EVERSOURCEA01.JPG
 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2017
 
or
¨

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE     
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________


Commission
File Number
Registrant; State of Incorporation;
Address; and Telephone Number
I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.
 
 
 
1-5324
EVERSOURCE ENERGY
(a Massachusetts voluntary association)
300 Cadwell Drive
Springfield, Massachusetts 01104
Telephone:  (800) 286-5000
04-2147929
 
 
 
0-00404
THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
(a Connecticut corporation)
107 Selden Street
Berlin, Connecticut 06037-1616
Telephone:  (800) 286-5000
06-0303850
 
 
 
1-02301
NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY
(a Massachusetts corporation)
800 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02199
Telephone:  (800) 286-5000
04-1278810
 
 
 
1-6392
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
(a New Hampshire corporation)
Energy Park
780 North Commercial Street
Manchester, New Hampshire 03101-1134
Telephone:  (800) 286-5000
02-0181050
 
 
 
0-7624
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY
(a Massachusetts corporation)
300 Cadwell Drive
Springfield, Massachusetts 01104
Telephone:  (800) 286-5000
04-1961130
 
 
 


 
 


Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
Yes
No
 
x
¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants have submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web sites, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to submit and post such files).
 
Yes
No
 
x
¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):
 
Large
accelerated filer
 
Accelerated
filer
 
Non-accelerated
filer
 
Smaller reporting company
 
Emerging growth company
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eversource Energy
x
 
¨
 
¨
 
¨
 
¨
The Connecticut Light and Power Company
¨
 
¨
 
x
 
¨
 
¨
NSTAR Electric Company
¨
 
¨
 
x
 
¨
 
¨
Public Service Company of New Hampshire
¨
 
¨
 
x
 
¨
 
¨
Western Massachusetts Electric Company
¨
 
¨
 
x
 
¨
 
¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are shell companies (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):
 
Yes
No
 
 
 
Eversource Energy
¨
x
The Connecticut Light and Power Company
¨
x
NSTAR Electric Company
¨
x
Public Service Company of New Hampshire
¨
x
Western Massachusetts Electric Company
¨
x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers' classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
Company - Class of Stock
Outstanding as of April 30, 2017
 
 
Eversource Energy Common Shares, $5.00 par value
316,885,808 shares
The Connecticut Light and Power Company Common Stock, $10.00 par value
6,035,205 shares
NSTAR Electric Company Common Stock, $1.00 par value
100 shares
Public Service Company of New Hampshire Common Stock, $1.00 par value
301 shares
Western Massachusetts Electric Company Common Stock, $25.00 par value
434,653 shares

Eversource Energy holds all of the 6,035,205 shares , 100 shares , 301 shares , and 434,653 shares of the outstanding common stock of The Connecticut Light and Power Company, NSTAR Electric Company, Public Service Company of New Hampshire and Western Massachusetts Electric Company, respectively.

NSTAR Electric Company, Public Service Company of New Hampshire and Western Massachusetts Electric Company each meet the conditions set forth in General Instructions H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q, and each is therefore filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format specified in General Instruction H(2) of Form 10-Q.

Eversource Energy, The Connecticut Light and Power Company, NSTAR Electric Company, Public Service Company of New Hampshire, and Western Massachusetts Electric Company each separately file this combined Form 10-Q.  Information contained herein relating to any individual registrant is filed by such registrant on its own behalf.  Each registrant makes no representation as to information relating to the other registrants.  




GLOSSARY OF TERMS

The following is a glossary of abbreviations or acronyms that are found in this report:
Current or former Eversource Energy companies, segments or investments:
Eversource, ES or the Company
Eversource Energy and subsidiaries
Eversource parent or ES parent
Eversource Energy, a public utility holding company
ES parent and other companies
ES parent and other companies are comprised of Eversource parent, Eversource Service and other subsidiaries, which primarily includes our unregulated businesses, HWP Company, The Rocky River Realty Company (a real estate subsidiary), and the consolidated operations of CYAPC and YAEC
CL&P
The Connecticut Light and Power Company
NSTAR Electric
NSTAR Electric Company
PSNH
Public Service Company of New Hampshire
WMECO
Western Massachusetts Electric Company
NSTAR Gas
NSTAR Gas Company
Yankee Gas
Yankee Gas Services Company
NPT
Northern Pass Transmission LLC
Eversource Service
Eversource Energy Service Company
CYAPC
Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company
MYAPC
Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company
YAEC
Yankee Atomic Electric Company
Yankee Companies
CYAPC, YAEC and MYAPC
Regulated companies
The Eversource Regulated companies are comprised of the electric distribution and transmission businesses of CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH, and WMECO, the natural gas distribution businesses of Yankee Gas and NSTAR Gas, the generation activities of PSNH and WMECO, and NPT
 
 
Regulators:
 
DEEP
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
DOE
U.S. Department of Energy
DOER
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
DPU
Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities
EPA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
FERC
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
ISO-NE
ISO New England, Inc., the New England Independent System Operator
MA DEP
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
NHPUC
New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission
PURA
Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority
SEC
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
SJC
Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts
 
 
Other Terms and Abbreviations:
Access Northeast
A project being developed jointly by Eversource, Enbridge, Inc. ("Enbridge"), and National Grid plc ("National Grid") through Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC to bring needed additional natural gas pipeline and storage capacity to New England.
ADIT
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes
AFUDC
Allowance For Funds Used During Construction
AOCL
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
ARO
Asset Retirement Obligation
Bay State Wind
A proposed offshore wind project being developed off the coast of Massachusetts
Bcf
Billion cubic feet
C&LM
Conservation and Load Management
CfD
Contract for Differences
Clean Air Project
The construction of a wet flue gas desulphurization system, known as "scrubber technology," to reduce mercury emissions of the Merrimack coal-fired generation station in Bow, New Hampshire
CO 2
Carbon dioxide
CPSL
Capital Projects Scheduling List
CTA
Competitive Transition Assessment
CWIP
Construction Work in Progress
EDC
Electric distribution company
EPS
Earnings Per Share
ERISA
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974

i



ESOP
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
ESPP
Employee Share Purchase Plan
Eversource 2016 Form 10-K
The Eversource Energy and Subsidiaries 2016 combined Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC
FERC ALJ
FERC Administrative Law Judge
Fitch
Fitch Ratings
FMCC
Federally Mandated Congestion Charge
FTR
Financial Transmission Rights
GAAP
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
GSC
Generation Service Charge
GSRP
Greater Springfield Reliability Project
GWh
Gigawatt-Hours
HQ
Hydro-Québec, a corporation wholly-owned by the Québec government, including its divisions that produce, transmit and distribute electricity in Québec, Canada
HVDC
High voltage direct current
Hydro Renewable Energy
Hydro Renewable Energy, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hydro-Québec
IPP
Independent Power Producers
ISO-NE Tariff
ISO-NE FERC Transmission, Markets and Services Tariff
kV
Kilovolt
kVa
Kilovolt-ampere
kW
Kilowatt (equal to one thousand watts)
kWh
Kilowatt-Hours (the basic unit of electricity energy equal to one kilowatt of power supplied for one hour)
LBR
Lost Base Revenue
LNG
Liquefied natural gas
LRS
Supplier of last resort service
McF
Million cubic feet
MGP
Manufactured Gas Plant
MMBtu
One million British thermal units
Moody's
Moody's Investors Services, Inc.
MW
Megawatt
MWh
Megawatt-Hours
NEEWS
New England East-West Solution
NETOs
New England Transmission Owners
Northern Pass
The high-voltage direct-current and associated alternating-current transmission line project from Canada into New Hampshire
NO x
Nitrogen oxides
OCI
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
PAM
Pension and PBOP Rate Adjustment Mechanism
PBOP
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension
PBOP Plan
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension Plan that provides certain retiree benefits, primarily medical, dental and life insurance
PCRBs
Pollution Control Revenue Bonds
Pension Plan
Single uniform noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan
PPA
Pension Protection Act
RECs
Renewable Energy Certificates
Regulatory ROE
The average cost of capital method for calculating the return on equity related to the distribution and generation business segment excluding the wholesale transmission segment
RNS
Regional Network Service
ROE
Return on Equity
RRB
Rate Reduction Bond or Rate Reduction Certificate
RSUs
Restricted share units
S&P
Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC
SBC
Systems Benefits Charge
SCRC
Stranded Cost Recovery Charge
SERP
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans and non-qualified defined benefit retirement plans
SIP
Simplified Incentive Plan
SO 2
Sulfur dioxide
SS
Standard service
TCAM
Transmission Cost Adjustment Mechanism
TSA
Transmission Service Agreement
UI
The United Illuminating Company

ii



EVERSOURCE ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES   
THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SUBSIDIARY
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Page
PART I  – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

iii




EVERSOURCE ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(Thousands of Dollars)
As of March 31, 2017

As of December 31, 2016





ASSETS
 


 
Current Assets:
 


 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
45,763


$
30,251

Receivables, Net
879,451


847,301

Unbilled Revenues
166,710


168,490

Fuel, Materials, Supplies and Inventory
361,779


328,721

Regulatory Assets
875,037


887,625

Prepayments and Other Current Assets
182,659


215,284

Total Current Assets
2,511,399


2,477,672







Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
21,641,898


21,350,510







Deferred Debits and Other Assets:
 


 

Regulatory Assets
3,564,700


3,638,688

Goodwill
3,519,401


3,519,401

Marketable Securities
561,585


544,642

Other Long-Term Assets
556,193


522,260

Total Deferred Debits and Other Assets
8,201,879


8,224,991







Total Assets
$
32,355,176


$
32,053,173





LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
 

 
Current Liabilities:
 

 
Notes Payable
$
975,500


$
1,148,500

Long-Term Debt – Current Portion
773,883


773,883

Accounts Payable
745,856


884,521

Regulatory Liabilities
199,160


146,787

Other Current Liabilities
639,366


684,914

Total Current Liabilities
3,333,765


3,638,605





Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
 

 
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes
5,758,603


5,607,207

Regulatory Liabilities
692,989


702,255

Derivative Liabilities
415,795


413,676

Accrued Pension and SERP
1,077,593


1,141,514

Other Long-Term Liabilities
848,776


853,260

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
8,793,756


8,717,912







Capitalization:
 

 
Long-Term Debt
9,267,891


8,829,354







Noncontrolling Interest - Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries
155,568


155,568







Equity:
 

 
Common Shareholders' Equity:
 

 
Common Shares
1,669,392


1,669,392

Capital Surplus, Paid In
6,230,608


6,250,224

Retained Earnings
3,284,108


3,175,171

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
(62,141
)

(65,282
)
Treasury Stock
(317,771
)

(317,771
)
Common Shareholders' Equity
10,804,196


10,711,734

Total Capitalization
20,227,655


19,696,656







Total Liabilities and Capitalization
$
32,355,176


$
32,053,173


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

1



EVERSOURCE ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Share Information)
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
Operating Revenues
$
2,105,135

 
$
2,055,635

 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses:
 
 
 
Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission
753,649

 
754,859

Operations and Maintenance
330,265

 
320,136

Depreciation
186,805

 
173,986

Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net
24,017

 
20,997

Energy Efficiency Programs
146,158

 
137,175

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
155,222

 
159,946

Total Operating Expenses
1,596,116

 
1,567,099

Operating Income
509,019

 
488,536

Interest Expense
103,429

 
98,212

Other Income, Net
13,577

 
2,011

Income Before Income Tax Expense
419,167

 
392,335

Income Tax Expense
157,829

 
146,302

Net Income
261,338

 
246,033

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
1,880

 
1,880

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
$
259,458

 
$
244,153

 
 
 
 
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
$
0.82

 
$
0.77

 
 
 
 
Dividends Declared Per Common Share
$
0.48

 
$
0.45

 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
 
 
 
Basic
317,463,151

 
317,517,141

Diluted
318,124,536

 
318,481,050


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
261,338

 
$
246,033

Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax:
 
 
 
Qualified Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
534

 
534

Changes in Unrealized Gains on Marketable Securities
1,645

 
264

Changes in Funded Status of Pension, SERP and PBOP Benefit Plans
962

 
871

Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax
3,141

 
1,669

Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
(1,880
)
 
(1,880
)
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
$
262,599

 
$
245,822


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

2



EVERSOURCE ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2017
 
2016




Operating Activities:
 

 
Net Income
$
261,338


$
246,033

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities:
 

 
Depreciation
186,805


173,986

Deferred Income Taxes
141,398


141,132

Pension, SERP and PBOP Expense, Net
5,828


11,583

Pension and PBOP Contributions
(45,700
)

(30,383
)
Regulatory Over/(Under) Recoveries, Net
56,734


(82,772
)
Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net
24,017


20,997

Other
(42,428
)

(16,532
)
Changes in Current Assets and Liabilities:
 

 
Receivables and Unbilled Revenues, Net
(50,251
)

(133,965
)
Fuel, Materials, Supplies and Inventory
(33,058
)

(22,748
)
Taxes Receivable/Accrued, Net
32,313


279,106

Accounts Payable
(57,701
)

(76,317
)
Other Current Assets and Liabilities, Net
(42,793
)

(10,156
)
Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
436,502


499,964





Investing Activities:
 

 
Investments in Property, Plant and Equipment
(523,560
)

(431,472
)
Proceeds from Sales of Marketable Securities
154,772


136,805

Purchases of Marketable Securities
(149,688
)

(135,427
)
Other Investing Activities
(11,281
)

5,494

Net Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
(529,757
)

(424,600
)




Financing Activities:
 

 
Cash Dividends on Common Shares
(150,521
)

(141,157
)
Cash Dividends on Preferred Stock
(1,880
)

(1,880
)
Decrease in Notes Payable
(173,000
)

(391,453
)
Issuance of Long-Term Debt
600,000


500,000

Retirements of Long-Term Debt
(150,000
)


Other Financing Activities
(15,832
)

(13,855
)
Net Cash Flows Provided by/(Used in) Financing Activities
108,767


(48,345
)
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
15,512


27,019

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning of Period
30,251


23,947

Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Period
$
45,763


$
50,966


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.



3




THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(Thousands of Dollars)
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash
$
15,315

 
$
6,579

Receivables, Net
349,714

 
359,132

Accounts Receivable from Affiliated Companies
17,184

 
16,851

Unbilled Revenues
51,069

 
50,373

Materials, Supplies and Inventory
56,432

 
52,050

Regulatory Assets
370,083

 
335,526

Prepayments and Other Current Assets
52,406

 
52,670

Total Current Assets
912,203

 
873,181

 
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
7,754,894

 
7,632,392

 
 
 
 
Deferred Debits and Other Assets:
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets
1,367,486

 
1,391,564

Other Long-Term Assets
140,157

 
137,907

Total Deferred Debits and Other Assets
1,507,643

 
1,529,471

 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
10,174,740

 
$
10,035,044

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Notes Payable to Eversource Parent
$
3,400

 
$
80,100

Long-Term Debt – Current Portion
100,000

 
250,000

Accounts Payable
281,414

 
289,532

Accounts Payable to Affiliated Companies
67,250

 
88,075

Obligations to Third Party Suppliers
51,885

 
55,520

Regulatory Liabilities
58,946

 
47,055

Derivative Liabilities
70,739

 
77,765

Other Current Liabilities
127,869

 
120,399

Total Current Liabilities
761,503

 
1,008,446

 
 
 
 
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes
2,037,638

 
1,987,661

Regulatory Liabilities
101,241

 
100,138

Derivative Liabilities
415,187

 
412,750

Accrued Pension, SERP and PBOP
296,105

 
300,208

Other Long-Term Liabilities
123,931

 
123,244

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
2,974,102

 
2,924,001

 
 
 
 
Capitalization:
 
 
 
Long-Term Debt
2,813,151

 
2,516,010

 
 
 
 
Preferred Stock Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption
116,200

 
116,200

 
 
 
 
Common Stockholder's Equity:
 
 
 
Common Stock
60,352

 
60,352

Capital Surplus, Paid In
2,110,726

 
2,110,714

Retained Earnings
1,338,592

 
1,299,374

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
114

 
(53
)
Common Stockholder's Equity
3,509,784

 
3,470,387

Total Capitalization
6,439,135

 
6,102,597

 
 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Capitalization
$
10,174,740

 
$
10,035,044


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.

4



THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
Operating Revenues
$
732,310

 
$
735,317

 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses:
 
 
 
Purchased Power and Transmission
244,938

 
272,600

Operations and Maintenance
128,226

 
110,843

Depreciation
59,751

 
56,969

Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net
12,803

 
9,878

Energy Efficiency Programs
36,591

 
38,090

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
73,979

 
75,465

Total Operating Expenses
556,288

 
563,845

Operating Income
176,022

 
171,472

Interest Expense
34,964

 
36,498

Other Income, Net
2,756

 
936

Income Before Income Tax Expense
143,814

 
135,910

Income Tax Expense
53,606

 
48,863

Net Income
$
90,208

 
$
87,047


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.


CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
90,208

 
$
87,047

Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax:
 
 
 
Qualified Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
111

 
111

Changes in Unrealized Gains on Marketable Securities
56

 
9

Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax
167

 
120

Comprehensive Income
$
90,375

 
$
87,167


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.


5



THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net Income
$
90,208

 
$
87,047

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
59,751

 
56,969

Deferred Income Taxes
47,864

 
58,363

Regulatory Underrecoveries, Net
(18,734
)
 
(70,195
)
Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net
12,803

 
9,878

Other
(2,373
)
 
2,216

Changes in Current Assets and Liabilities:
 
 
 
Receivables and Unbilled Revenues, Net
(1,280
)
 
(37,501
)
Taxes Receivable/Accrued, Net
32,920

 
141,951

Accounts Payable
(16,957
)
 
(5,040
)
Other Current Assets and Liabilities, Net
(32,576
)
 
(22,533
)
Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
171,626

 
221,155

 
 
 
 
Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Investments in Property, Plant and Equipment
(181,601
)
 
(147,131
)
Proceeds from the Sale of  Property, Plant and Equipment

 
9,047

Other Investing Activities
32

 
49

Net Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
(181,569
)
 
(138,035
)
 
 
 
 
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Cash Dividends on Common Stock
(49,600
)
 
(49,900
)
Cash Dividends on Preferred Stock
(1,390
)
 
(1,390
)
Capital Contributions from Eversource Parent

 
145,700

Issuance of Long-Term Debt
300,000

 

Retirement of Long-Term Debt
(150,000
)
 

Decrease in Notes Payable to Eversource Parent
(76,700
)
 
(161,900
)
Other Financing Activities
(3,631
)
 
(205
)
Net Cash Flows Provided by/(Used in) Financing Activities
18,679

 
(67,695
)
Net Increase in Cash
8,736

 
15,425

Cash - Beginning of Period
6,579

 
1,057

Cash - End of Period
$
15,315

 
$
16,482


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.




6




NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(Thousands of Dollars)
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 

 
 

Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
2,448

 
$
3,494

Receivables, Net
264,337

 
257,557

Accounts Receivable from Affiliated Companies
4,565

 
8,581

Unbilled Revenues
28,393

 
31,632

Taxes Receivable
2,884

 
39,738

Materials, Supplies and Inventory
94,338

 
62,288

Regulatory Assets
276,476

 
289,400

Prepayments and Other Current Assets
17,109

 
14,906

Total Current Assets
690,550

 
707,596

 
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
6,108,944

 
6,051,835

 
 
 
 
Deferred Debits and Other Assets:
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets
1,051,090

 
1,057,746

Prepaid PBOP
100,609

 
95,073

Other Long-Term Assets
63,371

 
60,572

Total Deferred Debits and Other Assets
1,215,070

 
1,213,391

 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
8,014,564

 
$
7,972,822

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Notes Payable
$
174,500

 
$
126,500

Long-Term Debt – Current Portion
400,000

 
400,000

Accounts Payable
177,110

 
232,599

Accounts Payable to Affiliated Companies
96,924

 
91,532

Obligations to Third Party Suppliers
60,650

 
55,863

Renewable Portfolio Standards Compliance Obligations
94,800

 
75,571

Regulatory Liabilities
62,154

 
63,653

Other Current Liabilities
54,166

 
71,122

Total Current Liabilities
1,120,304

 
1,116,840

 
 
 
 
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes
1,866,259

 
1,836,292

Regulatory Liabilities
390,458

 
391,823

Accrued Pension and SERP
99,491

 
111,827

Other Long-Term Liabilities
125,640

 
123,194

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
2,481,848

 
2,463,136

 
 
 
 
Capitalization:
 
 
 
Long-Term Debt
1,678,514

 
1,678,116

 
 
 
 
Preferred Stock Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption
43,000

 
43,000

 
 
 
 
Common Stockholder's Equity:
 
 
 
Common Stock

 

Capital Surplus, Paid In
1,045,378

 
1,045,378

Retained Earnings
1,645,156

 
1,625,984

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
364

 
368

Common Stockholder's Equity
2,690,898

 
2,671,730

Total Capitalization
4,412,412

 
4,392,846

 
 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Capitalization
$
8,014,564


$
7,972,822


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

7



NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
Operating Revenues
$
603,779

 
$
614,216

 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses:
 

 
 

Purchased Power and Transmission
233,093

 
254,336

Operations and Maintenance
88,351

 
94,696

Depreciation
55,216

 
51,886

Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net
4,977

 
4,683

Energy Efficiency Programs
67,312

 
66,243

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
27,393

 
32,555

Total Operating Expenses
476,342

 
504,399

Operating Income
127,437

 
109,817

Interest Expense
22,029

 
20,889

Other Income/(Loss), Net
3,249

 
(334
)
Income Before Income Tax Expense
108,657

 
88,594

Income Tax Expense
42,495

 
34,101

Net Income
$
66,162

 
$
54,493


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
66,162

 
$
54,493

Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax:
 
 
 
  Changes in Funded Status of SERP Benefit Plan
(4
)
 
(10
)
Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax
(4
)
 
(10
)
Comprehensive Income
$
66,158

 
$
54,483


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


8



NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
Operating Activities:
 

 
 

Net Income
$
66,162

 
$
54,493

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation
55,216

 
51,886

Deferred Income Taxes
29,199

 
32,878

Pension, SERP and PBOP Benefits and Contributions, Net of Expense
(10,422
)
 
(12,953
)
Regulatory Over/(Under) Recoveries, Net
4,373

 
(16,746
)
Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net
4,977

 
4,683

Other
(3,691
)
 
(3,245
)
Changes in Current Assets and Liabilities:
 

 
 

Receivables and Unbilled Revenues, Net
(2,376
)
 
(29,132
)
Materials, Supplies and Inventory
(32,050
)
 
(40,322
)
Taxes Receivable/Accrued, Net
38,970

 
33,938

Accounts Payable
(19,025
)
 
1,187

Other Current Assets and Liabilities, Net
2,371

 
19,600

Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
133,704

 
96,267

 
 
 
 
Investing Activities:
 

 
 

Investments in Property, Plant and Equipment
(132,105
)
 
(91,319
)
Other Investing Activities
(3,617
)
 

Net Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
(135,722
)
 
(91,319
)
 
 
 
 
Financing Activities:
 

 
 

Cash Dividends on Common Stock
(46,500
)
 
(90,300
)
Cash Dividends on Preferred Stock
(490
)
 
(490
)
Increase in Notes Payable
48,000

 
86,000

Other Financing Activities
(38
)
 

Net Cash Flows Provided by/(Used in) Financing Activities
972

 
(4,790
)
(Decrease)/Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
(1,046
)
 
158

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning of Period
3,494

 
3,346

Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Period
$
2,448

 
$
3,504


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


9




PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(Thousands of Dollars)
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash
$
7,743

 
$
4,646

Receivables, Net
81,899

 
84,450

Accounts Receivable from Affiliated Companies
2,098

 
4,185

Unbilled Revenues
42,784

 
41,004

Fuel, Materials, Supplies and Inventory
165,725

 
162,354

Regulatory Assets
111,274

 
117,240

Prepayments and Other Current Assets
9,423

 
28,908

Total Current Assets
420,946

 
442,787

 
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
3,076,608

 
3,039,313

 
 
 
 
Deferred Debits and Other Assets:
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets
243,643

 
245,525

Other Long-Term Assets
42,797

 
37,720

Total Deferred Debits and Other Assets
286,440

 
283,245

 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
3,783,994

 
$
3,765,345

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Notes Payable to Eversource Parent
$
144,900

 
$
160,900

Long-Term Debt – Current Portion
70,000

 
70,000

Accounts Payable
70,710

 
85,716

Accounts Payable to Affiliated Companies
40,463

 
29,154

Regulatory Liabilities
17,224

 
12,659

Other Current Liabilities
52,771

 
43,253

Total Current Liabilities
396,068

 
401,682

 
 
 
 
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes
796,118

 
785,385

Regulatory Liabilities
45,600

 
44,779

Accrued Pension, SERP and PBOP
91,911

 
94,652

Other Long-Term Liabilities
48,435

 
49,442

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
982,064

 
974,258

 
 
 
 
Capitalization:
 
 
 
Long-Term Debt
1,002,305

 
1,002,048

 
 
 
 
Common Stockholder's Equity:
 
 
 
Common Stock

 

Capital Surplus, Paid In
843,134

 
843,134

Retained Earnings
565,098

 
549,286

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
(4,675
)
 
(5,063
)
Common Stockholder's Equity
1,403,557

 
1,387,357

Total Capitalization
2,405,862

 
2,389,405

 
 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Capitalization
$
3,783,994

 
$
3,765,345


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


10



PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
Operating Revenues
$
253,157

 
$
242,290

 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses:
 
 
 
Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission
61,747

 
50,214

Operations and Maintenance
62,351

 
59,213

Depreciation
30,735

 
28,235

Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net
5,445

 
8,518

Energy Efficiency Programs
3,746

 
3,620

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
20,881

 
21,795

Total Operating Expenses
184,905

 
171,595

Operating Income
68,252

 
70,695

Interest Expense
12,808

 
12,461

Other Income, Net
1,198

 
150

Income Before Income Tax Expense
56,642

 
58,384

Income Tax Expense
22,330

 
22,326

Net Income
$
34,312

 
$
36,058


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
34,312

 
$
36,058

Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax:
 
 
 
Qualified Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
291

 
290

Changes in Unrealized Gains on Marketable Securities
97

 
16

Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax
388

 
306

Comprehensive Income
$
34,700

 
$
36,364


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


11



PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net Income
$
34,312

 
$
36,058

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
30,735

 
28,235

Deferred Income Taxes
11,290

 
21,181

Regulatory Over/(Under) Recoveries, Net
3,507

 
(2,291
)
Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net
5,445

 
8,518

Other
(4,471
)
 
(9,166
)
Changes in Current Assets and Liabilities:
 
 
 
Receivables and Unbilled Revenues, Net
1,149

 
(17,207
)
Fuel, Materials, Supplies and Inventory
(3,371
)
 
6,903

Taxes Receivable/Accrued, Net
1,778

 
57,935

Accounts Payable
5,475

 
2,100

Other Current Assets and Liabilities, Net
27,332

 
24,021

Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
113,181

 
156,287

 
 
 
 
Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Investments in Property, Plant and Equipment
(75,327
)
 
(72,338
)
Other Investing Activities
(145
)
 
84

Net Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
(75,472
)
 
(72,254
)
 
 
 
 
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Cash Dividends on Common Stock
(18,500
)
 
(19,400
)
Capital Contributions from Eversource Parent

 
11,500

Decrease in Notes Payable to Eversource Parent
(16,000
)
 
(74,200
)
Other Financing Activities
(112
)
 
(86
)
Net Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities
(34,612
)
 
(82,186
)
Net Increase in Cash
3,097

 
1,847

Cash - Beginning of Period
4,646

 
1,733

Cash - End of Period
$
7,743

 
$
3,580


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


12



    
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(Thousands of Dollars)
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash
$
769

 
$

Receivables, Net
57,340

 
54,940

Accounts Receivable from Affiliated Companies
16,588

 
14,425

Unbilled Revenues
16,850

 
15,329

Materials, Supplies and Inventory
9,911

 
8,618

Regulatory Assets
66,033

 
64,123

Prepayments and Other Current Assets
3,365

 
2,595

Total Current Assets
170,856

 
160,030

 
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
1,694,818

 
1,678,262

 
 
 
 
Deferred Debits and Other Assets:
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets
123,317

 
127,291

Other Long-Term Assets
31,171

 
29,062

Total Deferred Debits and Other Assets
154,488

 
156,353

 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
2,020,162

 
$
1,994,645

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Notes Payable to Eversource Parent
$
71,400

 
$
51,000

Accounts Payable
44,023

 
56,036

Accounts Payable to Affiliated Companies
14,837

 
19,478

Obligations to Third Party Suppliers
9,705

 
10,508

Renewable Portfolio Standards Compliance Obligations
25,110

 
20,383

Regulatory Liabilities
12,897

 
14,888

Other Current Liabilities
7,659

 
14,984

Total Current Liabilities
185,631

 
187,277

 
 
 
 
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
 

 
 
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes
507,203

 
490,793

Regulatory Liabilities
19,119

 
17,227

Accrued Pension, SERP and PBOP
18,660

 
20,390

Other Long-Term Liabilities
44,177

 
41,308

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
589,159

 
569,718

 
 
 
 
Capitalization:
 

 
 
Long-Term Debt
566,415

 
566,536

 
 
 
 
Common Stockholder's Equity:
 

 
 
Common Stock
10,866

 
10,866

Capital Surplus, Paid In
444,398

 
444,398

Retained Earnings
225,930

 
218,212

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
(2,237
)
 
(2,362
)
Common Stockholder's Equity
678,957

 
671,114

Total Capitalization
1,245,372

 
1,237,650

 
 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Capitalization
$
2,020,162

 
$
1,994,645


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.   


13



WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
Operating Revenues
$
130,136

 
$
128,095

 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses:
 
 
 
Purchased Power and Transmission
40,867

 
39,563

Operations and Maintenance
22,498

 
21,805

Depreciation
12,002

 
11,371

Amortization of Regulatory (Liabilities)/Assets, Net
(488
)
 
1,212

Energy Efficiency Programs
10,664

 
10,856

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
10,428

 
10,232

Total Operating Expenses
95,971

 
95,039

Operating Income
34,165

 
33,056

Interest Expense
6,249

 
6,004

Other Income/(Loss), Net
77

 
(149
)
Income Before Income Tax Expense
27,993

 
26,903

Income Tax Expense
10,775

 
10,076

Net Income
$
17,218

 
$
16,827


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.       


CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
17,218

 
$
16,827

Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax:
 

 
 
Qualified Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
109

 
109

Changes in Unrealized Gains on Marketable Securities
16

 
3

Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax
125

 
112

Comprehensive Income
$
17,343

 
$
16,939


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.       

14



WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net Income
$
17,218

 
$
16,827

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
12,002

 
11,371

Deferred Income Taxes
16,176

 
9,921

Regulatory Underrecoveries, Net
(452
)
 
(6,100
)
Amortization of Regulatory (Liabilities)/Assets, Net
(488
)
 
1,212

Other
(326
)
 
(541
)
Changes in Current Assets and Liabilities:
 
 
 
Receivables and Unbilled Revenues, Net
(5,924
)
 
2,197

Taxes Receivable/Accrued, Net
(1,404
)
 
26,976

Accounts Payable
(10,141
)
 
(11,011
)
Other Current Assets and Liabilities, Net
(4,057
)
 
(136
)
Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
22,604

 
50,716

 
 
 
 
Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Investments in Property, Plant and Equipment
(32,744
)
 
(39,891
)
Other Investing Activities
9

 
13

Net Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
(32,735
)
 
(39,878
)
 
 
 
 
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Cash Dividends on Common Stock
(9,500
)
 
(9,500
)
Increase in Notes Payable to Eversource Parent
20,400

 
100

Other Financing Activities

 
(3
)
Net Cash Flows Provided by/(Used in) Financing Activities
10,900

 
(9,403
)
Net Increase in Cash
769

 
1,435

Cash - Beginning of Period

 
834

Cash - End of Period
$
769

 
$
2,269


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.


15



EVERSOURCE ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES
THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SUBSIDIARY
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Refer to the Glossary of Terms included in this combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for abbreviations and acronyms used throughout the combined notes to the unaudited condensed financial statements.

1.    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A.    Basis of Presentation
Eversource Energy is a public utility holding company primarily engaged, through its wholly-owned regulated utility subsidiaries, in the energy delivery business.  Eversource Energy's wholly-owned regulated utility subsidiaries consist of CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH, WMECO, Yankee Gas and NSTAR Gas.  Eversource provides energy delivery service to approximately 3.7 million electric and natural gas customers through these six regulated utilities in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Eversource, NSTAR Electric and PSNH include the accounts of each of their respective subsidiaries.  Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Eversource, NSTAR Electric and PSNH and the unaudited condensed financial statements of CL&P and WMECO are herein collectively referred to as the "financial statements."

The combined notes to the financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.  Certain information and footnote disclosures included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  The accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Combined Notes to Financial Statements included in Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of the Eversource 2016 Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC.  The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The financial statements contain, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (including normal, recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly Eversource's, CL&P's, NSTAR Electric's, PSNH's and WMECO's financial position as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , and the results of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 .  The results of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for a full year.  

Eversource consolidates CYAPC and YAEC because CL&P's, NSTAR Electric's, PSNH's and WMECO's combined ownership interest in each of these entities is greater than 50 percent.  Intercompany transactions between CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO and the CYAPC and YAEC companies have been eliminated in consolidation of the Eversource financial statements.

Eversource's utility subsidiaries' distribution (including generation assets) and transmission businesses are subject to rate-regulation that is based on cost recovery and meets the criteria for application of accounting guidance for entities with rate-regulated operations, which considers the effect of regulation on the differences in the timing of the recognition of certain revenues and expenses from those of other businesses and industries.  See Note 2, "Regulatory Accounting," for further information.

Certain reclassifications of prior period data were made in the accompanying financial statements to conform to the current period presentation.

B.    Accounting Standards
Accounting Standards Issued but Not Yet Effective:   In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which amends existing revenue recognition guidance and is required to be applied retrospectively (either to each reporting period presented or cumulatively at the date of initial application).  The Company is evaluating the requirements and potential impacts of ASU 2014-09 and will implement the standard in the first quarter of 2018 cumulatively at the date of initial application. The guidance continues to be interpreted on an industry specific level, including the timing of recognizing revenues from billings to protected customers that may not meet the collectability threshold for revenue recognition. Therefore, while the effects of implementing the ASU on results of operations are not expected to be material, there may be changes in the timing of revenue recognition on the financial statements of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities , which is required to be implemented in the first quarter of 2018.  The ASU will remove the available-for-sale designation for equity securities, whereby changes in fair value are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income within shareholders' equity, and will require changes in fair value of all equity securities to be recorded in earnings beginning on January 1, 2018, with the unrealized gain or loss on available-for-sale equity securities as of that date reclassified to retained earnings as a cumulative effect of adoption.  The fair value of available-for-sale equity securities subject to this guidance as of March 31, 2017 was approximately $49 million .  The remaining available-for-sale equity securities included in marketable securities on the balance sheet are held in nuclear decommissioning trusts and are subject to regulatory accounting

16



treatment and will not be impacted by this guidance. Implementation of the ASU for other financial instruments is not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases , which changes existing lease accounting guidance and is required to be applied in the first quarter of 2019, with earlier application permitted.  The ASU is required to be implemented for leases beginning on the date of initial application. For prior periods presented, leases are required to be recognized and measured using a modified retrospective approach.  The Company is reviewing the requirements of ASU 2016-02, including balance sheet recognition of leases previously deemed operating leases, and expects to implement the ASU in the first quarter of 2019.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation – Retirement Benefits: Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost , required to be implemented in the first quarter of 2018. The ASU requires separate presentation of service cost from other components of net pension and PBOP costs, with the other components presented as non-operating income and not subject to capitalization. The Company is assessing the impacts of the ASU on the financial statements of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO, however implementation of the ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the net income of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO.

C.    Provision for Uncollectible Accounts
Eversource, including CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO, presents its receivables at estimated net realizable value by maintaining a provision for uncollectible accounts.  This provision is determined based upon a variety of judgments and factors, including the application of an estimated uncollectible percentage to each receivable aging category.  The estimate is based upon historical collection and write-off experience and management's assessment of collectability from customers.  Management continuously assesses the collectability of receivables and adjusts collectability estimates based on actual experience.  Receivable balances are written off against the provision for uncollectible accounts when the customer accounts are terminated and these balances are deemed to be uncollectible.

The PURA allows CL&P and Yankee Gas to accelerate the recovery of accounts receivable balances attributable to qualified customers under financial or medical duress (uncollectible hardship accounts receivable) outstanding for greater than 180 days and 90 days, respectively.  The DPU allows WMECO and NSTAR Gas also to recover in rates, amounts associated with certain uncollectible hardship accounts receivable.  Certain of NSTAR Electric's uncollectible hardship accounts receivable are expected to be recovered in future rates, similar to WMECO and NSTAR Gas. These uncollectible customer account balances are included in Regulatory Assets or Other Long-Term Assets on the balance sheets.

The total provision for uncollectible accounts and for uncollectible hardship accounts, which is included in the total provision, is included in Receivables, Net on the balance sheets, and was as follows:
 
Total Provision for Uncollectible Accounts
 
Uncollectible Hardship
(Millions of Dollars)
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
Eversource
$
203.2

 
$
200.6

 
$
118.0

 
$
119.9

CL&P
88.7

 
86.4

 
69.8

 
67.7

NSTAR Electric
52.6

 
54.8

 
23.7

 
26.2

PSNH
10.4

 
9.9

 

 

WMECO
14.2

 
15.5

 
8.2

 
9.9


D.    Fair Value Measurements
Fair value measurement guidance is applied to derivative contracts that are not elected or designated as "normal purchases or normal sales" ("normal") and to the marketable securities held in trusts.  Fair value measurement guidance is also applied to valuations of the investments used to calculate the funded status of pension and PBOP plans, the nonrecurring fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets such as goodwill and AROs, and the estimated fair value of preferred stock and long-term debt.

Fair Value Hierarchy:  In measuring fair value, Eversource uses observable market data when available in order to minimize the use of unobservable inputs.  Inputs used in fair value measurements are categorized into three fair value hierarchy levels for disclosure purposes.  The entire fair value measurement is categorized based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  Eversource evaluates the classification of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a quarterly basis, and Eversource's policy is to recognize transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy as of the end of the reporting period.  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1 - Inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date.  Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.  

Level 2 - Inputs are quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable.

Level 3 - Quoted market prices are not available.  Fair value is derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or assumptions are unobservable.  Where possible, valuation techniques incorporate observable market inputs that can be validated to external sources such as industry exchanges, including prices of energy and energy-related products.  


17



Determination of Fair Value:  The valuation techniques and inputs used in Eversource's fair value measurements are described in Note 4, "Derivative Instruments," Note 5, "Marketable Securities," and Note 10, "Fair Value of Financial Instruments," to the financial statements.

E.    Other Income, Net
Items included within Other Income, Net on the statements of income primarily consist of investment income/(loss), interest income, AFUDC related to equity funds, and income/(loss) related to equity method investments.  Investment income/(loss) primarily relates to debt and equity securities held in trust.  For further information, see Note 5, "Marketable Securities," to the financial statements.  

F.    Other Taxes
Gross receipts taxes levied by the state of Connecticut are collected by CL&P and Yankee Gas from their respective customers.  These gross receipts taxes are shown separately with collections in Operating Revenues and with payments in Taxes Other Than Income Taxes on the statements of income as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended
(Millions of Dollars)
March 31, 2017
 
March 31, 2016
Eversource
$
42.2

 
$
42.2

CL&P
33.9

 
36.0


As agents for state and local governments, Eversource's companies that serve customers in Connecticut and Massachusetts collect certain sales taxes that are recorded on a net basis with no impact on the statements of income.     

G.    Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Non-cash investing activities include plant additions included in Accounts Payable as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of March 31, 2016
Eversource
$
220.5

 
$
125.6

CL&P
104.2

 
52.6

NSTAR Electric
29.8

 
11.7

PSNH
28.7

 
26.8

WMECO
19.6

 
10.7


2.    REGULATORY ACCOUNTING

Eversource's Regulated companies are subject to rate regulation that is based on cost recovery and meets the criteria for application of accounting guidance for rate-regulated operations, which considers the effect of regulation on the timing of the recognition of certain revenues and expenses. The Regulated companies' financial statements reflect the effects of the rate-making process.  The rates charged to the customers of Eversource's Regulated companies are designed to collect each company's costs to provide service, including a return on investment.  

Management believes it is probable that each of the Regulated companies will recover its respective investments in long-lived assets, including regulatory assets.  If management were to determine that it could no longer apply the accounting guidance applicable to rate-regulated enterprises to any of the Regulated companies' operations, or if management could not conclude it is probable that costs would be recovered from customers in future rates, the costs would be charged to net income in the period in which the determination is made.

Regulatory Assets:   The components of regulatory assets were as follows:
Eversource
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
(Millions of Dollars)
 
Benefit Costs
$
1,782.5

 
$
1,817.8

Derivative Liabilities
416.3

 
423.3

Income Taxes, Net
645.4

 
644.5

Storm Restoration Costs
375.8

 
385.3

Goodwill-related
459.3

 
464.4

Regulatory Tracker Mechanisms
578.9

 
576.6

Contractual Obligations - Yankee Companies
70.6

 
84.9

Other Regulatory Assets
110.9

 
129.5

Total Regulatory Assets
4,439.7

 
4,526.3

Less:  Current Portion
875.0

 
887.6

Total Long-Term Regulatory Assets
$
3,564.7

 
$
3,638.7


18



 
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
(Millions of Dollars)
CL&P
 
NSTAR
Electric
 
PSNH
 
WMECO
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR
Electric
 
PSNH
 
WMECO
Benefit Costs
$
421.5

 
$
429.9

 
$
181.1

 
$
85.1

 
$
429.3

 
$
438.6

 
$
184.2

 
$
86.7

Derivative Liabilities
413.5

 
2.5

 

 

 
420.5

 
2.8

 

 

Income Taxes, Net
435.9

 
90.4

 
23.4

 
30.9

 
437.0

 
89.7

 
24.2

 
30.8

Storm Restoration Costs
225.1

 
118.5

 
17.0

 
15.2

 
239.8

 
112.5

 
17.1

 
15.9

Goodwill-related

 
394.3

 

 

 

 
398.7

 

 

Regulatory Tracker Mechanisms
170.5

 
245.9

 
101.8

 
49.1

 
123.9

 
257.3

 
104.5

 
46.7

Other Regulatory Assets
71.1

 
46.1

 
31.6

 
9.0

 
76.6

 
47.5

 
32.7

 
11.3

Total Regulatory Assets
1,737.6


1,327.6


354.9


189.3


1,727.1


1,347.1


362.7


191.4

Less:  Current Portion
370.1

 
276.5

 
111.3

 
66.0

 
335.5

 
289.4

 
117.2

 
64.1

Total Long-Term Regulatory Assets
$
1,367.5


$
1,051.1


$
243.6


$
123.3


$
1,391.6


$
1,057.7


$
245.5


$
127.3


Regulatory Costs in Other Long-Term Assets:  Eversource's Regulated companies had $91.4 million (including $5.0 million for CL&P, $33.3 million for NSTAR Electric, $12.9 million for PSNH and $22.1 million for WMECO) and $86.3 million (including $5.9 million for CL&P, $35.0 million for NSTAR Electric, $8.2 million for PSNH, and $20.1 million for WMECO) of additional regulatory costs as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively, that were included in Other Long-Term Assets on the balance sheets.  These amounts represent incurred costs for which recovery has not yet been specifically approved by the applicable regulatory agency.  However, based on regulatory policies or past precedent on similar costs, management believes it is probable that these costs will ultimately be approved and recovered from customers in rates.  

Regulatory Liabilities:   The components of regulatory liabilities were as follows:
Eversource
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
(Millions of Dollars)
 
Cost of Removal
$
469.6

 
$
459.7

Benefit Costs
130.8

 
136.2

Regulatory Tracker Mechanisms
188.8

 
145.3

AFUDC - Transmission
65.8

 
65.8

Other Regulatory Liabilities
37.2

 
42.1

Total Regulatory Liabilities
892.2

 
849.1

Less:  Current Portion
199.2

 
146.8

Total Long-Term Regulatory Liabilities
$
693.0

 
$
702.3

 
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
(Millions of Dollars)
CL&P
 
NSTAR
Electric
 
PSNH
 
WMECO
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR
Electric
 
PSNH
 
WMECO
Cost of Removal
$
42.5

 
$
273.3

 
$
44.8

 
$
10.6

 
$
38.8

 
$
271.6

 
$
44.1

 
$
8.6

Benefit Costs

 
109.8

 

 

 

 
113.1

 

 

Regulatory Tracker Mechanisms
44.5

 
62.2

 
15.0

 
12.7

 
37.2

 
63.7

 
10.7

 
14.7

AFUDC - Transmission
49.9

 
7.2

 

 
8.7

 
50.2

 
6.9

 

 
8.7

Other Regulatory Liabilities
23.2

 
0.2

 
3.0

 

 
21.0

 
0.2

 
2.7

 
0.1

Total Regulatory Liabilities
160.1


452.7


62.8


32.0


147.2


455.5


57.5


32.1

Less:  Current Portion
58.9

 
62.2

 
17.2

 
12.9

 
47.1

 
63.7

 
12.7

 
14.9

Total Long-Term Regulatory Liabilities
$
101.2


$
390.5


$
45.6


$
19.1


$
100.1


$
391.8


$
44.8


$
17.2



19




3.    PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

The following tables summarize utility property, plant and equipment by asset category:
Eversource
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
(Millions of Dollars)
 
Distribution - Electric
$
13,893.9

 
$
13,716.9

Distribution - Natural Gas
3,049.3

 
3,010.4

Transmission - Electric
8,600.1

 
8,517.4

Generation
1,225.6

 
1,224.2

Electric and Natural Gas Utility
26,768.9

 
26,468.9

Other (1)
585.1

 
591.6

Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
27,354.0

 
27,060.5

Less:  Accumulated Depreciation
 
 
 
Electric and Natural Gas Utility   
(6,607.5
)
 
(6,480.4
)
Other
(251.3
)
 
(242.0
)
Total Accumulated Depreciation
(6,858.8
)
 
(6,722.4
)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
20,495.2

 
20,338.1

Construction Work in Progress
1,146.7

 
1,012.4

Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
$
21,641.9

 
$
21,350.5


(1) These assets are primarily comprised of building improvements, computer software, hardware and equipment at Eversource Service.
 
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
(Millions of Dollars)
CL&P
 
NSTAR
Electric
 
PSNH
 
WMECO
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
 
WMECO
Distribution
$
5,628.7

 
$
5,471.5

 
$
1,981.9

 
$
851.8

 
$
5,562.9

 
$
5,402.3

 
$
1,949.8

 
$
841.9

Transmission
3,930.1

 
2,462.8

 
1,075.5

 
1,083.4

 
3,912.9

 
2,435.8

 
1,059.3

 
1,061.1

Generation

 

 
1,189.6

 
36.0

 

 

 
1,188.2

 
36.0

Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
9,558.8

 
7,934.3

 
4,247.0

 
1,971.2

 
9,475.8

 
7,838.1

 
4,197.3

 
1,939.0

Less:  Accumulated Depreciation
(2,125.4
)
 
(2,064.4
)
 
(1,277.7
)
 
(347.0
)
 
(2,082.4
)
 
(2,025.4
)
 
(1,254.7
)
 
(338.8
)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
7,433.4

 
5,869.9

 
2,969.3

 
1,624.2

 
7,393.4

 
5,812.7

 
2,942.6

 
1,600.2

Construction Work in Progress
321.5

 
239.0

 
107.3

 
70.6

 
239.0

 
239.1

 
96.7

 
78.1

Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
$
7,754.9

 
$
6,108.9

 
$
3,076.6

 
$
1,694.8

 
$
7,632.4

 
$
6,051.8

 
$
3,039.3

 
$
1,678.3


4.    DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

The Regulated companies purchase and procure energy and energy-related products, which are subject to price volatility, for their customers.  The costs associated with supplying energy to customers are recoverable from customers in future rates.  The Regulated companies manage the risks associated with the price volatility of energy and energy-related products through the use of derivative and non-derivative contracts.  

Many of the derivative contracts meet the definition of, and are designated as, normal and qualify for accrual accounting under the applicable accounting guidance.  The costs and benefits of derivative contracts that meet the definition of normal are recognized in Operating Expenses or Operating Revenues on the statements of income, as applicable, as electricity or natural gas is delivered.

Derivative contracts that are not designated as normal are recorded at fair value as current or long-term Derivative Assets or Derivative Liabilities on the balance sheets.  For the Regulated companies, regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities are recorded to offset the fair values of derivatives, as contract settlement amounts are recovered from, or refunded to, customers in their respective energy supply rates.  


20



The gross fair values of derivative assets and liabilities with the same counterparty are offset and reported as net Derivative Assets or Derivative Liabilities, with current and long-term portions, on the balance sheets.  The following table presents the gross fair values of contracts, categorized by risk type, and the net amounts recorded as current or long-term derivative assets or liabilities:
 
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
(Millions of Dollars)
Commodity Supply and Price Risk
Management
 
Netting (1)
 
Net Amount
Recorded as a Derivative
 
Commodity Supply and Price Risk
Management
 
Netting (1)
 
Net Amount
Recorded as
a Derivative
Current Derivative Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 2:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eversource
$
0.6

 
$

 
$
0.6

 
$
6.0

 
$

 
$
6.0

Level 3:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eversource, CL&P
12.5

 
(8.6
)
 
3.9

 
13.9

 
(9.4
)
 
4.5

Long-Term Derivative Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 2:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eversource
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
0.3

 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
0.2

Level 3:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eversource, CL&P
78.3

 
(9.8
)
 
68.5

 
77.3

 
(11.7
)
 
65.6

Current Derivative Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 3:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eversource
$
(72.9
)
 
$

 
$
(72.9
)
 
$
(79.7
)
 
$

 
$
(79.7
)
CL&P
(70.7
)
 

 
(70.7
)
 
(77.8
)
 

 
(77.8
)
NSTAR Electric
(2.2
)
 

 
(2.2
)
 
(1.9
)
 

 
(1.9
)
Long-Term Derivative Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 2:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eversource
$
(0.3
)
 
$

 
$
(0.3
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

Level 3:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eversource
(415.5
)
 

 
(415.5
)
 
(413.7
)
 

 
(413.7
)
CL&P
(415.2
)
 

 
(415.2
)
 
(412.8
)
 

 
(412.8
)
NSTAR Electric
(0.3
)
 

 
(0.3
)
 
(0.9
)
 

 
(0.9
)

(1)  
Amounts represent derivative assets and liabilities that Eversource elected to record net on the balance sheets.  These amounts are subject to master netting agreements or similar agreements for which the right of offset exists.

For further information on the fair value of derivative contracts, see Note 1D, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Fair Value Measurements," to the financial statements.

Derivative Contracts at Fair Value with Offsetting Regulatory Amounts
Commodity Supply and Price Risk Management :  As required by regulation, CL&P, along with UI, has capacity-related contracts with generation facilities.  CL&P has a sharing agreement with UI, with 80 percent of the costs or benefits of each contract borne by or allocated to CL&P and 20 percent borne by or allocated to UI.  The combined capacity of these contracts is 787 MW.  The capacity contracts extend through 2026 and obligate both CL&P and UI to make or receive payments on a monthly basis to or from the generation facilities based on the difference between a set capacity price and the capacity market price received in the ISO-NE capacity markets.  In addition, CL&P has a contract to purchase 0.1 million MWh of energy per year through 2020.   

NSTAR Electric has a renewable energy contract to purchase 0.1 million MWh of energy per year through 2018 and a capacity-related contract to purchase up to 35 MW per year through 2019.

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , Eversource had New York Mercantile Exchange ("NYMEX") financial contracts for natural gas futures in order to reduce variability associated with the purchase price of approximately 5.4 million and 9.2 million MMBtu of natural gas, respectively.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , there were losses of $26.5 million and $30.5 million , respectively, deferred as regulatory costs, which reflect the change in fair value associated with Eversource's derivative contracts.


21



Fair Value Measurements of Derivative Instruments
Derivative contracts classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy relate to the financial contracts for natural gas futures.  Prices are obtained from broker quotes and are based on actual market activity.  The contracts are valued using NYMEX natural gas prices.  Valuations of these contracts also incorporate discount rates using the yield curve approach.  

The fair value of derivative contracts classified as Level 3 utilizes significant unobservable inputs.  The fair value is modeled using income techniques, such as discounted cash flow valuations adjusted for assumptions relating to exit price.  Significant observable inputs for valuations of these contracts include energy and energy-related product prices in future years for which quoted prices in an active market exist.  Fair value measurements categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are prepared by individuals with expertise in valuation techniques, pricing of energy and energy-related products, and accounting requirements.  The future power and capacity prices for periods that are not quoted in an active market or established at auction are based on available market data and are escalated based on estimates of inflation in order to address the full term of the contract.  

Valuations of derivative contracts using a discounted cash flow methodology include assumptions regarding the timing and likelihood of scheduled payments and also reflect non-performance risk, including credit, using the default probability approach based on the counterparty's credit rating for assets and the Company's credit rating for liabilities.  Valuations incorporate estimates of premiums or discounts that would be required by a market participant to arrive at an exit price, using historical market transactions adjusted for the terms of the contract.  

The following is a summary of Eversource's, including CL&P's and NSTAR Electric's, Level 3 derivative contracts and the range of the significant unobservable inputs utilized in the valuations over the duration of the contracts:
 
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
Range
 
Period Covered
 
Range
 
Period Covered
Capacity Prices:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eversource, CL&P
$
5.00

 
 
8.70

 
per kW-Month
 
2020 - 2026
 
$
5.50

 
 
8.70

 
per kW-Month
 
2020 - 2026
Forward Reserve:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eversource, CL&P
$
1.40

 
 
2.00

 
per kW-Month
 
2017 - 2024
 
$
1.40

 
 
2.00

 
per kW-Month
 
2017 - 2024
REC Prices:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eversource, NSTAR Electric
$
27.00

 
 
30.00
 
per REC
 
2017 - 2018
 
$
24.00

 
 
29.00
 
per REC
 
2017 - 2018

Exit price premiums of 2 percent through 19 percent are also applied on these contracts and reflect the uncertainty and illiquidity premiums that would be required based on the most recent market activity available for similar type contracts.

Significant increases or decreases in future energy or capacity prices in isolation would decrease or increase, respectively, the fair value of the derivative liability.  Any increases in risk premiums would increase the fair value of the derivative liability.  Changes in these fair values are recorded as a regulatory asset or liability and do not impact net income.  

Valuations using significant unobservable inputs:  The following table presents changes in the Level 3 category of derivative assets and derivative liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  The derivative assets and liabilities are presented on a net basis.
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
(Millions of Dollars)
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR  
Electric
 
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR  
Electric
Derivatives, Net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value as of Beginning of Period
$
(423.3
)
 
$
(420.5
)
 
$
(2.8
)
 
$
(380.9
)
 
$
(380.8
)
 
$
(0.1
)
Net Realized/Unrealized Losses Included in Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
(15.4
)
 
(14.6
)
 
(0.8
)
 
(28.9
)
 
(24.6
)
 
(4.3
)
Settlements
22.7

 
21.6

 
1.1

 
22.1

 
20.3

 
1.8

Fair Value as of End of Period
$
(416.0
)
 
$
(413.5
)
 
$
(2.5
)
 
$
(387.7
)
 
$
(385.1
)
 
$
(2.6
)


22



5.    MARKETABLE SECURITIES

Eversource maintains trusts that hold marketable securities to fund certain non-qualified executive benefits.   These trusts are not subject to regulatory oversight by state or federal agencies.  CYAPC and YAEC maintain legally restricted trusts, each of which holds marketable securities, to fund the spent nuclear fuel removal obligations of their nuclear fuel storage facilities.

Trading Securities:  Eversource has elected to record certain equity securities as trading securities, with the changes in fair values recorded in Other Income, Net on the statements of income.  As of December 31, 2016 , these securities were classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy and totaled $9.6 million .  These securities were sold during the first quarter of 2017 and were no longer held as of March 31, 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 , net gains on these securities of $0.2 million were recorded in Other Income, Net on the statement of income. Dividend income is recorded in Other Income, Net when dividends are declared.  

Available-for-Sale Securities:  The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities, which are recorded at fair value and are included in current and long-term Marketable Securities on the balance sheets.
 
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Amortized Cost
 
Pre-Tax
Unrealized Gains
 
Pre-Tax
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Pre-Tax
Unrealized Gains
 
Pre-Tax
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
Debt Securities
$
296.9

 
$
2.4

 
$
(1.3
)
 
$
298.0

 
$
296.2

 
$
1.1

 
$
(2.1
)
 
$
295.2

Equity Securities
201.9

 
77.8

 
(0.5
)
 
279.2

 
203.3

 
62.3

 
(1.2
)
 
264.4


Eversource's debt and equity securities include CYAPC's and YAEC's marketable securities held in nuclear decommissioning trusts in the amounts of $482.3 million and $466.7 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively.  Unrealized gains and losses for these nuclear decommissioning trusts are recorded in Marketable Securities with the corresponding offset to Other Long-Term Liabilities on the balance sheets, with no impact on the statements of income.  

Unrealized Losses and Other-than-Temporary Impairment:  There have been no significant unrealized losses, other-than-temporary impairments or credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 .   Factors considered in determining whether a credit loss exists include the duration and severity of the impairment, adverse conditions specifically affecting the issuer, and the payment history, ratings and rating changes of the security.  For asset-backed debt securities, underlying collateral and expected future cash flows are also evaluated.

Realized Gains and Losses:   Realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are recorded in Other Income, Net for Eversource's non-qualified benefit trust and are offset in Other Long-Term Liabilities for CYAPC and YAEC.  Eversource utilizes the specific identification basis method for the Eversource non-qualified benefit trust, and the average cost basis method for the CYAPC and YAEC nuclear decommissioning trusts to compute the realized gains and losses on the sale of available-for-sale securities.

Contractual Maturities :  As of March 31, 2017 , the contractual maturities of available-for-sale debt securities were as follows:  
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
Less than one year  (1)
$
60.6

 
$
60.6

One to five years
47.4

 
48.1

Six to ten years
54.7

 
55.3

Greater than ten years
134.2

 
134.0

Total Debt Securities
$
296.9

 
$
298.0


(1)  
Amounts in the Less than one year category include securities in the CYAPC and YAEC nuclear decommissioning trusts, which are restricted and are classified in long-term Marketable Securities on the balance sheets.



23



Fair Value Measurements:   The following table presents the marketable securities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis by the level in which they are classified within the fair value hierarchy:
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
Level 1:  
 
 
 
Mutual Funds and Equities
$
279.2

 
$
274.0

Money Market Funds
56.2

 
54.8

Total Level 1
$
335.4

 
$
328.8

Level 2:
 
 
 
U.S. Government Issued Debt Securities (Agency and Treasury)
$
57.0

 
$
63.0

Corporate Debt Securities
41.6

 
41.1

Asset-Backed Debt Securities
19.8

 
18.5

Municipal Bonds
112.5

 
107.5

Other Fixed Income Securities
10.9

 
10.3

Total Level 2
$
241.8

 
$
240.4

Total Marketable Securities
$
577.2

 
$
569.2


U.S. government issued debt securities are valued using market approaches that incorporate transactions for the same or similar bonds and adjustments for yields and maturity dates.  Corporate debt securities are valued using a market approach, utilizing recent trades of the same or similar instrument and also incorporating yield curves, credit spreads and specific bond terms and conditions.  Asset-backed debt securities include collateralized mortgage obligations, commercial mortgage backed securities, and securities collateralized by auto loans, credit card loans or receivables.  Asset-backed debt securities are valued using recent trades of similar instruments, prepayment assumptions, yield curves, issuance and maturity dates, and tranche information.  Municipal bonds are valued using a market approach that incorporates reported trades and benchmark yields.  Other fixed income securities are valued using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, and discounted cash flows.
6.    SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEBT

Commercial Paper Programs and Credit Agreements : Eversource parent has a $1.45 billion commercial paper program allowing Eversource parent to issue commercial paper as a form of short-term debt.  As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , Eversource parent had $801.0 million and approximately $1.0 billion , respectively, in short-term borrowings outstanding under the Eversource parent commercial paper program, leaving $649.0 million and $428.0 million of available borrowing capacity as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on these borrowings as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was 1.12 percent and 0.88 percent , respectively. As of March 31, 2017 , there were intercompany loans from Eversource parent of $3.4 million to CL&P, $144.9 million to PSNH, and $71.4 million to WMECO.  As of December 31, 2016 , there were intercompany loans from Eversource parent of $80.1 million to CL&P, $160.9 million to PSNH and $51.0 million to WMECO.  Eversource parent, CL&P, PSNH, WMECO, NSTAR Gas and Yankee Gas are parties to a five -year $1.45 billion revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility's termination date is September 4, 2021.  The revolving credit facility serves to backstop Eversource parent's $1.45 billion commercial paper program.  There were no borrowings outstanding on the revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016 .

