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CEHE Q3 2014 10-Q

 

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

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
þ
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
 
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
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 þ No o

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 þ No o

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 o No þ
As of October 22, 2014, 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 SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income
 
 
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
 
Item 2.
Management’s Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations
 
 
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
 
 
 
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
 
 
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
 
 
 
Item 5.
Other Information
 
 
 
Item 6.
Exhibits
 

i

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,” “projection,” “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:

•
state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments affecting various aspects of our business, including, among others, energy deregulation or re-regulation, health care reform, financial reform, tax legislation and actions regarding the rates we charge;

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

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

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

•
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;

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

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

•
any direct or indirect effects on our facilities, operations and financial condition resulting from terrorism, cyber-attacks, data security breaches or other attempts to disrupt our business or the businesses of third parties, or other catastrophic events;

•
the impact of unplanned facility outages;

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

•
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 credit rating agencies;

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

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


ii

•
the ability of GenOn Energy, Inc. (formerly known as RRI Energy, Inc., Reliant Energy, Inc. and Reliant Resources, Inc.), a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG), and its subsidiaries to satisfy their obligations to us, including indemnity obligations;

•
the ability of retail electric providers (REPs), including REP affiliates of NRG, Energy Future Holdings Corp. and Just Energy Group, Inc., to satisfy their obligations to us and our subsidiaries;

•
the outcome of litigation brought by or against us;

•
our ability to control costs;

•
our ability to invest planned capital;

•
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 you will be completed or will have the anticipated benefits to us;

•
acquisition and merger activities involving us or our competitors;

•
future economic conditions in regional and national markets and their effect on sales, prices and costs; 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, 2013 and in Item 1A of Part II of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, which are 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.


iii

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 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Revenues
$
839

 
$
745

 
$
2,167

 
$
1,933

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Operation and maintenance
321

 
259

 
912

 
746

Depreciation and amortization
230

 
190

 
602

 
530

Taxes other than income taxes
56

 
57

 
170

 
169

Total
607

 
506

 
1,684

 
1,445

Operating Income
232

 
239

 
483

 
488

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Income (Expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest and other finance charges
(27
)
 
(24
)
 
(80
)
 
(77
)
Interest on transition and system restoration bonds
(30
)
 
(32
)
 
(90
)
 
(101
)
Other, net
4

 
9

 
11

 
25

Total
(53
)
 
(47
)
 
(159
)
 
(153
)
Income Before Income Taxes
179

 
192

 
324

 
335

Income tax expense
60

 
66

 
113

 
117

Net Income
$
119

 
$
126

 
$
211

 
$
218


See Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



1

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

ASSETS
 
September 30,
2014
 
December 31, 2013
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents ($212 and $207 related to VIEs, respectively)
$
215

 
$
207

Accounts and notes receivable ($99 and $60 related to VIEs, respectively), less bad debt reserve of $3 and $3, respectively
347

 
261

Accounts and notes receivable—affiliated companies
84

 
5

Accrued unbilled revenues
100

 
87

Inventory
114

 
105

Deferred tax asset
2

 
3

Other ($49 and $41 related to VIEs, respectively)
63

 
65

Total current assets
925

 
733

 
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment:
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment
9,203

 
8,741

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
3,026

 
2,907

Property, plant and equipment, net
6,177

 
5,834

 
 
 
 
Other Assets:
 

 
 

Regulatory assets ($2,824 and $3,179 related to VIEs, respectively)
2,679

 
2,999

Other
41

 
43

Total other assets
2,720

 
3,042

 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
9,822

 
$
9,609



See Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


















2

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

LIABILITIES AND MEMBER’S EQUITY
 
September 30,
2014
 
December 31, 2013
Current Liabilities:
 

 
 

Current portion of VIE transition and system restoration bonds long-term debt
$
370

 
$
354

Accounts payable
122

 
137

Accounts and notes payable—affiliated companies
104

 
80

Taxes accrued
109

 
144

Interest accrued
50

 
75

Other
110

 
128

Total current liabilities
865

 
918

Other Liabilities:
 

 
 

Accumulated deferred income taxes, net
1,945

 
2,035

Benefit obligations
227

 
227

Regulatory liabilities
545

 
509

Other
54

 
46

Total other liabilities
2,771

 
2,817

Long-term Debt:
 

 
 

VIE transition and system restoration bonds
2,736

 
3,046

Other
2,006

 
1,595

Total long-term debt
4,742

 
4,641

 
 
 
 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8)


 


 
 
 
 
Member’s Equity:
 
 
 
Common stock
—

 
—

Paid-in capital
1,232

 
1,232

Retained earnings
212

 
1

Total member’s equity
1,444

 
1,233

 
 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Member’s Equity
$
9,822

 
$
9,609



See Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

3

CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(AN INDIRECT WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
211

