,000
Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas Businesses | Disposal Group, Held-for-sale or Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from divestitures (Note 3)	$ 2,150
Recovery of costs	$ 425

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Held for Sale and Divestitures (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets, Current [Abstract]
Total current assets held for sale	$ 2,192	$ 0
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Total current liabilities held for sale	472	0
Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas Businesses | Disposal Group, Held-for-sale or Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets, Current [Abstract]
Receivables, net	28
Accrued unbilled revenues	14
Natural gas inventory	20
Materials and supplies	8
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,238
Goodwill	403
Regulatory assets	386
Other	95
Total current assets held for sale	2,192
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Short term borrowings	14
Accounts payable	20
Taxes accrued	5
Customer deposits	12
Regulatory liabilities	286
Other	135
Total current liabilities held for sale	472
CERC Corp
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets, Current [Abstract]
Total current assets held for sale	1,935	0
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Total current liabilities held for sale	472	$ 0
CERC Corp | Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas Businesses | Disposal Group, Held-for-sale or Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets, Current [Abstract]
Receivables, net	28
Accrued unbilled revenues	14
Natural gas inventory	20
Materials and supplies	8
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,238
Goodwill	146
Regulatory assets	386
Other	95
Total current assets held for sale	1,935
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Short term borrowings	14
Accounts payable	20
Taxes accrued	5
Customer deposits	12
Regulatory liabilities	286
Other	135
Total current liabilities held for sale	$ 472

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Held for Sale and Divestitures (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) - Summary of Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations, Before Income Tax (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	$ 248	$ 164	$ 685	$ (1,236)
Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas Businesses | Disposal Group, Held-for-sale or Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	$ 10	$ 8	$ 62	$ 60

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Held for Sale and Divestitures (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) - Divestitures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 01, 2020	Apr. 09, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jan. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Proceeds from divestitures (Note 3)					$ 0	$ 1,136
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Revenues				$ 309		1,417
Non-utility cost of revenues				306		1,158
Operation and maintenance				35		218
Taxes other than income taxes				2		4
Total				343		1,380
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes				(34)		37
Loss on classification to held for sale, net (1)				42		(192)
Income tax expense (benefit)			$ 0	38	0	21
Net loss from discontinued operations			0	(30)	0	(176)
Discontinued Operation, Continuing Involvement [Abstract]
Inventory financings			3		3			$ 24
Infrastructure Services Disposal Group
Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Proceeds from divestitures (Note 3)		$ 850
Receivable from sale of disposal group							$ 4
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Revenues				28		250
Non-utility cost of revenues				6		50
Operation and maintenance				21		184
Taxes other than income taxes				0		1
Total				27		235
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes				1		15
Loss on classification to held for sale, net (1)				3		(93)
Income tax expense (benefit)				30		25
Net loss from discontinued operations				(26)		(103)
Discontinued Operation, Alternative Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Write-down of natural gas inventory						0
Capital expenditures						16
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures						2
Discontinued Operation, Continuing Involvement [Abstract]
Pipeline construction and repair services capitalized						34
Pipeline construction and repair service charges in operations and maintenance expense						1
Maximum contractual exposure under Securities Purchase Agreement			21		21
Energy Services Disposal Group
Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Proceeds from divestitures (Note 3)	$ 286
Receivable from sale of disposal group								79
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Revenues				281		1,167
Non-utility cost of revenues				300		1,108
Operation and maintenance				14		34
Taxes other than income taxes				2		3
Total				316		1,145
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes				(35)		22
Loss on classification to held for sale, net (1)				39		(99)
Income tax expense (benefit)				8		(4)
Net loss from discontinued operations				(4)		(73)
Discontinued Operation, Alternative Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Write-down of natural gas inventory						3
Capital expenditures						1
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures						4
Discontinued Operation, Continuing Involvement [Abstract]
Transportation revenue				18		34
Natural gas expense				3		48
Inventory financings			0		0			24
CERC Corp
Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Proceeds from divestitures (Note 3)					0	286
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Income tax expense (benefit)			0	8	0	(3)
Net loss from discontinued operations			0	(4)	0	(68)
Discontinued Operation, Continuing Involvement [Abstract]
Inventory financings			3		3			24
CERC Corp | Infrastructure Services Disposal Group
Discontinued Operation, Continuing Involvement [Abstract]
Pipeline construction and repair services capitalized						0
Pipeline construction and repair service charges in operations and maintenance expense						1
CERC Corp | Energy Services Disposal Group
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Revenues				281		1,167
Non-utility cost of revenues				300		1,108
Operation and maintenance				14		34
Taxes other than income taxes				2		3
Total				316		1,145
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes				(35)		22
Loss on classification to held for sale, net (1)				39		(93)
Income tax expense (benefit)				8		(3)
Net loss from discontinued operations				(4)		(68)
Discontinued Operation, Alternative Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Write-down of natural gas inventory						3
Capital expenditures						1
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures						4
Discontinued Operation, Continuing Involvement [Abstract]
Transportation revenue				18		34
Natural gas expense				$ 3		$ 47
Inventory financings			$ 0		$ 0			$ 24

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Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Credit Losses - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts	$ 1,715	$ 1,566	$ 4,256	$ 3,707
Other	27	9	33	35
Revenues	1,742	1,575	4,289	3,742
Lease Income	2	1	4	2
Electric
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts	933	850	1,766	1,617
Other	4	(2)	1	(2)
Revenues	937	848	1,767	1,615
Natural Gas
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts	718	634	2,373	1,930
Other	22	10	30	35
Revenues	740	644	2,403	1,965
Corporate and Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts	64	82	117	160
Other	1	1	2	2
Revenues	65	83	119	162
Houston Electric
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts	791	722	1,478	1,360
Other	(5)	(2)	(8)	(6)
Revenues	786	720	1,470	1,354
CERC Corp
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts	558	472	1,730	1,456
Other	16	11	21	38
Revenues	$ 574	$ 483	$ 1,751	$ 1,494