NSTAR Electric has a $450 million commercial paper program allowing NSTAR Electric to issue commercial paper as a form of short-term debt. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , NSTAR Electric had $174.5 million and $126.5 million , respectively, in short-term borrowings outstanding under its commercial paper program, leaving $275.5 million and $323.5 million of available borrowing capacity as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on these borrowings as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was 0.86 percent and 0.71 percent , respectively.  NSTAR Electric is a party to a five -year $450 million revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility's termination date is September 4, 2021.  The revolving credit facility serves to backstop NSTAR Electric's $450 million commercial paper program.  There were no borrowings outstanding on the revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016 .

Amounts outstanding under the commercial paper programs are included in Notes Payable for Eversource and NSTAR Electric and are classified in current liabilities on the balance sheets as all borrowings are outstanding for no more than 364 days at one time.  Intercompany loans from Eversource parent to CL&P, PSNH and WMECO are included in Notes Payable to Eversource Parent and are classified in current liabilities on their respective balance sheets.  Intercompany loans from Eversource parent to CL&P, PSNH and WMECO are eliminated in consolidation on Eversource's balance sheets.

Long-Term Debt Issuances:   In March 2017, Eversource parent issued $300 million of 2.75 percent Series K Senior Notes due to mature in 2022. The proceeds, net of issuance costs, were used to repay short-term borrowings under the Eversource parent commercial paper program.

In March 2017, CL&P issued $300 million of 3.20 percent 2017 Series A First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds due to mature in 2027. The proceeds, net of issuance costs, were used to repay short-term borrowings.

Long-Term Debt Repayments:  In March 2017, CL&P repaid at maturity the $150 million 5.375 percent 2007 Series A First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, using short term borrowings.


24



Long-Term Debt Issuance Authorizations: On January 4, 2017, PURA approved CL&P's request for authorization to issue up to $1.325 billion in long-term debt through December 31, 2020. On March 30, 2017, the DPU approved NSTAR Electric's request for authorization to issue up to $700 million in long-term debt through December 31, 2018.

7.    PENSION BENEFITS AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS

Eversource Service sponsors a defined benefit retirement plan ("Pension Plan") that covers eligible participants.  In addition to the Pension Plan, Eversource maintains non-qualified defined benefit retirement plans sponsored by Eversource Service ("SERP Plans"), which provide benefits in excess of Internal Revenue Code limitations to eligible participants.  Eversource Service also sponsors a defined benefit postretirement plan that provides life insurance and a health reimbursement arrangement created for the purpose of reimbursing retirees and dependents for health insurance premiums and certain medical expenses, to eligible participants that met certain age and service eligibility requirements ("PBOP Plan").

In August 2016, the Company amended its PBOP Plan, which standardized separate benefit structures that existed within the plan and made other benefit changes. The remeasurement resulted in a prior service credit of $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, which was reflected as a reduction to net periodic benefit expense for PBOP benefits. The majority of this amount will be deferred for future refund to customers.

The components of net periodic benefit expense for the Pension, SERP and PBOP Plans are shown below.  The net periodic benefit expense and the intercompany allocations, less the capitalized portions of pension, SERP and PBOP amounts, are included in Operations and Maintenance expense on the statements of income.  Capitalized amounts relate to employees working on capital projects and are included in Property, Plant and Equipment, Net on the balance sheets.  Pension, SERP and PBOP expense reflected in the statements of cash flows for CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO does not include the intercompany allocations or the corresponding capitalized portion, as these amounts are cash settled on a short-term basis.
 
Pension and SERP
Eversource
For the Three Months Ended
(Millions of Dollars)
March 31, 2017
 
March 31, 2016
Service Cost
$
18.7

 
$
19.4

Interest Cost
46.3

 
46.5

Expected Return on Pension Plan Assets
(83.5
)
 
(79.6
)
Actuarial Loss
33.6

 
31.5

Prior Service Cost
1.1

 
0.9

Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense
$
16.2

 
$
18.7

Capitalized Pension Expense
$
5.4

 
$
6.1

 
 
 
 
 
PBOP
Eversource
For the Three Months Ended
(Millions of Dollars)
March 31, 2017
 
March 31, 2016
Service Cost
$
2.4

 
$
3.1

Interest Cost
7.2

 
9.7

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(15.9
)
 
(15.7
)
Actuarial Loss
2.0

 
1.1

Prior Service Credit
(5.3
)
 
(0.1
)
Total Net Periodic Benefit Income
$
(9.6
)
 
$
(1.9
)
Capitalized PBOP Income
$
(4.6
)
 
$
(0.9
)
 
Pension and SERP
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
(Millions of Dollars)
CL&P
 
NSTAR
Electric
 
PSNH
 
WMECO
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR
Electric
 
PSNH
 
WMECO
Service Cost
$
4.8

 
$
3.3

 
$
2.5

 
$
0.8

 
$
5.0

 
$
3.4

 
$
2.5

 
$
0.9

Interest Cost
10.5

 
8.3

 
5.2

 
2.1

 
10.6

 
8.3

 
5.1

 
2.1

Expected Return on Pension Plan Assets
(18.0
)
 
(17.6
)
 
(9.9
)
 
(4.4
)
 
(18.2
)
 
(16.9
)
 
(9.7
)
 
(4.4
)
Actuarial Loss
6.9

 
8.6

 
2.8

 
1.5

 
6.7

 
8.4

 
2.5

 
1.4

Prior Service Cost
0.4

 
0.1

 
0.1

 
0.1

 
0.4

 

 
0.1

 
0.1

Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense
$
4.6

 
$
2.7

 
$
0.7

 
$
0.1

 
$
4.5

 
$
3.2

 
$
0.5

 
$
0.1

Intercompany Allocations
$
2.5

 
$
1.9

 
$
0.8

 
$
0.5

 
$
3.3

 
$
2.2

 
$
1.0

 
$
0.6

Capitalized Pension Expense
$
2.5

 
$
1.7

 
$
0.3

 
$
0.1

 
$
2.7

 
$
1.8

 
$
0.3

 
$
0.2


25



 
PBOP
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
(Millions of Dollars)
CL&P
 
NSTAR
Electric
 
PSNH
 
WMECO
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
 
WMECO
Service Cost
$
0.5

 
$
0.4

 
$
0.3

 
$
0.1

 
$
0.5

 
$
0.9

 
$
0.3

 
$
0.1

Interest Cost
1.4

 
2.1

 
0.8

 
0.3

 
1.4

 
4.0

 
0.8

 
0.3

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(2.4
)
 
(6.6
)
 
(1.3
)
 
(0.5
)
 
(2.6
)
 
(6.4
)
 
(1.4
)
 
(0.6
)
Actuarial Loss
0.2

 
0.9

 
0.1

 

 
0.2

 
0.2

 
0.1

 

Prior Service Cost/(Credit)
0.3

 
(4.3
)
 
0.1

 

 

 

 

 

Total Net Periodic Benefit Income
$

 
$
(7.5
)
 
$

 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
(0.5
)
 
$
(1.3
)
 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
(0.2
)
Intercompany Allocations
$
(0.3
)
 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
(0.1
)
 
$

 
$
0.2

 
$
0.1

 
$

 
$

Capitalized PBOP Income
$
(0.1
)
 
$
(3.8
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
(0.6
)
 
$

 
$
(0.1
)

8.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

A.    Environmental Matters
Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO are subject to environmental laws and regulations intended to mitigate or remove the effect of past operations and improve or maintain the quality of the environment.  These laws and regulations require the removal or the remedy of the effect on the environment of the disposal or release of certain specified hazardous substances at current and former operating sites.  Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO have an active environmental auditing and training program and each believes it is substantially in compliance with all enacted laws and regulations.

The number of environmental sites and related reserves for which remediation or long-term monitoring, preliminary site work or site assessment is being performed are as follows:
 
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
Number of Sites
 
Reserve
(in millions)
 
Number of Sites
 
Reserve
(in millions)
Eversource
60

 
$
58.2

 
61

 
$
65.8

CL&P
14

 
5.3

 
14

 
4.9

NSTAR Electric
13

 
1.0

 
13

 
3.2

PSNH
11

 
5.3

 
11

 
5.3

WMECO
4

 
0.7

 
4

 
0.6


Included in the Eversource number of sites and reserve amounts above are former MGP sites that were operated several decades ago and manufactured gas from coal and other processes, which resulted in certain by-products remaining in the environment that may pose a potential risk to human health and the environment, for which Eversource may have potential liability.  The reserve balances related to these former MGP sites were $53.0 million and $59.0 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively, and related primarily to the natural gas business segment. The reduction in the reserve balance at the MGP sites was primarily due to a change in cost estimates at one site.

These reserve estimates are subjective in nature as they take into consideration several different remediation options at each specific site.  The reliability and precision of these estimates can be affected by several factors, including new information concerning either the level of contamination at the site, the extent of Eversource's, CL&P's, NSTAR Electric's, PSNH's, and WMECO's responsibility for remediation or the extent of remediation required, recently enacted laws and regulations, or changes in cost estimates due to certain economic factors.  It is possible that new information or future developments could require a reassessment of the potential exposure to related environmental matters.  As this information becomes available, management will continue to assess the potential exposure and adjust the reserves accordingly.

B.    Guarantees and Indemnifications
In the normal course of business, Eversource parent provides credit assurances on behalf of its subsidiaries, including CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO, in the form of guarantees.  

Eversource parent issued a declining balance guaranty on behalf of Eversource Gas Transmission LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary, to guarantee the payment of the subsidiary's capital contributions for its investment in the Access Northeast project. The guaranty will not exceed $206 million and decreases as capital contributions are made.  The guaranty will expire upon the earlier of the full performance of the guaranteed obligations or December 31, 2021.  

Eversource parent issued a guaranty on behalf of its subsidiary, NPT, under which, beginning at the time the Northern Pass Transmission line goes into commercial operation, Eversource parent will guarantee the financial obligations of NPT under the TSA with HQ in an amount not to exceed $25 million .  Eversource parent's obligations under the guaranty expire upon the full, final and indefeasible payment of the guaranteed obligations. Eversource parent has also entered into a guaranty on behalf of NPT under which Eversource parent will guarantee NPT's obligations under a facility with a financial institution pursuant to which NPT may request letters of credit in an aggregate amount of up to approximately $14 million .


26



Eversource parent has also guaranteed certain indemnification and other obligations as a result of the sales of former unregulated subsidiaries and the termination of an unregulated business, with maximum exposures either not specified or not material.  

Management does not anticipate a material impact to net income or cash flows as a result of these various guarantees and indemnifications.  

The following table summarizes Eversource parent's exposure to guarantees and indemnifications of its subsidiaries to external parties, as of March 31, 2017 :  
Company
 
Description
 
Maximum
 Exposure
(in millions)
 
Expiration Dates
On behalf of subsidiaries:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eversource Gas Transmission LLC
 
Access Northeast Project Capital Contributions Guaranty
 
$
185.1

 
2021
Various
 
Surety Bonds  (1)
 
38.7

 
2017 - 2018
Eversource Service and Rocky River Realty Company
 
Lease Payments for Vehicles and Real Estate
 
8.8

 
2019 - 2024

(1)  
Surety bond expiration dates reflect termination dates, the majority of which will be renewed or extended.  Certain surety bonds contain credit ratings triggers that would require Eversource parent to post collateral in the event that the unsecured debt credit ratings of Eversource parent are downgraded.  

C.    FERC ROE Complaints
Four separate complaints have been filed at the FERC by combinations of New England state attorneys general, state regulatory commissions, consumer advocates, consumer groups, municipal parties and other parties (collectively the "Complainants"). In each of the first three complaints, the Complainants challenged the NETOs' base ROE of 11.14 percent that had been utilized since 2005 and sought an order to reduce it prospectively from the date of the final FERC order and for the 15 -month complaint periods arising from the separate complaints. In the fourth complaint, filed April 29, 2016, the Complainants challenged the NETOs' base ROE of 10.57 percent and the maximum ROE for transmission incentive ("incentive cap") of 11.74 percent , asserting that these ROEs were unjust and unreasonable.

In response to appeals of the FERC decision in the first complaint filed by the NETOs and the Complainants, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals (the "Court") issued a decision on April 14, 2017 vacating and remanding the FERC's decision. The Court found that the FERC failed to make an explicit finding that the prior 11.14 percent base ROE was unjust and unreasonable, as required under Section 206 of the Federal Power Act, before it could set a new base ROE. The Court also found that the FERC did not provide a rational connection between the record evidence and its decision to select the midpoint of the upper half of the zone of reasonableness for the new base ROE.

A summary of the four separate complaints and the base ROEs pertinent to those complaints are as follows:
Complaint
15-Month Time Period
of Complaint
(Beginning as of Complaint Filing Date)
Original Base ROE Authorized by FERC at Time of Complaint
Filing Date (1)
Base ROE Subsequently Authorized by FERC for First Complaint Period and also Effective from
October 16, 2014 through April 14, 2017 (1)
Reserve
(Pre-Tax and Excluding Interest) as of March 31, 2017
(in millions)
 
FERC ALJ Recommendation of Base ROE on Second and
Third Complaints
(Issued March 22, 2016)
First
10/1/2011 - 12/31/2012
11.14%
10.57%
$—
(2)  
N/A
Second
12/27/2012 - 3/26/2014
11.14%
N/A
39.1
(3)  
9.59%
Third
7/31/2014 - 10/30/2015
11.14%
10.57%
 
10.90%
Fourth
4/29/2016 - 7/28/2017
10.57%
10.57%
 
N/A

(1) The total ROE between October 1, 2011 and October 15, 2014 was within a range of 11.14 percent to 13.1 percent . In 2014, as a result of a FERC order, the incentive cap was set at 11.74 percent for the first complaint period and also effective from October 16, 2014 through April 14, 2017.
 
(2) CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO have refunded all amounts associated with the first complaint period, totaling $38.9 million (pre-tax and excluding interest) at Eversource (including $22.4 million at CL&P, $8.4 million at NSTAR Electric, $2.8 million at PSNH, and $5.3 million at WMECO), reflecting both the base ROE and incentive cap prescribed by the FERC order.

(3) The reserve represents the difference between the ROEs billed during the second complaint period and a 10.57 percent base ROE and 11.74 percent incentive cap. The reserve was $21.4 million for CL&P, $8.5 million for NSTAR Electric, $3.1 million for PSNH, and $6.1 million for WMECO as of March 31, 2017.

At this time, the Company cannot reasonably estimate a range of gain or loss for the complaint proceedings. The Court decision did not provide a reasonable basis for a change to the March 31, 2017 reserve balance of $39.1 million (pre-tax and excluding interest) for the second complaint period, and the Company has not changed its reserves or recognized ROEs for any of the complaint periods.

Management cannot at this time predict the ultimate effect of the Court decision on any of the complaint periods or the estimated impacts on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO.


27



The average impact of a 10 basis point change to the base ROE for each of the 15 -month complaint periods would affect Eversource's after-tax earnings by approximately $3 million .

D.    Eversource and NSTAR Electric Boston Harbor Civil Action
On July 15, 2016, the United States Army Corps of Engineers filed a civil action in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts under provisions of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and the Clean Water Act against NSTAR Electric, Harbor Electric Energy Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NSTAR Electric ("HEEC"), and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (together with NSTAR Electric and HEEC, the "Defendants").  The action alleges that the Defendants failed to comply with certain permitting requirements relating to the placement of the HEEC-owned electric distribution cable beneath Boston Harbor.  The action seeks an order to force HEEC to comply with cable depth requirements in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' permit or alternatively to remove the electric distribution cable and cease unauthorized work in U.S. waterways.  The action also seeks civil penalties and other costs.  Management believes there are valid defenses to the claims and is defending NSTAR Electric and HEEC vigorously. Concurrently, NSTAR Electric and HEEC are seeking to work collaboratively with all parties for a mutually beneficial resolution.  At this time, management is unable to predict the outcome of this action or the impact on Eversource's and NSTAR Electric's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

9.    PSNH GENERATION ASSET SALE

On June 10, 2015, Eversource and PSNH entered into the 2015 Public Service Company of New Hampshire Restructuring and Rate Stabilization Agreement (the "Agreement") with the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning, certain members of the NHPUC staff, the Office of Consumer Advocate, two State Senators, and several other parties.  Under the terms of the Agreement, PSNH agreed to divest its generation assets, subject to NHPUC approval.  The Agreement provided for a resolution of issues pertaining to PSNH's generation assets in pending regulatory proceedings before the NHPUC.  The Agreement provided for the Clean Air Project prudence proceeding to be resolved and all remaining Clean Air Project costs to be included in rates effective January 1, 2016.  As part of the Agreement, PSNH agreed to forego recovery of $25 million of the equity return related to the Clean Air Project.  In addition, PSNH will not seek a general distribution rate increase effective before July 1, 2017 and will contribute $5 million to create a clean energy fund, which will not be recoverable from its customers.  

On July 1, 2016, the NHPUC approved the Agreement in an order that, among other things, instructs PSNH to begin the process of divesting its generation assets.  The NHPUC selected an auction adviser to assist with the divestiture, and the final plan and auction process were approved by the NHPUC in November 2016.  An intervening appeal alleging that the auction process and schedule were unreasonable was rejected by the New Hampshire Supreme Court in February 2017. In late March 2017, the formal divestiture process began. We continue to believe the assets will be sold by the end of 2017.

The sales price of the generation assets could be less than the carrying value, but the Company believes that full recovery of PSNH's generation assets is probable through a combination of cash flows during the remaining operating period, sales proceeds upon divestiture, and recovery of stranded costs via bonds that will be secured by a non-bypassable charge or through recoveries in future rates billed to PSNH's customers.

As of March 31, 2017 , PSNH's generation assets were as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
 
Gross Plant
$
1,192.6

Accumulated Depreciation
(564.1
)
Net Plant
628.5

Fuel
98.3

Materials and Supplies
48.5

Emission Allowances
19.7

Total Generation Assets
$
795.0


As of March 31, 2017 , current and long-term liabilities associated with PSNH's generation assets included Accounts Payable of $30.1 million , Other Current Liabilities of $21.7 million , AROs of $20.3 million , and Accrued Pension, SERP and PBOP of $23.7 million .


28



10.    FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each of the following financial instruments:

Preferred Stock and Long-Term Debt:  The fair value of CL&P's and NSTAR Electric's preferred stock is based upon pricing models that incorporate interest rates and other market factors, valuations or trades of similar securities and cash flow projections.  The fair value of long-term debt securities is based upon pricing models that incorporate quoted market prices for those issues or similar issues adjusted for market conditions, credit ratings of the respective companies and treasury benchmark yields.  The fair values provided in the tables below are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.  Carrying amounts and estimated fair values are as follows:
 
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
Preferred Stock Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption
$
155.6

 
$
156.6

 
$
155.6

 
$
158.3

Long-Term Debt
10,041.8

 
10,428.0

 
9,603.2

 
9,980.5

 
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
 
WMECO
(Millions of Dollars)
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
As of March 31, 2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred Stock Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption
$
116.2

 
$
113.5

 
$
43.0

 
$
43.1

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Long-Term Debt
2,913.2

 
3,179.5

 
2,078.5

 
2,202.9

 
1,072.3

 
1,115.2

 
566.4

 
596.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred Stock Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption
$
116.2

 
$
114.7

 
$
43.0

 
$
43.6

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Long-Term Debt
2,766.0

 
3,049.6

 
2,078.1

 
2,201.6

 
1,072.0

 
1,109.7

 
566.5

 
589.0


Derivative Instruments and Marketable Securities: Derivative instruments and investments in marketable securities are carried at fair value.  For further information, see Note 4, "Derivative Instruments," and Note 5, "Marketable Securities," to the financial statements.  

See Note 1D, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Fair Value Measurements," for the fair value measurement policy and the fair value hierarchy.

11.    ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)

The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) by component, net of tax, is as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
Qualified
 
Unrealized
 
 
 
 
 
Qualified
 
Unrealized
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow
 
Gains
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow
 
Gains/(Losses)
 
 
 
 
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Hedging
 
on Marketable
 
Defined
 
 
 
Hedging
 
on Marketable
 
Defined
 
 
Instruments
 
Securities
 
Benefit Plans
 
 Total
 
Instruments
 
Securities
 
Benefit Plans
 
 Total
Balance as of Beginning of Period
$
(8.2
)
 
$
0.4

 
$
(57.5
)
 
$
(65.3
)
 
$
(10.3
)
 
$
(1.9
)
 
$
(54.6
)
 
$
(66.8
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OCI Before Reclassifications

 
1.7

 

 
1.7

 

 
0.2

 

 
0.2

Amounts Reclassified from AOCL
0.5

 

 
1.0

 
1.5

 
0.5

 

 
0.9

 
1.4

Net OCI
0.5

 
1.7

 
1.0

 
3.2

 
0.5

 
0.2

 
0.9

 
1.6

Balance as of End of Period
$
(7.7
)
 
$
2.1

 
$
(56.5
)
 
$
(62.1
)
 
$
(9.8
)
 
$
(1.7
)
 
$
(53.7
)
 
$
(65.2
)

Eversource's qualified cash flow hedging instruments represent interest rate swap agreements on debt issuances that were settled in prior years. The settlement amount was recorded in AOCL and is being amortized into Net Income over the term of the underlying debt instrument.  CL&P, PSNH and WMECO continue to amortize interest rate swaps settled in prior years from AOCL into Interest Expense over the remaining life of the associated long-term debt. Such interest rate swaps are not material to their respective financial statements.

Defined benefit plan OCI amounts before reclassifications relate to actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs that arose during the year and were recognized in AOCL. The unamortized actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs on the defined benefit plans are amortized from AOCL into Operations and Maintenance expense over the average future employee service period, and are reflected in amounts reclassified from AOCL.  For further information, see Note 7, "Pension Benefits and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions."


29



12.    COMMON SHARES

The following table sets forth the Eversource parent common shares and the shares of common stock of CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO that were authorized and issued, as well as the respective per share par values:  
 
Shares
 
 
 
Authorized as of March 31, 2017 and
 
Issued as of
 
Par Value
 
December 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Eversource
$
5

 
380,000,000

 
333,878,402

 
333,878,402

CL&P
$
10

 
24,500,000

 
6,035,205

 
6,035,205

NSTAR Electric
$
1

 
100,000,000

 
100

 
100

PSNH
$
1

 
100,000,000

 
301

 
301

WMECO
$
25

 
1,072,471

 
434,653

 
434,653


As of both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , there were 16,992,594 Eversource common shares held as treasury shares.  As of both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , Eversource common shares outstanding were 316,885,808 .

13.    COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

Dividends on the preferred stock of CL&P and NSTAR Electric totaled $1.9 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 . These dividends were presented as Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests on the Eversource statements of income.  Noncontrolling Interest – Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries on the Eversource balance sheets totaled $155.6 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . On the Eversource balance sheets, Common Shareholders' Equity was fully attributable to the parent and Noncontrolling Interest – Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries was fully attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

14.    EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic EPS is computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period.  Diluted EPS is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the potential dilutive effect of certain share-based compensation awards as if they were converted into common shares.  The dilutive effect of unvested RSU and performance share awards and unexercised stock options is calculated using the treasury stock method.  RSU and performance share awards are included in basic weighted average common shares outstanding as of the date that all necessary vesting conditions have been satisfied.  For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , there were no antidilutive share awards excluded from the computation of diluted EPS.

The following table sets forth the components of basic and diluted EPS:
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars, except share information)
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2017
 
March 31, 2016
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
$
259.5

 
$
244.2

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
 
 
 
Basic
317,463,151

 
317,517,141

Dilutive Effect
661,385

 
963,909

Diluted
318,124,536

 
318,481,050

Basic and Diluted EPS
$
0.82

 
$
0.77


15.    SEGMENT INFORMATION

Presentation:  Eversource is organized among the Electric Distribution, Electric Transmission and Natural Gas Distribution reportable segments and Other based on a combination of factors, including the characteristics of each segments' services, the sources of operating revenues and expenses and the regulatory environment in which each segment operates.  These reportable segments represent substantially all of Eversource's total consolidated revenues.  Revenues from the sale of electricity and natural gas primarily are derived from residential, commercial and industrial customers and are not dependent on any single customer.  The Electric Distribution reportable segment includes the generation activities of PSNH and WMECO.  

The remainder of Eversource's operations is presented as Other in the tables below and primarily consists of 1) the equity in earnings of Eversource parent from its subsidiaries and intercompany interest income, both of which are eliminated in consolidation, and interest expense related to the debt of Eversource parent, 2) the revenues and expenses of Eversource Service, most of which are eliminated in consolidation, 3) the operations of CYAPC and YAEC, and 4) the results of other unregulated subsidiaries, which are not part of its core business. In addition, Other in the tables below includes Eversource parent's equity ownership interests in certain natural gas pipeline projects owned by Enbridge, Inc., the Bay State Wind project, an energy investment fund, and two companies that transmit hydroelectricity imported from the Hydro-Quebec system in Canada. In the ordinary course of business, Yankee Gas and NSTAR Gas purchase natural gas transmission services from the Enbridge, Inc. natural gas pipeline projects described above. These affiliate transaction costs total approximately $62.5 million annually and are classified as Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission on the Eversource statements of income.


30



Cash flows used for investments in plant included in the segment information below are cash capital expenditures that do not include amounts incurred but not paid, cost of removal, AFUDC related to equity funds, and the capitalized portions of pension expense.   

Eversource's reportable segments are determined based upon the level at which Eversource's chief operating decision maker assesses performance and makes decisions about the allocation of company resources.  Each of Eversource's subsidiaries, including CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO, has one reportable segment.  Eversource's operating segments and reporting units are consistent with its reportable business segments.

Eversource's segment information is as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Electric Distribution
 
Natural Gas Distribution
 
Electric Transmission
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Operating Revenues
$
1,401.1

 
$
403.6

 
$
316.9

 
$
236.3

 
$
(252.8
)
 
$
2,105.1

Depreciation and Amortization
(129.8
)
 
(21.7
)
 
(50.6
)
 
(9.2
)
 
0.5

 
(210.8
)
Other Operating Expenses
(1,041.9
)
 
(289.6
)
 
(90.0
)
 
(216.6
)
 
252.8

 
(1,385.3
)
Operating Income
$
229.4

 
$
92.3

 
$
176.3

 
$
10.5

 
$
0.5

 
$
509.0

Interest Expense
$
(48.2
)
 
$
(10.6
)
 
$
(28.1
)
 
$
(19.7
)
 
$
3.2

 
$
(103.4
)
Other Income, Net
5.0

 
0.3

 
4.9

 
328.9

 
(325.5
)
 
13.6

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
114.1

 
50.8

 
94.2

 
322.2

 
(321.8
)
 
259.5

Cash Flows Used for Investments in Plant
236.2

 
64.5

 
192.6

 
30.3

 

 
523.6

 
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Electric
Distribution
 
Natural Gas
Distribution
 
Electric
Transmission
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Operating Revenues
$
1,436.1

 
$
342.6

 
$
283.3

 
$
214.2

 
$
(220.6
)
 
$
2,055.6

Depreciation and Amortization
(127.7
)
 
(15.8
)
 
(45.1
)
 
(6.9
)
 
0.5

 
(195.0
)
Other Operating Expenses
(1,088.9
)
 
(233.5
)
 
(73.0
)
 
(197.3
)
 
220.6

 
(1,372.1
)
Operating Income
$
219.5

 
$
93.3

 
$
165.2

 
$
10.0

 
$
0.5

 
$
488.5

Interest Expense
$
(48.0
)
 
$
(10.1
)
 
$
(28.0
)
 
$
(14.1
)
 
$
2.0

 
$
(98.2
)
Other Income/(Loss), Net

 
(0.3
)
 
2.6

 
305.5

 
(305.8
)
 
2.0

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
108.4

 
50.9

 
85.7

 
302.5

 
(303.3
)
 
244.2

Cash Flows Used for Investments in Plant
184.2

 
52.1

 
172.4

 
22.8

 

 
431.5


The following table summarizes Eversource's segmented total assets:
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Electric
Distribution
 
Natural Gas
Distribution
 
Electric
Transmission
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
As of March 31, 2017
$
18,343.3

 
$
3,332.7

 
$
9,015.6

 
$
14,590.4

 
$
(12,926.8
)
 
$
32,355.2

As of December 31, 2016
18,367.5

 
3,303.8

 
8,751.5

 
14,493.1

 
(12,862.7
)
 
32,053.2



31



EVERSOURCE ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related combined notes included in this combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the Eversource 2016 Form 10-K.  References in this combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to "Eversource," the "Company," "we," "us," and "our" refer to Eversource Energy and its consolidated subsidiaries.  All per-share amounts are reported on a diluted basis.  The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Eversource, NSTAR Electric and PSNH and the unaudited condensed financial statements of CL&P and WMECO are herein collectively referred to as the "financial statements."  

Refer to the Glossary of Terms included in this combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for abbreviations and acronyms used throughout this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations .  

The only common equity securities that are publicly traded are common shares of Eversource.  The earnings and EPS of each business discussed below do not represent a direct legal interest in the assets and liabilities of such business but rather represent a direct interest in our assets and liabilities as a whole.  EPS by business is a financial measure not recognized under GAAP calculated by dividing the Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders of each business by the weighted average diluted Eversource common shares outstanding for the period.  We use this non-GAAP financial measure to evaluate and provide details of earnings results by business.  We believe that the non-GAAP presentation is more representative of our financial performance and provides additional and useful information to readers of this report in analyzing historical and future performance by business.  This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered as an alternative to reported Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders or EPS determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of operating performance.

