Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Table Text Block]

As of September 30, 2020, minimum purchase obligations are approximately:

	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions)
Remaining three months of 2020	$	224	$	163
2021	662		486
2022	496		325
2023	418		271
2024	340		246
2025	290		220
2026 and beyond	1,817		1,496

Schedule of Environmental Loss Contingencies by Site [Table Text Block]

Total costs that may be incurred in connection with addressing these sites cannot be determined at this time. The estimated accrued costs are limited to CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s share of the remediation efforts and are therefore net of exposures of other PRPs. The estimated range of possible remediation costs for the sites for which CenterPoint Energy and CERC believe they may have responsibility was based on remediation continuing for the minimum time frame given in the table below.

	September 30, 2020
	CenterPoint Energy		CERC
	(in millions, except years)
Amount accrued for remediation	$	12	$	7
Minimum estimated remediation costs	7		4
Maximum estimated remediation costs	54		32
Minimum years of remediation	5		30
Maximum years of remediation	50		50