EXHIBIT 23



            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos.
333-120306, 333-116246 and 333-114543 on Form S-3; Registration Statement Nos.
333-115976 and 333-105773 on Form S-8; Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
Registration Statement Nos. 333-33303-99 on Form S-3; Post Effective Amendment
No. 1 to Registration Statement Nos. 333-32413-99, 333-49333-99, 333-38188-99,
333-60260-99, 333-98271-99 and 333-101202 on Form S-8; and Post-Effective
Amendment No. 5 to Registration Statement No. 333-11329-99 on Form S-8 of our
reports relating to i) the consolidated financial statements of CenterPoint
Energy, Inc. and subsidiaries dated March 15, 2006 (which report expresses an
unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph regarding the
Company's adoption of a new accounting standard related to conditional asset
retirement obligations), ii) the consolidated financial statement schedules
dated March 15, 2006, and iii) management's report on the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting dated March 15, 2006, appearing in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. for the year ended
December 31, 2005.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Houston, Texas

March 15, 2006