ceheform10-q.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
R
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
 
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2010
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 1-3187
                     
 
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
(713) 207-1111
(Address and zip code of principal executive offices)
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
                     
 
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format.

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.  Yes R  No £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files). Yes £  No £

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

    Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer þ
Smaller reporting company o
   
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes £  No R

As of April 27, 2010, all 1,000 common shares of CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC were held by Utility Holding, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.




 
 
 
 

 
CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
PART I.
 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
         
Item 1.
 
Financial Statements
 
1
         
       
   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2010 (unaudited)
 
1
         
       
   
December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2010 (unaudited)
 
2
         
       
   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2010 (unaudited)
 
4
         
     
5
         
Item 2.
   
14
         
Item 4T.
   
19
         
PART II.
 
OTHER INFORMATION
   
         
Item 1.
   
20
         
Item 1A.
   
20
         
Item 5.
   
20
         
Item 6.
   
20
 

 


CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

From time to time we make statements concerning our 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 our forward-looking statements by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “p rojection,” “should,” “will” or other similar words.

We have based our forward-looking statements on our management’s beliefs and assumptions based on information available to our management at the time the statements are made. We caution you that assumptions, beliefs, expectations, intentions and projections about future events may and often do vary materially from actual results. Therefore, we cannot assure you that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements.

The following are some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements:
 
 
the resolution of the true-up proceedings, including, in particular, the results of appeals to the Texas Supreme Court regarding rulings obtained to date;

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

 
other state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments, including, among others, deregulation, re-regulation and health care reform;

 
timely and appropriate regulatory actions allowing securitization or other recovery of costs associated with any future hurricanes or natural disasters;

 
timely and appropriate rate actions and increases, allowing recovery of costs and a reasonable return on investment;

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

 
industrial, commercial and residential growth in our service territory and changes in market demand, including the effects of energy efficiency measures, and demographic patterns;

 
weather variations and other natural phenomena;

 
changes in interest rates or rates of inflation;

 
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;

 
actions by rating agencies;

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

 
the ability of RRI Energy, Inc. (RRI) (formerly known as Reliant Energy, Inc. and Reliant Resources, Inc.) and its subsidiaries to satisfy their obligations to us, including indemnity obligations;

 
the ability of retail electric providers, and particularly the two largest customers of CenterPoint Houston Electric LLC, which are subsidiaries of NRG Retail LLC and TXU Energy Retail Company LLC, to satisfy their obligations to us and our subsidiaries;
 
 
 
the outcome of litigation brought by or against us;

 
our ability to control costs;

 
the investment performance of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.’s pension and postretirement benefit plans;

 
our potential business strategies, including restructurings, acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses, which we cannot assure will be completed or will have the anticipated benefits to us;

 
acquisition and merger activities involving our parent or our competitors; and

 
other factors we discuss in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference, and other reports we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.  Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement.
 
 


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(AN INDIRECT WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2009
   
2010
 
             
Revenues
  $ 412     $ 488  
                 
Expenses:
               
Operation and maintenance
    189       191  
Depreciation and amortization
    100       132  
Taxes other than income taxes
    53       52  
Total
    342       375  
Operating Income
    70       113  
                 
Other Income (Expense):
               
Interest and other finance charges
    (39 )     (37 )
Interest on transition and system restoration bonds
    (33 )     (36 )
Other, net
    7       7  
Total
    (65 )     (66 )
                 
Income Before Income Taxes
    5       47  
Income tax expense
    (3 )     (17 )
Net Income
  $ 2     $ 30  


See Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(AN INDIRECT WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

ASSETS
   
December 31,
2009
   
March 31,
2010
 
Current Assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 739     $ 310  
Accounts and notes receivable, net
    200       242  
Accounts and notes receivable – affiliated companies
    303       626  
Accrued unbilled revenues
    63       55  
Inventory
    69       68  
Taxes receivable
    54        
Deferred tax asset
    1       1  
Other
    58       42  
Total current assets
    1,487       1,344  
                 
Property, Plant and Equipment:
               
Property, plant and equipment
    7,325       7,389  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    2,737       2,765  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    4,588       4,624  
                 
Other Assets:
               
Regulatory assets
    2,885       2,834  
Notes receivable — affiliated companies
    750       750  
Other
    45       46  
Total other assets
    3,680       3,630  
                 
Total Assets
  $ 9,755     $ 9,598  


See Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(AN INDIRECT WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS — (Continued)
(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

LIABILITIES AND MEMBER’S EQUITY

   
December 31,
2009
   
March 31,
2010
 
Current Liabilities:
           
Current portion of transition and system restoration bonds long-term debt
  $ 241     $ 274  
Accounts payable
    58       55  
Accounts and notes payable — affiliated companies
    29       23  
Taxes accrued
    89       69  
Interest accrued
    100       49  
Other
    61       61  
Total current liabilities
    578       531  
                 
Other Liabilities:
               
Accumulated deferred income taxes, net
    1,469       1,450  
Unamortized investment tax credits
    14       12  
Benefit obligations
    195       194  
Regulatory liabilities
    382       392  
Notes payable — affiliated companies
    151       151  
Other
    221       233  
Total other liabilities
    2,432       2,432  
                 
Long-term Debt:
               
Transition and system restoration bond
    2,805       2,665  
Other
    2,092       2,092  
Total long-term debt
    4,897       4,757  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8)
               
                 
Member’s Equity:
               
Common stock
           
Paid-in capital
    1,230       1,230  
Retained earnings
    618       648  
Total member’s equity
    1,848       1,878  
                 
Total Liabilities and Member’s Equity
  $ 9,755     $ 9,598  


See Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(AN INDIRECT WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2009
   
2010
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
           
Net income
  $ 2     $ 30  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    100       132  
Amortization of deferred financing costs
    6       3  
Deferred income taxes
    (5 )     (19 )
Changes in other assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts and notes receivable, net
    31       (10 )
Accounts receivable/payable, affiliates
    5       (15 )
Inventory
    3       1  
Accounts payable
    (75 )     (5 )
Taxes receivable
    8       54  
Interest and taxes accrued
    (94 )     (71 )
Net regulatory assets and liabilities
    1       2  
Other current assets
    13       15  
Other assets
    (4 )     3  
Other liabilities
    1       (2 )
Other, net
          (1 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (8 )     117  
                 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
Capital expenditures
    (120 )     (93 )
Increase in notes receivable from affiliates, net
    (114 )     (314 )
Decrease in restricted cash of transition and system restoration bond companies
    1       1  
Other, net
    (3 )     (34 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (236 )     (440 )
                 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
               
Revolving credit facility, net
    (251 )      
Proceeds from long-term debt
    500        
Payments of long-term debt
    (104 )     (106 )
Debt issuance costs
    (4 )      
Decrease in short-term notes with affiliates, net
    (8 )      
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    133       (106 )
                 
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    (111 )     (429 )
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
    166       739  
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
  $ 55     $ 310  
                 
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
               
Cash Payments:
               
Interest, net of capitalized interest
  $ 123     $ 125  
Income tax refunds, net
    (9 )     (49 )
Non-cash transactions:
               
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures
  $ 26     $ 30  


See Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1)
Background and Basis of Presentation
 
General. Included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Form 10-Q) of CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC are the condensed consolidated interim financial statements and notes (Interim Condensed Financial Statements) of CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC and its subsidiaries (collectively, CenterPoint Houston). The Interim Condensed Financial Statements are unaudited, omit certain financial statement disclosures and should be read with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CenterPoint Houston for the year ended December 31, 2009 (CenterPoint Houston Form 10-K).

