CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Net income (Loss)	$ (1,199)	$ 169
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Adjustment to pension and other postretirement plans, net of tax	1	1
Net deferred gain (loss) from cash flow hedges, net of tax	0	(1)
Reclassification of deferred loss from cash flow hedges realized in net income, net of tax	0	1
Other comprehensive loss from unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax	(3)	0
Total	(2)	1
Comprehensive Income Net of Tax Before Preferred Stock Dividend	(1,201)	170
Preferred stock dividend requirement	29	29
Comprehensive income (loss)	(1,230)	141
Houston Electric [Member]
Net income (Loss)	33	27
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net deferred gain (loss) from cash flow hedges, net of tax	0	(1)
Other comprehensive loss from unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax	0	0
Total	0	(1)
Comprehensive income (loss)	33	26
CERC Corp [Member]
Net income (Loss)	67	138
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Other comprehensive loss from unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax	0	0
Total	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 67	$ 138