 
$
218

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
602

 
530

Amortization of deferred financing costs
12

 
12

Deferred income taxes
(95
)
 
(48
)
Changes in other assets and liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts and notes receivable, net
(99
)
 
(84
)
Accounts receivable/payable - affiliated companies
(9
)
 
(37
)
Inventory
(9
)
 
(9
)
Accounts payable
—

 
10

Taxes receivable
—

 
7

Interest and taxes accrued
(60
)
 
(33
)
Net regulatory assets and liabilities
(7
)
 
21

Other current assets
11

 
10

Other current liabilities
(18
)
 
(17
)
Other assets
—

 
3

Other liabilities
10

 
21

Other, net
(6
)
 
—

Net cash provided by operating activities
543

 
604

 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 

 
 

Capital expenditures
(588
)
 
(508
)
Decrease (increase) in notes receivable - affiliated companies
(43
)
 
369

Decrease (increase) in restricted cash of transition and system restoration bond companies
(9
)
 
13

Other, net
(7
)
 
4

Net cash used in investing activities
(647
)
 
(122
)
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 

 
 

Proceeds from long-term debt
600

 
—

Payments of long-term debt
(477
)
 
(838
)
Decrease in short-term notes payable - affiliated companies
(3
)
 
(92
)
Debt issuance costs
(7
)
 
(1
)
Other, net
(1
)
 
1

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
112

 
(930
)
 
 
 
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
8

 
(448
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
207

 
646

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
$
215

 
$
198

 
 
 
 
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
 
 
 

Cash Payments:
 
 
 

Interest, net of capitalized interest
$
186

 
$
221

Income taxes, net
221

 
108

Non-cash transactions:
 

 
 

Accounts payable related to capital expenditures
$
35

 
$
51


See Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



4

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, 2013.

Background. CenterPoint Houston engages in the electric transmission and distribution business in the Texas Gulf Coast area 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 September 30, 2014, CenterPoint Houston had the following subsidiaries: CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company, LLC, CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company II, LLC, CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company III, LLC, CenterPoint Energy Restoration Bond Company, LLC and CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company IV, LLC.  The transition and system restoration bond companies, which are classified as variable interest entities, are wholly owned bankruptcy remote special purpose entities that were formed specifically for the purpose of securitizing transition and system restoration property. Creditors of CenterPoint Houston have no recourse to any assets or revenues of the transition and system restoration bond companies. The bonds issued by these companies are payable only from and secured by transition and system restoration property, and the bondholders have no recourse to the general credit of CenterPoint Houston.

Basis of Presentation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-08 (ASU 2014-08), Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which significantly changes the existing accounting guidance on discontinued operations. Under ASU 2014-08, only those disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results should be reported as a discontinued operation.  ASU 2014-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014.  ASU 2014-08 should be applied to components classified as held for sale after its effective date. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The adoption is expected to reduce the number of disposals that meet the definition of a discontinued operation.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (ASU 2014-09), which supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance. ASU 2014-09 provides a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires revenue to be recognized in a manner that depicts the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted, and entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective adoption approach. Accordingly, CenterPoint Houston will adopt ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2017, and is currently evaluating the impact that this standard will have on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.

Management believes that 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.


5

(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 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013

 
 
(in millions)
Interest cost
 
$
4

 
$
3

 
$
11

 
$
10

Expected return on plan assets
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
(5
)
 
(5
)
Amortization of prior service credit
 
—

 
—

 
(1
)
 
—

Amortization of loss
 
—

 
1

 
1

 
3

Amortization of transition obligation
 
1

 
2

 
3

 
4

Net periodic cost
 
$
3

 
$
4

 
$
9

 
$
12


CenterPoint Houston expects to contribute approximately $7 million to its postretirement benefit plan in 2014, of which $2 million and $6 million was contributed during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.

(4)
Regulatory Accounting

As of September 30, 2014, CenterPoint Houston has not recognized an allowed equity return of $456 million because such return will be recognized as it is recovered in rates. During the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, CenterPoint Houston recognized approximately $20 million and $15 million, respectively, of the allowed equity return not previously recognized.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, CenterPoint Houston recognized approximately $52 million and $35 million, respectively, of the allowed equity return not previously recognized. 

(5)
Fair Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value in the 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 are investments listed in active markets.  At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, CenterPoint Houston held Level 1 investments of $46 million and $38 million, respectively, which were primarily investments in money market funds and are included in cash and cash equivalents in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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 either September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

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 either September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

CenterPoint Houston determines the appropriate level for each financial asset and liability on a quarterly basis and recognizes transfers between levels at the end of the reporting period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, there were no transfers between levels.


