0001130310-20-000098 | 10-Q | XBRL Viewer

ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities (1)

220

178

^[1]

Beneficial conversion feature

Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value

$ (16)

(25)

185

$ 241

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows

208

297

271

$ 4,278

Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member]

Restricted cash

Interest, net of capitalized interest

176

203

Income tax payments, net

ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities (1)

121

^[1]

Beneficial conversion feature

Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value

172

216

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows

188

247

235

370

Houston Electric [Member] | Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member]

Restricted cash

Interest, net of capitalized interest

Income tax payments, net

ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities (1)

^[1]

Beneficial conversion feature

Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows

$ 2

$ 25

CERC Corp [Member] | Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member]

Restricted cash

$ 0

[1]	2019 includes the transition impact of adoption of ASU 2016-02 Leases.

Background and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Background and Basis of Presentation	Sep. 30, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Background and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]	Background and Basis of Presentation General. This combined Form 10-Q is filed separately by three registrants: CenterPoint Energy, Inc., CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC and CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. Information contained herein relating to any individual registrant is filed by such registrant solely on its own behalf. Each registrant makes no representation as to information relating exclusively to the other Registrants or the subsidiaries of CenterPoint Energy other than itself or its subsidiaries. Except as discussed in the last paragraph in Note 12 to the Registrants’ Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, no registrant has an obligation in respect of any other Registrant’s debt securities, and holders of such debt securities should not consider the financial resources or results of operations of any Registrant other than the obligor in making a decision with respect to such securities. Included in this combined Form 10-Q are the Interim Condensed Financial Statements of CenterPoint Energy, Houston Electric and CERC, which are referred to collectively as the Registrants. The Combined Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements apply to all Registrants and specific references to Houston Electric and CERC herein also pertain to CenterPoint Energy, unless otherwise indicated. The Interim Condensed Financial Statements are unaudited, omit certain financial statement disclosures and should be read with the Registrants’ financial statements included in the Registrants’ combined 2019 Form 10-K. Background. CenterPoint Energy, Inc. is a public utility holding company and owns interests in Enable as described below. As of September 30, 2020, CenterPoint Energy’s operating subsidiaries reported as continuing operations were as follows: •Houston Electric owns and operates electric transmission and distribution facilities in the Texas Gulf Coast area that includes the city of Houston. •CERC (i) owns and operates natural gas distribution systems in six states; (ii) owns and operates permanent pipeline connections through interconnects with various interstate and intrastate pipeline companies through CEIP; and (iii) provides temporary delivery of LNG and CNG throughout the contiguous 48 states through MES. •Vectren holds three public utilities through its wholly-owned subsidiary, VUHI, a public utility holding company: •Indiana Gas provides energy delivery services to natural gas customers located in central and southern Indiana; •SIGECO provides energy delivery services to electric and natural gas customers located near Evansville in southwestern Indiana and owns and operates electric generation assets to serve its electric customers and optimizes those assets in the wholesale power market; and •VEDO provides energy delivery services to natural gas customers located near Dayton in west-central Ohio. •Vectren performs non-utility activities through ESG, which provides energy performance contracting and sustainable infrastructure services, such as renewables, distributed generation and combined heat and power projects. As of September 30, 2020, CenterPoint Energy, indirectly through CNP Midstream, owned approximately 53.7% of the common units representing limited partner interests in Enable, 50% of the management rights and 40% of the incentive distribution rights in Enable GP and also directly owned an aggregate of 14,520,000 Enable Series A Preferred Units. Enable owns, operates and develops natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets. As of September 30, 2020, CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric had VIEs consisting of the Bond Companies, which are consolidated. The consolidated VIEs are wholly-owned, bankruptcy-remote, special purpose entities that were formed solely for the purpose of securitizing transition and system restoration-related property. Creditors of CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric have no recourse to any assets or revenues of the Bond Companies. The bonds issued by these VIEs are payable only from and secured by transition and system restoration property, and the bondholders have no recourse to the general credit of CenterPoint Energy or Houston Electric. Basis of Presentation. The preparation of the Registrants’ financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Interim Condensed Financial Statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the respective periods. Amounts reported in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income are not necessarily indicative of amounts expected for a full-year period due to the effects of, among other things, (a) seasonal fluctuations in demand for energy and energy services, (b) changes in energy commodity prices, (c) timing of maintenance and other expenditures and (d) acquisitions and dispositions of businesses, assets and other interests. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Discontinued Operations. On February 3, 2020, CenterPoint Energy, through its subsidiary VUSI, entered into the Securities Purchase Agreement to sell the Infrastructure Services Disposal Group, which provided underground pipeline construction and repair services through wholly-owned subsidiaries Miller Pipeline, LLC and Minnesota Limited, LLC and served natural gas utilities across the United States, focusing on recurring integrity, station and maintenance work and opportunities for large transmission pipeline construction projects. The transaction closed on April 9, 2020. See Note 3 for further information. Additionally, on February 24, 2020, CenterPoint Energy, through its subsidiary CERC Corp., entered into the Equity Purchase Agreement to sell the Energy Services Disposal Group, which obtained and offered competitive variable and fixed-price physical natural gas supplies and services primarily to commercial and industrial customers and electric and natural gas utilities in over 30 states. The transaction closed on June 1, 2020. See Note 3 for further information. COVID-19 Impacts. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the current COVID-19 outbreak to be a global pandemic, and on March 13, 2020, the United States declared a national emergency. In response to these declarations and the rapid spread of COVID-19, federal, state and local governments have imposed varying degrees of restrictions on business and social activities to contain COVID-19, including business shutdowns and closures, travel restrictions, quarantines, curfews, shelter in place and “stay-at-home” orders in the Registrants’ service territories. State and local authorities have also implemented multi-step policies with the goal of re-opening various sectors of the economy such as retail establishments, health and personal care businesses, and restaurants, among others. Governing authorities continue to reassess re-opening approaches and decisions for their respective jurisdictions given the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. The COVID-19 outbreak may significantly worsen in the United States during the upcoming winter months, which may cause federal, state and local governments to reconsider restrictions on business and social activities. In the event governments increase restrictions, the re-opening of the economy may be further curtailed. The Registrants have experienced some resulting disruptions to their business operations, as these restrictions significantly impacted, and may continue to impact, many sectors of the economy with various businesses curtailing or ceasing normal operations. The Registrants’ electric facilities and natural gas distribution systems, as applicable, have remained operational, and their respective customers have continued to receive service. While residential electric usage has increased as individuals continue to stay at home or work remotely, the Registrants have experienced reduced demand and usage among their respective electric and natural gas commercial and industrial customers, as well as a decrease in revenues related to disconnections and reconnections due to the varying disconnect moratoriums across their service territories during 2020 due to COVID-19. Houston Electric is following PUCT orders regarding disconnection practices related to those customers impacted by COVID-19. See Note 6 for further discussion. As a result of the disconnect moratoriums across CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s NGD service territories and other payment deferrals or arrangements, days outstanding on receivables and uncollectible accounts have increased, resulting in an increase to allowance for doubtful accounts, which may ultimately increase further. However, CenterPoint Energy’s NGD and CERC’s NGD service territories and Indiana Electric have either (1) received authority from their public utility commissions to defer bad debt expense associated with COVID-19 as a regulatory asset or (2) exercised existing authority to recover bad debt expense through a tracking mechanism. Some of the Registrants also received authority to recover other COVID-19 costs but must offset those costs with any cost reductions attributable to COVID-19. The ultimate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Registrants’ businesses will depend on future developments and evolving factors, including, among others, the ultimate spread, scope and duration of the pandemic, the consequences of governmental and other measures designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the development of effective treatments or vaccines, actions taken by governmental authorities, customers, suppliers and other third parties, workforce availability and the timing and extent to which normal economic and operating conditions resume. While the Registrants continue to assess the COVID-19 situation, they cannot estimate with any degree of certainty the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their liquidity, financial condition and future results of operations at this time. However, the Registrants expect the COVID-19 situation to adversely impact future quarters. See Notes 5 and 6 for further information on COVID-19’s impact on the Registrants.

New Accounting Pronouncements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]

New Accounting Pronouncements [Text Block]

New Accounting Pronouncements

The following table provides an overview of certain recently adopted or issued accounting pronouncements applicable to all the Registrants, unless otherwise noted.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

ASU Number and Name

Description

Date of Adoption

Financial Statement Impact
upon Adoption

ASU 2016-13- Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

This standard, including standards amending this standard, requires a new model called CECL to estimate credit losses for (1) financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost and (2) certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. 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.
Transition method: modified retrospective

January 1, 2020

The Registrants adopted the standard and recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment of the transition to opening retained earnings and allowance for doubtful accounts with no impact on results of operations and cash flows. See Note 4 for more information.

ASU 2018-13- Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement

This standard eliminates, modifies and adds certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements.
Transition method: prospective for additions and one modification and retrospective for all other amendments

Adoption of eliminations and modifications as of September 30, 2018 and additions as of January 1, 2020

The adoption of this standard did not impact the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The disclosures modified and added upon adoption are no longer included in Note 8 due to the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group.

ASU 2019-12: Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

This standard simplifies accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions to the guidance for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. It also simplifies aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes that are partially based on income and enacted changes in tax laws or rates and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill.

Transition method: prospective for all amendments that apply to the Registrants

January 1, 2020

Upon adoption, the Registrants are not required to apply the intraperiod tax allocation exception when there is a current-period loss from continuing operations. Accordingly, CenterPoint Energy determined the tax effect of income from continuing operations without considering the tax effects of items that are not included in continuing operations (i.e., discontinued operations). Additionally, CenterPoint Energy is no longer required to limit the year-to-date tax benefit recognized when the year-to-date benefit exceeds the anticipated full year benefit.

Issued, Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards

ASU Number and Name

Description

Effective Date

Financial Statement Impact
upon Adoption

ASU 2020-06: Debt-Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity

This standard eliminates the cash conversion and beneficial conversion feature models in ASC 470-20 that require separate accounting for embedded features as a component of equity. It simplifies the settlement assessment that entities are required to perform to determine whether a contract qualifies for equity classification. The standard also requires entities to use the if-converted method for all convertible instruments in the diluted earnings per share (EPS) calculation and the average market price to calculate the diluted EPS denominator. Additional disclosures will also be required upon adoption.

Transition method: modified retrospective

January 1, 2022

Early adoption is permitted starting January 1, 2021

CenterPoint Energy is currently assessing the impact that the adoption of this standard may have on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures related to its Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock.

Management believes that other recently adopted and recently issued accounting standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on the Registrants’ financial position, results of operations or cash flows upon adoption.

Divestitures (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Divestitures (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) [Text Block]

Divestitures (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)Divestiture of Infrastructure Services (CenterPoint Energy). On February 3, 2020, CenterPoint Energy, through its subsidiary VUSI, entered into the Securities Purchase Agreement to sell the Infrastructure Services Disposal Group to PowerTeam Services. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Securities Purchase Agreement, PowerTeam Services agreed to purchase all of the outstanding equity interests of VISCO for approximately $850 million, subject to customary adjustments set

forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement, including adjustments based on VISCO’s net working capital at closing, indebtedness, cash and cash equivalents and transaction expenses. The transaction closed on April 9, 2020 for $850 million in cash. Additionally, as of September 30, 2020, CenterPoint Energy had a receivable from PowerTeam Services for working capital and other adjustments set forth in the Security Purchase Agreement.

In February 2020, certain assets and liabilities representing the Infrastructure Services Disposal Group met the held for sale criteria and represented all of the businesses within the reporting unit. In accordance with the Securities Purchase Agreement, VISCO was converted from a wholly-owned corporation to a limited liability company that was disregarded for federal income tax purposes immediately prior to the closing of the transaction resulting in the sale of membership units. The sale was considered an asset sale for tax purposes, requiring net deferred tax liabilities of approximately $127 million as of April 9, 2020, the date the transaction closed, to be recognized as a deferred income tax benefit by CenterPoint Energy. Additionally, CenterPoint Energy recognized a current tax benefit of $2 million and a current tax expense of $157 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as a result of the cash taxes payable upon sale.

Upon classifying the Infrastructure Services Disposal Group as held for sale and in connection with the preparation of CenterPoint Energy’s financial statements as of the three months ended March 31, 2020, CenterPoint Energy recorded a goodwill impairment of approximately $82 million, plus an additional loss of $14 million for cost to sell, in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Additionally, CenterPoint Energy recognized a net pre-tax loss of $9 million and $6 million in connection with the closing of the disposition of the Infrastructure Services Disposal Group during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.

In the Securities Purchase Agreement, CenterPoint Energy agreed to a mechanism to reimburse PowerTeam Services subsequent to closing of the sale for certain amounts of specifically identified change orders that may be ultimately rejected by one of VISCO’s customers as part of on-going audits. CenterPoint Energy’s maximum contractual exposure under the Securities Purchase Agreement, in addition to the amount reflected in the working capital adjustment, for these change orders is $21 million. CenterPoint Energy does not expect the ultimate outcome of this matter to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Divestiture of Energy Services (CenterPoint Energy and CERC). On February 24, 2020, CenterPoint Energy, through its subsidiary CERC Corp., entered into the Equity Purchase Agreement to sell the Energy Services Disposal Group to Symmetry Energy Solutions Acquisition. This transaction did not include CEIP and its assets or MES. Symmetry Energy Solutions Acquisition agreed to purchase all of the outstanding equity interests of the Energy Services Disposal Group for approximately $400 million, subject to customary adjustments set forth in the Equity Purchase Agreement, and inclusive of an estimate of the cash adjustment for the Energy Services Disposal Group’s net working capital at closing, indebtedness and transaction expenses. The transaction closed on June 1, 2020 for approximately $286 million in cash. Additionally, as of September 30, 2020, CenterPoint Energy had a receivable of $79 million from Symmetry Energy Solutions Acquisition for working capital and other adjustments set forth in the Equity Purchase Agreement. CenterPoint Energy collected such receivable in October 2020 for full and final settlement of the working capital adjustment under the Equity Purchase Agreement.

In February 2020, certain assets and liabilities representing the Energy Services Disposal Group met the criteria to be classified as held for sale and represented substantially all of the businesses within the reporting unit. In accordance with the Equity Purchase Agreement, CES was converted from a wholly-owned corporation to a limited liability company that is disregarded for federal income tax purposes immediately prior to the closing of the transaction resulting in the sale of membership units. The sale was considered an asset sale for tax purposes, requiring the net deferred tax liability of approximately $3 million as of June 1, 2020, the date the transaction closed, to be recognized as a deferred tax benefit by CenterPoint Energy and CERC upon closing. Additionally, CenterPoint Energy and CERC recognized current tax expense of $1 million and $4 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as a result of the cash taxes payable upon sale.

Upon classifying the Energy Services Disposal Group as held for sale and in connection with the preparation of CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s respective financial statements as of the three months ended March 31, 2020, CenterPoint Energy and CERC recorded a goodwill impairment of approximately $62 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Additionally, CenterPoint Energy recognized a loss on assets held for sale of approximately $-0- and $31 million, plus an additional loss of $-0- and $6 million for cost to sell, recorded only at CenterPoint Energy during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. CenterPoint Energy and CERC recognized a gain on sale of $3 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.

As a result of the sale of the Energy Services and Infrastructure Services Disposal Groups, there were no assets or liabilities classified as held for sale as of September 30, 2020. The assets and liabilities of the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups as of December 31, 2019 have been recast as assets and liabilities held for sale and retained their current or

long-term classification applicable as of December 31, 2019. Long-lived assets are not depreciated or amortized once they are classified as held for sale. The assets and liabilities of the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups classified as held for sale in CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, as applicable, as of December 31, 2019 included the following:


	December 31, 2019
	CenterPoint Energy						CERC
	Infrastructure Services Disposal Group		Energy Services Disposal Group		Total		Energy Services Disposal Group
	(in millions)
Receivables, net	$	192	$	445	$	637	$	445
Accrued unbilled revenues	109		8		117		8
Natural gas inventory	—		67		67		67
Materials and supplies	6		—		6		—
Non-trading derivative assets	—		136		136		136
Other	4		35		39		35
Total current assets held for sale	311		691		1,002		691
Property, plant and equipment, net	295		26		321		26
Goodwill	220		62		282		62
Non-trading derivative assets	—		58		58		58
Other	234		67		301		67
Total non-current assets held for sale	749		213		962		213
Total assets held for sale	$	1,060	$	904	$	1,964	$	904

Accounts payable	$	45	$	299	$	344	$	299
Taxes accrued	2		—		2		—
Non-trading derivative liabilities	—		44		44		44
Other	40		25		65		25
Total current liabilities held for sale	87		368		455		368
Non-trading derivative liabilities	—		14		14		14
Benefit obligations	—		4		4		4
Other	16		9		25		9
Total non-current liabilities held for sale	16		27		43		27
Total liabilities held for sale	$	103	$	395	$	498	$	395

Because the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups met the held for sale criteria and their disposals also represent a strategic shift to CenterPoint Energy and CERC, as applicable, the earnings and expenses directly associated with these dispositions, including operating results of the businesses through the date of sale, are reflected as discontinued operations on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Statements of Consolidated Income, as applicable. As a result, prior periods have also been recast to reflect the earnings or losses from such businesses as income from discontinued operations, net of tax.

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


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019		2020		2019		2020		2019
	CenterPoint Energy												CERC
	Infrastructure Services Disposal Group				Energy Services Disposal Group				Total				Energy Services Disposal Group
	(in millions)
Revenues	$	—	$	377	$	—	$	740	$	—	$	1,117	$	—	$	740
Expenses:
Non-utility cost of revenues	—		96		—		715		—		811		—		715
Operation and maintenance	—		235		—		17		—		252		—		17
Depreciation and amortization	—		15		—		3		—		18		—		3
Taxes other than income taxes	—		1		—		—		—		1		—		—
Total	—		347		—		735		—		1,082		—		735


Income (loss) from Discontinued Operations before income taxes	—		30		—		5		—		35		—		5
Gain (loss) on classification to held for sale, net (2)	(9)		—		3		—		(6)		—		3		—
Income tax expense (benefit)	(1)		15		1		1		—		16		1		2
Net income (loss) from Discontinued Operations	$	(8)	$	15	$	2	$	4	$	(6)	$	19	$	2	$	3


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019 (1)		2020		2019		2020		2019		2020		2019
	CenterPoint Energy												CERC
	Infrastructure Services Disposal Group				Energy Services Disposal Group				Total				Energy Services Disposal Group
	(in millions)
Revenues	$	250	$	849	$	1,167	$	2,834	$	1,417	$	3,683	$	1,167	$	2,834
Expenses:
Non-utility cost of revenues	50		228		1,108		2,701		1,158		2,929		1,108		2,701
Operation and maintenance	184		526		34		51		218		577		34		51
Depreciation and amortization	—		39		—		10		—		49		—		10
Taxes other than income taxes	1		1		3		—		4		1		3		—
Total	235		794		1,145		2,762		1,380		3,556		1,145		2,762


Income (loss) from Discontinued Operations before income taxes	15		55		22		72		37		127		22		72
Gain (loss) on classification to held for sale, net (2)	(102)		—		(96)		—		(198)		—		(90)		—
Income tax expense (benefit)	24		21		(3)		17		21		38		(2)		15
Net income (loss) from Discontinued Operations	$	(111)	$	34	$	(71)	$	55	$	(182)	$	89	$	(66)	$	57

(1)Reflects February 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019 results only due to the Merger.

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

CenterPoint Energy and CERC have elected not to separately disclose discontinued operations on their respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows. Long-lived assets are not depreciated or amortized once they are classified as held for sale. The following table summarizes CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s cash flows from discontinued operations and certain supplemental cash flow disclosures related to the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups, as applicable:


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019 (1)		2020		2019		2020		2019
	CenterPoint Energy								CERC
	Infrastructure Services Disposal Group				Energy Services Disposal Group				Energy Services Disposal Group
	(in millions)
Depreciation and amortization	$	—	$	39	$	—	$	10	$	—	$	10

Amortization of intangible assets in Non-utility cost of revenues	—		15		—		—		—		—
Write-down of natural gas inventory	—		—		3		5		3		5
Capital expenditures	16		53		1		12		1		12
Non-cash transactions:
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures	2		1		4		1		4		1

(1)Reflects February 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019 results only due to the Merger.

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

Revenues and expenses incurred by CenterPoint Energy and CERC for natural gas transportation and supply until the closing of the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group were as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	CenterPoint Energy				CERC
	(in millions)
Transportation revenue	$	—	$	33	$	—	$	33
Natural gas expense	—		10		—		10

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020 (1)		2019		2020 (1)		2019
	CenterPoint Energy				CERC
	(in millions)
Transportation revenue	$	34	$	81	$	34	$	81
Natural gas expense	48		90		47		89

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

NGD has AMAs associated with its utility distribution service in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. The AMAs are with the Energy Services Disposal Group and will expire in 2021. Pursuant to the provisions of the agreements, NGD sells natural gas and agrees to repurchase an equivalent amount of natural gas during the winter heating seasons at the same cost. These transactions are accounted for as inventory financing. CenterPoint Energy and CERC had outstanding obligations related to the AMAs of $31 million and $-0- as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

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

are as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	CenterPoint Energy				CERC
	(in millions)
Pipeline construction and repair services capitalized	$	—	$	45	$	—	$	3
Pipeline construction and repair service charges in operations and maintenance expense	—		1		—		1

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020 (1)		2019 (2)		2020		2019
	CenterPoint Energy				CERC
	(in millions)
Pipeline construction and repair services capitalized	$	34	$	112	$	—	$	12
Pipeline construction and repair service charges in operations and maintenance expense	1		5		1		2

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

(2)Represents charges for the period beginning February 1, 2019 due to the Merger.

Revenue Recognition

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition [Text Block]

Revenue Recognition and Provision for Doubtful Accounts

Revenues from Contracts with Customers

In accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Registrants expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for these goods or services. The revenues and related balances in the following tables exclude operating revenues and balances from the Energy Services Disposal Group and Infrastructure Services Disposal Group, which are reflected as discontinued operations and assets held for sale prior to the date of closing of each transaction. See Note 3 for further information.

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

CenterPoint Energy


	Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
	Houston Electric T&D		Indiana Electric Integrated		Natural Gas Distribution		Corporate and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	828	$	157	$	550	$	75	$	1,610

Other (1)	—		—		10		2		12

Total revenues	$	828	$	157	$	560	$	77	$	1,622

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
	Houston Electric T&D		Indiana Electric Integrated		Natural Gas Distribution		Corporate and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	2,188	$	414	$	2,475	$	240	$	5,317

Other (1)	(2)		—		44		5		47

Total revenues	$	2,186	$	414	$	2,519	$	245	$	5,364


	Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
	Houston Electric T&D		Indiana Electric Integrated		Natural Gas Distribution		Corporate and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	861	$	165	$	527	$	91	$	1,644

Other (1)	(2)		—		14		2		14

Total revenues	$	859	$	165	$	541	$	93	$	1,658

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
	Houston Electric T&D		Indiana Electric Integrated (2)		Natural Gas Distribution (2)		Corporate and Other (2)		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	2,319	$	388	$	2,603	$	210	$	5,520

Other (1)	(6)		—		26		5		25

Total revenues	$	2,313	$	388	$	2,629	$	215	$	5,545

(1)Primarily consists of income from ARPs, weather hedge gains (losses) and leases. ARPs are contracts between the utility and its regulators, not between the utility and a customer. The Registrants recognize ARP revenue as other revenues when the regulator-specified conditions for recognition have been met. Upon recovery of ARP revenue through incorporation in rates charged for utility service to customers, ARP revenue is reversed and recorded as revenue from contracts with customers. The recognition of ARP revenues and the reversal of ARP revenues upon recovery through rates charged for utility service may not occur in the same period. Total lease income was $2 million and $4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $4 million and $5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

(2)Reflects revenues from Vectren subsidiaries for the period from February 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019.