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Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Credit Losses - Summary of Contract Assets and Liabilities (Details) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($)
Change in Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Opening balance as of December 31, 2020	$ 604
Closing balance as of June 30, 2021	505
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable on Contracts with Customers	(99)
Change in Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues [Roll Forward]
Opening balance as of December 31, 2020	505
Closing balance as of June 30, 2021	272
Increase (Decrease) in Unbilled Receivables	(233)
Change in Contract Assets [Roll Forward]
Opening balance as of December 31, 2020	27
Closing balance as of June 30, 2021	24
Increase (Decrease) in Contract with Customer, Asset	(3)
Change in Contract Liability [Roll Forward]
Opening balance as of December 31, 2020	18
Closing balance as of June 30, 2021	22
Increase (Decrease) in Contract with Customer, Liability	4
Revenue recognized included in the opening contract liability for the period	15
Houston Electric
Change in Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Opening balance as of December 31, 2020	225
Closing balance as of June 30, 2021	260
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable on Contracts with Customers	35
Change in Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues [Roll Forward]
Opening balance as of December 31, 2020	113
Closing balance as of June 30, 2021	116
Increase (Decrease) in Unbilled Receivables	3
Change in Contract Liability [Roll Forward]
Opening balance as of December 31, 2020	3
Closing balance as of June 30, 2021	6
Increase (Decrease) in Contract with Customer, Liability	3
Revenue recognized included in the opening contract liability for the period	2
CERC Corp
Change in Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Opening balance as of December 31, 2020	214
Closing balance as of June 30, 2021	114
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable on Contracts with Customers	(100)
Change in Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues [Roll Forward]
Opening balance as of December 31, 2020	261
Closing balance as of June 30, 2021	81
Increase (Decrease) in Unbilled Receivables	$ (180)

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Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Credit Losses - Remaining Performance Obligations (Details) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue expected to be recognized	$ 791
Corporate and Other
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue expected to be recognized	$ 791
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-07-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of satisfaction, period	1 year
Revenue expected to be recognized	$ 253
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-07-01 | Corporate and Other
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue expected to be recognized	$ 253
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-07-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of satisfaction, period
Revenue expected to be recognized	$ 538
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-07-01 | Corporate and Other
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue expected to be recognized	$ 538

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Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic cost (benefit)	$ 7	$ 14	$ 15	$ 25
Total contributions expected in current year	61		61
Total contributions to the plans during the period	0		8
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic cost (benefit)	0	1	1	2
Total contributions expected in current year	9		9
Total contributions to the plans during the period	1		4
Operation and maintenance expense | Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost (1)	10	12	20	22
Operation and maintenance expense | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost (1)	0	1	1	1
Other, net | Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost (2)	14	19	29	38
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(26)	(29)	(52)	(57)
Amortization of prior service cost (2)	0	0	0	0
Amortization of net loss (2)	10	11	19	21
Settlement cost (benefit)	(1)	1	(1)	1
Other, net | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost (2)	2	3	4	6
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(1)	(2)	(2)	(3)
Amortization of prior service cost (2)	(1)	(1)	(2)	(2)
Houston Electric | Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total contributions expected in current year	0		0
Total contributions to the plans during the period	0		0
Houston Electric | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic cost (benefit)	(1)	(1)	(2)	(2)
Total contributions expected in current year	1		1
Total contributions to the plans during the period	0		0
Houston Electric | Operation and maintenance expense | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost (1)	0	0	0	0
Houston Electric | Other, net | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost (2)	1	2	2	3
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(1)	(1)	(2)	(2)
Amortization of prior service cost (2)	(1)	(2)	(2)	(3)
CERC Corp | Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total contributions expected in current year	0		0
Total contributions to the plans during the period	0		0
CERC Corp | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic cost (benefit)	1	1	2	2
Total contributions expected in current year	3		3
Total contributions to the plans during the period	1		2
CERC Corp | Operation and maintenance expense | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost (1)	1	0	1	0
CERC Corp | Other, net | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost (2)	0	1	1	2
Expected return on plan assets (2)	0	0	0	0
Amortization of prior service cost (2)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

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Regulatory Matters (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Amount of allowed equity return not recognized in the period	$ 217		$ 217		$ 229
Allowed equity return recognized	11	$ 8	19	$ 14
Non-current regulatory asset	3,427		3,427		2,094
February 2021 Winter Storm Event
Potential disallowance of recovery of costs	290		290
February 2021 Winter Storm
Current regulatory asset	325		325
Non-current regulatory asset	1,774		1,774
February 2021 Winter Storm | REP Bad Debt Expense
Regulatory assets	8		8
February 2021 Winter Storm | Operation and maintenance expense
Regulatory assets	12		12
Public Utility Commission of Texas
COVID-19 ERP Regulatory Asset	0		0		6
Houston Electric
Amount of allowed equity return not recognized in the period	121		121		137
Allowed equity return recognized	11	8	18	14
Non-current regulatory asset	803		803		848
Houston Electric | February 2021 Winter Storm | REP Bad Debt Expense
Regulatory assets	8		8
Houston Electric | February 2021 Winter Storm | Operation and maintenance expense
Regulatory assets	12		12
Houston Electric | Public Utility Commission of Texas
COVID-19 ERP Regulatory Asset	0		0		6
CERC Corp
Amount of allowed equity return not recognized in the period	14		14		13
Allowed equity return recognized	0	$ 0	0	$ 0
Non-current regulatory asset	1,598		1,598		220
CERC Corp | February 2021 Winter Storm Event
Potential disallowance of recovery of costs	290		290
CERC Corp | February 2021 Winter Storm
Current regulatory asset	222		222
Non-current regulatory asset	1,763		1,763
Natural Gas
Incremental uncollectible receivables, regulatory asset	28		28		22
Natural Gas | CERC Corp
Incremental uncollectible receivables, regulatory asset	$ 26		$ 26		$ 19