6

Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair values of cash and cash equivalents and short-term borrowings are estimated to be approximately 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. These assets and liabilities, which are not measured at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets but for which the fair value is disclosed, would be classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
(in millions)
Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
$
5,112

 
$
5,419

 
$
4,995

 
$
5,165


(6)
Related Party Transactions and Major Customers

(a) 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 $43 million and borrowings from the money pool of $3 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, which are included in Accounts and notes receivable-affiliated companies and Accounts and notes payable-affiliated companies, respectively, in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  

Other Income (Expense) included the net interest income (expense) related to Accounts and notes receivables and payables - affiliated companies.  CenterPoint Houston had net interest income of less than $1 million and $5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and net interest expense of less than $1 million and net interest income of $14 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

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 $41 million and $36 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $117 million and $109 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and are included primarily in operation and maintenance expenses.

(b) Major Customers

Sales to affiliates of NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) in the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 represented approximately$222 million and $202 million, respectively, of CenterPoint Houston’s transmission and distribution revenues.  Sales to affiliates of Energy Future Holdings Corp. (Energy Future Holdings) in the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 represented approximately $59 million and $52 million, respectively, of CenterPoint Houston’s transmission and distribution revenues. Sales to affiliates of NRG in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 represented approximately $552 million and $494 million, respectively, of CenterPoint Houston’s transmission and distribution revenues.  Sales to affiliates of Energy Future Holdings in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 represented approximately $140 million and $125 million, respectively, of CenterPoint Houston’s transmission and distribution revenues.

(7)
Long-term Debt

On March 17, 2014, CenterPoint Houston issued $600 million principal amount of 4.50% General Mortgage Bonds due 2044.

Debt Repayments. Approximately $44 million aggregate principal amount of pollution control bonds issued on behalf of CenterPoint Houston were redeemed on March 3, 2014 at 101% of their principal amount plus accrued interest. The bonds had an interest rate of 4.25%, were scheduled to mature in 2017 and were collateralized by general mortgage bonds of CenterPoint Houston.


7

Approximately $56 million aggregate principal amount of pollution control bonds issued on behalf of CenterPoint Houston were purchased by CenterPoint Houston on March 3, 2014 at 101% of their principal amount plus accrued interest pursuant to the mandatory tender provisions of the bonds. The bonds had an interest rate of 5.60% prior to CenterPoint Houston's purchase and have a variable rate thereafter. The bonds mature in 2027 and are collateralized by general mortgage bonds of CenterPoint Houston. The purchased pollution control bonds may be remarketed. These bonds are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements.

Approximately $84 million aggregate principal amount of pollution control bonds issued on behalf of CenterPoint Houston were redeemed on June 2, 2014 at 100% of their principal amount plus accrued interest. The bonds had an interest rate of 4.25%, were scheduled to mature in 2017 and were collateralized by general mortgage bonds of CenterPoint Houston.

Revolving Credit Facility. On September 9, 2014, CenterPoint Houston's revolving credit facility was amended to, among other things, extend the maturity date of the commitment from September 9, 2018 to September 9, 2019. The amendment also reduced the swingline and letter of credit sub-facility, with the total commitment remaining unchanged. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, CenterPoint Houston had the following revolving credit facility and utilization of such facility (in millions):
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Size of
Facility
 
Loans
 
Letters
of Credit
 
Loans
 
Letters
of Credit
$
300

 
$
—

 
$
4

 
$
—

 
$
4


CenterPoint Houston’s $300 million credit facility, which is scheduled to terminate September 9, 2019, can be drawn at the London Interbank Offered Rate plus 1.125% based on CenterPoint Houston’s current credit ratings. The revolving credit facility contains a financial covenant which limits CenterPoint Houston's consolidated debt (excluding transition and system restoration bonds) to an amount not to exceed 65% of its consolidated capitalization.

CenterPoint Houston was in compliance with all financial covenants in its revolving credit facility at September 30, 2014.

Other. As of both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, CenterPoint Houston had issued $408 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. CenterPoint Energy held $290 million of its collateralized debt for future remarketing.

(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 have been named as defendants in certain lawsuits described below. Under a master separation agreement between CenterPoint Energy and a former subsidiary, Reliant Resources, Inc. (RRI), CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries are entitled to be indemnified by RRI and its successors for any losses, including certain attorneys’ fees and other costs, arising out of these lawsuits.  In May 2009, RRI sold its Texas retail business to a subsidiary of NRG and RRI changed its name to RRI Energy, Inc. In December 2010, Mirant Corporation merged with and became a wholly owned subsidiary of RRI, and RRI changed its name to GenOn Energy, Inc. (GenOn). In December 2012, NRG acquired GenOn through a merger in which GenOn became a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG. None of the sale of the retail business, the merger with Mirant Corporation, or the acquisition of GenOn by NRG alters RRI’s (now GenOn’s) contractual obligations to indemnify CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries, including CenterPoint Houston, for certain liabilities, including their indemnification obligations regarding the gas market manipulation litigation.