Background. CenterPoint Houston engages in the electric transmission and distribution business in a 5,000-square mile area of the Texas Gulf Coast that includes the city of Houston.  CenterPoint Houston is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CenterPoint Energy), a public utility holding company.  At March 31, 2010, CenterPoint Houston had four subsidiaries, CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company, LLC, CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company II, LLC, CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company III, LLC and CenterPoint Energy Restoration Bond Company, LLC (collectively, the transition and system restoration bond companies).  Each is a special purpose Delaware limited liability company formed for the principal pu rpose of purchasing and owning transition and system restoration property, issuing transition and system restoration bonds and performing activities incidental thereto.  For further discussion of the transition and system restoration bond companies, see Note 4.

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

CenterPoint Houston’s 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 CenterPoint Houston’s 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) timing of maintenance and other expenditures and (c) acquisitions and dispositions of businesses, assets and other interests.

(2)
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new accounting guidance on consolidation of variable interest entities (VIEs) that changes how a reporting entity determines a primary beneficiary that would consolidate the VIE from a quantitative risk and rewards approach to a qualitative approach based on which variable interest holder has the power to direct the economic performance related activities of the VIE as well as the obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. This new guidance requires the primary beneficiary assessment to be performed on an ongoing basis and also requires enhanced disclosures that will provide more transparency about a company’s involvement in a VIE. This new guidance is effective for a reporting entity’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009. CenterPoint Houston’s adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In January 2010, the FASB issued new accounting guidance to require additional fair value related disclosures including transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements. It also clarifies existing fair value disclosure guidance about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques. This new guidance is effective for the first reporting period beginning after December 15, 2009 except for the requirement to separately disclose purchases, sales, issuances and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements, which is effective for the first reporting period beginning after December 15, 2010. CenterPoint Houston's adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. CenterPoint Houston expects that the adoption of
 
 
5

 
the Level 3 related gross disclosure requirement, which is effective in 2011, will not have an impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Management believes the impact of other recently issued standards, which are not yet effective, will not have a material impact on CenterPoint Houston’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows upon adoption.

(3)
Employee Benefit Plans
 
CenterPoint Houston’s employees participate in CenterPoint Energy’s postretirement benefit plan.  CenterPoint Houston’s net periodic cost includes the following components relating to postretirement benefits:
 
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2009
   
2010
 
   
(in millions)
 
Interest cost                                                           
  $ 5     $ 4  
Expected return on plan assets                                                          
    (2 )     (2 )
Amortization of transition obligation
    1       1  
Net periodic cost                                                     
  $ 4     $ 3  
 
CenterPoint Houston expects to contribute approximately $8 million to its postretirement benefit plan in 2010, of which $2 million was contributed as of March 31, 2010.

(4)
Regulatory Matters
 
(a) Recovery of True-Up Balance

In March 2004, CenterPoint Houston filed its true-up application with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (Texas Utility Commission), requesting recovery of $3.7 billion, excluding interest, as allowed under the Texas Electric Choice Plan (Texas electric restructuring law). In December 2004, the Texas Utility Commission issued its final order (True-Up Order) allowing CenterPoint Houston to recover a true-up balance of approximately $2.3 billion, which included interest through August 31, 2004, and provided for adjustment of the amount to be recovered to include interest on the balance until recovery, along with the principal portion of additional excess mitigation credits (EMCs) returned to customers after August 31, 2004 and certain other adjustments.

CenterPoint Houston and other parties filed appeals of the True-Up Order to a district court in Travis County, Texas. In August 2005, that court issued its judgment on the various appeals. In its judgment, the district court:

 
reversed the Texas Utility Commission’s ruling that had denied recovery of a portion of the capacity auction true-up amounts;

 
reversed the Texas Utility Commission’s ruling that precluded CenterPoint Houston from recovering the interest component of the EMCs paid to retail electric providers (REPs); and

 
affirmed the True-Up Order in all other respects.

The district court’s decision would have had the effect of restoring approximately $650 million, plus interest, of the $1.7 billion the Texas Utility Commission had disallowed from CenterPoint Houston’s initial request.

CenterPoint Houston and other parties appealed the district court’s judgment to the Texas Third Court of Appeals, which issued its decision in December 2007. In its decision, the court of appeals:

 
reversed the district court’s judgment to the extent it restored the capacity auction true-up amounts;

 
reversed the district court’s judgment to the extent it upheld the Texas Utility Commission’s decision to allow CenterPoint Houston to recover EMCs paid to RRI Energy, Inc. (RRI) (formerly known as Reliant Energy, Inc. and Reliant Resources, Inc.);
 
 
 
ordered that the tax normalization issue described below be remanded to the Texas Utility Commission as requested by the Texas Utility Commission; and

 
affirmed the district court’s judgment in all other respects.

In April 2008, the court of appeals denied all motions for rehearing and reissued substantially the same opinion as it had rendered in December 2007.

In June 2008, CenterPoint Houston petitioned the Texas Supreme Court for review of the court of appeals decision. In its petition, CenterPoint Houston seeks reversal of the parts of the court of appeals decision that (i) denied recovery of EMCs paid to RRI, (ii) denied recovery of the capacity auction true-up amounts allowed by the district court, (iii) affirmed the Texas Utility Commission’s rulings that denied recovery of approximately $378 million related to depreciation and (iv) affirmed the Texas Utility Commission’s refusal to permit CenterPoint Houston to utilize the partial stock valuation methodology for determining the market value of its former generation assets. Two other petitions for review were filed with the Texas Supreme Court by other parties to the appeal. In those petitions parties contend that (i) the Texas Utility Commission was without authority to fashion the methodology it used for valuing the former generation assets after it had determined that CenterPoint Houston could not use the partial stock valuation method, (ii) in fashioning the method it used for valuing the former generating assets, the Texas Utility Commission deprived parties of their due process rights and an opportunity to be heard, (iii) the net book value of the generating assets should have been adjusted downward due to the impact of a purchase option that had been granted to RRI, (iv) CenterPoint Houston should not have been permitted to recover construction work in progress balances without proving those amounts in the manner required by law and (v) the Texas Utility Commission was without authority to award interest on the capacity auction true-up award.