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Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets Fair Value	$ 7		$ 7
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	(77)	$ (76)	(51)	$ 59
Credit Risk Related Contingent Features [Abstract]
Aggregate fair value of derivatives with credit-risk-related contingent features in a liability position	14		14		$ 20
Fair value of collateral already posted	7		7		7
Additional collateral required to be posted if credit risk contingent features triggered (1)	7		7		3
Gains (Losses) in Other Income (Expense) | IDS Derivative
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	(77)	$ (76)	(51)	$ 59
Economic hedge (1) | Interest rate contract
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Economic hedge (1)	84		84		84
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities Fair Value	1,018		1,018		983
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Current Assets | Energy Related Derivative
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets Fair Value	6		6
Derivative Liabilities Fair Value	0		0		0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other Current Assets | Energy Related Derivative
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets Fair Value	1		1
Derivative Liabilities Fair Value	0		0		0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Current Liabilities | Energy Related Derivative
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets Fair Value	0		0
Derivative Liabilities Fair Value	0		0		3
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Current Liabilities | IDS Derivative
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets Fair Value	0		0
Derivative Liabilities Fair Value	1,004		1,004		953
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other Noncurrent Liabilities | Energy Related Derivative
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets Fair Value	0		0
Derivative Liabilities Fair Value	0		0		7
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other Noncurrent Liabilities | Interest rate contract
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets Fair Value	0		0
Derivative Liabilities Fair Value	$ 14		$ 14		$ 20

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Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Carrying Amount
Liabilities
Carrying amount or fair value	$ 16,131	$ 13,401
Fair Value
Liabilities
Carrying amount or fair value	17,611	15,226
Fair Value, Recurring
Assets
Corporate equities	926	873
Investments, including money market funds (1)	42	43
Total assets	975	916
Liabilities
Total liabilities	1,018	983
Fair Value, Recurring | IDS Derivative
Liabilities
Derivative liabilities	1,004	953
Fair Value, Recurring | Interest rate derivatives
Liabilities
Derivative liabilities	14	20
Fair Value, Recurring | Natural gas derivatives
Assets
Natural gas derivatives	7	0
Liabilities
Derivative liabilities	0	10
Fair Value, Recurring | Level 1
Assets
Corporate equities	926	873
Investments, including money market funds (1)	42	43
Total assets	968	916
Liabilities
Total liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Recurring | Level 1 | IDS Derivative
Liabilities
Derivative liability	0	0
Fair Value, Recurring | Level 1 | Interest rate derivatives
Liabilities
Derivative liability	0	0
Fair Value, Recurring | Level 1 | Natural gas derivatives
Assets
Natural gas derivatives	0	0
Liabilities
Derivative liability	0	0
Fair Value, Recurring | Level 2
Assets
Corporate equities	0	0
Investments, including money market funds (1)	0	0
Total assets	7	0
Liabilities
Total liabilities	1,018	983
Fair Value, Recurring | Level 2 | IDS Derivative
Liabilities
Derivative liability	1,004	953
Fair Value, Recurring | Level 2 | Interest rate derivatives
Liabilities
Derivative liability	14	20
Fair Value, Recurring | Level 2 | Natural gas derivatives
Assets
Natural gas derivatives	7	0
Liabilities
Derivative liability	0	10
Fair Value, Recurring | Level 3
Assets
Corporate equities	0	0
Investments, including money market funds (1)	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Liabilities
Total liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Recurring | Level 3 | IDS Derivative
Liabilities
Derivative liability	0	0
Fair Value, Recurring | Level 3 | Interest rate derivatives
Liabilities
Derivative liability	0	0
Fair Value, Recurring | Level 3 | Natural gas derivatives
Assets
Natural gas derivatives	0	0
Liabilities
Derivative liability	0	0
Houston Electric | Carrying Amount
Liabilities
Carrying amount or fair value	5,595	5,019
Houston Electric | Fair Value
Liabilities
Carrying amount or fair value	6,403	5,957
Houston Electric | Fair Value, Recurring
Assets
Investments, including money market funds (1)	26	26
Total assets	26	26
Houston Electric | Fair Value, Recurring | Level 1
Assets
Investments, including money market funds (1)	26	26
Total assets	26	26
Houston Electric | Fair Value, Recurring | Level 2
Assets
Investments, including money market funds (1)	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Houston Electric | Fair Value, Recurring | Level 3
Assets
Investments, including money market funds (1)	0	0
Total assets	0	0
CERC Corp | Carrying Amount
Liabilities
Carrying amount or fair value	4,343	2,428
CERC Corp | Fair Value
Liabilities
Carrying amount or fair value	4,680	2,855
CERC Corp | Fair Value, Recurring
Assets
Corporate equities	3	2
Investments, including money market funds (1)	11	11
Total assets	14	13
CERC Corp | Fair Value, Recurring | Level 1
Assets
Corporate equities	3	2
Investments, including money market funds (1)	11	11
Total assets	14	13
CERC Corp | Fair Value, Recurring | Level 2
Assets
Corporate equities	0	0
Investments, including money market funds (1)	0	0
Total assets	0	0
CERC Corp | Fair Value, Recurring | Level 3
Assets
Corporate equities	0	0
Investments, including money market funds (1)	0	0
Total assets	$ 0	$ 0

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Unconsolidated Affiliate (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Feb. 16, 2021
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Merger exchange ratio (share per common unit)		0.8595
Proceeds from merger - interest		$ 5
Aggregate liquidation preference		385
Percentage of sales that trigger right of first refusal	5.00%
OGE
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Payment upon termination of partnership		$ 30
Percentage of sales that trigger right of first refusal	5.00%
Enable Midstream Partners
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Share price (in dollars per share)	$ 9.11
Enable Midstream Partners
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of equity method investment	100.00%
Enable Midstream Partners | CenterPoint Energy and OGE
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of equity method investment	79.20%
Enable Midstream Partners | OGE
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of equity method investment	25.50%

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Unconsolidated Affiliate (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) - Schedules of Investments and Equity in Earnings (Losses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	$ 882		$ 882		$ 783
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	67	$ 43	175	$ (1,432)
Preferred units – unconsolidated affiliate	363		363		363
Enable Midstream Partners
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	881		881		782
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	$ 67	$ 43	$ 175	$ (1,432)
Ownership percentage of equity method investment	100.00%		100.00%
Enable Midstream Partners | OGE
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of equity method investment	25.50%		25.50%
Enable Midstream Partners | Public unitholders
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of equity method investment	20.80%		20.80%
Enable Midstream Partners | Common Units
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Limited partner interest units held (in shares)	435,866,139		435,866,139
Enable Midstream Partners | Common Units | OGE
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Limited partner interest units held (in shares)	110,982,805		110,982,805
Enable Midstream Partners | Common Units | Public unitholders
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Limited partner interest units held (in shares)	91,026,711		91,026,711
Enable Midstream Partners | Series A Preferred Units
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Preferred units held (in shares)	14,520,000		14,520,000
Impairment charges or adjustments			$ 0
Enable Midstream Partners | Series A Preferred Units | OGE
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Preferred units held (in shares)	0		0
Enable Midstream Partners | Series A Preferred Units | Public unitholders
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Preferred units held (in shares)	0		0
Enable Midstream Partners | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of equity method investment	53.70%		53.70%
Enable Midstream Partners | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary | Common Units
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Limited partner interest units held (in shares)	233,856,623		233,856,623
Other
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	$ 1		$ 1		$ 1

