Background and Basis of Presentation (Policies) - Vectren [Member]	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Principles of Consolidation [Policy Text Block]	Principles of Consolidation. Businesses within the Infrastructure Services reportable segment provide underground pipeline construction and repair services for customers that include NGD utilities. In accordance with consolidation guidance in ASC 980—Regulated Operations, costs incurred by NGD utilities for these pipeline construction and repair services are not eliminated in consolidation when capitalized and included in rate base by the NGD utility.
Product Warranties, Performance Guarantees & Other Guarantees [Policy Text Block]	Guarantees. CenterPoint Energy recognizes guarantee obligations at fair value. CenterPoint Energy discloses parent company guarantees of a subsidiary’s obligation when that guarantee results in the exposure of a material obligation of the parent company even if the probability of fulfilling such obligation is considered remote. See Note 14(b).
Income Taxes [Policy Text Block]	Income Taxes. Investment tax credits are deferred and amortized to income over the approximate lives of the related property.
MISO Transactions [Policy Text Block]	MISO Transactions. Indiana Electric is a member of MISO. MISO-related purchase and sale transactions are recorded using settlement information provided by the MISO. These purchase and sale transactions are accounted for on at least a net hourly position, meaning net purchases within that interval are recorded on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income in Utility natural gas, fuel and purchased power, and net sales within that interval are recorded on CenterPoint Energy’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income in Utility revenues. On occasion, prior period transactions are resettled outside the routine process due to a change in the MISO’s tariff or a material interpretation thereof. Expenses associated with resettlements are recorded once the resettlement is probable and the resettlement amount can be estimated. Revenues associated with resettlements are recognized when the amount is determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.

Disclosure of accounting policy for income taxes, which may include its accounting policies for recognizing and measuring deferred tax assets and liabilities and related valuation allowances, recognizing investment tax credits, operating loss carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards, and other carryforwards, methodologies for determining its effective income tax rate and the characterization of interest and penalties in the financial statements.