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 and its affiliates have since been released or dismissed from all but one such case. CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc. (CES), a subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., is a defendant in a case now pending in federal court in Nevada alleging a conspiracy to inflate Wisconsin natural gas prices in 2000-2002.  In July 2011, the court issued an order dismissing the plaintiffs’ claims against other defendants in the case, each of whom had demonstrated Federal Energy Regulatory Commission jurisdictional sales for resale during the relevant period, based on federal preemption.  The plaintiffs appealed this ruling to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which reversed the trial court's dismissal of the plaintiffs' claims. In August 2013, the other defendants filed a petition for review with the U.S. Supreme Court, which the court granted on July 1, 2014. The defendants filed an opening brief with the court on September 18, 2014. The plaintiffs’ brief is due on November 21, 2014, and the other defendants' reply brief is due on December 22, 2014.

8

Four amicus briefs favorable to our co-defendants were filed by the United States, Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, et. al., Washington Legal Foundation and Noble America Corporation, et. al. CenterPoint Energy believes that CES is not a proper defendant in this case and will continue to pursue a dismissal.  CenterPoint Houston does not expect the ultimate outcome of this matter to have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

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, some of which are currently owned by an affiliate of NRG. CenterPoint Energy anticipates that additional claims like those received may be asserted in the future. In 2004 and early 2005, CenterPoint Energy sold its generating business, to which most of these claims relate, to a company which is now an affiliate of NRG. Under the terms of the arrangements regarding separation of the generating business from CenterPoint Energy and its sale of that business, ultimate financial responsibility for uninsured losses from claims relating to the generating business has been assumed by the NRG affiliate, 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 by the NRG affiliate. 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, based on its experience to date, CenterPoint Houston does not expect 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 identifies the presence of environmental contaminants on property where it conducts or has conducted operations.  Other such sites involving contaminants may be identified in the future.  CenterPoint Houston has and expects to continue to remediate identified sites consistent with its legal obligations. 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

The effective tax rate reported for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was 34% and 35%, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, CenterPoint Houston recognized a tax benefit of $5 million related to the reversal of previously accrued taxes as a result of filing the 2013 federal income tax return. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, CenterPoint Houston recognized a tax benefit of $5 million based on the settlement of outstanding tax claims for the 2002 and 2003 audit cycles.

CenterPoint Houston reported no uncertain tax liability as of September 30, 2014 and expects no significant change to the uncertain tax liability over the next twelve months. CenterPoint Energy’s consolidated federal income tax returns for the years 2012 and 2013 are currently under audit by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Tax years through 2011 have been audited and settled with the IRS. For 2014, CenterPoint Energy is a participant in the IRS’s Compliance Assurance Process.
 



9

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, 2013 (2013 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) and 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. Reference is made to “Management’s Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations” in Item 7 of our 2013 Form 10-K.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Recent Events

Debt Matters. On September 9, 2014, our revolving credit facility was amended to, among other things, extend the maturity date of the commitment from September 9, 2018 to September 9, 2019. The amendment also reduced the swingline and letter of credit sub-facility, with the total commitment remaining unchanged.
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 (REPs) and our ability to recover our 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 our 2013 Form 10-K and in Item 1A of Part II of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 (First Quarter Form 10-Q).


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The following table sets forth our consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, followed by a discussion of our consolidated results of operations based on operating income.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in millions, except throughput and customer data)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electric transmission and distribution utility
$
660

 
$
600

 
$
1,717

 
$
1,534

Transition and system restoration bond companies
179

 
145

 
450

 
399

Total revenues
839

 
745

 
2,167

 
1,933

Expenses:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Operation and maintenance, excluding transition and system restoration bond companies
319

 
256

 
907

 
740

Depreciation and amortization, excluding transition and system restoration bond companies
83

 
80

 
247

 
238

Taxes other than income taxes
56

 
57

 
170

 
169

Transition and system restoration bond companies
149

 
113

 
360

 
298

Total expenses
607

 
506

 
1,684

 
1,445

Operating income
232

 
239

 
483

 
488

Interest and other finance charges
(27
)
 
(24
)
 
(80
)
 
(77
)
Interest on transition and system restoration bonds
(30
)
 
(32
)
 
(90
)
 
(101
)
Other income, net
4

 
9

 
11

 
25

Income before income taxes
179

 
192

 
324

 
335

Income tax expense
60

 
66

 
113

 
117

Net income
$
119

 
$
126

 
$
211

 
$
218

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electric transmission and distribution utility
$
202