Houston Electric


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	828	$	861	$	2,188	$	2,319
Other (1)	—		(2)		(6)		(9)
Total revenues	$	828	$	859	$	2,182	$	2,310

(1)Primarily consists of income from ARPs, weather hedge gains (losses) and leases. ARPs are contracts between the utility and its regulators, not between the utility and a customer. The Registrants recognize ARP revenue as other revenues when the regulator-specified conditions for recognition have been met. Upon recovery of ARP revenue through incorporation in rates charged for utility service to customers, ARP revenue is reversed and recorded as revenue from contracts with customers. The recognition of ARP revenues and the reversal of ARP revenues upon recovery through rates charged for utility service may not occur in the same period. Lease income was not significant for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

CERC


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2020						2019
	Natural Gas Distribution		Corporate and Other		Total		Natural Gas Distribution		Corporate and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	414	$	3	$	417	$	403	$	5	$	408

Other (1)	8		1		9		12		—		12

Total revenues	$	422	$	4	$	426	$	415	$	5	$	420

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020						2019
	Natural Gas Distribution		Corporate and Other		Total		Natural Gas Distribution		Corporate and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	1,865	$	8	$	1,873	$	2,123	$	6	$	2,129

Other (1)	45		2		47		29		—		29

Total revenues	$	1,910	$	10	$	1,920	$	2,152	$	6	$	2,158

(1)Primarily consists of income from ARPs, weather hedge gains (losses) and leases. ARPs are contracts between the utility and its regulators, not between the utility and a customer. The Registrants recognize ARP revenue as other revenues when the regulator-specified conditions for recognition have been met. Upon recovery of ARP revenue through incorporation in rates charged for utility service to customers, ARP revenue is reversed and recorded as revenue from contracts with customers. The recognition of ARP revenues and the reversal of ARP revenues upon recovery through rates charged for utility service may not occur in the same period. Lease income was not significant for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

Houston Electric T&D (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric). Houston Electric distributes electricity to customers over time and customers consume the electricity when delivered. Revenue, consisting of both volumetric and fixed tariff rates set by the PUCT, is recognized as electricity is delivered and represents amounts both billed and unbilled. Discretionary services requested by customers are provided at a point in time with control transferring upon the completion of the service. Revenue for discretionary services is recognized upon completion of service based on the tariff rates set by the PUCT. Payments for electricity distribution and discretionary services are aggregated and received on a monthly basis. Houston Electric performs transmission services over time as a stand-ready obligation to provide a reliable network of transmission systems. Revenue is recognized upon time elapsed, and the monthly tariff rate set by the PUCT. Payments are received on a monthly basis.

Indiana Electric Integrated (CenterPoint Energy). Indiana Electric generates, distributes and transmits electricity to customers over time, and customers consume the electricity when delivered. Revenue, consisting of both volumetric and fixed tariff rates set by state regulators, is recognized as electricity is delivered and represents amounts both billed and unbilled. Customers are billed monthly and payment terms, set by the regulator, require payment within a month of billing.

Natural Gas Distribution (CenterPoint Energy and CERC). CenterPoint Energy and CERC distribute and transport natural gas to customers over time, and customers consume the natural gas when delivered. Revenue, consisting of both volumetric and fixed tariff rates set by the state governing agency for that service area, is recognized as natural gas is delivered and represents amounts both billed and unbilled. Discretionary services requested by the customer are satisfied at a point in time and revenue is recognized upon completion of service and the tariff rates set by the applicable state regulator. Payments of natural gas distribution, transportation and discretionary services are aggregated and received on a monthly basis.

Contract Balances. When the timing of delivery of service is different from the timing of the payments made by customers and when the right to consideration is conditioned on something other than the passage of time, the Registrants recognize either a contract asset (performance precedes billing) or a contract liability (customer payment precedes performance). Those customers that prepay are represented by contract liabilities until the performance obligations are satisfied. The Registrants’ contract assets are included in Accrued unbilled revenues in their Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of September 30, 2020, CenterPoint Energy’s contract assets primarily relate to ESG contracts where revenue is recognized using the input method. The Registrants’ contract liabilities are included in Accounts payable and Other current liabilities in their

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of September 30, 2020, CenterPoint Energy’s contract liabilities primarily relate to ESG contracts where revenue is recognized using the input method.

The opening and closing balances of accounts receivable, other accrued unbilled revenue, contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers from continuing operations as of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively, are as follows:

CenterPoint Energy


	Accounts Receivable		Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues		Contract Assets		Contract Liabilities
	(in millions)
Opening balance as of December 31, 2019	$	566	$	469	$	6	$	30
Closing balance as of September 30, 2020	568		285		22		20
Increase (decrease)	$	2	$	(184)	$	16	$	(10)

The amount of revenue recognized in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 that was included in the opening contract liability was $29 million. The difference between the opening and closing balances of the contract liabilities primarily results from the timing difference between CenterPoint Energy’s performance and the customer’s payment.

Houston Electric


	Accounts Receivable		Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues		Contract Liabilities
	(in millions)
Opening balance as of December 31, 2019	$	210	$	117	$	3
Closing balance as of September 30, 2020	321		124		4
Increase	$	111	$	7	$	1

The amount of revenue recognized in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 that was included in the opening contract liability was $3 million. The difference between the opening and closing balances of the contract liabilities primarily results from the timing difference between Houston Electric’s performance and the customer’s payment.

CERC


	Accounts Receivable		Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues
	(in millions)
Opening balance as of December 31, 2019	$	222	$	249
Closing balance as of September 30, 2020	123		91
Decrease	$	(99)	$	(158)

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

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


	Rolling 12 Months		Thereafter		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue expected to be recognized on contracts in place as of September 30, 2020:

Corporate and Other	$	209	$	590	$	799
	$	209	$	590	$	799

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

Provision of Doubtful Accounts

The Registrants adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments and all related amendments on January 1, 2020 using a modified retrospective method. ASU 2016-13 replaces the “incurred loss” model with a CECL model for financial assets measured at amortized cost and for certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. Adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Registrants’ respective consolidated financial statements. CenterPoint Energy and CERC applied the $5 million cumulative-effect adjustment of the transition to opening retained earnings as of the effective date, which included $2 million related to the Energy Services Disposal Group. There was no material cumulative-effect adjustment for Houston Electric. The disclosures for periods prior to adoption will be presented in accordance with accounting standards in effect for those periods.

CenterPoint Energy and CERC segregate financial assets that fall under the scope of Topic 326, primarily trade receivables due in one year or less, into portfolio segments based on shared risk characteristics, such as geographical location and regulatory environment, for evaluation of expected credit losses. Historical and current information, such as average write-offs, are applied to each portfolio segment to estimate the allowance for losses on uncollectible receivables. Additionally, the allowance for losses on uncollectible receivables is adjusted for reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions, which can include changing weather, commodity prices, regulations, and macroeconomic factors, among others. Houston Electric had no material changes in its methodology to recognize losses on financial assets that fall under the scope of Topic 326, primarily due to the nature of its customers and regulatory environment. For a discussion of regulatory deferrals related to COVID-19, see Note 6.

The entire disclosure of revenue from contract with customer to transfer good or service and to transfer nonfinancial asset. Includes, but is not limited to, disaggregation of revenue, credit loss recognized from contract with customer, judgment and change in judgment related to contract with customer, and asset recognized from cost incurred to obtain or fulfill contract with customer. Excludes insurance and lease contracts.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=49130388

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Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]

Employee Benefit Plans

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plans

The Registrants’ net periodic cost, before considering amounts subject to overhead allocations for capital expenditure projects or for amounts subject to deferral for regulatory purposes, includes the following components relating to pension and postretirement benefits:

Pension Benefits (CenterPoint Energy)


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	10	$	10	$	32	$	30
Interest cost (2)	18		25		56		73
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(28)		(27)		(85)		(79)
Amortization of prior service cost (2)	—		2		—		6
Amortization of net loss (2)	10		13		31		39

Settlement cost (2) (3)	1		1		2		2
Curtailment gain (2) (4)	—		—		—		(1)
Net periodic cost	$	11	$	24	$	36	$	70

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

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

(3)A one-time, non-cash settlement cost is required when the total lump sum distributions or other settlements of plan benefit obligations during a plan year exceed the service cost and interest cost components of the net periodic cost for that year. In each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, CenterPoint Energy recognized non-cash settlement costs due to lump sum settlement payments from Vectren pension plans.

(4)A curtailment gain or loss is required when the expected future services of a significant number of employees are reduced or eliminated for the accrual of benefits. In the nine months ended September 30, 2019, CenterPoint Energy recognized a pension curtailment gain related to Vectren employees whose employment was terminated after the Merger closed.

Postretirement Benefits


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2020						2019
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	1	$	—	$	1	$	2	$	—	$	—
Interest cost (2)	2		1		—		4		1		2
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(1)		(1)		(1)		(3)		(1)		—
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (2)	(1)		(1)		1		(1)		(1)		—





Net periodic cost (income)	$	1	$	(1)	$	1	$	2	$	(1)	$	2

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020						2019
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	2	$	—	$	1	$	3	$	—	$	1
Interest cost (2)	8		4		2		12		5		4
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(4)		(3)		(1)		(6)		(3)		(1)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (2)	(3)		(4)		1		(3)		(4)		—





Net periodic cost (income)	$	3	$	(3)	$	3	$	6	$	(2)	$	4

(1)Amounts presented in the tables above are included in Operation and maintenance expense in each of the Registrants’ respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, net of amounts capitalized and regulatory deferrals.

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

The table below reflects the expected contributions to be made to the pension and postretirement benefit plans during 2020:


	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Expected minimum contribution to pension plans during 2020	$	84	$	—	$	—
Expected contribution to postretirement benefit plans in 2020	11		3		3

The table below reflects the contributions made to the pension and postretirement benefit plans during 2020:


	Three Months Ended September 30, 2020						Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Pension plans	$	79	$	—	$	—	$	84	$	—	$	—
Postretirement benefit plans	2		1		1		8		3		2

COVID-19 Impacts. The uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic have had a negative impact on financial markets, which has resulted in volatility of the fair value of plan assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The Registrants remeasure the funded status of each plan as of December 31 each year, and at an interim period when a curtailment, settlement, or material plan amendment occurs. On the measurement date, actuarial gains or losses are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, or when cost is recovered through regulated rates, as a regulatory asset or liability. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the fair value of pension plan assets increased by approximately $115 million or 5.7% from December 31, 2019, excluding CenterPoint Energy’s contributions to, and benefit distributions

from, the pension plans. The fair value of pension plan assets on the plan remeasurement date impacts the funded status, net period cost, and the required cash contributions; however, changes to pension plan assets do not impact the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income or Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in interim periods when a plan remeasurement is not required. An interim remeasurement of the plans is not required as a result of plan asset increase or decline in fair value, and therefore, an interim remeasurement did not occur during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as a result of changes to plan asset fair value.

The entire disclosure for retirement benefits.

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Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Other Disclosures [Abstract]

Regulatory Matters

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Regulatory Matters [Text Block]

Regulatory Matters

Equity Return (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric)

As of September 30, 2020, CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric have not recognized an allowed equity return of $144 million on Houston Electric’s true-up balance and certain storm restoration balances because such return will be recognized as it is recovered in future rates. The timing of CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s recognition of the equity return will vary each period based on amounts actually collected during that period. The unrecognized equity return will be recognized as it is recovered in rates through 2024. The actual amounts recognized are adjusted at least annually to correct any over-collections or under-collections during the preceding 12 months.


	CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Allowed equity return recognized	$	10	$	14	$	24	$	38

Houston Electric Base Rate Case (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric)

On April 5, 2019, and subsequently adjusted in errata filings in May and June 2019, Houston Electric filed its base rate application with the PUCT and the cities in its service area to change its rates, seeking approval for revenue increases of approximately $194 million, among other requests. On January 23, 2020, Houston Electric filed a Stipulation and Settlement Agreement with the PUCT that provided for the following, among other things:

•an overall revenue requirement increase of approximately $13 million;

•an ROE of 9.4%;

•a capital structure of 57.5% debt/42.5% equity;

•a refund of unprotected EDIT of $105 million plus carrying costs over approximately 30-36 months; and

•recovery of all retail transmission related costs through the TCRF.

Also, Houston Electric is not required to make a one-time refund of capital recovery from its TCOS and DCRF mechanisms. Future TCOS filings will take into account both ADFIT and EDIT until the final order from Houston Electric’s next base rate proceeding. No rate base items are required to be written off; however, approximately $12 million in rate case expenses were written off in 2019. A base rate application must be filed for Houston Electric no later than four years from the date of the PUCT’s final order in the proceeding. Additionally, Houston Electric will not file a DCRF in 2020, nor will a subsequent separate proceeding with the PUCT be instituted regarding EDIT on Houston Electric’s securitized assets. Furthermore, under the terms of the Stipulation and Settlement Agreement, Houston Electric agreed to adopt certain ring-fencing measures to increase its financial separateness from CenterPoint Energy. The PUCT approved the Stipulation and Settlement Agreement at its February 14, 2020 open meeting and issued a final order on March 9, 2020. The PUCT declined to impose a dividend restriction in the final order. The rates were implemented on April 23, 2020.

CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric record pre-tax expense for (i) probable disallowances of capital investments and (ii) customer refund obligations and costs deferred in regulatory assets when recovery of such amounts is no longer considered probable.

COVID-19 Regulatory Matters

Governors, public utility commissions and other authorities in the states in which the Registrants operate have issued a number of different orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including orders addressing customer non-payment and disconnection. Although the disconnect moratoriums have either expired or will expire during the fourth quarter of 2020 in certain of the Registrants’ service territories, CenterPoint Energy continues to support those customers who may need payment assistance, arrangements or extensions.

On March 26, 2020, the PUCT issued two orders related to COVID-19 issues that affect Houston Electric. First, the PUCT issued an order related to accrual of regulatory assets granting authority for utilities to record as a regulatory asset expenses resulting from the effects of COVID-19. In the order, the PUCT noted that it will consider whether a utility’s request for recovery of the regulatory asset is reasonable and necessary in a future proceeding. Second, the PUCT issued an order related to the COVID-19 ERP, as modified, which, in light of the disaster declarations issued by the governor of Texas, authorized a customer assistance program for certain residential customers of electric service in areas of Texas open to customer choice, which includes Houston Electric’s service territory.

The PUCT issued an order on August 27, 2020 to conclude the COVID-19 ERP. The PUCT determined that enrollment in the COVID-19 ERP would end on August 31, 2020 and benefits under the program ended on September 30, 2020. Final claims for reimbursement must be submitted to the transmission and distribution utilities by November 30, 2020. The transmission and distribution utilities must file a tariff rider cancellation seven days before the date on which it is estimated that revenues from the COVID-19 ERP are approximately equal to its program expenses. Final program reports must be submitted to the PUCT by January 15, 2021. The COVID-19 ERP allows for any over/under collection of program expenses to be recorded as a regulatory asset or liability. Houston Electric may seek recovery of such regulatory asset or liability in its next DCRF, TCRF or base rate case proceeding. CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s COVID-19 ERP regulatory assets were $10 million as of September 30, 2020.

Commissions in all of Indiana Electric’s and CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s NGD service territories have either (1) issued orders to record a regulatory asset for incremental bad debt expenses related to COVID-19, including costs associated with the suspension of disconnections and payment plans or (2) provided authority to recover bad debt expense through an existing tracking mechanism. CenterPoint Energy and CERC have recorded estimated incremental uncollectible receivables to the associated regulatory asset of $16 million and $14 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2020.

In some of the states in which the Registrants operate, public utility commissions have authorized utilities to employ deferred accounting authority for certain COVID-19 related costs which ensure the safety and health of customers, employees, and contractors, that would not have been incurred in the normal course of business. CERC’s NGD service territories in Minnesota and Arkansas will include any offsetting savings in the deferral. Other jurisdictions where the Registrants operate may require them to offset the deferral with savings as well.

ERCOT Loan Agreement (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric)

On April 13, 2020, in connection with the PUCT’s COVID-19 ERP, Houston Electric entered into a no-interest loan agreement with ERCOT pursuant to which ERCOT loaned Houston Electric approximately $5 million to provide for an initial fund balance for reimbursement. As of September 30, 2020, $5 million of the loan was still outstanding. The ERCOT loan repayment date is on or before December 15, 2020.

Derivative Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments [Text Block]

Derivative Instruments

The Registrants are exposed to various market risks. These risks arise from transactions entered into in the normal course of business. The Registrants utilize derivative instruments such as swaps and options to mitigate the impact of changes in commodity prices, weather and interest rates on operating results and cash flows.

On February 24, 2020, CenterPoint Energy, through its subsidiary CERC Corp., entered into the Equity Purchase Agreement to sell the Energy Services Disposal Group. The transaction closed on June 1, 2020. As a result, the following disclosures do not include the Energy Services Disposal Group. See Note 3 for further information.

(a)Non-Trading Activities

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

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

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


	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Hedging Classification	Notional Principal

	(in millions)
Economic hedge (1)	$	84		$	84

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

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

CenterPoint Energy and CERC, as applicable, enter into winter season weather hedges from time to time for certain NGD jurisdictions and electric operations’ service territory to mitigate the effect of fluctuations from normal weather on results of operations and cash flows. These weather hedges are based on heating degree days at 10-year normal weather. Houston Electric and Indiana Electric do not enter into weather hedges.

(b)Derivative Fair Values and Income Statement Impacts

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

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


		September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Balance Sheet Location	Derivative Assets Fair Value		Derivative Liabilities Fair Value		Derivative Assets Fair Value		Derivative Liabilities Fair Value
		(in millions)




Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Natural gas derivatives (1)	Current Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	$	—	$	1	$	—	$	7
Natural gas derivatives (1)	Other Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	—		6		—		15
Interest rate derivatives	Other Liabilities	—		24		—		10
Indexed debt securities derivative (2)	Current Liabilities	—		918		—		893

Total		$	—	$	949	$	—	$	925

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

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

Income Statement Impact of Hedge Accounting Activity (CenterPoint Energy)


		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	Income Statement Location	2020		2019		2020		2019
		(in millions)
Effects of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the income statement:
Indexed debt securities derivative	Gain (loss) on indexed debt securities	$	(84)	$	(62)	$	(25)	$	(216)

Total		$	(84)	$	(62)	$	(25)	$	(216)

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

Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements [Text Block]

Fair Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value in the Registrants’ Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their value. Hierarchical levels, as defined below and directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuations of these assets and liabilities, are as follows:

Level 1: Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. The types of assets carried at Level 1 fair value generally are exchange-traded derivatives and equity securities.

Level 2: Inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. Fair value assets and liabilities that are generally included in this category are derivatives with fair values based on inputs from actively quoted markets. A market approach is utilized to value the Registrants’ Level 2 natural gas derivative assets or liabilities. CenterPoint Energy’s Level 2 indexed debt securities derivative is valued using an option model and a discounted cash flow model, which uses projected dividends on the ZENS-Related Securities and a discount rate as observable inputs.

Level 3: Inputs are unobservable for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs reflect the Registrants’ judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability since limited market data exists. The Registrants develop these inputs based on the best information available, including the Registrants’ own data.

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

The following tables present information about the Registrants’ assets and liabilities (including derivatives that are presented net) measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Registrants to determine such fair value.

CenterPoint Energy


	September 30, 2020						December 31, 2019
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets	(in millions)
Corporate equities	$	838	$	—	$	—	$	838	$	825	$	—	$	—	$	825
Investments, including money market funds (1)	44		—		—		44		49		—		—		49





Total assets	$	882	$	—	$	—	$	882	$	874	$	—	$	—	$	874
Liabilities
Indexed debt securities derivative	$	—	$	918	$	—	$	918	$	—	$	893	$	—	$	893
Interest rate derivatives	—		24		—		24		—		10		—		10
Natural gas derivatives	—		7		—		7		—		22		—		22



Total liabilities	$	—	$	949	$	—	$	949	$	—	$	925	$	—	$	925

Houston Electric


	September 30, 2020						December 31, 2019
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets	(in millions)
Investments, including money market funds (1)	$	27	$	—	$	—	$	27	$	32	$	—	$	—	$	32

Total assets	$	27	$	—	$	—	$	27	$	32	$	—	$	—	$	32

CERC


	September 30, 2020						December 31, 2019
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets	(in millions)
Corporate equities	$	2	$	—	$	—	$	2	$	2	$	—	$	—	$	2
Investments, including money market funds (1)	11		—		—		11		11		—		—		11
Total assets	$	13	$	—	$	—	$	13	$	13	$	—	$	—	$	13

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

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Based on the severity of the decline in Enable’s common unit price during the three months ended March 31, 2020 primarily due to the macroeconomic conditions related in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with Enable’s announcement on April 1, 2020 to reduce its quarterly distributions per common unit by 50%, and the market outlook indicating excess supply and continued depressed crude oil and natural gas prices impacting the midstream oil and gas industry, CenterPoint Energy determined, in connection with its preparation of the financial statements, that an other than temporary decrease in the value of its investment in Enable had occurred. The impairment analysis compared the estimated fair value of CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable to its carrying value. The fair value of the investment was determined using multiple valuation methodologies under both the market and income approaches. Both of these approaches incorporate significant estimates and assumptions, including:

Market Approach

• quoted price of Enable’s common units;

• recent market transactions of comparable companies; and

• EBITDA to total enterprise multiples for comparable companies.

Income Approach

• Enable’s forecasted cash distributions;

• projected cash flows of incentive distribution rights;

• forecasted growth rate of Enable’s cash distributions; and

• determination of the cost of equity, including market risk premiums.

Weighting of the Different Approaches

Significant unobservable inputs used include the growth rate applied to the projected cash distributions beyond 2020 and the discount rate used to determine the present value of the estimated future cash flows. Based on the significant unobservable estimates and assumptions required, CenterPoint Energy concluded that the fair value estimate should be classified as a Level 3 measurement within the fair value hierarchy. As a result of this analysis, CenterPoint Energy recorded an other than temporary impairment on its investment in Enable of $1,541 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, reducing the fair value of the investment to $848 million as of March 31, 2020. See Note 9 for further discussion of the impairment.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, CenterPoint Energy recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $185 million in the Indiana Electric Integrated reporting unit, reducing the carrying value of the reporting unit to its fair value as of March 31, 2020. CenterPoint Energy and CERC performed their annual goodwill impairment tests in the third quarter of 2020 and determined that no goodwill impairment charge was required for any reporting unit as a result of those tests. See Note 10 for further information.

As a result of classifying the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups as held for sale, CenterPoint Energy and CERC recognized a goodwill impairment and loss on held for sale during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. CenterPoint Energy and CERC, as applicable, used the contractual sales price adjusted for estimated working capital and other contractual purchase price adjustments to determine fair value, which are Level 2 inputs. Using this market approach, the fair value of the Infrastructure Services Disposal Group as of March 31, 2020 was determined to be approximately $864 million and the fair value of the Energy Services Disposal Group as of March 31, 2020 was determined to be approximately $402 million. The same methodology was applied to estimate the fair value of the Infrastructure Services Disposal Group and Energy Services Disposal Group on the closing date and as of September 30, 2020. See Note 3 for further information.

Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, investments in debt and equity securities classified as “trading” and short-term borrowings are estimated to be approximately equivalent to carrying amounts and have been excluded from the table below. The carrying amounts of non-trading derivative assets and liabilities and CenterPoint Energy’s ZENS indexed debt securities derivative are stated at fair value and are excluded from the table below. The fair value of each debt instrument is determined by multiplying the principal amount of each debt instrument by a combination of historical trading prices and comparable issue data. These liabilities, which are not measured at fair value in the Registrants’ Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, but for which the fair value is disclosed, would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.


	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(in millions)
CenterPoint Energy
Long-term debt, including current maturities (1)	$	13,268	$	14,982	$	15,093	$	16,067
Houston Electric
Long-term debt, including current maturities (1)	$	5,089	$	5,968	$	4,950	$	5,457
CERC
Long-term debt, including current maturities	$	2,582	$	2,973	$	2,546	$	2,803

(1)Includes Securitization Bonds debt.

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

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

Unconsolidated Affiliate (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Unconsolidated Affiliates (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) [Text Block]

Unconsolidated Affiliates (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

CenterPoint Energy has the ability to significantly influence the operating and financial policies of Enable, a publicly traded MLP, and, accordingly, accounts for its investment in Enable’s common units using the equity method of accounting. Enable is considered to be a VIE because the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Enable’s economic performance does not reside with the holders of equity investment at risk. However, CenterPoint Energy is not considered the primary beneficiary of Enable since it does not have the power to direct the activities of Enable that are considered most significant to the economic performance of Enable. As of September 30, 2020, CenterPoint Energy’s maximum exposure to loss related to Enable is limited to its investment in unconsolidated affiliate, its investment in Enable Series A Preferred Units, which are accounted for as securities without a readily determinable fair value, and outstanding current accounts receivable from Enable.

