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Document and Entity Information Document - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information Document - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016	Jul. 29, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC LLC
Entity Central Index Key	0000048732
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,000
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 0

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Revenues	$ 763	$ 705	$ 1,419	$ 1,322
Expenses:
Operation and maintenance	331	318	662	627
Depreciation and amortization	217	174	406	325
Taxes other than income taxes	57	55	114	111
Total	605	547	1,182	1,063
Operating Income	158	158	237	259
Other Income (Expense):
Interest and other finance charges	(31)	(29)	(62)	(58)
Interest on securitization bonds	(23)	(27)	(47)	(55)
Other, net	6	6	9	10
Total	(48)	(50)	(100)	(103)
Income Before Income Taxes	110	108	137	156
Income tax expense	39	39	49	56
Net Income	$ 71	$ 69	$ 88	$ 100

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Net income	$ 71	$ 69	$ 88	$ 100
Other comprehensive loss:
Net deferred loss from cash flow hedges (net of tax of $1, $-0-, $1, $-0-)	(1)	0	(1)	0
Total	(1)	0	(1)	0
Comprehensive income	$ 70	$ 69	$ 87	$ 100

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

Comprehensive Income Parenthetical - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Comprehensive Income Parenthetical - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Tax benefit on net deferred loss from cash flow hedges	$ (1)	$ 0	$ (1)	$ 0

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents ($246 and $264 related to VIEs, respectively)	$ 251	$ 264
Accounts and notes receivable ($92 and $64 related to VIEs, respectively), less bad debt reserve of $1	297	234
Accounts and notes receivable–affiliated companies	10	16
Accrued unbilled revenues	113	96
Inventory	137	133
Taxes receivable	0	59
Other ($37 and $35 related to VIEs, respectively)	47	63
Total current assets	855	865
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, plant and equipment	10,493	10,142
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	3,320	3,209
Property, plant and equipment, net	7,173	6,933
Other Assets:
Regulatory assets ($2,156 and $2,373 related to VIEs, respectively)	2,020	2,211
Other	17	16
Total other assets	2,037	2,227
Total Assets	10,065	10,025
Current Liabilities:
Current portion of VIE securitization bonds long-term debt	402	391
Accounts payable	129	153
Accounts and notes payable–affiliated companies	496	348
Taxes accrued	79	100
Interest accrued	75	70
Non-trading derivative liabilities	2	0
Other	83	69
Total current liabilities	1,266	1,131
Other Liabilities:
Deferred income taxes, net	2,020	2,032
Benefit obligations	172	192
Regulatory liabilities	520	542
Other	61	59
Total other liabilities	2,773	2,825
Long-term Debt:
VIE securitization bonds	2,059	2,276
Other	2,289	2,192
Total long-term debt	4,348	4,468
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8)
Member’s Equity:
Common stock	0	0
Paid-in capital	1,322	1,322
Retained earnings	357	279
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1)	0
Total member’s equity	1,678	1,601
Total Liabilities and Member’s Equity	$ 10,065	$ 10,025

Balance Sheet Parenthetical - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$ 251	$ 264
Bad debt reserve	1	1
Accounts and notes receivable, net	297	234
Other	47	63
Regulatory assets	2,020	2,211
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents	246	264
Accounts and notes receivable, net	92	64
Other	37	35
Regulatory assets	$ 2,156	$ 2,373

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 88	$ 100
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	406	325
Amortization of deferred financing costs	7	8
Deferred income taxes	(17)	(56)
Changes in other assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable, net	(80)	(73)
Accounts receivable/payable–affiliated companies	22	(17)
Inventory	(4)	(3)
Accounts payable	(7)	(15)
Taxes receivable	59	95
Interest and taxes accrued	(16)	(46)
Non-trading derivatives, net	1	0
Net regulatory assets and liabilities	(69)	20
Other current assets	18	18
Other current liabilities	14	(13)
Other assets	7	(2)
Other liabilities	1	1
Other, net	0	(1)
Net cash provided by operating activities	430	341
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(444)	(442)
Decrease in notes receivable–affiliated companies	0	107
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash of Bond Companies	(2)	13
Other, net	(8)	(6)
Net cash used in investing activities	(454)	(328)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	300	0
Payments of long-term debt	(408)	(198)
Increase in short-term notes payable–affiliated companies	132	131
Dividend to parent	(10)	0
Debt issuance costs	(3)	0
Net cash provided (used) in financing activities	11	(67)
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(13)	(54)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	264	290
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	251	236
Cash Payments:
Interest, net of capitalized interest	96	98
Income taxes (refunds), net	(8)	27
Non-cash transactions:
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures	$ 52	$ 50