In June 2009, the Texas Supreme Court granted the petitions for review of the court of appeals decision.  Oral argument before the court was held in October 2009, and the parties have filed post-submission briefs to the court.  Although CenterPoint Energy and CenterPoint Houston believe that CenterPoint Houston’s true-up request is consistent with applicable statutes and regulations and, accordingly, that it is reasonably possible that it will be successful in its appeal to the Texas Supreme Court, CenterPoint Energy can provide no assurance as to the ultimate court rulings on the issues to be considered in the appeal or with respect to the ultimate decision by the Texas Utility Commission on the tax normalization issue described below.

To reflect the impact of the True-Up Order, in 2004 and 2005, CenterPoint Houston recorded a net after-tax extraordinary loss of $947 million. No amounts related to the district court’s judgment or the decision of the court of appeals have been recorded in CenterPoint Houston’s consolidated financial statements. However, if the court of appeals decision is not reversed or modified as a result of further review by the Texas Supreme Court, CenterPoint Houston anticipates that it would be required to record an additional loss to reflect the court of appeals decision. The amount of that loss would depend on several factors, including ultimate resolution of the tax normalization issue described below and the calculation of interest on any amounts CenterPoint Houston ultimately is authorized to recover or is required to ref und beyond the amounts recorded based on the True-Up Order, but could range from $180 million to $410 million (pre-tax) plus interest subsequent to December 31, 2009.

In the True-Up Order, the Texas Utility Commission reduced CenterPoint Houston’s stranded cost recovery by approximately $146 million, which was included in the extraordinary loss discussed above, for the present value of certain deferred tax benefits associated with its former electric generation assets. CenterPoint Energy believes that the Texas Utility Commission based its order on proposed regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in March 2003 that would have allowed utilities owning assets that were deregulated before March 4, 2003 to make a retroactive election to pass the benefits of Accumulated Deferred Investment Tax Credits (ADITC) and Excess Deferred Federal Income Taxes (EDFIT) back to customers. However, the IRS subsequently withdrew those proposed normalization regulations and, in March 20 08, adopted final regulations that would not permit utilities like CenterPoint Houston to pass the tax benefits back to customers without creating normalization violations. In addition, CenterPoint Energy received a Private Letter Ruling (PLR) from the IRS in August 2007, prior to adoption of the final regulations, that confirmed that the Texas Utility Commission’s order reducing CenterPoint Houston’s stranded cost recovery by $146 million for ADITC and EDFIT would cause normalization violations with respect to the ADITC and EDFIT.

 
If the Texas Utility Commission’s order relating to the ADITC reduction is not reversed or otherwise modified on remand so as to eliminate the normalization violation, the IRS could require CenterPoint Energy to pay an amount equal to CenterPoint Houston’s unamortized ADITC balance as of the date that the normalization violation is deemed to have occurred. In addition, the IRS could deny CenterPoint Houston the ability to elect accelerated tax depreciation benefits beginning in the taxable year that the normalization violation is deemed to have occurred. Such treatment, if required by the IRS, could have a material adverse impact on CenterPoint Houston’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows in addition to any potential loss resulting from final resolution of the True-Up Order. In its opinion, the court of appeals ordered that this issue be remanded to the Texas Utility Commission, as that commission requested. No party has challenged that order by the court of appeals although the Texas Supreme Court has the authority to consider all aspects of the rulings above, not just those challenged specifically by the appellants. CenterPoint Energy and CenterPoint Houston will continue to pursue a favorable resolution of this issue through the appellate and administrative process. Although the Texas Utility Commission has not previously required a company subject to its jurisdiction to take action that would result in a normalization violation, no prediction can be made as to the ultimate action the Texas Utility Commission may take on this issue on remand.

The Texas electric restructuring law allowed the amounts awarded to CenterPoint Houston in the Texas Utility Commission’s True-Up Order to be recovered either through securitization or through implementation of a competition transition charge (CTC) or both. Pursuant to a financing order issued by the Texas Utility Commission in March 2005 and affirmed by a Travis County district court, in December 2005, a new special purpose subsidiary of CenterPoint Houston issued $1.85 billion in transition bonds with interest rates ranging from 4.84% to 5.30% and final maturity dates ranging from February 2011 to August 2020. Through issuance of the transition bonds, CenterPoint Houston recovered approximately $1.7 billion of the true-up balance determined in the True-Up Order plus interest through the date on which the bonds were i ssued.

In July 2005, CenterPoint Houston received an order from the Texas Utility Commission allowing it to implement a CTC designed to collect the remaining $596 million from the True-Up Order over 14 years plus interest at an annual rate of 11.075% (CTC Order). The CTC Order authorized CenterPoint Houston to impose a charge on REPs to recover the portion of the true-up balance not recovered through a financing order. The CTC Order also allowed CenterPoint Houston to collect approximately $24 million of rate case expenses over three years without a return through a separate tariff rider (Rider RCE). CenterPoint Houston implemented the CTC and Rider RCE effective September 13, 2005 and began recovering approximately $620 million. The return on the CTC portion of the true-up balance was included in CenterPoint Houston ’s tariff-based revenues beginning September 13, 2005. Effective August 1, 2006, the interest rate on the unrecovered balance of the CTC was reduced from 11.075% to 8.06% pursuant to a revised rule adopted by the Texas Utility Commission in June 2006. Recovery of rate case expenses under Rider RCE was completed in September 2008.

Certain parties appealed the CTC Order to a district court in Travis County. In May 2006, the district court issued a judgment reversing the CTC Order in three respects. First, the court ruled that the Texas Utility Commission had improperly relied on provisions of its rule dealing with the interest rate applicable to CTC amounts. The district court reached that conclusion based on its belief that the Texas Supreme Court had previously invalidated that entire section of the rule. The 11.075% interest rate in question was applicable from the implementation of the CTC Order on September 13, 2005 until August 1, 2006, the effective date of the implementation of a new CTC in compliance with the revised rule discussed above. Second, the district court reversed the Texas Utility Commission’s ruling that allows CenterPoint Ho uston to recover through Rider RCE the costs (approximately $5 million) for a panel appointed by the Texas Utility Commission in connection with the valuation of electric generation assets. Finally, the district court accepted the contention of one party that the CTC should not be allocated to retail customers that have switched to new on-site generation. The Texas Utility Commission and CenterPoint Houston appealed the district court’s judgment to the Texas Third Court of Appeals, and in July 2008, the court of appeals reversed the district court’s judgment in all respects and affirmed the Texas Utility Commission’s order. Two parties appealed the court of appeals decision to the Texas Supreme Court which heard oral argument in October 2009. The ultimate outcome of this matter cannot be predicted at this time. However, CenterPoint Energy does not expect the disposition of this matter to have a material adverse effect on CenterPoint Energy’s or CenterPoint Houston’s fi nancial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

During the 2007 legislative session, the Texas legislature amended statutes prescribing the types of true-up balances that can be securitized by utilities and authorized the issuance of transition bonds to recover the balance of
 
 
8

 
the CTC. In June 2007, CenterPoint Houston filed a request with the Texas Utility Commission for a financing order that would allow the securitization of the remaining balance of the CTC, adjusted to refund certain unspent environmental retrofit costs and to recover the amount of the final fuel reconciliation settlement. CenterPoint Houston reached substantial agreement with other parties to this proceeding, and a financing order was approved by the Texas Utility Commission in September 2007. In February 2008, pursuant to the financing order, a new special purpose subsidiary of CenterPoint Houston issued approximately $488 million of transition bonds in two tranches with interest rates of 4.192% and 5.234% and final maturity dates of February 2020 and February 2023, respectively. Contemporaneously with the issuance of those bonds, the CTC was terminated and a transition charge was implemented.

