Regulatory Accounting

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Regulatory Matters [Abstract]

Public Utilities Disclosure [Text Block]

Regulatory Accounting

As of March 31, 2012, CenterPoint Houston has not recognized an allowed equity return of $592 million because such return will be recognized as it is recovered in rates. During the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2012, CenterPoint Houston recognized approximately $3 million and $8 million, respectively, of the allowed equity return not previously recognized.