Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 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:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2019						2018
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash Payments/Receipts:
Interest, net of capitalized interest	$	364	$	203	$	88	$	301	$	173	$	85
Income taxes, net	174		93		3		89		122		3
Non-cash transactions:
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures	178		91		75		140		87		66
Capital distribution associated with the Internal Spin	—		—		—		—		—		1,460
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities (1)	43		1		28		—		—		—

(1) Includes the transition impact of adoption of ASU 2016-02 Leases.

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:

	September 30, 2019						December 31, 2018
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	259	$	228	$	2	$	4,231	$	335	$	14
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets	38		19		—		46		34		11
Restricted cash included in Other	—		—		—		1		1		—
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows	$	297	$	247	$	2	$	4,278	$	370	$	25