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Unconsolidated Affiliate (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) - Schedule of Interests, Distributions, and Transactions with Enable (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates			$ 77	$ 109
Total distributions received from Enable	$ 47	$ 48	95	134
Enable Midstream Partners
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Accounts receivable for amounts billed for services provided to Enable	1		1		$ 1
Natural Gas Expenses | Enable Midstream Partners
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Natural gas expenses, including transportation and storage costs	16	$ 17	48	$ 44
Accounts payable for natural gas purchases from Enable	$ 5		$ 5		9
Enable Midstream Partners
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Maximum incentive distribution right			50.00%
Incentive distribution			$ 0
Enable Midstream Partners | Common Stock
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Distribution per share of common units (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16525	$ 0.16525	$ 0.33050	$ 0.49575
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	$ 38	$ 39	$ 77	$ 116
Enable Midstream Partners | Preferred Stock
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Distribution per share of Series A preferred units (in dollars per share)	$ 0.58730	$ 0.62500	$ 1.21230	$ 1.25000
Distributions received from Enable cost method investment	$ 9	$ 9	$ 18	$ 18
Maximum | Enable Midstream Partners
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Incentive distribution per unit (in dollars per unit)			$ 0.330625
CERC Corp | Enable Midstream Partners
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Accounts receivable for amounts billed for services provided to Enable	1		$ 1		1
CERC Corp | Natural Gas Expenses | Enable Midstream Partners
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Natural gas expenses, including transportation and storage costs	16	$ 17	48	$ 44
Accounts payable for natural gas purchases from Enable	$ 5		$ 5		$ 9
Enable GP, LLC | CenterPoint Energy
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Management rights ownership (as a percent)			50.00%
Incentive distribution rights (as a percent)			40.00%
Enable GP, LLC | OGE
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Management rights ownership (as a percent)			50.00%
Incentive distribution rights (as a percent)			60.00%

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Unconsolidated Affiliate (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) - Summarized Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,742	$ 1,575	$ 4,289	$ 3,742
Depreciation and amortization	327	297	634	579
Operating income	296	235	749	452
Net income attributable to Enable common units	221	59	555	(1,169)
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	67	43	175	(1,432)
Current assets	5,179		5,179		$ 2,920
Current liabilities	3,369		3,369		4,825
CenterPoint Energy's equity method investment in Enable	882		882		783
Enable Midstream Partners
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Revenues	787	515	1,757	1,163
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization	426	177	945	403
Depreciation and amortization	103	105	209	209
Goodwill and long-lived assets impairments	0	0	0	28
Operating income	124	80	330	226
Net income attributable to Enable common units	79	35	234	138
CenterPoint Energy’s interest	42	19	125	74
Basis difference amortization (1)	25	24	50	36
Loss on dilution, net of proportional basis difference recognition	0	0	0	(1)
Impairment of CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable	0	0	0	(1,541)
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	67	$ 43	175	$ (1,432)
Current assets	475		475		381
Non-current assets	11,284		11,284		11,348
Current liabilities	1,317		1,317		582
Non-current liabilities	3,249		3,249		4,052
Non-controlling interest	25		25		26
Preferred equity	362		362		362
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3)		(3)		(6)
Enable partners' equity	6,809		6,809		6,713
CenterPoint Energy’s ownership interest in Enable partners’ equity	3,651		3,651		3,601
CenterPoint Energy’s basis difference (1)	(2,770)		(2,770)		(2,819)
CenterPoint Energy's equity method investment in Enable	$ 881		$ 881		$ 782

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Goodwill and Other Intangibles (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 4,294		$ 4,294		$ 4,697
Held for sale	403		403
Finite-Live Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Intangible assets gross carrying amount	68		68		68
Intangible assets accumulated amortization	(21)		(21)		(18)
Net intangible assets	47		47		50
Amortization of Intangible Assets			0	$ 1
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Remaining six months of 2021	3		3
2022	6		6
2023	6		6
2024	5		5
2025	5		5
2026	5		5
Electric
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	936		936		936
Held for sale	0		0
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss [Abstract]
Accumulated goodwill impairment charge					185
Natural Gas
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	2,920		2,920		3,323
Held for sale	403		403
Corporate and Other, Net
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	438		438		438
Held for sale	0		0
Customer Relationships
Finite-Live Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Intangible assets gross carrying amount	33		33		33
Intangible assets accumulated amortization	(10)		(10)		(8)
Net intangible assets	23		23		25
Trade Names
Finite-Live Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Intangible assets gross carrying amount	16		16		16
Intangible assets accumulated amortization	(4)		(4)		(3)
Net intangible assets	12		12		13
Construction Backlog
Finite-Live Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Intangible assets gross carrying amount	5		5		5
Intangible assets accumulated amortization	(5)		(5)		(5)
Net intangible assets	0		0		0
Operation and maintenance agreements
Finite-Live Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Intangible assets gross carrying amount	12		12		12
Intangible assets accumulated amortization	(1)		(1)		(1)
Net intangible assets	11		11		11
Other
Finite-Live Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Intangible assets gross carrying amount	2		2		2
Intangible assets accumulated amortization	(1)		(1)		(1)
Net intangible assets	1		1		1
CERC Corp
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	611		611		$ 757
Held for sale	146		146
Depreciation and amortization expense
Finite-Live Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	2	$ 2	3	3
Non-utility cost of revenues
Finite-Live Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1

