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


FORM 10-Q

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

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

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 1-15052

UIL LOGO
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Connecticut
 
06-1541045
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
157 Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut
 
06506
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  203-499-2000

None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has 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 registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes   T       No    £  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

Large accelerated filer                                            T
 
Accelerated filer                                      £
Non-accelerated filer                                            £
 
Smaller reporting company £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes £ No T
The number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s only class of common stock, as of August 1, 2008 was 25,249,581.

 
 

 

INDEX

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   
Page
Number
Item 1.
Financial Statements.
 3
 
Consolidated Statement of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 3
 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30,
 
 
2008 and 2007.
 3
 
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
 4
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 6
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 7
 
-         Statement of Accounting Policies
 7
 
-         Capitalization
 11
 
-         Regulatory Proceedings
 12
 
-         Short-term Credit Arrangements
 17
 
-         Income Taxes
 17
 
-         Supplementary Information
 18
 
-         Pension and Other Benefits
 19
 
-    Related Party Transactions
 20
 
-         Commitments and Contingencies
 20
 
-      Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company
 20
 
-      Hydro-Quebec
 21
 
-      Middletown/Norwalk Transmission Project
 21
 
-      Environmental Concerns
 22
 
-      Gross Earnings Tax Assessment
 24
 
-      Property Tax Assessment
 24
 
-      Cross-Sound Cable Company, LLC
 25
 
-    Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 25
 
-    Segment Information
 28
 
-    Discontinued Operations
 29
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 31
 
-    Major Influences on Financial Condition
 31
 
-     The United Illuminating Company
 31
 
-     Xcelecom, Inc.
 35
 
-    Liquidity and Capital Resources
 36
 
-     Financial Covenants
 37
 
-     2008 Capital Resource Projections
 37
 
-     Contractual and Contingent Obligations
 37
 
-    Critical Accounting Policies
 37
 
-    Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 37
 
-    New Accounting Standards
 37
 
-    Results of Operations
 37
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
 43
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures.
 44


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A.
Risk Factors.
 44
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
 45
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to Vote of Security Holders
 45
Item 5.
Other Information
 46
Item 6.
Exhibits.
 47
 
SIGNATURES
 48



 
- 2 -

 

PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Financial Statement
 
UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
(In Thousands except per share amounts)
 
(Unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
                         
Operating Revenues (Note F)
                       
  Utility
  $ 215,938     $ 216,732     $ 450,355     $ 491,295  
  Non-utility
    192       213       399       559  
       Total Operating Revenues
    216,130       216,945       450,754       491,854  
Operating Expenses
                               
  Operation
                               
     Purchased power (Note F)
    91,993       111,573       209,519       287,690  
     Operation and maintenance
    52,495       50,822       104,914       97,817  
     Transmission wholesale
    9,431       4,412       17,982       12,611  
  Depreciation and amortization (Note F)
    25,206       20,944       50,392       40,534  
  Taxes - other than income taxes (Note F)
    11,285       10,314       23,561       21,579  
       Total Operating Expenses
    190,410       198,065       406,368       460,231  
Operating Income
    25,720       18,880       44,386       31,623  
                                 
Other Income and (Deductions), net (Note F)
    2,024       3,871       3,879       6,835  
                                 
Interest Charges, net
                               
  Interest on long-term debt
    7,092       5,301       14,369       10,579  
  Other interest, net (Note F)
    572       638       780       831  
      7,664       5,939       15,149       11,410  
  Amortization of debt expense and redemption premiums
    434       409       866       813  
       Total Interest Charges, net
    8,098       6,348       16,015       12,223  
                                 
Income Before Income Taxes, Equity Earnings and
                               
Discontinued Operations
    19,646       16,403       32,250       26,235  
                                 
Income Taxes (Note E)
    8,379       6,829       14,065       11,281  
                                 
Income Before Equity Earnings and Discontinued Operations
    11,267       9,574       18,185       14,954  
Income (Loss) from Equity Investments
    21       (39 )     (253 )     48  
Income from Continuing Operations
    11,288       9,535       17,932       15,002  
Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax (Note N)
    (17 )     258       (74 )     147  
                                 
Net Income
  $ 11,271     $ 9,793     $ 17,858     $ 15,149  
                                 
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Basic
    25,113       24,998       25,081       24,954  
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted
    25,381       25,269       25,374       25,231  
                                 
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock - Basic:
                               
  Continuing Operations
  $ 0.45     $ 0.38     $ 0.71     $ 0.60  
  Discontinued Operations
    -       0.01       -       0.01  
  Net Earnings
  $ 0.45     $ 0.39     $ 0.71     $ 0.61  
                                 
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock - Diluted:
                               
  Continuing Operations
  $ 0.44     $ 0.38     $ 0.70     $ 0.59  
  Discontinued Operations
    -       0.01       -       0.01  
  Net Earnings
  $ 0.44     $ 0.39     $ 0.70     $ 0.60  
                                 
Cash Dividends Declared per share of Common Stock
  $ 0.432     $ 0.432     $ 0.864     $ 0.864  
   
                                 
UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
(In Thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
                                 
Net Income
  $ 11,271     $ 9,793     $ 17,858     $ 15,149  
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
                               
  Interest rate cap mark-to-market
    -       5       (6 )     23  
    Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
    -       5       (6 )     23  
Comprehensive Income (Note A)
  $ 11,271     $ 9,798     $ 17,852     $ 15,172  
                                 
The accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial
 
Statements are an integral part of the financial statements.
 


 
 
- 3 -

 

UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 
   
ASSETS
 
(In Thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Current Assets
           
  Unrestricted cash and temporary cash investments
  $ 29,459     $ 13,156  
  Restricted cash
    240       203  
  Utility accounts receivable less allowance of $4,200 and $3,900
    78,382       83,572  
  Other accounts receivable
    4,855       14,339  
  Unbilled revenues
    49,608       42,910  
  Current regulatory assets
    42,439       51,929  
  Materials and supplies, at average cost
    4,620       3,250  
  Deferred income taxes
    6,660       9,647  
  Refundable taxes, net
    -       12,973  
  Prepayments
    4,218       2,254  
  Other current assets
    2,347       7,567  
  Current assets of discontinued operations held for sale
    5,810       6,104  
     Total Current Assets
    228,638       247,904  
                 
Other investments
    12,334       13,821  
                 
Property, Plant and Equipment at original cost
               
  In service
    968,612       914,666  
  Less, accumulated depreciation
    329,099       314,361  
      639,513       600,305  
Construction work in progress
    330,045       278,061  
     Net Property, Plant and Equipment
    969,558       878,366  
                 
Regulatory Assets (future amounts due from customers
               
                                  through the ratemaking process)
    649,219       616,966  
                 
Deferred Charges and Other Assets
               
  Unamortized debt issuance expenses
    6,723       7,219  
  Other long-term receivable
    983       984  
  Contracts for differences
    4,736       9,846  
  Other
    762       728  
     Total Deferred Charges and Other Assets
    13,204       18,777  
                 
                 
     Total Assets
  $ 1,872,953     $ 1,775,834  
                 
The accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial
 
Statements are an integral part of the financial statements.
 


 
 
- 4 -

 

UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 
   
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
 
(In Thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Current Liabilities
           
  Line of credit borrowings
  $ 98,000     $ 15,000  
  Current portion of long-term debt
    104,286       104,286  
  Accounts payable
    80,505       100,529  
  Dividends payable
    10,883       10,834  
  Accrued liabilities
    24,214       30,435  
  Current regulatory liabilities
    10,215       18,647  
  Interest accrued
    6,138       6,186  
  Taxes accrued
    9,613       -  
  Current liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale
    5,597       5,040  
          Total Current Liabilities
    349,451       290,957  
                 
Noncurrent Liabilities
               
  Purchase power contract obligation
    10,182       19,899  
  Pension accrued
    28,327       27,495  
  Connecticut Yankee contract obligation
    24,115       25,086  
  Other post-retirement benefits accrued
    37,306       36,076  
  Contracts for differences
    96,075       47,830  
  Other
    5,190       6,075  
          Total Noncurrent Liabilities
    201,195       162,461  
                 
Deferred Income Taxes    (future tax liabilities owed
               
                                                to taxing authorities)
    313,223       313,812  
                 
Regulatory Liabilities    (future amounts owed to customers
               
                                         through the ratemaking process)
    70,810       64,996  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note J)
               
                 
Capitalization (Note B)
               
  Long-term debt
    475,031       479,317  
                 
  Common Stock Equity
               
    Common stock
    329,775       327,488  
    Paid-in capital
    12,658       12,582  
    Capital stock expense
    (2,170 )     (2,170 )
    Unearned employee stock ownership plan equity
    (1,187 )     (1,662 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (34 )     (28 )
    Retained earnings
    124,201       128,081  
          Net Common Stock Equity
    463,243       464,291  
                 
          Total Capitalization
    938,274       943,608  
                 
          Total Liabilities and Capitalization
  $ 1,872,953     $ 1,775,834  
                 
The accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial
 
Statements are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
 
 
- 5 -

 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
(In Thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
             
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
           
  Net income
  $ 17,858     $ 15,149  
  Adjustments to reconcile net income
               
    to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
     (Gain) on settlement of note receivable
    -       (577 )
     Depreciation and amortization
    40,978       30,916  
     Deferred income taxes
    (3,849 )     (465 )
     Stock-based compensation expense (Note A)
    2,322       1,736  
     Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
    (98 )     (293 )
     Pension expense
    5,308       7,062  
     Deferred investment tax credits (net)
    (73 )     (73 )
     Allowance for funds used during construction - equity
    (1,148 )     (1,281 )
     Undistributed (earnings) losses in equity investments
    253       (48 )
     Excess generation service charge
    (3,762 )     (7,677 )
     Deferred Transmission (income) expense
    (5,419 )     148  
     Other non-cash items (net)
    1,670       465  
     Changes in:
               
       Accounts receivable - net
    13,978       (9,098 )
       Materials and supplies
    (1,369 )     (656 )
       Prepayments
    (2,028 )     (1,167 )
       Accounts payable
    (10,881 )     (8,712 )
       Interest accrued
    (42 )     (42 )
       Taxes accrued and refundable
    22,582       10,020  
       Accrued pension
    (165 )     (4,226 )
       Accrued liabilities
    (1,880 )     (1,964 )
       Other assets
    (5,153 )     (14,802 )
       Other liabilities
    (1,307 )     3,960  
     Total Adjustments
    49,917       3,226  
Net Cash provided by Operating Activities
    67,775       18,375  
                 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
               
    Proceeds from sale of Steel Point
    -       4,600  
    Proceeds from settlement of note receivable
    -       2,500  
    Plant expenditures including AFUDC debt
    (110,846 )     (84,983 )
    Changes in restricted cash
    (37 )     162  
Net Cash (used in) Investing Activities
    (110,883 )     (77,721 )
                 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
               
   Issuances of common stock
    1,295       682  
   Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
    98       293  
   Payments on long-term debt
    (4,286 )     (4,286 )
   Notes payable - short-term, net
    83,000       46,000  
   Expenses of issuances
    -       (35 )
   Payment of common stock dividend
    (21,689 )     (10,806 )
Net Cash provided by Financing Activities
    58,418       31,848  
                 
Unrestricted Cash and Temporary Cash Investments:
               
Net change for the period
    15,310       (27,498 )
Balance at beginning of period
    14,770       63,364  
Balance at end of period
    30,080       35,866  
Less unrestricted cash and temporary cash investments of
               
   discontinued operations at end of period
    621       3,883  
Continuing operations balance at end of period
  $ 29,459     $ 31,983  
                 
The accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial
 
Statements are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
 

 
 
- 6 -

 
 
UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED)
 
(A)            STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

UIL Holdings Corporation (UIL Holdings) primarily operates its regulated utility business.  The utility business consists of the electric transmission and distribution operations of The United Illuminating Company (UI).  UIL Holdings also has non-utility businesses consisting of an operating lease and passive minority ownership interests in two investment funds (collectively held at United Capital Investments, Inc. (UCI)), a heating and cooling facility and an entity that collects receivables, disburses payables and manages claims related to a divested mechanical contracting business.  The non-utility businesses also recently included the operations of Xcelecom, Inc. (Xcelecom) until the substantial completion of the sale of that business effective December 31, 2006.  UIL Holdings is headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut, where its senior management maintains offices and is responsible for overall planning, operating and financial functions.  UIL Holdings’ Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in UIL Holdings’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.  Such notes are supplemented below.

The year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).  Certain information and footnote disclosures, which are normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, have been condensed or omitted in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules and regulations.  UIL Holdings believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  The information presented in the consolidated financial statements reflects all adjustments which, in the opinion of UIL Holdings, are necessary for a fair statement of the financial position and results of operations for the interim periods described herein.  All such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature.  The results for the six months ended June 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year ending December 31, 2008.

Certain amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Consolidated Statement of Income and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows in previous periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.  These reclassifications include the reporting of results of certain Xcelecom subsidiaries as continuing operations, the inclusion of a separate line item for transmission wholesale expenses and additional detail regarding non-cash operating activities.

Discontinued Operations / Assets Held for Sale

Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” a long-lived asset or group of assets (disposal group) is classified as discontinued operations when (1) the company commits to a plan to sell the long-lived asset (disposal group) within a 12-month period, (2) there will be no significant continuing involvement following the sale, and (3) certain other criteria set forth in the statement are satisfied.  In such a case:

·  
The long-lived asset (disposal group) will be measured at the lower of its carrying value or fair value, less costs to sell, and will be classified as held for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
·  
The long-lived asset (disposal group) will not be depreciated (amortized) while it is classified as held for sale.
·  
The related operations of the long-lived asset (disposal group) will be reported as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statement of Income, with all comparable periods restated.
·  
The operations and cash flows of the disposal group are expected to be eliminated from ongoing operations.

In April 2006, UIL Holdings classified its wholly-owned subsidiary, Xcelecom as held for sale.  Certain Xcelecom subsidiaries no longer meet the criteria of SFAS No. 144, and as such, the assets and liabilities and results of operations of those entities have been reclassified to continuing operations in UIL Holdings’ Consolidated Balance Sheet at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, and Consolidated Statement of Income for the periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.

 
 
- 7 -

 
 
UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

Major classes of assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations of Xcelecom consist of: current assets of $5.8 million, consisting primarily of cash, receivables and prepaid insurance; and current liabilities of $5.6 million, consisting mainly of accrued insurance payables.