As of March 31, 2010, CenterPoint Houston has not recognized an allowed equity return of $190 million on its true-up balance because such return will be recognized as it is recovered in rates. During the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2010, CenterPoint Houston recognized approximately $2 million and $3 million, respectively, of the allowed equity return not previously recognized.

(b) Rate Proceedings

The final order in its 2006 rate proceeding requires CenterPoint Houston to file a general rate case with the Texas Utility Commission by June 30, 2010 unless the Texas Utility Commission Staff and certain other parties determined by March 31, 2010 that no such filing would be necessary.  Those parties have advised CenterPoint Houston that a rate case filing is necessary, and, accordingly, CenterPoint Houston plans to file its application to change rates no later than the June 30, 2010 deadline.  The amount and other terms of the rate filing have not been established at this time.  Based on the prescribed timeline for processing such an application, CenterPoint Houston anticipates that a final order on that application would be entered in early 2011.

In May 2009, CenterPoint Houston filed an application at the Texas Utility Commission seeking approval of certain estimated 2010 energy efficiency program costs, an energy efficiency performance bonus for 2008 programs, and carrying costs, totaling approximately $10 million. The application sought to begin recovery of these costs through a surcharge effective July 1, 2010. In October 2009, the Texas Utility Commission issued its order approving recovery of the 2010 energy efficiency program costs and a partial performance bonus, plus carrying costs, but refused to permit CenterPoint Houston to recover a performance bonus of $2 million on approximately $10 million in 2008 energy efficiency costs expended pursuant to the terms of a settlement agreement reached in CenterPoint Houston’s 2006 rate proceeding.  0;CenterPoint Houston has appealed the denial of the full 2008 performance bonus to the 98th district court in Travis County, Texas, where the case remains pending.

In April 2010, CenterPoint Houston filed an application with the Texas Utility Commission to recover a total of approximately $14.4 million in costs related to its energy efficiency programs.  The filing seeks authorization to recover certain projected costs for its 2011 energy efficiency programs, an energy efficiency performance bonus for 2009 programs, and revenue losses related to the implementation of the 2009 energy efficiency program. The application seeks to begin recovery of these costs through a surcharge beginning in January 2011.  A final order is not expected until later this year.

(c) Regulatory Accounting

CenterPoint Houston’s actuarially determined pension expense for 2010 in excess of the 2007 base year amount is being deferred for rate making purposes until its next general rate case pursuant to Texas law.  CenterPoint Houston deferred as a regulatory asset $4 million and $6 million, respectively, in pension expense during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2010.

As discussed in Note 9, CenterPoint Houston recorded a regulatory asset of $11 million related to a reduction in deferred tax assets as a result of the enactment in March 2010 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the related Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.

(5)
Fair Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their value. Hierarchical
 
 
9

 
levels, as defined in this guidance 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 are investments listed in active markets.  At March 31, 2010, CenterPoint Houston held Level 1 investments of $30 million, which were primarily money market funds.

Level 2:  Inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. CenterPoint Houston had no Level 2 assets or liabilities at March 31, 2010.

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. These inputs reflect management’s best estimate of the assumptions market participants would use in determining fair value.  CenterPoint Houston had no Level 3 assets or liabilities at March 31, 2010.

CenterPoint Houston determines the appropriate level for each financial asset and liability on a quarterly basis and recognizes any transfers at the end of the reporting period.  For the quarter ended March 31, 2010, there were no transfers between levels.

(6)
Related Party Transactions and Major Customers
 
Related Party Transactions. CenterPoint Houston participates in a money pool through which it can borrow or invest on a short-term basis. Funding needs are aggregated and external borrowing or investing is based on the net cash position. The net funding requirements of the money pool are expected to be met with borrowings under CenterPoint Energy’s revolving credit facility or the sale of CenterPoint Energy’s commercial paper.  CenterPoint Houston had investments in the money pool of $289 million and $603 million at December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2010, respectively, which are included in accounts and notes receivable-affiliated companies in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

At December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2010, CenterPoint Houston had a $750 million note receivable from its parent.

For both the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2010, CenterPoint Houston had net interest income related to affiliate borrowings of $5 million.

CenterPoint Energy provides some corporate services to CenterPoint Houston. The costs of services have been charged directly to CenterPoint Houston using methods that management believes are reasonable. These methods include negotiated usage rates, dedicated asset assignment and proportionate corporate formulas based on operating expenses, assets, gross margin, employees and a composite of assets, gross margin and employees. These charges are not necessarily indicative of what would have been incurred had CenterPoint Houston not been an affiliate. Amounts charged to CenterPoint Houston for these services were $32 million and $31 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively, and are included primarily in operation and maintenance expenses.

Major Customers. Sales to subsidiaries of NRG Retail LLC, the successor to RRI's Texas retail business, in the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2010 represented approximately $142 million and $135 million, respectively, of CenterPoint Houston’s transmission and distribution revenues.  Sales to subsidiaries of TXU Energy Retail Company LLC in the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2010 represented approximately $37 million and $42 million, respectively, of CenterPoint Houston’s transmission and distribution revenues.

(7)
Long-term Debt
 
Revolving Credit Facility. CenterPoint Houston’s $289 million credit facility’s first drawn cost is the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 45 basis points based on CenterPoint Houston’s current credit ratings. The facility contains a debt (excluding transition and system restoration bonds) to total capitalization covenant. Under
 
 
10

 
the credit facility, an additional utilization fee of 5 basis points applies to borrowings any time more than 50% of the facility is utilized. The spread to LIBOR and the utilization fee fluctuate based on the borrower’s credit rating.

As of December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2010, CenterPoint Houston had no borrowings under this credit facility. In addition, as of both December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2010, CenterPoint Houston had approximately $4 million of outstanding letters of credit under this credit facility. CenterPoint Houston was in compliance with all debt covenants as of March 31, 2010.

Other. At both December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2010, CenterPoint Houston had issued $151 million of first mortgage bonds and $527 million of general mortgage bonds as collateral for long-term debt of CenterPoint Energy. These bonds are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements because of the contingent nature of the obligations.