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates (CenterPoint Energy):


	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
	(in millions)
Enable	$	748	$	2,406
Other	1		2
Total	$	749	$	2,408

CenterPoint Energy evaluates its equity method investments for impairment when factors indicate that a decrease in the value of its investment has occurred and the carrying amount of its investment may not be recoverable. An impairment loss, based on the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair value of the investment, is recognized in earnings when an impairment is deemed to be other than temporary. Considerable judgment is used in determining if an impairment loss is other than temporary and the amount of any impairment. Based on the severity of the decline in Enable’s common unit price during the three months ended March 31, 2020 due to the macroeconomic conditions related in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with Enable’s announcement on April 1, 2020 to reduce its quarterly distributions per common unit by 50%, and the market outlook indicating excess supply of crude oil and natural gas and continued depressed crude oil and natural gas prices impacting the midstream oil and gas industry, CenterPoint Energy determined, in connection with its preparation of the financial statements, that an other than temporary decrease in the value of its investment in Enable had occurred. CenterPoint Energy reduced the carrying value of its investment in Enable to its estimated fair value of $848 million as of March 31, 2020 and recognized an impairment charge of $1,541 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Both the income approach and market approach were utilized to estimate the fair value of CenterPoint Energy’s equity investment in Enable, which includes common units, general partner interest and incentive distribution rights held by CenterPoint Energy through CNP Midstream. The determination of fair value considered a number of relevant factors including Enable’s common unit price and forecasted distributions, recent comparable transactions and the limited float of Enable’s publicly traded common units. See Note 8 for further discussion of the determination of fair value of CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable as of March 31, 2020. CenterPoint Energy did not identify a further decrease in value as of September 30, 2020, and no impairment in its investment in Enable was recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2020.

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


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Enable	$	(67)	$	77	$	(1,499)	$	213
Other	—		—		—		—
Total	$	(67)	$	77	$	(1,499)	$	213

CenterPoint Energy recognized a loss of $1,499 million from its investment in Enable for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. This loss included an impairment charge on CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable of $1,541 million discussed above, and CenterPoint Energy’s interest in Enable’s $225 million impairment on an equity method investment.

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


	September 30, 2020
	Limited Partner Interest (1)		Common Units (2)	Enable Series A Preferred Units (3)
CenterPoint Energy	53.7	%	233,856,623	14,520,000
OGE	25.5	%	110,982,805	—
Public unitholders	20.8	%	90,629,240	—

Total units outstanding	100.0	%	435,468,668	14,520,000

(1)Excludes the Enable Series A Preferred Units owned by CenterPoint Energy.

(2)Held indirectly through CNP Midstream by CenterPoint Energy.

(3)The carrying amount of the Enable Series A Preferred Units, reflected as Preferred units - unconsolidated affiliate on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $363 million as of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. No impairment charges or adjustment due to observable price changes were required or recorded during the current or prior reporting periods.

Generally, sales to any person or entity (including a series of sales to the same person or entity) of more than 5% of the aggregate of the common units CenterPoint Energy owns in Enable or sales to any person or entity (including a series of sales to the same person or entity) by OGE of more than 5% of the aggregate of the common units it owns in Enable are subject to mutual rights of first offer and first refusal set forth in Enable’s Agreement of Limited Partnership.

Interests Held in Enable GP (CenterPoint Energy):


	September 30, 2020
	Management Rights (1)		Incentive Distribution Rights (2)
CenterPoint Energy (3)	50	%	40	%
OGE	50	%	60	%

(1)Enable is controlled jointly by CenterPoint Energy and OGE. Sale of CenterPoint Energy’s or OGE’s ownership interests in Enable GP to a third party is subject to mutual rights of first offer and first refusal, and CenterPoint Energy is not permitted to dispose of less than all of its interest in Enable GP.

(2)If cash distributions to Enable’s unitholders exceed $0.330625 per common unit in any quarter, Enable GP will receive increasing percentages or incentive distributions rights, up to 50%, of the cash Enable distributes in excess of that amount. In certain circumstances Enable GP will have the right to reset the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels at which the incentive distributions receive increasing percentages to higher levels based on Enable’s cash distributions at the time of the exercise of this reset election. To date, no incentive distributions have been made.

(3)Held indirectly through CNP Midstream.

Distributions Received from Enable (CenterPoint Energy):

CenterPoint Energy


	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
	Per Unit		Cash Distribution		Per Unit		Cash Distribution		Per Unit		Cash Distribution		Per Unit		Cash Distribution
	(in millions, except per unit amounts)
Enable common units (1)	$	0.16525	$	39	$	0.3305	$	77	$	0.6610	$	155	$	0.9665	$	226
Enable Series A Preferred Units	0.62500		9		0.6250		9		1.8750		27		1.8750		27
Total CenterPoint Energy			$	48			$	86			$	182			$	253

(1)On April 1, 2020, Enable announced a 50% reduction in its quarterly distribution per common unit from $0.3305 to $0.16525.

Transactions with Enable (CenterPoint Energy and CERC):

The transactions with Enable in the following tables exclude transactions with the Energy Services Disposal Group. See Note 3 for further information.


	CenterPoint Energy and CERC
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Natural gas expenses, includes transportation and storage costs	$	17	$	17	$	61	$	62


	CenterPoint Energy and CERC
	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
	(in millions)
Accounts payable for natural gas purchases from Enable	$	6	$	9
Accounts receivable for amounts billed for services provided to Enable	1		2

Summarized unaudited consolidated income information for Enable is as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Operating revenues	$	596	$	699	$	1,759	$	2,229
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization	250		263		653		958
Depreciation and amortization	105		108		314		323
Goodwill and long-lived assets impairments	—		—		28		—
Operating income	100		175		326		507
Net income (loss) attributable to Enable common units	(173)		123		(35)		351


Reconciliation of Equity in Earnings (Losses), net:
CenterPoint Energy’s interest	$	(93)	$	66	$	(19)	$	189
Basis difference amortization (1)	26		11		62		35
Loss on dilution, net of proportional basis difference recognition	—		—		(1)		(11)
Impairment of CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable	—		—		(1,541)		—
CenterPoint Energy’s equity in earnings (losses), net	$	(67)	$	77	$	(1,499)	$	213

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

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


	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
	(in millions)
Current assets	$	373	$	389
Non-current assets	11,402		11,877
Current liabilities	644		780
Non-current liabilities	4,055		4,077
Non-controlling interest	26		37
Preferred equity	362		362
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(7)		(3)
Enable partners’ equity	6,695		7,013


Reconciliation of Investment in Enable:
CenterPoint Energy’s ownership interest in Enable partners’ equity	$	3,592	$	3,767
CenterPoint Energy’s basis difference (1)	(2,844)		(1,361)

CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable	$	748	$	2,406

(1)Includes the impairment of CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable of $1,541 million recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The basis difference is being amortized through the year 2048.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) [Text Block]

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

Goodwill and intangible assets related to the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups are classified as held for sale on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s respective recast Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019, as applicable, and are excluded from the tabular disclosures below. See Note 3 for further information.

CenterPoint Energy’s goodwill by reportable segment as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is as follows:


	December 31, 2019		Impairment		September 30, 2020
	(in millions)
Indiana Electric Integrated (1)	$	1,121	$	185	$	936
Natural Gas Distribution	3,312		—		3,312


Corporate and Other	449		—		449

Total	$	4,882	$	185	$	4,697

(1) CenterPoint Energy recognized a non-cash goodwill impairment charge as a result of the March 31, 2020 goodwill impairment test.

CERC’s goodwill by reportable segment as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is as follows:


	(in millions)
Natural Gas Distribution	$	746

Corporate and Other	11
Total	$	757

CenterPoint Energy and CERC perform goodwill impairment tests at least annually and evaluate goodwill when events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying value may not be recoverable. The impairment evaluation for goodwill is performed by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit with the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill. The reporting units approximate the reportable segments, with the exception of ESG, which is a separate reporting unit but included in Corporate and Other at CenterPoint Energy. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit is primarily determined based on an income approach or a weighted combination of income and market approaches. If the carrying amount is in excess of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, then the excess amount is recorded as an impairment charge, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill.

In connection with their preparation of the financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2020, CenterPoint Energy and CERC identified triggering events to perform interim goodwill impairment tests for each of their reporting units

due to the macroeconomic conditions related in part to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting decrease in CenterPoint Energy’s enterprise market capitalization below book value from the decline in CenterPoint Energy’s Common Stock price.

CenterPoint Energy’s interim impairment test in the three months ended March 31, 2020 resulted in a non-cash goodwill impairment charge in the amount of $185 million for the Indiana Electric Integrated reportable segment. The Indiana Electric Integrated reporting unit fair value analysis resulted in an implied fair value of goodwill of $936 million for this reporting unit as of March 31, 2020, and as a result, the non-cash impairment charge was recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

CenterPoint Energy estimated the value of the Indiana Electric Integrated reporting unit using primarily an income approach. Under the income approach, the fair value of the reporting unit is determined by using the present value of future expected cash flows, which include management’s projections of the amount and timing of future capital expenditures and the cash inflows from the related regulatory recovery. These estimated future cash flows are then discounted using a rate that approximates the weighted average cost of capital of a market participant. The selection of the discount rate requires significant judgment.

With the exception of Indiana Electric Integrated discussed above, the fair value of each of CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s reporting units exceeded their carrying value, resulting in no goodwill impairment from the March 31, 2020 interim impairment test. See Note 3 for goodwill impairments included within discontinued operations.

CenterPoint Energy and CERC performed their annual goodwill impairment tests in the third quarter of 2020 and determined that no goodwill impairment charge was required for any reporting unit as a result of those tests.

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


	September 30, 2020						December 31, 2019
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Balance		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Balance
	(in millions)
Customer relationships	$	33	$	(7)	$	26	$	33	$	(4)	$	29

Trade names	16		(3)		13		16		(1)		15
Construction backlog (1)	5		(4)		1		5		(4)		1
Operation and maintenance agreements (1)	12		(1)		11		12		—		12
Other	2		(1)		1		2		(1)		1
Total	$	68	$	(16)	$	52	$	68	$	(10)	$	58

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


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Amortization expense of intangible assets recorded in Depreciation and amortization (1)	$	2	$	1	$	5	$	2
Amortization expense of intangible assets recorded in Non-utility cost of revenues, including natural gas (1)	—		1		1		4

(1)Assets held for sale are not amortized. The table reflects amortization on continuing operations. For further information on discontinued operations, see Note 3.

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


	Amortization Expense (1)
	CenterPoint Energy
	(in millions)
Remaining three months of 2020	$	2
2021	6
2022	6
2023	6
2024	5
2025	5

(1)Assets held for sale are not amortized. The table reflects amortization on continuing operations. For further information on discontinued operations, see Note 3.

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

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) and Securities Related to ZENS (CenterPoint Energy) [Text Block]

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

(a) Investment in Securities Related to ZENS

A subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy holds shares of certain securities detailed in the table below, which are securities with a readily determinable fair value and are expected to be held to facilitate CenterPoint Energy’s ability to meet its obligation under the ZENS. Unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in the market value of the ZENS-Related Securities are recorded in CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.


	Shares Held
	September 30, 2020	December 31, 2019
AT&T Common	10,212,945	10,212,945
Charter Common	872,503	872,503

(b) ZENS

In September 1999, CenterPoint Energy issued ZENS having an original principal amount of $1.0 billion of which $828 million remained outstanding as of September 30, 2020. Each ZENS is exchangeable at the holder’s option at any time for an amount of cash equal to 95% of the market value of the reference shares attributable to such note. The number and identity of the reference shares attributable to each ZENS are adjusted for certain corporate events.

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


	September 30, 2020	December 31, 2019
	(in shares)
AT&T Common	0.7185	0.7185
Charter Common	0.061382	0.061382

CenterPoint Energy pays interest on the ZENS at an annual rate of 2% plus the amount of any quarterly cash dividends paid in respect of the reference shares attributable to the ZENS. The principal amount of the ZENS is subject to increases or decreases to the extent that the annual yield from interest and cash dividends on the reference shares attributable to the ZENS is less than or more than 2.309%. The adjusted principal amount is defined in the ZENS instrument as “contingent principal.” As of September 30, 2020, the ZENS, having an original principal amount of $828 million and a contingent principal amount of $61 million, were outstanding and were exchangeable, at the option of the holders, for cash equal to 95% of the market value of the reference shares attributable to the ZENS.

Long-term Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-term Debt [Text Block]

Long-term Debt Debt Transactions. In June 2020, Houston Electric issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 2.90% general mortgage bonds maturing in 2050. Total proceeds, net of issuance expenses and fees, of approximately $296 million were used

for general limited liability company purposes, including capital expenditures and the repayment of a portion of borrowings under the CenterPoint Energy money pool.

In September 2020, SIGECO completed the remarketing of two series of tax-exempt debt of approximately $38 million, comprised of: (i) $23 million aggregate principal amount of Environmental Improvement Revenue Bonds, Series 2015, issued by the City of Mount Vernon, Indiana, and (ii) $15 million aggregate principal amount of Environmental Improvement Revenue Bonds, Series 2015, issued by Warrick County, Indiana, that, in each case, were originally issued on September 9, 2015. Both series of revenue bonds originally had an initial term interest rate of 2.375%. After the remarketing, each series of revenue bonds have a new term interest rate of 0.875% that is fixed through August 31, 2023. Each series of revenue bonds have a final maturity date of September 1, 2055, subject to prior redemption.

In October 2020, CERC Corp. issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 1.75% senior notes due 2030. Total proceeds, net of issuance expenses and fees, of approximately $495 million were used for general corporate purposes, including the payment of a portion of the redemption amount of CERC Corp.’s 4.50% senior notes due 2021 redeemed in full on October 15, 2020.

Debt Repayments. In April 2020, VCC repaid the aggregate principal amount of its $200 million variable term loan, and VUHI refinanced a $100 million 6.28% guaranteed senior note that matured in April 2020. In June 2020, VUHI repaid the aggregate principal amount of its $300 million variable term loan. In addition, in June 2020, CenterPoint Energy repaid $300 million of principal on its outstanding $1.0 billion variable rate term loan.

Debt Redemption. In September 2020, CERC Corp. provided notice of redemption relating to $593 million aggregate principal amount of CERC Corp.’s outstanding 4.50% Senior Notes due 2021, Series A and B. All of the outstanding senior notes were redeemed in full in October 2020 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.

Credit Facilities. The Registrants had the following revolving credit facilities as of September 30, 2020:


Execution Date	Registrant	Size of Facility		Draw Rate of LIBOR plus (1)	Financial Covenant Limit on Debt for Borrowed Money to Capital Ratio		Debt for Borrowed Money to Capital Ratio as of September 30, 2020 (2)	Termination Date
		(in millions)
March 3, 2016	CenterPoint Energy	$	3,300	1.500%	65%	(3)	53.4%	March 3, 2022
July 14, 2017	CenterPoint Energy (4)	400		1.125%	65%		52.5%	July 14, 2022

March 3, 2016	Houston Electric	300		1.250%	65%	(3)	53.2%	March 3, 2022
March 3, 2016	CERC	900		1.125%	65%		52.7%	March 3, 2022
	Total	$	4,900

(1)Based on current credit ratings.

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

(3)For CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric, the financial covenant limit will temporarily increase from 65% to 70% if Houston Electric experiences damage from a natural disaster in its service territory and CenterPoint Energy certifies to the administrative agent that Houston Electric has incurred system restoration costs reasonably likely to exceed $100 million in a consecutive 12-month period, all or part of which Houston Electric intends to seek to recover through securitization financing. Such temporary increase in the financial covenant would be in effect from the date CenterPoint Energy delivers its certification until the earliest to occur of (i) the completion of the securitization financing, (ii) the first anniversary of CenterPoint Energy’s certification or (iii) the revocation of such certification.

(4)This credit facility was issued by VUHI, is guaranteed by SIGECO, Indiana Gas and VEDO and includes a $10 million swing line sublimit and a $20 million letter of credit sublimit. This credit facility backstops VUHI’s commercial paper program.

On September 30, 2020, VCC terminated its $200 million credit agreement dated as of July 14, 2017 after determining that it was no longer necessary for financing purposes. VCC did not incur any penalties in connection with the early termination.

The Registrants, including the subsidiaries of CenterPoint Energy discussed above, were in compliance with all financial debt covenants as of September 30, 2020.

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


	September 30, 2020								December 31, 2019
Registrant	Loans		Letters of Credit		Commercial Paper		Weighted Average Interest Rate		Loans		Letters of Credit		Commercial Paper		Weighted Average Interest Rate
	(in millions, except weighted average interest rate)
CenterPoint Energy (1)	$	—	$	8	$	638	0.19	%	$	—	$	6	$	1,633	1.95	%
CenterPoint Energy (2)	—		—		176		0.19	%	—		—		268		2.08	%

Houston Electric	—		—		—		—	%	—		—		—		—	%
CERC	—		—		407		0.17	%	—		1		377		1.94	%
Total	$	—	$	8	$	1,221			$	—	$	7	$	2,278

(1)CenterPoint Energy’s outstanding commercial paper generally has maturities of 60 days or less.

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

Other. As of September 30, 2020, certain financial institutions agreed to issue, from time to time, up to $50 million of letters of credit on behalf of Vectren and certain of its subsidiaries in exchange for customary fees. These agreements to issue letters of credit expire on December 31, 2020. As of September 30, 2020, such financial institutions had issued $7 million of letters of credit on behalf of Vectren and certain of its subsidiaries.

Houston Electric had $68 million of general mortgage bonds outstanding as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 as collateral for long-term debt of CenterPoint Energy that matures in 2028. These general mortgage bonds are not reflected in Houston Electric’s consolidated financial statements because of the contingent nature of the obligations.

Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes [Text Block]

Income Taxes

The Registrants reported the following effective tax rates:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
CenterPoint Energy - Continuing operations (1) (2)	(9)	%	15	%	29	%	12	%
CenterPoint Energy - Discontinued operations (3) (4)	—	%	46	%	(13)	%	30	%
Houston Electric (5)	14	%	18	%	15	%	18	%
CERC - Continuing operations (6) (7)	60	%	23	%	13	%	9	%
CERC - Discontinued operations (8) (9)	33	%	40	%	3	%	21	%

(1)CenterPoint Energy’s lower effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily driven by the recognition of additional tax benefit for increased NOL carryback claims under the CARES Act and the effects of the lower book earnings on other rate drivers in the three months ended September 30, 2020.

(2)CenterPoint Energy’s higher effective tax rate on the loss from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily due to lower earnings from the impairment of CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable. Other effective tax rate drivers include the tax benefit for the NOL carryback claims under the CARES Act, which was partially offset by the non-deductible goodwill impairment at the Indiana Electric Integrated reporting unit.

(3)CenterPoint Energy’s lower effective tax rate on the loss from discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the income from discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily due to lower book earnings in the three months ended September 30, 2020.

(4)CenterPoint Energy’s lower effective tax rate on the loss from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the income from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily due to the tax impacts from the sale of the Infrastructure Services Disposal Group on April 9, 2020 and the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group on June 1, 2020, the effect of which was compounded by lower book earnings in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. See Note 3 for further information.

(5)Houston Electric’s lower effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same periods for 2019 was primarily due to an increase in the amount of amortization of the net regulatory EDIT liability.

(6)CERC’s higher effective tax rate on the loss from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019 was driven by an increase in the amount of amortization of the net regulatory EDIT liability and a larger return-to-accrual tax benefit recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2020. These were partially offset by the absence of state deferred tax benefits as a result of certain state tax law changes and the release of a valuation allowance on certain state NOLs that were reported in the three months ended September 30, 2019.

(7)CERC’s higher effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was driven by the absence of state deferred tax benefits as a result of certain state tax law changes and the release of a valuation allowance on certain state NOLs that were reported in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. These were partially offset by an increase in the amount of amortization of the net regulatory EDIT liability and a larger return-to-accrual tax benefit recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

(8)CERC’s lower effective tax rate on income from discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the income from discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily due to lower book earnings in the three months ended September 30, 2020.

(9)CERC’s lower effective tax rate on the loss from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the income from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily due to the tax impacts of the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group on June 1, 2020, the effect of which was compounded by lower book earnings in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. See Note 3 for further information.

On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act provides relief to corporate taxpayers by permitting a five-year carryback of 2018-2020 NOLs, deferring the payment of the employer share of payroll taxes for the remaining months of 2020 until 2021 and 2022, increasing the 30% limitation on interest expense deductibility to 50% of adjusted taxable income for 2019 and 2020, and accelerating refunds for minimum tax credit carryforwards, among other provisions. As such, during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, CenterPoint Energy recorded a $37 million benefit resulting from carryback claims to be filed to refund taxes paid.

CenterPoint Energy reported a net uncertain tax liability, inclusive of interest and penalties, of $9 million as of September 30, 2020. The reserve has net zero change for the nine month period ending September 30, 2020. The Registrants believe that it is reasonably possible that a decrease of up to $5 million in unrecognized tax benefits may occur in the next 12 months as a result of a lapse of statutes on older exposures and/or the filing of applications for accounting method changes. For CenterPoint Energy, tax years through 2018 have been audited and settled with the IRS. For the 2019 and 2020 tax years, CenterPoint Energy is a participant in the IRS’s Compliance Assurance Process. Legacy Vectren is not currently under audit with the IRS, and the 2017-2019 tax years are still open for examination.

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

+ References + Details

Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies [Text Block]

Commitments and Contingencies

(a)Purchase Obligations (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

Commitments include minimum purchase obligations related to CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas Distribution reportable segment and CenterPoint Energy’s Indiana Electric Integrated reportable segment. Contracts with minimum payment provisions have various quantity requirements and durations and are not classified as non-trading derivative assets and liabilities in CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. These contracts meet an exception as “normal purchases contracts” or do not meet the definition of a derivative. Natural gas and coal supply commitments also include transportation contracts that do not meet the definition of a derivative.

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


	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions)
Remaining three months of 2020	$	224	$	163
2021	662		486
2022	496		325
2023	418		271
2024	340		246
2025	290		220
2026 and beyond	1,817		1,496

Indiana Electric Integrated also has other purchased power agreements that do not have minimum thresholds but require payment when energy is generated by the provider. Costs arising from certain of these commitments are pass-through costs, generally collected dollar-for-dollar from retail customers through regulator-approved cost recovery mechanisms.

CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s NGD have AMAs associated with their utility distribution service in Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma with the Energy Services Disposal Group and in Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas with other third parties. The AMAs have varying terms, the longest of which expires in 2023. For further information regarding the AMAs with the Energy Services Disposal Group, see Note 3.

(b)Guarantees and Product Warranties (CenterPoint Energy)

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

Specific to ESG’s role as a general contractor in the performance contracting industry, as of September 30, 2020, there were 60 open surety bonds supporting future performance with an aggregate face amount of approximately $568 million. ESG’s exposure is less than the face amount of the surety bonds and is limited to the level of uncompleted work under the contracts. As of September 30, 2020, approximately 21% of the work was yet to be completed on projects with open surety bonds. Further, various subcontractors issue surety bonds to ESG. In addition to these performance obligations, ESG also warrants the functionality of certain installed infrastructure generally for one year and the associated energy savings over a specified number of years. Since ESG’s inception in 1994, CenterPoint Energy believes ESG has had a history of generally meeting its performance obligations and energy savings guarantees and its installed products operating effectively. CenterPoint Energy assessed the fair value of its obligation for such guarantees as of September 30, 2020 and no amounts were recorded on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

CenterPoint Energy issues parent company level guarantees to certain vendors, customers and other commercial counterparties of ESG. These guarantees do not represent incremental consolidated obligations, but rather, represent guarantees of subsidiary obligations to allow those subsidiaries to conduct business without posting other forms of assurance. As of September 30, 2020, CenterPoint Energy, primarily through Vectren, has issued parent company level guarantees supporting ESG’s obligations. For those obligations where potential exposure can be estimated, management estimates the maximum exposure under these guarantees to be approximately $519 million as of September 30, 2020. This exposure primarily relates to energy savings guarantees on federal energy savings performance contracts. Other parent company level guarantees, certain of which do not contain a cap on potential liability, have been issued in support of federal operations and maintenance projects for which a maximum exposure cannot be estimated based on the nature of the projects. While there can be no assurance that performance under any of these parent company guarantees will not be required in the future, CenterPoint Energy considers the likelihood of a material amount being incurred as remote.

