Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes [Text Block]	Income Taxes The effective tax rate reported for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was 35%. The effective tax rates reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was 36% compared to 35% for the same period in 2016. Houston Electric reported no uncertain tax liability as of September 30, 2017 and expects no significant change to the uncertain tax liability over the next twelve months. CenterPoint Energy’s consolidated federal income tax returns have been audited and settled through 2015. For the 2016 and 2017 tax years, CenterPoint Energy is a participant in the IRS’s Compliance Assurance Process.

Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate reported for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was 35%. The effective tax rates reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was 36% compared to 35% for the same period in 2016.

Houston Electric reported no uncertain tax liability as of September 30, 2017 and expects no significant change to the uncertain tax liability over the next twelve months. CenterPoint Energy’s consolidated federal income tax returns have been audited and settled through 2015. For the 2016 and 2017 tax years, CenterPoint Energy is a participant in the IRS’s Compliance Assurance Process.