Earnings per Share
The following table presents a reconciliation of the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and June 30, 2007:
 
                   
   
Income Applicable to
   
Average Number of
   
Earnings
 
   
Common Stock
   
Shares Outstanding
   
per Share
 
   
(In Thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Three Months Ended June 30:
                 
2008
                 
Basic earnings from continuing operations
  $ 11,288       25,113     $ 0.45  
Basic loss from discontinued operations
    (17 )     25,113       -  
Basic earnings
    11,271       25,113       0.45  
Effect of dilutive securities (1)
    -       268       (0.01 )
Diluted earnings
  $ 11,271       25,381     $ 0.44  
                         
2007
                       
Basic earnings from continuing operations
  $ 9,535       24,998     $ 0.38  
Basic earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
    258       24,998       0.01  
Basic earnings
    9,793       24,998       0.39  
Effect of dilutive securities (1)
    -       271       -  
Diluted earnings
  $ 9,793       25,269     $ 0.39  

 
   
Income Applicable to
   
Average Number of
   
Earnings
 
   
Common Stock
   
Shares Outstanding
   
per Share
 
   
(In Thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Six Months Ended June 30:
                 
2008
                 
Basic earnings from continuing operations
  $ 17,932       25,081     $ 0.71  
Basic earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
    (74 )     25,081       -  
Basic earnings
    17,858       25,081       0.71  
Effect of dilutive securities (1)
    -       293       (0.01 )
Diluted earnings
  $ 17,858       25,374     $ 0.70  
                         
2007
                       
Basic earnings from continuing operations
  $ 15,002       24,954     $ 0.60  
Basic earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
    147       24,954       0.01  
Basic earnings
    15,149       24,954       0.61  
Effect of dilutive securities (1)
    -       277       (0.01 )
Diluted earnings
  $ 15,149       25,231     $ 0.60  
 
(1) Reflecting the effect of dilutive stock options, performance shares and restricted stock.

Options to purchase 324,368 and 316,035 shares of common stock were outstanding but not included in the three month and six month respective computations of diluted earnings per share because the exercise prices of those options were greater than the average market price of the common shares during the three and six months ended June 30, 2008.  All options to purchase shares of common stock outstanding were included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007.


 
 
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UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

Stock-Based Compensation

Under the UIL Holdings 1999 Amended and Restated Stock Plan (Plan), UIL Holdings implemented a performance-based long-term incentive arrangement pursuant to which certain members of management have the opportunity to earn a pre-determined number of performance shares, the number of which is predicated upon the achievement of various pre-defined performance measures.  These performance shares vest at the end of the three-year cycle with the actual issuance of UIL Holdings’ common stock in respect of such shares following the end of each three-year cycle.  A new three-year cycle begins in January of each year.  UIL Holdings records compensation expense for these performance shares ratably over the three-year period, except in the case of retirement-eligible employees, for whom compensation expense is immediately recognized in accordance with SFAS No. 123R, based on the value of the expected payout at the end of each year relative to the performance measures achieved.  An additional $0.5 million of compensation expense was recorded in the first quarter of 2008 with respect to retirement-eligible employees based on the application of SFAS No. 123R retirement-eligible provisions.  A target amount of 73,450 performance shares were granted in March 2008; the average of the high and low market price on the date of grant was $30.115 per share.  In March 2008, 37,707 vested shares were issued to members of management and receipt of 14,377 vested shares was deferred.  The number of deferred shares that ultimately will be issued is subject to the personal income tax elections of the applicable employees.

In March 2008, UIL Holdings granted a total of 2,615 shares of restricted stock to its President and Chief Executive Officer, James P. Torgerson, under the Plan and in accordance with his employment agreement; the average of the high and low market price on the date of grant was $30.115 per share.  Compensation expense for this restricted stock is recorded ratably over the five-year vesting period for such restricted stock.

In March 2008, UIL Holdings granted a total of 13,282 shares of restricted stock to UI’s President and Chief Operating Officer, Anthony J. Vallillo, under the Plan; the average of the high and low market price on the date of grant was $30.115 per share.  Compensation expense for this restricted stock is recorded 50% over a two-year vesting period and 50% over a three-year vesting period for such restricted stock.

In March 2008, UIL Holdings granted a total of 31,528 shares of restricted stock to non-executive directors under the Plan; the average of the high and low market price on the date of grant was $30.115 per share.  Compensation expense for this restricted stock is recorded ratably over the three-year vesting period for such restricted stock.  In March 2008, 20,000 shares of previously-granted restricted stock grants to directors vested, of which 8,000 shares were issued to directors who did not elect to have their vested shares deferred.

In May 2008, shareowners approved the 2008 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan (the 2008 Plan), which was approved by the Board of Directors in March 2008.  The 2008 Plan replaces the UIL Holdings 1999 Amended and Restated Stock Plan with respect to new grants.  Under the 2008 Plan, a total of 613,677 shares are available for new grants, including 550,000 newly approved shares and 63,677 shares which were previously approved under the 1999 Plan but were not issued.

Total stock-based compensation expense for the six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 was $2.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively, and $0.7 million and $0.5 million, for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income for each of the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 was equal to net income, adjusted for an interest rate cap mark-to-market adjustment of an immaterial amount, after-tax, related to $64.5 million principal amount of Pollution Control Refunding Revenue Bonds.  For further information regarding this interest rate cap transaction, see Note (B), “Capitalization – Long-Term Debt.”

 
 
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UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

Income Taxes

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” an interpretation of SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.”  FIN No. 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income tax benefits recognized in an entity’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109.  The interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return that has a level of uncertainty of being sustained on audit by the taxing authority.  Under FIN No. 48, UIL Holdings may recognize the tax benefit of an uncertain tax position only if management believes it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authority based upon the technical merits of the position.  The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based upon the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

UIL Holdings adopted the provisions of FIN No. 48 on January 1, 2007 and did not recognize any additional liability for unrecognized tax benefits, or accrue any interest or penalties associated with uncertain tax benefits, as of January 1, 2007.  During 2007 and the first six months of 2008, UIL Holdings did not recognize any increase in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of positions taken during this period or for those positions taken in any prior period.  As a result, as of June 30, 2008, UIL Holdings did not have any unrecognized tax benefits.

UIL Holdings’ policy is to recognize interest accrued and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as a component of operating expense.  During the quarterly and year-to-date periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, no interest or penalties associated with uncertain tax positions was recognized.  As of each of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, no accrued interest or penalties are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Regulatory Accounting

UIL Holdings’ regulatory assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were as follows:
 
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Regulatory Assets
           
Nuclear plant investments – above market
  $ 344,501     $ 354,724  
Income taxes due principally to book-tax differences
    65,248       58,843  
Long-term purchase power contracts–above market
    10,182       19,899  
Connecticut Yankee
    24,115       25,086  
Unamortized redemption costs
    15,713       16,115  
Stranded cost recovery
    44,574       54,760  
Pension and other post-retirement benefit plans
    84,658       87,434  
Contracts for differences
    92,252       40,882  
Other
    10,415       11,152  
Total regulatory assets
    691,658       668,895  
Less current portion of regulatory assets
    42,439       51,929  
Regulatory Assets, Net
  $ 649,219     $ 616,966  
                 
Regulatory Liabilities
               
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits
  $ 5,271     $ 5,344  
Deferred gain on sale of property
    37,579       37,579  
Excess generation service charge
    11,914       15,677  
Asset removal costs
    2,674       2,817  
Other
    23,587       22,226  
Total regulatory liabilities
    81,025       83,643  
Less current portion of regulatory liabilities
    10,215       18,647  
Regulatory Liabilities, Net
  $ 70,810     $ 64,996  


 
 
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UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

New Accounting Standards

In January 2008, UIL Holdings adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.”  This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements.  SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements.  See Note (K), “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for additional disclosures related to SFAS No. 157.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”  SFAS No. 161 is an amendment of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”  SFAS No. 161 requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities.  SFAS No. 161 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.  Management is currently evaluating the impact of this statement.

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.”  SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with GAAP.  SFAS No. 162 is effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.”  This statement is not expected to have a material impact on UIL Holdings’ Consolidated Balance Sheet, Consolidated Statement of Income or Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

(B)  CAPITALIZATION

Common Stock

UIL Holdings had 25,249,581 shares of its common stock, no par value, outstanding at June 30, 2008, of which (1) 58,210 were unallocated shares held by UI’s 401(k)/Employee Stock Ownership Plan (KSOP) and (2) 64,157 were shares of restricted stock.  The unallocated shares held by the KSOP and shares of restricted stock are not recognized as outstanding for purposes of calculating basic earnings per share.

UI has an arrangement under which it loaned $11.5 million to the KSOP.  Prior to the formation of UIL Holdings, the trustee for the KSOP used the funds to purchase 547,167 shares of UI common stock in open market transactions.  On July 20, 2000, effective with the formation of a holding company structure, unallocated shares held by the KSOP were converted into shares of UIL Holdings’ common stock.  The shares will be allocated to employees’ KSOP accounts, as the loan is repaid, to cover a portion of the required KSOP contributions.  Compensation expense is recorded when shares are committed to be allocated based on the fair market value of the stock.  The loan will be repaid by the KSOP over a 12-year period ending October 1, 2009, using employer contributions and UIL Holdings’ dividends paid on the unallocated shares of the stock held by the KSOP.  Dividends on allocated shares are charged to retained earnings.  As of June 30, 2008, 58,210 shares, with a fair market value of $1.7 million, had been purchased by the KSOP and had not been committed to be released or allocated to KSOP participants.

Long-Term Debt

On March 9, 2006, UI entered into an interest rate cap (rate cap) transaction to mitigate interest rate risk with respect to the $64.5 million principal amount of Pollution Control Refunding Revenue Bonds, 2003 Series, due October 1, 2033, issued by the Business Finance Authority of the State of New Hampshire (Auction Rate Bonds).  The Auction Rate Bonds are currently in an auction rate mode by which the interest rate is established at auction every 35 days.  When there are insufficient clearing bids as a result of an auction, the interest rate will be set at a rate equal to the product of a multiple of 125% to 225%, based on the credit rating on the Auction Rate Bonds assigned by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s (S&P), and one-month London Interbank Offering Rate (LIBOR), and the bondholders will continue to hold the bonds.  Currently, these bonds are rated by Moody’s with a rating of Aa3, as further described in Item 3, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”  In the event of subsequent failed auctions of the Auction Rate Bonds, the interest rate on the bonds will continue to be reset as


 
 
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UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

described above.  The auctions for the Auction Rate Bonds have failed, beginning with the March 2008 auction.  The interest rate on these bonds at July 21, 2008 was equal to 150% times LIBOR or 3.691%.

The rate cap was set at 3.68% and became effective March 30, 2006.  The rate cap will terminate on August 5, 2009.  The rate cap is tied to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Municipal Swap Index (SIFMA), formerly the U.S. Dollar – Bond Market Association Municipal Swap Index.  If the average of the index for the calculation period exceeds the rate cap, UI will be paid an amount based on such difference.  In the past, the interest rate on the Auction Rate Bonds closely tracked the SIFMA index.  However, the conditions in the auction rate bond market described in Item 3, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” and failed auctions of the Auction Rate Bonds, have resulted in interest rates on the Auction Rate Bonds having been set at rates that no longer closely track the SIFMA index.  Therefore, although the interest rate on the Auction Rate Bonds as of July 21, 2008 was greater than the rate cap, the average of the SIFMA index for  the calculation period was less than the rate cap, and UI did not receive payment under the rate cap.  At the end of each quarter, changes in the market value of the rate cap are marked-to-market, which resulted in an immaterial amount charged to income for the period ended June 30, 2008.  UI paid $0.6 million to enter into the rate cap transaction, which is being amortized over the life of the rate cap based upon quarterly fair market value analysis.  As such, the above transaction constitutes hedge accounting and is marked-to-market in accordance with SFAS No. 133.

On July 29, 2008, UI entered into a note purchase agreement (the Agreement) with a number of institutional accredited investors providing for the sale to such investors of senior unsecured notes in the aggregate principal amount of $150 million, in the following series: (1) $50 million 6.46% Senior Notes, Series A, due November 3, 2018; (2) $50 million 6.51% Senior Notes, Series B, due December 1, 2018; and (3) $50 million 6.61% Senior Notes, Series C, due December 1, 2020.  Funding is expected to occur on November 3, 2008 for $50 million and on December 1, 2008 for $100 million, subject to certain conditions.  Under the agreement, UI is subject to certain covenants, including the requirement to maintain a ratio of consolidated indebtedness to consolidated capitalization of not greater than 65%.  In addition, the Agreement describes typical events of default, including the situation in which UI defaults on indebtedness in the aggregate principal amount of at least $10 million due to (1) a default in payment or payments due on such indebtedness, or (2) default in the performance of or compliance with any term or condition of such indebtedness, which could result in the requirement that such indebtedness be repaid, or (3) the occurrence of any event or condition, which could require the purchase or repayment of such indebtedness prior to maturity .

(C)  REGULATORY PROCEEDINGS

Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC)

UI generally has several regulatory proceedings open and pending at the DPUC at any given time.  Examples of such proceedings include an annual DPUC review and reconciliation of UI’s Competitive Transition Assessment (CTA) and Systems Benefit Charges (SBC) revenues and expenses, dockets to consider specific restructuring or electricity market issues, consideration of specific rate or customer issues, and review of conservation programs.

2008 Rate Case

On July 9, 2008, UI filed a notice of intent with the DPUC, requesting rates designed to produce additional revenues of approximately $33 million in 2009 and $33 million in 2010 (compared to 2009).  These additional revenues represent an increase of approximately 2.6% in 2009 over the total revenues that would be expected under the current rate schedules on a total bill basis.  For 2010, the additional revenues represent an increase of approximately 2.6% over 2009 expected revenues.  If approved by the DPUC, electric bills of residential customers using 700 kilowatt-hours per month will rise by approximately $6.00 per month beginning in January 2009, subject to final rate design.  UI has undertaken substantial efforts to control expenses, however, it must now seek to increase rates due to higher uncollectible expense, lower sales and increased required capital projects to meet UI’s public service obligations.  UI intends to file its rate application within 30 to 60 days of July 9, 2008 in accordance with state regulations.  The filing will include amended rate schedules for distribution charges in 2009 and 2010.

 
 
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UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

Application of The United Illuminating Company for the Approval of the Issuance of Debt

In April 2007, UI filed an application with the DPUC regarding its financing plan for the period from 2007 through 2009.  UI received approval from the DPUC to issue not more than $375 million principal amount of debt securities (the Proposed Notes) at interest rates representing a maximum authorized spread of 250 basis points above the comparable U.S. Treasury rate.  The proceeds from the sales of the Proposed Notes may be used by UI for the following purposes: (1) to refinance $225 million principal amount of maturing existing debt; (2) to finance capital expenditures; (3) for general corporate purposes; (4) to repay short-term borrowings incurred to temporarily fund
these requirements; and (5) to pay issuance costs related to the Proposed Notes.  UI issued $175 million of debt in 2007.  Since that time, the financial markets have experienced volatility and tightening credit conditions, and, although the ten-year U.S. Treasury security rate has declined, investor requirements have resulted in higher credit spreads over the comparable U.S. Treasury security rate.  On April 11, 2008, UI filed a motion to reopen the docket for the limited purpose of requesting an increase in the amount of the maximum authorized credit spread above the comparable U.S. Treasury rate from 250 basis points to 400 basis points.  On May 28, 2008, the DPUC granted UI’s request to increase the maximum authorized credit spread to 400 basis points above the comparable U.S. Treasury rate.