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

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

A CERC Corp. guarantee primarily has a one- or two-year term, although CERC Corp. would generally not be released from obligations incurred by CES prior to the termination of such guarantee unless the beneficiary of the guarantee affirmatively released CERC Corp. from its obligations under the guarantee. Throughout CERC Corp.’s ownership of CES and subsequent to the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group through September 30, 2020, CERC Corp. did not pay any amounts under guarantees of CES’s obligations.

Under the terms of the Equity Purchase Agreement, Symmetry Energy Solutions Acquisition must generally use reasonable best efforts to replace existing CERC Corp. guarantees with credit support provided by a party other than CERC Corp. as of and after the closing of the transaction. Additionally, to the extent that CERC Corp. retains any exposure relating to certain guarantees of CES’s obligations 90 days after closing of the transaction, Symmetry Energy Solutions Acquisition will pay a 3% annualized fee on such exposure, increasing by 1% on an annualized basis every three months. As of September 30, 2020, CES had provided replacement credit support to counterparties to whom CERC Corp. had issued guarantees prior to June 1, 2020, representing $68 million of the $73 million remaining exposure under the previously issued guarantees. CERC believes that counterparties to whom replacement credit support has been provided would seek payment if needed under such replacement credit support instead of a CERC Corp. guarantee. No additional guarantees were provided by CERC Corp. to CES subsequent to the closing of the transaction on June 1, 2020.

While there can be no assurance that payment under any of these guarantees will not be required in the future, CenterPoint Energy and CERC consider the likelihood of a material amount being incurred as remote.

CenterPoint Energy and CERC recorded no amounts on their respective Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 related to the performance of these guarantees.

(d)Legal, Environmental and Other Matters

Legal Matters

Minnehaha Academy (CenterPoint Energy and CERC). On August 2, 2017, a natural gas explosion occurred at the Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, Minnesota, resulting in the deaths of two school employees, serious injuries to others and significant property damage to the school. CenterPoint Energy, certain of its subsidiaries, including CERC, and the contractor company working in the school have been named in litigation arising out of this incident. CenterPoint Energy and CERC have reached confidential settlement agreements on all wrongful death and property damage claims and with some personal injury claimants. Additionally, CenterPoint Energy and CERC cooperated with the investigation conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board, which concluded its investigation in December 2019 and issued a report without making any recommendations. Further, CenterPoint Energy and CERC contested and reached a settlement regarding approximately $200,000 in fines imposed by the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety. In early 2018, the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration concluded its investigation without any adverse findings against CenterPoint Energy or CERC. CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s general and excess liability insurance policies provide coverage for third party bodily injury and property damage claims.

Litigation Related to the Merger (CenterPoint Energy). With respect to the Merger, in July 2018, seven separate lawsuits were filed against Vectren and the individual directors of Vectren’s Board of Directors in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. These lawsuits alleged violations of Sections 14(a) of the Exchange Act and SEC Rule 14a-9 on the grounds that the Vectren Proxy Statement filed on June 18, 2018 was materially incomplete because it omitted material information concerning the Merger. In August 2018, the seven lawsuits were consolidated, and the Court denied the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction. In October 2018, the plaintiffs filed their Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint. In December 2018, two plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their lawsuits. In September 2019, the court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss and dismissed the remaining plaintiffs’ claims with prejudice, which the plaintiffs appealed in October 2019.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit heard oral arguments in September 2020, and a ruling is expected in late 2020 or early 2021. The defendants believe that the allegations asserted are without merit and intend to vigorously defend themselves against the claims raised. CenterPoint Energy does not expect the ultimate outcome of this matter to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Environmental Matters

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

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

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

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

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


	September 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions, except years)
Amount accrued for remediation	$	12	$	7
Minimum estimated remediation costs	7		4
Maximum estimated remediation costs	54		32
Minimum years of remediation	5		30
Maximum years of remediation	50		50

The cost estimates are based on studies of a site or industry average costs for remediation of sites of similar size. The actual remediation costs will depend on the number of sites to be remediated, the participation of other PRPs, if any, and the remediation methods used.

CenterPoint Energy and CERC do not expect the ultimate outcome of these matters to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of either CenterPoint Energy or CERC.

Asbestos. Some facilities owned by the Registrants or their predecessors contain or have contained asbestos insulation and other asbestos-containing materials. The Registrants are from time to time named, along with numerous others, as defendants in lawsuits filed by a number of individuals who claim injury due to exposure to asbestos, and the Registrants anticipate that

additional claims may be asserted in the future. Although their ultimate outcome cannot be predicted at this time, the Registrants do not expect these matters, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on their financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

CCR Rule (CenterPoint Energy). In April 2015, the EPA finalized its CCR Rule, which regulates ash as non-hazardous material under the RCRA. The final rule allows beneficial reuse of ash, and the majority of the ash generated by Indiana Electric’s generating plants will continue to be reused. In July 2018, the EPA released its final CCR Rule Phase I Reconsideration which extended the deadline to October 31, 2020 for ceasing placement of ash in ponds that exceed groundwater protections standards or that fail to meet location restrictions. While the EPA Phase I Reconsideration moves forward, the existing CCR compliance obligations remain in effect. In August 2019, the EPA proposed additional “Part A” amendments to its CCR Rule with respect to beneficial reuse of ash and other materials. Further “Part B” amendments, which related to alternate liners for CCR surface impoundments and the surface impoundment closure process, were published in March 2020. The Part A amendments were finalized in August 2020. The EPA released a pre-publication version of the Part B amendments on October 16, 2020. The Part A amendments do not restrict Indiana Electric’s current beneficial reuse of its fly ash. CenterPoint Energy continues to evaluate the Part B amendments to determine potential impacts.

Indiana Electric has three ash ponds, two at the F.B. Culley facility (Culley East and Culley West) and one at the A.B. Brown facility. Under the existing CCR Rule, Indiana Electric is required to perform integrity assessments, including ground water monitoring, at its F.B. Culley and A.B. Brown generating stations. The ground water studies are necessary to determine the remaining service life of the ponds and whether a pond must be retrofitted with liners or closed in place, with bottom ash handling conversions completed. Indiana Electric’s Warrick generating unit is not included in the scope of the CCR Rule as this unit has historically been part of a larger generating station that predominantly serves an adjacent industrial facility. In March 2018, Indiana Electric began posting ground water data monitoring reports annually to its public website in accordance with the requirements of the CCR Rule. This data preliminarily indicates potential groundwater impacts very close to Indiana Electric’s ash impoundments, and further analysis is ongoing. The CCR Rule required companies to complete location restriction determinations by October 18, 2018. Indiana Electric completed its evaluation and determined that one F.B. Culley pond (Culley East) and the A.B. Brown pond fail the aquifer placement location restriction. As a result of this failure, Indiana Electric is required to cease disposal of new ash in the ponds and commence closure of the ponds by April 11, 2021. CenterPoint Energy plans to seek extensions available under the CCR Rule that would allow Indiana Electric to continue to use the ponds through October 15, 2023. The inability to take these extensions may result in increased and potentially significant operational costs in connection with the accelerated implementation of an alternative ash disposal system or adversely impact Indiana Electric’s future operations. Failure to comply with these requirements could also result in an enforcement proceeding including the imposition of fines and penalties. On April 24, 2019, Indiana Electric received an order from the IURC approving recovery in rates of costs associated with the closure of the Culley West pond, which has already commenced closure activities. CenterPoint Energy believes the language in the IURC order is favorable for future recovery of closure costs for Indiana Electric’s remaining ponds.

Indiana Electric continues to refine site specific estimates of closure costs. In July 2018, Indiana Electric filed a Complaint for Damages and Declaratory Relief against its insurers seeking reimbursement of defense, investigation and pond closure costs incurred to comply with the CCR Rule, and has since reached confidential settlement agreements with its insurers. The proceeds of these settlements will offset costs that have been and will be incurred to close the ponds. In March 2019, Indiana Electric entered into agreements with third parties for the excavation and beneficial reuse of the ash at the A.B. Brown ash pond. On December 2, 2019, the EPA published proposed revisions to the CCR Rule. The revisions were finalized on August 28, 2020.

On August 14, 2019, Indiana Electric filed its petition with the IURC for recovery of costs associated with the closure of the A.B. Brown ash pond, which would include costs associated with the excavation and recycling of ponded ash. This petition was subsequently approved by the IURC on May 13, 2020. On October 28, 2020, the IURC approved Indiana Electric’s ECA proceeding, which included the initiation of recovery of the federally mandated project costs.

As of September 30, 2020, CenterPoint Energy has recorded an approximate $73 million ARO, which represents the discounted value of future cash flow estimates to close the ponds at A.B. Brown and F.B. Culley. This estimate is subject to change due to the contractual arrangements; continued assessments of the ash, closure methods, and the timing of closure; implications of Indiana Electric’s generation transition plan; changing environmental regulations; and proceeds received from the settlements in the aforementioned insurance proceeding. In addition to these removal costs, Indiana Electric also anticipates equipment purchases of between $60 million and $80 million to complete the A.B. Brown closure project.

Other Environmental. From time to time, the Registrants identify the presence of environmental contaminants during operations or on property where their predecessors have conducted operations. Other such sites involving contaminants may be identified in the future. The Registrants have and expect to continue to remediate any identified sites consistent with state and

federal legal obligations. From time to time, the Registrants have received notices, and may receive notices in the future, from regulatory authorities or others regarding status as a PRP in connection with sites found to require remediation due to the presence of environmental contaminants. In addition, the Registrants have been, or may be, named from time to time as defendants in litigation related to such sites. Although the ultimate outcome of such matters cannot be predicted at this time, the Registrants do not expect these matters, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on their financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Other Proceedings

The Registrants are involved in other legal, environmental, tax and regulatory proceedings before various courts, regulatory commissions and governmental agencies regarding matters arising in the ordinary course of business. From time to time, the Registrants are also defendants in legal proceedings with respect to claims brought by various plaintiffs against broad groups of participants in the energy industry. Some of these proceedings involve substantial amounts. The Registrants regularly analyze current information and, as necessary, provide accruals for probable and reasonably estimable liabilities on the eventual disposition of these matters. The Registrants do not expect the disposition of these matters to have a material adverse effect on the Registrants’ financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy) [Text Block]

Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy)

The Series C Preferred Stock issued in May 2020 are considered participating securities since these shares participate in dividends on Common Stock on a pari passu, pro rata, as-converted basis. See Note 19 for further information on the issuance of Series C Preferred Stock. As a result, beginning June 30, 2020, earnings per share on Common Stock is computed using the two-class method required for participating securities.

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

•preferred share dividend requirement;

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

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

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

The Series C Preferred Stock includes conversion features at a price that is below the fair value of the Common Stock on the commitment date. This beneficial conversion feature, which was approximately $32 million, represents the difference between the fair value per share of the Common Stock as of the commitment date and the conversion price, multiplied by the number of common shares issuable upon conversion. The beneficial conversion feature is recognized as a discount to Series C Preferred Stock and will be amortized as a deemed dividend over the period from the issue date to the first allowable conversion date, which is November 6, 2020. The amount amortized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 was approximately $16 million and $25 million, respectively.

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

Diluted earnings per share reflects the dilutive effect of potential common shares from share-based awards and convertible preferred shares. The dilutive effect of the restricted stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock is computed using the if-converted method, which assumes conversion of the restricted stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C

Preferred Stock at the beginning of the period, giving income recognition for the add-back of the preferred share dividends, amortization of beneficial conversion feature, and undistributed earnings allocated to preferred shareholders.

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


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions, except per share and share amounts)
Numerator:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	127	$	251	$	(791)	$	545
Less: Preferred stock dividend requirement (Note 19)	36		29		102		88
Less: Amortization of beneficial conversion feature (Note 19)	16		—		25		—
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to preferred shareholders (1)	—		—		—		—
Income (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations - basic and diluted	75		222		(918)		457
Income (loss) available to common shareholders from discontinued operations - basic and diluted	(6)		19		(182)		89
Income (loss) available to common shareholders - basic and diluted	$	69	$	241	$	(1,100)	$	546
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	544,811,000		502,228,000		525,160,000		501,986,000
Plus: Incremental shares from assumed conversions:
Restricted stock (4)	3,377,000		2,852,000		—		2,852,000
Series B Preferred Stock (2)	—		—		—		—
Series C Preferred Stock (3)	—		—		—		—
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	548,188,000		505,080,000		525,160,000		504,838,000

Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations	$	0.14	$	0.44	$	(1.75)	$	0.91
Basic earnings (loss) per common share - discontinued operations	(0.01)		0.04		(0.35)		0.18
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	$	0.13	$	0.48	$	(2.10)	$	1.09
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations	$	0.14	$	0.44	$	(1.75)	$	0.91
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share - discontinued operations	(0.01)		0.03		(0.35)		0.17
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	$	0.13	$	0.47	$	(2.10)	$	1.08

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

(2)The computation of diluted earnings per common share outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 excludes 35,940,000 and 35,923,000 potentially dilutive shares from the denominator, respectively, because the shares would be anti-dilutive. The computation of diluted earnings per common share outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 excludes 33,537,000 and 33,537,000 potentially dilutive shares from the denominator, respectively, because the shares would be anti-dilutive.

(3)The computation of diluted earnings per common share outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 excludes 47,355,000 and 25,578,000 potentially dilutive shares, respectively, of Series C Preferred Stock from the denominator because the shares would be anti-dilutive.

(4)3,377,000 incremental common shares from assumed conversions of restricted stock have not been included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

Reportable Segments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Reportable Business Segments [Text Block]

Reportable Segments

The Registrants’ determination of reportable segments considers the strategic operating units under which the Registrants’ CODM manages sales, allocates resources and assesses performance of various products and services to wholesale or retail customers in differing regulatory environments. As of January 1, 2020, each Registrant’s CODM views net income as the measure of profit or loss for the reportable segments rather than the previous measure of operating income. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

As of September 30, 2020, reportable segments by Registrant were as follows:

Registrant

Houston Electric T&D

Indiana Electric Integrated

Natural Gas Distribution

Midstream Investments

CenterPoint Energy

Houston Electric

CERC

•CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s Houston Electric T&D reportable segment consists of electric transmission and distribution services in the Texas Gulf Coast area.

•CenterPoint Energy’s Indiana Electric Integrated reportable segment consists of electric transmission and distribution services primarily to southwestern Indiana and includes power generation and wholesale power operations.

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

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

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

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

Discontinued Operations (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

On February 3, 2020, CenterPoint Energy, through its subsidiary VUSI, entered into the Securities Purchase Agreement to sell the Infrastructure Services Disposal Group, which consists of underground pipeline construction and repair services. Accordingly, the previously reported Infrastructure Services reportable segment has been eliminated. The transaction closed on April 9, 2020. See Note 3 for further information.

Additionally, on February 24, 2020, CenterPoint Energy, through its subsidiary CERC Corp., entered into the Equity Purchase Agreement to sell the Energy Services Disposal Group, which consists of non-rate regulated natural gas sales and service operations. Accordingly, the previously reported Energy Services reportable segment has been eliminated. The transaction closed on June 1, 2020. See Note 3 for further information.

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

CenterPoint Energy


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2020							2019
	Revenues from External Customers			Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates		Net Income (Loss)		Revenues from External Customers			Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates		Net Income (Loss)
	(in millions)
Houston Electric T&D	$	828	(1)	$	—	$	157	$	859	(1)	$	—	$	185
Indiana Electric Integrated	157			—		31		165			—		34
Natural Gas Distribution	560			—		5		541			—		6
Midstream Investments (2)	—			(67)		(62)		—			77		50
Corporate and Other	77			—		(4)		93			—		(24)

Continuing Operations	$	1,622		$	(67)	127		$	1,658		$	77	251
Discontinued Operations, net						(6)							19
Consolidated						$	121						$	270

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020							2019
	Revenues from External Customers			Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates		Net Income (Loss)		Revenues from External Customers			Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates		Net Income (Loss)
	(in millions)
Houston Electric T&D	$	2,186	(1)	$	—	$	281	$	2,313	(1)	$	—	$	315
Indiana Electric Integrated	414			—		(121)		388			—		41
Natural Gas Distribution	2,519			—		242		2,629			—		149
Midstream Investments (2)	—			(1,499)		(1,165)		—			213		124
Corporate and Other	245			—		(28)		215			—		(84)

Continuing Operations	$	5,364		$	(1,499)	(791)		$	5,545		$	213	545
Discontinued Operations, net						(182)							89
Consolidated						$	(973)						$	634

(1)Houston Electric T&D’s revenues from major external customers are as follows (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric):


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Affiliates of NRG	$	243	$	231	$	573	$	547
Affiliates of Vistra Energy Corp.	128		83		301		196

(2)Includes the impairment of CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable of $1,541 million recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and CenterPoint Energy’s interest in Enable’s $225 million impairment on an equity method investment during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.

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

CERC


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2020				2019
	Revenues from External Customers		Net Income (Loss)		Revenues from External Customers		Net Income (Loss)
	(in millions)
Natural Gas Distribution	$	422	$	1	$	415	$	5
Corporate and Other	4		(7)		5		(15)

Continuing Operations	$	426	(6)		$	420	(10)
Discontinued Operations, net			2				3
Consolidated			$	(4)			$	(7)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020				2019
	Revenues from External Customers		Net Income (Loss)		Revenues from External Customers		Net Income (Loss)
	(in millions)
Natural Gas Distribution	$	1,910	$	155	$	2,152	$	134
Corporate and Other	10		(13)		6		(32)

Continuing Operations	$	1,920	142		$	2,158	102
Discontinued Operations, net			(66)				57
Consolidated			$	76			$	159

CenterPoint Energy and CERC


	Total Assets
	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions)
Houston Electric T&D	$	11,296	$	—	$	11,264	$	—
Indiana Electric Integrated	3,142		—		3,168		—
Natural Gas Distribution	14,297		7,809		14,105		7,698
Midstream Investments	805		—		2,473		—
Corporate and Other, net of eliminations	3,165		(30)		2,555		(90)

Continuing Operations	32,705		7,779		33,565		7,608
Assets Held for Sale	—		—		1,964		904
Consolidated	$	32,705	$	7,779	$	35,529	$	8,512

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

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Subsequent Events (CenterPoint Energy) [Text Block]

Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC)

Houston Electric and CERC participate in CenterPoint Energy’s money pool through which they can borrow or invest on a short-term basis. Funding needs are aggregated and external borrowing or investing is based on the net cash position. The net funding requirements of the CenterPoint Energy money pool are expected to be met with borrowings under CenterPoint Energy’s revolving credit facility or the sale of CenterPoint Energy’s commercial paper.

The table below summarizes CenterPoint Energy money pool activity:


	September 30, 2020						December 31, 2019
	Houston Electric			CERC			Houston Electric			CERC
	(in millions, except interest rates)
Money pool investments (borrowings) (1)	$	25		$	—		$	481		$	—
Weighted average interest rate	0.19		%	0.19		%	1.98		%	1.98		%

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

Houston Electric and CERC affiliate related net interest income (expense) were as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
	Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Interest income (expense) (1)	$	—	$	—	$	5	$	1	$	—	$	—	$	14	$	3

(1)Interest income is included in Other income (expense), net and interest expense is included in Interest and other finance charges on Houston Electric’s and CERC’s respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.

CenterPoint Energy provides some corporate services to Houston Electric and CERC. The costs of services have been charged directly to Houston Electric and CERC using methods that management believes are reasonable. These methods include usage rates, dedicated asset assignment and proportionate corporate formulas based on operating expenses, assets, gross

margin, employees and a composite of assets, gross margin and employees. Houston Electric provides certain services to CERC. These services are billed at actual cost, either directly or as an allocation and include fleet services, shop services, geographic services, surveying and right-of-way services, radio communications, data circuit management and field operations. Additionally, CERC provides certain services to Houston Electric. These services are billed at actual cost, either directly or as an allocation and include line locating and other miscellaneous services. These charges are not necessarily indicative of what would have been incurred had Houston Electric and CERC not been affiliates.

Amounts charged for these services were as follows and are included primarily in operation and maintenance expenses:


	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
	Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Corporate service charges	$	48	$	52	$	38	$	31	$	142	$	156	$	132	$	106
Net affiliate service charges (billings)	(4)		4		(3)		3		(14)		14		(7)		7

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


	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
	Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash dividends paid to parent	$	52	$	8	$	60	$	16	$	457	$	80	$	100	$	119
Cash contribution from parent	—		—		—		—		—		—		590		—
Capital distribution to parent associated with the sale of CES	—		—		—		—		—		286		—		—
Property, plant and equipment from parent (1)	35		23		—		—		35		23		—		—

(1)Property, plant and equipment purchased from CenterPoint Energy at its net carrying value on the date of purchase.

Equity

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Equity [Abstract]

Equity [Text Block]

Equity

Dividends Declared and Paid (CenterPoint Energy)

CenterPoint Energy paid dividends on its Common Stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 as presented in the table below:


Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Per Share (1)		Total (in millions)
February 3, 2020	February 20, 2020	March 12, 2020	$	0.2900	$	145
April 24, 2020	May 21, 2020	June 11, 2020	0.1500		82


July 29, 2020	August 20, 2020	September 10, 2020	0.1500		82
Total 2020			$	0.5900	$	309

December 12, 2018	February 21, 2019	March 14, 2019	$	0.2875	$	144
April 25, 2019	May 16, 2019	June 13, 2019	0.2875		144
July 31, 2019	August 15, 2019	September 12, 2019	0.2875		145

Total 2019			$	0.8625	$	433

(1)On April 1, 2020, in response to the reduction in cash flow related to the reduction in Enable quarterly common unit distributions announced by Enable on April 1, 2020, CenterPoint Energy announced a reduction of its quarterly Common Stock dividend per share from $0.2900 to $0.1500.

CenterPoint Energy paid dividends on its Series A Preferred Stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 as presented in the table below:


Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Per Share		Total (in millions)
February 3, 2020	February 14, 2020	March 2, 2020	$	30.6250	$	25
July 29, 2020	August 14, 2020	September 1, 2020	30.6250		24
Total 2020			$	61.2500	$	49

December 12, 2018	February 15, 2019	March 1, 2019	$	32.1563	$	26
July 31, 2019	August 15, 2019	September 3, 2019	30.6250		24
Total 2019			$	62.7813	$	50

CenterPoint Energy paid dividends on its Series B Preferred Stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 as presented in the table below:


Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Per Share		Total (in millions)
February 3, 2020	February 14, 2020	March 2, 2020	$	17.5000	$	17
April 24, 2020	May 15, 2020	June 1, 2020	17.5000		17
July 29, 2020	August 14, 2020	September 1, 2020	17.5000		17

Total 2020			$	52.5000	$	51

December 12, 2018	February 15, 2019	March 1, 2019	$	17.5000	$	17
April 25, 2019	May 15, 2019	June 3, 2019	17.5000		17
July 31, 2019	August 15, 2019	September 3, 2019	17.5000		17

Total 2019			$	52.5000	$	51

CenterPoint Energy paid dividends on its Series C Preferred Stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as presented in the table below:


Declaration Date		Record Date	Payment Date	Per Share		Total (in millions)
April 24, 2020	(1)	May 21, 2020	June 11, 2020	$	0.1500	$	7
July 29, 2020		August 20, 2020	September 10, 2020	0.1500		7
Total 2020				$	0.3000	$	14

(1)Declaration date for dividends on Common Stock. The Series C Preferred Stock is entitled to participate in any dividend or distribution (excluding those payable in Common Stock) with the Common Stock on a pari passu, pro rata, as-converted basis. The per share amount reflects the dividend per share of Common Stock as if the Series C Preferred Stock were converted into Common Stock.