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Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) and Securities Related to ZENS (CenterPoint Energy) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		6 Months Ended
	May 17, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 1999
AT&T Inc.
Stock representing share of new company (as a percent)	71.00%
Common Stock | AT&T Inc.
Balance of investment owned (in shares)		10,212,945	10,212,945
Common Stock | Charter Communications, Inc.
Balance of investment owned (in shares)		872,503	872,503
Subordinated Debt ZENS
Principal amount of ZENS issued or outstanding		$ 828		$ 1,000
Subordinated note cash exchangeable percentage of fair value		95.00%
ZENS annual interest rate		2.00%
Target Annual Yield On Reference Shares		2.309%
Contingent principal amount of ZENS		$ 47
Subordinated Debt ZENS | Common Stock | AT&T Inc.
Number of shares referenced in exchangeable subordinated note		0.7185	0.7185
Subordinated Debt ZENS | Common Stock | Charter Communications, Inc.
Number of shares referenced in exchangeable subordinated note		0.061382	0.061382

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Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 15, 2021	Feb. 28, 2021	Jan. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Inventory financings	$ 3				$ 24
Size of credit facility	4,000
Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	11				11
Parent Company
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Size of credit facility	2,400		$ 2,400	$ 3,300
Vectren | Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	1
Vectren | Maximum | Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	20
CERC Corp
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Inventory financings	3				24
Size of credit facility	900
CERC Corp | Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	0				0
Houston Electric
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Size of credit facility	300
General mortgage bonds used as collateral	$ 68
Percentage of property additions	70.00%
First Mortgage Bond Outstanding		$ 0
Additional first mortgage bonds and general mortgage bonds that could be issued	$ 3,700
Houston Electric | Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	0				$ 0
Houston Electric | Bonds General Mortgage Due Range 1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Debt	$ 5,000

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Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt - Debt Transactions (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2021 USD ($) day	Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from long-term debt		$ 4,493	$ 299
CERC Corp
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from long-term debt		1,699	0
CERC Corp | Bridge Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Financing Commitments	$ 1,700
Financing Commitments Term, Days | day	364
Houston Electric
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from long-term debt		1,096	$ 299
Senior Notes | CERC Corp
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued		1,700
General Mortgage Bonds | Houston Electric
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued		1,100
SeniorNote and GMBs
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued		4,500
CERC Senior notes .70% due 2023 | Senior Notes | CERC Corp
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued		$ 700
Interest rate of debt (as a percent)		0.70%
CERC Senior Notes Floating Rate due 2023 | Senior Notes | CERC Corp
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued		$ 1,000
CERC Senior Notes Floating Rate due 2023 | Senior Notes | CERC Corp | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)		0.50%
General Mortgage Bonds Due 2031 | General Mortgage Bonds | Houston Electric
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued		$ 400
Interest rate of debt (as a percent)		2.35%
General Mortgage Bonds Due 2051 | General Mortgage Bonds | Houston Electric
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued		$ 700
Interest rate of debt (as a percent)		3.35%
CNP Senior Note 1.45% due 2026 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued		$ 500
Interest rate of debt (as a percent)		1.45%
CNP Senior Note 2.65% due 2031 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued		$ 500
Interest rate of debt (as a percent)		2.65%
CNP Floating Senior Note | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued		$ 700
CNP Floating Senior Note | Senior Notes | Secured Overnight Financing Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)		0.65%
CERC Senior notes .70% and Floating Rate due 2023 | Senior Notes | CERC Corp
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from long-term debt	$ 1,690
General Mortgage Bonds Due 2031 and 2051 | General Mortgage Bonds | Houston Electric
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from long-term debt		$ 1,080
CNP Senior Notes 1.45%, 2.65%, and Floating | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from long-term debt		$ 1,690

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Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt - Debt Repayments and Redemptions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions			1 Months Ended
	Jun. 01, 2021	May 01, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021
CNP Senior Note 3.85%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding debt balance			$ 500.0
Long-term Debt | Houston Electric
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued				$ 402.0
Long-term Debt | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued				1,852.0
CNP Senior Note 3.85% | Long-term Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, redemption price (as a percent)			100.00%
CNP Senior Note 3.85% | Long-term Debt | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued				$ 250.0
Interest rate of debt (as a percent)				3.85%
9.15% First Mortgage Bonds due 2021 | Long-term Debt | First Mortgage Bonds | Houston Electric
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued				$ 102.0
Interest rate of debt (as a percent)				9.15%
General Mortgage Bonds Due 2021 | Long-term Debt | Houston Electric
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued				$ 300.0
Interest rate of debt (as a percent)				1.85%
Debt instrument, redemption price (as a percent)		100.00%
Variable rate term loan | Long-term Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued				$ 700.0
Interest rate of debt (as a percent)				0.76%
Debt instrument, redemption price (as a percent)			100.00%
CNP Senior Note 3.60% | Long-term Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, redemption price (as a percent)	100.00%
CNP Senior Note 3.60% | Long-term Debt | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued				$ 500.0
Interest rate of debt (as a percent)				3.60%
Whole Market Premium | Long-term Debt | CNP Senior Note 3.85%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued			$ 26.0
Whole Market Premium | Long-term Debt | CNP Senior Note 3.60%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued	$ 7.0

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Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt - Schedule of Revolving Credit Facilities (Details) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2021 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Size of credit facility	$ 4,000
Houston Electric
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Size of credit facility	300
Restoration costs	100
CERC Corp
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Size of credit facility	$ 900
Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consecutive period for system restoration costs to exceed $100 million (in months)	12 months
Line of Credit | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage on limitation of debt to total capitalization under covenant amended (in hundredths)	70.00%
Line of Credit | Houston Electric
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage on limitation of debt to total capitalization under covenant (in hundredths)	67.50%
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital (as a percent)	0.558
Line of Credit | Houston Electric | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage on limitation of debt to total capitalization under covenant amended (in hundredths)	70.00%
Line of Credit | CERC Corp
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage on limitation of debt to total capitalization under covenant (in hundredths)	65.00%
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital (as a percent)	0.610
Line of Credit | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Houston Electric
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)	1.375%
Line of Credit | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | CERC Corp
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)	1.25%
Parent Company
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Size of credit facility	$ 2,400	$ 2,400	$ 3,300
Parent Company | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage on limitation of debt to total capitalization under covenant (in hundredths)	65.00%
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital (as a percent)	0.577
Parent Company | Line of Credit | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)	1.625%
VUHI
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Size of credit facility	$ 400
Letters of credit swing line sublimit	$ 20
VUHI | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage on limitation of debt to total capitalization under covenant (in hundredths)	65.00%
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital (as a percent)	0.501
VUHI | Line of Credit | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)	1.25%

