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Related Party Transactions
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Related Party Transactions
Related Party Transactions

CERC participates in a “money pool” through which it can borrow or invest on a short-term basis. Funding needs are aggregated and external borrowing or investing is based on the net cash position. The net funding requirements of the money pool are expected to be met with borrowings under CenterPoint Energy’s revolving credit facility or the sale of CenterPoint Energy’s commercial paper. CERC had investments in the money pool of $141 million and borrowings from the money pool of $38 million at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, which are included in accounts and notes receivable — affiliated companies and accounts and notes payable — affiliated companies, respectively, in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  

CERC had net interest income of less than $1 million and net interest expense of less than $1 million related to affiliate borrowings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively, and net interest expense of less than $1 million and $1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively.

CenterPoint Energy provides some corporate services to CERC. The costs of services have been charged directly to CERC using methods that management believes are reasonable. These methods include negotiated usage rates, dedicated asset assignment and proportionate corporate formulas based on operating expenses, assets, gross margin, employees and a composite of assets, gross margin and employees. These charges are not necessarily indicative of what would have been incurred had CERC not been an affiliate of CenterPoint Energy. Amounts charged to CERC for these services were $31 million and $23 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $59 million and $60 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and are included primarily in operation and maintenance expenses.