Income Allocated to Preferred Shareholders (CenterPoint Energy)


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Series A Preferred Stock	$	12	$	12	$	37	$	37
Series B Preferred Stock	17		17		51		51
Series C Preferred Stock	7		—		14		—
Preferred dividend requirement	36		29		102		88
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature	16		—		25		—
Total income allocated to preferred shareholders	$	52	$	29	$	127	$	88

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

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


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2020						2019
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Beginning Balance	$	(84)	$	—	$	10	$	(105)	$	(15)	$	5
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications:

Deferred loss from interest rate derivatives (1)	—		—		—		(2)		—		—
Other comprehensive income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates	1		—		—		(2)		—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss:

Actuarial losses (2)	2		—		—		2		—		—

Tax expense	(1)		—		—		—		—		—
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	2		—		—		(2)		—		—
Ending Balance	$	(82)	$	—	$	10	$	(107)	$	(15)	$	5

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020						2019
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Beginning Balance	$	(98)	$	(15)	$	10	$	(108)	$	(14)	$	5
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications:

Deferred loss from interest rate derivatives (1)	—		—		—		(3)		(1)		—
Other comprehensive loss from unconsolidated affiliates	(2)		—		—		(2)		—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service cost (2)	1		—		—		1		—		—
Actuarial losses (2)	5		—		—		6		—		—
Reclassification of deferred loss from cash flow hedges realized in net income	—		—		—		1		—		—
Reclassification of deferred loss from cash flow hedges (3)	19		19		—		—		—		—
Tax expense	(7)		(4)		—		(2)		—		—
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	16		15		—		1		(1)		—
Ending Balance	$	(82)	$	—	$	10	$	(107)	$	(15)	$	5

(1)Gains and losses are reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income into income when the hedged transactions affect earnings. The reclassification amounts are included in Interest and other finance charges in each of the Registrants’ respective Statements of Consolidated Income. Over the next twelve months estimated amortization from Accumulated Comprehensive Income into income is expected to be immaterial.

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

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

Series C Preferred Stock Private Placement (CenterPoint Energy)

On May 6, 2020, CenterPoint Energy entered into agreements for the private placement of 725,000 shares of its Series C Preferred Stock, at a price of $1,000 share, resulting in net proceeds of $724 million after issuance costs.

The Series C Preferred Stock is entitled to participate in any dividend or distribution (excluding those payable in Common Stock) with the Common Stock on a pari passu, pro rata, as-converted basis. At liquidation, the Series C Preferred Stock will rank pari passu to the existing Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock and senior to the Common Stock, but will participate in a liquidation only on an as-converted to Common Stock basis.

Conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock is mandatory upon the occurrence of any of the following triggers: (i) the 12-month anniversary date of the preferred stock purchase agreements, (ii) a bankruptcy event, and (iii) a fundamental change in CenterPoint Energy, including, among other things certain change of control events. Upon a mandatory conversion, each share of Series C Preferred Stock will convert into the number of Common Stock equal to the quotient of $1,000 divided by the prevailing conversion price, which is initially $15.31. In a conversion at the 12-month anniversary date, in lieu of issuing Common Stock, CenterPoint Energy may, at its election, make a cash payment equal to the product of (i) the then current market price of the Common Stock multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock that such holder would have been entitled to receive in a conversion. Following the six-month anniversary date of the issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock, holders of Series C Preferred Stock also have an optional right to convert their holdings to Common Stock at any time, subject to a limit on conversion of no more than 4.9% of the outstanding Common Stock. The conversion price is subject to adjustment for subdivisions and combinations, dividends or distributions payable in common stock. If all of the 725,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock converted at the initial conversion price, CenterPoint Energy would issue an incremental 47,354,670 shares of Common Stock.

CenterPoint Energy may not issue more than a specified amount of outstanding Common Stock upon conversion of Preferred Stock. Once such specified amount has been reached, each Series C Preferred Stock holder electing to convert or subject to mandatory conversion will receive a cash payment equal to the product of (i) the market price of the Common Stock multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock that such holder would have been entitled to receive in a conversion. On June 1, 2020, CenterPoint Energy filed a shelf registration statement with the SEC registering 58,051,121 shares of Common Stock, equal to the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable in the aggregate upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock pursuant to the preferred stock purchase agreements.

Series C Preferred Stock holders have no voting rights, except that the affirmative vote of a majority of outstanding Series C Preferred Stock is required for the company to (i) create any class or series of securities that is senior to the Series C Preferred Stock; (ii) reclassify or amend any authorized securities of CenterPoint Energy if reclassification would render the relevant security senior to the Series C Preferred Stock; or (iii) increase the authorized amount or issue any additional shares of Series C Preferred Stock.

The vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock is needed to amend the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock in any manner that would adversely alter or change the rights of the Series C Preferred Stock, subject to certain exceptions.

Common Stock Private Placement (CenterPoint Energy)

On May 6, 2020, CenterPoint Energy entered into agreements for the private placement of 41,977,612 shares of its Common Stock, at a price of $16.08 share, resulting in net proceeds of $673 million after issuance costs. On June 1, 2020, CenterPoint Energy filed a shelf registration statement with the SEC registering these 41,977,612 shares of Common Stock.

Subsequent Events (CenterPoint Energy)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events (CenterPoint Energy)

CenterPoint Energy Dividend Declarations

Equity Instrument

Declaration Date

Record Date

Payment Date

Per Share

Common Stock

October 29, 2020

November 19, 2020

December 10, 2020

0.1500

Series B Preferred Stock

October 29, 2020

November 13, 2020

December 1, 2020

17.5000

Series C Preferred Stock (1)

October 29, 2020

November 19, 2020

December 10, 2020

0.1500

(1)The Series C Preferred Stock is entitled to participate in any dividend or distribution (excluding those payable in Common Stock) with the Common Stock on a pari passu, pro rata, as-converted basis. The per share amount reflects the dividend per share of Common Stock as if the Series C Preferred Stock were converted into Common Stock.

Enable Distributions Declarations (CenterPoint Energy)

Equity Instrument

Declaration Date

Record Date

Payment Date

Per Unit Distribution

Expected Cash Distribution
(in millions)

Enable common units

November 3, 2020

November 17, 2020

November 24, 2020

0.16525

Enable Series A Preferred Units

November 3, 2020

November 13, 2020

0.62500

New Accounting Pronouncements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block]

The following table provides an overview of certain recently adopted or issued accounting pronouncements applicable to all the Registrants, unless otherwise noted.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

ASU Number and Name

Description

Date of Adoption

Financial Statement Impact
upon Adoption

ASU 2016-13- Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

January 1, 2020

ASU 2018-13- Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement

Adoption of eliminations and modifications as of September 30, 2018 and additions as of January 1, 2020

ASU 2019-12: Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

Transition method: prospective for all amendments that apply to the Registrants

January 1, 2020

Issued, Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards

ASU Number and Name

Description

Effective Date

Financial Statement Impact
upon Adoption

Transition method: modified retrospective

January 1, 2022

Early adoption is permitted starting January 1, 2021

Divestitures (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]

The assets and liabilities of the Infrastructure Services and Energy Services Disposal Groups classified as held for sale in CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, as applicable, as of December 31, 2019 included the following:


	December 31, 2019
	CenterPoint Energy						CERC
	Infrastructure Services Disposal Group		Energy Services Disposal Group		Total		Energy Services Disposal Group
	(in millions)
Receivables, net	$	192	$	445	$	637	$	445
Accrued unbilled revenues	109		8		117		8
Natural gas inventory	—		67		67		67
Materials and supplies	6		—		6		—
Non-trading derivative assets	—		136		136		136
Other	4		35		39		35
Total current assets held for sale	311		691		1,002		691
Property, plant and equipment, net	295		26		321		26
Goodwill	220		62		282		62
Non-trading derivative assets	—		58		58		58
Other	234		67		301		67
Total non-current assets held for sale	749		213		962		213
Total assets held for sale	$	1,060	$	904	$	1,964	$	904

Accounts payable	$	45	$	299	$	344	$	299
Taxes accrued	2		—		2		—
Non-trading derivative liabilities	—		44		44		44
Other	40		25		65		25
Total current liabilities held for sale	87		368		455		368
Non-trading derivative liabilities	—		14		14		14
Benefit obligations	—		4		4		4
Other	16		9		25		9
Total non-current liabilities held for sale	16		27		43		27
Total liabilities held for sale	$	103	$	395	$	498	$	395

Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Table Text Block]


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019		2020		2019		2020		2019
	CenterPoint Energy												CERC
	Infrastructure Services Disposal Group				Energy Services Disposal Group				Total				Energy Services Disposal Group
	(in millions)
Revenues	$	—	$	377	$	—	$	740	$	—	$	1,117	$	—	$	740
Expenses:
Non-utility cost of revenues	—		96		—		715		—		811		—		715
Operation and maintenance	—		235		—		17		—		252		—		17
Depreciation and amortization	—		15		—		3		—		18		—		3
Taxes other than income taxes	—		1		—		—		—		1		—		—
Total	—		347		—		735		—		1,082		—		735


Income (loss) from Discontinued Operations before income taxes	—		30		—		5		—		35		—		5
Gain (loss) on classification to held for sale, net (2)	(9)		—		3		—		(6)		—		3		—
Income tax expense (benefit)	(1)		15		1		1		—		16		1		2
Net income (loss) from Discontinued Operations	$	(8)	$	15	$	2	$	4	$	(6)	$	19	$	2	$	3


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019 (1)		2020		2019		2020		2019		2020		2019
	CenterPoint Energy												CERC
	Infrastructure Services Disposal Group				Energy Services Disposal Group				Total				Energy Services Disposal Group
	(in millions)
Revenues	$	250	$	849	$	1,167	$	2,834	$	1,417	$	3,683	$	1,167	$	2,834
Expenses:
Non-utility cost of revenues	50		228		1,108		2,701		1,158		2,929		1,108		2,701
Operation and maintenance	184		526		34		51		218		577		34		51
Depreciation and amortization	—		39		—		10		—		49		—		10
Taxes other than income taxes	1		1		3		—		4		1		3		—
Total	235		794		1,145		2,762		1,380		3,556		1,145		2,762


Income (loss) from Discontinued Operations before income taxes	15		55		22		72		37		127		22		72
Gain (loss) on classification to held for sale, net (2)	(102)		—		(96)		—		(198)		—		(90)		—
Income tax expense (benefit)	24		21		(3)		17		21		38		(2)		15
Net income (loss) from Discontinued Operations	$	(111)	$	34	$	(71)	$	55	$	(182)	$	89	$	(66)	$	57

(1)Reflects February 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019 results only due to the Merger.

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

Revenues and expenses incurred by CenterPoint Energy and CERC for natural gas transportation and supply until the closing of the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group were as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	CenterPoint Energy				CERC
	(in millions)
Transportation revenue	$	—	$	33	$	—	$	33
Natural gas expense	—		10		—		10

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020 (1)		2019		2020 (1)		2019
	CenterPoint Energy				CERC
	(in millions)
Transportation revenue	$	34	$	81	$	34	$	81
Natural gas expense	48		90		47		89

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

are as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	CenterPoint Energy				CERC
	(in millions)
Pipeline construction and repair services capitalized	$	—	$	45	$	—	$	3
Pipeline construction and repair service charges in operations and maintenance expense	—		1		—		1

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020 (1)		2019 (2)		2020		2019
	CenterPoint Energy				CERC
	(in millions)
Pipeline construction and repair services capitalized	$	34	$	112	$	—	$	12
Pipeline construction and repair service charges in operations and maintenance expense	1		5		1		2

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

(2)Represents charges for the period beginning February 1, 2019 due to the Merger.

Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations Cash Flow [Table Text Block]


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019 (1)		2020		2019		2020		2019
	CenterPoint Energy								CERC
	Infrastructure Services Disposal Group				Energy Services Disposal Group				Energy Services Disposal Group
	(in millions)
Depreciation and amortization	$	—	$	39	$	—	$	10	$	—	$	10

Amortization of intangible assets in Non-utility cost of revenues	—		15		—		—		—		—
Write-down of natural gas inventory	—		—		3		5		3		5
Capital expenditures	16		53		1		12		1		12
Non-cash transactions:
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures	2		1		4		1		4		1

(1)Reflects February 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019 results only due to the Merger.

Tabular disclosure of information related to a disposal group. Includes, but is not limited to, a discontinued operation, disposal classified as held-for-sale or disposed of by means other than sale or disposal of an individually significant component.

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Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block]

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

CenterPoint Energy


	Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
	Houston Electric T&D		Indiana Electric Integrated		Natural Gas Distribution		Corporate and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	828	$	157	$	550	$	75	$	1,610

Other (1)	—		—		10		2		12

Total revenues	$	828	$	157	$	560	$	77	$	1,622

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
	Houston Electric T&D		Indiana Electric Integrated		Natural Gas Distribution		Corporate and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	2,188	$	414	$	2,475	$	240	$	5,317

Other (1)	(2)		—		44		5		47

Total revenues	$	2,186	$	414	$	2,519	$	245	$	5,364


	Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
	Houston Electric T&D		Indiana Electric Integrated		Natural Gas Distribution		Corporate and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	861	$	165	$	527	$	91	$	1,644

Other (1)	(2)		—		14		2		14

Total revenues	$	859	$	165	$	541	$	93	$	1,658

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
	Houston Electric T&D		Indiana Electric Integrated (2)		Natural Gas Distribution (2)		Corporate and Other (2)		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	2,319	$	388	$	2,603	$	210	$	5,520

Other (1)	(6)		—		26		5		25

Total revenues	$	2,313	$	388	$	2,629	$	215	$	5,545

(2)Reflects revenues from Vectren subsidiaries for the period from February 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019.

Houston Electric


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	828	$	861	$	2,188	$	2,319
Other (1)	—		(2)		(6)		(9)
Total revenues	$	828	$	859	$	2,182	$	2,310

(1)Primarily consists of income from ARPs, weather hedge gains (losses) and leases. ARPs are contracts between the utility and its regulators, not between the utility and a customer. The Registrants recognize ARP revenue as other revenues when the regulator-specified conditions for recognition have been met. Upon recovery of ARP revenue through incorporation in rates charged for utility service to customers, ARP revenue is reversed and recorded as revenue from contracts with customers. The recognition of ARP revenues and the reversal of ARP revenues upon recovery through rates charged for utility service may not occur in the same period. Lease income was not significant for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

CERC


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2020						2019
	Natural Gas Distribution		Corporate and Other		Total		Natural Gas Distribution		Corporate and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	414	$	3	$	417	$	403	$	5	$	408

Other (1)	8		1		9		12		—		12

Total revenues	$	422	$	4	$	426	$	415	$	5	$	420

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020						2019
	Natural Gas Distribution		Corporate and Other		Total		Natural Gas Distribution		Corporate and Other		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue from contracts	$	1,865	$	8	$	1,873	$	2,123	$	6	$	2,129

Other (1)	45		2		47		29		—		29

Total revenues	$	1,910	$	10	$	1,920	$	2,152	$	6	$	2,158

(1)Primarily consists of income from ARPs, weather hedge gains (losses) and leases. ARPs are contracts between the utility and its regulators, not between the utility and a customer. The Registrants recognize ARP revenue as other revenues when the regulator-specified conditions for recognition have been met. Upon recovery of ARP revenue through incorporation in rates charged for utility service to customers, ARP revenue is reversed and recorded as revenue from contracts with customers. The recognition of ARP revenues and the reversal of ARP revenues upon recovery through rates charged for utility service may not occur in the same period. Lease income was not significant for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability [Table Text Block]

CenterPoint Energy


	Accounts Receivable		Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues		Contract Assets		Contract Liabilities
	(in millions)
Opening balance as of December 31, 2019	$	566	$	469	$	6	$	30
Closing balance as of September 30, 2020	568		285		22		20
Increase (decrease)	$	2	$	(184)	$	16	$	(10)

Houston Electric


	Accounts Receivable		Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues		Contract Liabilities
	(in millions)
Opening balance as of December 31, 2019	$	210	$	117	$	3
Closing balance as of September 30, 2020	321		124		4
Increase	$	111	$	7	$	1

CERC


	Accounts Receivable		Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues
	(in millions)
Opening balance as of December 31, 2019	$	222	$	249
Closing balance as of September 30, 2020	123		91
Decrease	$	(99)	$	(158)

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

Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Table Text Block]


	Rolling 12 Months		Thereafter		Total
	(in millions)
Revenue expected to be recognized on contracts in place as of September 30, 2020:

Corporate and Other	$	209	$	590	$	799
	$	209	$	590	$	799

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]

Pension Benefits (CenterPoint Energy)


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	10	$	10	$	32	$	30
Interest cost (2)	18		25		56		73
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(28)		(27)		(85)		(79)
Amortization of prior service cost (2)	—		2		—		6
Amortization of net loss (2)	10		13		31		39

Settlement cost (2) (3)	1		1		2		2
Curtailment gain (2) (4)	—		—		—		(1)
Net periodic cost	$	11	$	24	$	36	$	70

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

Postretirement Benefits


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2020						2019
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	1	$	—	$	1	$	2	$	—	$	—
Interest cost (2)	2		1		—		4		1		2
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(1)		(1)		(1)		(3)		(1)		—
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (2)	(1)		(1)		1		(1)		(1)		—





Net periodic cost (income)	$	1	$	(1)	$	1	$	2	$	(1)	$	2

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020						2019
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Service cost (1)	$	2	$	—	$	1	$	3	$	—	$	1
Interest cost (2)	8		4		2		12		5		4
Expected return on plan assets (2)	(4)		(3)		(1)		(6)		(3)		(1)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (2)	(3)		(4)		1		(3)		(4)		—





Net periodic cost (income)	$	3	$	(3)	$	3	$	6	$	(2)	$	4

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

Benefit Plan Contributions [Table Text Block]

The table below reflects the expected contributions to be made to the pension and postretirement benefit plans during 2020:


	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Expected minimum contribution to pension plans during 2020	$	84	$	—	$	—
Expected contribution to postretirement benefit plans in 2020	11		3		3

The table below reflects the contributions made to the pension and postretirement benefit plans during 2020:


	Three Months Ended September 30, 2020						Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Pension plans	$	79	$	—	$	—	$	84	$	—	$	—
Postretirement benefit plans	2		1		1		8		3		2

Regulatory Matters (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Other Disclosures [Abstract]

Amount Allowed equity return recognized in period [Table Text Block]

The timing of CenterPoint Energy’s and Houston Electric’s recognition of the equity return will vary each period based on amounts actually collected during that period. The unrecognized equity return will be recognized as it is recovered in rates through 2024. The actual amounts recognized are adjusted at least annually to correct any over-collections or under-collections during the preceding 12 months.


	CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Allowed equity return recognized	$	10	$	14	$	24	$	38

Derivative Instruments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions [Table Text Block]

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


	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Hedging Classification	Notional Principal

	(in millions)
Economic hedge (1)	$	84		$	84

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

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]

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


		September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Balance Sheet Location	Derivative Assets Fair Value		Derivative Liabilities Fair Value		Derivative Assets Fair Value		Derivative Liabilities Fair Value
		(in millions)




Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Natural gas derivatives (1)	Current Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	$	—	$	1	$	—	$	7
Natural gas derivatives (1)	Other Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	—		6		—		15
Interest rate derivatives	Other Liabilities	—		24		—		10
Indexed debt securities derivative (2)	Current Liabilities	—		918		—		893

Total		$	—	$	949	$	—	$	925

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

Income Statement Impact of Derivative Activity [Table Text Block]

Income Statement Impact of Hedge Accounting Activity (CenterPoint Energy)


		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	Income Statement Location	2020		2019		2020		2019
		(in millions)
Effects of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the income statement:
Indexed debt securities derivative	Gain (loss) on indexed debt securities	$	(84)	$	(62)	$	(25)	$	(216)

Total		$	(84)	$	(62)	$	(25)	$	(216)

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair value, assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis [Table Text Block]

CenterPoint Energy


	September 30, 2020						December 31, 2019
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets	(in millions)
Corporate equities	$	838	$	—	$	—	$	838	$	825	$	—	$	—	$	825
Investments, including money market funds (1)	44		—		—		44		49		—		—		49





Total assets	$	882	$	—	$	—	$	882	$	874	$	—	$	—	$	874
Liabilities
Indexed debt securities derivative	$	—	$	918	$	—	$	918	$	—	$	893	$	—	$	893
Interest rate derivatives	—		24		—		24		—		10		—		10
Natural gas derivatives	—		7		—		7		—		22		—		22



Total liabilities	$	—	$	949	$	—	$	949	$	—	$	925	$	—	$	925

Houston Electric


	September 30, 2020						December 31, 2019
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets	(in millions)
Investments, including money market funds (1)	$	27	$	—	$	—	$	27	$	32	$	—	$	—	$	32

Total assets	$	27	$	—	$	—	$	27	$	32	$	—	$	—	$	32

CERC


	September 30, 2020						December 31, 2019
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets	(in millions)
Corporate equities	$	2	$	—	$	—	$	2	$	2	$	—	$	—	$	2
Investments, including money market funds (1)	11		—		—		11		11		—		—		11
Total assets	$	13	$	—	$	—	$	13	$	13	$	—	$	—	$	13

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

Estimated fair value of financial instruments, debt instruments [Table Text Block]


	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(in millions)
CenterPoint Energy
Long-term debt, including current maturities (1)	$	13,268	$	14,982	$	15,093	$	16,067
Houston Electric
Long-term debt, including current maturities (1)	$	5,089	$	5,968	$	4,950	$	5,457
CERC
Long-term debt, including current maturities	$	2,582	$	2,973	$	2,546	$	2,803

(1)Includes Securitization Bonds debt.

Unconsolidated Affiliate (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates (CenterPoint Energy):


	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
	(in millions)
Enable	$	748	$	2,406
Other	1		2
Total	$	749	$	2,408

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


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Enable	$	(67)	$	77	$	(1,499)	$	213
Other	—		—		—		—
Total	$	(67)	$	77	$	(1,499)	$	213

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


	September 30, 2020
	Limited Partner Interest (1)		Common Units (2)	Enable Series A Preferred Units (3)
CenterPoint Energy	53.7	%	233,856,623	14,520,000
OGE	25.5	%	110,982,805	—
Public unitholders	20.8	%	90,629,240	—

Total units outstanding	100.0	%	435,468,668	14,520,000

(1)Excludes the Enable Series A Preferred Units owned by CenterPoint Energy.

(2)Held indirectly through CNP Midstream by CenterPoint Energy.

Interests Held in Enable GP (CenterPoint Energy):


	September 30, 2020
	Management Rights (1)		Incentive Distribution Rights (2)
CenterPoint Energy (3)	50	%	40	%
OGE	50	%	60	%

(3)Held indirectly through CNP Midstream.

Distributions Received from Enable (CenterPoint Energy):

CenterPoint Energy


	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
	Per Unit		Cash Distribution		Per Unit		Cash Distribution		Per Unit		Cash Distribution		Per Unit		Cash Distribution
	(in millions, except per unit amounts)
Enable common units (1)	$	0.16525	$	39	$	0.3305	$	77	$	0.6610	$	155	$	0.9665	$	226
Enable Series A Preferred Units	0.62500		9		0.6250		9		1.8750		27		1.8750		27
Total CenterPoint Energy			$	48			$	86			$	182			$	253

(1)On April 1, 2020, Enable announced a 50% reduction in its quarterly distribution per common unit from $0.3305 to $0.16525.

Transactions with Enable (CenterPoint Energy and CERC):

The transactions with Enable in the following tables exclude transactions with the Energy Services Disposal Group. See Note 3 for further information.