From time to time we make statements concerning our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, assumptions of future events, future financial performance or growth and other statements that are not historical facts.  These statements are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  You can generally identify our forward-looking statements through the use of words or phrases such as "estimate," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "project," "believe," "forecast," "should," "could," and other similar expressions.  Forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations, estimates, assumptions or projections of management and are not guarantees of future performance.  These expectations, estimates, assumptions or projections may vary materially from actual results.  Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to, and are accompanied by, the following important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in our forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to:

cyber breaches, acts of war or terrorism, or grid disturbances,
actions or inaction of local, state and federal regulatory, public policy and taxing bodies,
changes in business conditions, which could include disruptive technology related to our current or future business model,
changes in economic conditions, including impact on interest rates, tax policies, and customer demand and payment ability,
fluctuations in weather patterns,
changes in laws, regulations or regulatory policy,
changes in levels or timing of capital expenditures,
disruptions in the capital markets or other events that make our access to necessary capital more difficult or costly,
developments in legal or public policy doctrines,
technological developments,
changes in accounting standards and financial reporting regulations,
actions of rating agencies, and
other presently unknown or unforeseen factors.  

Other risk factors are detailed in our reports filed with the SEC and updated as necessary, and we encourage you to consult such disclosures.

All such factors are difficult to predict and contain uncertainties that may materially affect our actual results, many of which are beyond our control.  You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, as each speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.  New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all of such factors, nor can we assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.  For more information, see Item 1A, Risk Factors, included in this combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in Eversource's 2016 combined Annual Report on Form 10-K.  This combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Eversource's 2016 combined Annual Report on Form 10-K also describe material contingencies and critical accounting policies in the accompanying Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Combined Notes to Financial Statements .  We encourage you to review these items.

32




Financial Condition and Business Analysis

Executive Summary

The following items in this executive summary are explained in more detail in this combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:

Results:  

We earned $259.5 million , or $0.82 per share, in the first quarter of 2017 , compared with $244.2 million , or $0.77 per share, in the first quarter of 2016 .  

Our electric distribution segment, which includes generation, earned $114.1 million , or $0.36 per share, in the first quarter of 2017 , compared with $108.4 million , or $0.34 per share, in the first quarter of 2016 .  Our electric transmission segment earned $94.2 million , or $0.30 per share, in the first quarter of 2017 , compared with $85.7 million , or $0.27 per share, in the first quarter of 2016 .  Our natural gas distribution segment earned $50.8 million , or $0.16 per share, in the first quarter of 2017 , compared with $50.9 million , or $0.16 per share, in the first quarter of 2016 .  

Eversource parent and other companies earned $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2017 , compared with a net loss of $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2016 .  

Liquidity:

Cash flows provided by operating activities totaled $436.5 million in the first quarter of 2017 , compared with $500.0 million in the first quarter of 2016 .  Investments in property, plant and equipment totaled $523.6 million in the first quarter of 2017 , compared with $431.5 million in the first quarter of 2016 .  Cash and cash equivalents totaled $45.8 million as of March 31, 2017 , compared with $30.3 million as of December 31, 2016 .

In March 2017, Eversource parent issued $300 million of 2.75 percent Series K Senior Notes, due to mature in 2022. The proceeds, net of issuance costs, were used to repay short-term borrowings under the Eversource parent commercial paper program. In March 2017, CL&P issued $300 million of 3.20 percent 2017 Series A First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds due to mature in 2027. The proceeds, net of issuance costs, were used to repay short-term borrowings. Also in March 2017, CL&P repaid at maturity $150 million of 5.375 percent 2007 Series A First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, using short-term borrowings.

On May 3, 2017, our Board of Trustees approved a common share dividend payment of $0.475 per share, payable on June 30, 2017 to shareholders of record as of May 31, 2017.

Strategic, Legislative, Regulatory, Policy and Other Items:

On April 14, 2017, pursuant to appeals the NETOs and Complainants filed on the first FERC ROE complaint decision, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision vacating and remanding the FERC's decision. The Court remanded the case to the FERC for further proceedings consistent with the Court's decision.
 
On March 31, 2017, pursuant to legislation that became law in 2016, the Massachusetts EDCs, including NSTAR Electric and WMECO, and the DOER issued a joint RFP for 9.45 terawatt hours of clean energy per year, such as hydropower, land-based wind or solar. The RFP seeks proposals for long-term contracts of 15 to 20 years to provide electric distribution companies with clean energy generation. Northern Pass will be bid into the RFP.
 
Overview

Consolidated:  Below is a summary of our earnings by business, which also reconciles the non-GAAP financial measure of EPS by business to the most directly comparable GAAP measure of diluted EPS, for the first quarter of 2017 and 2016 .  
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
(Millions of Dollars, Except Per-Share Amounts)
Amount
 
Per Share
 
Amount
 
Per Share
Net Income Attributable to
Common Shareholders (GAAP)
$
259.5

 
$
0.82

 
$
244.2

 
$
0.77

Regulated Companies
$
259.1

 
$
0.82

 
$
245.0

 
$
0.77

Eversource Parent and Other Companies
0.4

 

 
(0.8
)
 

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders (GAAP)
$
259.5

 
$
0.82

 
$
244.2

 
$
0.77



33



Regulated Companies:   Our Regulated companies consist of the electric distribution, electric transmission, and natural gas distribution segments. Generation activities of PSNH and WMECO are included in our electric distribution segment.  A summary of our segment earnings and EPS for the first quarter of 2017 and 2016 is as follows:    
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
(Millions of Dollars, Except Per-Share Amounts)
Amount
 
Per Share
 
Amount
 
Per Share
Electric Distribution
$
114.1

 
$
0.36

 
$
108.4

 
$
0.34

Electric Transmission
94.2

 
0.30

 
85.7

 
0.27

Natural Gas Distribution
50.8

 
0.16

 
50.9

 
0.16

Net Income - Regulated Companies
$
259.1

 
$
0.82

 
$
245.0

 
$
0.77


Our electric distribution segment earnings increased $5.7 million in the first quarter of 2017, as compared to the first quarter of 2016, due primarily to higher lost base revenues at NSTAR Electric and lower property and other tax expense, partially offset by lower generation earnings, higher operations and maintenance expense driven primarily by higher storm restoration costs, and higher depreciation expense.

Our electric transmission segment earnings increased $8.5 million in the first quarter of 2017, as compared to the first quarter of 2016, due primarily to a higher transmission rate base as a result of our continued investment in our transmission infrastructure.

Our natural gas distribution segment earnings decreased $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2017, as compared to the first quarter of 2016, due primarily to higher operations and maintenance expense and depreciation expense, partially offset by higher firm natural gas sales volumes driven by colder weather in Connecticut in the first quarter of 2017, as compared to the first quarter of 2016, and higher revenues due to growth in new customer base.

Eversource Parent and Other Companies:   Eversource parent and other companies had earnings of $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared with a net loss of $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2016.   The earnings increase was due primarily to higher investment earnings from Eversource parent's equity method investments and a lower effective tax rate, partially offset by higher interest expense.

Electric and Natural Gas Sales Volumes:  Weather, fluctuations in energy supply costs, conservation measures (including utility-sponsored energy efficiency programs), and economic conditions affect customer energy usage.  Industrial sales volumes are less sensitive to temperature variations than residential and commercial sales volumes.  In our service territories, weather impacts electric sales volumes during the summer and both electric and natural gas sales volumes during the winter; however, natural gas sales volumes are more sensitive to temperature variations than are electric sales volumes.  Customer heating or cooling usage may not directly correlate with historical levels or with the level of degree-days that occur.

Fluctuations in retail electric sales volumes at NSTAR Electric and PSNH impact earnings ("Traditional" in the table below).  For CL&P and WMECO, fluctuations in retail electric sales volumes do not impact earnings due to their respective regulatory commission approved distribution revenue decoupling mechanisms ("Decoupled" in the table below).  These distribution revenues are decoupled from their customer sales volumes, which breaks the relationship between sales volumes and revenues recognized.  CL&P and WMECO reconcile their annual base distribution rate recovery amounts to their respective pre-established levels of baseline distribution delivery service revenues of $1.059 billion and $132.4 million, respectively.  Any difference between the allowed level of distribution revenue and the actual amount incurred during a 12-month period is adjusted through rates in the following period.

Fluctuations in natural gas sales volumes in Massachusetts do not impact earnings due to the DPU-approved natural gas distribution revenue decoupling mechanism approved in the last rate case decision ("Decoupled" in the table below).  Natural gas distribution revenues are decoupled from their customer sales volumes, where applicable, which breaks the relationship between sales volumes and revenues recognized.


34



A summary of our retail electric GWh sales volumes and our firm natural gas Mcf sales volumes, as well as percentage changes, is as follows:  
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Compared to 2016
 
Sales Volumes (GWh)
 
Percentage
Electric
2017
 
2016
 
Increase/(Decrease)
Traditional:
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
2,436

 
2,404

 
1.3
 %
Commercial
3,939

 
3,990

 
(1.3
)%
Industrial
596

 
600

 
(0.7
)%
Total – Traditional
6,971

 
6,994

 
(0.3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Decoupled:
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
2,988

 
2,943

 
1.5
 %
Commercial
2,591

 
2,618

 
(1.0
)%
Industrial
622

 
664

 
(6.3
)%
Total – Decoupled
6,201

 
6,225

 
(0.4
)%
Total Sales Volumes
13,172

 
13,219

 
(0.4
)%

 
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Compared to 2016
 
Sales Volumes (Mcf)
 
Percentage
Firm Natural Gas
2017
 
2016
 
Increase/(Decrease)
Traditional:
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
7,093

 
6,642

 
6.8
 %
Commercial
8,409

 
7,976

 
5.4
 %
Industrial
3,403

 
3,367

 
1.1
 %
Total – Traditional
18,905

 
17,985

 
5.1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Decoupled:
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
10,185

 
9,309

 
9.4
 %
Commercial
9,130

 
8,988

 
1.6
 %
Industrial
1,709

 
1,854

 
(7.8
)%
Total – Decoupled
21,024

 
20,151

 
4.3
 %
Special Contracts (1)
1,217

 
1,212

 
0.4
 %
Total – Decoupled and Special Contracts
22,241

 
21,363

 
4.1
 %
Total Sales Volumes
41,146

 
39,348

 
4.6
 %

(1)  
Special contracts are unique to the natural gas distribution customers who take service under such an arrangement and generally specify the amount of distribution revenue to be paid to Yankee Gas regardless of the customers' usage.

For the first quarter of 2017, retail electric sales volumes at our electric utilities with a traditional rate structure (NSTAR Electric and PSNH) remained relatively unchanged, as compared to the first quarter of 2016.  Colder weather in March 2017, as compared to March 2016, was offset by the milder weather in January and February 2017, as compared to the same periods in 2016, which resulted in an overall slight decrease in sales volumes.

On January 28, 2016, Eversource received approval of a three-year energy efficiency plan in Massachusetts, which includes recovery of LBR at NSTAR Electric until it is operating under a decoupled rate structure.  NSTAR Electric earns LBR related to reductions in sales volume as a result of successful energy efficiency programs.  LBR is recovered from retail customers through current rates.  NSTAR Electric recognized LBR of $17.2 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared to $12.9 million in the first quarter of 2016.

Our firm natural gas sales volumes are subject to many of the same influences as our retail electric sales volumes.  In addition, they have benefited from customer growth in both of our natural gas distribution companies. In the first quarter of 2017, our consolidated firm natural gas sales volumes were higher, as compared to the first quarter of 2016.  Heating degree days for the first quarter of 2017 were 4.0 percent higher in Connecticut, as compared to the same period in 2016.


35



Liquidity

Consolidated:   Cash and cash equivalents totaled $45.8 million as of March 31, 2017 , compared with $30.3 million as of December 31, 2016 .

Long-Term Debt Issuances: In March 2017, Eversource parent issued $300 million of 2.75 percent Series K Senior Notes, due to mature in 2022. The proceeds, net of issuance costs, were used to repay short-term borrowings under the Eversource parent commercial paper program. Also in March 2017, CL&P issued $300 million of 3.20 percent 2017 Series A First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds due to mature in 2027. The proceeds, net of issuance costs, were used to repay short-term borrowings.

Long-Term Debt Repayments: In March 2017, CL&P repaid at maturity the $150 million of 5.375 percent 2007 Series A First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, using short-term borrowings.

Commercial Paper Programs and Credit Agreements : Eversource parent has a $1.45 billion commercial paper program allowing Eversource parent to issue commercial paper as a form of short-term debt.  As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , Eversource parent had $801.0 million and approximately $1.0 billion , respectively, in short-term borrowings outstanding under the Eversource parent commercial paper program, leaving $649.0 million and $428.0 million of available borrowing capacity as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on these borrowings as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was 1.12 percent and 0.88 percent , respectively. As of March 31, 2017 , there were intercompany loans from Eversource parent of $3.4 million to CL&P, $144.9 million to PSNH, and $71.4 million to WMECO.  As of December 31, 2016 , there were intercompany loans from Eversource parent of $80.1 million to CL&P, $160.9 million to PSNH and $51.0 million to WMECO.  Eversource parent, CL&P, PSNH, WMECO, NSTAR Gas and Yankee Gas are parties to a five -year $1.45 billion revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility's termination date is September 4, 2021.  The revolving credit facility serves to backstop Eversource parent's $1.45 billion commercial paper program.  There were no borrowings outstanding on the revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016 .

NSTAR Electric has a $450 million commercial paper program allowing NSTAR Electric to issue commercial paper as a form of short-term debt. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , NSTAR Electric had $174.5 million and $126.5 million , respectively, in short-term borrowings outstanding under its commercial paper program, leaving $275.5 million and $323.5 million of available borrowing capacity as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on these borrowings as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was 0.86 percent and 0.71 percent , respectively.  NSTAR Electric is a party to a five -year $450 million revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility's termination date is September 4, 2021.  The revolving credit facility serves to backstop NSTAR Electric's $450 million commercial paper program.  There were no borrowings outstanding on the revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016 .

Cash Flows:  Cash flows provided by operating activities totaled $436.5 million in the first quarter of 2017 , compared with $500.0 million in the first quarter of 2016 .  The decrease in operating cash flows was due primarily to $211.9 million in lower income tax refunds as a result of the impact of the December 2015 legislation that extended tax bonus depreciation. That legislation extended the accelerated deduction of depreciation to businesses from 2015 to 2019, and also resulted in a refund of approximately $275 million we received in the first quarter of 2016. Partially offsetting this unfavorable impact was the timing of regulatory recoveries, which primarily related to customer billings in excess of purchased power costs, and the timing of collections on our accounts receivable.

On February 2, 2017, our Board of Trustees approved a common share dividend of $0.475 per share, payable on March 31, 2017 to shareholders of record as of March 2, 2017.  In the first quarter of 2017 , we paid cash dividends on common shares of $150.5 million , compared with $141.2 million in the first quarter of 2016 . On May 3, 2017, our Board of Trustees approved a common share dividend payment of $0.475 per share, payable on June 30, 2017 to shareholders of record as of May 31, 2017.

In the first quarter of 2017 , CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH, and WMECO paid $49.6 million , $46.5 million , $18.5 million , and $9.5 million , respectively, in common stock dividends to Eversource parent.

Investments in Property, Plant and Equipment on the statements of cash flows do not include amounts incurred on capital projects but not yet paid, cost of removal, AFUDC related to equity funds, and the capitalized portions of pension expense.  In the first quarter of 2017 , investments for Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH, and WMECO were $523.6 million , $181.6 million , $132.1 million , $75.3 million , and $32.7 million respectively.   



36




Business Development and Capital Expenditures

Our consolidated capital expenditures, including amounts incurred but not paid, cost of removal, AFUDC, and the capitalized portions of pension expense (all of which are non-cash factors), totaled $446.4 million in the first quarter of 2017 , compared to $368.5 million in the first quarter of 2016 .  These amounts included $21.5 million and $24.0 million in the first quarter of 2017 and 2016 , respectively, related to information technology and facilities upgrades and enhancements, primarily at Eversource Service and The Rocky River Realty Company.

Access Northeast : Access Northeast is a natural gas pipeline and storage project being developed jointly by Eversource, Enbridge, Inc. ("Enbridge") and National Grid plc ("National Grid"), through Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC ("AGT"). This project is expected to enhance the Algonquin and Maritimes & Northeast pipeline systems using existing routes and is expected to include two new LNG storage tanks and liquefaction and vaporization facilities in Acushnet, Massachusetts that are currently expected to be connected to the Algonquin natural gas pipeline. Access Northeast is expected to be capable of delivering approximately 900 million cubic feet of additional natural gas per day to New England on peak demand days. Eversource and Enbridge each own a 40 percent interest in the project, with the remaining 20 percent interest owned by National Grid. The project is subject to FERC and other federal and state regulatory approvals. Its initial proposed configuration was expected to cost approximately $3 billion to construct, with Eversource Energy's investment share at approximately $1.2 billion. As of March 31, 2017, we have invested $31.1 million in this project.

Enbridge, Eversource and National Grid are currently evaluating a series of options surrounding Access Northeast, including state infrastructure legislation changes and LDC contracts, in order to help bring needed additional natural gas pipeline and storage capacity to New England. As a result, the final design, cost, and in-service date of Access Northeast will continue to be refined.

Bay State Wind : Bay State Wind is a proposed off-shore wind project being jointly developed by Eversource and Denmark-based DONG Energy. Bay State Wind will be located in a 300-square-mile area approximately 15 to 25 miles south of Martha's Vineyard that has the ultimate potential to generate more than 2,000 MW of energy. Both Eversource and DONG Energy hold a 50 percent ownership interest in Bay State Wind. In August 2016, Massachusetts passed clean energy legislation that requires EDCs to jointly solicit RFPs and enter into long-term contracts for off-shore wind, creating RFP opportunities for projects like Bay State Wind. The initial RFP, which is legislatively required to be for no less than 400 MW of off-shore wind, is due to be released by June 30, 2017, and Bay State Wind will be bid into that RFP.

Electric Transmission Business:  

Our consolidated electric transmission business capital expenditures increased by $29.3 million in the first quarter of 2017 , as compared to the first quarter of 2016 .  A summary of electric transmission capital expenditures by company is as follows:  
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Millions of Dollars)
2017
 
2016
CL&P
$
79.9

 
$
63.4

NSTAR Electric
39.2

 
31.7

PSNH
21.6

 
19.6

WMECO
18.6

 
18.0

NPT
9.7

 
7.0

Total Electric Transmission Segment
$
169.0

 
$
139.7


Northern Pass :   Northern Pass is NPT's planned high-voltage direct-current ("HVDC") transmission line from the Québec-New Hampshire border to Franklin, New Hampshire and an associated alternating current radial transmission line between Franklin and Deerfield, New Hampshire.  Northern Pass will interconnect at the Québec-New Hampshire border with a planned HQ HVDC transmission line.  On July 21, 2015, the DOE issued the draft Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") for Northern Pass representing a key milestone in the permitting process.  The DOE completed the comment period on the draft EIS on April 4, 2016, and is expected to issue the final EIS in the third quarter of 2017.

On August 18, 2015, NPT announced the Forward NH Plan, which is expected to deliver substantial energy cost savings and other benefits to New Hampshire, including a commitment to contribute $200 million to projects associated with economic development, tourism, community betterment and clean energy innovations to benefit the state of New Hampshire. The Forward NH Plan also included a commitment by PSNH to secure a power purchase agreement ("PPA") with HQ to ensure that customers receive their load share of the low cost, clean energy to be delivered over that transmission line. On June 28, 2016, PSNH filed the executed PPA with the NHPUC for approval. On March 27, 2017, the NHPUC dismissed PSNH's petition for approval of the PPA. PSNH had requested suspension or reconsideration of that decision but on April 20, 2017, the request was denied by the NHPUC. The Forward NH Plan and the PPA are both commitments that are contingent upon the Northern Pass transmission line going into commercial operation.

On October 14, 2016, the NHPUC approved a settlement agreement between NPT and the NHPUC staff and granted NPT public utility status, conditional on final project permitting.  


37



The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests ("SPNHF") filed a lawsuit against NPT in November 2015 alleging that NPT does not have the right to install underground transmission lines in the public highway right of way without the permission of the abutting landowners, such as the SPNHF. On January 31, 2017, the New Hampshire Supreme Court upheld a lower court's ruling confirming that NPT has the right to install underground transmission lines along and beneath public highways in New Hampshire with approval of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.

The New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee ("NH SEC") commenced hearings for formal siting on April 13, 2017 and is expected to issue an order on Northern Pass no later than September 30, 2017. The DOE is expected to act on a Presidential Permit for Northern Pass after the final NH SEC order is released and is expected to issue an approval before the end of 2017. Northern Pass has been targeted for completion by the end of 2019.

In August 2016, Massachusetts enacted clean energy legislation that requires EDCs to jointly solicit proposals and enter into long-term contracts for energy, such as hydropower. The RFP was issued on March 31, 2017, and Northern Pass will be bid into that RFP in late July 2017.

Greater Boston Reliability Solution : In February 2015, ISO-NE selected the Greater Boston and New Hampshire Solution (the "Solution"), proposed by Eversource and National Grid, to satisfy the requirements identified in the Greater Boston study.  The Solution consists of a portfolio of electric transmission upgrades covering southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts in the Merrimack Valley and continuing into the greater Boston metropolitan area, of which 28 are in Eversource's service territory. The NH SEC issued its written order approving the New Hampshire upgrades on October 4, 2016. We are currently pursuing the necessary regulatory and siting application approvals in Massachusetts. Construction has also begun on several smaller projects not requiring siting approval. All upgrades are expected to be completed by the end of 2019.  We estimate our portion of the investment in the Solution will be approximately $560 million, of which $146.4 million has been capitalized through March 31, 2017.

GHCC :  The Greater Hartford Central Connecticut ("GHCC") projects, which have been approved by ISO-NE, consist of 27 projects with an expected investment of approximately $350 million that are expected to be placed in service through 2018.  Twelve projects have been placed in service, and eleven projects are in active construction.  As of March 31, 2017, CL&P had capitalized $141.6 million in costs associated with GHCC.

Seacoast Reliability Project :  On April 12, 2016, PSNH filed a siting application with the NH SEC for the Seacoast Reliability Project, a 13-mile, 115kV transmission line within several New Hampshire communities, which proposes to use a combination of overhead, underground and underwater line design to help meet the growing demand for electricity in the Seacoast region.  In June 2016, the NH SEC accepted our application as complete and we expect the NH SEC decision by late 2017.  This project is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.  We now estimate our investment in this project will be approximately $84 million, of which $15.4 million has been capitalized through March 31, 2017.

Distribution Business:  

A summary of distribution capital expenditures is as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Millions of Dollars)
 CL&P
 
 NSTAR Electric
 
 PSNH
 
 WMECO
 
 Total Electric
 
 Natural Gas
 
 Total Electric and Natural Gas Distribution Segment
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Business
$
42.9

 
$
30.1

 
$
17.8

 
$
5.2

 
$
96.0

 
$
15.8

 
$
111.8

Aging Infrastructure
40.6

 
14.6

 
19.4

 
4.3

 
78.9

 
29.0

 
107.9

Load Growth (1)
9.5

 
15.8

 
4.3

 
(2.3
)
 
27.3

 
6.0

 
33.3

Total Distribution
93.0

 
60.5

 
41.5

 
7.2

 
202.2

 
50.8

 
253.0

Generation

 
0.3

 
2.3

 
0.3

 
2.9

 

 
2.9

Total Electric and Natural Gas Distribution Segment
$
93.0

 
$
60.8

 
$
43.8

 
$
7.5

 
$
205.1

 
$
50.8

 
$
255.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Business
$
39.1

 
$
24.0

 
$
15.1

 
$
3.4

 
$
81.6

 
$
12.6

 
$
94.2

Aging Infrastructure
26.5

 
12.5

 
14.4

 
4.4

 
57.8

 
19.2

 
77.0

Load Growth
9.0

 
14.2

 
3.5

 
0.5

 
27.2

 
6.0

 
33.2

Total Distribution
74.6

 
50.7

 
33.0

 
8.3

 
166.6

 
37.8

 
204.4

Generation

 

 
0.4

 

 
0.4

 

 
0.4

Total Electric and Natural Gas Distribution Segment
$
74.6

 
$
50.7

 
$
33.4

 
$
8.3

 
$
167.0

 
$
37.8

 
$
204.8


(1) For the three months ended March 31, 2017, WMECO had $4.7 million of total contributions in aid of construction, which was a credit to capital expenditures for the period.


38



For the electric distribution business, basic business includes the purchase of meters, tools, vehicles, information technology, transformer replacements, equipment facilities, and the relocation of plant.  Aging infrastructure relates to reliability and the replacement of overhead lines, plant substations, underground cable replacement, and equipment failures.  Load growth includes requests for new business and capacity additions on distribution lines and substation additions and expansions.  

For the natural gas distribution segment, basic business addresses daily operational needs including meters, pipe relocations due to public works projects, vehicles, and tools.  Aging infrastructure projects seek to improve the reliability of the system through enhancements related to cast iron and bare steel replacement of main and services, corrosion mediation, and station upgrades.  Load growth reflects growth in existing service territories including new developments, installation of services, and expansion.

The natural gas distribution segment's capital spending program increased by $13.0 million in the first quarter of 2017, as compared to the first quarter of 2016, as a result of the Hopkinton Liquefier Replacement project. The total project cost is estimated to be approximately $170 million and is expected to be placed in service in late 2019.

FERC Regulatory Matters

FERC ROE Complaints: Four separate complaints have been filed at the FERC by combinations of New England state attorneys general, state regulatory commissions, consumer advocates, consumer groups, municipal parties and other parties (collectively the "Complainants"). In each of the first three complaints, the Complainants challenged the NETOs' base ROE of 11.14 percent that had been utilized since 2005 and sought an order to reduce it prospectively from the date of the final FERC order and for the 15 -month complaint periods arising from the separate complaints. In the fourth complaint, filed April 29, 2016, the Complainants challenged the NETOs' base ROE of 10.57 percent and the maximum ROE for transmission incentive ("incentive cap") of 11.74 percent , asserting that these ROEs were unjust and unreasonable.

In response to appeals of the FERC decision in the first complaint filed by the NETOs and the Complainants, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals (the "Court") issued a decision on April 14, 2017 vacating and remanding the FERC's decision. The Court found that the FERC failed to make an explicit finding that the prior 11.14 percent base ROE was unjust and unreasonable, as required under Section 206 of the Federal Power Act, before it could set a new base ROE. The Court also found that the FERC did not provide a rational connection between the record evidence and its decision to select the midpoint of the upper half of the zone of reasonableness for the new base ROE.

A summary of the four separate complaints and the base ROEs pertinent to those complaints are as follows:
Complaint
15-Month Time Period
of Complaint
(Beginning as of Complaint Filing Date)
Original Base ROE Authorized by FERC at Time of Complaint
Filing Date (1)
Base ROE Subsequently Authorized by FERC for First Complaint Period and also Effective from
October 16, 2014 through April 14, 2017 (1)
Reserve
(Pre-Tax and Excluding Interest) as of March 31, 2017
(in millions)
 
FERC ALJ Recommendation of Base ROE on Second and
Third Complaints
(Issued March 22, 2016)
First
10/1/2011 - 12/31/2012
11.14%
10.57%
$—
(2)  
N/A
Second
12/27/2012 - 3/26/2014
11.14%
N/A
39.1
(3)  
9.59%
Third
7/31/2014 - 10/30/2015
11.14%
10.57%
 
10.90%
Fourth
4/29/2016 - 7/28/2017
10.57%
10.57%
 
N/A

(1) The total ROE between October 1, 2011 and October 15, 2014 was within a range of 11.14 percent to 13.1 percent . In 2014, as a result of a FERC order, the incentive cap was set at 11.74 percent for the first complaint period and also effective from October 16, 2014 through April 14, 2017.
 
(2) CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO have refunded all amounts associated with the first complaint period, totaling $38.9 million (pre-tax and excluding interest) at Eversource (including $22.4 million at CL&P, $8.4 million at NSTAR Electric, $2.8 million at PSNH, and $5.3 million at WMECO), reflecting both the base ROE and incentive cap prescribed by the FERC order.

(3) The reserve represents the difference between the ROEs billed during the second complaint period and a 10.57 percent base ROE and 11.74 percent incentive cap. The reserve was $21.4 million for CL&P, $8.5 million for NSTAR Electric, $3.1 million for PSNH, and $6.1 million for WMECO as of March 31, 2017.

At this time, the Company cannot reasonably estimate a range of gain or loss for the complaint proceedings. The Court decision did not provide a reasonable basis for a change to the March 31, 2017 reserve balance of $39.1 million (pre-tax and excluding interest) for the second complaint period, and the Company has not changed its reserves or recognized ROEs for any of the complaint periods.

Management cannot at this time predict the ultimate effect of the Court decision on any of the complaint periods or the estimated impacts on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO.

The average impact of a 10 basis point change to the base ROE for each of the 15 -month complaint periods would affect Eversource's after-tax earnings by approximately $3 million .


39



FERC Order No. 1000:  On August 15, 2014, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the FERC's authority to order major changes to transmission planning and cost allocation in FERC Order No. 1000 and Order No. 1000-A, including transmission planning for public policy needs, and the requirement that utilities remove from their transmission tariffs their rights of first refusal to build transmission, to allow for competition. ISO-NE and the NETOs, including CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO, made compliance filings to address this policy, which included exemption from competition for certain transmission solutions previously evaluated by ISO-NE, and the NETOs' rights to retain use and control of existing right of ways. This compliance was accepted by the FERC on December 14, 2015. At the same time, the NETOs filed an appeal to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, challenging FERC's removal of the right of first refusal. State regulators also filed an appeal, challenging the FERC's determination that ISO-NE should select public policy transmission projects after a competitive process. On April 18, 2017, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision rejecting both challenges.

NSTAR Electric and WMECO Merger FERC Filings: On January 13, 2017, Eversource made two filings with FERC related to the proposed merger of WMECO into NSTAR Electric with an anticipated effective date of January 1, 2018. One filing requests FERC approval of the merger, and the other filing requests FERC approval of NSTAR Electric's assumption of WMECO's short-term debt obligations. The FERC approved the merger on March 2, 2017 and will act on the assumption of debt filing later in 2017.

