Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	Income Taxes The effective tax rate reported for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was 37% compared to 35% for the same period in 2015. Houston Electric reported no uncertain tax liability as of March 31, 2016 and expects no significant change to the uncertain tax liability over the next twelve months. Tax years through 2013 have been audited and settled with the IRS. For tax years 2014 through 2016, CenterPoint Energy is a participant in the IRS’s Compliance Assurance Process.

Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate reported for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was 37% compared to 35% for the same period in 2015.

Houston Electric reported no uncertain tax liability as of March 31, 2016 and expects no significant change to the uncertain tax liability over the next twelve months. Tax years through 2013 have been audited and settled with the IRS. For tax years 2014 through 2016, CenterPoint Energy is a participant in the IRS’s Compliance Assurance Process.