	CenterPoint Energy and CERC
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Natural gas expenses, includes transportation and storage costs	$	17	$	17	$	61	$	62


	CenterPoint Energy and CERC
	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
	(in millions)
Accounts payable for natural gas purchases from Enable	$	6	$	9
Accounts receivable for amounts billed for services provided to Enable	1		2

Summarized unaudited consolidated income information for Enable is as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Operating revenues	$	596	$	699	$	1,759	$	2,229
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization	250		263		653		958
Depreciation and amortization	105		108		314		323
Goodwill and long-lived assets impairments	—		—		28		—
Operating income	100		175		326		507
Net income (loss) attributable to Enable common units	(173)		123		(35)		351


Reconciliation of Equity in Earnings (Losses), net:
CenterPoint Energy’s interest	$	(93)	$	66	$	(19)	$	189
Basis difference amortization (1)	26		11		62		35
Loss on dilution, net of proportional basis difference recognition	—		—		(1)		(11)
Impairment of CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable	—		—		(1,541)		—
CenterPoint Energy’s equity in earnings (losses), net	$	(67)	$	77	$	(1,499)	$	213

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


	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
	(in millions)
Current assets	$	373	$	389
Non-current assets	11,402		11,877
Current liabilities	644		780
Non-current liabilities	4,055		4,077
Non-controlling interest	26		37
Preferred equity	362		362
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(7)		(3)
Enable partners’ equity	6,695		7,013


Reconciliation of Investment in Enable:
CenterPoint Energy’s ownership interest in Enable partners’ equity	$	3,592	$	3,767
CenterPoint Energy’s basis difference (1)	(2,844)		(1,361)

CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable	$	748	$	2,406

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

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]

CenterPoint Energy’s goodwill by reportable segment as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is as follows:


	December 31, 2019		Impairment		September 30, 2020
	(in millions)
Indiana Electric Integrated (1)	$	1,121	$	185	$	936
Natural Gas Distribution	3,312		—		3,312


Corporate and Other	449		—		449

Total	$	4,882	$	185	$	4,697

(1) CenterPoint Energy recognized a non-cash goodwill impairment charge as a result of the March 31, 2020 goodwill impairment test.

CERC’s goodwill by reportable segment as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is as follows:


	(in millions)
Natural Gas Distribution	$	746

Corporate and Other	11
Total	$	757

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]


	September 30, 2020						December 31, 2019
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Balance		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Balance
	(in millions)
Customer relationships	$	33	$	(7)	$	26	$	33	$	(4)	$	29

Trade names	16		(3)		13		16		(1)		15
Construction backlog (1)	5		(4)		1		5		(4)		1
Operation and maintenance agreements (1)	12		(1)		11		12		—		12
Other	2		(1)		1		2		(1)		1
Total	$	68	$	(16)	$	52	$	68	$	(10)	$	58

Finite-lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Amortization expense of intangible assets recorded in Depreciation and amortization (1)	$	2	$	1	$	5	$	2
Amortization expense of intangible assets recorded in Non-utility cost of revenues, including natural gas (1)	—		1		1		4

(1)Assets held for sale are not amortized. The table reflects amortization on continuing operations. For further information on discontinued operations, see Note 3.

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]

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


	Amortization Expense (1)
	CenterPoint Energy
	(in millions)
Remaining three months of 2020	$	2
2021	6
2022	6
2023	6
2024	5
2025	5

(1)Assets held for sale are not amortized. The table reflects amortization on continuing operations. For further information on discontinued operations, see Note 3.

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

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Schedule of Indexed Debt Securities and Marketable Securities [Table Text Block]


	Shares Held
	September 30, 2020	December 31, 2019
AT&T Common	10,212,945	10,212,945
Charter Common	872,503	872,503

(b) ZENS

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


	September 30, 2020	December 31, 2019
	(in shares)
AT&T Common	0.7185	0.7185
Charter Common	0.061382	0.061382

Long-term Debt (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities [Table Text Block]

Credit Facilities. The Registrants had the following revolving credit facilities as of September 30, 2020:


Execution Date	Registrant	Size of Facility		Draw Rate of LIBOR plus (1)	Financial Covenant Limit on Debt for Borrowed Money to Capital Ratio		Debt for Borrowed Money to Capital Ratio as of September 30, 2020 (2)	Termination Date
		(in millions)
March 3, 2016	CenterPoint Energy	$	3,300	1.500%	65%	(3)	53.4%	March 3, 2022
July 14, 2017	CenterPoint Energy (4)	400		1.125%	65%		52.5%	July 14, 2022

March 3, 2016	Houston Electric	300		1.250%	65%	(3)	53.2%	March 3, 2022
March 3, 2016	CERC	900		1.125%	65%		52.7%	March 3, 2022
	Total	$	4,900

(1)Based on current credit ratings.

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

The Registrants, including the subsidiaries of CenterPoint Energy discussed above, were in compliance with all financial debt covenants as of September 30, 2020.

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


	September 30, 2020								December 31, 2019
Registrant	Loans		Letters of Credit		Commercial Paper		Weighted Average Interest Rate		Loans		Letters of Credit		Commercial Paper		Weighted Average Interest Rate
	(in millions, except weighted average interest rate)
CenterPoint Energy (1)	$	—	$	8	$	638	0.19	%	$	—	$	6	$	1,633	1.95	%
CenterPoint Energy (2)	—		—		176		0.19	%	—		—		268		2.08	%

Houston Electric	—		—		—		—	%	—		—		—		—	%
CERC	—		—		407		0.17	%	—		1		377		1.94	%
Total	$	—	$	8	$	1,221			$	—	$	7	$	2,278

(1)CenterPoint Energy’s outstanding commercial paper generally has maturities of 60 days or less.

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

Income Taxes (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

The Registrants reported the following effective tax rates:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
CenterPoint Energy - Continuing operations (1) (2)	(9)	%	15	%	29	%	12	%
CenterPoint Energy - Discontinued operations (3) (4)	—	%	46	%	(13)	%	30	%
Houston Electric (5)	14	%	18	%	15	%	18	%
CERC - Continuing operations (6) (7)	60	%	23	%	13	%	9	%
CERC - Discontinued operations (8) (9)	33	%	40	%	3	%	21	%

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Table Text Block]

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


	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions)
Remaining three months of 2020	$	224	$	163
2021	662		486
2022	496		325
2023	418		271
2024	340		246
2025	290		220
2026 and beyond	1,817		1,496

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


	September 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions, except years)
Amount accrued for remediation	$	12	$	7
Minimum estimated remediation costs	7		4
Maximum estimated remediation costs	54		32
Minimum years of remediation	5		30
Maximum years of remediation	50		50

Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy) (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

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


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions, except per share and share amounts)
Numerator:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	127	$	251	$	(791)	$	545
Less: Preferred stock dividend requirement (Note 19)	36		29		102		88
Less: Amortization of beneficial conversion feature (Note 19)	16		—		25		—
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to preferred shareholders (1)	—		—		—		—
Income (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations - basic and diluted	75		222		(918)		457
Income (loss) available to common shareholders from discontinued operations - basic and diluted	(6)		19		(182)		89
Income (loss) available to common shareholders - basic and diluted	$	69	$	241	$	(1,100)	$	546
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	544,811,000		502,228,000		525,160,000		501,986,000
Plus: Incremental shares from assumed conversions:
Restricted stock (4)	3,377,000		2,852,000		—		2,852,000
Series B Preferred Stock (2)	—		—		—		—
Series C Preferred Stock (3)	—		—		—		—
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	548,188,000		505,080,000		525,160,000		504,838,000

Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations	$	0.14	$	0.44	$	(1.75)	$	0.91
Basic earnings (loss) per common share - discontinued operations	(0.01)		0.04		(0.35)		0.18
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	$	0.13	$	0.48	$	(2.10)	$	1.09
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations	$	0.14	$	0.44	$	(1.75)	$	0.91
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share - discontinued operations	(0.01)		0.03		(0.35)		0.17
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	$	0.13	$	0.47	$	(2.10)	$	1.08

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

Reportable Segments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]

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

CenterPoint Energy


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2020							2019
	Revenues from External Customers			Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates		Net Income (Loss)		Revenues from External Customers			Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates		Net Income (Loss)
	(in millions)
Houston Electric T&D	$	828	(1)	$	—	$	157	$	859	(1)	$	—	$	185
Indiana Electric Integrated	157			—		31		165			—		34
Natural Gas Distribution	560			—		5		541			—		6
Midstream Investments (2)	—			(67)		(62)		—			77		50
Corporate and Other	77			—		(4)		93			—		(24)

Continuing Operations	$	1,622		$	(67)	127		$	1,658		$	77	251
Discontinued Operations, net						(6)							19
Consolidated						$	121						$	270

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020							2019
	Revenues from External Customers			Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates		Net Income (Loss)		Revenues from External Customers			Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates		Net Income (Loss)
	(in millions)
Houston Electric T&D	$	2,186	(1)	$	—	$	281	$	2,313	(1)	$	—	$	315
Indiana Electric Integrated	414			—		(121)		388			—		41
Natural Gas Distribution	2,519			—		242		2,629			—		149
Midstream Investments (2)	—			(1,499)		(1,165)		—			213		124
Corporate and Other	245			—		(28)		215			—		(84)

Continuing Operations	$	5,364		$	(1,499)	(791)		$	5,545		$	213	545
Discontinued Operations, net						(182)							89
Consolidated						$	(973)						$	634

(1)Houston Electric T&D’s revenues from major external customers are as follows (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric):


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Affiliates of NRG	$	243	$	231	$	573	$	547
Affiliates of Vistra Energy Corp.	128		83		301		196

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

CERC


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2020				2019
	Revenues from External Customers		Net Income (Loss)		Revenues from External Customers		Net Income (Loss)
	(in millions)
Natural Gas Distribution	$	422	$	1	$	415	$	5
Corporate and Other	4		(7)		5		(15)

Continuing Operations	$	426	(6)		$	420	(10)
Discontinued Operations, net			2				3
Consolidated			$	(4)			$	(7)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020				2019
	Revenues from External Customers		Net Income (Loss)		Revenues from External Customers		Net Income (Loss)
	(in millions)
Natural Gas Distribution	$	1,910	$	155	$	2,152	$	134
Corporate and Other	10		(13)		6		(32)

Continuing Operations	$	1,920	142		$	2,158	102
Discontinued Operations, net			(66)				57
Consolidated			$	76			$	159

CenterPoint Energy and CERC


	Total Assets
	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions)
Houston Electric T&D	$	11,296	$	—	$	11,264	$	—
Indiana Electric Integrated	3,142		—		3,168		—
Natural Gas Distribution	14,297		7,809		14,105		7,698
Midstream Investments	805		—		2,473		—
Corporate and Other, net of eliminations	3,165		(30)		2,555		(90)

Continuing Operations	32,705		7,779		33,565		7,608
Assets Held for Sale	—		—		1,964		904
Consolidated	$	32,705	$	7,779	$	35,529	$	8,512

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

Houston Electric T&D’s revenues from major external customers are as follows (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric):


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Affiliates of NRG	$	243	$	231	$	573	$	547
Affiliates of Vistra Energy Corp.	128		83		301		196

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

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Schedule of Money Pool Investment and Borrowing [Table Text Block]

The table below summarizes CenterPoint Energy money pool activity:


	September 30, 2020						December 31, 2019
	Houston Electric			CERC			Houston Electric			CERC
	(in millions, except interest rates)
Money pool investments (borrowings) (1)	$	25		$	—		$	481		$	—
Weighted average interest rate	0.19		%	0.19		%	1.98		%	1.98		%

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

Houston Electric and CERC affiliate related net interest income (expense) were as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
	Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Interest income (expense) (1)	$	—	$	—	$	5	$	1	$	—	$	—	$	14	$	3

Amounts charged for these services were as follows and are included primarily in operation and maintenance expenses:


	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
	Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Corporate service charges	$	48	$	52	$	38	$	31	$	142	$	156	$	132	$	106
Net affiliate service charges (billings)	(4)		4		(3)		3		(14)		14		(7)		7

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


	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
	Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash dividends paid to parent	$	52	$	8	$	60	$	16	$	457	$	80	$	100	$	119
Cash contribution from parent	—		—		—		—		—		—		590		—
Capital distribution to parent associated with the sale of CES	—		—		—		—		—		286		—		—
Property, plant and equipment from parent (1)	35		23		—		—		35		23		—		—

(1)Property, plant and equipment purchased from CenterPoint Energy at its net carrying value on the date of purchase.

Equity (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Equity [Abstract]

Dividends Declared [Table Text Block]

CenterPoint Energy paid dividends on its Common Stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 as presented in the table below:


Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Per Share (1)		Total (in millions)
February 3, 2020	February 20, 2020	March 12, 2020	$	0.2900	$	145
April 24, 2020	May 21, 2020	June 11, 2020	0.1500		82


July 29, 2020	August 20, 2020	September 10, 2020	0.1500		82
Total 2020			$	0.5900	$	309

December 12, 2018	February 21, 2019	March 14, 2019	$	0.2875	$	144
April 25, 2019	May 16, 2019	June 13, 2019	0.2875		144
July 31, 2019	August 15, 2019	September 12, 2019	0.2875		145

Total 2019			$	0.8625	$	433

CenterPoint Energy paid dividends on its Series A Preferred Stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 as presented in the table below:


Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Per Share		Total (in millions)
February 3, 2020	February 14, 2020	March 2, 2020	$	30.6250	$	25
July 29, 2020	August 14, 2020	September 1, 2020	30.6250		24
Total 2020			$	61.2500	$	49

December 12, 2018	February 15, 2019	March 1, 2019	$	32.1563	$	26
July 31, 2019	August 15, 2019	September 3, 2019	30.6250		24
Total 2019			$	62.7813	$	50

CenterPoint Energy paid dividends on its Series B Preferred Stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 as presented in the table below:


Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Per Share		Total (in millions)
February 3, 2020	February 14, 2020	March 2, 2020	$	17.5000	$	17
April 24, 2020	May 15, 2020	June 1, 2020	17.5000		17
July 29, 2020	August 14, 2020	September 1, 2020	17.5000		17

Total 2020			$	52.5000	$	51

December 12, 2018	February 15, 2019	March 1, 2019	$	17.5000	$	17
April 25, 2019	May 15, 2019	June 3, 2019	17.5000		17
July 31, 2019	August 15, 2019	September 3, 2019	17.5000		17

Total 2019			$	52.5000	$	51

CenterPoint Energy paid dividends on its Series C Preferred Stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as presented in the table below:


Declaration Date		Record Date	Payment Date	Per Share		Total (in millions)
April 24, 2020	(1)	May 21, 2020	June 11, 2020	$	0.1500	$	7
July 29, 2020		August 20, 2020	September 10, 2020	0.1500		7
Total 2020				$	0.3000	$	14

Income Allocated to Preferred Shareholders (CenterPoint Energy)


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Series A Preferred Stock	$	12	$	12	$	37	$	37
Series B Preferred Stock	17		17		51		51
Series C Preferred Stock	7		—		14		—
Preferred dividend requirement	36		29		102		88
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature	16		—		25		—
Total income allocated to preferred shareholders	$	52	$	29	$	127	$	88

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

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


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2020						2019
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Beginning Balance	$	(84)	$	—	$	10	$	(105)	$	(15)	$	5
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications:

Deferred loss from interest rate derivatives (1)	—		—		—		(2)		—		—
Other comprehensive income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates	1		—		—		(2)		—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss:

Actuarial losses (2)	2		—		—		2		—		—

Tax expense	(1)		—		—		—		—		—
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	2		—		—		(2)		—		—
Ending Balance	$	(82)	$	—	$	10	$	(107)	$	(15)	$	5

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020						2019
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Beginning Balance	$	(98)	$	(15)	$	10	$	(108)	$	(14)	$	5
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications:

Deferred loss from interest rate derivatives (1)	—		—		—		(3)		(1)		—
Other comprehensive loss from unconsolidated affiliates	(2)		—		—		(2)		—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service cost (2)	1		—		—		1		—		—
Actuarial losses (2)	5		—		—		6		—		—
Reclassification of deferred loss from cash flow hedges realized in net income	—		—		—		1		—		—
Reclassification of deferred loss from cash flow hedges (3)	19		19		—		—		—		—
Tax expense	(7)		(4)		—		(2)		—		—
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	16		15		—		1		(1)		—
Ending Balance	$	(82)	$	—	$	10	$	(107)	$	(15)	$	5

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

Subsequent Events (CenterPoint Energy) (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Schedule of Subsequent Events [Table Text Block]

CenterPoint Energy Dividend Declarations

Equity Instrument

Declaration Date

Record Date

Payment Date

Per Share

Common Stock

October 29, 2020

November 19, 2020

December 10, 2020

0.1500

Series B Preferred Stock

October 29, 2020

November 13, 2020

December 1, 2020

17.5000

Series C Preferred Stock (1)

October 29, 2020

November 19, 2020

December 10, 2020

0.1500

Enable Distributions Declarations (CenterPoint Energy)

Equity Instrument

Declaration Date

Record Date

Payment Date

Per Unit Distribution

Expected Cash Distribution
(in millions)

Enable common units

November 3, 2020

November 17, 2020

November 24, 2020

0.16525

Enable Series A Preferred Units

November 3, 2020

November 13, 2020

0.62500

Series C Preferred Stock

On November 2, 2020, CenterPoint Energy received notification of the intent for a shareholder to convert 100,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock. The expected conversion date is November 6, 2020. As a result of the conversion, 6,531,677 shares of Common Stock will be issued, and the outstanding number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock will decrease to 625,000.

Background and Basis of Presentation (Details)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

state

Ownership percentage of equity method investment

53.70%

^[1]

Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | Series A Preferred Units [Member]

Preferred units held | shares

14,520,000

^[2]

Number of States in which the Entity Performs Gas Delivery Services

CERC Corp [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]

Number of states in which entity operates

Number of States in which the Entity Performs Gas Delivery Services

CERC Corp [Member] | Energy Services [Member]

Number of states in which entity operates

Enable GP, LLC [Member] | CenterPoint Energy [Member]

Management rights ownership percentage

50.00%

^[3],[4]

Incentive Distribution Right, Percentage

40.00%

^[4],[5]

[1]	Excludes the Enable Series A Preferred Units owned by CenterPoint Energy.
[2]	The carrying amount of the Enable Series A Preferred Units, reflected as Preferred units - unconsolidated affiliate on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $363 million as of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. No impairment charges or adjustment due to observable price changes were required or recorded during the current or prior reporting periods.
[3]	Enable is controlled jointly by CenterPoint Energy and OGE. Sale of CenterPoint Energy’s or OGE’s ownership interests in Enable GP to a third party is subject to mutual rights of first offer and first refusal, and CenterPoint Energy is not permitted to dispose of less than all of its interest in Enable GP.
[4]	Held indirectly through CNP Midstream.
[5]	If cash distributions to Enable’s unitholders exceed $0.330625 per common unit in any quarter, Enable GP will receive increasing percentages or incentive distributions rights, up to 50%, of the cash Enable distributes in excess of that amount. In certain circumstances Enable GP will have the right to reset the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels at which the incentive distributions receive increasing percentages to higher levels based on Enable’s cash distributions at the time of the exercise of this reset election. To date, no incentive distributions have been made.

Divestitures (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Dec. 31, 2019

Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]

$ 1,136

$ 0

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Balance Sheet Disclosures [Abstract]

$ 0

185

$ 637

117

136

1,002

321

282

301

962

1,964

344

455

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]

498

1,117

1,417

3,683

811

1,158

2,929

252

218

577

Income (loss) from Discontinued Operations before income taxes

1,082

1,380

3,556

127

Gain (loss) on classification to held for sale, net (2)

^[1]

(6)

(198)

Discontinued Operation, Alternative Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

(6)

(182)

Infrastructure Services Disposal Group [Member]

Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]

Sales price of outstanding equity interests

850

Net deferred tax liabilities on sale recognized as deferred income tax benefit by CenterPoint Energy

850

127

Current tax expense (benefit) of cash taxes payable upon sale

(157)

Maximum contractual exposure under Securities Purchase Agreement

Cost to sell

Pre-tax gain on sale

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Balance Sheet Disclosures [Abstract]

192

109

311

295

220

234

749

1,060

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]

103

377

250

849

^[2]

228

^[2]

235

184

526

^[2]

^[2]

^[2]

Income (loss) from Discontinued Operations before income taxes

347

235

794

^[2]

^[2]

Gain (loss) on classification to held for sale, net (2)

^[1]

(9)

(102)

^[2]

(1)

^[2]

Discontinued Operation, Alternative Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

(8)

(111)

^[2]

Amortization of intangible assets in Non-utility cost of revenues

^[2]

^[2]

Write-down of natural gas inventory

^[2]

Capital expenditures

^[2]

Discontinued Operation, Continuing Involvement [Abstract]

^[2]

Pipeline construction and repair services capitalized

^[3]

112

^[4]

Pipeline construction and repair services charges

^[3]

^[4]

Energy Services Disposal Group [Member]

Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]

Sales price of outstanding equity interests

400

Receivable from sale of disposal group

286

Net deferred tax liabilities on sale recognized as deferred income tax benefit by CenterPoint Energy

Current tax expense (benefit) of cash taxes payable upon sale

(1)

(4)

Loss from reclassification to held for sale

Cost to sell

Pre-tax gain on sale

(3)

Outstanding obligation related to AMAs

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Balance Sheet Disclosures [Abstract]

445

136

691

213

904

299

368

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]

395

740

1,167

2,834

715

1,108

2,701

Income (loss) from Discontinued Operations before income taxes

735

1,145

2,762

Gain (loss) on classification to held for sale, net (2)

^[1]

(96)

(3)

Discontinued Operation, Alternative Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

(71)

Amortization of intangible assets in Non-utility cost of revenues

Write-down of natural gas inventory

Capital expenditures

Discontinued Operation, Continuing Involvement [Abstract]

Transportation revenue

^[5]

Natural gas expense

^[5]

Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Balance Sheet Disclosures [Abstract]

286

691

213

368

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]

(2)

Discontinued Operation, Alternative Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

(66)

CERC Corp [Member] | Infrastructure Services Disposal Group [Member]

Discontinued Operation, Continuing Involvement [Abstract]

Pipeline construction and repair services capitalized

^[3]

Pipeline construction and repair services charges

^[3]

CERC Corp [Member] | Energy Services Disposal Group [Member]

Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]

Net deferred tax liabilities on sale recognized as deferred income tax benefit by CenterPoint Energy

Current tax expense (benefit) of cash taxes payable upon sale

(1)

(4)

Outstanding obligation related to AMAs

Pre-tax gain on sale

(3)

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Balance Sheet Disclosures [Abstract]

445

136

691

213

904

299

368

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]

$ 395

740

1,167

2,834

715

1,108

2,701

Income (loss) from Discontinued Operations before income taxes

735

1,145

2,762

Gain (loss) on classification to held for sale, net (2)

^[1]

(90)

(2)

Discontinued Operation, Alternative Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

(66)

Amortization of intangible assets in Non-utility cost of revenues

Write-down of natural gas inventory

Capital expenditures

Discontinued Operation, Continuing Involvement [Abstract]

Transportation revenue

^[5]

Natural gas expense

$ 0

$ 10

$ 47

^[5]

$ 89

[1]	Loss from classification to held for sale is inclusive of goodwill impairment, gains and losses recognized upon sale, and for CenterPoint Energy, its costs to sell.
[2]	Reflects February 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019 results only due to the Merger.
[3]	Represents charges for the period January 1, 2020 until the closing of the sale of the Infrastructure Services Disposal Group.
[4]	Represents charges for the period beginning February 1, 2019 due to the Merger.
[5]	Represents charges for the period January 1, 2020 until the closing of the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group.

Revenue Recognition Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

$ 1,610

$ 1,644

$ 5,317

$ 5,520

^[1]

Houston Electric T&D [Member]

1,622

1,658

5,364

5,545

Lease Income

^[2]

828

859

2,186

2,313

157

165

414

388

Corporate and Other [Member]

560

541

2,519

2,629

Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Houston Electric T&D [Member]

245

215

828

861

2,188

2,319

^[1]

(2)

(6)

Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Indiana Electric Integrated [Member]

828

859

2,186

2,313

157

165

414

388

^[3]

^[1]

^[3]

Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]

157

165

414

388

^[3]

550

527

2,475

2,603

^[3]

^[1]

^[3]

Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]

560

541

2,519

2,629

^[3]

240

210

^[3]

^[1]

^[3]

245

215

^[3]

Houston Electric [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Houston Electric T&D [Member]

828

859

2,182

2,310

828

861

2,188

2,319

^[4]

(2)

(6)

(9)

828

859

2,182

2,310

417

408

1,873

2,129

^[5]

CERC Corp [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]

426

420

1,920

2,158

CERC Corp [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]

422

415

1,910

2,152

CERC Corp [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]

414

403

1,865

2,123

^[5]

CERC Corp [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]

422

415

1,910

2,152

^[5]

Pension Benefits [Member]

$ 4

$ 5

$ 10

$ 6

[1]

Primarily consists of income from ARPs, weather hedge gains (losses) and leases. ARPs are contracts between the utility and its regulators, not between the utility and a customer. The Registrants recognize ARP revenue as other revenues when the regulator-specified conditions for recognition have been met. Upon recovery of ARP revenue through incorporation in rates charged for utility service to customers, ARP revenue is reversed and recorded as revenue from contracts with customers. The recognition of ARP revenues and the reversal of ARP revenues upon recovery through rates charged for utility service may not occur in the same period. Total lease income was $2 million and $4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $4 million and $5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

[2]

Houston Electric T&D’s revenues from major external customers are as follows (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric):


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Affiliates of NRG	$	243	$	231	$	573	$	547
Affiliates of Vistra Energy Corp.	128		83		301		196

[3]

Reflects revenues from Vectren subsidiaries for the period from February 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019.