 
$
207

 
$
393

 
$
387

Transition and system restoration bond companies (1)
30

 
32

 
90

 
101

Total operating income
$
232

 
$
239

 
$
483

 
$
488

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Throughput (in gigawatt-hours (GWh)):
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Residential
9,737

 
9,945

 
22,000

 
21,736

Total
24,802

 
24,410

 
63,129

 
61,544

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of metered customers at end of period:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Residential
2,018,858

 
1,973,270

 
2,018,858

 
1,973,270

Total
2,284,202

 
2,234,041

 
2,284,202

 
2,234,041

___________
(1) Represents the amount necessary to pay interest on the transition and system restoration bonds.

Three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to three months ended September 30, 2013

We reported operating income of $232 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, consisting of $202 million from the regulated electric transmission and distribution utility (TDU) and $30 million related to transition and system restoration bond companies (Bond Companies). For the three months ended September 30, 2013, operating income totaled $239 million, consisting of $207 million from the TDU and $32 million related to Bond Companies. TDU operating income decreased $5 million primarily due to increased labor and support services costs ($9 million), an adjustment to our claims liability reserve ($6 million) and decreased usage ($11 million), primarily due to milder weather, which were partially offset by customer growth ($10 million) from the addition of over 50,000 new customers, higher equity returns ($7 million) primarily related to true-up proceeds and increased right-of-way revenues ($6 million). Increased transmission costs of $47 million were largely offset by increased transmission revenue.

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Nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2013

We reported operating income of $483 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, consisting of $393 million from TDU and $90 million related to Bond Companies. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, operating income totaled $488 million, consisting of $387 million from the TDU and $101 million related to Bond Companies. TDU operating income increased $6 million primarily due to customer growth ($24 million) from the addition of over 50,000 new customers and higher equity returns ($20 million) primarily related to true-up proceeds, which were partially offset by increased labor and support services costs ($15 million), an adjustment to our claims liability reserve ($6 million), increased other operation and maintenance expenses ($7 million, excluding $139 million of higher transmission costs largely offset by increased transmission revenue), increased depreciation expense ($9 million) and decreased usage ($1 million), primarily due to milder weather.

Income Tax Expense. Our effective tax rate reported for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was 34% and 35%, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recognized a tax benefit of $5 million related to the reversal of previously accrued taxes as a result of filing the 2013 federal income tax return. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recognized a tax benefit of $5 million based on the settlement of outstanding tax claims for the 2002 and 2003 audit cycles.

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 of our 2013 Form 10-K and “Management’s Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations — Certain Factors Affecting Future Earnings” in Item 7 of Part II of our 2013 Form 10-K, “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part II in our First Quarter Form 10-Q and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information” in this Form 10-Q.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our liquidity and capital requirements are affected primarily by our results of operations, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, tax payments and working capital needs. Substantially all of our capital expenditures are expected to be used for investment in infrastructure to maintain the reliability and safety of our operations. Our principal anticipated cash requirements for the remaining three months of 2014 include approximately $217 million of capital expenditures and $60 million of scheduled principal payments on transition and system restoration bonds.
 
We expect that borrowings under our credit facility, anticipated cash flows from operations and intercompany borrowings will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs in the remaining three months of 2014. 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 general mortgage bonds issued as collateral for long-term debt of CenterPoint Energy as discussed below and operating leases, we have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Regulatory Matters

Significant regulatory developments that have occurred since our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are discussed below.

2008 Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor (EECRF) Appeal. In October 2009, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (Texas Utility Commission) issued an order disallowing recovery of a performance bonus of $2 million on approximately $10 million in 2008 energy efficiency costs expended pursuant to the terms of a settlement agreement in a prior rate case. We appealed the denial of the full 2008 performance bonus. We have also appealed similar orders by the Texas Utility Commission providing for the partial disallowance of performance bonuses totaling approximately $5.5 million relating to our 2009, 2010 and 2011 (only through August 2011) energy efficiency programs. These subsequent cases were abated pending the final outcome of the 2008 bonus appeal. In August 2013, the court of appeals reversed the Texas Utility Commission’s decision disallowing such bonuses and in January 2014, the Texas Supreme Court declined to hear the Texas Utility Commission's appeal. As a result of the Texas Supreme Court’s decision, in April 2014, four separate proceedings were initiated, which were later consolidated into one proceeding, at the Texas Utility Commission to determine the amount we are to recover. In May 2014, parties to the proceeding entered into a unanimous stipulation

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agreeing to the amount to be recovered but not to the customer class recovery allocation. The parties agreed that we are to recover $7.5 million in performance bonus, $0.2 million in rate case expenses associated with appeals of the proceedings and at least $2.5 million in carrying costs, with final determination of carrying costs based on the timing of the decision regarding customer class recovery allocation. In August 2014, the Texas Utility Commission entered a final order approving $10.4 million with no change regarding customer class recovery allocation. The rates became effective October 15, 2014. Starting September 2011, our energy efficiency programs are no longer funded pursuant to the terms of the prior settlement, and performance bonus calculations subsequent to that date are not affected by the court’s decision.