Generation

In October 2007, UI entered into a joint development agreement (the Agreement) with NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG), pursuant to which UI and an NRG affiliate formed GenConn Energy LLC (GenConn), a 50-50 partnership, and agreed to work together on an exclusive basis to develop and submit to the DPUC a joint proposal to construct peaking generation in Connecticut.  On June 25, 2008, the DPUC awarded GenConn a contract to build new peaking generation with nominal capacity of 200 megawatts (MW) at NRG’s existing Devon plant in Milford, CT.  The new plant will have a summer-related capacity of 194 MW, assuming the use of natural gas fuel.  The peaking plant will be owned by GenConn and will be able to provide power to all Connecticut residents during peak usage periods.  It is scheduled to be in operation by June 1, 2010.

In June 2008, the DPUC made its decision to select GenConn as one of three projects chosen to help address the state’s growing need for more power generation during the heaviest load periods.  On August 4, 2008, GenConn signed a contract for differences with The Connecticut Light & Power Company (CL&P).  The cost of the contract will be paid by customers and will be subject to a cost-sharing agreement whereby 20% of the cost is borne by UI customers and 80% by CL&P customers.  CL&P has filed the contract for differences as a compliance filing with the DPUC.

2008 Rates

In December 2007, the DPUC issued a letter ruling to address changes to all of UI’s rate components effective as of January 1, 2008.  The letter ruling approved requested changes to UI’s distribution charges (pursuant to the DPUC’s decisions resulting from the 2005 Rate Case) as well as changes to UI’s transmission, CTA, SBC, Conservation and Load Management (CLM), Renewable Energy Investment (REI), and Non-Bypassable Federally Mandated Congestion Charge (NBFMCC).  Because a decision in UI’s semi-annual NBFMCC filing was scheduled for later than January 1, 2008, changes to NBFMCC rates included projected 2008 expenses as reflected in UI’s semi-annual filing.  This permitted all rate components to be established by the DPUC in one proceeding.  The letter ruling also approved Generation Services Charge (GSC) rates for each of the six-month periods from January 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008 and July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008, respectively and last resort service GSC rates for the January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008 time period.  In a separate letter ruling issued on March 26, 2008, the DPUC approved last resort service GSC rates for the April 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008 time period.

Pension and Postretirement Expenses

In February 2007, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) mandated a change in the mortality tables utilized for certain ERISA-related liability calculations, effective January 1, 2007.  As a result, UI made a corresponding change to its mortality table assumption used to determine pension and postretirement expense for accounting purposes.  This change resulted in an increase to pension and postretirement expenses of approximately $2.3 million annually.  In its

 
 
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UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

2005 Rate Case, UI requested regulatory asset treatment for the increase in pension and postretirement expenses if, and when, the IRS mandated a change in the mortality tables during the 2006 to 2009 period.  On August 1, 2007, in response to a UI request for clarification, the DPUC confirmed that it would be appropriate for UI to set up a regulatory asset for the change in such expenses resulting from the use of the new mortality tables.  As of June 30, 2008, UI has deferred approximately $3.0 million of pension and postretirement expense and has set up a regulatory asset, reflecting the increase in costs.  UI will continue to defer the incremental pension and postretirement costs resulting from the change in the mortality tables until its next rate case and believes it is probable that the regulatory asset will be recovered.

Power Supply Arrangements

UI’s retail electricity customers are able to choose their electricity supplier.  Beginning January 1, 2007, UI is required to offer standard service to those of its customers who do not choose a retail electric supplier and who use a demand meter or have a maximum demand of less than 500 kilowatts.  In addition, UI is required to offer supplier of last resort service to customers who are not eligible for standard service and who do not choose to purchase electric generation service from a retail electric supplier licensed in Connecticut.

UI must procure its standard service power pursuant to a procurement plan approved by the DPUC.  The procurement plan must provide for a portfolio of service contracts procured in an overlapping pattern over fixed time periods (a “laddering” approach).  In June 2006, the DPUC approved a procurement plan for UI.  As required by the statute, a third party consultant was retained by the DPUC to work closely with UI in the procurement process and to provide a joint recommendation to the DPUC as to selected bids.

UI has wholesale power supply agreements in place for the supply of all of UI’s standard service customers for all of 2008, 70% of the first half of 2009 and 60% of the second half of 2009.  In addition, UI has procured 20% of its 2010 Standard Service requirement and 10% of its 2011 Standard Service requirement.  Under Connecticut legislation passed in 2007, supplier of last resort service is procured on a quarterly basis.  These contracts are derivatives under SFAS No. 133 and UI elected the “normal purchase, normal sale” exception under SFAS No. 133.

Contracts for Differences

Pursuant to Connecticut’s Energy Independence Act (EIA), the DPUC initiated a process to solicit bids to create new or incremental capacity resources in order to reduce federally mandated congestion charges.  In August 2007, the DPUC approved four “contracts for differences”   under which each contract specifies a capacity quantity and a monthly settlement that reflects the difference between a forward market price and the contract price.  As directed by the DPUC, UI executed two of the contracts and CL&P executed the other two contracts.  Simultaneously, UI executed a sharing agreement with CL&P whereby UI pays 20% of the costs and obtains 20% of the benefits of the contracts.  The DPUC has determined that costs associated with these contracts for differences will be recoverable by UI and CL&P, and in accordance with SFAS No. 71, “Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation,” UI has deferred recognition of costs (a regulatory asset) or has recognized obligations (a regulatory liability).  The above contracts are derivatives and are marked-to-market in accordance with SFAS No. 133.  As of June 30, 2008, UI has recorded a derivative asset of $4.7 million, a regulatory asset of $92.3 million, a derivative liability of $96.1 million and a regulatory liability of $0.9 million in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet.

New Renewable Source Generation

Under Connecticut law, electric distribution companies are required to enter into contracts to purchase the output of new renewable source generation totaling at least 150 MW in the future statewide, at prices and upon terms approved by the DPUC in accordance with statutory requirements.  In 2007, one contract was approved by the DPUC.  UI was not a party to that contract but, as directed by the DPUC, UI has executed a sharing agreement with CL&P whereby UI pays 20% of the costs and obtains 20% of the benefits of the contract.  In January 2008, the DPUC issued a decision approving seven projects, of which UI will be a party to contracts with two.  As of June 30, 2008, a contract for 4.8 MW for one of the projects had been signed by UI.  All of these contracts will be subject to the cost sharing agreement with CL&P.  The DPUC decision gave contingent approval to an eighth project, if the

 
 
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UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

project accepts the DPUC’s conditions.  The DPUC will determine whether UI or CL&P will be party to the contract.  UI’s costs associated with all such contracts, whether UI is a direct party or pursuant to the sharing agreement, are recoverable by UI.

Other Regulatory Matters

Bridgeport RESCO Generating Facility

Effective January  2003, UI began selling its energy entitlement from its long-term purchase power contract with the Bridgeport RESCO generating facility into the New England wholesale market at market prices.  To the extent that UI receives revenue from these sales that exceeds the amount it pays to Bridgeport RESCO for this energy on a cumulative basis, the difference is used to adjust the above-market portion of purchase power expense recovered through UI’s CTA.  This methodology has been approved by the DPUC, with all relevant data and calculations subject to review in the annual CTA reconciliation docket.  To the extent that expenses paid for this energy exceed revenues on a cumulative basis, UI would advise the DPUC and propose an alternative recovery mechanism.  In a letter dated June 18, 2008, to the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, UI provided written notice that this arrangement will end on December 31, 2008, in accordance with the terms of the Bridgeport RESCO contract.  On June 19, 2008, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a decision resulting in UI having no future obligation beyond 2008 to purchase the output of the Bridgeport RESCO Generating Facility. This contract is a derivative under SFAS No. 133 and it qualifies for the “normal purchase, normal sale” exception under SFAS No. 133.

Regional Transmission Organization for New England

Transmission Return on Equity (ROE)

On October 31, 2006, the FERC issued an initial order establishing allowable ROEs for various types of transmission assets (ROE Order) for transmission owners in New England, including UI.  The ROE Order set a base ROE of 10.20% and approved two ROE adders as follows: (i) a 50 basis point ROE adder on Pool Transmission Facilities (PTF) for participation in the Regional Transmission Organization for New England (RTO-NE); and (ii) a 100 basis point ROE adder for new transmission investment included in the ISO-New England Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP).  In addition, the FERC approved an ROE adjustment reflecting updated U.S. Treasury Bond data, applicable prospectively from the date of the order.

Under the ROE Order, UI’s ROE on transmission facilities depends on whether they are PTF or non-PTF.  As a member of RTO-NE, UI qualified for the 50 basis point ROE adder for its PTF.  The 100 basis point ROE adder for new investment was available for new PTF identified by ISO-NE in its Regional System Plan.  Non-PTF were not eligible for either the 50 basis point ROE adder for RTO participation or the 100 basis point ROE adder for new investment because the Transmission Owners (TOs) have not turned over complete operational control over non-PTF to ISO-NE and because non-PTF are not used to provide regional transmission service.  The following is a summary of the ROEs for UI’s PTF and non-PTF as authorized by the FERC in the ROE Order:

 
Existing Transmission
New Transmission
 
PTF
Non-PTF
PTF (1)
Non-PTF
2/1/05 to 10/30/06
10.7%
10.2%
11.7%
10.2%
10/31/06 and forward
11.4%
10.9%
12.4%
10.9%

(1) ROE available for new PTF identified by ISO-NE in its Regional System Plan.

UI’s overall transmission ROE will be determined by the mix of UI’s transmission rate base between new and existing transmission assets, and whether such assets are PTF or non-PTF.  UI’s transmission assets are primarily PTF.  For 2007, UI’s overall allowed weighted-average ROE for its transmission business was 11.97%.

 
 
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UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

The TOs, various state agencies, public officials and electric cooperatives filed requests for rehearing of the FERC ROE Order.  In March 2008, the FERC issued an order (Rehearing Order) granting, in part, the TOs request for rehearing and adjusted the base-level ROE from 10.2% to 10.4%.  The FERC denied the requests of the state agencies, public officials and electric cooperatives for rehearing regarding the FERC’s upward adjustment to the base-level ROE and confirmed that the TOs were entitled to a 74 basis point adjustment for the going-forward period.
 
The FERC granted rehearing in part with respect to the 100 basis point ROE adder for RTEP-approved projects.  In particular, the FERC reaffirmed its approval of the 100 basis point ROE incentive for existing RTEP-approved projects, provided that these projects are completed and on line as of December 31, 2008.  The FERC held, however, that it would not “extend a pre-approved authorization for any future projects without a specific showing justifying the incentive on a project-by-project basis, consistent with the requirements of the FERC order.”

As a result of the Rehearing Order, the ROEs applicable to UI’s transmission rate base are as follows:
 
 
Existing Transmission
New Transmission
 
PTF
Non-PTF
PTF (1)
Non-PTF
2/1/05 to 10/30/06
10.90%
10.40%
11.90%
10.40%
10/31/06 and forward
11.64%
11.14%
12.64%
11.14%

(1) ROE available for new PTF identified by ISO-NE in its Regional System Plan for assets that come on line prior to December 31, 2008.

UI has determined that, as a result of the increase in the base-level ROE per the Rehearing Order, it should collect from customers approximately $0.6 million.

UI’s overall transmission ROE will be determined by the mix of UI’s transmission rate base between new and existing transmission assets, and whether such assets are PTF or non-PTF.  UI’s transmission assets are primarily PTF.  For 2008, UI is estimating an overall allowed weighted-average ROE for its transmission business of approximately 12.49%.

Several public sector parties have filed a petition with the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit seeking judicial review of the ROE Order and Rehearing Order.

Middletown/Norwalk Transmission Project

In April 2005, the Connecticut Siting Council approved a project to construct a 345-kV transmission line from Middletown, Connecticut, to Norwalk, Connecticut, which was jointly proposed by UI and CL&P.  This project is expected to improve the reliability of the transmission system in southwest Connecticut.  UI is constructing and will own and operate transmission and substation facilities comprising approximately 20% of the total project cost.   UI’s current estimate for its share of the project cost is approximately $280 million to $295 million (excluding allowance for funds used during construction).  The increase in the range from $265 million to $285 million is primarily attributable to increases in the cost of civil construction associated with underground cable.  Upon project completion, UI’s transmission rate base will have increased by approximately $285 million to $300 million, an increase of more than 200% relative to UI’s net transmission assets existing prior to the project receiving Connecticut Siting Council approval.  In May 2007, the FERC issued an order which accepted UI’s request for the inclusion of 100% of Construction Work In Progress in rate base and accepted a 50 basis point adder for advanced transmission technologies, which will be applied to costs associated with certain elements of the project.  UI estimates that approximately 50% of the project costs are associated with the advanced transmission technologies for which the 50 basis point adder was approved by the FERC.  In July 2007, the FERC granted rehearing for further consideration but has not yet issued a substantive order on the requests for rehearing.

Based on the ROE Order, the Middletown/Norwalk Transmission Project, as an RTEP-approved project, was eligible for the 100 basis point ROE adder for new transmission investment.  However, the Middletown/Norwalk Transmission Project is not scheduled to be on-line prior to the December 31, 2008 cut-off for that incentive established in the Rehearing Order.  On April 23, 2008, UI filed with the FERC a request for clarification, or in the

 
 
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UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

alternative, rehearing of its Rehearing Order to confirm that the Middletown/Norwalk Transmission Project is entitled to the 100 basis point incentive.  On August 4, 2008, the FERC issued an order concluding that UI should be granted relief from the December 31, 2008 cut-off date.
  
(D)  SHORT-TERM CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS

UIL Holdings has a money market loan arrangement with JPMorgan Chase Bank.  This is an uncommitted short-term borrowing arrangement under which JPMorgan Chase Bank may make loans to UIL Holdings for fixed periods.  The periods may be from one day up to six months, depending on UIL Holdings’ credit rating.  JPMorgan Securities, Inc. acts as an agent and sells the loans to investors.  The fixed interest rates on the loans are determined based on conditions in the financial markets at the time of each loan.  As of June 30, 2008, UIL Holdings did not have any short-term borrowings outstanding under this arrangement.

UIL Holdings and UI entered into a revolving credit agreement with a group of banks that extends to December 22, 2011.  The borrowing limit under the facility for UI is $175 million, with $50 million of the limit available for UIL Holdings.  The facility permits borrowings at fluctuating interest rates determined by reference to Citibank’s New York base rate and the Federal Funds Rate (as defined in the facility), and also permits borrowings for fixed periods of time specified by UI and UIL Holdings at fixed interest rates determined by the Eurodollar interbank market in London.  The facility also permits the issuance of letters of credit up to $50 million.  As of June 30, 2008, UI had $98 million outstanding under the facility.  UIL Holdings had a standby letter of credit outstanding in the amount of $1 million that expires on January 31, 2009, but is automatically extended for one year from the expiration date (or any future expiration date), unless the issuer bank elects not to extend.
 