Background and Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
Background and Basis of Presentation	Jun. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Background and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]	Background and Basis of Presentation General. Included in this Form 10-Q are the Interim Condensed Financial Statements of Houston Electric. The Interim Condensed Financial Statements are unaudited, omit certain financial statement disclosures and should be read with the 2015 Form 10-K. Background. Houston Electric engages in the electric transmission and distribution business in the Texas Gulf Coast area that includes the city of Houston. Houston Electric is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy, Inc., a public utility holding company. At June 30, 2016, Houston Electric had the following subsidiaries: Bond Company II, Bond Company III, Restoration Bond Company and Bond Company IV. Bond Companies, which are classified as VIEs, are wholly-owned, bankruptcy-remote, special purpose entities that were formed specifically for the purpose of securitizing transition and system restoration-related property. Creditors of Houston Electric have no recourse to any assets or revenues of Bond Companies. The bonds issued by these VIEs are payable only from and secured by transition and system restoration property, and the bondholders have no recourse to the general credit of Houston Electric. Basis of Presentation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Houston Electric’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 Houston Electric’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.

New Accounting Pronouncements	6 Months Ended
New Accounting Pronouncements	Jun. 30, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements [Text Block]	New Accounting Pronouncements In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (ASU 2015-02). ASU 2015-02 changes the analysis that reporting organizations must perform to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities, such as limited partnerships. The changes include, among others, modification of the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities and elimination of the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership. ASU 2015-02 does not amend the related party guidance for situations in which power is shared between two or more entities that hold interests in a VIE. Houston Electric adopted ASU 2015-02 on January 1, 2016, which Houston Electric determined did not have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Cost (ASU 2015-03). ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by ASU 2015-03. Houston Electric adopted ASU 2015-03 retrospectively on January 1, 2016, which resulted in a reduction of other long-term assets and total long-term debt on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Houston Electric had debt issuance costs, excluding amounts related to credit facility arrangements, of $22 million and $21 million as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) (ASU 2015-07). ASU 2015-07 removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy investments for which fair values are measured at NAV using the practical expedient. Entities will be required to disclose the fair value of investments measured using the NAV practical expedient so that financial statement users can reconcile amounts reported in the fair value hierarchy table to amounts reported on the balance sheet. Houston Electric adopted ASU 2015-07 on January 1, 2016, which will have an impact on its employee benefit plan disclosures, beginning with its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. This standard did not have an impact on Houston Electric’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments (ASU 2015-16). ASU 2015-16 eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Instead, an acquirer would recognize a measurement-period adjustment during the period in which the amount of the adjustment is determined. Houston Electric adopted ASU 2015-16 on January 1, 2016, which did not have an impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (ASU 2016-01). ASU 2016-01 requires equity investments that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method to be measured at fair value and to recognize any changes in fair value in net income unless the investments qualify for the new practicability exception. It does not change the guidance for classifying and measuring investments in debt securities and loans. ASU 2016-01 also changes certain disclosure requirements and other aspects related to recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. ASU 2016-01 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Houston Electric is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-02). ASU 2016-02 provides a comprehensive new lease model that requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for most leases and would change certain aspects of lessor accounting. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Houston Electric is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-05, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Effect of Derivative Contract Novation on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships (ASU 2016-05). ASU 2016-05 clarifies that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as the hedging instrument in an existing hedging relationship would not, in and of itself, be considered a termination of the derivative instrument or a change in a critical term of the hedging relationship. This clarification applies to both cash flow and fair value hedging relationships. Houston Electric adopted ASU 2016-05 prospectively in the first quarter of 2016, which did not have an impact on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures. In March, April, and May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (ASU 2016-08), ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing (ASU 2016-10), and ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients (ASU 2016-12), respectively. ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, and ASU 2016-12 clarify certain aspects of ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (ASU 2014-09), which supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance. Houston Electric is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-12, and ASU 2014-09 will have on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures and expects to adopt these ASUs on January 1, 2018. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13). ASU 2016-13 requires a new model called the CECL model to estimate credit losses for financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost and certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. This includes loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, loan commitments, financial guarantees, and net investments in leases, as well as reinsurance and trade receivables. Upon initial recognition of the exposure, the CECL model requires an entity to estimate the credit losses expected over the life of an exposure based on historical information, current information and reasonable and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments. The update also amends the other-than-temporary impairment model for debt securities classified as available-for-sale. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted beginning after December 15, 2018. Houston Electric is currently assessing 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 Houston Electric’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows upon adoption.