2014 EECRF. On May 30, 2014, we filed an application for approval of an adjustment to our EECRF for 2015. Our requested recovery is $51.4 million composed of approximately: (1) $39.1 million in estimated 2015 program costs; (2) a performance bonus for 2013 achievements of $16.2 million; (3) $0.9 million for 2015 evaluation, measurement and verification costs; (4) a credit of $5.1 million for the over-recovery of 2013 program costs; and (5) $0.2 million in rate case expenses from the 2013 EECRF proceeding. In September 2014, the parties signed a partial stipulation agreeing that we shall be allowed to recover the net of (1) $39.1 million in estimated 2015 program costs; (2) a performance bonus for 2013 achievements of between $15.8 million and $16.2 million, depending on the outcome of the one remaining contested issue relating to a bonus calculation; (3) $0.9 million for 2015 evaluation, measurement and verification costs; (4) a credit of $5.1 million for the over-recovery of 2013 program costs; (5) $0.2 million in rate case expenses from the 2013 EECRF proceeding; and (6) an adjustment of $57,000 to exclude certain administrative costs. The Texas Utility Commission is expected to rule on the partial settlement and decide the remaining contested issue in the fourth quarter of 2014. Upon approval, the effective date of the rate adjustment will be March 1, 2015.
    
Brazos Valley Connection Project. In July 2013, we and other transmission service providers submitted analyses and transmission proposals to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) for an additional transmission path into the Houston Region (Brazos Valley Connection, formerly referred to by us as the Houston Import Project). In April 2014, ERCOT’s Board of Directors voted to endorse the Brazos Valley Connection and deemed the project critical for reliability.  The project will consist of (i) construction of a new double-circuit 345 kilovolt (kV) line spanning 130 miles, (ii) upgrades to three substations to accommodate new connections and additional capacity, and (iii) improvements to approximately 11 miles of an existing 345 kV TH Wharton-Addicks transmission line to increase its rating. ERCOT deemed the approved project critical for reliability in the Houston region. Also in April 2014, ERCOT staff determined that we would be the designated transmission service provider for the portion of the project between our Zenith substation and the Gibbons Creek substation owned by the Texas Municipal Power Agency, consisting of approximately 60 miles of 345 kV transmission line, upgrades to the Limestone and Zenith substations and upgrades to 11 miles of the 345 kV TH Wharton-Addicks transmission line.  Other transmission service providers were designated by ERCOT for the portion of the project from the Gibbons Creek Substation to the Limestone Substation as well as the upgrades to the Gibbons Creek Substation. As the owner of the originating and terminating substations of the entire project, we appealed that determination to the Texas Utility Commission in May 2014 and sought the right to construct, own, and maintain the entire project, except for necessary upgrades to the Gibbons Creek Substation.  On October 17, 2014, the Texas Utility Commission filed an order that denied our appeal and upheld the April 2014 ERCOT decision to split the project between us and other transmission service providers.  As a result, we estimate that our portion of the capital costs will be $300 million. ERCOT has estimated that the cost of the entire project will be approximately $600 million. We anticipate that our portion of the Brazos Valley Connection project will be completed by mid-2018.  Also in May 2014, several electric generators appealed the ERCOT Board of Directors’ April 2014 approval of the project and the determination that the project was critical for reliability in the Houston region to the Texas Utility Commission.  A hearing on the May 2014 appeal by the electric generators was held by the Texas Utility Commission in October 2014, but the Texas Utility Commission has not yet ruled on the appeal.
 
Other Matters

Credit Facility 

On September 9, 2014, our revolving credit facility was amended to, among other things, extend the maturity date of the commitment from September 9, 2018 to September 9, 2019. The amendment also reduced the swingline and letter of credit sub-facility, with the total commitment remaining unchanged. As of October 22, 2014, we had the following revolving credit facility and utilization of such facility (in millions):
Date Executed
 
Size of
Facility
 
Amount
Utilized
 
 
Termination Date
September 9, 2011
 
$
300

 
$
4

(1)
 
September 9, 2019
_________
(1)
Represents outstanding letters of credit.

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Our $300 million revolving credit facility can be drawn at the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.125% based on our current credit ratings. The revolving credit facility contains a financial covenant which limits our consolidated debt (excluding transition and system restoration bonds) to an amount not to exceed 65% of our consolidated capitalization.