(8)
Commitments and Contingencies
 
Legal Matters

Gas Market Manipulation Cases.  CenterPoint Energy, CenterPoint Houston or their predecessor, Reliant Energy, Incorporated (Reliant Energy), and certain of their former subsidiaries are named as defendants in several lawsuits described below. Under a master separation agreement between CenterPoint Energy and RRI (formerly known as Reliant Resources, Inc. and Reliant Energy, Inc.), CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries are entitled to be indemnified by RRI for any losses, including attorneys’ fees and other costs, arising out of these lawsuits.  Pursuant to the indemnification obligation, RRI is defending CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries to the extent named in these lawsuits.  A large number of lawsuits were filed against numerous gas market participants in a number of federal and western state courts in connection with the operation of the natural gas markets in 2000-2002. CenterPoint Energy’s former affiliate, RRI, was a participant in gas trading in the California and Western markets. These lawsuits, many of which have been filed as class actions, allege violations of state and federal antitrust laws. Plaintiffs in these lawsuits are seeking a variety of forms of relief, including, among others, recovery of compensatory damages (in some cases in excess of $1 billion), a trebling of compensatory damages, full consideration damages and attorneys’ fees. CenterPoint Energy and/or Reliant Energy were named in approximately 30 of these lawsuits, which were instituted between 2003 and 2009. CenterPoint Energy and its affiliates have been released or dismissed from all but two of such cases. CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc. (CES), an indirect subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy, is a defendant in a case now pending in federal co urt in Nevada alleging a conspiracy to inflate Wisconsin natural gas prices in 2000-2002.  Additionally, CenterPoint Energy was a defendant in a lawsuit filed in state court in Nevada that was dismissed in 2007, but the plaintiffs appealed the dismissal in March 2010 to the Nevada Supreme Court. CenterPoint Energy believes that neither it nor CES is a proper defendant in these remaining cases and will continue to pursue dismissal from those cases.  CenterPoint Houston does not expect the ultimate outcome of these remaining matters to have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2009, RRI sold its Texas retail business to NRG Retail LLC, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc.  In connection with the sale, RRI changed its name to RRI Energy, Inc. and no longer provides service as a REP in CenterPoint Houston’s service territory.  In April 2010, RRI announced its plan to merge with Mirant Corporation in an all-stock transaction.  Neither the sale of the retail business nor the merger with Mirant Corporation, if ultimately finalized, alters RRI’s contractual obligations to indemnify CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries, including CenterPoint Houston, for certain liabilities, including their indemnification regarding certain litigation.   

Environmental Matters

Asbestos. Some facilities owned by CenterPoint Energy contain or have contained asbestos insulation and other asbestos-containing materials. CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries, including CenterPoint Houston, have been named, along with numerous others, as a defendant in lawsuits filed by a number of individuals who claim injury due to exposure to asbestos. Some of the claimants have worked at locations owned by CenterPoint Energy or CenterPoint Houston, but most existing claims relate to facilities previously owned by CenterPoint Energy’s other subsidiaries or CenterPoint Houston, but currently owned by NRG Texas LP. CenterPoint Energy anticipates that additional claims like those received may be asserted in the future. In 2004, CenterPoint Energy sold its generating b usiness, to which most of these claims relate, to Texas Genco LLC, which is now known as NRG Texas LP. Under
 
 
11

 
the terms of the arrangements regarding separation of the generating business from CenterPoint Energy and its sale to NRG Texas LP, ultimate financial responsibility for uninsured losses from claims relating to the generating business has been assumed by NRG Texas LP, but CenterPoint Energy has agreed to continue to defend such claims to the extent they are covered by insurance maintained by CenterPoint Energy, subject to reimbursement of the costs of such defense from NRG Texas LP. Although their ultimate outcome cannot be predicted at this time, CenterPoint Houston or CenterPoint Energy, as appropriate, intends to continue vigorously contesting claims that are not considered to have merit and CenterPoint Houston does not expect, based on its experience to date, these matters, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Other Environmental.  From time to time CenterPoint Houston has received notices from regulatory authorities or others regarding its status as a potentially responsible party in connection with sites found to require remediation due to the presence of environmental contaminants. In addition, CenterPoint Houston has been named from time to time as a defendant in litigation related to such sites. Although the ultimate outcome of such matters cannot be predicted at this time, CenterPoint Houston does not expect, based on its experience to date, these matters, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Other Proceedings

CenterPoint Houston is 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. Some of these proceedings involve substantial amounts. CenterPoint Houston regularly analyzes current information and, as necessary, provides accruals for probable liabilities on the eventual disposition of these matters. CenterPoint Houston does not expect the disposition of these matters to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

(9)
Income Taxes

During the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2010, the effective tax rate was 56% and 37%, respectively. The most significant item affecting the comparability of the effective tax rate is the lower pre-tax income in 2009.

As a result of the enactment in March 2010 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the related Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, a portion of retiree health care costs which are reimbursed by Medicare Part D subsidies will no longer be tax deductible effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2012. Based upon the actuarially determined net present value of lost future retiree health care deductions related to the subsidies, CenterPoint Houston reduced its deferred tax asset related to future retiree health care deductions by approximately $7 million as of March 31, 2010.  The entire reduction in the deferred tax asset has been recorded as a regulatory asset because CenterPoint Houston believes it will be recovered through the regulatory process. Additionally, the regulatory as sets have been increased by approximately $4 million related to the recovery of CenterPoint Houston’s income taxes.

The following table summarizes CenterPoint Houston's unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2010:

   
December 31, 2009
   
March 31, 2010
 
   
(in millions)
 
Unrecognized tax benefits
  $ 175     $ 187  
Portion of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would
reduce the effective income tax rate
    9       11  
Interest accrued on unrecognized tax benefits
    9       11  

During the three months ended March 31, 2010, the IRS notified CenterPoint Energy that it would perform an examination of CenterPoint Energy’s 2008 consolidated federal income tax return of which CenterPoint Houston is a member.
 

(10)
Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, short-term borrowings and the $750 million notes receivable from CenterPoint Houston’s parent are estimated to be equivalent to carrying amounts and have been excluded from the table below.  The fair value of each debt instrument is determined by multiplying the principal amount of each debt instrument by the market price.

   
December 31, 2009
   
March 31, 2010
 
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Fair
Value
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Fair
Value
 
   
(in millions)
 
Financial liabilities:
                       
Long-term debt (including $151 million of long-
term notes payable to parent)
  $ 5,288     $ 5,591     $ 5,181     $ 5,545  
 

 


ITEM 2.     MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following narrative analysis should be read in combination with our Interim Condensed Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (2009 Form 10-K).

We 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, we have omitted from this report the information called for by Item 2 (Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations), Item 3 (Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk) of Part I and the following Part II items of Form 10-Q: Item 2 (Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds), Item 3 (Defaults Upon Senior Securities) and Item 4 (Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders).  The following discussion explains material changes in our results of operations between the three months ended March 31, 2009 and the th ree months ended March 31, 2010.  Reference is made to “Management’s Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations” in Item 7 of our 2009 Form 10-K.