[4]

Primarily consists of income from ARPs, weather hedge gains (losses) and leases. ARPs are contracts between the utility and its regulators, not between the utility and a customer. The Registrants recognize ARP revenue as other revenues when the regulator-specified conditions for recognition have been met. Upon recovery of ARP revenue through incorporation in rates charged for utility service to customers, ARP revenue is reversed and recorded as revenue from contracts with customers. The recognition of ARP revenues and the reversal of ARP revenues upon recovery through rates charged for utility service may not occur in the same period. Lease income was not significant for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

[5]

Primarily consists of income from ARPs, weather hedge gains (losses) and leases. ARPs are contracts between the utility and its regulators, not between the utility and a customer. The Registrants recognize ARP revenue as other revenues when the regulator-specified conditions for recognition have been met. Upon recovery of ARP revenue through incorporation in rates charged for utility service to customers, ARP revenue is reversed and recorded as revenue from contracts with customers. The recognition of ARP revenues and the reversal of ARP revenues upon recovery through rates charged for utility service may not occur in the same period. Lease income was not significant for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

Revenue Recognition Summary of Contract Assets and Liabilities (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)
Change in Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Opening balance as of December 31, 2019	$ 566
Closing balance as of September 30, 2020	568
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable on Contracts with Customers	2
Change in Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues [Roll Forward]
Opening balance as of December 31, 2019	469
Closing balance as of September 30, 2020	285
Increase (Decrease) in Unbilled Receivables	(184)
Change in Contract Asset [Roll Forward]
Opening balance as of December 31, 2019	6
Closing balance as of September 30, 2020	22
Increase (Decrease) in Contract with Customer, Asset	16
Change in Contract Liability [Roll Forward]
Opening balance as of December 31, 2019	30
Closing balance as of September 30, 2020	20
Increase (Decrease) in Contract with Customer, Liability	(10)
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized	29
Houston Electric [Member]
Change in Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Opening balance as of December 31, 2019	210
Closing balance as of September 30, 2020	321
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable on Contracts with Customers	111
Change in Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues [Roll Forward]
Opening balance as of December 31, 2019	117
Closing balance as of September 30, 2020	124
Increase (Decrease) in Unbilled Receivables	7
Change in Contract Liability [Roll Forward]
Opening balance as of December 31, 2019	3
Closing balance as of September 30, 2020	4
Increase (Decrease) in Contract with Customer, Liability	1
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized	3
CERC Corp [Member]
Change in Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Opening balance as of December 31, 2019	222
Closing balance as of September 30, 2020	123
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable on Contracts with Customers	(99)
Change in Other Accrued Unbilled Revenues [Roll Forward]
Opening balance as of December 31, 2019	249
Closing balance as of September 30, 2020	91
Increase (Decrease) in Unbilled Receivables	$ (158)

Revenue Recognition Remaining Performance Obligations (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue expected to be recognized	$ 799
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-10-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue expected to be recognized	$ 209
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of satisfaction, period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-10-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue expected to be recognized	$ 590
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of satisfaction, period

Revenue Recognition Provision for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 [Member] $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)
Cumulative Effect on Retained Earnings	$ 5
Energy Services Disposal Group [Member]
Cumulative Effect on Retained Earnings	2
CERC Corp [Member]
Cumulative Effect on Retained Earnings	$ 5

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

$ 11

$ 24

$ 36

$ 70

Increase in defined benefit plan, plan assets

$ 115

Percent increase (decrease) change in Defined Benefit Plan Assets

5.70%

Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]

$ 3

Operation and maintenance expense [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member]

Operation and maintenance expense [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]

^[1]

Other, net [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member]

^[2]

^[3]

^[3]

(28)

(27)

(85)

(79)

Amortization of net loss (2)

^[3]

^[3]

Settlement cost (2) (3)

^[3],[4]

Curtailment gain (2) (4)

^[3],[5]

(1)

Other, net [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]

^[6]

^[6]

(1)

(3)

(4)

(6)

Houston Electric [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member]

^[6]

(1)

(3)

Houston Electric [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]

(1)

(3)

(2)

Houston Electric [Member] | Operation and maintenance expense [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]

Houston Electric [Member] | Other, net [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]

^[2]

^[6]

^[6]

(1)

(3)

CERC Corp [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member]

^[6]

(1)

(4)

CERC Corp [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]

CERC Corp [Member] | Operation and maintenance expense [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]

CERC Corp [Member] | Other, net [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]

^[2]

^[6]

^[6]

(1)

^[6]

$ 1

$ 0

$ 1

$ 0

[1]	Amounts presented in the table above are included in Operation and maintenance expense in CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, net of amounts capitalized and regulatory deferrals.
[2]	Amounts presented in the tables above are included in Operation and maintenance expense in each of the Registrants’ respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, net of amounts capitalized and regulatory deferrals.
[3]	Amounts presented in the table above are included in Other income (expense), net in CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, net of regulatory deferrals.
[4]	A one-time, non-cash settlement cost is required when the total lump sum distributions or other settlements of plan benefit obligations during a plan year exceed the service cost and interest cost components of the net periodic cost for that year. In each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, CenterPoint Energy recognized non-cash settlement costs due to lump sum settlement payments from Vectren pension plans.
[5]	A curtailment gain or loss is required when the expected future services of a significant number of employees are reduced or eliminated for the accrual of benefits. In the nine months ended September 30, 2019, CenterPoint Energy recognized a pension curtailment gain related to Vectren employees whose employment was terminated after the Merger closed.
[6]	Amounts presented in the tables above are included in Other income (expense), net in each of the Registrants’ respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income, net of regulatory deferrals.

Regulatory Matters (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Regulatory Matters (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jan. 23, 2020	Apr. 05, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Apr. 13, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Amount of allowed equity return not recognized in the period					$ 144
Amount Of Allowed Equity Return Recognized In Period			$ 10	$ 14	24	$ 38
Rate case expense			2,150		2,150			$ 2,117
Houston Electric [Member]
Amount of allowed equity return not recognized in the period					144
Amount Of Allowed Equity Return Recognized In Period			10	$ 14	24	$ 38
Rate case expense			873		873			915
CERC Corp [Member]
Rate case expense			206		206			191
Incremental Uncollectible Receivables, Regulatory Asset			14		14
Natural Gas Distribution [Member]
Incremental Uncollectible Receivables, Regulatory Asset			16		16
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric 2019 Rate Case [Member]
Requested revenue increase		$ 194
Houston electric stipulation and settlement agreement [Member]
Return on Equity	9.40%
Debt Capital Structure	57.50%
Equity Capital Structure	42.50%
Unprotected excess deferred income tax	$ 105
Houston electric stipulation and settlement agreement [Member] \| Houston Electric [Member]
Requested revenue increase	$ 13
Rate case expense [Member] \| Houston electric stipulation and settlement agreement [Member]
Rate case expense								$ 12
Public Utility Commission of Texas [Member]
COVID-19 ERP Regulatory Liability			10		10
ERCOT Loan, COVID-19 ERP							$ 5
ERCOT Loan, COVID-19 ERP, Outstanding			5		5
Public Utility Commission of Texas [Member] \| Houston Electric [Member]
COVID-19 ERP Regulatory Liability			10		10
ERCOT Loan, COVID-19 ERP							$ 5
ERCOT Loan, COVID-19 ERP, Outstanding			$ 5		$ 5

Derivative Instruments Derivatives and Hedging (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Dec. 31, 2019

Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Weather hedges term

Realized losses deferred to other comprehensive income

^[1]

$ 0

$ 2

$ 0

$ 3

Houston Electric [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Realized losses deferred to other comprehensive income

^[1]

CERC Corp [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Realized losses deferred to other comprehensive income

^[1]

$ 0

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument, Economic Hedge [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Aggregate notional amount

^[2]

$ 84

[1]

Gains and losses are reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income into income when the hedged transactions affect earnings. The reclassification amounts are included in Interest and other finance charges in each of the Registrants’ respective Statements of Consolidated Income. Over the next twelve months estimated amortization from Accumulated Comprehensive Income into income is expected to be immaterial.

[2]

Relates to interest rate derivative instruments at SIGECO.

Derivative Instruments Summary of Derivative Activity (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Dec. 31, 2019

$ 0

Gain (loss) on derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments

949

925

(84)

$ (62)

(25)

$ (216)

Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]

^[1]

^[1]

^[1]

IDS Derivative [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Current Liabilities [Member]

^[1]

Gains (Losses) in Other Income (Expense) [Member] | IDS Derivative [Member]

^[2]

918

$ 893

Gain (loss) on derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments

$ (84)

$ (62)

$ (25)

$ (216)

[1]

Natural gas contracts are subject to master netting arrangements. This netting applies to all undisputed amounts due or past due. However, the mark-to-market fair value of each natural gas contract is in a liability position with no offsetting amounts. (2)Derivative component of the ZENS obligation that represents the ZENS holder’s option to receive the appreciated value of the reference shares at maturity. See Note 11 for further information.

[2]

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

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Mar. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Assets

$ 882

$ 874

949

925

$ 0

185

$ 0

Carrying Amount [Member]

^[1]

13,268

15,093

Fair Value [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

^[1]

14,982

16,067

Assets

882

874

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Assets

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

949

925

Assets

Fair Value, Recurring [Member]

Assets

838

825

Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]

^[2]

Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member]

Derivative liabilities

Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | IDS Derivative [Member]

Derivative liabilities

Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Derivative liabilities

918

893

Assets

838

825

Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]

^[2]

Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member]

Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | IDS Derivative [Member]

Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Assets

Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]

^[2]

Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member]

Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | IDS Derivative [Member]

Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

918

893

Assets

Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]

^[2]

Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member]

Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | IDS Derivative [Member]

Assets

Houston Electric [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]

Houston Electric [Member] | Fair Value [Member]

^[1]

5,089

4,950

Houston Electric [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

^[1]

5,968

5,457

Assets

Houston Electric [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Assets

Houston Electric [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Assets

Houston Electric [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring [Member]

Assets

Houston Electric [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

^[2]

Assets

Houston Electric [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

^[2]

Assets

Houston Electric [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

^[2]

Assets

^[2]

Assets

CERC Corp [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]

CERC Corp [Member] | Fair Value [Member]

2,582

2,546

CERC Corp [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

2,973

2,803

Assets

CERC Corp [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Assets

CERC Corp [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Assets

CERC Corp [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring [Member]

Assets

CERC Corp [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

^[2]

Assets

CERC Corp [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

^[2]

Assets

CERC Corp [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

^[2]

Assets

Infrastructure Services [Member]

^[2]

$ 0

Fair Value Of Disposal Group

864

Energy Services [Member]

Loss on assets held for sale

Fair Value Of Disposal Group

402

Energy Services [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]

Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment

$ 0

1,541

$ 0

Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure

$ 848

^[3]

$ 185

[1]	Includes Securitization Bonds debt.
[2]	Amounts are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[3]	CenterPoint Energy recognized a non-cash goodwill impairment charge as a result of the March 31, 2020 goodwill impairment test.

Unconsolidated Affiliate (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Millions

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Apr. 01, 2020

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Jun. 30, 2020

Mar. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Jun. 30, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

Preferred units – unconsolidated affiliate

$ 363

Percentage of sales that trigger right of first refusal

5.00%

Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates

$ 109

$ 226

Total distributions received from Enable

$ 86

182

253

Operating revenues

1,622

1,658

5,364

5,545

Net income attributable to Enable common units

306

316

885

938

Operating income

302

357

754

797

241

(1,100)

546

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate, net

(67)

(1,499)

213

Assets [Abstract]

Current assets

2,785

3,937

Current liabilities

3,830

3,978

Equity Method Investment, Difference Between Carrying Amount and Underlying Equity [Abstract]

8,388

8,346

8,388

8,346

8,359

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates

749

2,408

Common Units [Member]

Series A Preferred Units [Member]

$ 5

2,456

1,740

2,456

1,740

2,441

1,740

Natural gas expenses, including transportation and storage costs

^[1]

Operating revenues

426

420

1,920

2,158

226

218

Operating income

256

205

Assets [Abstract]

Current assets

568

1,489

Current liabilities

606

1,111

CERC Corp [Member] | Common Units [Member]

2,345

2,483

2,345

2,483

2,641

$ 0

OGE [Member]

Percentage of sales that trigger right of first refusal

5.00%

Enable Partnership Interest [Abstract]

Ownership percentage of equity method investment

^[2]

53.70%

Limited partner ownership interest

^[2]

100.00%

Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure

$ 848

Maximum incentive distribution right

50.00%

Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization

Operating revenues

$ 596

699

$ 1,759

2,229

250

263

653

958

Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment

105

108

314

323

Operating income

100

175

326

507

Net income attributable to Enable common units

(173)

123

(35)

351

CenterPoint Energy’s interest

(93)

(19)

189

Basis difference amortization (1)

^[3]

Loss on dilution, net of proportional basis difference recognition

(1)

(11)

Impairment of CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable

(1,541)

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate, net

(67)

(1,499)

213

Equity Method Investment's Impairment on an equity method investment

225

Assets [Abstract]

Current assets

373

389

Non-current assets

11,402

11,877

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Current liabilities

644

780

Non-current liabilities

4,055

4,077

Non-controlling interest

Preferred equity

362

(7)

(3)

Equity Method Investment, Difference Between Carrying Amount and Underlying Equity [Abstract]

6,695

7,013

CenterPoint Energy’s ownership interest in Enable partners’ equity

3,592

3,767

CenterPoint Energy’s basis difference (1)

^[4]

(2,844)

(1,361)

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates

748

2,406

Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | Common Units [Member]

Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates

^[5]

$ 39

$ 77

$ 155

$ 226

Distribution per share of common units

^[5]

$ 0.16525

$ 0.3305

$ 0.6610

$ 0.9665

Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | Series A Preferred Units [Member]

Distributions received from Enable cost method investment

$ 9

$ 27

Distribution per share of Series A preferred units

$ 0.62500

$ 0.6250

$ 1.8750

Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | OGE [Member]

Enable Partnership Interest [Abstract]

Limited partner ownership interest

^[2]

25.50%

Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | Public unitholders [Member]

Enable Partnership Interest [Abstract]

Limited partner ownership interest

^[2]

20.80%

Proliance Holdings LLC [Member]

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate, net

$ 0

Equity Method Investment, Difference Between Carrying Amount and Underlying Equity [Abstract]

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates

$ 1

Maximum [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member]

Incentive distribution per unit

$ 0.330625

Common Units [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member]

^[6]

233,856,623

Common Units [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | OGE [Member]

^[6]

435,468,668

Common Units [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | Public unitholders [Member]

^[6]

110,982,805

Preferred Units Held

^[7]

Series A Preferred Units [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member]

^[6]

90,629,240

Preferred Units Held

^[7]

Preferred Units Held

^[7]

14,520,000

Accounts receivable for amounts billed for services provided to Enable

$ 1

Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]

Accounts receivable for amounts billed for services provided to Enable

Natural Gas Expenses [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member]

Natural gas expenses, including transportation and storage costs

Accounts payable for natural gas purchases from Enable

Natural Gas Expenses [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]

Natural gas expenses, including transportation and storage costs

$ 17

$ 62

Accounts payable for natural gas purchases from Enable

$ 6

$ 9

Enable GP, LLC [Member] | CenterPoint Energy [Member]

Management rights ownership percentage

^[8],[9]

50.00%

Incentive Distribution Right, Percentage

^[9],[10]

40.00%

Enable GP, LLC [Member] | OGE [Member]

Management rights ownership percentage

^[8]

50.00%

Incentive Distribution Right, Percentage

^[10]

60.00%

Common Units [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member]

Percentage Reduction of Dividend or Distribution Amount

50.00%

Previous Dividend or Distribution [Member] | Common Units [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member]

Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distributions Declared, Per Unit

$ 0.3305

Revised Dividend or Distribution [Member] | Common Units [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member]

Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distributions Declared, Per Unit

$ 0.16525

[1]	Property, plant and equipment purchased from CenterPoint Energy at its net carrying value on the date of purchase.
[2]	Excludes the Enable Series A Preferred Units owned by CenterPoint Energy.
[3]	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate includes CenterPoint Energy’s share of Enable earnings adjusted for the amortization of the basis difference of CenterPoint Energy’s original investment in Enable and its underlying equity in net assets of Enable. The basis difference is being amortized through the year 2048.
[4]	Includes the impairment of CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable of $1,541 million recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The basis difference is being amortized through the year 2048.
[5]	On April 1, 2020, Enable announced a 50% reduction in its quarterly distribution per common unit from $0.3305 to $0.16525.
[6]	Held indirectly through CNP Midstream by CenterPoint Energy.
[7]	The carrying amount of the Enable Series A Preferred Units, reflected as Preferred units - unconsolidated affiliate on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $363 million as of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. No impairment charges or adjustment due to observable price changes were required or recorded during the current or prior reporting periods.
[8]	Enable is controlled jointly by CenterPoint Energy and OGE. Sale of CenterPoint Energy’s or OGE’s ownership interests in Enable GP to a third party is subject to mutual rights of first offer and first refusal, and CenterPoint Energy is not permitted to dispose of less than all of its interest in Enable GP.
[9]	Held indirectly through CNP Midstream.
[10]	If cash distributions to Enable’s unitholders exceed $0.330625 per common unit in any quarter, Enable GP will receive increasing percentages or incentive distributions rights, up to 50%, of the cash Enable distributes in excess of that amount. In certain circumstances Enable GP will have the right to reset the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels at which the incentive distributions receive increasing percentages to higher levels based on Enable’s cash distributions at the time of the exercise of this reset election. To date, no incentive distributions have been made.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Dec. 31, 2019

$ 4,697

$ 4,882

$ 0

185

$ 0

(16)

(10)

Amortization of Intangible Assets

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense Maturity Schedule [Abstract]

Remaining three months of 2020

^[1]

^[1]

^[1]

^[1]

^[1]

^[1]

^[2]

936

1,121

^[2]

185

Fair value of goodwill

936

3,312

Corporate and Other [Member]

449

Customer Relationships [Member]

(7)

(4)

Trade Names [Member]

(3)

(1)

Construction Backlog [Member]

^[3]

^[3]

(4)

Operation and maintenance agreements [Member]

^[3]

^[3]

^[3]

(1)

^[3]

Other [Member]

(1)

CERC Corp [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]

757

CERC Corp [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]

746

Depreciation and amortization expense [Member]

$ 11

Amortization of Intangible Assets

^[4]

Non-utility cost of revenues [Member]

Amortization of Intangible Assets

^[4]

$ 0

$ 1

$ 4

Continuing Operations [Member]

$ 185

[1]	Assets held for sale are not amortized. The table reflects amortization on continuing operations. For further information on discontinued operations, see Note 3.
[2]	CenterPoint Energy recognized a non-cash goodwill impairment charge as a result of the March 31, 2020 goodwill impairment test.
[3]	Amortization expense related to the operation and maintenance agreements and construction backlog is included in Non-utility cost of revenues, including natural gas on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.
[4]	Assets held for sale are not amortized. The table reflects amortization on continuing operations. For further information on discontinued operations, see Note 3.

Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) and Securities Related to ZENS (CenterPoint Energy) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Target Annual Yield On Reference Shares	2.309%
Subordinated Debt ZENS [Member]
Principal amount of debt issued	$ 1,000
Outstanding debt balance	$ 828
Subordinated note cash exchangeable percentage of fair value	95.00%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.00%
Contingent principal amount outstanding	$ 61
AT&T Common [Member]
Balance of investment owned (in shares)	10,212,945	10,212,945
AT&T Common [Member] \| Subordinated Debt ZENS [Member]
Number of shares referenced in exchangeable subordinated note	0.7185	0.7185
Charter Common [Member]
Balance of investment owned (in shares)	872,503	872,503
Charter Common [Member] \| Subordinated Debt ZENS [Member]
Number of shares referenced in exchangeable subordinated note	0.061382	0.061382

Long-term Debt (Details)
$ in Millions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2020

USD ($)

day

Oct. 01, 2020

USD ($)

Jun. 02, 2020

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2019

USD ($)

Number of days until commercial paper maturity | day

$ 4,900

Parent Company [Member]

3,300

$ 3,300

VUHI [Member]

Credit facility swing line sublimit

^[1]

400

Letters of credit swing line sublimit

General mortgage bonds used as collateral

$ 68

300

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

900

Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Parent Company [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | VUHI [Member]

^[2]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]

^[3]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]

Line of Credit [Member] | Parent Company [Member]

$ 0

Percentage on limitation of debt to total capitalization under covenant amended (in hundredths)

^[4]

0.534

70.00%

System restoration costs threshold for increase in permitted debt to EBITDA covenant ratio

$ 100

Consecutive period for system restoration costs to exceed $100 million (in months)

Percentage on limitation of debt to total capitalization under covenant (in hundredths)

^[5]

65.00%

Line of Credit [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Line of Credit [Member] | VUHI [Member]

^[6]

1.50%

Percentage on limitation of debt to total capitalization under covenant (in hundredths)

^[1],[4]

0.525

^[1]

65.00%

Line of Credit [Member] | VUHI [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Line of Credit [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]

^[1],[6]

1.125%

Percentage on limitation of debt to total capitalization under covenant (in hundredths)

^[4]

0.532

^[5]

65.00%

Line of Credit [Member] | Houston Electric [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Line of Credit [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]

^[6]

1.25%

Percentage on limitation of debt to total capitalization under covenant (in hundredths)

^[4]

0.527

65.00%

Line of Credit [Member] | CERC Corp [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

^[6]

1.125%

Letter of Credit [Member] | Parent Company [Member]

$ 8

Letter of Credit [Member] | VUHI [Member]

^[2]

Letter of Credit [Member] | SIGECO [Member]

^[3]

Letter of Credit [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]

Commercial Paper [Member]

Commercial Paper [Member] | Parent Company [Member]

1,221

2,278

^[2]

$ 638

$ 1,633

Commercial Paper [Member] | VUHI [Member]

^[2]

0.19%

1.95%

^[3]

$ 176

$ 268

Commercial Paper [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]

^[3]

0.19%

2.08%

$ 0

Commercial Paper [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]

0.00%

$ 407

$ 377

CERC Senior notes 4.50% due 2021 [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]

0.17%

1.94%

$ 593

Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage

100.00%

General Mortgage Bonds Due 2050 [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]

$ 300

Variable rate term loan [Member] | VCC [Member]

2.90%

Long-term Debt

$ 296

Variable rate term loan [Member] | CenterPoint Energy [Member]

$ 200

200

$ 1,000

1,000

Variable rate term loan [Member] | VUHI [Member]

300

Variable rate term loan [Member] | VCC [Member]

300

Senior Notes [Member] | VUHI [Member]

$ 200

6.28%

Senior Notes [Member] | CERC Senior notes 4.50% due 2021 [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]

$ 100

First Mortgage [Member] | SIGECO [Member]

4.50%

First Mortgage [Member] | Environmental Improvement Revenue Bonds, Mount Vernon, 0.875%, Series 2015 [Member] | SIGECO [Member]

$ 38

First Mortgage [Member] | Environmental Improvement Revenue Bonds, Warrick County, 0.875%, Series 2015 [Member] | SIGECO [Member]

First Mortgage [Member] | SIGECO 2020 First Mortgage Bonds Remarketing, 0.875%, Series 2015 [Member] | SIGECO [Member]

$ 15

Debt Instrument, Initial Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

0.875%

2.375%

Subsequent Event [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | CERC Senior notes 1.75% due 2030 [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]

$ 500

Subsequent Event [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | CERC Senior notes 4.50% due 2021 [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]

1.75%

Long-term Debt

$ 495

Maximum [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member] | Vectren [Member]

4.50%

Net uncertain tax liability

$ 50

[1]	This credit facility was issued by VUHI, is guaranteed by SIGECO, Indiana Gas and VEDO and includes a $10 million swing line sublimit and a $20 million letter of credit sublimit. This credit facility backstops VUHI’s commercial paper program.
[2]	CenterPoint Energy’s outstanding commercial paper generally has maturities of 60 days or less.
[3]	This credit facility was issued by VUHI and is guaranteed by SIGECO, Indiana Gas and VEDO.
[4]	As defined in the revolving credit facility agreements, excluding Securitization Bonds.
[5]	For CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric, 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 CenterPoint Energy certifies to the administrative agent that Houston Electric has incurred system restoration costs reasonably likely to exceed $100 million in a consecutive 12-month period, all or part of which Houston Electric intends to seek to recover through securitization financing. Such temporary increase in the financial covenant would be in effect from the date CenterPoint Energy delivers its certification until the earliest to occur of (i) the completion of the securitization financing, (ii) the first anniversary of CenterPoint Energy’s certification or (iii) the revocation of such certification.
[6]	Based on current credit ratings.