(E) INCOME TAXES
                       
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
         
(In Thousands)
       
Income tax expense consists of:
                       
Income tax provisions (benefit):
                       
  Current
                       
       Federal   $ 9,798     $ 8,335     $ 16,430     $ 11,078  
       State
    1,207       1,374       1,746       1,216  
                 Total current     11,005       9,709       18,176       12,294  
  Deferred
                               
       Federal     (1,753 )     (1,998 )     (2,592 )     (267 )
       State     (837 )     (846 )     (1,446 )     (673 )
                 Total deferred     (2,590 )     (2,844 )     (4,038 )     (940 )
                                 
  Investment tax credits
    (36 )     (36 )     (73 )     (73 )
                                 
     Total income tax expense
  $ 8,379     $ 6,829     $ 14,065     $ 11,281  
                                 
Income tax components charged as follows:
                         
  Operating tax expense
  $ 8,995     $ 6,872     $ 15,819     $ 11,791  
  Nonoperating tax benefit
    (625 )     (27 )     (1,653 )     (529 )
  Equity Investments tax expense
    9       (16 )     (101 )     19  
                                 
     Total income tax expense
  $ 8,379     $ 6,829     $ 14,065     $ 11,281  
                                 
 
The combined statutory federal and state income tax rate for UIL Holdings’ Connecticut-based entities for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 was 39.875%. Differences in the treatment of certain transactions for book and tax purposes occur which cause the rate of UIL Holdings’ reported income tax expense to differ from the statutory tax rate described above.  The effective book income tax rates for the three and six month

 
 
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UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

periods ended June 30, 2008 were 42.6% and 44.0%, respectively, as compared to 41.7% and 42.9% for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2007.  The increase in the 2008 effective book income tax rates from those for the 2007 periods were due primarily to differences in the amount of book depreciation in excess of non-normalized tax depreciation.    The effective book income tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2008 is higher than the 2008 statutory tax rate due primarily to: (1) non-normalized effect associated with the CTA, and (2) differences in the amount of book depreciation in excess of non-normalized tax depreciation.

UIL Holdings and its subsidiaries are subject to the United States federal income tax statutes administered by the IRS.  UIL Holdings and its subsidiaries are also subject to the income tax statutes of the State of Connecticut and those of other states in which UIL Holdings’ subsidiaries have operated and transacted business in the past.  As of June 30, 2008, the tax years 2004, 2005 and 2006 remain open and subject to audit for both federal income tax and state income tax purposes.  Currently the IRS is conducting an examination of the tax years 2004, 2005 and 2006.
 
(F)  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
                       
                         
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In Thousands)
   
(In Thousands)
 
Operating Revenues
                       
Utility:
                       
   Retail
  $ 194,121     $ 212,019     $ 399,020     $ 449,035  
   Wholesale
    12,398       9,220       22,375       18,195  
   Other
    9,419       (4,507 )     28,960       24,065  
Non-utility revenues:
                               
   Other
    192       213       399       559  
      Total Operating Revenues
  $ 216,130     $ 216,945     $ 450,754     $ 491,854  
                                 
                                 
Purchased Power
                               
Purchased Power Expense
  $ 97,133     $ 116,809     $ 219,799     $ 298,104  
Purchase Power above market fuel expense credit
    (5,140 )     (5,236 )     (10,280 )     (10,414 )
      Total Purchased Power Expense
  $ 91,993     $ 111,573     $ 209,519     $ 287,690  
                                 
Depreciation and Amortization
                               
Utility property, plant, and equipment depreciation
  $ 9,726     $ 8,712     $ 19,452     $ 18,322  
Non-utility property, plant, and equipment depreciation
    25       -       51       -  
      Total Depreciation
  $ 9,751     $ 8,712     $ 19,503     $ 18,322  
Amortization of nuclear plant regulatory assets
    10,215       6,885       20,409       11,577  
Amortization of purchase power contracts
    5,140       5,236       10,280       10,414  
      Subtotal CTA Amortization
    15,355       12,121       30,689       21,991  
Amortization of intangibles
    8       8       16       16  
Amortization of other regulatory assets
    92       103       184       205  
      Total Amortization
    15,455       12,232       30,889       22,212  
      Total Depreciation and Amortization
  $ 25,206     $ 20,944     $ 50,392     $ 40,534  
                                 
Taxes - Other than Income Taxes
                               
Operating:
                               
   Connecticut gross earnings
  $ 7,685     $ 6,678     $ 15,377     $ 13,302  
   Local real estate and personal property
    2,406       2,524       5,006       5,281  
   Payroll taxes
    1,194       1,112       3,178       2,996  
      Total Taxes - Other than Income Taxes
  $ 11,285     $ 10,314     $ 23,561     $ 21,579  
                                 
Other Income and (Deductions), net
                               
Interest income
  $ 307     $ 821     $ 893     $ 2,169  
Allowance for funds used during construction
    966       1,408       1,944       2,395  
C&LM incentive
    (267 )     156       (109 )     301  
Energy generation and load curtailment incentives
    153       -       107       -  
ISO load response, net
    857       875       1,517       1,674  
Miscellaneous other income and (deductions) - net
    8       611       (473 )     296  
      Total Other Income and (Deductions), net
  $ 2,024     $ 3,871     $ 3,879     $ 6,835  
                                 
Other Interest, net
                               
Notes Payable
  $ 551     $ 626     $ 804     $ 786  
Other
    21       12       (24 )     45  
      Total Other Interest, net
  $ 572     $ 638     $ 780     $ 831  
                                 

 
 
- 18 -

 
 
UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

(G)  PENSION AND OTHER BENEFITS  

The United Illuminating Company Pension Plan covers the majority of the officers and employees of UIL Holdings and UI.  UI also has a non-qualified supplemental pension plan for certain employees and a non-qualified retiree-only pension plan for certain early retirement benefits.

UI has a supplemental retirement benefit trust and through this trust purchased life insurance policies on certain officers of UI to fund the future liability under the non-qualified supplemental plan.  The cash surrender value of these policies is included in “Other Investments” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and is marked-to-market at the end of each quarter.

The following tables represent the components of net periodic benefit cost for pension and other post-retirement benefits (OPEB) for the three month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:
 
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
   
Pension Benefits
   
Other Post-Retirement Benefits
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
                       
Service cost
  $ 1,719     $ 1,831     $ 348     $ 326  
Interest cost
    5,244       5,009       1,052       879  
Expected return on plan assets
    (6,433 )     (6,506 )     (633 )     (597 )
Amortization of:
                               
Prior service costs
    187       221       (25 )     (31 )
Transition obligation  (asset)
    -       -       264       264  
Actuarial (gain) loss
    1,048       1,575       464       411  
      1,765       2,130       1,470       1,252  
Additional amount recognized due to settlement
    -       413  (1)     -       -  
Net periodic benefit cost (2)
  $ 1,765     $ 2,543     $ 1,470     $ 1,252  


The following tables represent the components of net periodic benefit cost for pension and OPEB for the six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:
 
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
Pension Benefits
   
Other Post-Retirement Benefits
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
  (In Thousands)
 
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
                       
Service cost
  $ 3,436     $ 3,662     $ 697     $ 651  
Interest cost
    10,487       10,018       2,104       1,758  
Expected return on plan assets
    (12,865 )     (13,012 )     (1,265 )     (1,193 )
Amortization of:
                               
Prior service costs
    375       442       (51 )     (62 )
Transition obligation  (asset)
    -       -       529       529  
Actuarial (gain) loss
    2,097       3,161       929       822  
      3,530       4,271       2,943       2,505  
Additional amount recognized due to settlement
    -       1,189  (1)     -       -  
Net periodic benefit cost (2)
  $ 3,530     $ 5,460     $ 2,943     $ 2,505  

 
 
- 19 -

 
 
UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

The following actuarial weighted average assumptions were used in calculating net periodic benefit cost for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:
 
   
Three and Six Months Ended June 30,
     
   
Pension Benefits
   
Other Post-Retirement Benefits
     
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
     
Discount rate - Qualified Pension Benefits
    6.35 %     5.75 %     N/A       N/A      
Discount rate - Non-Qualified Pension Benefits
    6.00 %     5.75 %     N/A       N/A      
Discount rate - Other Post-Retirement Benefits
    N/A       N/A       6.40 %     5.75 %    
Average wage increase
    4.40 %     4.40 %     N/A       N/A      
Return on plan assets
    8.50 %     8.50 %     8.50 %     8.50 %    
Pre-65 health care trend rate (current year)
    N/A       N/A       10.50 %     10.00 %    
Pre-65 health care trend rate (2019 forward)
    N/A       N/A       5.00 %     5.50 %  (3)  
Post-65 health care trend rate (current year)
    N/A       N/A       10.50 %     5.50 %    
Post-65 health care trend rate (2019 forward)
    N/A       N/A       5.00 %     5.00 %  (4)  
                                     
N/A – not applicable
                                   
(1) Reflects settlement charges resulting from a distribution to a former employee upon retirement.
             
(2) For the three month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, UI has reclassified $0.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of pension expense June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively,
 
      to a regulatory asset.  For the six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, UI has reclassified $1.0 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of pension expense and $0.2 million 
 
      of OPEB expense in both six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, to a regulatory asset.  These amounts were reclassified to a regulatory asset to reflect
 
      additional amounts recoverable in  rates in the mortality tables (see Note (C), Regulatory Proceedings).
(3) For the period ended June 30, 2008, the pre-65 health care trend rate was applicable for 2012 forward.
             
(4) For the period ended June 30, 2008, the post-65 health care trend rate was applicable for 2008 forward.
           
 
(H)  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Arnold L. Chase, a Director of UIL Holdings since June 28, 1999, holds a beneficial interest in the building located at 157 Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut, where UI leases office space for its corporate headquarters.  UI’s lease payments for this office space for the six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 totaled $5.5 million and $5.1 million, respectively, and for the three month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 totaled $2.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively.

(J)  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company

UI has a 9.5% stock ownership share in the Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company (Connecticut Yankee), the carrying value of which was $1.1 million as of June 30, 2008.  In 1996, the Board of Directors of Connecticut Yankee voted unanimously to retire the Connecticut Yankee nuclear plant (the Connecticut Yankee Unit) from commercial operation.  A settlement agreement approved by the FERC that became effective in 2000 allows Connecticut Yankee to collect, through the power contracts with the unit’s owners, the FERC-approved decommissioning costs, other costs associated with the permanent shutdown of the Connecticut Yankee Unit, the unrecovered investment in the Connecticut Yankee Unit, and a return on equity of 6%.  The decommissioning project was completed in 2007.  In October 2007, the State of Connecticut’s Department of Environmental Protection (CDEP) approved Connecticut Yankee’s application for a Stewardship Permit which states that all corrective action measures required at the Connecticut Yankee site pursuant to Connecticut law have been completed subject to post-remediation groundwater monitoring.  In November 2007, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued a license reduction for the Connecticut Yankee site limiting it to the independent spent-fuel storage installation (ISFSI) (see DOE Spent Fuel Litigation below).  In accordance with the provisions of an August 2006 settlement agreement, approved by the FERC in November 2006, Connecticut Yankee wrote-off a portion of deferred decommissioning costs in the amount of $10 million as non-recoverable.  UI’s share of this disallowance after-tax was $0.3 million, which was recorded in 2006.  In 2007, in accordance with the settlement agreement, as a result of receiving the license reduction described above before January 1, 2008, Connecticut Yankee was allowed to reverse 50%, or $5 million, of the 2006 disallowance.  UI’s share of this recovery after tax

 
 
- 20 -

 
 
UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

was $0.2 million, which was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2007.  Further, the 2006 Settlement Agreement required Connecticut Yankee to file a true-up analysis within 90 days of receiving the license reduction and in compliance with that provision, Connecticut Yankee filed its true-up analysis with the FERC on February 28, 2008.

Connecticut Yankee updates its cost to decommission the unit at least annually, and more often as needed, and provides UI with a projected recovery schedule depicting annual costs expected to be billed to UI, including a return on investment over the term of the projected recovery period.  The present value of these costs is calculated using UI’s weighted-average cost of capital and, after consideration of recoverability, recorded as a Connecticut Yankee Contract Obligation and a corresponding regulatory asset.  At June 30, 2008, UI has regulatory approval to recover in future rates (through the CTA) its $24.1 million regulatory asset for Connecticut Yankee over a term ending in 2015.

DOE Spent Fuel Litigation

In the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, Congress provided for the Department of Energy (DOE) to dispose of spent nuclear fuel and other high-level waste, including greater-than-Class-C waste (GTCC) (hereinafter Nuclear Waste), from nuclear generating plants.  In 1983, Connecticut Yankee and the DOE entered into a standard disposal contract mandated by the Act.  The contract required the DOE to begin disposing of Connecticut Yankee’s Nuclear Waste by the end of January 1998.  The DOE failed to honor these contract obligations.

In 1998, Connecticut Yankee, along with Maine Yankee and Yankee Atomic, two other New England-based owners of shut-down nuclear generating plants, filed claims in the United States Court of Federal Claims seeking damages resulting from the breach of the 1983 contracts by the DOE.  In November of 1998, the Court ruled that the DOE had breached the contracts and was liable for damages, but left the amount of damages to be determined after a trial on the evidence.  In October 2006, the Court issued judgment for Connecticut Yankee in the amount of $34.2 million for its spent-fuel-related costs through 2001, ruling in favor of Connecticut Yankee on substantially all of the major issues.  Connecticut Yankee had sought $37.7 million in damages for the period covered by the decision.  In December 2006, the DOE appealed the decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the parties continue to make filings in that proceeding.  In December 2007, Connecticut Yankee filed a second set of complaints against the government seeking unspecified damages incurred since January 1, 2002 for the DOE’s failure to live up to its obligation to begin removing Connecticut Yankee’s spent fuel in 1998.  As an interim measure until the DOE complies with its contractual obligation to dispose of Connecticut Yankee’s spent fuel, Connecticut Yankee constructed an ISFSI, utilizing dry-cask storage, on the site of the Connecticut Yankee Unit and completed the transfer of its Nuclear Waste to the ISFSI in 2005.

Hydro-Quebec

UI is a participant in the Hydro-Quebec (HQ) transmission tie facility linking New England and Quebec, Canada.  UI has a 5.45% participating share in this facility, which has a maximum 2000-megawatt equivalent generation capacity value.  In April 1991, UI furnished a guarantee in the amount of $11.7 million, for its participating share of the debt financing for one phase of this facility.  The amount of this guarantee, which expires in August 2015, is reduced monthly, proportionate with principal paid on the underlying debt.  As of June 30, 2008, the amount of UI’s guarantee for this debt totaled approximately $2.2 million.