Regulatory Developments and Rate Matters

Electric and Natural Gas Base Distribution Rates:  

The Regulated companies’ distribution rates are set by their respective state regulatory commissions, and their tariffs include mechanisms for periodically adjusting their rates for the recovery of specific incurred costs.  Other than as described below, for the first quarter of 2017, changes made to the Regulated companies’ rates did not have a material impact on their earnings, financial position, or cash flows.  For further information, see “Financial Condition and Business Analysis – Regulatory Developments and Rate Matters” included in Item 7, “ Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ,” of the Eversource 2016 Form 10-K.

Connecticut:

On April 20, 2017, PURA approved the joint request of CL&P, the Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel and the Connecticut Attorney General to amend the deadline to establish new electric distribution rates in the 2012 Connecticut merger settlement agreement from "no later than December 1, 2017" to "no later than July 1, 2018".

Massachusetts:

Clean Energy RFP: On March 31, 2017, pursuant to comprehensive energy legislation, "An Act to Promote Energy Diversity," which became law in 2016, the Massachusetts EDCs, including NSTAR Electric and WMECO, and the DOER issued a joint RFP for 9.45 terawatt hours of clean energy per year, such as hydropower, land-based wind or solar. The RFP seeks proposals for long-term contracts of 15 to 20 years to provide the state's electric distribution companies with clean energy generation. The proposal submission due date is July 27, 2017. Contracts will be selected in January 2018, with an expectation to submit executed long-term contracts to the DPU for final approval in April 2018. Northern Pass will be bid into the RFP.

NSTAR Electric and WMECO Rate Case: On January 17, 2017, NSTAR Electric and WMECO jointly filed an application (the "Joint Applicants") with the DPU for approval of a combined $96 million increase in base distribution rates, effective January 1, 2018. As part of this filing, the Joint Applicants are presenting a grid-wise performance plan, including the implementation of a performance-based rate-making mechanism in conjunction with a grid modernization base commitment of $400 million in incremental capital investment over a period of five years, commencing January 1, 2018. In addition, the Joint Applicants are proposing to streamline and align rate classifications between NSTAR Electric and WMECO, and requesting a revenue decoupling rate mechanism for NSTAR Electric. WMECO has a revenue decoupling mechanism in place. The DPU will also be reviewing the proposed merger of NSTAR Electric and WMECO as part of the rate case. A final decision from the DPU is expected in late 2017, with new rates anticipated to be effective January 1, 2018.

New Hampshire:

Generation Divestiture :  On June 10, 2015, Eversource and PSNH entered into the 2015 Public Service Company of New Hampshire Restructuring and Rate Stabilization Agreement (the "Agreement") with the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning, certain members of the NHPUC staff, the Office of Consumer Advocate, two State Senators, and several other parties.  Under the terms of the Agreement, PSNH agreed to divest its generation assets, subject to NHPUC approval.  The Agreement provided for a resolution of issues pertaining to PSNH's generation assets in pending regulatory proceedings before the NHPUC.  The Agreement provided for the Clean Air Project prudence proceeding to be resolved and all remaining Clean Air Project costs to be included in rates effective January 1, 2016.  As part of the Agreement, PSNH agreed to forego recovery of $25 million of the equity return related to the Clean Air Project.  In addition, PSNH will not seek a general distribution rate increase effective before July 1, 2017 and will contribute $5 million to create a clean energy fund, which will not be recoverable from its customers.

On July 1, 2016, the NHPUC approved the Agreement in an order that, among other things, instructs PSNH to begin the process of divesting its generation assets.  The NHPUC selected an auction adviser to assist with the divestiture, and the final plan and auction process were approved by the NHPUC in November 2016.  An intervening appeal alleging that the auction process and schedule were unreasonable was rejected by the New Hampshire Supreme Court in February 2017. In late March 2017, the formal divestiture process began. We continue to believe the assets will be sold by the end of 2017.


40



As of March 31, 2017 , PSNH's energy service rate base subject to divestiture was approximately $620 million. This rate base will be reduced by the amount of the sales proceeds from the generation assets that are divested and sold. Upon completion of the divestiture process, full recovery of PSNH's generation assets is probable through a combination of cash flows during the remaining operating period, sales proceeds upon divestiture, and recovery of stranded costs via bonds that will be secured by a non-bypassable charge or through recoveries in future rates billed to PSNH's customers.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, assumptions and, at times, difficult, subjective or complex judgments.  Changes in these estimates, assumptions and judgments, in and of themselves, could materially impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  Our management communicates to and discusses with the Audit Committee of our Board of Trustees significant matters relating to critical accounting policies.  Our critical accounting policies that we believed were the most critical in nature were reported in the Eversource 2016 Form 10-K.  There have been no material changes with regard to these critical accounting policies.

Other Matters

Accounting Standards :  For information regarding new accounting standards, see Note 1B, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies –Accounting Standards," to the financial statements.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments :  There have been no material contractual obligations identified and no material changes with regard to the contractual obligations and commercial commitments previously disclosed in the Eversource 2016 Form 10-K.

Web Site :  Additional financial information is available through our website at www.eversource.com.  We make available through our website a link to the SEC's EDGAR website (http://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html), at which site Eversource's, CL&P's, NSTAR Electric's, PSNH's and WMECO's combined Annual Reports on Form 10-K, combined Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports may be reviewed.  Information contained on the Company's website or that can be accessed through the website is not incorporated into and does not constitute a part of this combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


41



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – EVERSOURCE ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES

The following provides the amounts and variances in operating revenues and expense line items in the statements of income for Eversource for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 included in this combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:  
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Millions of Dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
Percent
Operating Revenues
$
2,105.1

 
$
2,055.6

 
$
49.5

 
2.4
 %
Operating Expenses:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission
753.6

 
754.9

 
(1.3
)
 
(0.2
)
Operations and Maintenance
330.3

 
320.1

 
10.2

 
3.2

Depreciation
186.8

 
174.0

 
12.8

 
7.4

Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net
24.0

 
21.0

 
3.0

 
14.3

Energy Efficiency Programs
146.2

 
137.2

 
9.0

 
6.6

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
155.2

 
159.9

 
(4.7
)
 
(2.9
)
Total Operating Expenses
1,596.1

 
1,567.1

 
29.0

 
1.9

Operating Income
509.0

 
488.5

 
20.5

 
4.2

Interest Expense
103.4

 
98.2

 
5.2

 
5.3

Other Income, Net
13.6

 
2.0

 
11.6

 
(a)

Income Before Income Tax Expense
419.2

 
392.3

 
26.9

 
6.9

Income Tax Expense
157.8

 
146.2

 
11.6

 
7.9

Net Income
261.4

 
246.1

 
15.3

 
6.2

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
1.9

 
1.9

 

 

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
$
259.5

 
$
244.2

 
$
15.3

 
6.3
 %
(a)
Percent greater than 100 not shown as it is not meaningful.

Operating Revenues
A summary of our Operating Revenues by segment is as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Millions of Dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
Percent
Electric Distribution
$
1,401.1

 
$
1,436.1

 
$
(35.0
)
 
(2.4
)%
Natural Gas Distribution
403.6

 
342.6

 
61.0

 
17.8

Electric Transmission
316.9

 
283.3

 
33.6

 
11.9

Other and Eliminations
(16.5
)
 
(6.4
)
 
(10.1
)
 
(a)

Total Operating Revenues
$
2,105.1

 
$
2,055.6

 
$
49.5

 
2.4
 %
(a)
Percent greater than 100 not shown as it is not meaningful.  

A summary of our retail electric GWh sales volumes and our firm natural gas sales volumes in Mcf were as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
Percent
Electric
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traditional
6,971

 
6,994

 
(23
)
 
(0.3
)%
Decoupled
6,201

 
6,225

 
(24
)
 
(0.4
)
Total Electric
13,172

 
13,219

 
(47
)
 
(0.4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Firm Natural Gas
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Traditional
18,905

 
17,985

 
920

 
5.1

Decoupled and Special Contracts
22,241

 
21,363

 
878

 
4.1

Total Firm Natural Gas
41,146

 
39,348

 
1,798

 
4.6
 %

Operating Revenues, which primarily consist of base electric and natural gas distribution revenues and tracked revenues further described below, increased by $49.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 .  

Base electric and natural gas distribution revenues :  Base electric distribution segment revenues, excluding LBR, increased $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the same period in 2016. Operating Revenues increased $4.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , as a result of higher LBR recognition. 


42



Base natural gas distribution revenues increased $3.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the same period in 2016, driven by higher firm natural gas sales volumes due to colder weather in Connecticut in the first quarter of 2017, as compared to the first quarter of 2016, as well as growth in new customer base.

Fluctuations in CL&P's, WMECO's and NSTAR Gas' sales volumes do not impact the level of base distribution revenue realized or earnings due to their respective regulatory commission approved revenue decoupling mechanisms.  The revenue decoupling mechanisms permit recovery of a base amount of distribution revenues and break the relationship between sales volumes and revenues recognized.  Revenue decoupling mechanisms result in the recovery of our approved base distribution revenue requirements.  

Tracked distribution revenues: Tracked revenues consist of certain costs that are recovered from customers in rates through regulatory commission-approved cost tracking mechanisms and therefore, have no impact on earnings.  Costs recovered through cost tracking mechanisms include energy supply procurement costs and other energy-related costs for our electric and natural gas customers, retail transmission charges, energy efficiency program costs, and restructuring and stranded cost recovery revenues.  In addition, tracked revenues include certain incentives earned and carrying charges. Tracked natural gas distribution segment revenues increased as a result of an increase in natural gas supply costs ($46.3 million) and an increase in energy efficiency program revenues ($10.1 million). Tracked electric distribution revenues decreased as a result of a decrease in electric energy supply costs ($53.6 million), driven by decreased average retail rates, partially offset by an increase in federally-mandated congestion charges ($12.6 million).

Electric transmission revenues:  The electric transmission segment revenues increased by $33.6 million due primarily to the recovery of higher revenue requirements associated with ongoing investments in our transmission infrastructure.

Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission expense includes costs associated with purchasing electricity and natural gas on behalf of our customers.  These energy supply costs are recovered from customers in rates through cost tracking mechanisms, which have no impact on earnings (tracked costs).  Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission expense decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to the following:
(Millions of Dollars)
Increase/(Decrease)
Electric Distribution
$
(62.1
)
Natural Gas Distribution
41.1

Transmission
19.7

Total Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission
$
(1.3
)

The decrease in purchased power expense at the electric distribution business was driven by lower prices associated with the procurement of energy supply and lower sales volumes for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 .  The increase in purchased power expense at the natural gas distribution business was due to higher sales volumes.  The increase in transmission costs was primarily the result of an increase in costs billed by ISO-NE that support regional grid investment.

Operations and Maintenance expense includes tracked costs and costs that are part of base electric and natural gas distribution rates with changes impacting earnings (non-tracked costs).  Operations and Maintenance expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to the following:
(Millions of Dollars)
Increase/(Decrease)
Base Electric Distribution:
 
Storm restoration costs
$
8.0

Shared corporate costs (including computer software depreciation at Eversource Service)
5.5

System resiliency project costs at CL&P
2.2

Employee-related expenses, including labor and benefits
(8.8
)
Bad debt expense
(3.2
)
Other operations and maintenance
0.6

Total Base Electric Distribution
4.3

Total Base Natural Gas Distribution:
 
Shared corporate costs (including computer software depreciation at Eversource Service)
1.3

Other operations and maintenance
2.2

Total Base Natural Gas Distribution
3.5

Total Tracked costs (Electric Distribution, Electric Transmission and Natural Gas Distribution)
9.4

Other and eliminations:
 
Eversource Parent and Other Companies
(2.0
)
   Eliminations
(5.0
)
Total Operations and Maintenance
$
10.2


Depreciation expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to higher utility plant in service balances.


43



Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net expense includes the deferral of energy supply and energy-related costs included in certain regulatory-approved tracking mechanisms, and the amortization of certain costs.  The deferral adjusts expense to match the corresponding revenues. Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net, increased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to the deferral of energy supply and energy-related costs which can fluctuate from period to period based on the timing of costs incurred and the related rate changes to recover these costs.  Energy supply and energy-related costs at CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO, which are the primary drivers in amortization, are recovered from customers in rates and have no impact on earnings.  

Energy Efficiency Programs expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to the deferral adjustment for the natural gas businesses, which reflects the actual costs of energy efficiency programs compared to the estimated amounts billed to customers, and the timing of the recovery of energy efficiency costs incurred in accordance with the program guidelines established by the regulatory commissions.  The deferrals adjust expense to match the energy efficiency programs revenue.  The costs for various state energy policy initiatives and expanded energy efficiency programs are recovered from customers in rates and have no impact on earnings.

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes expense decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due to lower employment-related taxes and a decrease in property tax rates at NSTAR Electric, partially offset by an increase in property taxes at CL&P due to higher utility plant balances.

Interest Expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to higher interest on long-term debt ($4.9 million) as a result of new debt issuances.

Other Income, Net increased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to an increase in earnings related to equity method investments ($4.7 million), higher AFUDC related to equity funds ($2.5 million) and an increase in net gains related to the deferred compensation plans ($2.1 million).

Income Tax Expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to higher pre-tax earnings ($9.4 million) and items that impact our tax rate as a result of regulatory treatment (flow-through items) and permanent differences ($2.2 million).



44



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY

The following  provides the amounts and variances in operating revenues and expense line items in the statements of income for CL&P for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 included in this combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:  
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Millions of Dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
Percent
Operating Revenues
$
732.3

 
$
735.3

 
$
(3.0
)
 
(0.4
)%
Operating Expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Purchased Power and Transmission
244.9

 
272.6

 
(27.7
)
 
(10.2
)
Operations and Maintenance
128.2

 
110.8

 
17.4

 
15.7

Depreciation
59.8

 
57.0

 
2.8

 
4.9

Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net
12.8

 
9.9

 
2.9

 
29.3

Energy Efficiency Programs
36.6

 
38.1

 
(1.5
)
 
(3.9
)
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
74.0

 
75.4

 
(1.4
)
 
(1.9
)
Total Operating Expenses
556.3

 
563.8

 
(7.5
)
 
(1.3
)
Operating Income
176.0

 
171.5

 
4.5

 
2.6

Interest Expense
35.0

 
36.5

 
(1.5
)
 
(4.1
)
Other Income, Net
2.8

 
0.9

 
1.9

 
(a)

Income Before Income Tax Expense
143.8

 
135.9

 
7.9

 
5.8

Income Tax Expense
53.6

 
48.9

 
4.7

 
9.6

Net Income
$
90.2

 
$
87.0

 
$
3.2

 
3.7
 %
(a) Percent greater than 100 not shown as it is not meaningful.

Operating Revenues
CL&P's retail sales volumes were as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
Decrease
 
Percent
Retail Sales Volumes in GWh
5,330

 
5,350

 
(20
)
 
(0.4
)%

CL&P's Operating Revenues, which consist of base distribution revenues and tracked revenues further described below, decreased by $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 .

Fluctuations in CL&P's sales volumes do not impact the level of base distribution revenue realized or earnings due to the PURA-approved revenue decoupling mechanism.  CL&P's revenue decoupling mechanism permits recovery of a base amount of distribution revenues ($1.059 billion annually) and breaks the relationship between sales volumes and revenues recognized.  The revenue decoupling mechanism results in the recovery of approved base distribution revenue requirements.  

Fluctuations in the overall level of operating revenues are primarily related to tracked revenues.  Tracked revenues consist of certain costs that are recovered from customers in rates through PURA-approved cost tracking mechanisms and therefore, have no impact on earnings.  Costs recovered through cost tracking mechanisms include energy supply procurement and other energy-related costs, retail transmission charges, energy efficiency program costs and restructuring and stranded cost recovery revenues.  In addition, tracked revenues include certain incentives earned and carrying charges. Tracked distribution revenues decreased primarily as a result of a decrease in energy supply costs ($30.0 million) driven by decreased average retail rates. In addition, there was a $4.0 million decrease in stranded cost recovery revenue. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase in federally-mandated congestion charges ($12.6 million).

Transmission revenues increased by $18.9 million due primarily to higher revenue requirements associated with ongoing investments in our transmission infrastructure.

Purchased Power and Transmission expense includes costs associated with purchasing electricity on behalf of CL&P's customers.  These energy supply costs are recovered from customers in PURA-approved cost tracking mechanisms, which have no impact on earnings (tracked costs). Purchased Power and Transmission expense decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to the following:
(Millions of Dollars)
Increase/(Decrease)
Purchased Power Costs
$
(38.3
)
Transmission Costs
10.6

Total Purchased Power and Transmission
$
(27.7
)


45



Included in purchased power costs are the costs associated with CL&P's GSC and deferred energy supply costs.  The GSC recovers energy-related costs incurred as a result of providing electric generation service supply to all customers who have not migrated to third party suppliers.  The decrease in purchased power costs for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , compared to the same period in 2016 , was due primarily to a decrease in the price of standard offer supply. The increase in transmission costs was primarily the result of an increase in costs billed by ISO-NE that support regional grid investment. 

Operations and Maintenance expense includes tracked costs and costs that are part of base distribution rates with changes impacting earnings (non-tracked costs).  Operations and Maintenance expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , driven by a $9.0 million increase in non-tracked costs, which was primarily attributable to higher storm restoration costs, higher system resiliency project costs, and higher shared corporate costs, partially offset by lower employee-related expenses. In addition, there was an $8.4 million increase in tracked costs, which was primarily attributable to higher transmission expenses.

Income Tax Expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to higher pre-tax earnings ($2.7 million), higher state taxes ($1.1 million), and items that impact our tax rate as a result of regulatory treatment (flow-through items) and permanent differences ($0.9 million).

EARNINGS SUMMARY

CL&P's earnings increased $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016, due primarily to an increase in transmission earnings driven by a higher transmission rate base and higher distribution revenues due in part to a higher rate base for the system resiliency program.  These favorable earnings impacts were partially offset by higher operations and maintenance expense and a higher effective tax rate.

LIQUIDITY

Cash totaled $15.3 million as of March 31, 2017 , compared with $6.6 million as of December 31, 2016.

CL&P had cash flows provided by operating activities of $171.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to $221.2 million in the same period of 2016.  The decrease in operating cash flows was due primarily to $117.0 million in lower income tax refunds received in 2017, as compared to 2016. Partially offsetting this decrease was the favorable impact of the timing of regulatory recoveries, primarily related to purchased power costs, and the favorable impacts related to the timing of collections and payments of working capital items.

In March 2017, CL&P issued $300 million of 3.20 percent 2017 Series A First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds due to mature in 2027. The proceeds, net of issuance costs, were used to repay short-term borrowings. Also in March 2017, CL&P repaid at maturity the $150 million of 5.375 percent 2007 Series A First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, using short-term borrowings.

Eversource parent has a $1.45 billion commercial paper program allowing Eversource parent to issue commercial paper as a form of short-term debt, with intercompany loans to certain subsidiaries, including CL&P.  The weighted-average interest rate on the commercial paper borrowings as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was 1.12 percent and 0.88 percent , respectively.  As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , there were intercompany loans from Eversource parent to CL&P of $3.4 million and $80.1 million , respectively.

Eversource parent, and certain of its subsidiaries, including CL&P, are parties to a five -year $1.45 billion revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility's termination date is September 4, 2021.  There were no borrowings outstanding on the revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016 .

Investments in Property, Plant and Equipment on the statements of cash flows do not include amounts incurred on capital projects but not yet paid, cost of removal, AFUDC related to equity funds, and the capitalized portions of pension expense.  CL&P's investments in property, plant and equipment totaled $181.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 .



46



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

The following provides the amounts and variances in operating revenues and expense line items in the statements of income for NSTAR Electric for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 included in this combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:  
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Millions of Dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
Percent
Operating Revenues
$
603.8

 
$
614.2

 
$
(10.4
)
 
(1.7
)%
Operating Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Purchased Power and Transmission
233.1

 
254.3

 
(21.2
)
 
(8.3
)
Operations and Maintenance
88.4

 
94.7

 
(6.3
)
 
(6.7
)
Depreciation
55.2

 
51.9

 
3.3

 
6.4

Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net
5.0

 
4.7

 
0.3

 
6.4

Energy Efficiency Programs
67.3

 
66.2

 
1.1

 
1.7

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
27.4

 
32.6

 
(5.2
)
 
(16.0
)
Total Operating Expenses
476.4

 
504.4

 
(28.0
)
 
(5.6
)
Operating Income
127.4

 
109.8

 
17.6

 
16.0

Interest Expense
22.0

 
20.9

 
1.1

 
5.3

Other Income/(Loss), Net
3.3

 
(0.3
)
 
3.6

 
(a)

Income Before Income Tax Expense
108.7

 
88.6

 
20.1

 
22.7

Income Tax Expense
42.5

 
34.1

 
8.4

 
24.6

Net Income
$
66.2

 
$
54.5

 
$
11.7

 
21.5
 %
 
(a) Percent greater than 100 not shown as it is not meaningful.

Operating Revenues
NSTAR Electric's retail sales volumes were as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
Decrease
 
Percent
Retail Sales Volumes in GWh
4,979

 
5,018

 
(39
)
 
(0.8
)%

NSTAR Electric's Operating Revenues, which consist of base distribution revenues and tracked revenues further described below, decreased by $10.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 .  

Base distribution revenues :  Base distribution revenues, excluding LBR, remained relatively unchanged for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the same period in 2016. Operating Revenues increased $4.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , as a result of higher LBR recognition. 

Tracked revenues:   Tracked revenues consist of certain costs that are recovered from customers in rates through DPU-approved cost tracking mechanisms and therefore, have no impact on earnings.  Costs recovered through cost tracking mechanisms include energy supply costs, retail transmission charges, energy efficiency program costs, net metering for distributed generation and transition cost recovery revenues.  In addition, tracked revenues include certain incentives earned and carrying charges. Tracked distribution revenues decreased primarily as a result of a decrease in energy supply costs ($22.4 million) driven by decreased average retail rates and lower sales volumes, and a decrease in retail transmission charges ($7.3 million).  Partially offsetting these decreases were an increase in net metering revenues ($7.3 million), an increase in revenues related to renewable energy requirements ($7.3 million), and an increase in energy efficiency program revenues ($4.0 million).

Transmission revenues increased by $3.6 million due primarily to the recovery of higher revenue requirements associated with ongoing investments in our transmission infrastructure.

Purchased Power and Transmission expense includes costs associated with purchasing electricity on behalf of NSTAR Electric's customers. These energy supply costs are recovered from customers in DPU-approved cost tracking mechanisms, which have no impact on earnings (tracked costs).  Purchased Power and Transmission expense decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to the following:  
(Millions of Dollars)
Decrease
Purchased Power Costs
$
(17.5
)
Transmission Costs
(3.7
)
Total Purchased Power and Transmission
$
(21.2
)


47



Included in purchased power costs are the costs associated with NSTAR Electric's basic service charge and deferred energy supply costs.  The basic service charge recovers energy-related costs incurred as a result of providing electric generation service supply to all customers who have not migrated to third party suppliers.  The decrease in purchased power costs was due primarily to lower prices associated with the procurement of energy supply and lower sales volumes.  The decrease in transmission costs was primarily the result of a decrease in the retail transmission cost deferral, which reflects the actual costs of transmission service compared to estimated amounts billed to customers.

Operations and Maintenance expense includes tracked costs and costs that are part of base distribution rates with changes impacting earnings (non-tracked costs).  Operations and Maintenance expense decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , driven by a $6.6 million decrease in non-tracked costs, which was primarily attributable to lower employee-related expenses and lower bad debt expense, partially offset by higher shared corporate costs. Tracked costs increased $0.3 million.

Depreciation expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to higher utility plant in service balances.  

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes expense decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to a decrease in property tax rates and lower employment-related taxes.

Other Income/(Loss), Net increased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to higher AFUDC on equity funds ($1.2 million), an increase related to officer insurance policies ($1.2 million) and an increase in gains related to deferred compensation plans ($1.1 million).

Income Tax Expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to higher pre-tax earnings ($7.0 million), higher state taxes ($0.8 million), and items that impact our tax rate as a result of regulatory treatment (flow-through items) and permanent differences ($0.6 million).

EARNINGS SUMMARY

NSTAR Electric's earnings increased $11.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to lower operations and maintenance expense, higher distribution revenues as a result of higher lost base revenues, higher earnings from net metering and higher energy efficiency incentives, lower property and other tax expense, and an increase in transmission earnings driven by a higher transmission rate base. These favorable earnings impacts were partially offset by higher depreciation expense and higher interest expense.

LIQUIDITY

NSTAR Electric had cash flows provided by operating activities of $133.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to $96.3 million in the same period of 2016 .  The increase in operating cash flows was due primarily to a favorable impact related to an increase in regulatory recoveries due to collections from customers in excess of purchased power costs and changes in the timing of working capital items. Partially offsetting these favorable impacts was $4.9 million in lower income tax refunds received in 2017, as compared to 2016.

NSTAR Electric has a $450 million commercial paper program allowing NSTAR Electric to issue commercial paper as a form of short-term debt. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , NSTAR Electric had $174.5 million and $126.5 million , respectively, in short-term borrowings outstanding under its commercial paper program, leaving $275.5 million and $323.5 million of available borrowing capacity as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on these borrowings as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was 0.86 percent and 0.71 percent , respectively.  NSTAR Electric is a party to a five -year $450 million revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility's termination date is September 4, 2021.  The revolving credit facility serves to backstop NSTAR Electric's $450 million commercial paper program.  There were no borrowings outstanding on the revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016 .




48



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SUBSIDIARY
 
The following provides the amounts and variances in operating revenues and expense line items in the statements of income for PSNH for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 included in this combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:  
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Millions of Dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
Percent
Operating Revenues
$
253.2

 
$
242.3

 
$
10.9

 
4.5
 %
Operating Expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission
61.8

 
50.2

 
11.6

 
23.1

Operations and Maintenance
62.4

 
59.2

 
3.2

 
5.4

Depreciation
30.7

 
28.3

 
2.4

 
8.5

Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net
5.4

 
8.5

 
(3.1
)
 
(36.5
)
Energy Efficiency Programs
3.7

 
3.6

 
0.1

 
2.8

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
20.9

 
21.8

 
(0.9
)
 
(4.1
)
Total Operating Expenses
184.9

 
171.6

 
13.3

 
7.8

Operating Income
68.3

 
70.7

 
(2.4
)
 
(3.4
)
Interest Expense
12.8

 
12.5

 
0.3

 
2.4

Other Income, Net
1.1

 
0.2

 
0.9

 
(a)

Income Before Income Tax Expense
56.6

 
58.4

 
(1.8
)
 
(3.1
)
Income Tax Expense
22.3

 
22.3

 

 

Net Income
$
34.3

 
$
36.1

 
$
(1.8
)
 
(5.0
)%
(a) Percent greater than 100 not shown as it is not meaningful.

Operating Revenues
PSNH's retail sales volumes were as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
Increase
 
Percent
Retail Sales Volumes in GWh
1,992

 
1,976

 
16

 
0.8
%

PSNH's Operating Revenues, which consist of base distribution revenues and tracked revenues further described below, increased by $10.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 .

Base distribution revenues :  Base distribution revenues increased $2.9 million due primarily to a $1.0 million increase as a result of a distribution rate increase effective July 1, 2016.

Tracked revenues: Tracked revenues consist of certain costs that are recovered from customers in rates through NHPUC-approved cost tracking mechanisms and therefore, have no impact on earnings.  Costs recovered through cost tracking mechanisms include energy supply costs and costs associated with the generation of electricity for customers, retail transmission charges, energy efficiency program costs and stranded cost recovery revenues.  In addition, tracked revenues include certain incentives earned and carrying charges. Tracked distribution revenues increased primarily as a result of an increase in retail transmission charges ($5.8 million) and an increase in both energy supply costs and wholesale generation revenues (totaling $3.7 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period of 2016 . The increase in energy supply costs was driven by increased average retail rates. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease in revenues related to the timing of the sale of RECs ($7.7 million).

Transmission revenues increased by $6.2 million due primarily to higher revenue requirements associated with ongoing investments in our transmission infrastructure.

Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission expense includes costs associated with PSNH's generation of electricity, as well as purchasing electricity on behalf of its customers.  These generation and energy supply costs are recovered from customers in NHPUC-approved cost tracking mechanisms, which have no impact on earnings (tracked costs).  Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to the following:
(Millions of Dollars)
Increase
Purchased Power and Generation Fuel Costs
$
2.0

Transmission Costs
9.6

Total Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission
$
11.6



49



In order to meet the demand of customers who have not migrated to third party suppliers, PSNH procures power through power supply contracts and spot purchases in the competitive New England wholesale power market and/or produces power through its own generation.  The increase in purchased power and generation fuel costs was due primarily to Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative related expenses. The increase in transmission costs was primarily the result of an increase in the retail transmission cost deferral, which reflects the actual costs of transmission service compared to estimated amounts billed to customers.

Operations and Maintenance expense includes tracked costs and costs that are part of base distribution rates with changes impacting earnings (non-tracked costs).  Operations and Maintenance expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , driven by a $3.4 million increase in tracked costs, which was primarily attributable to higher transmission expenses, partially offset by a $0.2 million decrease in non-tracked costs.

Depreciation expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to higher utility plant in service balances.  

Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net expense includes the deferral to expense of energy supply costs and the amortization of certain costs, which are recovered from customers in rates and have no impact on earnings.  The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , was due primarily to the deferral adjustment of the stranded cost recovery charge.  The deferral adjusts expense to match the corresponding revenues.  

EARNINGS SUMMARY

PSNH's earnings decreased $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to lower generation earnings and higher depreciation expense, partially offset by higher distribution revenues due primarily to a distribution rate increase effective July 1, 2016 and an increase in transmission earnings driven by a higher transmission rate base.

LIQUIDITY

PSNH had cash flows provided by operating activities of $113.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to $156.3 million in the same period of 2016 .  The decrease in operating cash flows was due primarily to income tax payments of $9.0 million made in 2017, compared to income tax refunds of $53.9 million received in the same period in 2016. In addition, there was a $10.3 million decrease related to the use of fuel inventories. Partially offsetting these decreases were $9.7 million lower Pension Plan contributions made in 2017, as compared to 2016 and the favorable impacts related to the timing of collections of accounts receivable and regulatory recoveries.