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Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt - Schedule of Utilization of Credit Facilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	$ 0	$ 0
Revolving Credit Facility | VUHI
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	0	0
Revolving Credit Facility | CenterPoint Energy
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	0	0
Revolving Credit Facility | Houston Electric
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	0	0
Revolving Credit Facility | CERC Corp
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	0	0
Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	11	11
Letter of Credit | VUHI
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	0	0
Letter of Credit | CenterPoint Energy
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	11	11
Letter of Credit | Houston Electric
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	0	0
Letter of Credit | CERC Corp
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	0	0
Commercial Paper
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	1,743	1,517
Commercial Paper | VUHI
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	$ 268	$ 92
Weighted average interest rate of debt (as a percent)	0.18%	0.22%
Commercial Paper | CenterPoint Energy
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	$ 911	$ 1,078
Weighted average interest rate of debt (as a percent)	0.18%	0.23%
Number of days until commercial paper maturity	60 days
Commercial Paper | Houston Electric
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	$ 0	$ 0
Weighted average interest rate of debt (as a percent)	0.00%	0.00%
Commercial Paper | CERC Corp
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	$ 564	$ 347
Weighted average interest rate of debt (as a percent)	0.18%	0.23%

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Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Net uncertain tax liability	$ 10		$ 10
Interest and penalties on uncertain tax liability	1		1
Unrecognized tax benefits as a result of lapse of communication			9
State and Local Jurisdiction
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Deferred tax benefit	46		46
Held for sale criteria met, net state tax benefit	$ 18
Income tax benefit, change in tax rate			13
Change in valuation allowance, income tax benefit			$ 15
Houston Electric
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate	15.00%	16.00%	14.00%	15.00%
CERC Corp | State and Local Jurisdiction
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Deferred tax benefit			$ 26
Held for sale criteria met, net state tax benefit	$ 11
Change in valuation allowance, income tax benefit			$ 15
Continuing Operations
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate	(1.00%)	18.00%	10.00%	26.00%
Continuing Operations | CERC Corp
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate	(45.00%)	(31.00%)	10.00%	17.00%
Discontinued Operations
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate	0.00%	475.00%	0.00%	(14.00%)
Discontinued Operations | CERC Corp
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate	0.00%	200.00%	0.00%	4.00%
Coronavirus Aid Relief And Economic Security Act
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Recognized tax benefit from changes in tax laws, CARES act		$ 0		$ 19

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Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 lawsuit	Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($) ashPond gasManufacturingAndStorageSite warrantyObligation suretyBond lawsuit MW	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2018 lawsuit	Jul. 31, 2018 lawsuit
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of surety bond obligations outstanding | suretyBond		47
Performance guarantee obligations outstanding face amount		$ 484
Percentage of work yet to be completed on projects with open surety bonds		34.00%
Number of warranty obligations outstanding | warrantyObligation		34
Warranty obligations outstanding face amount		$ 553
Energy savings commitments not guaranteed		1,200
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure, undiscounted		$ 517
Number of owned coal ash ponds | ashPond		3
F.B. Culley
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of owned coal ash ponds | ashPond		2
A.B. Brown
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of owned coal ash ponds | ashPond		1
Indiana Gas Service Territory
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Environmental remediation number of sites with potential remedial responsibility | gasManufacturingAndStorageSite		26
SIGECO
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Environmental remediation number of sites with potential remedial responsibility | gasManufacturingAndStorageSite		5
Vectren Proxy Statement Materially Incomplete Related to Merger
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Pending lawsuits | lawsuit				7	7
Number of claims dismissed | lawsuit	2
February 2021 Winter Storm
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Pending lawsuits | lawsuit		65
Shell Energy North America (US), L.P.
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure, undiscounted		$ 40
Houston Electric | February 2021 Winter Storm
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Pending lawsuits | lawsuit		65
Indiana Electric
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Asset retirement obligation		$ 88
Indiana Electric | Minimum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated capital expenditure to clean ash ponds		60
Indiana Electric | Maximum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated capital expenditure to clean ash ponds		80
Energy Services Disposal Group
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor obligation, current carrying value		$ 0	$ 0
Energy Services Disposal Group | CERC Corp
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Exposure period after closing		90 days
Annualized fee received for retained CES guarantee exposure		3.00%
Quarterly increase of fee received for retained CES guarantee exposure		1.00%
Exposure period until increased fee		3 months
Estimated remaining exposure		$ 35
Additional guarantees		0
Guarantor obligation, current carrying value		0	$ 0
ESG
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Fair value of guarantees		$ 0
Posey Solar
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Solar array generating capacity (in MW) | MW		300

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Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Undiscounted Minimum Purchase Obligations (Details) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($)
Capital Addition Purchase Commitments
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Undiscounted minimum payment obligation, term	25 years
Natural Gas and Coal
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Remaining six months of 2021	$ 334
2022	550
2023	473
2024	392
2025	337
2026	304
2027 and beyond	1,634
Technology Hardware and Software
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Remaining six months of 2021	9
2022	12
2023	399
2024	198
2025	7
2026	7
2027 and beyond	143
Natural Gas | CERC Corp
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Remaining six months of 2021	227
2022	336
2023	281
2024	259
2025	231
2026	226
2027 and beyond	$ 1,330

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Commitment and Contingencies - Schedule of Estimated Accrued Costs (Details) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($) year
Minnesota and Indiana Gas Service Territories
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Liability recorded for environmental loss contingencies	$ 12
Minnesota and Indiana Gas Service Territories | Minimum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated remediation costs	$ 8
Years to resolve contingency | year	5
Minnesota and Indiana Gas Service Territories | Maximum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated remediation costs	$ 54
Years to resolve contingency | year	50
Minnesota Service Territory | CERC Corp
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Liability recorded for environmental loss contingencies	$ 7
Minnesota Service Territory | CERC Corp | Minimum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated remediation costs	$ 5
Years to resolve contingency | year	30
Minnesota Service Territory | CERC Corp | Maximum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated remediation costs	$ 32
Years to resolve contingency | year	50

