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Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2022 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2022
Houston Electric |  |  |  |  |
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Cash dividends paid to parent | $ 79 | $ 74 | $ 239 | $ 141 |
Cash dividend paid to parent related to the sale of the Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Contribution from parent | 235 | 0 | 885 | 1,143 |
Net assets acquired in the Restructuring | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Non-cash capital contribution from parent in payment for property, plant and equipment below | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 |
Cash paid to parent for property, plant and equipment below | 0 | 0 | 0 | 65 |
Property, plant and equipment from parent | 0 | 0 | 0 | 103 |
Houston Electric | Operation and maintenance expense |  |  |  |  |
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Net affiliate service charges (billings) | (1) | 3 | (7) | (12) |
Houston Electric | Operation and maintenance expense | CenterPoint Energy |  |  |  |  |
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Corporate service charges | $ 40 | 38 | $ 115 | 114 |
Houston Electric | Investments |  |  |  |  |
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Weighted average interest rate | 5.56% |  | 5.56% |  | 4.75%
CERC |  |  |  |  |
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Cash dividends paid to parent | $ 36 | 13 | $ 347 | 124 |
Cash dividend paid to parent related to the sale of the Arkansas and Oklahoma Natural Gas businesses | 0 | 0 | 0 | 720 |
Contribution from parent | 0 | 0 | 500 | 125 |
Net assets acquired in the Restructuring | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2,345 |
Non-cash capital contribution from parent in payment for property, plant and equipment below | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54 |
Cash paid to parent for property, plant and equipment below | 0 | 0 | 0 | 61 |
Property, plant and equipment from parent | 0 | 0 | 0 | 115 |
CERC | Operation and maintenance expense |  |  |  |  |
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Net affiliate service charges (billings) | 1 | (3) | 7 | 12 |
CERC | Operation and maintenance expense | CenterPoint Energy |  |  |  |  |
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Corporate service charges | $ 56 | $ 54 | $ 162 | $ 163 |
CERC | Investments |  |  |  |  |
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Weighted average interest rate | 5.56% |  | 5.56% |  | 4.75%
Accounts and notes receivable (payable) - affiliate companies | Houston Electric |  |  |  |  |
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Money pool investments (borrowings) | $ 400 |  | $ 400 |  | $ (642)
Accounts and notes receivable (payable) - affiliate companies | CERC |  |  |  |  |
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Money pool investments (borrowings) | $ 86 |  | $ 86 |  | $ 0

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