50



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY

The following provides the amounts and variances in operating revenues and expense line items in the statements of income for WMECO for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 included in this combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:  
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Millions of Dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
Percent
Operating Revenues
$
130.1

 
$
128.1

 
$
2.0

 
1.6
 %
Operating Expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Purchased Power and Transmission
40.9

 
39.5

 
1.4

 
3.5

Operations and Maintenance
22.5

 
21.8

 
0.7

 
3.2

Depreciation
12.0

 
11.4

 
0.6

 
5.3

Amortization of Regulatory (Liabilities)/Assets, Net
(0.5
)
 
1.2

 
(1.7
)
 
(a)

Energy Efficiency Programs
10.7

 
10.9

 
(0.2
)
 
(1.8
)
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
10.3

 
10.2

 
0.1

 
1.0

Total Operating Expenses
95.9

 
95.0

 
0.9

 
0.9

Operating Income
34.2

 
33.1

 
1.1

 
3.3

Interest Expense
6.2

 
6.0

 
0.2

 
3.3

Other Income/(Loss), Net

 
(0.2
)
 
0.2

 
(100.0
)
Income Before Income Tax Expense
28.0

 
26.9

 
1.1

 
4.1

Income Tax Expense
10.8

 
10.1

 
0.7

 
6.9

Net Income
$
17.2

 
$
16.8

 
$
0.4

 
2.4
 %
(a) Percent greater than 100 not shown as it is not meaningful.

Operating Revenues
WMECO's retail sales volumes were as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
Decrease
 
Percent
Retail Sales Volumes in GWh
870

 
876

 
(6
)
 
(0.6
)%

WMECO's Operating Revenues, which consist of base distribution revenues and tracked revenues further described below, increased by $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 .

Fluctuations in WMECO's sales volumes do not impact the level of base distribution revenue realized or earnings due to the DPU-approved revenue decoupling mechanism.  WMECO's revenue decoupling mechanism permits recovery of a base amount of distribution revenues ($132.4 million annually) and breaks the relationship between sales volumes and revenues recognized.  The revenue decoupling mechanism results in the recovery of approved base distribution revenue requirements.  

Fluctuations in the overall level of operating revenues are primarily related to tracked revenues.  Tracked revenues consist of certain costs that are recovered from customers in rates through DPU-approved cost tracking mechanisms and therefore, have no impact on earnings.  Costs recovered through cost tracking mechanisms include energy supply costs, retail transmission charges, energy efficiency program costs, low income assistance programs, and restructuring and stranded cost recovery revenues.  In addition, tracked revenues include certain incentives earned and carrying charges. Tracked revenues decreased due primarily to a decrease in energy supply costs ($4.9 million) driven by decreased average retail rates and lower sales volumes, partially offset by an increase in retail transmission charges ($2.2 million).

Transmission revenues increased by $4.9 million due primarily to higher revenue requirements associated with ongoing investments in our transmission infrastructure.

Purchased Power and Transmission expense includes costs associated with the purchasing of energy supply on behalf of WMECO's customers. These energy supply costs are recovered from customers in DPU-approved cost tracking mechanisms, which have no impact on earnings (tracked costs).  Purchased Power and Transmission expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to the following:
(Millions of Dollars)
Increase/(Decrease)
Purchased Power Costs
$
(1.9
)
Transmission Costs
3.3

Total Purchased Power and Transmission
$
1.4



51



Included in purchased power costs are the costs associated with WMECO's basic service charge and deferred energy supply costs.  The basic service charge recovers energy-related costs incurred as a result of providing electric generation service supply to all customers who have not migrated to third party suppliers.  The decrease in purchased power costs was due primarily to lower prices associated with the procurement of energy supply. The increase in transmission costs was primarily the result of an increase in the retail transmission cost deferral, which reflects the actual costs of transmission service compared to estimated amounts billed to customers.

Operations and Maintenance expense includes tracked costs and costs that are part of base distribution rates with changes impacting earnings (non-tracked costs).  Operations and Maintenance expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , driven by a $2.1 million increase in non-tracked costs, which was primarily attributable to higher storm restoration costs, higher shared corporate costs, and higher bad expense. Tracked costs decreased $1.4 million, which was primarily attributable to the deferral adjustment for RECs generated and sold by the WMECO solar program, partially offset by higher transmission expenses.

Amortization of Regulatory (Liabilities)/Assets, Net expense decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due to the timing of refunds or recovery of tracked costs to/from customers in rates.  These costs have no impact on earnings.

EARNINGS SUMMARY

WMECO's earnings increased $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to the same period in 2016 , due primarily to an increase in transmission earnings driven by a higher transmission rate base, partially offset by higher operations and maintenance expense.

LIQUIDITY

WMECO had cash flows provided by operating activities of $22.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , as compared to $50.7 million in the same period of 2016 .  The decrease in operating cash flows was due primarily to a decrease of $22.4 million in income tax refunds in 2017, as compared to 2016 and the timing of collections of accounts receivable.


52



ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risk Information

Commodity Price Risk Management:  Our Regulated companies enter into energy contracts to serve our customers and the economic impacts of those contracts are passed on to our customers.  Accordingly, the Regulated companies have no exposure to loss of future earnings or fair values due to these market risk-sensitive instruments.  Eversource's Energy Supply Risk Committee, comprised of senior officers, reviews and approves all large scale energy related transactions entered into by its Regulated companies.

Other Risk Management Activities

Interest Rate Risk Management:  We manage our interest rate risk exposure in accordance with our written policies and procedures by maintaining a mix of fixed and variable rate long-term debt.  

Credit Risk Management:  Credit risk relates to the risk of loss that we would incur as a result of non-performance by counterparties pursuant to the terms of our contractual obligations.  We serve a wide variety of customers and transact with suppliers that include IPPs, industrial companies, natural gas and electric utilities, oil and gas producers, financial institutions, and other energy marketers.  Margin accounts exist within this diverse group, and we realize interest receipts and payments related to balances outstanding in these margin accounts.  This wide customer and supplier mix generates a need for a variety of contractual structures, products and terms that, in turn, require us to manage the portfolio of market risk inherent in those transactions in a manner consistent with the parameters established by our risk management process.

Our Regulated companies are subject to credit risk from certain long-term or high-volume supply contracts with energy marketing companies.  Our Regulated companies manage the credit risk with these counterparties in accordance with established credit risk practices and monitor contracting risks, including credit risk.  As of March 31, 2017 , our Regulated companies did not hold collateral (letters of credit) from counterparties related to our standard service contracts.  As of March 31, 2017 , Eversource had $24.3 million of cash posted with ISO-NE related to energy transactions.

We have provided additional disclosures regarding interest rate risk management and credit risk management in Part II, Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk," in Eversource's 2016 Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference. There have been no additional risks identified and no material changes with regard to the items previously disclosed in the Eversource 2016 Form 10-K.

ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Management, on behalf of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO, evaluated the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2017 to determine whether they are effective in ensuring that the disclosure of required information is made timely and in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations of the SEC.  This evaluation was made under management's supervision and with management's participation, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  There are inherent limitations of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumventing or overriding of the controls and procedures.  Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.  The principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded, based on their review, that the disclosure controls and procedures of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and regulations and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

There have been no changes in internal controls over financial reporting for Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO during the quarter ended March 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal controls over financial reporting.


53



PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are parties to various legal proceedings.  We have disclosed these legal proceedings in Part I, Item 3, "Legal Proceedings," and elsewhere in our 2016 Form 10-K.  These disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.  There have been no additional material legal proceedings identified and no further material changes with regard to the legal proceedings previously disclosed in our 2016 Form 10-K.

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS

We are subject to a variety of significant risks in addition to the matters set forth under "Forward-Looking Statements," in Item 2, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  We have identified a number of these risk factors in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," in our 2016 Form 10-K, which risk factors are incorporated herein by reference.  These risk factors should be considered carefully in evaluating our risk profile.  There have been no additional risk factors identified and no material changes with regard to the risk factors previously disclosed in our 2016 Form 10-K.

ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table discloses purchases of our common shares made by us or on our behalf for the periods shown below.  The common shares purchased consist of open market purchases made by the Company or an independent agent.  These share transactions related to shares awarded under the Company's Incentive Plan and Dividend Reinvestment Plan and matching contributions under the Eversource 401k Plan.
Period
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
Average Price
Paid per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans and Programs (at month end)
January 1 – January 31, 2017
6,374

$
54.71



February 1 – February 28, 2017
291,389

56.95



March 1  – March 31, 2017
109,367

59.24



Total
407,130

$
57.53





54



ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS

Each document described below is filed herewith, unless designated with an asterisk (*), which exhibits are incorporated by reference by the registrant under whose name the exhibit appears.
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
 
 
 
 
Listing of Exhibits (Eversource)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Declaration of Trust of Eversource Energy, as amended through May 3, 2017
 
 
 
 
*
 
Eighth Supplemental Indenture between Eversource Energy and The Bank of New York Trust Company N.A., as Trustee, dated as of March 10, 2017, relating to $300 million of Senior Notes, Series K, Due 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1, Eversource Energy Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 16, 2017, File No. 001-05324)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer of Eversource Energy pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer of Eversource Energy pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Eversource Energy pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
 
Listing of Exhibits (CL&P)
 
 
 
 
*
 
Supplemental Indenture (2017 Series A Bonds) between CL&P and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee dated as of March 10, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1, CL&P Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 16, 2017, File No. 000-00404)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certification by the Chairman of The Connecticut Light and Power Company pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer of The Connecticut Light and Power Company pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certification by the Chairman and the Chief Financial Officer of The Connecticut Light and Power Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
 
Listing of Exhibits (NSTAR Electric Company)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certification by the Chairman of NSTAR Electric Company pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer of NSTAR Electric Company pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certification by the Chairman and the Chief Financial Officer of NSTAR Electric Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
 
Listing of Exhibits (PSNH)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certification by the Chairman of Public Service Company of New Hampshire pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 

55



 
 
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer of Public Service Company of New Hampshire pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certification by the Chairman and the Chief Financial Officer of Public Service Company of New Hampshire pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
 
Listing of Exhibits (WMECO)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certification by the Chairman of Western Massachusetts Electric Company pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer of Western Massachusetts Electric Company pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certification by the Chairman and the Chief Financial Officer of Western Massachusetts Electric Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
 
Listing of Exhibits (Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH, WMECO)
 
 
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
 
 
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
 
 
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
 
 
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels
 
 
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation


56



SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.





 
 
EVERSOURCE ENERGY
 
 
 
 
May 5, 2017
 
By:
/s/ Jay S. Buth
 
 
 
Jay S. Buth
 
 
 
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

 
 
 
 
 

SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.





 
 
THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
 
 
 
 
May 5, 2017
 
By:
/s/ Jay S. Buth
 
 
 
Jay S. Buth
 
 
 
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

 
 
 
 
 

SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.





 
 
NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY
 
 
 
 
May 5, 2017
 
By:
/s/ Jay S. Buth
 
 
 
Jay S. Buth
 
 
 
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer









57




SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.





 
 
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
 
 
 
 
May 5, 2017
 
By:
/s/ Jay S. Buth
 
 
 
Jay S. Buth
 
 
 
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

 
 
 
 
 

SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.





 
 
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY
 
 
 
 
May 5, 2017
 
By:
/s/ Jay S. Buth
 
 
 
Jay S. Buth
 
 
 
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer




58

Exhibit 3.1




DECLARATION OF TRUST


OF


EVERSOURCE ENERGY





Dated January 15, 1927


AS AMENDED

February 20, 1935

February 21, 1940

February 25, 1955

February 27, 1959

February 28, 1962

March 18, 1964

November 22, 1965

April 22, 1969

April 28, 1970

April 24, 1973

April 25, 1978

May 19, 1987

May 24, 1988

May 13, 2003

May 10, 2005

April 29, 2015

May 3, 2017








DECLARATION OF TRUST


OF


EVERSOURCE ENERGY



This DECLARATION OF TRUST is made at Boston in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts this fifteenth day of January, 1927, by GEORGE W. LAWRENCE of Greenfield, ALVAH CROCKER of Fitchburg, W. RODMAN PEABODY of Milton, ALFRED L. RIPLEY of Andover, CHARLES W. HAZELTON of Montague, ARTHUR W. WOOD of Arlington, CHARLES WALCOTT of Cambridge, MOSES WILLIAMS of Needham, CHARLES STETSON of Boston, J. PRESTON RICE of Newton, all in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, SAMUEL FERGUSON of Hartford in the State of Connecticut and JONATHAN BULKLEY of New York in the State of New York, who are hereinafter called the Trustees, and said expression shall extend to and include the Trustees for the time being hereunder appointed as hereinafter provided, and the word Trustee as hereinafter used shall apply to any one of the said Trustees where the context so admits.  


WHEREAS, it is desired to create under and in accordance with the provisions of this instrument a voluntary association for the acquisition of property and the conduct of business as hereinafter set forth, consisting, first, of the Trustees, in whom shall be vested the legal title to all property at any time belonging to said association except as hereinafter provided and who shall manage, control and carry on the affairs of the association as hereinafter set forth, and second, of the persons (hereinafter called the Shareholders) who shall from time to time be the holders of certificates of beneficial interest, known as shares, to be issued as hereinafter provided, in whom shall be vested the entire beneficial interest in all property belonging to the association and all business conducted by it and all profits earned by it,


NOW, THEREFORE, this declaration of trust WITNESSETH that said George W. Lawrence, Alvah Crocker, W. Rodman Peabody, Alfred L. Ripley, Charles W. Hazelton, Arthur W. Wood, Charles Walcott, Moses Williams, Charles Stetson, J. Preston Rice, Samuel Ferguson and Jonathan Bulkley for themselves, their heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, do hereby declare that they and their successors from time to time, as Trustees hereunder, will hold, manage and dispose of the aforesaid property, if and when acquired by them, and all such other property as may be hereafter transferred or conveyed to them as Trustees hereunder, or otherwise acquired and held on behalf of the association as hereinafter provided (all of said property at any time and from time to time so held being hereinafter collectively referred to as the trust estate ), in trust to hold, manage and control said trust estate and receive the income thereof and to dispose of the same for the benefit of the Shareholders according to the number and kind of shares held by them respectively, and with and subject to the powers and provisions hereinafter contained concerning the same.  





BUSINESS NAME OF TRUSTEES


(1)  The Trustees in their collective capacity shall be designated Eversource Energy and in so far as may be practicable all the business of the association shall be done and all its affairs conducted in and under that name, to the end that legal title to the entire trust estate except as otherwise provided herein and in any event the absolute control thereof shall be at all times vested in the Trustees, and that all obligations incurred by or in behalf of the association shall be the obligations of the Trustees only and not of the Shareholders but enforceable against the Trustees as hereinafter provided, only as such trustees, and only to the extent of the trust estate in their hands and possession and never against them or any of them in their individual capacity or capacities.  



Shareholder

NUMBER, ELECTION, QUALIFICATION,

RESIGNATION AND COShareholderMPENSATION OF TRUSTEES


(2)  The number of the Trustees hereunder for each ensuing year shall be such as may be fixed at each annual meeting of the Shareholders by a vote of at least a majority of the number of shares then outstanding hereunder of such class or classes as then have general voting powers, except that if at any annual meeting no such number shall be so fixed then the number for the ensuing year shall be the same as for the year preceding.  


(3)  Every Trustee shall hold office until the annual meeting of the Shareholders next succeeding his election and thereafter until the succeeding board of Trustees has been elected as hereinafter provided, and until at least a majority of said succeeding board is qualified to act as hereinafter provided.  


(4)  At each annual meeting of the Shareholders they may elect a new board of Trustees for the ensuing year of such number as may be then fixed as hereinbefore provided, and any one or more or all of the Trustees previously in office may be reelected to the new board, and at any meeting at which the number of Trustees is increased the Shareholders may elect all or less than all the additional Trustees so provided for, but no Trustee shall be elected unless he receives the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the number of shares then outstanding hereunder of such class or classes as then have general voting power.  


Proxy Access for Trustee Nominations.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this declaration of trust, in connection with an annual meeting of Shareholders at which Trustees are to be elected, the association will include in its proxy statement and on its form of proxy the name of a nominee for election to the Board submitted pursuant to this Article 4 (a Shareholder Nominee ) and will include in its proxy statement the Required Information (as defined in Article 4(c)), if: (1) the Shareholder Nominee satisfies the eligibility requirements in this Article 4; (2) the Shareholder Nominee is identified in a timely notice (the Shareholder Notice ) that satisfies this Article 4 and is delivered by a Shareholder that qualifies as, or is acting on behalf of, an Eligible Shareholder (as defined in Article 4(a)); (3) the Eligible Shareholder expressly elects at the time of the delivery of the Shareholder Notice to have the Shareholder Nominee included in the association s proxy materials; and (4) the additional requirements of the declaration of trust are met.






2



(a) To qualify as an Eligible Shareholder, a Shareholder or a group as described in this Article 4(a) must: (i) Own and have Owned (as defined below), continuously for at least three years as of the date of the Shareholder Notice, a number of the issued and outstanding common shares (as adjusted to account for any stock dividend, stock split, subdivision, combination, reclassification or recapitalization of common stock) that represents at least three percent of the issued and outstanding common shares that are entitled to vote generally in the election of Trustees as of the date of the Shareholder Notice (the Required Shares ); and (ii) thereafter continue to Own the Required Shares through such annual meeting of Shareholders.


For purposes of satisfying the ownership requirements of this Article 4(a), a group of no more than twenty Shareholders and/or beneficial owners may aggregate the number of common shares that are entitled to vote generally in the election of Trustees that each group member has Owned continuously for at least three years as of the date of the Shareholder Notice.  No shares may be attributed to more than one Eligible Shareholder, and no Shareholder or beneficial owner, alone or together with any of its affiliates, may individually or as a member of a group qualify as or constitute more than one Eligible Shareholder under this Article 4.  Each of the following shall be treated as one Shareholder or beneficial owner: (x) a group of any two or more funds that are under common management and investment control; (y) a group of any two or more funds that are under common management and funded primarily by a single employer; or (z) a group of investment companies, as such term is defined in Section 12(d)(l)(G)(ii) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Whenever an Eligible Shareholder consists of a group of Shareholders and/or beneficial owners, any and all requirements and obligations for an Eligible Shareholder set forth in this Article 4 must be satisfied by and as to each such Shareholder or beneficial owner, except that shares may be aggregated as specified in this Article 4(a) and except as otherwise provided in this Article 4. For purposes of this Article 4, the term affiliate or affiliates shall have the meanings ascribed thereto under the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act ).


(b)  For purposes of this Article 4:


(i)  A Shareholder or beneficial owner shall be deemed to Own only those issued and outstanding common shares that are entitled to vote generally in the election of Trustees and as to which such person possesses both (a) the full voting and investment rights pertaining to the shares and (b) the full economic interest in (including the opportunity for profit and risk of loss on) such shares; provided that the number of shares calculated in accordance with clauses (a) and (b) shall not include any shares (1) sold by such person or any of its affiliates in any transaction that has not been settled or closed, (2) borrowed by such person or any of its affiliates for any purposes or purchased by such person or any of its affiliates pursuant to an agreement to resell or (3) subject to any option, warrant, forward contract, swap, contract of sale or other derivative or similar agreement entered into by such person or any of its affiliates, whether any such instrument or agreement is to be settled with shares or with cash based on the notional amount or value of the issued and outstanding common shares that are entitled to vote generally in the election of Trustees, in any such case which instrument or agreement has, or is intended to have, or if exercised would have, the purpose or effect of (x) reducing in any manner, to any extent or at any time in the future, such person s or its affiliates full right to vote or direct the voting of any such shares and/or (y) hedging, offsetting or




3



altering to any degree any gain or loss arising from the full economic ownership of such shares by such person or its affiliate. The terms Owned, Owning, Ownership and other variations of the word Own, when used with respect to a Shareholder or beneficial owner, shall have correlative meanings.


(ii)  A Shareholder or beneficial owner shall Own shares held in the name of a nominee or other intermediary so long as the person retains the right to instruct how the shares are voted with respect to the election of Trustees and the right to direct the disposition thereof and possesses the full economic interest in the shares. The person s Ownership of shares shall be deemed to continue during any period in which the person has delegated any voting power by means of a proxy, power of attorney or other instrument or arrangement that is revocable at any time by the Shareholder.


(iii)  A Shareholder or beneficial owner s Ownership of shares shall be deemed to continue during any period in which the person has loaned such shares provided that the person has the power to recall such loaned shares on five business days notice.



(c)  For purposes of this Article 4, the Required Information that the association will include in its proxy statement is:


(i)  the information set forth in the Schedule 14N provided with the Shareholder Notice concerning each Shareholder Nominee and the Eligible Shareholder that is required to be disclosed in the association s proxy statement by the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and


(ii)  if the Eligible Shareholder so elects, a written statement of the Eligible Shareholder (or, in the case of a group, a written statement of the group), not to exceed 500 words, in support of each Shareholder Nominee, which must be provided at the same time as the Shareholder Notice for inclusion in the association s proxy statement for the annual meeting (the Statement ).


Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article 4, the association may omit from its proxy materials any information or Statement that it, in good faith, believes is untrue in any material respect (or omits a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading) or would violate any applicable law, rule, regulation or listing standard.  Nothing in this Article 4 shall limit the association s ability to solicit against and include in its proxy materials its own statements relating to any Eligible Shareholder or Shareholder Nominee.


(d)  The Shareholder Notice shall set forth the following information, representations and agreements:


(i)  as to each Shareholder Nominee, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of Trustees in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that, in addition to the information required in the Shareholder Notice pursuant to this Article 4, the association




4



may require each such person to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the association to determine the eligibility of such person to serve as a Trustee, including information relevant to a determination whether such person can be considered an independent Trustee,


(ii)  a representation addressed to the association that the Shareholder delivering the Shareholder Notice (or a Qualified Representative as defined in Article 4(m) of such Shareholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to present its Shareholder Nominee or Shareholder Nominees,


(iii) as to each Eligible Shareholder giving the Shareholder Notice (and in the case of a group, as to each Shareholder or beneficial owner whose shares are aggregated for purposes of constituting an Eligible Shareholder) and if any such Eligible Shareholder, Shareholder or beneficial owner is an entity, as to each director, executive officer, managing member or control person of such entity (any such individual or control person, a Control Person ):


(a)  the name and address of such Eligible Shareholder and any Control Person (in the case of any record holder(s), as they appear on the association s books);


(b)  the number of common shares which are owned of record or beneficially owned by the Eligible Shareholder and/or by any Control Person as of the date of the Shareholder Notice, and for purposes of this clause, an Eligible Shareholder or Control Person shall be deemed to beneficially own common shares if the Eligible Shareholder or Control Person owns such shares, directly or indirectly, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Regulations 13D and 13G thereunder or has or shares pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) (x) the right to acquire such shares (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or the fulfillment of a condition or both), (y) the right to vote such shares, or instruct how the shares are voted, alone or in concert with others and/or (z) investment power with respect to such shares, including the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such shares;


(c)  a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the nomination between or among the Eligible Shareholder or any Control Person and any other person, including without limitation any agreements that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 5 or Item 6 of Exchange Act Schedule 13D (regardless of whether the requirement to file a Schedule 13D is applicable); and


(d)  a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including, without limitation, any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, hedging transactions, and borrowed shares) that has been entered into as of the date of the Shareholder Notice by, or on behalf of, the Eligible Shareholder or Control Person, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss, manage risk or




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benefit from changes in the price of the common shares, or maintain, increase or decrease the voting power of the Eligible Shareholder or Control Person with respect to securities of the association,


(iv)  a copy of the Schedule 14N that has been or concurrently is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act,


(v)  a statement of the Eligible Shareholder (and in the case of a group, the written statement of each Shareholder or beneficial owner whose shares are aggregated for purposes of constituting an Eligible Shareholder), which statement(s) shall also be included in the Schedule 14N filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission: (a) setting forth and certifying to the number of common shares that are entitled to vote generally in the election of Trustees the Eligible Shareholder Owns and has Owned (as defined in Article 4(b)(i)) continuously for at least three years as of the date of the Shareholder Notice; and(b) agreeing to continue to Own such shares through the annual meeting of the Shareholders,


(vi)  the written agreement of the Eligible Shareholder (and in the case of a group, the written agreement of each Shareholder or beneficial owner whose shares are aggregated for purposes of constituting an Eligible Shareholder) addressed to the association, setting forth the following additional agreements, representations and warranties:


(a)  it will provide (1) no later than two weeks after the record date for the annual meeting both the information required under Article 4(d)(ii-iii) above and notification in writing verifying the Eligible Shareholder s continuous Ownership of the Required Shares, in each case, as of the record date for the annual meeting, and (2) immediate notice to the association if the Eligible Shareholder ceases to own any of the Required Shares prior to the annual meeting of Shareholders;


(b)  it (1) acquired the Required Shares in the ordinary course of business and not with the intent to change or influence control at the association and does not presently have any such intent, (2) has not nominated and will not nominate for election to the Board at the annual meeting of Shareholders any person other than the Shareholder Nominee(s) being nominated pursuant to this Article 4, (3) has not engaged and will not engage in, and has not been and will not be a participant (as defined in Item 4 of Exchange Act Schedule 14A) in, a solicitation within the meaning of Exchange Act Rule 14a-1(1), in support of the election of any individual as a Trustee at the annual meeting other than its Shareholder Nominee or a nominee of the Board and (4) will not distribute to any Shareholder any form of proxy for the annual meeting other than the form distributed by the association; and


(c) it will (1) assume all liability stemming from any legal or regulatory violation arising out of the Eligible Shareholder s communications with the Shareholders of the association or out of the information that the Eligible Shareholder provided to the association, (2) indemnify and hold harmless the




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association and each of its Trustees, officers and employees individually against any liability, loss or damages in connection with any threatened or pending action, suit or proceeding, whether legal, administrative or investigative, against the association or any of its Trustees, officers or employees arising out of the nomination or solicitation process pursuant to this Article 4, (3) comply with all laws, rules, regulations and listing standards applicable to any solicitation in connection with the annual meeting, (4) file all materials described below in Article 4(f)(iii) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, regardless of whether any such filing is required under Exchange Act Regulation 14A, or whether any exemption from filing is available for such materials under Exchange Act Regulation 14A and (5) at the request of the association, promptly, but in any event within five business days after such request, provide to the association prior to the day of the annual meeting such additional information as reasonably requested by the association, and


(vii)  in the case of a nomination by a group, the designation by all group members of one group member that is authorized to act on behalf of all members of the group with respect to the nomination and matters related thereto, including withdrawal of the nomination.


(e) To be timely under this Article 4, the written Shareholder Notice must be delivered by a Shareholder to the Corporate Secretary of the association at the principal executive offices of the association not later than the Close of Business (as defined in Article 4(m) below) on the 20th day or earlier than the Close of Business on the 150th day prior to the first anniversary of the date (as stated in the association s proxy materials) that the definitive proxy statement was first sent to Shareholders in connection with the preceding year s annual meeting of Shareholders; provided, however, that in the event the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or after the anniversary of the previous year s annual meeting, or if no annual meeting was held in the preceding year, to be timely, the Shareholder Notice must be so delivered not earlier than the Close of Business on the 150th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the Close of Business on the later of the 20th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which Public Announcement (as defined in Article 4(m) below) of the date of such meeting is first made by the association.  In no event shall an adjournment or recess of an annual meeting, or a postponement of an annual meeting for which notice has been given or with respect to which there has been a Public Announcement of the date of the meeting, commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of the Shareholder Notice as described above.


(f)  An Eligible Shareholder must:


(i)  within two weeks after the date of the Shareholder Notice, provide to the association one or more written statements from the record holder(s) of the Required Shares and from each intermediary through which the Required Shares are or have been held, in each case during the requisite three-year holding period, specifying the number of shares that the Eligible Shareholder Owns, and has Owned continuously in compliance with this Article 4;




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(ii)  include in the Schedule 14N filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a statement by the Eligible Shareholder (and in the case of a group, by each Shareholder or beneficial owner whose shares are aggregated for purposes of constituting an Eligible Shareholder) certifying (a) the number of common shares that are entitled to vote generally in the election of Trustees that it Owns and has Owned continuously for at least three years as of the date of the Shareholder Notice and (b) that it Owns and has Owned such shares within the meaning of Article 4(b);


(iii)  file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any solicitation by or on behalf of the Eligible Shareholder relating to the annual meeting of Shareholders, one or more of the Trustees or Trustee nominees or any Shareholder Nominee, regardless of whether any such filing is required under Exchange Act Regulation 14A or whether any exemption from filing is available for such solicitation or other communication under Exchange Act Regulation 14A; and


(iv)  in the case of any group, provide to the association documentation reasonably satisfactory to the association demonstrating that the number of Shareholders and/or beneficial owners within such group does not exceed twenty, including whether a group of funds qualifies as one Shareholder or beneficial owner within the meaning of Article 4(a).


The information provided pursuant to this Article 4(f) shall be deemed part of the Shareholder Notice for purposes of this Article 4(f).


(g)  Within the time period for delivery of the Shareholder Notice, a written representation and agreement of each Shareholder Nominee shall be delivered to the Corporate Secretary of the association at the principal executive offices of the association, which shall be signed by each Shareholder Nominee and shall represent and agree that such Shareholder Nominee:


(i)  consents to being named in the association s proxy statement and form of proxy as a nominee and to serving as a Trustee if elected;


(ii)  is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such Shareholder Nominee, if elected as a Trustee, will act or vote on any issue or question that has not been disclosed to the association;


(iii)  is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the association with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a Trustee that has not been disclosed to the association; and


(iv)  if elected as a Trustee, will comply with the association s Code of Business Conduct, as well as all corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality, insider trading and share ownership policies and guidelines and any other policies and guidelines applicable to Trustees.




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At the request of the association, the Shareholder Nominee must promptly, but in any event within two weeks after such request, submit all completed and signed questionnaires required of the Trustees and provide to the association such other information as it may reasonably request.  The association may request such additional information as necessary to permit the Board to determine if each Shareholder Nominee satisfies the requirements of this Article 4.