Borrowings under our revolving 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 revolving credit facility are subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of events of default that we consider customary.  The revolving credit facility also provides for customary fees, including commitment fees, administrative agent fees, fees in respect of letters of credit and other fees. In our revolving credit facility, the borrowing spread to LIBOR and the commitment fees fluctuate based on our credit rating. We are currently in compliance with the various business and financial covenants contained in our revolving credit facility.

Securities Registered with the SEC

We have filed a shelf registration statement with the SEC registering an indeterminate principal amount of our general mortgage bonds.

Temporary Investments
 
As of October 22, 2014, we had no temporary investments.

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 under CenterPoint Energy’s revolving credit facility or the sale of CenterPoint Energy’s commercial paper. As of October 22, 2014, we had $51 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.  

As of September 30, 2014, our outstanding first mortgage bonds and general mortgage bonds aggregated approximately $2.5 billion, of which $464 million is not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Of the $464 million, $408 million collateralized debt of CenterPoint Energy and is not reflected because of the contingent nature of the obligations and $56 million collateralized pollution control bonds that we hold for future remarketing. CenterPoint Energy held $290 million of its collateralized debt for future remarketing.

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 additions or cash deposited with the trustee.  Approximately $3.7 billion of additional first mortgage bonds and general mortgage bonds could be issued on the basis of retired bonds and 70% of property additions as of September 30, 2014. However, we have contractually agreed that we will not issue additional first mortgage bonds, subject to certain exceptions.


14

At September 30, 2014, our subsidiaries had the following aggregate principal amount of transition and system restoration bonds outstanding. Amounts are expressed in millions.
Company
 
Aggregate Principal Amount Outstanding
 
 
 
Bond Company II
 
$
910

Bond Company III
 
277

Bond Company IV
 
1,456

Restoration Bond Company
 
463

Total
 
$
3,106


The transition bonds and system restoration bonds are paid through the imposition of “transition” or “system restoration” charges, as defined in the Texas Public Utility Regulatory Act, which are irrevocable, non-bypassable charges payable by most of our retail electric customers to the bond company subsidiaries in order to provide recovery of authorized qualified costs. The transition and system restoration bonds are reported as our long-term debt, although the holders of these bonds have no recourse to any of our assets or revenues, and our creditors have no recourse to any assets or revenues (including, without limitation, the transition or system restoration charges) of the bond companies. We have no payment obligations with respect to the transition and system restoration bonds except to remit collections of transition and system restoration charges as set forth in servicing agreements between us and the bond companies and in an intercreditor agreement among us, the bond companies and other parties.

Impact on Liquidity of a Downgrade in Credit Ratings  

The interest on borrowings under our credit facility is based on our credit rating. As of October 22, 2014, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s), Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P), a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, and Fitch, Inc. (Fitch) had assigned the following credit ratings to our senior debt.
 
 
Moody’s
 
S&P
 
Fitch
Instrument
 
Rating
 
Outlook(1)
 
Rating
 
Outlook (2)
 
Rating
 
Outlook (3)
Senior Secured Debt
 
A1
 
Stable
 
A
 
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 rating 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.

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

A decline in credit ratings could increase borrowing costs under our $300 million 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 September 30, 2014, 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 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 $75 million by us will cause a default. In addition, three outstanding series of CenterPoint Energy’s senior notes, aggregating $750 million in principal amount as of September 30, 2014, provide that a payment default by

15

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

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 GenOn Energy, Inc. (GenOn) and its subsidiaries to satisfy their obligations in respect of GenOn’s indemnity obligations to us;

•
the ability of REPs, including REP affiliates of NRG Energy, Inc., Energy Future Holdings Corp. and Just Energy Group, Inc., 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 2013 Form 10-K and in Item 1A of Part II of our First Quarter Form 10-Q.

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

Our revolving credit facility limits our consolidated debt (excluding transition and system restoration bonds) to an amount not to exceed 65% of our consolidated capitalization. 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, incorporated herein by reference, for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements that affect us.

Item 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

On May 14, 2013, the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) issued an updated version of its Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013 Framework). Originally issued in 1992 (1992 Framework), the framework helps organizations design, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of internal control concepts and simplify their use and application. The 1992 Framework remains available during the transition period, which extends to December 15, 2014, after which time COSO will consider it as superseded by the 2013 Framework. As of September 30, 2014, we continue to utilize the 1992 Framework and will transition to the 2013 Framework by the end of 2014.

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 September 30, 2014 to provide assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange

16

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 September 30, 2014 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 certain legal and regulatory proceedings affecting us, please read Note 8 to our Interim Condensed Financial Statements and “Management’s Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — 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 our 2013 Form 10-K.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in our 2013 Form 10-K and First Quarter Form 10-Q.

