Centerpoint Energy Houston Electric 10-Q 2013 Q3 Quarterly report

Exhibit 12

CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

(AN INDIRECT WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.)

COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

(Millions of Dollars)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012 (1)			2013 (1)
Net income	$	252		$	218
Income taxes	98			117
Capitalized interest	(5		)	(7		)
	345			328
Fixed charges, as defined:
Interest	222			178
Capitalized interest	5			7
Interest component of rentals charged to operating expense	—			—
Total fixed charges	227			185
Earnings, as defined	$	572		$	513
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges	2.52			2.77

  ____________

(1) Excluded from the computation of fixed charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 is interest income of $8 million and less than $1 million, respectively, which is included in income tax expense.