Middletown/Norwalk Transmission Project

In April 2007, during construction of the Middletown/Norwalk transmission project (the Project) in Bridgeport, Connecticut, UI encountered soil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).  UI stopped construction at the location, which was a road not owned by UI, and notified the CDEP.  At the CDEP’s request, UI determined the extent of the contamination on property within, and to some extent beyond, the limits of the Project.  UI filed a draft remediation action plan (RAP) with the CDEP and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), which was reviewed by the agencies.  UI revised the RAP based on the agencies’ comments and filed a revised RAP, which was approved by the agencies.  Remediation of the PCBs began in March 2008 and was completed in June 2008 at a cost of $2.9 million.  UI expects to seek reimbursement for at least a portion of this amount from the


 
 
- 21 -

 
 
UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

property owner, the Connecticut Department of Transportation.  Any costs that were incurred by UI are expected to be recovered through transmission rates and are reflected as such in UIL Holdings’ Consolidated Statement of Income.

 In July 2008, UI funded escrow accounts in the aggregate amount of approximately $10 million for certain retention amounts withheld by UI which will remain in place until the completion of the project.

On April 17, 2008, UI received two change order requests totaling approximately $19 million from the general contractor responsible for civil construction work in connection with the installation of UI’s portion of the Project’s underground electric cable system.  The request, later revised to $20.5 million, seeks compensation for the general contractor’s subcontractor for alleged extra work and delay.  On July 21, 2008, UI received further notification indicating that the general contractor intends to request compensation for an additional $5 to $6 million for other miscellaneous claims.  UI is evaluating the change order requests and, in doing so, has retained the services of an independent third party to review the requests and supporting information in order to determine whether they have any merit.  If it is determined that any of the change order requests are valid, UI would seek recovery through the normal regulatory process.

Environmental Concerns

In complying with existing environmental statutes and regulations and further developments in areas of environmental concern, including legislation and studies in the fields of water quality, hazardous waste handling and disposal, toxic substances, and electric and magnetic fields, UIL Holdings and its wholly-owned direct and indirect subsidiaries may incur substantial capital expenditures for equipment modifications and additions, monitoring equipment and recording  devices, and it may incur additional operating expenses.  The total amount of these expenditures is not now determinable.  Environmental damage claims may also arise from the operations of UIL Holdings’ subsidiaries.  In addition to the environmental issues related to the Middletown/Norwalk transmission project described above, significant environmental issues known to UIL Holdings at this time are described below.

Branford Landfill

In June 2007, the USEPA sent UI a request for information and documents related to the environmental conditions at, and the USEPA’s cleanup of, a portion of the East Main Street Disposal Superfund Site in Branford, Connecticut.  That portion of the subject site cleaned up by the USEPA consists of two residential properties.  The USEPA requested information related to the period 1967 to 1986, primarily with respect to UI’s construction and operation of the New Haven Harbor Station generating facility.  After a diligent review of its corporate files and interviewing employees with knowledge regarding New Haven Harbor Station, UI completed and filed the information request with the USEPA in August 2007.  UI cannot presently assess the impact, if any, of this USEPA request.

UI also received a letter in September 2007 (also addressed to Raytheon Corporation (Raytheon), successor to the building contractor for the New Haven Harbor Station facility, United Engineers and Constructors) in which the current property owner, Shoreline Trailer Court Mobile Homes, states its intent to file suit against UI and Raytheon under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Liability, and Compensation Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9601, et seq., for compensation relative to its remediation costs at the subject site.  The owner claims to have remediated the site at a cost of $0.8 million and seeks compensation for that amount from UI and Raytheon.  After a preliminary investigation of the owner’s claims, UI communicated to the owner UI’s intention to cease participation in any further activities regarding the claims until such time that the owner could provide information supporting the claims.  UI has not received a response.

Site Decontamination, Demolition and Remediation Costs

In June 2006, UI executed an agreement with the City of Bridgeport and its Redevelopment Authority (the City) for the transfer of title of UI’s Steel Point property to the City and settlement of all claims against the City with respect to relocation of a substation and repair/replacement of a bulkhead, in exchange for payment to UI of $14.9 million, which represents the commercial value of the property and cost to replace the bulkhead.  Pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among UI, the City of Bridgeport, and the City’s selected developer for the property, the City must also provide to UI, free of charge, a substation site within a reasonable proximity to the Steel Point

 
 
- 22 -

 
 
UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

property.  In July 2006, the DPUC approved the proposed transfer of property and all of the terms of the MOU.  The DPUC also accepted the proposed ratemaking treatment submitted by UI with respect to the property, the substation, and the bulkhead, which provides for UI to recover costs related to the Steel Point property through the CTA, subject to DPUC approval in the annual CTA/SBC reconciliation filing.

The City and developer released UI from any further liability with respect to the Steel Point property after title transferred, and the City and/or developer must now indemnify UI for environmental matters related to the Steel Point property.  The Steel Point property includes the land up to the bulkhead.  However, UI may be required to remove additional soil on the Steel Point property to achieve environmental compliance to remedy conditions that were discovered before title transferred.  The City and the developer have subsequently claimed that there is additional remediation that may be necessary.  UI has investigated the claim and determined that additional remediation does not appear to be warranted at this time.  Any additional remediation costs are expected to be recovered through the CTA.  The sole exception to the indemnity regarding the Steel Point property is for personal injury claims brought against UI by UI employees or contractors hired by UI relating to incidents that occurred on the site before title transferred to the City.  UI is not aware of any such claims. In addition, the MOU provides that there is no indemnity for liability related to contaminated harbor sediments.  UI would seek to recover all uninsured costs related to such sediments that are UI’s responsibility, to the extent incurred, through the CTA, in accordance with the ratemaking treatment approved in the DPUC’s July 2006 decision.

A site on the Mill River in New Haven was conveyed by UI in 2000 to an unaffiliated entity, Quinnipiac Energy LLC (QE), reserving to UI permanent easements for the operation of its transmission facilities on the site.  At the time of the sale, a fund of approximately $1.9 million, an amount equal to the then-current estimate for remediation, was placed in escrow for purposes of bringing soil and groundwater on the site into compliance with applicable environmental laws.  Approximately $0.1 million of the escrow fund remains unexpended.  QE has since sold the property to Evergreen Power, LLC (Evergreen Power) and Asnat Realty LLC (Asnat).  UI is unaware of what agreement was reached between QE and Evergreen Power and Asnat regarding future environmental liability or what remediation activity remains to be undertaken at the site.  UI could be required by applicable environmental laws to finish remediating any subsurface contamination at the site if it is determined that QE and/or Evergreen Power and Asnat have not completed the appropriate environmental remediation at the site.  In July 2008, Evergreen Power and Asnat submitted a claim seeking compensation for environmental remediation on the property, including the existing building which remains on the site.   UI is evaluating the claim to determine if it has any merit. 

In April 1999, UI completed the sale of its Bridgeport Harbor Station and New Haven Harbor Station generating plants in compliance with Connecticut’s electric utility industry restructuring legislation.  With respect to the portion of the New Haven Harbor Station site that UI retained, UI has performed an additional environmental analysis, indicating that
approximately $3.2 million in remediation expenses will be incurred.  Actual remediation costs may be higher or lower than what is currently estimated.  The required remediation is virtually all on transmission-related property and UI has accrued these estimated expenses, which were recovered in transmission rates.

In April 1999, UI also sold property to Bridgeport Energy LLC (BE).  UIL Holdings, through its subsidiary, United Bridgeport Energy, Inc. (UBE), held a minority ownership interest in BE at that time and until the sale of that interest to the majority owner in March 2006.  In connection with the sale of the property, UI entered into an environmental indemnity agreement with BE to provide indemnification related to certain environmental conditions specific to the site where BE’s generation facilities were constructed.  This environmental indemnification remains in place following the sale of UBE’s interest in BE.  Because of soil management and other environmental remediation activities that were performed during construction of the generation facilities, UI does not regard its exposure under the environmental indemnity agreement as material.

From 1961 to 1976, UI owned a parcel of property in Derby, Connecticut, on which it operated an oil-fired electric generating unit.  For several years, CDEP has been monitoring and remediating a migration of fuel oil contamination from a neighboring parcel of property into the adjacent Housatonic River.  Based on its own investigation to date, UI believes it has no responsibility for this contamination.  If regulatory agencies determine that UI is responsible for the cost of these remediation activities, UI may incur substantial costs, no estimate of which is currently available.

 
 
- 23 -

 
 
UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

Electric System Work Center

UI’s January 2004 purchase of its Electric System Work Center property, located in Shelton, Connecticut, caused a review under the CDEP’s Transfer Act Program.  Under this review, the CDEP had an opportunity to examine the current environmental conditions at the site and direct remediation, or further remediation, of any areas of concern.  At the conclusion of its review, the CDEP elected not to oversee any further site investigation or remediation at the site and directed UI to undertake any necessary evaluation and/or remediation (verification work) using an independent Licensed Environmental Professional (LEP).  UI hired an LEP and submitted a schedule to the CDEP for the verification work.  The schedule was approved by the CDEP and implementation of the verification work is on-going.  The verification work is not expected to have a material impact on the financial position or results of operations of UI.

Gross Earnings Tax Assessment

In September 2005, the Appellate Division of the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) ruled against UI’s appeal of a gross earnings tax assessment made by the DRS as the result of an audit examination that covered the period July 1, 1998 through December 31, 2000.  The assessment, in the amount of $0.1 million (including interest), is entirely attributable to activity within the year 2000 and arose as a result of changes to the gross earnings tax statutes enacted pursuant to Connecticut’s 1998 electric industry restructuring legislation.  UI believes that the DRS has erroneously determined that the gross earnings tax statutes, as amended, apply to the following three specific categories of revenues: (1) late payment fees imposed on customers that do not pay their bills within the time specified in their terms of service; (2) returned check fees imposed on customers whose checks were returned to UI due to insufficient funds; and (3) reconnection fees paid by customers who request to have their premises reconnected to UI’s system.

UI has not paid the assessment and, in October 2005, filed a lawsuit with the Superior Court for the State of Connecticut in order to appeal the DRS’s ruling.  Because this issue has not been previously adjudicated, UI has recorded a reserve of $1.5 million representing UI’s total estimated liability for additional tax and interest covering: (1) the original audit period of July 1, 1998 through December 31, 2000; (2) a subsequent audit period of July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2004; (3) the period of January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2007, which is currently under audit; and (4) the unaudited period January 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008.

In April 2006, the DRS filed a petition with the DPUC with respect to this matter, specifically seeking a declaratory ruling from the DPUC as to its position regarding the applicability of the gross earnings tax statutes for periods on and after January 1, 2000 to the three specific categories of revenue in question noted above.  In August, 2006, the DPUC issued its final decision, which stated that although the applicable tax statute does not fall within the DPUC’s jurisdiction, the DPUC believes those specific categories of revenue should be subject to the gross earnings tax.  UI disagrees with this interpretation of the applicable tax statute and, as mentioned above, is contesting the DRS’s ruling in the Superior Court of the State of Connecticut.

Property Tax Assessment

In the first quarter of 2007, UI received notice from the City of Bridgeport (Bridgeport) that the personal property tax assessment for October 1, 2006 had been increased from the amount declared by UI of $55.7 million to $69.7 million, based upon the assertion by Bridgeport that UI’s property tax declaration was not timely filed.  UI mailed the declarations prior to the November 1, 2006 filing deadline, but the assessor asserts that the declarations were received after November 1, 2006 and were thus not timely filed.  UI appealed the increased assessment to the Bridgeport Board of Assessment Appeal which denied the appeal.  The increase in the personal property tax levied by Bridgeport equates to approximately $0.6 million.  UI believes that its property tax declaration was filed on a timely basis under Connecticut law and is contesting the increased assessment in the Superior Court of the State of Connecticut.  UI paid its property tax obligations to Bridgeport, which included the increased assessment, or $0.6 million, in order to avoid any potential interest charges applicable to unpaid property tax assessments.  UI has amended its complaint with the Superior Court to seek a refund of this $0.6 million payment and has recorded a receivable on UIL Holdings’ Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 
 
- 24 -

 
 
UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

Cross-Sound Cable Company, LLC (Cross-Sound)

UIL Holdings and UCI continue to provide two guarantees, in original amounts of $2.5 million and $1.3 million, in support of guarantees by Hydro-Quebec (HQ), the former majority owner of Cross-Sound (an entity in which UCI held a minority interest until the sale of that interest in February 2006), to third parties in connection with the construction of the project.

The $2.5 million guarantee supports an HQ guarantee to the Long Island Power Authority to provide for damages in the event of a delay in the date of achieving commercial operation of the Cross-Sound cable.  UIL Holdings expects commercial operating status to be maintained and, accordingly, it has not recorded a liability related to this guarantee in its Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2008.

The $1.3 million guarantee supports an agreement under which Cross-Sound is providing compensation to shell fishermen for their losses, including loss of income, incurred as a result of the installation of the cable.  The payments to the fishermen are being made over a 10-year period, ending October 2013, and the obligation under this guarantee reduces proportionately with each payment made. As of June 30, 2008, the remaining amount of the guarantee was $1 million.  Based upon a management assessment, UIL Holdings has not recorded a liability related to this guarantee in its Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2008.  

(K) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

UIL Holdings adopted SFAS No. 157 effective January 1, 2008 on a prospective basis.  UIL Holdings applies fair value measurements to certain assets and liabilities, primarily derivative assets and liabilities related to contracts for differences and asset retirement obligations.  See Note (C), “Regulatory Proceedings” for additional disclosures related to SFAS No. 157.

As defined in SFAS No. 157, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  SFAS No. 157 outlines three valuation techniques, including: 1) the market approach, which utilizes prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions; 2) the income approach, which converts future amounts, including cash flows, to a discounted present value; and 3) the cost approach, which is based on the amount that currently would be required to
replace the asset.  Inputs into these valuation techniques can be readily observable, market corroborated, or generally unobservable.  SFAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy defined by SFAS No. 157 are as follows:

Level 1 -
Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets and 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 -
Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets as included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date.  Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies.  These models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including quoted forward prices for commodities, time value, volatility factors, and current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures.  Substantially all of these assumptions are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the instrument, which can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace.

Level 3 -
Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources.  These inputs may be used with internally-developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value.  Level 3 instruments include those that may be more structured or otherwise tailored to customers’ needs.  At each balance sheet date, UIL Holdings performs an analysis of all instruments subject to SFAS No. 157 and includes in Level 3 all of those whose fair value is based on significant unobservable inputs.