Item 5.    OTHER INFORMATION

Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was 2.78 and 2.77, respectively. We do not believe that the ratios for these nine-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.


17

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
 
Restated Certificate of Formation of CenterPoint Houston
 
CenterPoint Houston’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011
 
1-3187
 
3.1
3.2
 
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of CenterPoint Houston
 
CenterPoint Houston’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011
 
1-3187
 
3.2
4.1
 
$300,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of September 9, 2011, among CenterPoint Houston, as Borrower, and the banks named therein
 
CenterPoint Houston’s Form 8-K dated September 9, 2011
 
1-3187
 
4.2
4.2
 
First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 9, 2013, among CenterPoint Houston, as Borrower, and the banks named therein
 
CenterPoint Houston’s Form 8-K dated September 9, 2013
 
1-3187
 
4.2
4.3
 
Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated September 9, 2014, among CenterPoint Houston, as Borrower, and the banks named therein
 
CenterPoint Houston’s Form 8-K dated September 10, 2014
 
1-3187
 
4.2
+12
 
Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
 
 
 
 
 
+31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Scott M. Prochazka
 
 
 
 
 
 
+31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Gary L. Whitlock
 
 
 
 
 
 
+32.1
 
Section 1350 Certification of Scott M. Prochazka
 
 
 
 
 
 
+32.2
 
Section 1350 Certification of Gary L. Whitlock
 
 
 
 
 
 
+101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
 
 
 
+101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
 
 
 
+101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
 
 
+101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
 
 
+101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
 
 
+101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
        



18

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/ Kristie L. Colvin
 
Kristie L. Colvin
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

Date: November 7, 2014





19

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
 
Restated Certificate of Formation of CenterPoint Houston
 
CenterPoint Houston’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011
 
1-3187
 
3.1
3.2
 
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of CenterPoint Houston
 
CenterPoint Houston’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011
 
1-3187
 
3.2
4.1
 
$300,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of September 9, 2011, among CenterPoint Houston, as Borrower, and the banks named therein
 
CenterPoint Houston’s Form 8-K dated September 9, 2011
 
1-3187
 
4.2
4.2
 
First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 9, 2013, among CenterPoint Houston, as Borrower, and the banks named therein
 
CenterPoint Houston’s Form 8-K dated September 9, 2013
 
1-3187
 
4.2
4.3
 
Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated September 9, 2014, among CenterPoint Houston, as Borrower, and the banks named therein
 
CenterPoint Houston’s Form 8-K dated September 10, 2014
 
1-3187
 
4.2
+12
 
Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
 
 
 
 
 
+31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Scott M. Prochazka
 
 
 
 
 
 
+31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Gary L. Whitlock
 
 
 
 
 
 
+32.1
 
Section 1350 Certification of Scott M. Prochazka
 
 
 
 
 
 
+32.2
 
Section 1350 Certification of Gary L. Whitlock
 
 
 
 
 
 
+101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
 
 
 
+101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
 
 
 
+101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
 
 
+101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
 
 
+101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
 
 
+101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
 
 

        

20
CEHE_Exhibit 12_09.30.2014


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)

 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2014 (1)
 
2013 (1)
Net income
$
211

 
$
218

Income taxes
113

 
117

Capitalized interest
(8
)
 
(7
)
 
316

 
328

Fixed charges, as defined:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Interest
170

 
178

Capitalized interest
8

 
7

Interest component of rentals charged to operating expense
—

 
—

Total fixed charges
178

 
185

 
 
 
 
Earnings, as defined
$
494

 
$
513

 
 
 
 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
2.78

 
2.77

  ____________
(1)
Excluded from the computation of fixed charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is interest expense of $6 million and interest income of less than $1 million, respectively, which is included in income tax expense.


CEHE_Exhibit 31.1_09.30.2014


Exhibit 31.1
 
CERTIFICATIONS
 
I, Scott M. Prochazka, certify that:
 
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  November 7, 2014
 
 
/s/ Scott M. Prochazka
 
Scott M. Prochazka
 
Chairman (Principal Executive Officer)


CEHE_Exhibit 31.2_09.30.2014


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:  November 7, 2014
 
 
/s/ Gary L. Whitlock
 
Gary L. Whitlock
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


CEHE_Exhibit 32.1_09.30.2014


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 three months ended September 30, 2014 (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Scott M. Prochazka, Chairman (Principal Executive Officer), certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of my knowledge, that:

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

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

/s/ Scott M. Prochazka
 
Scott M. Prochazka
 
Chairman (Principal Executive Officer)
 
November 7, 2014
 


CEHE_Exhibit 32.2_09.30.2014


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 three months ended September 30, 2014 (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
 
November 7, 2014