Equity (CenterPoint Energy) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Dividends Declared [Table Text Block]

CenterPoint Energy declared and paid dividends on its Common Stock during 2021, 2020 and 2019 as presented in the table below:

	Dividends Declared Per Share						Dividends Paid Per Share
	2021		2020 (2)		2019		2021		2020 (2)		2019
Common Stock	$	0.6600	$	0.9000	$	0.8625	$	0.6500	$	0.7400	$	0.8625
Series A Preferred Stock	61.2500		91.8750		30.6250		61.2500		61.2500		30.6250
Series B Preferred Stock	35.0000		87.5000		52.5000		52.5000		70.0000		52.5000
Series C Preferred Stock (1)	—		0.6100		—		0.1600		0.4500		—

(1)The Series C Preferred Stock was entitled to participate in any dividend or distribution (excluding those payable in Common Stock) with the Common Stock on a pari passu, pro rata, as-converted basis. The per share amount reflects the dividend per share of Common Stock as if the Series C Preferred Stock were converted into Common Stock. There were no Series C Preferred Stock outstanding or dividends declared in 2019. All of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock was converted to Common Stock during 2021 as described below.

(2)On April 1, 2020, in response to the reduction in cash flow related to the reduction in Enable quarterly common unit distributions announced by Enable on April 1, 2020, CenterPoint Energy announced a reduction of its quarterly Common Stock dividend per share from $0.2900 to $0.1500.

Preferred Stock (CenterPoint Energy)

	Liquidation Preference Per Share		Shares Outstanding as of December 31,			Outstanding Value as of December 31,
			2021	2020	2019	2021		2020		2019
	(in millions, except shares and per share amount)
Series A Preferred Stock	$	1,000	800,000	800,000	800,000	$	790	$	790	$	790
Series B Preferred Stock	1,000		—	977,400	977,500	—		950		950
Series C Preferred Stock	1,000		—	625,000	—	—		623		—
			800,000	2,402,400	1,777,500	$	790	$	2,363	$	1,740

Dividend Requirement on Preferred Stock

	Year Ended December 31,
	2021		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Series A Preferred Stock	$	49	$	49	$	49
Series B Preferred Stock	46		68		68
Series C Preferred Stock	—		27		—
Preferred dividend requirement	95		144		117
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature	—		32		—
Total income allocated to preferred shareholders	$	95	$	176	$	117

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (gain) consist of the following:

	December 31,
	2021						2020
	Pension Benefits		Postretirement Benefits				Pension Benefits		Postretirement Benefits
	CenterPoint Energy		CenterPoint Energy		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions)
Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain)	$	99	$	(23)	$	(18)	$	109	$	(14)	$	(12)
Unrecognized prior service cost	—		13		12		—		7		7
Net amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (gain)	$	99	$	(10)	$	(6)	$	109	$	(7)	$	(5)

Changes in accumulated comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2021						2020
	CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC		CenterPoint Energy		Houston Electric		CERC
	(in millions)
Beginning Balance	$	(90)	$	—	$	10	$	(98)	$	(15)	$	10
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications:
Remeasurement of pension and other postretirement plans	16		—		—		(12)		—		—
Other comprehensive income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates	3		—		—		(2)		—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service cost (1)	1		—		1		—		—		1
Actuarial losses (1)	7		—		—		7		—		—
Settlement (2)	4		—		—		—		—		—
Reclassification of deferred loss from cash flow hedges realized in net income	2		—		—		—		—		—
Reclassification of deferred loss from cash flow hedges to regulatory assets (3)	—		—		—		19		19		—
Tax benefit (expense)	(7)		—		(1)		(4)		(4)		(1)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	26		—		—		8		15		—
Ending Balance	$	(64)	$	—	$	10	$	(90)	$	—	$	10

(1)Amounts are included in the computation of net periodic cost and are reflected in Other, net in each of the Registrants’ respective Statements of Consolidated Income.

(2)Amounts presented represent a one-time, non-cash settlement cost (benefit), prior to regulatory deferrals, which are required when the total lump sum distributions or other settlements of plan benefit obligations during a plan year exceed the service cost and interest cost components of the net periodic cost for that year. Amounts presented in the table above are included in Other income (expense), net in CenterPoint Energy’s Statements of Consolidated Income, net of regulatory deferrals.

(3)The cost of debt approved by the PUCT as part of Houston Electric’s Stipulation and Settlement Agreement included unrealized gains and losses on interest rate hedges. Accordingly, deferred gains and losses on interest rate hedges were reclassified to regulatory assets or liabilities, as appropriate.