Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	Income Taxes The effective tax rate reported for the three months ended September 30, 2015 was 36% compared to 34% for the same period in 2014. For the three months ended September 30, 2014, CenterPoint Houston recognized a tax benefit of $5 million based on the reversal of previously accrued taxes as a result of CenterPoint Energy’s filing of its 2013 consolidated federal income tax return. The effective tax rate reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 36% compared to 35% for the same period in 2014. CenterPoint Houston reported no uncertain tax liability as of September 30, 2015 and expects no significant change to the uncertain tax liability over the twelve-month period ending September 30, 2016. Tax years through 2013 have been audited and settled with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). For 2014 and 2015, CenterPoint Energy is a participant in the IRS’s Compliance Assurance Process.

Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate reported for the three months ended September 30, 2015 was 36% compared to 34% for the same period in 2014. For the three months ended September 30, 2014, CenterPoint Houston recognized a tax benefit of $5 million based on the reversal of previously accrued taxes as a result of CenterPoint Energy’s filing of its 2013 consolidated federal income tax return. The effective tax rate reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 36% compared to 35% for the same period in 2014.

CenterPoint Houston reported no uncertain tax liability as of September 30, 2015 and expects no significant change to the uncertain tax liability over the twelve-month period ending September 30, 2016. Tax years through 2013 have been audited and settled with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). For 2014 and 2015, CenterPoint Energy is a participant in the IRS’s Compliance Assurance Process.