Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]

The table below provides supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019							2018
	CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy			Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash Payments/Receipts:
Interest, net of capitalized interest	$	154		$	86	$	35	$	116		$	61	$	39
Income taxes (refunds), net	(4		)	—		—		(4		)	16		—
Non-cash transactions:
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures	166			98		49		102			78		39
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities	29			1		26		—			—		—

The table below provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets to the amount reported in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows:

	March 31, 2019						December 31, 2018
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	255	$	243	$	1	$	4,231	$	335	$	14
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets	99		33		11		46		34		11
Restricted cash included in Other	1		1		—		1		1		—
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows	$	355	$	277	$	12	$	4,278	$	370	$	25