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

$ 9

Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reduction Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations

$ 5

Continuing Operations [Member]

^[1]

14.00%

18.00%

15.00%

18.00%

Continuing Operations [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]

^[2],[3]

(9.00%)

15.00%

29.00%

12.00%

Discontinued Operations [Member]

^[4],[5]

60.00%

23.00%

13.00%

9.00%

Discontinued Operations [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]

^[6],[7]

0.00%

46.00%

(13.00%)

30.00%

Coronavirus Aid Relief And Economic Security Act [Member]

^[8],[9]

33.00%

40.00%

3.00%

21.00%

Recognized tax benefit from changes in tax laws, CARES act

$ 37

[1]	Houston Electric’s lower effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same periods for 2019 was primarily due to an increase in the amount of amortization of the net regulatory EDIT liability.
[2]	CenterPoint Energy’s higher effective tax rate on the loss from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily due to lower earnings from the impairment of CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable. Other effective tax rate drivers include the tax benefit for the NOL carryback claims under the CARES Act, which was partially offset by the non-deductible goodwill impairment at the Indiana Electric Integrated reporting unit.
[3]	CenterPoint Energy’s lower effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily driven by the recognition of additional tax benefit for increased NOL carryback claims under the CARES Act and the effects of the lower book earnings on other rate drivers in the three months ended September 30, 2020.
[4]	CERC’s higher effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was driven by the absence of state deferred tax benefits as a result of certain state tax law changes and the release of a valuation allowance on certain state NOLs that were reported in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. These were partially offset by an increase in the amount of amortization of the net regulatory EDIT liability and a larger return-to-accrual tax benefit recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
[5]	CERC’s higher effective tax rate on the loss from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019 was driven by an increase in the amount of amortization of the net regulatory EDIT liability and a larger return-to-accrual tax benefit recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2020. These were partially offset by the absence of state deferred tax benefits as a result of certain state tax law changes and the release of a valuation allowance on certain state NOLs that were reported in the three months ended September 30, 2019.
[6]	CenterPoint Energy’s lower effective tax rate on the loss from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the income from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily due to the tax impacts from the sale of the Infrastructure Services Disposal Group on April 9, 2020 and the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group on June 1, 2020, the effect of which was compounded by lower book earnings in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. See Note 3 for further information.
[7]	CenterPoint Energy’s lower effective tax rate on the loss from discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the income from discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily due to lower book earnings in the three months ended September 30, 2020.
[8]	CERC’s lower effective tax rate on income from discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the income from discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily due to lower book earnings in the three months ended September 30, 2020.
[9]	CERC’s lower effective tax rate on the loss from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the income from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily due to the tax impacts of the sale of the Energy Services Disposal Group on June 1, 2020, the effect of which was compounded by lower book earnings in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. See Note 3 for further information.

Commitments and Contingencies (Details)		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) site	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) site	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) site
Purchase Obligations
Remaining three months of 2020	$ 224,000,000	$ 224,000,000	$ 224,000,000
2021	662,000,000	662,000,000	662,000,000
2022	496,000,000	496,000,000	496,000,000
2023	418,000,000	418,000,000	418,000,000
2024	340,000,000	340,000,000	340,000,000
2025	290,000,000	290,000,000	290,000,000
2026 and beyond	$ 1,817,000,000	$ 1,817,000,000	$ 1,817,000,000
Performance Guarantees & Product Warranties [Abstract]
Number of surety bond obligations outstanding	60	60	60
Performance guarantee obligations outstanding face amount	$ 568,000,000	$ 568,000,000	$ 568,000,000
Percentage of work yet to be completed on projects with open surety bonds			21.00%
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure, undiscounted	519,000,000	519,000,000	$ 519,000,000
Minnesota and Indiana Gas Service Territories [Member]
Legal, Environmental and Other Matters
Liability recorded for environmental loss contingencies	$ 12,000,000	$ 12,000,000	12,000,000
Minnesota and Indiana Gas Service Territories [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Legal, Environmental and Other Matters
Estimated remediation costs for the Minnesota sites			$ 7,000,000
Years to resolve contingency			5
Minnesota and Indiana Gas Service Territories [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Legal, Environmental and Other Matters
Estimated remediation costs for the Minnesota sites			$ 54,000,000
Years to resolve contingency			50
Indiana Gas Service Territory [Member]
Legal, Environmental and Other Matters
Environmental remediation number of sites with potential remedial responsibility \| site	26	26	26
SIGECO [Member]
Legal, Environmental and Other Matters
Environmental remediation number of sites with potential remedial responsibility \| site	5	5	5
CERC Corp [Member]
Purchase Obligations
Remaining three months of 2020	$ 163,000,000	$ 163,000,000	$ 163,000,000
2021	486,000,000	486,000,000	486,000,000
2022	325,000,000	325,000,000	325,000,000
2023	271,000,000	271,000,000	271,000,000
2024	246,000,000	246,000,000	246,000,000
2025	220,000,000	220,000,000	220,000,000
2026 and beyond	$ 1,496,000,000	1,496,000,000	1,496,000,000
CERC Corp [Member] \| CERC Senior notes 4.50% due 2021 [Member]
Legal, Environmental and Other Matters
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	100.00%
CERC Corp [Member] \| Minnesota and Indiana Gas Service Territories [Member]
Legal, Environmental and Other Matters
Liability recorded for environmental loss contingencies	$ 7,000,000	7,000,000	7,000,000
CERC Corp [Member] \| Minnesota and Indiana Gas Service Territories [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Legal, Environmental and Other Matters
Estimated remediation costs for the Minnesota sites			$ 4,000,000
Years to resolve contingency			30
CERC Corp [Member] \| Minnesota and Indiana Gas Service Territories [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Legal, Environmental and Other Matters
Estimated remediation costs for the Minnesota sites			$ 32,000,000
Years to resolve contingency			50
Indiana Electric Integrated [Member]
Legal, Environmental and Other Matters
Asset retirement obligation	73,000,000	73,000,000	$ 73,000,000
Indiana Electric Integrated [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Legal, Environmental and Other Matters
Estimated capital expenditure to clean ash ponds	60,000,000	60,000,000	60,000,000
Indiana Electric Integrated [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Legal, Environmental and Other Matters
Estimated capital expenditure to clean ash ponds	80,000,000	80,000,000	80,000,000
Minnehaha Academy Gas Explosion [Member]
Legal, Environmental and Other Matters
Contested amount of fines imposed	200,000	200,000	200,000
Minnehaha Academy Gas Explosion [Member] \| CERC Corp [Member]
Legal, Environmental and Other Matters
Contested amount of fines imposed	$ 200,000	$ 200,000	200,000
CES natural gas related transactions [Member] \| CERC Corp [Member]
Performance Guarantees & Product Warranties [Abstract]
Quarterly increase of fee received for retained CES guarantee exposure		3.00%
Quarterly increase of fee received for retained CES guarantee exposure		1.00%
Guarantee exposure replaced by third party			68,000,000
Estimated Remaining Exposure			$ 73,000,000

Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Millions

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Beneficial Conversion Feature

$ 32

$ 0

$ 16

$ 0

Income (loss) from continuing operations

127

251

(791)

545

102

Undistributed earnings allocated to preferred shareholders (1)

^[1]

Income (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations - basic and diluted

241

(1,100)

546

$ (6)

$ 19

$ (182)

$ 89

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic

544,811,000

502,228,000

525,160,000

501,986,000

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted

548,188,000

505,080,000

525,160,000

504,838,000

Earnings (loss) per common share:

Basic earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations

$ 0.14

$ 0.44

$ (1.75)

$ 0.91

Basic earnings (loss) per common share - discontinued operations

(0.01)

0.04

(0.35)

0.18

Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

0.13

0.48

(2.10)

1.09

Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations

0.14

0.44

(1.75)

0.91

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share - discontinued operations

(0.01)

0.03

(0.35)

0.17

Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

$ 0.13

$ 0.47

$ (2.10)

$ 1.08

Restricted Stock [Member]

Amount of antidilutive shares excluded from computation of earnings per share

Restricted stock (4)

^[2]

3,377,000

2,852,000

Common Stock [Member]

3,377,000

Series B Preferred Stock [Member]

Amount of antidilutive shares excluded from computation of earnings per share

35,940,000

33,537,000

35,923,000

33,537,000

$ 17

$ 51

Series C Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock

^[3]

Amount of antidilutive shares excluded from computation of earnings per share

47,355,000

25,578,000

$ 7

$ 0

$ 14

$ 0

Continuing Operations [Member]

Preferred Stock

^[4]

Income (loss) available to common shareholders from continuing operations - basic and diluted

$ 75

$ 222

$ (918)

$ 457

[1]	There were no undistributed earnings to be allocated to participating securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.
[2]	3,377,000 incremental common shares from assumed conversions of restricted stock have not been included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
[3]	The computation of diluted earnings per common share outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 excludes 35,940,000 and 35,923,000 potentially dilutive shares from the denominator, respectively, because the shares would be anti-dilutive. The computation of diluted earnings per common share outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 excludes 33,537,000 and 33,537,000 potentially dilutive shares from the denominator, respectively, because the shares would be anti-dilutive.
[4]	The computation of diluted earnings per common share outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 excludes 47,355,000 and 25,578,000 potentially dilutive shares, respectively, of Series C Preferred Stock from the denominator because the shares would be anti-dilutive.

Reportable Segments (Details)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

USD ($)

state

Sep. 30, 2019

USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2020

USD ($)

state

Sep. 30, 2019

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2019

USD ($)

$ 1,622

$ 1,658

$ 5,364

$ 5,545

(67)

(1,499)

213

127

251

(791)

545

(6)

(182)

121

270

(973)

634

Total Assets Classified as Held For Use, Current and Noncurrent

32,705

$ 35,529

32,705

33,565

Total Assets Classified as Held For Sale, Current and Noncurrent

1,964

596

699

1,759

2,229

Impairment of CenterPoint Energy's equity method investment in Enable

(67)

(1,499)

213

1,541

Houston Electric T&D [Member]

^[1]

828

859

2,186

2,313

Houston Electric T&D [Member] | Affiliates of NRG Energy, Inc. [Member]

157

185

281

315

Houston Electric T&D [Member] | Affiliates of Vistra Energy Corp. [Member]

243

231

573

547

128

301

196

157

165

414

388

$ 31

$ (121)

Number of States in which the Entity Performs Gas Delivery Services | state

$ 560

541

$ 2,519

2,629

Midstream Investments [Member]

242

149

^[2]

^[2]

(67)

(1,499)

213

Corporate and Other [Member]

^[2]

(62)

(1,165)

124

245

215

Operating Segments [Member] | Houston Electric T&D [Member]

(4)

(24)

(28)

(84)

Operating Segments [Member] | Indiana Electric Integrated [Member]

11,296

11,264

Operating Segments [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]

3,142

3,168

Operating Segments [Member] | Midstream Investments [Member]

14,297

14,105

Operating Segments [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]

805

2,473

3,165

2,555

828

859

2,182

2,310

157

185

277

312

Houston Electric [Member] | Houston Electric T&D [Member] | Affiliates of NRG Energy, Inc. [Member]

11,296

11,262

Houston Electric [Member] | Houston Electric T&D [Member] | Affiliates of Vistra Energy Corp. [Member]

231

547

196

426

420

1,920

2,158

(6)

(10)

142

102

(66)

(4)

(7)

159

Total Assets Classified as Held For Use, Current and Noncurrent

7,779

8,512

7,779

7,608

Total Assets Classified as Held For Sale, Current and Noncurrent

$ 0

904

CERC Corp [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]

Number of States in which the Entity Performs Gas Delivery Services | state

$ 422

415

$ 1,910

2,152

CERC Corp [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]

155

134

CERC Corp [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Houston Electric T&D [Member]

(7)

$ (15)

(13)

$ (32)

CERC Corp [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Indiana Electric Integrated [Member]

CERC Corp [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]

CERC Corp [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Midstream Investments [Member]

7,809

7,698

CERC Corp [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]

$ (30)

$ (90)

[1]

Houston Electric T&D’s revenues from major external customers are as follows (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric):


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Affiliates of NRG	$	243	$	231	$	573	$	547
Affiliates of Vistra Energy Corp.	128		83		301		196

[2]

Includes the impairment of CenterPoint Energy’s equity method investment in Enable of $1,541 million recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and CenterPoint Energy’s interest in Enable’s $225 million impairment on an equity method investment during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Dec. 31, 2019

Interest income (expense) (1)

^[1]

$ 0

$ 5

$ 0

$ 14

Cash dividends paid to parent

457

100

Cash contribution from parent

590

Capital Distribution to Parent

Property, plant and equipment from parent

^[2]

Houston Electric [Member] | Operation and maintenance expense [Member]

Net affiliate service charges (billings)

(4)

(3)

(14)

(7)

Houston Electric [Member] | CenterPoint Energy [Member] | Operation and maintenance expense [Member]

Corporate service charges

142

132

Interest income (expense) (1)

^[1]

Cash dividends paid to parent

119

Cash contribution from parent

Capital Distribution to Parent

286

Property, plant and equipment from parent

^[2]

CERC Corp [Member] | Operation and maintenance expense [Member]

Net affiliate service charges (billings)

CERC Corp [Member] | CenterPoint Energy [Member] | Operation and maintenance expense [Member]

Corporate service charges

$ 52

$ 31

$ 156

$ 106

Investments [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]

Weighted average interest rate

0.19%

1.98%

Investments [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]

Weighted average interest rate

0.19%

1.98%

Accounts and notes receivable (payable) - affiliate companies [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]

Money pool investments (borrowings) (1)

^[3]

$ 25

$ 481

Accounts and notes receivable (payable) - affiliate companies [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]

Money pool investments (borrowings) (1)

^[3]

$ 0

[1]	Interest income is included in Other income (expense), net and interest expense is included in Interest and other finance charges on Houston Electric’s and CERC’s respective Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income.
[2]	Property, plant and equipment purchased from CenterPoint Energy at its net carrying value on the date of purchase.
[3]	Included in Accounts and notes receivable (payable)–affiliated companies on Houston Electric’s and CERC’s respective Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Equity (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Millions

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

May 06, 2020

Apr. 01, 2020

Sep. 30, 2020

Jun. 30, 2020

Mar. 31, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Jun. 30, 2019

Mar. 31, 2019

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Jun. 01, 2020

Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance

58,051,121

Preferred Stock Dividends and Other Adjustments [Abstract]

$ 0.1500

$ 0.2875

$ 0.5900

$ 0.8625

$ 36

$ 29

$ 102

$ 88

Total income allocated to preferred shareholders

127

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]

Beginning Balance

(84)

$ (98)

(105)

$ (108)

(98)

(108)

Other comprehensive income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

(2)

Prior service cost (2)

^[1]

Actuarial losses (2)

^[1]

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), Reclassification, before Tax

Reclassification of net deferred loss from cash flow hedges (3)

^[2]

Tax expense

(1)

(7)

(2)

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

(2)

Ending Balance

$ (82)

$ (84)

$ (107)

$ (105)

(82)

(107)

Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock

$ 672

$ 0

Common Stock [Member]

$ 0.5900

$ 0.8625

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]

$ 309

$ 433

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues

41,977,612

42,000,000

Shares Issued, Price Per Share

$ 16.08

Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock

$ 673

Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

$ 30.6250

$ 61.2500

$ 62.7813

$ 61.2500

$ 62.7813

Preferred Stock Dividends and Other Adjustments [Abstract]

$ 49

$ 50

Series B Preferred Stock [Member]

$ 12

$ 37

$ 17.5000

$ 52.5000

$ 52.5000

Preferred Stock Dividends and Other Adjustments [Abstract]

$ 51

Series C Preferred Stock [Member]

$ 17

$ 51

Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion

Series C preferred stock

725,000

47,354,670

Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share

$ 1,000

$ 0.1500

$ 0.3000

$ 0.3000

Preferred Stock Dividends and Other Adjustments [Abstract]

$ 14

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]

$ 7

Proceeds from Issuance of Convertible Preferred Stock

$ 724

Preferred Stock, Convertible, Conversion Price

$ 15.31

Preferred Stock, Convertible, Conversion Limit

4.90%

Preferred Stock, Convertible, Percent Outstanding Shares To Amend

66 2/3%

Preferred Stock Dividends and Other Adjustments [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]

Beginning Balance

(15)

(14)

(15)

(14)

Other comprehensive income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

Prior service cost (2)

^[1]

Actuarial losses (2)

^[1]

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), Reclassification, before Tax

Reclassification of net deferred loss from cash flow hedges (3)

^[2]

Tax expense

(4)

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

(1)

Ending Balance

(15)

Preferred Stock Dividends and Other Adjustments [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]

Beginning Balance

$ 10

$ 5

Other comprehensive income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

Prior service cost (2)

^[1]

Actuarial losses (2)

^[1]

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), Reclassification, before Tax

Reclassification of net deferred loss from cash flow hedges (3)

^[2]

Tax expense

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

Ending Balance

$ 10

$ 5

Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]

Deferred gain (loss) from interest rate derivatives (1)

^[3]

(2)

(3)

Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Houston Electric [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]

Deferred gain (loss) from interest rate derivatives (1)

^[3]

(1)

Interest Rate Contract [Member] | CERC Corp [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]

Deferred gain (loss) from interest rate derivatives (1)

^[3]

$ 0

First Quarter 2020 [Member] | Common Stock [Member]

Feb. 03, 2020

Feb. 20, 2020

Mar. 12, 2020

$ 0.2900

First Quarter 2020 [Member] | Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

$ 145

Feb. 03, 2020

Feb. 14, 2020

Mar. 02, 2020

$ 30.6250

First Quarter 2020 [Member] | Series B Preferred Stock [Member]

$ 25

Feb. 03, 2020

Feb. 14, 2020

Mar. 02, 2020

$ 17.5000

Second Quarter 2020 [Member] | Common Stock [Member]

$ 17

Apr. 24, 2020

May 21, 2020

Jun. 11, 2020

$ 0.1500

Second Quarter 2020 [Member] | Series B Preferred Stock [Member]

$ 82

Apr. 24, 2020

May 15, 2020

Jun. 01, 2020

$ 17.5000

Second Quarter 2020 [Member] | Series C Preferred Stock [Member]

$ 17

^[4]

Apr. 24, 2020

May 21, 2020

Jun. 11, 2020

$ 0.1500

Third Quarter 2020 | Common Stock [Member]

$ 7

Jul. 29, 2020

Aug. 20, 2020

Sep. 10, 2020

$ 0.1500

Third Quarter 2020 | Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

$ 82

Jul. 29, 2020

Aug. 14, 2020

Sep. 01, 2020

$ 30.6250

Third Quarter 2020 | Series B Preferred Stock [Member]

$ 24

Jul. 29, 2020

Aug. 14, 2020

Sep. 01, 2020

$ 17.5000

Third Quarter 2020 | Series C Preferred Stock [Member]

$ 17

Jul. 29, 2020

Aug. 20, 2020

Sep. 10, 2020

$ 0.1500

First Quarter 2019 [Member] | Common Stock [Member]

$ 7

Dec. 12, 2018

Feb. 21, 2019

Mar. 14, 2019

$ 0.2875

First Quarter 2019 [Member] | Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

$ 144

Dec. 12, 2018

Feb. 15, 2019

Mar. 01, 2019

$ 32.1563

First Quarter 2019 [Member] | Series B Preferred Stock [Member]

$ 26

Dec. 12, 2018

Feb. 15, 2019

Mar. 01, 2019

$ 17.5000

Second Quarter 2019 [Member] | Common Stock [Member]

$ 17

Apr. 25, 2019

May 16, 2019

Jun. 13, 2019

$ 0.2875

Second Quarter 2019 [Member] | Series B Preferred Stock [Member]

$ 145

$ 144

Apr. 25, 2019

May 15, 2019

Jun. 03, 2019

$ 17.5000

Third Quarter 2019 | Common Stock [Member]

$ 17

Jul. 31, 2019

Aug. 15, 2019

Sep. 12, 2019

Third Quarter 2019 | Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

$ 0.2875

Jul. 31, 2019

Aug. 15, 2019

Sep. 03, 2019

$ 30.6250

Third Quarter 2019 | Series B Preferred Stock [Member]

$ 24

Jul. 31, 2019

Aug. 15, 2019

Sep. 03, 2019

$ 17.5000

Previous Dividend or Distribution [Member] | Common Stock [Member]

$ 17

Revised Dividend or Distribution [Member] | Common Stock [Member]

$ 0.2900

$ 0.1500

[1]	Amounts are included in the computation of net periodic cost and are reflected in Other income (expense), net in each of the Registrants’ respective Statements of Consolidated Income.
[2]	The cost of debt approved by the PUCT as part of Houston Electric’s Stipulation and Settlement Agreement included unrealized gains and losses on interest rate hedges. Accordingly, deferred gains and losses on interest rate hedges were reclassified to regulatory assets or liabilities, as appropriate.
[3]	Gains and losses are reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income into income when the hedged transactions affect earnings. The reclassification amounts are included in Interest and other finance charges in each of the Registrants’ respective Statements of Consolidated Income. Over the next twelve months estimated amortization from Accumulated Comprehensive Income into income is expected to be immaterial.
[4]	Declaration date for dividends on Common Stock. The Series C Preferred Stock is entitled to participate in any dividend or distribution (excluding those payable in Common Stock) with the Common Stock on a pari passu, pro rata, as-converted basis. The per share amount reflects the dividend per share of Common Stock as if the Series C Preferred Stock were converted into Common Stock.

Subsequent Events (CenterPoint Energy) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Millions

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Nov. 03, 2020

Oct. 29, 2020

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Nov. 06, 2020

Nov. 02, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Expected cash distribution from equity method investment

$ 0.1500

$ 0.2875

$ 0.5900

$ 0.8625

$ 109

$ 226

Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

$ 30.6250

30.6250

$ 61.2500

$ 62.7813

Series B Preferred Stock [Member]

800,000

$ 17.5000

$ 52.5000

Series C Preferred Stock [Member]

977,500

$ 0.1500

$ 0.3000

Subsequent Event [Member] | Common Stock [Member]

725,000

Dividends Payable, Date Declared

Oct. 29, 2020

Dividends Payable, Date of Record

Nov. 19, 2020

Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid

Dec. 10, 2020

SharesIssuedUponConversion

$ 0.1500

6,531,677

Subsequent Event [Member] | Series B Preferred Stock [Member]

Dividends Payable, Date Declared

Oct. 29, 2020

Dividends Payable, Date of Record

Nov. 13, 2020

Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid

Dec. 01, 2020

Subsequent Event [Member] | Series C Preferred Stock [Member]

$ 17.5000

Dividends Payable, Date Declared

^[1]

Oct. 29, 2020

Dividends Payable, Date of Record

^[1]

Nov. 19, 2020

Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid

^[1]

Dec. 10, 2020

^[1]

$ 0.1500

PreferredStockSharesToBeConvertedToCommon

625,000

100,000

Common Units [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member]

Quarterly cash distribution, declaration date

Nov. 03, 2020

Quarterly cash distribution, date of record

Nov. 17, 2020

Quarterly cash distribution, distribution date

Nov. 24, 2020

Quarterly cash distribution declared per share

$ 0.16525

Expected cash distribution from equity method investment

$ 39

Series A Preferred Units [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Enable Midstream Partners [Member]