 
 
- 25 -

 
 
UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

UIL Holdings utilizes an income approach valuation technique to value the majority of its assets and liabilities measured and reported at fair value.  The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, UIL Holdings’ financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2008.  As required by SFAS No. 157, financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety, based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  UIL Holdings’ assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the fair value of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                         
Assets:
                       
Contracts for differences
  $ -     $ -     $ 4,736     $ 4,736  
Interest rate cap (Note B)
    -       112       -       112  
Deferred Compensation Plan
    3,499       -       -       3,499  
Supplemental retirement benefit trust life insurance policies (Note G)
    5,394       -       -       5,394  
    $ 8,893     $ 112     $ 4,736     $ 13,741  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Contracts for differences
  $ -     $ -     $ 96,075     $ 96,075  
                                 
Net fair value assets/(liabilities), June 30, 2008
  $ 8,893     $ 112     $ (91,339 )   $ (82,334 )
 
The determination of fair value of the contracts for differences was based on a probability-based expected cash flow analysis that was discounted at the June 30, 2008 risk-free interest rate, adjusted for credit risk.  Certain management assumptions were required, including development of pricing that extended over the term of the contracts.  In addition, UIL performed an assessment of risks related to obtaining regulatory, legal and siting approvals, as well as obtaining financing resources and ultimately attaining commercial operation.   Included in this assessment was the withdrawal of an appeal, during the first quarter of 2008, by an entity that submitted a proposal to the DPUC but was not selected.  This event increased the probability that the projects will attain commercial operation, resulting in an increase in the contracts for differences liability during the first six months of the year.  The DPUC has determined that costs associated with these contracts for differences are recoverable.  As a result, there is no impact to net income.

Under the UIL Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP), Named Executive Officers and certain other executives may elect to defer certain elements of compensation.  Participants in the DCP are permitted to direct investments of their elective deferral accounts into ‘deemed’ investments consisting of non-publicly traded mutual funds available through variable insurance products.  These investments are marked-to-market at the end of each quarter.

The following tables set forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of the assets and liabilities above that are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the six month period ended June 30, 2008:
 
       
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30, 2008
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
       
Net contracts for differences assets/(liabilities), January 1, 2008
  $ (37,984 )
Unrealized gains and (losses), net
    (53,355 )
Purchases, issuances, and settlements
    -  
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
    -  
Net contracts for differences assets/(liabilities), June 30, 2008
  $ (91,339 )
         
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net relating to net contracts
       
 for differences assets/(liabilities), still held as of June 30, 2008
  $ (53,355 )
         


 
 
- 26 -

 
 
UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)


The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net regulatory asset/(liability) balances that were established to recover any unrealized gains/(losses) associated with the contracts for differences for the six month period ended June 30, 2008.  The amounts offset the net contract for differences liabilities detailed above.
 
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30, 2008
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
       
Net regulatory assets/(liabilities), January 1, 2008
  $ 37,984  
Unrealized (gains) and losses, net
    53,355  
Net regulatory assets/(liabilities), June 30, 2008
  $ 91,339  

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, UIL Holdings’ financial liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of June 30, 2008.
 
   
At Fair Value as of June 30, 2008
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                         
Asset Retirement Obligations
  $ -     $ -     $ 215     $ 215  
                                 
 
The determination of fair value of the asset retirement obligations is based on a discounted cash flow analysis which utilizes inputs that include estimated useful lives of identified assets, a discount rate and an inflation factor.

 
 
- 27 -

 
 
UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

(M)  SEGMENT INFORMATION

UIL Holdings has two reporting segments related to UI: distribution of electricity and transmission of electricity.  Revenues from inter-segment transactions are not material.  All of UIL Holdings’ revenues are derived in the United States.  The following measures of segment profit and loss are utilized by management for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to the segments and assessing performance.  The following table reconciles certain segment information with that provided in UIL Holdings’ Consolidated Financial Statements.  In the table, distribution includes all utility revenue and expenses except for transmission, which is provided in a separate column.  “Other” includes the information for the remainder of UIL Holdings’ non-utility businesses, including minority interest investments and administrative costs.
 
(In Thousands)
                             
   
Three months ended June 30, 2008
 
   
UI
             
   
Distribution
   
Transmission
   
Total UI
   
Other (1)
   
Total
 
Operating Revenues
  $ 186,336     $ 29,602     $ 215,938     $ 192     $ 216,130  
Purchased power
    91,993       -       91,993       -       91,993  
Operation and maintenance
    47,193       5,159       52,352       143       52,495  
Transmission wholesale
    -       9,431       9,431       -       9,431  
Depreciation and amortization
    23,912       1,260       25,172       34       25,206  
Taxes - other than income taxes
    8,764       2,521       11,285       -       11,285  
Operating Income (Loss)
    14,474       11,231       25,705       15       25,720  
                                         
Other Income and (Deductions), net
    1,596       317       1,913       111       2,024  
                                         
Interest Charges, net
    4,699       2,311       7,010       1,088       8,098  
                                         
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income
                                       
     Taxes and Equity Earnings
    11,371       9,237       20,608       (962 )     19,646  
Income Taxes (Benefits)
    5,666       3,097       8,763       (384 )     8,379  
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Equity Earnings
    5,705       6,140       11,845       (578 )     11,267  
Income (Losses) from Equity Investments
    21       -       21       -       21  
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations
    5,726       6,140       11,866       (578 )     11,288  
Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
    -       -       -       (17 )     (17 )
Net Income (Loss)
  $ 5,726     $ 6,140     $ 11,866     $ (595 )   $ 11,271  
                                         
   
Three months ended June 30, 2007
 
   
UI
                 
   
Distribution
   
Transmission
   
Total UI
   
Other (1)
   
Total
 
Operating Revenues
  $ 199,760     $ 16,972     $ 216,732     $ 213     $ 216,945  
Purchased power
    111,573       -       111,573       -       111,573  
Operation and maintenance
    44,845       5,494       50,339       483       50,822  
Transmission wholesale
    -       4,412       4,412       -       4,412  
Depreciation and amortization
    19,783       1,153       20,936       8       20,944  
Taxes - other than income taxes
    8,532       1,782       10,314       -       10,314  
Operating Income (Loss)
    15,027       4,131       19,158       (278 )     18,880  
                                         
Other Income and (Deductions), net
    2,454       833       3,287       584       3,871  
                                         
Interest Charges, net
    4,333       898       5,231       1,117       6,348  
                                         
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income
                                       
     Taxes and Equity Earnings
    13,148       4,066       17,214       (811 )     16,403  
Income Taxes (Benefits)
    5,973       1,178       7,151       (322 )     6,829  
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Equity Earnings
    7,175       2,888       10,063       (489 )     9,574  
Income (Losses) from Equity Investments
    (39 )     -       (39 )     -       (39 )
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations
    7,136       2,888       10,024       (489 )     9,535  
Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
    -       -       -       258       258  
Net Income (Loss)
  $ 7,136     $ 2,888     $ 10,024     $ (231 )   $ 9,793  


 
 
- 28 -

 
 
UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)
 
 
   
Six months ended June 30, 2008
 
   
UI
             
   
Distribution
   
Transmission
   
Total UI
   
Other (1)
   
Total
 
Operating Revenues
  $ 393,801     $ 56,554     $ 450,355     $ 399     $ 450,754  
Purchased power
    209,519       -       209,519       -       209,519  
Operation and maintenance
    93,287       10,940       104,227       687       104,914  
Transmission wholesale
    -       17,982       17,982       -       17,982  
Depreciation and amortization
    47,781       2,543       50,324       68       50,392  
Taxes - other than income taxes
    18,365       5,203       23,568       (7 )     23,561  
Operating Income (Loss)
    24,849       19,886       44,735       (349 )     44,386  
                                         
Other Income and (Deductions), net
    2,662       694       3,356       523       3,879  
                                         
Interest Charges, net
    9,835       4,223       14,058       1,957       16,015  
                                         
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income
                                       
     Taxes and Equity Earnings
    17,676       16,357       34,033       (1,783 )     32,250  
Income Taxes (Benefits)
    9,402       5,374       14,776       (711 )     14,065  
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Equity Earnings
    8,274       10,983       19,257       (1,072 )     18,185  
Income (Losses) from Equity Investments
    (253 )     -       (253 )     -       (253 )
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations
    8,021       10,983       19,004       (1,072 )     17,932  
Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
    -       -       -       (74 )     (74 )
Net Income (Loss)
  $ 8,021     $ 10,983     $ 19,004     $ (1,146 )   $ 17,858  
                                         
   
Six months ended June 30, 2007
 
   
UI
                 
   
Distribution
   
Transmission
   
Total UI
   
Other (1)
   
Total
 
Operating Revenues
  $ 455,346     $ 35,949     $ 491,295     $ 559     $ 491,854  
Purchased power
    287,690       -       287,690       -       287,690  
Operation and maintenance
    87,648       9,318       96,966       851       97,817  
Transmission wholesale
    -       12,611       12,611       -       12,611  
Depreciation and amortization
    38,122       2,396       40,518       16       40,534  
Taxes - other than income taxes
    17,568       4,011       21,579       -       21,579  
Operating Income (Loss)
    24,318       7,613       31,931       (308 )     31,623  
                                         
Other Income and (Deductions), net
    3,959       1,276       5,235       1,600       6,835  
                                         
Interest Charges, net
    8,358       1,669       10,027       2,196       12,223  
                                         
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income
                                       
     Taxes and Equity Earnings
    19,919       7,220       27,139       (904 )     26,235  
Income Taxes (Benefits)
    9,540       2,085       11,625       (344 )     11,281  
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Equity Earnings
    10,379       5,135       15,514       (560 )     14,954  
Income (Losses) from Equity Investments
    48       -       48       -       48  
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations
    10,427       5,135       15,562       (560 )     15,002  
Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
    -       -       -       147       147  
Net Income (Loss)
  $ 10,427     $ 5,135     $ 15,562     $ (413 )   $ 15,149  
                                         
   
UI (2)
                 
   
Distribution
   
Transmission
   
Total UI
   
Other (1) (3)
   
Total
 
Total Assets at June 30, 2008
  $ -     $ -     $ 1,846,378     $ 26,575     $ 1,872,953  
                                         
Total Assets at December 31, 2007
  $ -     $ -     $ 1,717,316     $ 58,518     $ 1,775,834  
                                         
(1) Includes UIL Holdings Corporate and UIL Holdings' non-utility activities and unallocated corporate costs.
                 
(2) Information for segmenting total assets between Distribution and Transmission is not available. Total UI assets are disclosed
         
     in the Total UI column. Net plant in service is segregated by segment and, as of June 30, 2008, was $566.1 million and
               
    $403.2 million, respectively, for Distribution and Transmission. As of December 31, 2007, net plant in service was $527.7 million
         
    and $350.4 million, respectively, for Distribution and Transmission.
                                 
(3) Includes assets of discontinued operations held for sale.
                                       

(N) DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

UIL Holdings substantially completed its sale of the business of its wholly-owned subsidiary Xcelecom, effective December 31, 2006, and in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 144, the results of those Xcelecom businesses have been reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Income for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and as discontinued operations held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.  Certain Xcelecom businesses that did not meet the criteria of SFAS No. 144 are reported in continuing operations, as further described in Note (A), “Statement of Accounting Policies – Discontinued Operations / Assets Held for Sale.”

 
 
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UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (UNAUDITED) (continued)

A summary of the discontinued operations of Xcelecom follows:
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In Thousands)
   
(In Thousands)
 
                         
Net operating revenues
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
                                 
Operating loss
  $ (308 )   $ (180 )   $ (405 )   $ (963 )
                                 
Income (Loss) before income taxes
  $ (27 )   $ 302     $ (119 )   $ 127  
Income tax benefit (expense)
    10       (44 )     45       20  
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations
  $ (17 )   $ 258     $ (74 )   $ 147  

UIL Holdings is contingently liable to sureties on performance and payment bonds issued by those sureties, relating to construction projects entered into by Xcelecom and its former subsidiaries in the normal course of business.  These bonds provide a guarantee to the customer that Xcelecom or its former subsidiaries will perform under the terms of a contract and that it will pay subcontractors and vendors.   Surety bonds remain outstanding on certain projects being completed by Xcelecom’s former companies.  The majority of these projects will be completed in 2008.  If Xcelecom’s former companies and the buyers of those companies fail to perform under a contract or to pay subcontractors or vendors, the customer may demand that the surety make payments or provide services under the bond.  UIL Holdings must reimburse the surety for any expenses or outlays it incurs and seek recoupment of those expenses from the buyers of Xcelecom’s former companies.  Sureties have never been required to make payments on Xcelecom’s behalf under the bonds, and UIL Holdings believes that the buyers of Xcelecom’s former companies have every incentive to continue to perform their obligations on the construction projects and have adequate management and other resources to do so.  Accordingly, UIL Holdings concluded that it need not record a liability in connection with these obligations in its Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2008.  As of June 30, 2008, sureties had issued bonds for the account of Xcelecom in the aggregate amount of approximately $98 million.  The expected remaining cost to complete for the projects covered by such surety bonds was approximately $6 million as of June 30, 2008.

Xcelecom recognizes certain significant claims for recovery of incurred costs when (1) it is probable that the claim will result in additional contract revenue, (2) when the amount of the claim can be reliably estimated, and (3) when it is determined that there is legal basis for the claim.  UIL Holdings has the right to certain claims related to the sales of the Xcelecom businesses that are not included in the accompanying statement of financial position as of June 30, 2008.

Financial results going forward could be positively or negatively impacted by the following Xcelecom contractual divestiture issues: (1) the completion of certain outstanding projects for which UIL Holdings retained financial responsibility, (2) the collection of certain accounts receivables and promissory notes related to the sales of certain Xcelecom companies, and (3) resolution of certain transitional financial issues.  UIL Holdings also has exposure (a) relating to its indemnification obligations to the buyers of the former Xcelecom companies under the agreements relating to the sales of those companies, and (b) to the sureties that have provided performance bonds to certain former Xcelecom companies related to projects bid or awarded prior to the sales of those companies.

The buyer of the former Xcelecom companies comprising its systems integration business signed a promissory note payable to Xcelecom or UIL Holdings in connection with the sale of that business, which totals $1.5 million as of June 30, 2008.  In June 2008, UIL Holdings was notified that the buyer is in default on its third party credit line, which prohibits it from making any subordinated debt payments, including payments under the promissory note.  The buyer is attempting to resolve the default with the lender.  UIL Holdings expects ultimately to receive full payment under the note.

 
 
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I tem 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Certain statements contained herein, regarding matters that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995).  These include statements regarding management’s intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations or forecasts for the future.  Such forward-looking statements are based on UIL Holdings Corporation’s expectations and involve risks and uncertainties; consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements.  Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, legislative and regulatory changes, changes in demand for electricity and other products and services, unanticipated weather conditions, changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines, and other economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors affecting the operations, markets, products and services of UIL Holdings Corporation’s subsidiary, The United Illuminating Company.  The foregoing and other factors are discussed and should be reviewed in UIL Holdings Corporation’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other subsequent periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  Forward-looking statements included herein speak only as of the date hereof and UIL Holdings Corporation undertakes no obligation to revise or update such statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances.