Employee Benefit Plans

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]

Employee Benefit Plans

Houston Electric’s employees participate in CenterPoint Energy’s postretirement benefit plan. Houston Electric’s net periodic cost includes the following components relating to postretirement benefits:



	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
	(in millions)
Service cost	$	1		$	1		$	1		$	1
Interest cost	3			3			6			6
Expected return on plan assets	(2		)	(1		)	(3		)	(3		)
Amortization of prior service credit	—			(1		)	(1		)	(1		)
Amortization of net loss	—			1			—			2
Curtailment gain (1)	(3		)	—			(3		)	—
Net periodic cost	$	(1	)	$	3		$	—		$	5

(1)

A curtailment gain or loss is required when the expected future services of a significant number of current employees are reduced or eliminated for the accrual of benefits. In May 2016, Houston Electric entered into a renegotiated collective bargaining agreement with the IBEW Local Union 66 that provides that for Houston Electric union employees covered under the agreement who retire on or after January 1, 2017, retiree medical and prescription drug coverage will be provided exclusively through the NECA/IBEW Family Medical Care Plan in exchange for the payment of monthly premiums as determined under the agreement. As a result, the accrued postretirement benefits related to such future Houston Electric union retirees were eliminated. Houston Electric recognized a curtailment gain of $3 million as an accelerated recognition of the prior service credit that would otherwise be recognized in future periods.

Houston Electric expects to contribute approximately $7 million to its postretirement benefit plan in 2016, of which approximately $2 million and $4 million were contributed during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively.

Regulatory Accounting	6 Months Ended
Regulatory Accounting	Jun. 30, 2016
regulatory accounting [Abstract]
Regulatory Accounting [Text Block]	Regulatory Accounting As of June 30, 2016, Houston Electric has not recognized an allowed equity return of $363 million because such return will be recognized as it is recovered in rates. During the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, Houston Electric recognized approximately $17 million and $12 million, respectively, of the allowed equity return not previously recognized. During the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, Houston Electric recognized approximately $30 million and $21 million, respectively, of the allowed equity return not previously recognized.

Fair Value Measurements

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements [Text Block]

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 June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, Houston Electric held Level 1 investments of $37 million and $32 million, respectively, which were primarily investments in money market funds and are included in other current assets 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. At June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, Houston Electric held Level 2 liabilities of $2 million and $-0-, respectively, which were related to interest rate derivatives and included in non-trading derivative liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Level 3: Inputs are unobservable for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs reflect Houston Electric’s judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in determining fair value. Houston Electric had no Level 3 assets or liabilities at either June 30, 2016 or December 31, 2015.

Houston Electric 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 six months ended June 30, 2016, there were no transfers between levels.

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.



	June 30, 2016				December 31, 2015
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Financial liabilities:	(in millions)
Long-term debt	$	4,750	$	5,223	$	4,859	$	5,086

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Related Party Transactions and Major Customers

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Related Party Transactions and Major Customers

(a) Related Party Transactions

Houston Electric 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. Houston Electric had borrowings from the money pool of $444 million and $312 million at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, which are included in accounts and notes payable-affiliated companies, in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of June 30, 2016, Houston Electric’s money pool borrowings had a weighted-average interest rate of 0.83%.

Houston Electric had net interest expense related to affiliate borrowings of $2 million and $3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, and less than $1 million for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.

CenterPoint Energy provides some corporate services to Houston Electric. The costs of services have been charged directly to Houston Electric 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. CERC provides certain services to Houston Electric. These services are billed at actual cost, either directly or as an allocation and include line locating and other miscellaneous services. Additionally, Houston Electric provides a number of services to CERC. These services are billed at actual cost, either directly or as an allocation and include fleet services, shop services, geographic services, surveying and right-of-way services, radio communications, data circuit management and field operations. These charges are not necessarily indicative of what would have been incurred had Houston Electric not been an affiliate. Amounts charged to Houston Electric for these services were as follows and are included primarily in operation and maintenance expenses:



	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
	(in millions)
Corporate service charges	$	43		$	44		$	88		$	86
Charges from CERC for services provided	2			2			3			3
Billings to CERC for services provided	(3		)	(4		)	(7		)	(7		)

(b) Major Customers

Houston Electric’s transmission and distribution revenues from major customers are as follows:



	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
	(in millions)
Affiliates of NRG	$	159	$	172	$	304	$	356
Affiliates of Energy Future Holdings Corp.	50		51		95		103

- Definition

The entire disclosure for related party transactions. Examples of related party transactions include transactions between (a) a parent company and its subsidiary; (b) subsidiaries of a common parent; (c) and entity and its principal owners; and (d) affiliates.

