Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]

Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]

The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, short-term borrowings and the $750 million note receivable from CenterPoint Houston’s parent are estimated to be equivalent to carrying amounts and have been excluded from the table below. The fair value of each debt instrument is determined by multiplying the principal amount of each debt instrument by the market price. These assets and liabilities, which are not measured at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets but for which the fair value is disclosed, would be classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.



	December 31, 2011				September 30, 2012
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(in millions)
Financial liabilities:
Long-term debt (including $151 million of long-term notes payable to parent)	$	4,765	$	5,345	$	6,106	$	6,758

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments, assets, and liabilities. Such certain disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate) and (2) the methodology and assumptions used in developing such estimates of fair value.

+ References

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+ Details