MAJOR INFLUENCES ON FINANCIAL CONDITION

UIL Holdings Corporation’s (UIL Holdings’) financial condition and financing capability will be dependent on many factors, including the level of income and cash flow of UIL Holdings’ subsidiaries, conditions in the securities markets, economic conditions, interest rates, legislative and regulatory developments, and its ability to retain key personnel.

The loss of key personnel or the inability to hire and retain qualified employees could have an adverse effect on the business, financial condition and results of operations for UIL Holdings and The United Illuminating Company (UI).  These operations depend on the continued efforts of their respective current and future executive officers, senior management and management personnel.  UIL Holdings cannot guarantee that any member of management at the corporate or subsidiary level will continue to serve in any capacity for any particular period of time.  In an effort to enhance UIL Holdings’ ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, UIL Holdings continually evaluates the overall compensation packages offered to employees at all levels of the organization.

The United Illuminating Company

UI is an electric transmission and distribution utility whose structure and operations are significantly affected by legislation and regulation.  UI’s rates and authorized return on equity are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC).  Legislation and regulatory decisions implementing legislation establish a framework for UI’s operations.  Other factors affecting UI’s financial results are operational matters, such as sales volume and ability to control expenses, major weather disturbances, and capital expenditures.  UI expects significant growth in its capital investment in its distribution and transmission infrastructure.  Construction of a 345-kV transmission line and associated facilities is more than 90% completed in southwest Connecticut.  UI has also constructed a substation in Trumbull, Connecticut, which was energized in June 2008.

Generation

In October 2007, UI entered into a joint development agreement (the Agreement) with NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG), pursuant to which UI and an NRG affiliate formed GenConn Energy LLC (GenConn), a 50-50 partnership, and  agreed to work together on an exclusive basis to develop and submit to the DPUC a joint proposal to construct peaking generation in Connecticut.  On June 25, 2008, the DPUC awarded GenConn a contract to build new peaking generation with nominal capacity of 200 megawatts (MW) at NRG’s existing Devon plant in Milford, CT.  The new plant will have a summer-related capacity of 194 MW, assuming the use of natural gas fuel.  The peaking plant will be owned by GenConn and will be able to provide power to all Connecticut residents during peak usage periods.  It is scheduled to be in operation by June 1, 2010.

 
 
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In June 2008, the DPUC made its decision to select GenConn as one of three projects chosen to help address the state’s growing need for more power generation during the heaviest load periods.  On August 4, 2008, GenConn signed a contract for differences with The Connecticut Light & Power Company (CL&P).  The cost of the contract will be paid by customers and will be subject to a cost-sharing agreement whereby 20% of the cost is borne by UI customers and 80% by CL&P customers.  CL&P has filed the contract for differences as a compliance filing with the DPUC.

Legislation & Regulation

2008 Rate Case

On July 9, 2008, UI filed a notice of intent with the DPUC, requesting rates designed to produce additional revenues of approximately $33 million in 2009 and $33 million in 2010 (compared to 2009).  These additional revenues represent an increase of approximately 2.6% in 2009 over the total revenues that would be expected under the current rate schedules on a total bill basis.  For 2010, the additional revenues represent an increase of approximately 2.6% over 2009 expected revenues.  If approved by the DPUC, electric bills of residential customers using 700 kilowatt-hours per month will rise by approximately $6.00 per month beginning in January 2009, subject to final rate design.  UI has undertaken substantial efforts to control costs, however, it must now seek to increase rates due to higher uncollectible expense, lower sales and increased required capital projects to meet UI’s public service obligations.  UI intends to file its rate application within 30 to 60 days of July 9, 2008 in accordance with state regulations.  The filing will include amended rate schedules for distribution charges in 2009 and 2010.

2008 Rates

In December 2007, the DPUC issued a letter ruling to address changes to all of UI’s rate components effective as of January 1, 2008.  The letter ruling approved requested changes to UI’s distribution charges (pursuant to the DPUC’s decisions resulting from the 2005 Rate Case) as well as changes to UI’s transmission, CTA, SBC, Conservation and Load Management (CLM), Renewable Energy Investment (REI), and Non-Bypassable Federally Mandated Congestion Charge (NBFMCC).  Because a decision in UI’s semi-annual NBFMCC filing was scheduled for later than January 1, 2008, changes to NBFMCC rates included projected 2008 expenses as reflected in UI’s semi-annual filing.  This permitted all rate components to be established by the DPUC in one proceeding.  The letter ruling also approved Generation Services Charge (GSC) rates for each of the six-month periods from January 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008, and July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008, respectively and last resort service GSC rates for the January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008 time period.  In a separate letter ruling issued on March 26, 2008, the DPUC approved last resort service GSC rates for the April 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008 time period.

Other Regulation

In its June 19, 2008 decision, the DPUC reduced the Company’s incentive performance management fee earned for CLM in 2007 by approximately $0.5 million after-tax based on adjustments to CLM program goals.

Power Supply Arrangements

UI’s retail electricity customers are able to choose their electricity supplier.  Beginning January 1, 2007, UI is required to offer standard service to those of its customers who do not choose a retail electric supplier and who use a demand meter or have a maximum demand of less than 500 kilowatts.  In addition, UI is required to offer supplier of last resort service to customers who are not eligible for standard service and who do not choose to purchase electric generation service from a retail electric supplier licensed in Connecticut.

UI must procure its standard service power pursuant to a procurement plan approved by the DPUC.  The procurement plan must provide for a portfolio of service contracts procured in an overlapping pattern over fixed time periods (a “laddering” approach).  In June 2006, the DPUC approved a procurement plan for UI.  As required by the statute, a third party consultant was retained by the DPUC to work closely with UI in the procurement process and to provide a joint recommendation to the DPUC as to selected bids.

UI has wholesale power supply agreements in place for the supply of all of UI’s standard service customers for all of 2008, 70% of the first half of 2009 and 60% of the second half of 2009.  In addition, UI has procured 20% of its 2010 Standard Service requirement and 10% of its 2011 Standard Service requirement.  Under Connecticut

 
 
- 32 -

 

legislation passed in 2007, supplier of last resort service is procured on a quarterly basis.  These contracts are derivatives under SFAS No. 133 and UI elected the “normal purchase, normal sale” exception under SFAS No. 133.

Competitive Transition Assessment (CTA)

UI’s CTA collection recovers costs that have been reasonably incurred, or will be incurred, to meet its public service obligations and that will likely not otherwise be recoverable in a competitive market.  These “stranded costs” include above-market long-term purchased power contract obligations, regulatory asset recovery and above-market investments in power plants.  A significant amount of UI’s earnings is generated by the authorized return on the equity portion of unamortized stranded costs in the CTA rate base.  UI’s after-tax earnings attributable to CTA for the six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 were $4.7 million and $5.4 million, respectively.  A significant portion of UI’s cash flow from operations is also generated from those earnings and from the recovery of the CTA rate base.  Cash flow from operations related to CTA amounted to $19.2 million and $14.6 million, respectively, for the six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.  The CTA rate base has declined from year to year for a number of reasons, including:  amortization of stranded costs, the sale of UI’s nuclear units, and adjustments made through the annual DPUC review process.  The original rate base component of stranded costs, as of January 1, 2000, was $433 million.  It has since declined to $194 million at June 30, 2008.  In the future, UI’s CTA earnings will decrease while, based on UI’s current projections, cash flow will remain fairly constant after the expiration of the Bridgeport RESCO generating facility contract on December 31, 2008 until stranded costs are fully amortized.  Total CTA cost recovery is currently projected to be completed in 2015, with stranded cost amortizations expected to end in 2013.  The date by which stranded costs are fully amortized depends primarily upon the DPUC’s future decisions, which could affect future rates of stranded cost amortization.

Capital Projects

In order to maintain and improve its electricity delivery system and to provide quality customer service, UI is required to spend a significant amount each year on capital projects in the Distribution and Transmission Divisions.  A large portion of the funds required for capital projects is provided by operating activities, and the remainder must be financed externally.

In April 2005, the Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) approved a project to construct a 345-kV transmission line from Middletown, Connecticut, to Norwalk, Connecticut, which was jointly proposed by UI and CL&P.  This project is expected to improve the reliability of the transmission system in southwest Connecticut.

UI is constructing, and will own and operate transmission and substation facilities comprising approximately 20% of the total project cost.  UI’s current estimate for its share of the project cost is approximately $280 million to $295 million (excluding allowance for funds used during construction).  The increase in the range from $265 million to $285 million is primarily attributable to increases in the cost of civil construction associated with underground cable.  Upon project completion, UI’s transmission rate base will have increased by approximately $285 million to $300 million, an increase of more than 200% relative to UI’s net transmission assets existing prior to the project receiving CSC approval.  For project costs incurred prior to August 8, 2005, the FERC approved UI’s request to include 50% of those Construction Work In Progress (CWIP) expenditures in the rate base, allowing a return to be earned on that portion of UI’s investment before the project is completed.  UI will commence earning a return on the remaining 50% of the project costs incurred prior to that date when those costs are added to the rate base in conjunction with the investment being placed in service.  For project costs incurred after August 8, 2005, the FERC approved UI’s request to include 100% of those CWIP expenditures in rate base, effective as of May 23, 2007.  UI’s costs for the project are expected to be included in and recovered through transmission revenues requirements, which are under FERC jurisdiction.  Certain parties have requested rehearing of the FERC’s order.  In July 2007, the FERC granted rehearing for further consideration but has not yet issued a substantive order on the requests for rehearing.

Procurement of most of the major project components has been completed and all significant project approvals have been received.  Construction of the 345-kV transmission line and associated facilities is more than 90% completed.  UI expects to complete the project in early 2009.  The Project team filed a transmission cost allocation application with ISO-NE in April 2008.  ISO-NE will determine whether any of the costs of the transmission line should be categorized as Localized Costs and not recovered from customers in New England on a region-wide basis.  In that case, UI will seek to recover those costs from customers throughout the State of Connecticut.

 
 
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A number of appeals to the Connecticut Superior Court were taken following CSC approval of the project, but there are currently no pending appeals with respect to UI.

Regional Transmission Organization for New England

Transmission Return on Equity (ROE)

On October 31, 2006, the FERC issued an initial order establishing allowable ROEs for various types of transmission assets (ROE Order) for transmission owners in New England, including UI.  The ROE Order set a base ROE of 10.20% and approved two ROE adders as follows: (i) a 50 basis point ROE adder on Pool Transmission Facilities (PTF) for participation in the Regional Transmission Organization for New England (RTO-NE); and (ii) a 100 basis point ROE adder for new transmission investment included in the ISO-New England Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP).  In addition, the FERC approved an ROE adjustment reflecting updated U.S. Treasury Bond data, applicable prospectively from the date of the order.

Under the ROE Order, UI’s ROE on transmission facilities depends on whether they are PTF or non-PTF.  As a member of RTO-NE, UI qualified for the 50 basis point ROE adder for its PTF.  The 100 basis point ROE adder for new investment was available for new PTF identified by ISO-NE in its Regional System Plan.  Non-PTF were not eligible for either the 50 basis point ROE adder for RTO participation or the 100 basis point ROE adder for new investment because the Transmission Owners (TOs) have not turned over complete operational control over non-PTF to ISO-NE and because non-PTF are not used to provide regional transmission service.  The following is a summary of the ROEs for UI’s PTF and non-PTF as authorized by the FERC in the ROE Order:

 
Existing Transmission
New Transmission
 
PTF
Non-PTF
PTF (1)
Non-PTF
2/1/05 to 10/30/06
10.7%
10.2%
11.7%
10.2%
10/31/06 and forward
11.4%
10.9%
12.4%
10.9%

(1) ROE available for new PTF identified by ISO-NE in its Regional System Plan.

UI’s overall transmission ROE will be determined by the mix of UI’s transmission rate base between new and existing transmission assets, and whether such assets are PTF or non-PTF.  UI’s transmission assets are primarily PTF.  For 2007, UI’s overall allowed weighted-average ROE for its transmission business was 11.97%.

The TOs, various state agencies, public officials and electric cooperatives filed requests for rehearing of the FERC ROE Order.  In March 2008, the FERC issued an order (“Rehearing Order”) granting, in part, the TOs request for rehearing and adjusted the base-level ROE from 10.2% to 10.4%.  The FERC denied the requests of the state agencies, public officials and electric cooperatives for rehearing regarding the FERC’s upward adjustment to the base-level ROE and confirmed that the TOs were entitled to a 74 basis point adjustment for the going-forward period.
 
The FERC granted rehearing in part with respect to the 100 basis point ROE adder for RTEP-approved projects.  In particular, the FERC reaffirmed its approval of the 100 basis point ROE incentive for existing RTEP-approved projects, provided that these projects are completed and on line as of December 31, 2008.  The FERC held, however, that it would not “extend a pre-approved authorization for any future projects without a specific showing justifying the incentive on a project-by-project basis, consistent with the requirements of the FERC order.”

As a result of the Rehearing Order, the ROEs applicable to UI’s transmission rate base are as follows:
 
 
Existing Transmission
New Transmission
 
PTF
Non-PTF
PTF (1)
Non-PTF
2/1/05 to 10/30/06
10.90%
10.40%
11.90%
10.40%
10/31/06 and forward
11.64%
11.14%
12.64%
11.14%

 
(1) ROE available for new PTF identified by ISO-NE in its Regional System Plan for assets that come on line prior to December 31, 2008.

 
 
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Based on the ROE Order, the Middletown/Norwalk Transmission Project, as an RTEP-approved project, was eligible for the 100 basis point ROE adder for new transmission investment.  However, the Middletown/Norwalk Transmission Project is not scheduled to be on-line prior to the December 31, 2008 cut-off for that incentive established in the Rehearing Order.  On April 23, 2008, UI filed with the FERC a request for clarification, or in the alternative, rehearing of its Rehearing Order to confirm that the Middletown/Norwalk Transmission Project is entitled to the 100 basis point incentive.  On August 4, 2008, the FERC issued an order concluding that UI should be granted relief from the December 31, 2008 cut-off date.

UI has determined that, as a result of the increase in the base-level ROE per the Rehearing Order, it should collect from customers approximately $0.6 million.

UI’s overall transmission ROE will be determined by the mix of UI’s transmission rate base between new and existing transmission assets, and whether such assets are PTF or non-PTF.  UI’s transmission assets are primarily PTF.  For 2008, UI is estimating an overall allowed weighted-average ROE for its transmission business of approximately 12.49%.

Several public sector parties have filed a petition with the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit seeking judicial review of the ROE Order and Rehearing Order.

Xcelecom, Inc.

With the substantial completion of the divestiture of Xcelecom, Inc. (Xcelecom), UIL Holdings is no longer subject to the same level of operating risk factors that affected the financial results of Xcelecom in prior reporting periods.  UIL Holdings’ exposure regarding Xcelecom is now related to (1) the collection of accounts receivable and promissory notes related to the sales of certain Xcelecom companies, and (2) its indemnification obligations to the buyers of the former Xcelecom companies.