Recent Events

Advanced Metering System and Distribution Automation (Intelligent Grid)

In October 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) notified us that we had been selected for a $200 million grant for our advanced metering system (AMS) and intelligent grid (IG) projects.  In March 2010, we and the DOE completed negotiations and finalized the agreement. The DOE will reimburse us 50% of our eligible costs until the total amount of the grant has been paid.  We will use $150 million of the grant funding to accelerate completion of our current deployment of advanced meters by 2012, instead of 2014 as originally scheduled.  We will use the other $50 million from the grant to begin deployment of an electric distribution grid automation strategy in a portion of our service territory over the next three years.  It is expected that the portion of the IG project subject to funding by D OE will cost approximately $115 million.  We believe the IG has the potential to provide a significant improvement in grid planning, operations, maintenance and customer service for our distribution system.

In March 2010, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced through the issuance of Revenue Procedure 2010-20 that it was providing a safe harbor to corporations who receive a Smart Grid Investment Grant. The IRS stated that it would not challenge a corporation’s treatment of the grant as a non-taxable non-shareholder contribution to capital as long as the corporation properly reduced the tax basis of the property acquired with grant funds.

Rate Case

The final order in our 2006 rate proceeding requires us to file a general rate case with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (Texas Utility Commission) by June 30, 2010 unless the Texas Utility Commission Staff and certain other parties determined by March 31, 2010 that no such filing would be necessary.  Those parties have advised us that a rate case filing is necessary, and, accordingly, we plan to file our application to change rates no later than the June 30, 2010 deadline.  The amount and other terms of the rate filing have not been established at this time.  Based on the prescribed timeline for processing such an application, we anticipate that a final order on that application would be entered in early 2011.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Our results of operations are affected by seasonal fluctuations in the demand for electricity. Our results of operations are also affected by, among other things, the actions of various governmental authorities having jurisdiction over rates we charge, debt service costs, income tax expense, our ability to collect receivables from retail electric providers and our ability to recover our stranded costs and regulatory assets. For more information regarding factors that may affect the future results of operations of our business, please read “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of the 2009 Form 10-K.
 

The following table sets forth our consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2010, followed by a discussion of our consolidated results of operations based on operating income.

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2009
   
2010
 
   
(in millions)
 
Revenues:
           
Electric transmission and distribution utility 
  $ 346     $ 392  
Transition and system restoration bond companies 
    66       96  
Total revenues 
    412       488  
Expenses:
               
Operation and maintenance, excluding transition and
system restoration bond companies
    188       190  
Depreciation and amortization, excluding transition and
system restoration bond companies
    68       73  
Taxes other than income taxes
    53       52  
Transition and system restoration bond companies
    33       60  
Total expenses
    342       375  
Operating income
    70       113  
Interest and other finance charges
    (39 )     (37 )
Interest on transition and system restoration bonds
    (33 )     (36 )
Other income, net
    7       7  
Income before income taxes
    5       47  
Income tax expense
    (3 )     (17 )
Net income
  $ 2     $ 30  
                 
Throughput (in gigawatt-hours (GWh)):
               
Residential
    3,967       5,173  
Total
    15,142       16,436  
                 
Number of metered customers – end of period:
               
Residential
    1,838,766       1,858,403  
Total
    2,082,930       2,104,786  

Three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to three months ended March 31, 2009

We reported operating income of $113 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, consisting of $77 million from the regulated electric transmission and distribution utility (TDU) and $36 million related to transition and system restoration bond companies. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, operating income totaled $70 million, consisting of $37 million from the TDU and $33 million related to transition and system restoration bond companies. TDU revenues increased $46 million primarily due to increased usage ($32 million) in part due to colder weather, revenues from implementation of the AMS ($9 million), higher transmission-related revenues ($5 million) and higher revenues due to customer growth ($4 million) from the addition of nearly 22,000 new customers, partiall y offset by a credit to customers related to deferred income taxes associated with Hurricane Ike storm restoration costs ($6 million).  Operation and maintenance expenses increased due to higher transmission costs billed by transmission providers ($3 million) and increased AMS project expenses ($4 million), partially offset by lower pension costs ($4 million).  Increased depreciation expense is related to increased investment in AMS ($4 million) and other capital additions ($1 million).

Income Tax Expense. During the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2010, the effective tax rate was 56% and 37%, respectively. The most significant item affecting the comparability of the effective tax rate is the lower pre-tax income in 2009.

As a result of the enactment in March 2010 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the related Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, a portion of retiree health care costs which are reimbursed by Medicare Part D subsidies will no longer be tax deductible effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2012. Based upon the actuarially determined net present value of lost future retiree health care deductions related to the subsidies, CenterPoint Houston reduced its deferred tax asset related to future retiree health care deductions by
 
 
15

 
approximately $7 million as of March 31, 2010.  The entire reduction in the deferred tax asset has been recorded as a regulatory asset because CenterPoint Houston believes it will be recovered through the regulatory process. Additionally, the regulatory assets have been increased by approximately $4 million related to the recovery of CenterPoint Houston’s income taxes.

CERTAIN FACTORS AFFECTING FUTURE EARNINGS

For information on other developments, factors and trends that may have an impact on our future earnings, please read “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I and “Management’s Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations — Certain Factors Affecting Future Earnings” in Item 7 of Part II of our 2009 Form 10-K and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information.”

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our liquidity and capital requirements are affected primarily by our results of operations, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, tax payments, working capital needs, various regulatory actions and appeals relating to such regulatory actions. Our principal cash requirements for the remaining nine months of 2010 include approximately $415 million of capital expenditures and $134 million of scheduled principal payments on transition and system restoration bonds.

We expect that borrowings under our credit facilities, anticipated cash flows from operations and funds from the liquidation of temporary external and money pool investments will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs in the remainder of 2010. Cash needs or discretionary financing or refinancing may result in the issuance of debt securities in the capital markets or the arrangement of additional credit facilities.  Issuances of debt in the capital markets and additional credit facilities may not, however, be available to us on acceptable terms.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.  Other than operating leases and first mortgage bonds and general mortgage bonds issued as collateral for long-term debt of CenterPoint Energy as discussed below, we have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

In May 2009, RRI Energy, Inc. (formerly known as Reliant Energy, Inc. and Reliant Resources, Inc.) (RRI) sold its Texas retail business to NRG Retail LLC, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc.  In connection with the sale, RRI changed its name to RRI Energy, Inc. and no longer provides service as a retail electric provider (REP) in our service territory.  In April 2010, RRI announced its plan to merge with Mirant Corporation in an all-stock transaction.  Neither the sale of the retail business nor the merger with Mirant Corporation, if ultimately finalized, alters RRI’s contractual obligations to indemnify CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries, including us, for certain liabilities, including their indemnification regarding certain litigation.