+ References + Details

Long-term Debt

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Long-term Debt, Unclassified [Abstract]

Long-term Debt [Text Block]

Long-term Debt

General Mortgage Bonds. In May 2016, Houston Electric issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 1.85% general mortgage bonds due 2021. The proceeds from the issuance of the bonds were used to repay short-term debt and for general corporate purposes.

Revolving Credit Facility. On March 4, 2016, Houston Electric announced that it had refinanced its existing $300 million revolving credit facility, which would have expired in 2019, with a new $300 million five-year senior unsecured revolving credit facility. As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, Houston Electric had the following revolving credit facility and utilization of such facility:



June 30, 2016						December 31, 2015
Size of Facility		Loans		Letters of Credit		Size of Facility		Loans			Letters of Credit
(in millions)
$	300	$	—	$	4	$	300	$	200	(1)	$	4


(1)	Weighted average interest rate was 1.637% as of December 31, 2015.

Houston Electric’s $300 million revolving credit facility, which is scheduled to terminate on March 3, 2021, can be drawn at LIBOR plus 1.125% based on Houston Electric’s current credit ratings. The revolving credit facility contains a financial covenant which limits Houston Electric’s consolidated debt (with certain exceptions, including but not limited to Securitization Bonds) to an amount not to exceed 65% of Houston Electric’s consolidated capitalization. As of June 30, 2016, Houston Electric’s debt (excluding Securitization Bonds) to capital ratio, as defined in its credit facility agreement, was 52.7%. The financial covenant limit will temporarily increase from 65% to 70% if Houston Electric experiences damage from a natural disaster in its service territory and Houston Electric certifies to the administrative agent that Houston Electric has incurred system restoration costs reasonably likely to exceed $100 million in a consecutive twelve-month period, all or part of which Houston Electric intends to seek to recover through securitization financing. Such temporary increase in the financial covenant would be in effect from the date Houston Electric delivers its certification until the earliest to occur of (i) the completion of the securitization financing, (ii) the first anniversary of Houston Electric’s certification or (iii) the revocation of such certification.

Houston Electric was in compliance with all financial covenants as of June 30, 2016.

Hedging of Interest Expense for Future Debt Issuances. In April 2016, Houston Electric entered into forward interest rate agreements with several counterparties, having an aggregate notional amount of $150 million. These agreements were executed to hedge, in part, volatility in the 5-year U.S. treasury rate by reducing Houston Electric’s exposure to variability in cash flows related to interest payments of Houston Electric’s $300 million issuance of fixed rate debt in May 2016. These forward interest rate agreements were designated as cash flow hedges. Accordingly, the ineffective portion of unrealized gains and losses associated with the agreements was recorded in income and was immaterial.

In June and July 2016, Houston Electric entered into forward interest rate agreements with several counterparties, having an aggregate notional amount of $300 million. These agreements were executed to hedge, in part, volatility in the 10-year U.S. treasury rate by reducing Houston Electric’s exposure to variability in cash flows relating to interest payments on a forecasted issuance of fixed rate debt in 2016. These forward interest rate agreements were designated as cash flow hedges. As of June 30, 2016, a $2 million current non-trading derivative liability was recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets related to these agreements. Accordingly, the effective portion of unrealized gains and losses associated with the agreements would be recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and the ineffective portion would be recorded in income.

Other. As of both June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, Houston Electric had issued $118 million of general mortgage bonds as collateral for long-term debt of CenterPoint Energy. These bonds are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements because of the contingent nature of the obligations.