(h)  In the event that any information or communications provided by the Eligible Shareholder or any Shareholder Nominees to the association or its Shareholders is not, when provided, or thereafter ceases to be, true, correct and complete in all material respects (including omitting a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading), such Eligible Shareholder or Shareholder Nominee, as the case may be, shall promptly notify the Corporate Secretary and provide the information that is required to make such information or communication true, correct, complete and not misleading; it being understood that providing any such notification shall not be deemed to cure any defect or limit the association s right to omit a Shareholder Nominee from its proxy materials as provided in this Article 4.


(i)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article 4, the association may omit from its proxy materials any Shareholder Nominee, and such nomination shall be disregarded and no vote on such Shareholder Nominee will occur, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the association, if:


(i)  the Eligible Shareholder or Shareholder Nominee breaches any of its respective agreements, representations or warranties set forth in the Shareholder Notice (or otherwise submitted pursuant to this Article 4), any of the information in the Shareholder Notice (or otherwise submitted pursuant to this Article 4) was not, when provided, true, correct and complete, or the Eligible Shareholder or applicable Shareholder Nominee otherwise fails to comply with its obligations pursuant to this declaration of trust, including, but not limited to, its obligations under this Article 4;


(ii)  the Shareholder Nominee (a) is not independent under any applicable listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (as such standards may change from time to time), any applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and any publicly disclosed standards used by the Board in determining and disclosing the independence of the Trustees, (b) is or has been, within the past three years, an officer or director of a competitor, as defined in Section 8 of the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, as amended, (c) is a director or officer of any public utility company regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, (d) is a director serving on more than four Boards of other publicly held companies, (e) is a named subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses) or has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses) within the past ten years, or (f) is subject to any order of the type specified in Rule 506(d) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;




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(iii)  the association has received a notice (whether or not subsequently withdrawn) that a Shareholder of record intends to nominate any candidate for election to the Board (other than pursuant to this Article 4) so that the number of nominees would exceed the number of Trustees to be elected at the applicable annual meeting; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, unless otherwise required by law or otherwise determined by the Chairman of the meeting or the Board, if the association receives such notice after the proxy materials for the applicable annual meeting have been distributed to the Shareholders, any nomination or nominations pursuant to this Article 4 shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of the election of any Shareholder Nominee or Shareholder Nominees may have been received by the association, but only to the extent the maximum number of Shareholder Nominees after such restriction with respect to this clause equals or exceeds one; or


(iv)  the election of the Shareholder Nominee to the Board would cause the association to violate this declaration of trust, any applicable law, rule, regulation or listing standard.


(j)  The maximum number of Shareholder Nominees submitted by all Eligible Shareholders that may be included in the association s proxy materials pursuant to this Article 4 shall not exceed the greater of (x) two or (y) twenty percent of the number of Trustees in office as of the last day on which a Shareholder Notice may be delivered pursuant to this Article 4 with respect to the annual meeting, or if such amount is not a whole number, the closest whole number (rounding down) below twenty percent (such resulting number, the Permitted Number ), provided that the Permitted Number shall be reduced by:


(i)  any Shareholder Nominee whose name was submitted for inclusion in the association s proxy materials pursuant to this Article 4 but whom the Board of Trustees decides to nominate as a Board nominee; and


(ii)  any nominees who were previously elected to the Board as Shareholder Nominees at any of the preceding two annual meetings and who are nominated for election at such annual meeting by the Board as a Board nominee.


An Eligible Shareholder submitting more than one Shareholder Nominee for inclusion in the association s proxy materials pursuant to this Article 4 shall rank such Shareholder Nominees based on the order that the Eligible Shareholder desires such Shareholder Nominees to be selected for inclusion in the association s proxy materials and include such specified rank in its Shareholder Notice submitted to the association.  In the event that the number of Shareholder Nominees submitted by Eligible Shareholders pursuant to this Article 4 exceeds the Permitted Number, the association shall determine which Shareholder Nominees shall be included in the association s proxy materials in accordance with the following provisions: the highest ranking Shareholder Nominee of each Eligible Shareholder will be selected for inclusion in the association s proxy materials until the Permitted Number is reached, going in order of the amount (largest to smallest) of shares of the association each Eligible Shareholder disclosed as Owned in its respective Shareholder Notice submitted to the association.  If the Permitted Number is not reached after each Eligible Shareholder has had one Shareholder Nominee selected, this selection process will continue as many times as necessary, following the same




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order each time, until the Permitted Number is reached.  Following such determination, if any Shareholder Nominee who satisfies the eligibility requirements in this Article 4 thereafter is nominated by the Board, thereafter is not included in the association s proxy materials or thereafter is not submitted for Trustee election for any reason (including the Eligible Shareholder s or Shareholder Nominee s failure to comply with this Article 4), no other nominee or nominees shall be included in the association s proxy materials or otherwise submitted for election as a Trustee at the applicable annual meeting in substitution for such Shareholder Nominee(s).  Notwithstanding the number of Shareholder Nominees, the number of Trustees elected at any annual meeting shall not exceed the number of nominees proposed by the Board of Trustees.


(k)  Any Shareholder Nominee who is included in the association s proxy materials for a particular annual meeting of Shareholders but withdraws from or becomes ineligible or unavailable for election at the annual meeting for any reason, including for the failure to comply with any provision of this declaration of trust (provided that in no event shall any such withdrawal, ineligibility or unavailability commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a Shareholder Notice) will be ineligible to be a Shareholder Nominee pursuant to this Article 4 for the next two annual meetings.


(l)  The Board (and any other person or body authorized by the Board) shall have the power and authority to interpret this Article 4 and to make any and all determinations necessary or advisable to apply this Article 4 to any persons, facts or circumstances, including the power to determine (i) whether one or more Shareholders or beneficial owners qualifies as an Eligible Shareholder, (ii) whether a Shareholder Notice complies with this Article 4 and otherwise meets the requirements of this Article 4, (iii) whether a Shareholder Nominee satisfies the qualifications and requirements in this Article 4, and (iv) whether the requirements of this Article 4 have been satisfied.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article 4, unless otherwise required by law or otherwise determined by the Chairman of the meeting or the Board, if the Shareholder (or a Qualified Representative of the Shareholder, as defined in Article 4(m)) does not appear at  the annual meeting of Shareholders to present its Shareholder Nominee or Shareholder Nominees, such nomination or nominations shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of the election of the Shareholder Nominee or Shareholder Nominees may have been received by the association.  This Article 4 shall be the exclusive method for Shareholders to include nominees for Trustee election in the association s proxy materials.


(m)  For purposes of this Article 4, (i) the Close of Business shall mean 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time at the principal executive offices of the association on any calendar day, whether or not the day is a business day, (ii) Public Announcement shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service or in a document publicly filed by the association with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and (iii) a Qualified Representative of a Shareholder shall mean a person who is a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such Shareholder or authorized by a writing executed by such Shareholder (or a reliable reproduction or electronic transmission of the writing) delivered to the association prior to the making of a nomination for Trustee at a meeting of the Shareholders by such Shareholder stating that such person is authorized to act for such Shareholder as proxy at the meeting of Shareholders.




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(5)  Every Trustee elected by the Shareholders or by the Trustees to fill a vacancy as provided in Article (7) shall be required, except in case of reelection, to qualify as such Trustee by signing, sealing and acknowledging, and depositing with the Secretary of the association within twenty (20) days after his election a written statement containing a declaration of his acceptance of such election and of the trusts, duties and obligations hereby imposed upon him as such Trustee.  If at the expiration of twenty (20) days after any meeting at which Trustees are elected any Trustee other than a reelected Trustee shall have failed to qualify as such Trustee, the election of that one or those so failing shall become null and void and each such failure shall create a vacancy to be filled as provided in Article (7).  


(6)  Any Trustee may resign by presenting his written resignation at a meeting of the Trustees or by delivering the same at the principal office of the association addressed to the President or Secretary of the association, but such resignation shall take effect only upon its acceptance by the Trustees or by the election of a new Trustee in the place of the Trustee so resigning, or upon the expiration of twenty (20) days after the presentation or the delivery of such resignation, whichever event shall first occur, and after such resignation, until it takes effect as aforesaid, the resigning Trustee may, but shall not be obliged to, act as Trustee hereunder.  


(7)  If a vacancy shall exist in the board of Trustees by reason of failure to elect a full board at a meeting of Shareholders, or of the death, resignation, or failure to qualify of any Trustee, a new Trustee to fill such vacancy shall be elected by the remaining Trustees and such vacancy may be so filled even if such remaining Trustees shall be less than a majority of the whole board.  


(8)  Whenever any change of Trustees shall take place hereunder either by the death or resignation of any Trustee or Trustees or by the election of a new board of Trustees or of any additional Trustee or Trustees, the title to the entire trust estate as previously vested in the former Trustees shall immediately vest in the Trustees holding office as a result of such change without any conveyance from any outgoing Trustee or Trustees or from the heirs, executors or administrators of any deceased Trustee or Trustees or from the continuing Trustees or any of them; but notwithstanding this provision, it shall be the duty of each outgoing Trustee, of the heirs, executors or administrators of each deceased Trustee and of each continuing Trustee, to execute, acknowledge and deliver such instruments of conveyance as shall be deemed by the Trustees advisable and appropriate for the purpose of confirming the title vested as aforesaid in the Trustees then holding office.  


(9)  The Trustees shall receive such reasonable compensation as the Trustees may determine, and if any Trustee shall be called upon to travel or perform other extra services he may be paid his expenses and such special remuneration as the Trustees may determine.  



CONVERSION OF TRUST ESTATE INTO CASH


(10)  It shall be the duty of the Trustees at or before the termination of the trust hereby created to sell and convert into cash the entire trust estate and no Shareholder shall have or acquire at any time any interest in any specific property, real or personal, at any time forming part of the trust estate, or any right to any division or partition thereof or any other rights with reference thereto, except to have said property dealt with as herein provided, to receive dividends therefrom,




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as herein provided, and to share in the distribution of the cash proceeds thereof upon the termination of the trust, except that the Trustees in the exercise of their uncontrolled discretion may, if they see fit, at the termination of the trust retain and distribute in kind as hereinafter provided, all or any part of the personal property forming a part of the trust estate.

 

BUSINESS POWERS OF THE TRUSTEES


(11)  Until the termination of the trust hereby created, the Trustees in the control and management of the trust estate and in the conduct of the business of the association shall have power at any time and from time to time, subject however to the limitations and conditions herein contained in this or any other article hereof:  


(a)  To subscribe for or to acquire by purchase for cash or in exchange for shares of the association or otherwise and for such price and upon such terms as the Trustees may in their uncontrolled discretion determine, stocks, shares, rights, bonds, notes or other securities or obligations of any corporation, trust or association of whatever nature and wherever situated and of any government or agency or political subdivision thereof, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any corporation, trust or association which is engaged in whole or in part in the business of manufacturing, generating, producing, transmitting, selling, distributing, or dealing in, electrical energy, gas, or water power.  


(b)  To manufacture, generate, produce, transmit, purchase, sell, distribute and deal in electrical energy, gas, or water power, and for the aforesaid purposes or any of them to acquire by purchase for cash or in exchange for shares of the association, or otherwise, and to lease, and to hold, develop, construct, erect, maintain, conduct, operate, manage under contract and otherwise utilize real estate, or any rights or interests therein, water rights, water power or privileges, buildings, plants, systems, machinery or any other things suitable for said purposes or any of them.  


(c)  To sell at public auction or by private contract, or otherwise, the whole or any part of the trust estate, free and discharged of the trusts hereunder, to any person or persons in such manner and for such price or consideration upon time or otherwise, and subject to such restrictions and agreements as they may in their uncontrolled discretion determine and without the necessity of applying to any court or to the Shareholders hereunder for leave so to do, and to buy in or rescind or vary any contract of sale and to resell without being responsible for loss, and to convert, exchange or refund the whole or any part of the trust estate for or into any shares, bonds, or other securities or obligations, property or effects in which the Trustees might, under the provisions hereof, invest any moneys forming a part of the trust estate, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to sell the whole or any part of the trust estate for any shares, bonds or other securities or obligations of the purchaser, as a step in proceedings looking towards the termination of the trust hereby created, or the carrying out of any plan for the reorganization or rearrangement of the business or properties conducted or held hereunder, provided however that the Trustees shall not so sell, except to effect a transfer to a corporation, trust or association a majority in interest of the shares of which is then held as a part of the trust estate or a transfer upon or in




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connection with the termination of the trust hereby created, any shares of the stock of any corporation, trust or association if (i) a majority in interest of such shares is then held as a part of the trust estate, and (ii) the book value of the association s investment in the shares and other securities of such corporation, trust or association is 10% or more of the aggregate book value of the assets comprising the trust estate at the time, unless such sale shall have been authorized by the Shareholders at a meeting called for that purpose, by a vote of at least a majority in number of all the shares then outstanding hereunder of such class or classes as then have general voting power.  


(d)  To borrow money and to issue bonds or other obligations therefor and to secure the payment thereof by mortgage, pledge or charge of the whole or any part of the trust estate then owned or thereafter acquired, except that no such mortgage, pledge or charge of the trust estate as a whole or substantially as a whole shall be created unless authorized in each and every such case by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) in number of all the shares then outstanding hereunder of such class or classes as then have general voting power, provided, however, that no such authorization shall be required to secure bonds or obligations issued to refund at any time and in any manner any secured bonds or obligations whenever issued.  


(e)  To furnish assistance, on such terms as they shall think proper, with or without security, to any corporation, trust or association of which any of the stocks, shares, bonds or other securities or obligations shall constitute a part of the trust estate in the financing of the business of such corporation, trust or association or in obtaining, by purchase, lease or otherwise, any facilities or services it may require, either by making funds available to such corporation, trust or association through loans, advances, contributions or otherwise, or by guaranteeing the obligations of such corporation, trust or association, or in any other manner they may deem proper; and to advance or lend money on such terms as they shall think proper, with or without security, to any other person, corporation, trust, firm or association of any description whenever in their opinion such action is necessary or convenient in the business or conducive to the advantage of the association; and to discharge and cancel without payment any indebtedness thus arising, or to convert the same into stocks, shares, bonds or other obligations of such corporation, trust or association or of any other with or into which it may be consolidated or merged or to which its property may be transferred or leased or by which its capital stock may be owned.  


(f)  To exercise any and all powers and rights belonging to the holder of any stocks, shares, bonds or securities or obligations forming a part of the trust estate whether by voting or by giving any consent, request or notice or otherwise and either in person or by proxy or attorney and to give proxies or powers of attorney therefor with or without power of substitution, which proxies and powers of attorney may be for meetings or actions generally or for any particular meeting, meetings or action and may include the exercise of any discretionary powers, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to vote in favor of or to consent to the creation of any mortgage, lien or other encumbrances upon all or part of the franchises and property then owned or thereafter acquired of any or all of the corporations, trusts and associations by which said stocks, shares, bonds, securities or obligations were issued, or to vote in favor of or to consent to the merger or consolidation of such corporation, trust or association with any other corporation, trust or association or for




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the sale, lease, surrender or abandonment of all or any part of the franchises and property of any such corporation, trust or association.  


(g)  To cause any stocks, shares, bonds or other securities or obligations subject to these trusts to be transferred into the name of Eversource Energy or into the names of the Trustees or any one or more of them or to remain in or be transferred into the name of any other person, firm, association, trust or corporation and in any such case in such manner as not to give notice that the same are affected by the trust hereby created or by any trust, and to be deposited for safe keeping in such place and in such manner and subject to such control or joint control as they may deem proper.  


(h)  To cause any real estate at any time acquired on behalf of the association to be acquired and held for the association by such special trustee or trustees, and under such form of agreement or declaration of trust, and with such provisions for the resignation or removal of such special trustee or trustees and the appointment of his, its or their successors as the Trustees may determine, but subject in all cases to the absolute right of the Trustees to control and direct the use, management, sale, mortgage, lease or other dealings with or disposition of said real estate.  


(i)  To collect, sue for, receive and receipt for all sums of money coming due as a part of the trust estate, to consent to the extension of the time for payment, or to the renewal of any bonds or other securities or obligations belonging to the trust estate and to compound, compromise, abandon or adjust, by arbitration or otherwise, any actions, suits, proceedings, disputes, claims, demands and things relating to the trust estate, and to transfer to and deposit with any corporation, committee or other persons any stocks, shares, bonds or other securities or obligations forming part of the trust estate for the purposes of any arrangement for enforcing or protecting the interests of the Trustees as the owners of such stocks, shares, bonds or other securities or obligations, and to pay any assessment levied in connection with such arrangement, and


(j)  To purchase, acquire and hold shares, bonds and notes and other obligations and securities issued by the Trustees as herein provided and either to cancel and retire the same in whole or in part or to reissue them in whole or in part to such person or persons, and for such purposes hereby permitted and in such manner and upon such terms and for such consideration as the Trustees may determine but no such shares while so held by the Trustees shall be entitled to any voting rights or to any dividends or be deemed outstanding for any purpose hereunder.  


(k)  To perform and do all such further acts and things as may be properly incidental to the exercise of the foregoing powers or any of them to the same extent to which such further acts and things might be performed and done from time to time by a business corporation lawfully organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  

 




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MEETINGS OF TRUSTEES


(12)  An annual meeting of the Trustees shall be held immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of the Shareholders.  Other regular meetings may be held at such places either within or outside of Massachusetts as the Trustees may by vote from time to time determine.  A special meeting of the Trustees may be held at any time and at any place when called by the Chairman of the Board, President, Secretary or two or more Trustees and shall be held at such time and place as the notice of such special meeting shall specify.  No notice of said annual meeting shall be required, but notice of each other meeting shall be given either by the Secretary or by the person or persons by whom such meeting is called by giving to each of the Trustees three (3) days notice of such meeting; and such notice sent by mail, postage prepaid, to any Trustee at his usual address on the third day or any earlier day before such meeting shall be deemed sufficient notice to him whether or not the same be received by him, and in computing such time Sundays and holidays shall be included, but it shall not be necessary to give notice of any such meeting as aforesaid to any Trustee who is present at the meeting or who either before or after the meeting waives such notice in writing.  A majority of the full board of Trustees present at any meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and for the purpose of filling vacancies, as provided in Article (7), a majority of the Trustees continuing in office shall constitute such quorum, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting from time to time and such meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice.  When a quorum is present at any meeting a majority of the Trustees present and voting shall decide any questions brought before such meeting.  Any Trustee may participate in a meeting of the Trustees, or any committee thereof, by conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time, and participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.



OFFICERS, AGENTS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE


(13)  The Trustees shall from time to time elect a Chairman of the Board, a President, a Treasurer and a Secretary and may elect one or more Vice Presidents and one or more Assistant Treasurers and such other officers as the Trustees may think proper, and may permit any officer so elected to resign and may remove any such officer with or without cause and may fill any vacancy and may elect temporary officers to serve during the absence or disability of the regular officers or for any specified purpose.  Every officer so elected unless otherwise determined by the Trustees shall hold his office until the first meeting of the Trustees following the next succeeding annual meeting of the Shareholders and thereafter until his successor has been chosen.  Any such officer may be, but no such officer need be, a Shareholder or Trustee, and any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except that no one person shall be both President and Vice President or both Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer.  Such officers shall receive such compensation, if any, as may from time to time be fixed by the Trustees and they shall have respectively, in addition to the powers and duties conferred and imposed upon them by the express provisions of this declaration of trust, such further powers and duties as may be conferred and imposed upon them from time to time by the Trustees.  


(14)  The Chairman of the Board, if present, shall preside at all meetings of the Trustees and of the Shareholders, and in his absence from any such meeting, the President, or if he also be




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absent, the senior Vice President present, shall so preside, but if neither the Chairman of the Board nor the President nor any Vice President shall be present, a temporary Chairman shall be chosen by the meeting.  


(15)  The Treasurer shall have custody of all moneys belonging to the trust estate and shall deposit the same in such one or more banks or trust companies as may be designated from time to time by the Trustees in the name Eversource Energy and shall disburse the same in the discharge of obligations incurred by the Trustees or for other purposes authorized by the Trustees by checks drawn by him against such deposit account or accounts and signed on behalf of Eversource Energy by him as Treasurer.  He shall also keep accurate books of account of all the financial transactions of the Trustees.  If required by the Trustees, the Treasurer shall give bond for the faithful discharge of his duties and the premium on such bond shall be paid out of the trust estate.  Such bond, if given, shall be in the custody of the President.  All or any part of the duties of the Treasurer may be performed at any time and from time to time by any assistant treasurer designated for that purpose by the Trustees.  In addition, the Trustees may from time to time authorize or require other officers, employees, or agents to sign checks drawn against any such deposit account or accounts.


(16)  The Secretary shall attend, if possible, all meetings of the Trustees, of the Executive Committee if any and of the Shareholders and shall give notice of all such meetings as required by the provisions hereof and shall keep the minutes of all such meetings, but if he is absent from any meeting a temporary secretary shall be chosen by the meeting to act in his place.


(17)  The Trustees may likewise from time to time appoint or employ or authorize the appointment or employment of agents or employees or representatives and the Trustees may fix their compensation, term of employment, duties and powers or authorize the same to be fixed and may remove them or terminate their employment or authorize the same to be done.  The Trustees may delegate any or all of the powers and discretions of the Trustees to any of the officers, agents or representatives elected or appointed pursuant to the provisions hereof, and all action taken by any such officer, agent or representative pursuant to such delegation shall be binding upon the Trustees.  All promissory notes and other negotiable instruments, except checks, and all bonds and other agreements for the payment of money or evidences of indebtedness and all contracts in writing and other documents issued or entered into by the Trustees including instruments affecting the title to real estate, shall be signed and delivered in their behalf as they may determine either by a majority of the Trustees or by such one or more Trustees or officers, agents, or representatives of the Trustees as they may designate.  Any instrument affecting the title to real estate signed and delivered by the person or persons authorized so to do by the Trustees as hereinbefore provided shall be effective to convey all the right, title, and interest of all the Trustees which it purports to convey.


(18)  The Trustees may appoint from time to time from among their number an Executive Committee of not less than five (5) members and may at any time abolish said committee or remove any member or members thereof with or without cause, and may fill all vacancies therein.  Such committee if appointed shall have and exercise such of the powers and discretions of the Trustees and be subject to such supervision and control by the Trustees as the Trustees shall from time to time determine.  Meetings of said committee shall be held and notified from time to time as provided herein with reference to meetings of the Trustees and minutes of such meetings shall be




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kept as provided in Article (16), and the minutes of every such meeting shall be presented to the next meeting of the Trustees.  



SHARES AND SHAREHOLDERS


(19)  The transferable certificate of beneficial interest known as shares issued or to be issued hereunder may consist either of common shares with or without par value or of preferred shares with or without par value of any class or classes, or of both common and preferred shares.  Shares, either common or preferred, may be issued from time to time for cash, property or services, or as a distribution to Shareholders, and may be issued by the Trustees only upon authority so to do granted by the Shareholders.  Common shares, in addition to the three million (3,000,000) of such common shares authorized by the Shareholders prior to March 18, 1964, shall be issued only when authorized by the affirmative vote of at least a majority in interest of all shares previously issued and then outstanding of such class or classes as have general voting power.  Preferred shares shall be issued only when authorized by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) in interest of shares having general voting power as aforesaid and also by such vote or consent of the holders of each class of preferred shares previously issued and then outstanding as may be required by the rights, privileges and preferences of said outstanding class established as hereinafter provided.  All preferred shares issued shall have such par value, if any, such priority as to dividends which may be cumulative, such priority in liquidation, such voting rights and such other rights, privileges, preferences, restrictions and limitations as may be established and authorized by the votes and consents of Shareholders pursuant to which they are issued.  The holders of common shares shall have preemptive rights as follows:  Upon the offering or sale by the Trustees for cash of any common shares or convertible securities each holder of common shares shall have the preemptive right subject to the provisions of this Article to purchase such shares or convertible securities in proportion to the number of common shares held by him, within the time and on the terms fixed by the Trustees.  Such preemptive rights, however, shall not be applicable to the issue of common shares, or the grant of rights or options on such shares, to Trustees, Directors, officers, or employees, as such, of the association, or of a subsidiary thereof, if such issue or grant is approved by the holders of common shares, at a meeting duly held for the purpose or is authorized by and consistent with a plan theretofore so approved.  Whenever any rights to subscribe to common shares or convertible securities have not been exercised by the holders thereof, and by the terms thereof such subscription rights have ceased to be exercisable, the Trustees may authorize the disposal of the common shares or convertible securities theretofore subject to such unexercised rights in such manner as the Trustees may deem proper.  Common shares shall not be subject to preemptive rights if they are issued on the conversion of convertible securities and such securities were offered or issued to holders of common shares in satisfaction of their preemptive rights or were not subject to preemptive rights.  Common shares and convertible securities shall not be subject to preemptive rights if they are (1) common shares or convertible securities theretofore offered to holders of common shares in satisfaction of their preemptive rights and not purchased thereby; (2) issued pursuant to a plan adjusting any rights to fractional shares or fractional interests in order to prevent the issue of such fractional shares or fractional interests in such shares; (3) issued in connection with a merger or consolidation, or pursuant to order of a court of competent jurisdiction unless such order otherwise provides; (4) issued in a public offering or to or through underwriters who shall have agreed to make a public offering of such common shares or convertible securities; (5) released from such preemptive rights by the affirmative vote or written




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consent of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the common shares then outstanding; or (6) shares or convertible securities held in the treasury.  Except as herein specifically provided, no holder of shares of any class shall have any preemptive rights to subscribe to any shares or securities of any class issued at any time.  No fractional shares shall be issued and in connection with the issue of shares of any class the Trustees may take such action as they deem desirable in order to avoid or prevent the issue of fractional shares.  As used in this Article convertible securities means securities which are convertible into, or entitle the holder thereof to purchase, common shares.  


(20)  Every Shareholder shall be entitled to receive a certificate in such form as the Trustees shall from time to time approve, specifying the number and kind of shares held by him with such description, if any, as may be necessary to distinguish shares of one class from shares of any other class or classes.  Such certificates shall, unless otherwise determined by the Trustees, be signed on behalf of the Trustees by the President or a Vice President and the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer.  On evidence satisfactory to the Trustees that any certificate issued hereunder has been worn out, mutilated, lost or destroyed, the Trustees may cause a new certificate to be issued in place thereof on such terms, if any, as to indemnity and otherwise, as the Trustees shall deem proper.  


(21)  A register or registers shall be kept by or on behalf of the Trustees which shall contain the names and addresses of the Shareholders and the number and kind of shares held by them respectively.  Such register or registers may be in such form as the Trustees may from time to time deem proper.  No Shareholder shall be entitled to receive payment of any dividend declared or other distribution from the trust estate or to have any notice given to him as herein provided until he has given his address to the Trustees or to a Transfer Agent for the class of shares held by him for entry on such register.  The Trustees may appoint one or more Transfer Agents and one or more Registrars for any class of shares.  Any Transfer Agent and Registrar so appointed shall have such duties as may be prescribed by the Trustees.  


(22)  Every transfer of any shares (otherwise than by operation of law) shall be in writing under the hand of the Transferor or of his agent thereunto duly authorized in writing and upon delivery thereof to the Treasurer or to any Transfer Agent accompanied by the existing certificate for such shares together with such evidence of the genuineness of such transfer, authorization and other matters as may reasonably be required shall be registered and thereupon a new certificate for the shares transferred shall be issued to the Transferee, and in case of a transfer of only part of the shares represented by any certificate, a new certificate for the residue thereof shall be issued to the Transferor.  Until a transfer shall be registered, the record holder of each and every certificate shall be deemed to be the holder of the share or shares represented thereby for all purposes hereof, and neither the Trustees nor any Transfer Agent nor any Registrar nor any officer or agent of the Trustees shall be affected by any notice of such transfer.  


(23)  Any person becoming entitled to any shares in consequence of the death, bankruptcy or insolvency of any Shareholder or otherwise by operation of law, upon production of proper evidence thereof and upon delivery of the existing certificate to the Trustees or to any Transfer Agent for such shares shall be recorded as the holder of said shares and shall receive a new certificate therefor, but until so registered the Shareholder of record shall be deemed to be the holder of such shares for all purposes hereof and neither the Trustees nor any Transfer Agent nor




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Registrar nor any officer or agent of the Trustees shall be affected by any notice of such death, bankruptcy, insolvency or other involuntary transfer.  


(24)  Shares issued as herein provided shall be personal property entitling the holders only to the rights against the Trustees and with reference to the trust estate which are herein set forth and upon the death of any Shareholder all shares held by him shall pass as a part of his personal estate.  


(25)  Two or more persons holding any share shall be joint owners of the entire interest therein, and no entry shall be made in the register or in any certificate that any person is entitled to any future, limited or contingent interest in any share.  But any person registered as a holder of any share may, subject to the provisions hereinafter contained, be described in the register or in any certificates as a trustee of any kind, and any words may be added to the description to identify the said trust.  


(26)  All shares issued hereunder shall be fullpaid and nonassessable and no Trustee, officer or agent shall be entitled to look to the Shareholders personally for indemnity against any liability incurred by him in the execution of these presents or to call upon the Shareholders for the payment of any sum of money or any assessment whatever.  


(27)  Neither the Trustees nor any officer or agent of the Trustees nor any Transfer Agent shall be bound to take notice or be affected by notice of any trust whether express, implied or constructive or of any charge, pledge or equity to which any of said shares or the interest of any of the Shareholders under the declaration of trust may be subject or to ascertain or to inquire whether any sale or transfer of any such shares or interest by any such Shareholder or by his personal representatives is authorized by any such trust, charge, pledge or equity or to recognize any person whatever as having any interest in such shares except the persons registered as Shareholders and the receipt of the person in whose name any share is registered or if such share is registered in the names of more than one person the receipt of any one of such persons or the receipt of the duly authorized agent of any such person shall be a sufficient discharge for all dividends and other money and for all shares, bonds, obligations and other property payable, issuable or deliverable in respect to such share and from all liability to see to the application of such dividends, money, shares, bonds, obligations and other property.  



MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS


(28)  An annual meeting of the Shareholders shall be held during the month of April, May or June in each year on such day and at such hour as the Trustees may from time to time determine, at such place either within or outside of Massachusetts as may be designated by the Trustees, for the purpose of electing new Trustees in place of and to succeed those whose terms of office expire at that time and for such other purposes as may be specified by the Trustees.  If such annual meeting shall not be held as above provided, a special meeting may be held in lieu thereof at any time and any business which might have been transacted at such annual meeting may be transacted at such special meeting and for all purposes hereof such special meeting shall be deemed to be an annual meeting duly held as herein provided.  Special meetings of the Shareholders shall be held whenever ordered by the Trustees, the Chairman of the Board or the President or requested by the holders of one-tenth (1/10) in interest of all the shares outstanding of any class or classes having the general




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right to vote and any business which may be transacted at an annual meeting of Shareholders may be transacted at a special meeting.  Special meetings shall be held at such place as may be designated by the Trustees or the Chairman of the Board or the President.  Notice of each meeting of the Shareholders, whether annual or special, specifying the time, place and purposes thereof, shall be given to all Shareholders entitled to vote thereat by delivering such notice to such Shareholders at least seven (7) days before such meeting. Notice delivered via electronic transmission shall be considered notice for purposes of the preceding sentence provided that such notice is, (i) if given by facsimile telecommunication, directed to a number furnished by the Shareholder for such purpose, (ii) if given by electronic mail, directed to an electronic mail address furnished by the Shareholder for such purpose, (iii) if delivered by posting on an electronic network accompanied by a separate notice to the Shareholder of such posting, directed to an electronic mail address furnished by the Shareholder for the purpose, and (iv) if by any other form of electronic transmission, directed to the Shareholder in such manner as the Shareholder shall have specified. For purposes of this paragraph electronic transmission means any process of communication not directly involving the physical transfer of paper that is suitable for the retention, retrieval and reproduction of information by the recipient. If the Secretary shall refuse or fail to give any such notice of any special meeting such notices may be given by the persons or person by whom such meeting was called or requested.  At all meetings of the Shareholders every holder of common shares shall have one (1) vote for every such share held by him, and every holder of preferred shares of any class or classes thereof shall have such voting rights as may be authorized in accordance with the provisions of Article (19).  Every Shareholder entitled to vote at any meeting shall have the same right to vote thereat or at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, either in person or by proxy as in the case of a stockholder in a corporation. Any vote, consent, waiver, proxy appointment or other action by a Shareholder or by the proxy or other agent of any Shareholder, shall be considered given in writing, dated and signed if, in lieu of any other means permitted by this Declaration of Trust, it consists of an electronic transmission that sets forth or is delivered with information from which it can be determined (i) that the electronic transmission was transmitted by the Shareholder, proxy or agent or by a person authorized to act for the Shareholder, proxy or agent; and (ii) the date on which such Shareholder, proxy, agent or authorized person transmitted the electronic transmission. The date on which the electronic transmission is transmitted shall be considered to be the date on which it was signed. The electronic transmission shall be considered received if it has been sent to any address specified for the purpose or, if no address has been specified, to the principal office of the association, addressed to the Secretary or other officer or agent having custody of the records of proceedings of Shareholders. At all meetings a majority of all shares issued and outstanding and having the general right to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but less than such majority may adjourn the meeting from time to time and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice.  When a quorum is present at any meeting all matters properly brought before the meeting shall be decided by the majority vote of the Shareholders present or represented at such meeting and voting upon such questions, except as otherwise provided herein and as may be otherwise provided hereafter as to particular questions in the provisions for the establishment of the rights, privileges and preferences of any class or classes of preferred shares.  The Trustees may fix in advance a time not more than sixty (60) days before the date of any meeting of the Shareholders or the date for the payment of any dividend or the making of any distribution of any kind to Shareholders or the last day on which the consent or dissent of Shareholders may be effectively expressed for any purpose as the record date for determining the Shareholders having the right to notice of and to vote at such meeting, and any adjournment thereof, or the right to receive such dividend or distribution or the right to give such




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consent or dissent, and in such case only Shareholders of record on such record date shall have such right, notwithstanding any transfer of shares on the books of the association after the record date.  In lieu of fixing such record date, the Trustees may for any of such purposes close the transfer books of the association for all or any portion of said sixty (60) day period.  


(29)  When any share is held jointly by several persons, any one of them may vote at any meeting in person or by proxy in respect of such share, but if more than one of them shall be present at such meeting in person or by proxy, and such joint owners or their proxies so present disagree as to any vote to be cast, such vote shall not be received in respect of such share.  


(30)  If the holder of any share is a minor or a person of unsound mind, or subject to guardianship or to the legal control of any other person as regards the charge or management of such share, he may vote by his guardian or such other person appointed or having such control, and such vote may be given in person or by proxy.  



DIVIDENDS


(31)  The Trustees may from time to time declare and pay to the Shareholders such dividends as they see fit, and no Shareholders of any class shall be entitled to receive or be paid any dividends from the trust estate except as determined by the Trustees.  Whenever any dividend is declared and paid upon any class of shares outstanding the holders of said class shall all receive the same amount per share, but if any class or classes of preferred shares shall be issued the dividends paid from time to time shall be paid to and distributed among the separate classes in accordance with the rights, privileges, preferences, restrictions and limitations established in connection with the creation of said preferred class or classes.  The Trustees may appoint a Dividend Agent for any class of shares with such powers and duties as they may prescribe.  



RIGHTS OF THIRD PERSONS


(32)  No Shareholder shall be held to any liability whatever for the payment of any sum of money, or for damages or otherwise under any contract, obligation or undertaking made, entered into or issued by the Trustees or by any officer, agent or representative elected or appointed by the Trustees and no such contract, obligation or undertaking shall be enforceable against the Trustees or any of them in their or his individual capacities or capacity and all such contracts, obligations and undertakings shall be enforceable only against the Trustees as such and every person, firm, association, trust and corporation having any claim or demand arising out of any such contract, obligation or undertaking shall look only to the trust estate for the payment or satisfaction thereof.  It shall be the duty of the Trustees and each of them and of every officer, agent or representative elected or appointed by them to include in every written agreement entered into by them or any of them as herein provided, a statement of the immunity provided by this article for the Shareholders and for the Trustees as individuals, and neither the Trustees nor any of them nor any officer, agent or representative appointed or elected by them shall have any power or authority to enter into any agreement or incur any obligation as herein provided except in accordance with the provisions of this Article.




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In case any Shareholder shall at any time for any reason be held to or be under any personal liability whatever solely by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder and not by reason of his acts or omissions as a Shareholder, then such Shareholder (or his heirs, executors, administrators, or other legal representatives) shall be held harmless and indemnified out of the trust estate from and of all loss, liability or expense by reason of such liability.  


(33)  The receipts of the Trustees or any of them for money or other things paid to them or him, and in the case of money paid the receipt of the Treasurer, shall be effectual discharges to the persons, firms, associations, trusts or corporations paying or delivering such money or things and from all liability to see to the application thereof, and the statement or representation of any one or more of the Trustees or of the Secretary to the effect that the person or persons purporting to act as Trustees in connection with the sale of any part of the trust estate or in connection with any other action taken on behalf of the association as herein provided, are in fact the Trustees hereunder at that time, or to the effect that any person purporting to act as an officer, agent or representative of the association is in fact such officer, agent or representative, or to the effect that any sale or other action taken as aforesaid has been duly authorized by the Trustees or by the Shareholders as may be required by the provisions hereof or as to the meetings, votes or other proceedings by which such authority was given, shall be conclusive evidence of the facts so stated in favor of every purchaser of any part of the trust estate and of every person, firm, association, trust or corporation dealing with the association through the person or persons so held out as Trustees or as officers, agents or representatives, and in favor of every association, trust or corporation whose shares or other securities are transferred by any such sale, and of every transfer agent transferring such shares.  



RESPONSIBILITY OF TRUSTEES AND OTHERS


(34)  No Trustee, and no officer, agent or other representative elected or appointed pursuant to any provision hereof, shall be liable for any act or default on the part of any co-Trustee, or other officer or agent, or for having permitted any co-Trustee, or other officer or agent to receive or retain any money or property receivable by the Trustees hereunder, or for errors of judgment in exercising or failing to exercise any of the powers or discretions conferred upon or resting upon him, or for any loss arising out of any investment, or for failure to sue for or to collect any moneys or property belonging to the trust estate, or for any act or omission to act, performed or omitted by him in good faith in the execution of the trusts hereby created, and each Trustee and every such officer, agent or representative shall be answerable and accountable only for his own receipts and for his own wilful acts, neglects and defaults constituting a breach of trust knowingly and intentionally committed by him in bad faith, and not for those of any other, or of any bank, trust company, broker, attorney, auctioneer or other person with whom or into whose hands any property forming part of the trust estate may be deposited or come, or by whom any action relating to the trusts hereof may be taken or omitted to be taken; nor shall any Trustee or any such officer, agent or representative be liable or accountable for any defect in title, or for failing to transfer to or vest in the Trustees title to any property or effects for the time being subject to any of the trusts of these presents, or intended or believed to be so subject, or for failing to take out or maintain any or sufficient insurance or for liens or encumbrances upon any such property or effects, or for lack of genuineness or for invalidity of the shares, bonds, or other obligations or instruments forming part of or relating to the trust estate, or for any loss, or otherwise, unless the same shall happen through his own wilful act, neglect or default constituting a breach of trust knowingly and intentionally committed by him in




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bad faith; and the Trustees and each of them and each such officer, agent or representative shall be entitled out of the trust estate to reimbursement for their or his reasonable expenses and outlays and to be put in funds and exonerated and indemnified to their or his reasonable satisfaction from time to time, against any and all loss, costs, expense and liability incurred or to be incurred by them or him in the execution of the trusts hereby created; and no Trustee, however appointed, shall be obliged to give any bond or surety or other security for the performance of any of his duties in the said trusts.  


In addition, and without limiting the protection afforded to them by the preceding paragraph of this Article (34), no Trustee, officer, agent or representative shall be liable for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Trustee, officer, agent or representative, notwithstanding any provision of law imposing such liability; provided, however, that the provisions of this paragraph shall not be deemed to eliminate or limit any liability which such Trustee, officer, agent or representative would otherwise have under the provisions of the declaration (1) for any breach of such person s duty of loyalty to the association or its Shareholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or (3) for any transaction from which such person derived an improper personal benefit.  


The association shall indemnify each of its Trustees and officers, as defined in the last paragraph of this Article, against any loss, liability or expense, including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and counsel fees, imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in which he may be involved or with which he may be threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of his being or having been such a Trustee or officer, except with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been finally adjudicated in such action, suit or proceeding not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interests of the association; provided, however, that as to any matter disposed of by a compromise payment by such Trustee or officer, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise, no indemnification either for said payment or for any other expenses shall be provided unless a determination is made that indemnification of the Trustee or officer is proper under the circumstances because such Trustee or officer acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interests of the association.  Such determination shall be made (1) by the board of Trustees by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Trustees who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, such a quorum so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the Shareholders.  


In performing his duties, any such Trustee or officer who acts in good faith shall be fully protected in relying upon the books of account of the association or of another organization in which he serves as contemplated by this Article, reports, opinions and advice to the association or to such other organization by any of its officers or employees or by counsel, accountants, appraisers or other experts or consultants selected with reasonable care or upon other records of the association or of such other organization.  


Expenses incurred by any Trustee or officer with respect to any action, suit or proceeding heretofore referred to in this Article may be paid or advanced by the association prior to the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the




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Trustee or officer to repay such amount if upon final disposition thereof he shall not be entitled to indemnification under this Article.  


The rights of indemnification hereby provided shall not be exclusive of or affect any other right to which any Trustee or officer may be entitled and all such rights shall inure to the benefit of his heirs, executors, administrators and other legal representatives.  Such other rights shall include the powers, immunities and rights of reimbursement which would be allowable under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts were the association a business corporation organized under such laws.  


As used in this Article, the terms Trustee and officer include persons elected as Trustees by the Shareholders or by the board of Trustees, persons elected as officers by the board of Trustees, and persons who serve by vote or at the request of the association as directors, officers, or trustees of another organization in which the association has any direct or indirect interest as a Shareholder, creditor or otherwise.  Nothing contained in this Article shall affect any rights to indemnification to which employees, agents and representatives of the association other than Trustees and officers may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.  


(35)  The Trustees may consult with any counsel, lawyer, valuer, surveyor, engineer, broker, auctioneer, accountant or other expert, consultant or person deemed by them competent, to be selected, employed, retained or consulted by them at the expense of the trust estate, whether individuals, firms or corporations, and whether or not disinterested or generally or specially employed, retained or consulted, and any action taken by the Trustees in good faith on the opinion or advice of, or information received from, any such counsel, lawyer, valuer, surveyor, engineer, broker, auctioneer, accountant or other expert, consultant or person deemed by them competent, shall be complete and conclusive protection to the Trustees and each of them.  


(36)  No sale, contract, arrangement or other dealing made or entered into on behalf of the association or in which it is directly or indirectly interested to or with any Trustee or officer hereunder, or to or with any firm, corporation, trust or association in which any such Trustee or officer is interested and no such sale, contract, arrangement or other dealing in which any such Trustee or officer is in any other way directly or indirectly interested shall be voidable either by the Trustees or by the Shareholders, nor shall any such Trustee or officer so interested be liable to account either to the Trustees or to the Shareholders for any profit or benefit arising from any such sale, contract, arrangement or other dealing.  



DURATION, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENTS


(37)  Unless sooner terminated as provided in Article (39), the trust hereby created shall continue without limitation of time in such manner that the Trustees shall have all the powers and discretions expressed to be given to them by these presents, and that no Shareholder shall be entitled to put an end to the same or to require a division of the trust estate or any part thereof; provided, however, that if any statute or rule of law of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall require that lives in being must be used to determine the maximum period for which the trust hereby created may endure, then the trust hereby created shall terminate upon the expiration of twenty (20) years from the death of the last survivor of the following persons:  Allen Abercrombie




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and Alice Abercrombie, children of Fred C. Abercrombie of Turners Falls, Massachusetts, Rachael Brown, Deborah Brown and Letitia Brown, children of Howard W. Brown of Brookline, Massachusetts, Gertrude Peabody, Anne P. Peabody, Katharine Peabody and Cora W. Peabody, children of W. Rodman Peabody of Milton, Massachusetts, Edward D. Rowley, Charles F. Rowley, Jr. and Francis H. Rowley, children of Charles F. Rowley of Brookline, Massachusetts, and Charles M. Storey, Jr., Anderson Storey, Susan J. Storey and Gertrude Storey, children of Charles M. Storey of Boston, Massachusetts.  


(38)  The death of a Shareholder or a Trustee or the dissolution of a Shareholder (if a corporation) during the continuance of the trust hereby created shall not operate to terminate the same nor shall it entitle the legal representatives of any such Shareholder or Trustee to an accounting or to take any action in the courts or otherwise.  


(39)  The trust hereby created may be terminated at any time and any of the terms, powers, and provisions herein contained may be altered, amended, added to, or rescinded at any time by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Trustees but any such termination or alteration, amendment, addition or rescission before becoming effective shall be approved either by the affirmative vote or the consent thereto in writing of the holders of two-thirds (2/3) of all shares previously issued and then outstanding of such class or classes as have general voting power; provided however that no alteration, amendment, addition or rescission adversely affecting the preferences or priorities of any preferred shares then outstanding shall become effective without the affirmative vote or the consent in writing, if such consent be provided for, of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the preferred shares the preferences or priorities of which are so affected.  


(40)  In case these trusts shall be terminated or any of the terms, powers and provisions herein contained shall be altered, amended, added to or rescinded pursuant to the provisions of Article (39), a certificate in any number of counterparts deemed desirable, setting forth such termination, alteration, amendment, addition or rescission and that the Trustees and the Shareholders have authorized the same in accordance with the provisions of said Article (39), shall be signed by the Trustees or a majority of them, and by the Secretary, and shall be acknowledged by one of the Trustees and the Trustees shall cause counterparts thereof to be recorded or filed in the various registries of deeds, if any, in which this declaration of trust is then recorded and at the principal office of the association and in such other places as may be required by law.  


(41)  Upon the termination of the trust hereby created either by the aforesaid limitation contained in Article (37) or as provided in Article (39) the Trustees shall forthwith sell and convert into cash in the manner and with the powers hereinbefore set forth, all property belonging to the trust estate except such stocks, bonds or obligations as they may determine to distribute in kind as hereinafter provided and shall thereupon distribute the entire trust estate as it then exists to and among the Shareholders by giving to the holders of preferred shares of any class or classes then outstanding such preferences and priorities and such amounts per share as they may be entitled to respectively and by dividing the remaining assets, share for share, among the holders of the common shares and of the shares of any other class or classes which may be entitled to such distribution in such manner that each such holder shall receive the same amount per share as every other such holder, and in making such distribution the Trustees shall have full power to pay and deliver to the Shareholders or any of them either money or such stocks, bonds or obligations as the Trustees may see fit so to distribute, or partly money and partly such stocks, bonds or obligations,




26



and in this connection to place such valuation as they may deem proper upon all stocks, bonds or obligations so distributed.  



GENERAL PROVISIONS


(42)  Whenever the Trustees see fit, they may authorize that the signature of any Trustee or of any officer, agent, or representative elected or appointed by the Trustees be facsimile and that the seal of the association, if any be adopted by the Trustees, be facsimile.  


(43)  Except when the context otherwise requires, any expression used herein in the conjunctive or the disjunctive shall include both the conjunctive and the disjunctive, and any expression in the singular or the plural shall include both the singular and the plural.  


(44)  The headings of different parts of these presents are inserted merely for convenience of reference, and are not to be taken as any part of these presents or to control or affect the meaning, construction or effect of the same.  


(45)  This instrument is executed by the Trustees and delivered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and with reference to the laws thereof, and the rights of all parties and the construction and effect of every provision hereof shall be subject to and construed according to the laws of said Commonwealth.  


(46)  Amendments to the trust hereby created shall not be held or construed to invalidate in any manner anything done hereunder pursuant to the terms hereof prior to the effective date of any such amendment.  


IN WITNESS WHEREOF we have hereunto set our hands and seals at Boston in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on or as of the fifteenth day of January, in the year nineteen hundred and twentyseven, which date shall be the formal date hereof and may be used in all references hereto, this being one of six counterparts or original copies hereof, all executed in the same manner and at the same time and constituting together one and the same instrument.  


GEORGE W. LAWRENCE

(Seal)

CHARLES WALCOTT

(Seal)


ALVAH CROCKER

(Seal)

MOSES WILLIAMS

(Seal)


W. RODMAN PEABODY

(Seal)

CHARLES STETSON

(Seal)


ALFRED L. RIPLEY

(Seal)

J. PRESTON RICE

(Seal)


CHARLES W. HAZELTON

(Seal)

SAMUEL FERGUSON

(Seal)


ARTHUR W. WOOD

(Seal)

JONATHAN BULKLEY

(Seal)






27




Eversource Energy and Subsidiaries
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 12

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012 (a)
Earnings, as defined:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
261,338

 
$
949,821

 
$
886,004

 
$
827,065

 
$
793,689

 
$
533,077

Income tax expense
157,829

 
554,997

 
539,967

 
468,297

 
426,941

 
274,926

Equity in earnings of equity investees
(4,566
)
 
(243
)
 
(883
)
 
(1,044
)
 
(1,318
)
 
(1,154
)
Dividends received from equity investees
4,824

 
120

 

 

 
582

 
733

Fixed charges, as below
110,124

 
429,406

 
397,392

 
386,451

 
362,403

 
353,616

Less: Interest capitalized (including AFUDC)
(2,281
)
 
(10,791
)
 
(7,221
)
 
(5,766
)
 
(4,062
)
 
(5,261
)
Preferred dividend security requirements
  of consolidated subsidiaries (pre-tax)
(3,133
)
 
(12,532
)
 
(12,532
)
 
(12,532
)
 
(12,803
)
 
(11,715
)
Total earnings, as defined
$
524,135

 
$
1,910,778

 
$
1,802,727

 
$
1,662,471

 
$
1,565,432

 
$
1,144,222

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed charges, as defined:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest Expense
$
103,429

 
$
400,961

 
$
372,420

 
$
362,106

 
$
338,699

 
$
329,945

Rental interest factor
1,281

 
5,122

 
5,219

 
6,047

 
6,839

 
6,695

Preferred dividend security requirements
  of consolidated subsidiaries (pre-tax)
3,133

 
12,532

 
12,532

 
12,532

 
12,803

 
11,715

Interest capitalized (including AFUDC)
2,281

 
10,791

 
7,221

 
5,766

 
4,062

 
5,261

Total fixed charges, as defined
$
110,124

 
$
429,406

 
$
397,392

 
$
386,451

 
$
362,403

 
$
353,616

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
4.76

 
4.45

 
4.54

 
4.30

 
4.32

 
3.24

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) NSTAR amounts were included in Eversource beginning April 10, 2012.





Exhibit 31
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, James J. Judge, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Eversource Energy (the registrant);
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


Date:   May 5, 2017

/s/
James J. Judge
 
James J. Judge
 
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
(Principal Executive Officer)




Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Philip J. Lembo, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Eversource Energy (the registrant);
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


Date:   May 5, 2017


/s/
Philip J. Lembo
 
Philip J. Lembo
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
(Principal Financial Officer)




Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Eversource Energy (the registrant) for the period ending March 31, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Report), we, James J. Judge, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the registrant, and Philip J. Lembo, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the registrant, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Sec. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant.

/s/
James J. Judge
 
James J. Judge
 
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer


/s/
Philip J. Lembo
 
Philip J. Lembo
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date:   May 5, 2017
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to the registrant and will be retained by the registrant and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.





The Connecticut Light and Power Company
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 12

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Earnings, as defined:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
90,208

 
$
334,254

 
$
299,360

 
$
287,754

 
$
279,412

 
$
209,725

Income tax expense
53,606

 
208,308

 
177,396

 
133,451

 
141,663

 
94,437

Equity in earnings of equity investees
(9
)
 
(61
)
 
(31
)
 
(32
)
 
(67
)
 
(40
)
Dividends received from equity investees

 
60

 

 

 
289

 

Fixed charges, as below
37,143

 
152,635

 
153,751

 
152,513

 
139,929

 
139,982

Less: Interest capitalized (including AFUDC)
(877
)
 
(3,319
)
 
(2,630
)
 
(1,867
)
 
(2,249
)
 
(2,456
)
Total earnings, as defined
$
180,071

 
$
691,877

 
$
627,846

 
$
571,819

 
$
558,977

 
$
441,648

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed charges, as defined:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest Expense
$
34,964

 
$
144,110

 
$
145,795

 
$
147,421

 
$
133,650

 
$
133,127

Rental interest factor
1,302

 
5,206

 
5,326

 
3,225

 
4,030

 
4,399

Interest capitalized (including AFUDC)
877

 
3,319

 
2,630

 
1,867

 
2,249

 
2,456

Total fixed charges, as defined
$
37,143

 
$
152,635

 
$
153,751

 
$
152,513

 
$
139,929

 
$
139,982

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
4.85

 
4.53

 
4.08

 
3.75

 
3.99

 
3.16






Exhibit 31
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, James J. Judge, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of The Connecticut Light and Power Company (the registrant);
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


Date:   May 5, 2017

/s/
James J. Judge
 
James J. Judge
 
Chairman
 
(Principal Executive Officer)





Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Philip J. Lembo, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of The Connecticut Light and Power Company (the registrant);
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


Date:   May 5, 2017


/s/
Philip J. Lembo
 
Philip J. Lembo
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
(Principal Financial Officer)





Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of The Connecticut Light and Power Company (the registrant) for the period ending March 31, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Report), we, James J. Judge, Chairman of the registrant, and Philip J. Lembo, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the registrant, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Sec. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant.

/s/
James J. Judge
 
James J. Judge
 
Chairman


/s/
Philip J. Lembo
 
Philip J. Lembo
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date:   May 5, 2017
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to the registrant and will be retained by the registrant and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.





NSTAR Electric Company and Subsidiary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 12

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Earnings, as defined:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
66,162

 
$
292,705

 
$
344,542

 
$
303,088

 
$
268,546

 
$
190,242

Income tax expense
42,495

 
187,767

 
228,044

 
201,981

 
172,866

 
123,966

Equity in earnings of equity investees
(61
)
 
(309
)
 
(343
)
 
(408
)
 
(550
)
 
(412
)
Dividends received from equity investees

 
20

 

 

 
344

 
286

Fixed charges, as below
23,621

 
91,766

 
80,536

 
82,503

 
73,115

 
72,364

Less: Interest capitalized (including AFUDC)
(810
)
 
(4,634
)
 
(1,980
)
 
(2,027
)
 
(511
)
 
(259
)
Total earnings, as defined
$
131,407

 
$
567,315

 
$
650,799

 
$
585,137

 
$
513,810

 
$
386,187

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed charges, as defined:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest Expense
$
22,029

 
$
84,005

 
$
75,347

 
$
77,878

 
$
70,383

 
$
70,054

Rental interest factor
782

 
3,127

 
3,209

 
2,598

 
2,221

 
2,051

Interest capitalized (including AFUDC)
810

 
4,634

 
1,980

 
2,027

 
511

 
259

Total fixed charges, as defined
$
23,621

 
$
91,766

 
$
80,536

 
$
82,503

 
$
73,115

 
$
72,364

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
5.56

 
6.18

 
8.08

 
7.09

 
7.03

 
5.34






Exhibit 31
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, James J. Judge, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of NSTAR Electric Company (the registrant);
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


Date:   May 5, 2017

/s/
James J. Judge
 
James J. Judge
 
Chairman
 
(Principal Executive Officer)





Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Philip J. Lembo, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of NSTAR Electric Company (the registrant);
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


Date:   May 5, 2017


/s/
Philip J. Lembo
 
Philip J. Lembo
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
(Principal Financial Officer)





Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of NSTAR Electric Company (the registrant) for the period ending March 31, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Report), we, James J. Judge, Chairman of the registrant, and Philip J. Lembo, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the registrant, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Sec. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant.

/s/
James J. Judge
 
James J. Judge
 
Chairman


/s/
Philip J. Lembo
 
Philip J. Lembo
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date:   May 5, 2017
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to the registrant and will be retained by the registrant and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.





Public Service Company of New Hampshire and Subsidiary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 12

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Earnings, as defined:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
34,312

 
$
131,985

 
$
114,442

 
$
113,944

 
$
111,397

 
$
96,882

Income tax expense
22,330

 
82,364

 
73,060

 
72,135

 
71,101

 
60,993

Equity in earnings of equity investees
(2
)
 
(15
)
 
(8
)
 
(8
)
 
(12
)
 
(8
)
Dividends received from equity investees

 
25

 

 

 
42

 

Fixed charges, as below
13,212

 
51,843

 
47,949

 
46,530

 
47,318

 
52,769

Less: Interest capitalized (including AFUDC)
(150
)
 
(787
)
 
(994
)
 
(640
)
 
(500
)
 
(1,579
)
Total earnings, as defined
$
69,702

 
$
265,415

 
$
234,449

 
$
231,961

 
$
229,346

 
$
209,057

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed charges, as defined:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense
$
12,808

 
$
50,040

 
$
45,990

 
$
45,349

 
$
46,176

 
$
50,228

Rental interest factor
254

 
1,016

 
965

 
541

 
642

 
962

Interest capitalized (including AFUDC)
150

 
787

 
994

 
640

 
500

 
1,579

Total fixed charges, as defined
$
13,212

 
$
51,843

 
$
47,949

 
$
46,530

 
$
47,318

 
$
52,769

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
5.28

 
5.12

 
4.89

 
4.99

 
4.85

 
3.96






Exhibit 31
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, James J. Judge, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Public Service Company of New Hampshire (the registrant);
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


Date:   May 5, 2017

/s/
James J. Judge
 
James J. Judge
 
Chairman
 
(Principal Executive Officer)





Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Philip J. Lembo, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Public Service Company of New Hampshire (the registrant);
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


Date:   May 5, 2017


/s/
Philip J. Lembo
 
Philip J. Lembo
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
(Principal Financial Officer)





Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Public Service Company of New Hampshire (the registrant) for the period ending March 31, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Report), we, James J. Judge, Chairman of the registrant, and Philip J. Lembo, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the registrant, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Sec. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant.

/s/
James J. Judge
 
James J. Judge
 
Chairman


/s/
Philip J. Lembo
 
Philip J. Lembo
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date:   May 5, 2017
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to the registrant and will be retained by the registrant and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.





Western Massachusetts Electric Company
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 12

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Earnings, as defined:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
17,218

 
$
58,072

 
$
56,506

 
$
57,819

 
$
60,438

 
$
54,503

Income tax expense
10,775

 
38,022

 
36,970

 
37,268

 
37,368

 
32,140

Equity in earnings of equity investees
(2
)
 
(16
)
 
(8
)
 
(8
)
 
(18
)
 
(11
)
Dividends received from equity investees

 
15

 

 

 
80

 

Fixed charges, as below
6,596

 
25,776

 
26,553

 
26,202

 
26,316

 
28,162

Less: Interest capitalized (including AFUDC)
(170
)
 
(644
)
 
(1,042
)
 
(864
)
 
(498
)
 
(534
)
Total earnings, as defined
$
34,417

 
$
121,225

 
$
118,979

 
$
120,417

 
$
123,686

 
$
114,260

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed charges, as defined:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense
$
6,249

 
$
24,425

 
$
24,792

 
$
24,931

 
$
24,851

 
$
26,634

Rental interest factor
177

 
707

 
719

 
407

 
967

 
994

Interest capitalized (including AFUDC)
170

 
644

 
1,042

 
864

 
498

 
534

Total fixed charges, as defined
$
6,596

 
$
25,776

 
$
26,553

 
$
26,202

 
$
26,316

 
$
28,162

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
5.22

 
4.70

 
4.48

 
4.60

 
4.70

 
4.06






Exhibit 31
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, James J. Judge, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Western Massachusetts Electric Company (the registrant);
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


Date:   May 5, 2017

/s/
James J. Judge
 
James J. Judge
 
Chairman
 
(Principal Executive Officer)





Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Philip J. Lembo, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Western Massachusetts Electric Company (the registrant);
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


Date:   May 5, 2017


/s/
Philip J. Lembo
 
Philip J. Lembo
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
(Principal Financial Officer)





Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Western Massachusetts Electric Company (the registrant) for the period ending March 31, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Report), we, James J. Judge, Chairman of the registrant, and Philip J. Lembo, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the registrant, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Sec. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant.

/s/
James J. Judge
 
James J. Judge
 
Chairman


/s/
Philip J. Lembo
 
Philip J. Lembo
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date:   May 5, 2017
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to the registrant and will be retained by the registrant and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.