Credit Facilities.  Our $289 million credit facility’s first drawn cost is the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 45 basis points based on our current credit ratings. The facility contains a debt (excluding transition and system restoration bonds) to total capitalization covenant. Under our credit facility, an additional utilization fee of 5 basis points applies to borrowings any time more than 50% of the facility is utilized. The spread to LIBOR and the utilization fee fluctuate based on our credit rating.

Borrowings under our credit facility are subject to customary terms and conditions. However, there is no requirement that we make representations prior to borrowings as to the absence of material adverse changes or litigation that could be expected to have a material adverse effect. Borrowings under our credit facility are subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of events of default that we consider customary.  We are currently in compliance with the various business and financial covenants contained in our credit facility.

As of April 27, 2010, we had the following facility (in millions):

Date Executed
 
Type of Facility
 
Size of Facility
   
Amount
Utilized at
April 27,
2010
 
Termination Date
June 29, 2007
 
Revolver
  $ 289     $ 4 (1)
June 29, 2012
__________
 
 
(1)
Represents outstanding letters of credit.
 
Securities Registered with the SEC. In October 2008, we registered an indeterminate principal amount of our general mortgage bonds under a joint registration statement with CenterPoint Energy.

Temporary Investments.  As of April 27, 2010, we had external temporary investments of $332 million, which excludes funds held in trust for the payment of debt service on transition and system restoration bonds.

Money Pool. We participate in a money pool through which we and certain of our affiliates can borrow or invest on a short-term basis. Funding needs are aggregated and external borrowing or investing is based on the net cash position. The net funding requirements of the money pool are expected to be met with borrowings by CenterPoint Energy under its revolving credit facility or the sale by CenterPoint Energy of its commercial paper. At April 27, 2010, we had $533 million invested in the money pool. The money pool may not provide sufficient funds to meet our cash needs.

Long-term Debt. Our long-term debt consists of our obligations and the obligations of our subsidiaries, including transition and system restoration bonds issued by wholly owned subsidiaries.  The following table shows future maturity dates of long-term debt issued by us to third parties and affiliates and scheduled future payment dates of transition and system restoration bonds issued by our subsidiaries, CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company, LLC (Bond Company), CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company II, LLC (Bond Company II), CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company III, LLC (Bond Company III) and CenterPoint Energy Restoration Bond Company, LLC (Restoration Bond Company) as of March 31, 2010. Amounts are expressed in millions.

Year
 
Third-Party
   
Affiliate
   
Sub-Total
   
Transition and
System
Restoration
Bonds
   
Total
 
2010
  $     $     $     $ 134     $ 134  
2011
                      283       283  
2012
    46             46       307       353  
2013
    450             450       330       780  
2014
    800             800       235       1,035  
2015
          151       151       249       400  
2016
                      266       266  
2017
    127             127       283       410  
2018
                      303       303  
2019
                      323       323  
2020
                      91       91  
2021
    102             102       66       168  
2022
                      69       69  
2023
    200             200             200  
2027
    56             56             56  
2033
    312             312             312  
Total
  $ 2,093     $ 151     $ 2,244     $ 2,939     $ 5,183  

As of March 31, 2010, outstanding first mortgage bonds and general mortgage bonds aggregated approximately $2.8 billion as shown in the following table.  Amounts are expressed in millions.

   
Issued Directly
to Third Parties
   
Issued as
Collateral for Our
Debt
   
Issued as Collateral
for CenterPoint
Energy’s Debt
   
Total
 
First Mortgage Bonds
  $ 102     $     $ 151     $ 253  
General Mortgage Bonds
    1,762       229       527 (1)     2,518  
Total                         
  $ 1,864     $ 229     $ 678     $ 2,771  
__________
 
(1)
Of such amount, $290 million collateralizes bonds purchased by CenterPoint Energy in January 2010, which may be remarketed by CenterPoint Energy.

The lien of the general mortgage indenture is junior to that of the mortgage pursuant to which the first mortgage bonds are issued. We may issue additional general mortgage bonds on the basis of retired bonds, 70% of property
 
 
17

 
additions or cash deposited with the trustee.  Approximately $2.1 billion of additional first mortgage bonds and general mortgage bonds could be issued on the basis of retired bonds and 70% of property additions as of March 31, 2010.  However, we have contractually agreed not to issue additional first mortgage bonds, subject to certain exceptions.

The following table shows the maturity dates of the $678 million of first mortgage bonds and general mortgage bonds that we have issued as collateral for long-term debt of CenterPoint Energy. These bonds are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements because of the contingent nature of the obligations. Amounts are expressed in millions.

Year
 
First
Mortgage Bonds
   
General
Mortgage Bonds
   
Total
 
2011              
  $     $ 19     $ 19  
2015              
    151             151  
2018              
          50       50  
2019              
          200 (1)     200  
2020              
          90 (1)     90  
2026              
          100       100  
2028              
          68       68  
Total
  $ 151     $ 527     $ 678  
__________
 
(1)
These mortgage bonds collateralize bonds purchased by CenterPoint Energy in January 2010, which may be remarketed by CenterPoint Energy.

Impact on Liquidity of a Downgrade in Credit Ratings. As of May 3, 2010, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s), Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw Hill Companies (S&P), and Fitch, Inc. (Fitch) had assigned the following credit ratings to our senior debt.

   
Moody’s
 
S&P
 
Fitch
Instrument
 
Rating
 
Review(1)
 
Rating
 
Outlook (2)
 
Rating
 
Outlook (3)
Senior Secured Debt
 
Baa1
 
Upgrade Review
 
BBB+
 
Stable
 
A-
 
Stable
__________
 
(1)
Moody’s review for possible upgrade indicates the rating is under review for possible change in the short-term, usually within 90 days.

 
(2)
An S&P rating outlook assesses the potential direction of a long-term credit rating over the intermediate to longer term.

 
(3)
A “stable” outlook from Fitch encompasses a one- to two-year horizon as to the likely ratings direction.

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

A decline in credit ratings could increase borrowing costs under our credit facility.  If our credit ratings had been downgraded one notch by each of the three principal credit rating agencies from the ratings that existed at March 31, 2010, the impact on the borrowing costs under our credit facility would have been immaterial.  A decline in credit ratings would also increase the interest rate on long-term debt to be issued in the capital markets and could negatively impact our ability to complete certain capital market transactions.

Cross Defaults. Under CenterPoint Energy’s $1.2 billion revolving credit facility, a payment default on, or a non-payment default that permits acceleration of, any indebtedness exceeding $50 million by us will cause a default. In addition, four outstanding series of CenterPoint Energy’s senior notes, aggregating $950 million in principal amount as of March 31, 2010, provide that a payment default by us, in respect of, or an acceleration of, borrowed money and certain other specified types of obligations, in the aggregate principal amount of $50 million, will cause
 
 
18

 
a default. A default by CenterPoint Energy would not trigger a default under our debt instruments or bank credit facilities.