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Jun. 30, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies [Text Block]	Commitments and Contingencies Legal Matters Gas Market Manipulation Cases. CenterPoint Energy, Houston Electric or their predecessor, 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, 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. 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 Houston Electric, 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 such cases. CES, a subsidiary of CERC Corp., was a defendant in a case now pending in federal court in Nevada alleging a conspiracy to inflate Wisconsin natural gas prices in 2000–2002. On May 24, 2016, the district court granted CES’s motion for summary judgment, dismissing CES from the case. That ruling is subject to appeal. CenterPoint Energy and CES intend to continue vigorously defending against the plaintiffs’ claims. Houston Electric does not expect the ultimate outcome of this matter to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Environmental Matters Asbestos. Some facilities owned by Houston Electric contain or have contained asbestos insulation and other asbestos-containing materials. CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries, including Houston Electric, are from time to time named, along with numerous others, as defendants in lawsuits filed by a number of individuals who claim injury due to exposure to asbestos, and CenterPoint Energy anticipates that additional claims may be asserted in the future. Although their ultimate outcome cannot be predicted at this time, Houston Electric 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, Houston Electric identifies the presence of environmental contaminants during its operations or on property where its predecessor companies have conducted operations. Other such sites involving contaminants may be identified in the future. Houston Electric has and expects to continue to remediate identified sites consistent with its legal obligations. From time to time, Houston Electric 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, Houston Electric 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, Houston Electric 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 Proceedings Houston Electric 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. From time to time, Houston Electric is also a defendant in legal proceedings with respect to claims brought by various plaintiffs against broad groups of participants in the energy industry. Some of these proceedings involve substantial amounts. Houston Electric regularly analyzes current information and, as necessary, provides accruals for probable and reasonably estimable liabilities on the eventual disposition of these matters. Houston Electric does not expect the disposition of these matters to have a material adverse effect on Houston Electric’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Jun. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes [Text Block]	Income Taxes The effective tax rate reported for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 was 35% and 36%, respectively, compared to 36% for the same periods in 2015. Houston Electric reported no uncertain tax liability as of June 30, 2016 and expects no significant change to the uncertain tax liability over the next twelve months. CenterPoint Energy’s consolidated federal income tax returns have been audited and settled through 2014. CenterPoint Energy is under examination by the IRS for 2015 and 2016.

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]



	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
	(in millions)
Service cost	$	1		$	1		$	1		$	1
Interest cost	3			3			6			6
Expected return on plan assets	(2		)	(1		)	(3		)	(3		)
Amortization of prior service credit	—			(1		)	(1		)	(1		)
Amortization of net loss	—			1			—			2
Curtailment gain (1)	(3		)	—			(3		)	—
Net periodic cost	$	(1	)	$	3		$	—		$	5

(1)

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]

Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]

Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments



	June 30, 2016				December 31, 2015
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Financial liabilities:	(in millions)
Long-term debt	$	4,750	$	5,223	$	4,859	$	5,086

Related Party Transactions and Major Customers (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016



	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
	(in millions)
Corporate service charges	$	43		$	44		$	88		$	86
Charges from CERC for services provided	2			2			3			3
Billings to CERC for services provided	(3		)	(4		)	(7		)	(7		)

Schedule of Revenue by Major Customers by Reporting Segments [Table Text Block]

Houston Electric’s transmission and distribution revenues from major customers are as follows:



	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
	(in millions)
Affiliates of NRG	$	159	$	172	$	304	$	356
Affiliates of Energy Future Holdings Corp.	50		51		95		103

Long-term Debt (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities [Table Text Block]



June 30, 2016						December 31, 2015
Size of Facility		Loans		Letters of Credit		Size of Facility		Loans			Letters of Credit
(in millions)
$	300	$	—	$	4	$	300	$	200	(1)	$	4


(1)	Weighted average interest rate was 1.637% as of December 31, 2015.

New Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	$ 22	$ 21

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] - USD ($)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Jun. 30, 2015

Jun. 30, 2016

Jun. 30, 2015

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Service cost

$ 1

Interest cost

Expected return on plan assets

(2)

(1)

(3)

Amortization of prior service credit

(1)

Amortization of net loss

Curtailment gain (1)

^[1]

(3)

Net periodic cost

(1)

$ 3

$ 5

Expected contribution to postretirement benefit plan in current year

Total contribution to the plan during the period

$ 2

$ 4

[1]

Regulatory Accounting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Regulatory Accounting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Unrecognized Equity Return	$ 363		$ 363
Amount Of Allowed Equity Return Recognized In Period	$ 17	$ 12	$ 30	$ 21

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 37	$ 32
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest Rate Derivative Liabilities, at Fair Value	2	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability)	0	0
Carrying Amount [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt	4,750	4,859
Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 5,223	$ 5,086

Related Party Transactions and Major Customers (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Money Pool Borrowings	$ (444)		$ (444)		$ (312)
Interest Income (Expense) Net, Related Party	(2)		(3)
Interest Income (Expense), Net, Related Party		less than $1 million		less than $1 million
Sales to major customers	763	$ 705	1,419	$ 1,322
Affiliates of NRG Energy, Inc. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Sales to major customers	159	172	304	356
Affiliates of Energy Future Holdings Corp. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Sales to major customers	50	51	95	103
Operation And Maintenance Expense [Member] \| CenterPoint Energy [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Corporate service charges	43	44	88	86
Operation And Maintenance Expense [Member] \| CERC Corp [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Corporate service charges	2	2	3	3
Related Party Transaction, Other Revenues from Transactions with Related Party	$ (3)	$ (4)	$ (7)	$ (7)
Borrowings [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	0.83%		0.83%