Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes [Text Block]	Income Taxes The effective tax rate reported for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was 70% compared to 35% for the same period in 2015. The effective tax rate reported for the six months ended June 30, 2016 was 41% compared to 39% for the same period in 2015. The higher effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 is due to a Louisiana state tax law change resulting in an increase to CERC’s deferred tax liability. CERC reported no uncertain tax liability as of June 30, 2016 and expects no significant change to the uncertain tax liability over the next twelve months. CenterPoint Energy’s consolidated federal income tax returns have been audited and settled through 2014. CenterPoint Energy is under examination by the IRS for 2015 and 2016.

Income Taxes

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate reported for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was 70% compared to 35% for the same period in 2015. The effective tax rate reported for the six months ended June 30, 2016 was 41% compared to 39% for the same period in 2015. The higher effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 is due to a Louisiana state tax law change resulting in an increase to CERC’s deferred tax liability.

CERC reported no uncertain tax liability as of June 30, 2016 and expects no significant change to the uncertain tax liability over the next twelve months. CenterPoint Energy’s consolidated federal income tax returns have been audited and settled through 2014. CenterPoint Energy is under examination by the IRS for 2015 and 2016.