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Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Beneficial conversion feature	$ 32			$ 0	$ 32
Continuing Operations Numerator:
Income (loss) from continuing operations		$ 251	$ 135	614	(918)
Less: Preferred stock dividend requirement (Note 19)		30	37	59	66
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature		0	9	0	9
Undistributed earnings allocated to preferred shareholders (1)		0	0	0	0
Income (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations - basic		221	89	555	(993)
Add back: Undistributed earnings allocated to preferred shareholders (1)		0	0	0	0
Income (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations - diluted		221	89	555	(993)
Loss available to common shareholders from discontinued operations - basic and diluted		0	(30)	0	(176)
Income (loss) available to common shareholders - basic and diluted		221	59	555	(1,169)
Income (loss) available to common shareholders - basic and diluted		$ 221	$ 59	$ 555	$ (1,169)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic [Abstract]
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic		585,720,000	528,066,000	568,728,000	515,227,000
Plus: Incremental shares from assumed conversions:
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted		596,330,000	530,837,000	596,130,000	515,227,000
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share:
Basic earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations (in dollars per share)		$ 0.38	$ 0.17	$ 0.98	$ (1.93)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share - discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		0	(0.06)	0	(0.34)
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (in dollars per share)		0.38	0.11	0.98	(2.27)
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations (in dollars per share)		0.37	0.17	0.93	(1.93)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share - discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		0	(0.06)	0	(0.34)
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (in dollars per share)		$ 0.37	$ 0.11	$ 0.93	$ (2.27)
Restricted Stock
Plus: Incremental shares from assumed conversions:
Restricted stock (2)		3,558,000	2,771,000	3,558,000	0
Common Stock | Restricted Stock
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
Amount of antidilutive shares excluded from computation of earnings per share					2,771,000
Series B Preferred Stock
Continuing Operations Numerator:
Less: Preferred stock dividend requirement (Note 19)		$ 17	$ 17	$ 34	$ 34
Add back: Series B Preferred Stock dividend		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Plus: Incremental shares from assumed conversions:
Preferred Stock		0	0	0	0
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
Amount of antidilutive shares excluded from computation of earnings per share		35,898,000	35,940,000	35,917,000	35,923,000
Series C Preferred Stock
Continuing Operations Numerator:
Less: Preferred stock dividend requirement (Note 19)		$ 0	$ 7	$ 0	$ 7
Plus: Incremental shares from assumed conversions:
Preferred Stock		7,052,000	0	23,844,000	0
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
Amount of antidilutive shares excluded from computation of earnings per share			29,465,000		14,571,000

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Reportable Segments (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($) state	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($) state	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,742	$ 1,575	$ 4,289	$ 3,742
Equity in earnings from investment in Enable	67	43	175	(1,432)
Net income (loss)	251	135	614	(918)
Net loss from discontinued operations	0	(30)	0	(176)
Net income (loss)	251	105	614	(1,094)
Assets	36,466		36,466		$ 33,471
Assets Held for Sale	2,192		2,192		0
Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	34,274		34,274		33,471
Enable Midstream Partners
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	787	515	1,757	1,163
Equity in earnings from investment in Enable	67	43	175	(1,432)
Impairment of CenterPoint Energy's equity method investment in Enable	0	0	0	1,541
CERC Corp
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	574	483	1,751	1,494
Net loss from discontinued operations	0	(4)	0	(68)
Net income (loss)	58	13	209	80
Assets	10,379		10,379		8,308
Houston Electric
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	786	720	1,470	1,354
Net income (loss)	103	87	156	120
Assets	12,017		12,017		11,316
Houston Electric | Affiliates of NRG Energy, Inc.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	192	174	387	330
Houston Electric | Affiliates of Vistra Energy Corp.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	87	92	175	173
Electric | Affiliates of NRG Energy, Inc.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	192	174	387	330
Electric | Affiliates of Vistra Energy Corp.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 87	92	$ 175	173
Natural Gas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of states in which the entity performs gas delivery services | state	48		48
Revenues	$ 740	644	$ 2,403	1,965
Natural Gas | CERC Corp
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of states in which the entity performs gas delivery services | state	48		48
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 65	83	$ 119	162
Corporate and Other, Net | Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Costs
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	525		525		540
Operating Segments | Electric
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	937	848	1,767	1,615
Equity in earnings from investment in Enable	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	125	106	200	(28)
Assets	15,288		15,288		14,493
Operating Segments | Natural Gas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	740	644	2,403	1,965
Equity in earnings from investment in Enable	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	74	30	303	231
Assets	15,064		15,064		14,976
Operating Segments | Midstream Investments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Equity in earnings from investment in Enable	67	43	175	(1,432)
Net income (loss)	54	24	125	(1,103)
Assets	1,051		1,051		913
Corporate and Other | Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	65	83	119	162
Equity in earnings from investment in Enable	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	(2)	$ (25)	(14)	$ (18)
Corporate, Non-Segment | Corporate and Other, Net
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 2,871		$ 2,871		$ 3,089

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Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Interest, net of capitalized interest				$ 261	$ 196
Income tax payments, net				13	4
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures				249	195
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities				2	14
Beneficial conversion feature	$ 32			0	32
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature		$ 0	$ (9)	0	(9)
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents		136		136		$ 147
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows		157	194	157	194	167	$ 271
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets		21		21		20
Houston Electric
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Interest, net of capitalized interest				92	93
Income tax payments, net				0	0
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures				185	76
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities				0	0
Beneficial conversion feature				0	0
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature				0	0
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents		120		120		139
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows		137	170	137	170	154	235
Houston Electric | Bond Companies
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents		106		106		139
Houston Electric | Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets		17		17		15
CERC Corp
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Interest, net of capitalized interest				47	55
Income tax payments, net				0	0
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures				95	87
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities				1	5
Beneficial conversion feature				0	0
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature				0	0
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents		1		1		1
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows		1	$ 1	1	$ 1	1	$ 2
CERC Corp | Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets		$ 0		$ 0		$ 0