Other Factors that Could Affect Cash Requirements. In addition to the above factors, our liquidity and capital resources could be affected by:

 
increases in interest expense in connection with debt refinancings and borrowings under our credit facility;

 
various legislative or regulatory actions;

 
the ability of RRI and its subsidiaries to satisfy their obligations in respect of RRI’s indemnity obligations to us;

 
the ability of REPs that are subsidiaries of NRG Retail LLC and TXU Energy Retail Company LLC, which are our two largest customers, to satisfy their obligations to us and our subsidiaries;

 
the outcome of litigation brought by and against us;

 
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 our 2009 Form 10-K.

Certain Contractual Limits on Our Ability to Issue Securities and Borrow Money. Our credit facility limits our debt (excluding transition and system restoration bonds) as a percentage of our total capitalization to 65%. Additionally, we have contractually agreed that we will not issue additional first mortgage bonds, subject to certain exceptions.

Relationship with CenterPoint Energy. We are an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy. As a result of this relationship, the financial condition and liquidity of our parent company could affect our access to capital, our credit standing and our financial condition.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note 2 to our Interim Condensed Financial Statements for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements that affect us.

Item 4T.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

In accordance with Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2010 to provide assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

There has been no change in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.       LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

For a discussion of material legal and regulatory proceedings affecting us, please read Notes 4 and 8 to our Interim Condensed Financial Statements, 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 our 2009 Form 10-K.

Item 1A.    RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in our 2009 Form 10-K.

Item 5.       OTHER INFORMATION

Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2010 was 1.04 and 1.64, respectively.  We do not believe that the ratios for these three-month periods are necessarily indicative of the ratios for the twelve-month periods due to the seasonal nature of our business.  The ratios were calculated pursuant to applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 6.       EXHIBITS
       
        The following exhibits are filed herewith:
 
Exhibits not incorporated by reference to a prior filing are designated by a cross (+); all exhibits not so designated are incorporated by reference to a prior filing of CenterPoint Houston or CenterPoint Energy 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 CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, any other persons, any state of affairs or other matters.
 
Exhibit Number
 
Description
 
Report or Registration Statement
 
SEC File or Registration Number
 
Exhibit References
3.1
 
Articles of Organization of CenterPoint Houston
 
CenterPoint Houston’s Form 8-K dated August 31, 2002 filed with the SEC on September 3, 2002
 
 
1-3187
 
3(b)
3.2
 
Limited Liability Company Regulations of CenterPoint Houston
 
CenterPoint Houston’s Form 8-K dated August 31, 2002 filed with the SEC on September 3, 2002
 
 
1-3187
 
3(c)
4.1
 
$300,000,000 Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2007, among CenterPoint Houston, as Borrower, and the banks named therein
 
 
CenterPoint Houston’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007
 
1-3187
 
4.1
4.2
 
First Amendment to Exhibit 4.1, dated as of November 18, 2008, among CenterPoint Houston, as Borrower, and the banks named therein
 
 
CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated November 18, 2008
 
1-31447
 
4.2
 
 
Exhibit Number
 
Description
 
Report or Registration Statement
 
SEC File or Registration Number
 
Exhibit References
+12
 
 
           
+31.1
 
 
           
+31.2
 
 
           
+32.1
 
 
           
+32.2
 
 
           
 
 
 
21

 
 
SIGNATURES



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

 
CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC
   
   
   
By:
/s/ WALTER L. FITZGERALD
 
Walter L. Fitzgerald
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
   


Date:  May 12, 2010
 
 

 
Index to Exhibits
 
        The following exhibits are filed herewith:
 
Exhibits not incorporated by reference to a prior filing are designated by a cross (+); all exhibits not so designated are incorporated by reference to a prior filing of CenterPoint Houston or CenterPoint Energy 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 CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, any other persons, any state of affairs or other matters.
 
Exhibit Number
 
Description
 
Report or Registration Statement
 
SEC File or Registration Number
 
Exhibit References
3.1
 
Articles of Organization of CenterPoint Houston
 
CenterPoint Houston’s Form 8-K dated August 31, 2002 filed with the SEC on September 3, 2002
 
 
1-3187
 
3(b)
3.2
 
Limited Liability Company Regulations of CenterPoint Houston
 
CenterPoint Houston’s Form 8-K dated August 31, 2002 filed with the SEC on September 3, 2002
 
 
1-3187
 
3(c)
4.1
 
$300,000,000 Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2007, among CenterPoint Houston, as Borrower, and the banks named therein
 
 
CenterPoint Houston’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007
 
1-3187
 
4.1
4.2
 
First Amendment to Exhibit 4.1, dated as of November 18, 2008, among CenterPoint Houston, as Borrower, and the banks named therein
 
 
CenterPoint Energy’s Form 8-K dated November 18, 2008
 
1-31447
 
4.2
+12
 
 
           
+31.1
 
 
           
+31.2
 
 
           
+32.1
 
 
           
+32.2
 
 
           
 

 
 
23

 
ex12.htm
Exhibit 12


CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(AN INDIRECT WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.)

COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(Millions of Dollars)

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2009 (1)
   
2010 (1)
 
             
Net Income
  $ 2     $ 30  
Income taxes
    3       17  
Capitalized interest
    (1 )      
      4       47  
                 
Fixed charges, as defined:
               
                 
Interest                                                                                   
    72       73  
Capitalized interest                                                                                   
    1        
Interest component of rentals charged to operating income
           
Total fixed charges                                                                                   
    73       73  
                 
Earnings, as defined
  $ 77     $ 120  
                 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
    1.04       1.64  
       
 
(1)
Excluded from the computation of fixed charges for both the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2010 is interest expense of $1 million, which is included in income tax expense.
 
 

 
 
 

 
ex31-1.htm
 
Exhibit 31.1
 
CERTIFICATIONS
 
I, David M. McClanahan, 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:  May 12, 2010
 
 
/s/ David M. McClanahan
 
David M. McClanahan
 
Chairman (Principal Executive Officer)

 
 

 

ex31-2.htm
 
Exhibit 31.2
 
CERTIFICATIONS
 
I, Gary L. Whitlock, 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:  May 12, 2010
 
 
/s/ Gary L. Whitlock
 
Gary L. Whitlock
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 
 

 

ex32-1.htm
 
Exhibit 32.1
 
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 Houston Electric, LLC (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, David M. McClanahan, Chairman (Principal Executive Officer), certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of my knowledge, that:

1.           The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2.           The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


/s/ David M. McClanahan
 
David M. McClanahan
 
Chairman (Principal Executive Officer)
 
May 12, 2010
 
 
 

 
 
 

 

ex32-2.htm
 
Exhibit 32.2
 
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 quarter ended March 31, 2010 (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Gary L. Whitlock, 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/ Gary L. Whitlock
 
Gary L. Whitlock
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
May 12, 2010