Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The effective tax rate reported for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 35% and 38%, respectively, compared to 36% and 101%, respectively, for the same periods in 2013. The higher effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was primarily associated with the formation of Enable. As a result of the Enable formation, a deferred tax liability of $225 million was recorded for the book-to-tax basis differences in CERC’s investment resulting from the goodwill that was contributed by CERC. In addition, CERC recognized a tax benefit of $27 million associated with the remeasurement of state deferred taxes related to the Enable formation. CERC reported no uncertain tax liability as of September 30, 2014 and expects no significant change to the uncertain tax liability over the next twelve months. CenterPoint Energy’s consolidated federal income tax returns for the years 2012 and 2013 are currently under audit by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Tax years through 2011 have been audited and settled with the IRS. For 2014, CenterPoint Energy is a participant in the IRS’s Compliance Assurance Process.

Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

The effective tax rate reported for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 35% and 38%, respectively, compared to 36% and 101%, respectively, for the same periods in 2013. The higher effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was primarily associated with the formation of Enable. As a result of the Enable formation, a deferred tax liability of $225 million was recorded for the book-to-tax basis differences in CERC’s investment resulting from the goodwill that was contributed by CERC. In addition, CERC recognized a tax benefit of $27 million associated with the remeasurement of state deferred taxes related to the Enable formation.

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