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Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Houston Electric
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash dividends paid to parent	$ 0	$ 20	$ 0	$ 405
Capital distribution to parent associated with the sale of CES	0	0	0	0
Houston Electric | Operation and maintenance expense
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Net affiliate service charges (billings)	(1)	(4)	(2)	(10)
Houston Electric | CenterPoint Energy | Operation and maintenance expense
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Corporate service charges	47	45	90	94
CERC Corp
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash dividends paid to parent	0	40	0	72
Capital distribution to parent associated with the sale of CES	0	286	0	286
CERC Corp | Operation and maintenance expense
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Net affiliate service charges (billings)	1	4	2	10
CERC Corp | CenterPoint Energy | Operation and maintenance expense
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Corporate service charges	$ 52	$ 49	$ 102	$ 104
Investments | Houston Electric
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	0.18%		0.18%		0.24%
Investments | CERC Corp
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	0.18%		0.18%		0.24%
Accounts and notes receivable (payable) - affiliate companies | Houston Electric
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Money Pool Investments	$ 97		$ 97
Money Pool Borrowings					$ (8)
Accounts and notes receivable (payable) - affiliate companies | CERC Corp
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Money Pool Investments	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0

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Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 28, 2021	May 07, 2021	Apr. 27, 2021	Apr. 16, 2021	Apr. 05, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, outstanding (in shares)	1,775,903		1,775,903							2,402,400
Preferred stock	$ 1,739		$ 1,739							$ 2,363
Preferred Stock Dividends and Other Adjustments [Abstract]
Preferred stock dividend requirement	30	$ 37	59	$ 66
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature	0	9	0	9
Total income allocated to preferred shareholders	30	46	59	75
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(87)	(100)	(90)	(98)
Other comprehensive income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates	1	0	2	(3)
Prior service cost (2)	0	1	0	1
Actuarial losses	2	1	4	3
Reclassification of net deferred loss from cash flow hedges (3)	0	19	0	19
Tax expense	(1)	(5)	(1)	(6)
Net current period other comprehensive income	2	16	5	14
Ending Balance	$ (85)	$ (84)	$ (85)	$ (84)
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.1600	$ 0.1500	$ 0.1600	$ 0.4400
Common Stock dividends paid per share	0.1600	0.1500	0.1600	0.4400
Series A Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividends declared	0	0	0	30.6250
Preferred stock dividends paid per share	0	$ 0	0	$ 30.6250
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$ 1,000		$ 1,000
Preferred stock, outstanding (in shares)	800,000		800,000							800,000
Preferred stock	$ 790		$ 790							$ 790
Preferred Stock Dividends and Other Adjustments [Abstract]
Preferred stock dividend requirement	$ 13	$ 13	$ 25	$ 25
Series B Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividends declared	$ 17.5000	$ 17.5000	$ 17.5000	$ 35.0000
Preferred stock dividends paid per share	17.5000	$ 17.5000	17.5000	$ 35.0000
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$ 1,000		$ 1,000
Preferred stock, outstanding (in shares)	975,903		975,903							977,400
Preferred stock	$ 949		$ 949							$ 950
Preferred stock to be converted to common stock (in shares)					7		1,490
Shares of common stock issued (in shares)					214		45,653
Preferred Stock Dividends and Other Adjustments [Abstract]
Preferred stock dividend requirement	$ 17	$ 17	$ 34	$ 34
Series C Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividends declared	$ 0	$ 0.1500	$ 0	$ 0.1500
Preferred stock dividends paid per share	0	$ 0.1500	0	$ 0.1500
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$ 1,000		$ 1,000
Preferred stock, outstanding (in shares)	0		0							625,000
Preferred stock	$ 0		$ 0							$ 623
Preferred stock to be converted to common stock (in shares)						187,500		37,500	400,000
Shares of common stock issued (in shares)						12,246,897		2,449,379	26,126,714
Preferred Stock Dividends and Other Adjustments [Abstract]
Preferred stock dividend requirement	$ 0	$ 7	$ 0	$ 7
Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, outstanding (in shares)	1,775,903		1,775,903							2,402,400
Preferred stock	$ 1,739		$ 1,739							$ 2,363
Houston Electric
Preferred Stock Dividends and Other Adjustments [Abstract]
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature			0	0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0	(15)	0	(15)
Other comprehensive income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates	0	0	0	0
Prior service cost (2)	0	0	0	0
Actuarial losses	0	0	0	0
Reclassification of net deferred loss from cash flow hedges (3)	0	19	0	19
Tax expense	0	(4)	0	(4)
Net current period other comprehensive income	0	15	0	15
Ending Balance	0	0	0	0
CERC Corp
Preferred Stock Dividends and Other Adjustments [Abstract]
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature			0	0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	10	10	10	10
Other comprehensive income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates	0	0	0	0
Prior service cost (2)	0	0	0	0
Actuarial losses	0	0	0	0
Reclassification of net deferred loss from cash flow hedges (3)	0	0	0	0
Tax expense	0	0	0	0
Net current period other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Ending Balance	$ 10	$ 10	$ 10	$ 10

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Subsequent Events (CenterPoint Energy) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 30, 2021	Jul. 21, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jul. 20, 2021
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Expected cash distribution from equity method investment					$ 77	$ 109
Common Stock
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends declared per share			$ 0.1600	$ 0.1500	$ 0.1600	$ 0.4400
Series A Preferred Stock
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividends declared per share			0	0	0	30.6250
Series B Preferred Stock
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividends declared per share			$ 17.5000	$ 17.5000	$ 17.5000	$ 35.0000
Subsequent Event | Board of Directors Chairman
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Lump sum cash payment for separation		$ 28
Subsequent Event | Chief Executive Officer
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Retention incentive agreement, shares issued							1,000,000
Subsequent Event | Common Stock
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends declared per share		$ 0.1600
Subsequent Event | Series A Preferred Stock
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividends declared per share		30.6250
Subsequent Event | Series B Preferred Stock
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividends declared per share		$ 17.5000
Common Units | Subsequent Event | Enable Midstream Partners
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Quarterly cash distribution declared per share	$ 0.16525
Expected cash distribution from equity method investment	$ 39
Series A Preferred Units | Subsequent Event | Enable Midstream Partners
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Quarterly cash distribution declared per share	$ 0.54390
Expected cash distribution from cost method investment	$ 8

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Label	Element	Value
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible Enumeration]	us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList	Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 [Member]
CERC Corp [Member]
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible Enumeration]	us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList	Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 [Member]