UIL Holdings has retained primary risk management and insurance exposures on Xcelecom’s completed operations in the area of bodily injury, property damage, uncompleted projects, professional, employment practice and fiduciary responsibility.  To assist in minimizing the risk exposures, UIL Holdings has secured completed operations insurance coverage for third party liability claims subject to a deductible.  Losses will be accrued based upon UIL Holdings’ estimates of the liability for claims incurred and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported.  UIL Holdings will review the general liability reserves quarterly to ensure the adequacy of those reserves.

 
 
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 LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

UIL Holdings generates its capital resources primarily through operations.  At June 30, 2008, UIL Holdings had $29.5 million of unrestricted cash and temporary cash investments.  This represents an increase of $16.3 million from the corresponding balance at December 31, 2007.  The components of this increase, which are detailed in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, are summarized as follows:
 
   
(In Millions)
 
       
Continuing operations balance, December 31, 2007
  $ 13.2  
         
Net cash provided by operating activities
    67.8  
         
Net cash used in investing activities:
       
Restricted cash (1)
    -  
Cash invested in plant - including AFUDC debt
    (110.8 )
      (110.8 )
         
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities:
       
Financing activities, excluding dividend payments
    80.1  
Dividend payments
    (21.7 )
      58.4  
         
Add change in cash of discontinued operations included above
    0.9  
         
Net change in cash
    16.3  
         
Continuing operations balance, June 30, 2008
  $ 29.5  
 
(1) As of June 30, 2008, UIL Holdings had $0.2 million in restricted cash related to self-insurance at UI.

The unrestricted cash position of UIL Holdings increased by $16.3 million from December 31, 2007 to June 30, 2008, as cash provided by operating activities and net proceeds from short-term borrowing was supplemented by existing cash on hand to cover various investing and financing activities.  Cash used in investing activities during the first six months consisted primarily of capital expenditures of $110.8 million for distribution and transmission infrastructure.  Cash provided by financing activities during the first six months of 2008 included $83 million from short-term debt, partially offset by the quarterly dividend payments on UIL Holdings’ common stock totaling $21.7 million and a $4.3 million principal payment on UIL Holdings’ long-term debt.

UIL Holdings accesses capital through both long-term and short-term financing arrangements.  Total current and long-term debt outstanding as of June 30, 2008 was $579.3 million, as compared to $583.6 million at year-end December 31, 2007.  UIL Holdings and UI have a joint short-term credit facility under which UI and UIL have aggregate borrowing capacity totaling $175 million, with $50 million of the limit available for UIL Holdings.  UI had $98 million outstanding under the facility and UIL Holdings had a standby letter of credit outstanding in the amount of $1 million as of June 30, 2008.   The standby letter of credit also reduces the amount of credit available for UI.  Available credit at June 30, 2008 for UI was $76 million, of which $49 million of that amount is available for UIL Holdings.

All capital requirements that exceed available cash will have to be provided by external financing.  Although there is no commitment to provide such financing from any source of funds, other than the short-term credit facility discussed above, future external financing needs are expected to be satisfied by the issuance of additional short-term and long-term debt.  In addition to debt financing, UIL Holdings could seek to access the external equity markets to raise capital.  The continued availability of these methods of financing will be dependent on many factors, including conditions in the securities markets, economic conditions, and UIL Holdings’ future income and cash flow.  See Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Note (B), Capitalization and Note (D), Short-Term Credit Arrangements” of this Form 10-Q and UIL Holdings’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 for a discussion of UIL Holdings’ financing arrangements.

 
 
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Financial Covenants

UIL Holdings and its operating subsidiary, UI, are required to comply with certain covenants in connection with their respective loan agreements.  The covenants are normal and customary in bank and loan agreements, and UIL Holdings and UI are both in compliance with such covenants at June 30, 2008.

2008 Capital Resource Projections

There have been no material changes in UIL Holdings’ 2008 capital resource projections from those reported in UIL Holdings’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

Contractual and Contingent Obligations

There have been no material changes in UIL Holdings’ 2008 contractual and contingent obligations from those reported in UIL Holdings’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

UIL Holdings’ Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared based on certain critical accounting policies that require management to make judgments and estimates that are subject to varying degrees of uncertainty.  UIL Holdings believes that investors need to be aware of these policies and how they impact UIL Holdings’ financial reporting to gain a more complete understanding of UIL Holdings’ Consolidated Financial Statements as a whole, as well as management’s related discussion and analysis presented herein.  While UIL Holdings believes that these accounting policies are grounded on sound measurement criteria, actual future events can and often do result in outcomes that can be materially different from these estimates or forecasts.  The accounting policies and related risks described in UIL Holdings’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 are those that depend most heavily on these judgments and estimates.  At June 30, 2008, there have been no material changes to any of the Critical Accounting Policies described therein.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

UIL Holdings and its subsidiaries occasionally enter into guarantee contracts in the ordinary course of business.  At the time a guarantee is provided, an analysis is performed to assess the expected financial impact, if any, based on the likelihood of certain events occurring that would require UIL Holdings to perform under such guarantee.  Subsequent analysis is performed on a periodic basis to assess the impact of any changes in events or circumstances.  If such an analysis results in an amount that is inconsequential, no liability is recorded on the balance sheet related to the guarantee.  As of June 30, 2008, UIL Holdings had certain guarantee contracts outstanding for which no liability has been recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements.  See Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Note (J), Commitments and Contingencies,” of this Form 10-Q for further discussion of such guarantees.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

UIL Holdings reviews new accounting standards to determine the expected financial impact, if any, that the adoption of each such standard will have.  As of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, there were no new accounting standards issued that were projected to have a material impact on UIL Holdings’ consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.  Refer to Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Note (A), Statement of Accounting Policies – New Accounting Standards,” for further discussion regarding new accounting standards.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

Within the “Results of Operations” section of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, tabular presentations showing a comparison of UIL Holdings’ net income and earnings per share (EPS) for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 are provided.  UIL Holdings believes this information is useful in understanding the

 
 
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fluctuations in earnings per share between the current and prior year periods.  The amounts presented show the earnings per share from continuing operations for each of UIL Holdings’ lines of business, calculated by dividing the income from continuing operations of each line of business by the average number of shares of UIL Holdings’ common stock outstanding for the periods presented.  The earnings per share tables presented in “The United Illuminating Company Results of Operations” and “Non-Utility Results of Operations” for all periods presented are calculated on the same basis and reconcile to the amounts presented in the table under the heading “UIL Holdings Corporation Results of Operations.”  The total earnings per share from continuing operations and discontinued operations in the table presented under the heading “UIL Holdings Corporation Results of Operations” are presented on a GAAP basis.

In discussing the results of operations, UIL Holdings also believes that a breakdown, presented on a per share basis, of how particular significant items contributed to the change in income from continuing operations by line of business (item variance EPS presentation) is useful in understanding the overall change in the consolidated results of operations for UIL Holdings from one reporting period to another.  UIL Holdings presents such per share amounts by taking the dollar amount of the applicable change for the revenue or expense item, booked in accordance with GAAP, and applying UIL Holdings’ combined effective statutory federal and state tax rate.  See Item 1, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Note (E), Income Taxes” of this Form 10-Q for details of UIL Holdings’ combined effective statutory tax rate to obtain the after-tax impact of the item.  The after-tax amount is then divided by the average number of shares of UIL Holdings’ common stock outstanding for the period presented.  Any amounts provided as Item Variance EPS Presentation are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to be used to calculate “Pro-Forma” amounts.

Second Quarter 2008 vs. Second Quarter 2007

UIL Holdings Corporation Results of Operations: Second Quarter 2008 vs. Second Quarter 2007

UIL Holdings’ earnings from continuing operations were $11.3 million, or $0.45 per share, for the second quarter of 2008, an increase of $1.8 million or $0.07 per share, compared to the second quarter of 2007.  Discontinued operations had a minimal loss in the second quarter of 2008, a decrease of $0.3 million, or $0.01 per share, compared to the second quarter of 2007.  Total earnings, including discontinued operations, were $11.3 million, or $0.45 per share, an increase of $1.5 million, or $0.06 per share, compared to the second quarter of 2007.  The table below presents a comparison of UIL Holdings’ net income and EPS for the second quarter of 2008 and the second quarter of 2007.
 
   
Quarter Ended
   
Quarter Ended
   
2008 More (Less) than 2007
 
   
June 30, 2008
   
June 30, 2007
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
                         
Net Income (Loss) (In Millions except percent and per share amounts)
                   
                         
UI
  $ 11.9     $ 10.0     $ 1.9       19  %
Non-Utility
    (0.6 )     (0.5 )     (0.1 )     20  %
Total Income from Continuing Operations
    11.3       9.5       1.8       19  %
                                 
Discontinued Operations
    -       0.3       (0.3 )     (100 )%
Total Net Income
  $ 11.3     $ 9.8     $ 1.5       15  %
                                 
EPS
                               
UI
  $ 0.48     $ 0.40     $ 0.08       20  %
Non-Utility
    (0.03 )     (0.02 )     (0.01 )     50  %
Total EPS from Continuing Operations - Basic
    0.45       0.38       0.07       18  %
Discontinued Operations
    -       0.01       (0.01 )     (100 )%
Total EPS - Basic
  $ 0.45     $ 0.39     $ 0.06       15  %
                                 
Total EPS - Diluted (Note 1)
  $ 0.44     $ 0.39     $ 0.05       13  %
Note 1: Reflecting the effect of dilutive stock options, performance shares and restricted stock.


 
 
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The United Illuminating Company Results of Operations:  Second Quarter of 2008 vs. Second Quarter of 2007
 
   
Quarter Ended
   
Quarter Ended
   
2008 More (Less) than 2007
 
   
June 30, 2008
   
June 30, 2007
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
EPS
                       
Total UI - basic
  $ 0.48     $ 0.40     $ 0.08       20  %
                                 
Total UI - diluted (Note 1)
  $ 0.47     $ 0.40     $ 0.07       18  %
                                 
Retail Sales*
  $ 1,349     $ 1,398     $ (49 )     (4 )%
Weather Impact* (Note 2)
    (17 )     7       (24 )     (2 )%
Retail Sales – Normalized*
  $ 1,332     $ 1,405     $ (73 )     (5 )%
* Millions of kilowatt-hours
Note 1: Reflecting the effect of dilutive stock options, performance shares and restricted stock.
Note 2: Percentage change reflects impact to total retail sales.

UI’s net income was $11.9 million, or $0.48 per share, in the second quarter of 2008, compared to $10.0 million, or $0.40 per share, in the second quarter of 2007.  The increase in earnings was primarily due to growth in the transmission business of $0.13 per share, resulting from the earnings from construction work in progress on the Middletown/Norwalk transmission project, and increases in UI’s 2008 distribution rate components as approved by the DPUC in prior dockets.  The earnings improvement year over year for the quarter was partially offset by decreases in distribution sales volume of $0.05 per share, and increases in interest expense from higher borrowings of $0.05 per share.  Actual kWh sales decreased 3.5% compared to the same period in 2007.

Overall, UI’s operating revenue decreased by $0.8 million, from $216.7 million for the second quarter of 2007, to $215.9 million for the second quarter of 2008.  Retail revenue decreased $17.9 million due primarily to the impact of customers switching to alternate suppliers for generation services, which has no impact on net income, and to decreases in distribution sales volume, partially offset by increases in UI’s 2008 distribution rate components as approved by the DPUC in prior dockets. Other revenues increased $13.9 million, largely due to higher transmission revenue, partially offset by the net activity of the GSC “working capital allowance” due to timing differences.

Purchased power expense decreased by $19.6 million, from $111.6 million in the second quarter of 2007, to $92.0 million in the second quarter of 2008.  Retail purchased power expense decreased by $21.9 million in the second quarter of 2008, primarily due to the impact of customers switching to alternate suppliers for generation services, partially offset by higher costs to procure power.  UI receives electricity to satisfy its standard service and supplier of last resort requirements through fixed-price purchased power agreements.  These costs are recovered through the GSC and BFMCC portions of UI’s unbundled retail customer rates.  UI’s wholesale energy expense in the second quarter of 2008 increased by $2.4, million primarily due to higher pricing for generation at the Bridgeport RESCO generating plant.

UI’s operation and maintenance (O&M) expenses increased by $2.0 million, from $50.4 million in the second quarter of 2007, to $52.4 million in the second quarter of 2008.  The increase was primarily attributable to higher uncollectible accounts of $1.8 million.

UI’s transmission wholesale expenses increased by $5.0 million, from $4.4 million in the second quarter of 2007, to $9.4 million in the second quarter of 2008.  The increase was primarily attributable to higher regional transmission expenses of which UI pays a portion  based upon its relative load.

UI’s depreciation and amortization of regulatory assets increased by $4.3 million, from $20.9 million in the second quarter of 2007, to $25.2 million in the second quarter of 2008.  The increase was primarily attributable to increased CTA amortization.  UI accrues or defers additional amortization to achieve the authorized return on equity of 9.75% on unamortized CTA rate base.

UI’s other income and deductions decreased by $1.4 million, from $3.3 million in the second quarter of 2007 to $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2008.  The decrease was primarily attributable to a mark-to-market adjustment to non-qualified pension investments and the ISO-NE demand response program ending during the second quarter of 2008.

 
 
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UI’s interest expense increased by $1.8 million, from $5.2 million in the second quarter of 2007, to $7.0 million in the second quarter of 2008.  The increase was primarily attributable to interest charges associated with increased long-term and short-term borrowings.

Non-Utility Results of Operations:  Second Quarter 2008 vs. Second Quarter 2007
 
   
Quarter Ended
   
Quarter Ended
   
2008 More (Less) than 2007
 
   
June 30, 2008
   
June 30, 2007
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
EPS
                       
UCI
  $ -     $ -     $ -       N/A  
UIL Corporate (Note 1)
    (0.03 )     (0.02 )     (0.01 )     50  %
Total Non-Utility EPS from Continuing Operations
    (0.03 )     (0.02 )     (0.01 )     50  %
Discontinued Operations
    -       0.01       (0.01 )     (100 )%
Total Non-Utility EPS – Basic
  $ (0.03 )   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.02 )     200  %
                                 
Total Non-Utility EPS – Diluted (Note 2)
  $ -     $ (0.01 )   $ 0.01       (100 )%
Note 1: Includes interest charges and strategic and administrative costs of the non-utility holding company.
Note 2:
Reflecting the effect of dilutive stock options, performance shares and restricted stock.

The non-utility operations reported a loss of $0.6 million, or $0.03 per share, from continuing operations in the second quarter of 2008 compared to a loss of $0.5 million, or $0.02 per share in the second quarter of 2007.  The following is an explanation of the quarterly variances for UIL Holdings’ non-utility operations.

Non-Utility Activities and Unallocated Corporate Costs

United Capital Investments, Inc. (UCI)

UCI earned a minimal amount in the second quarters of both 2008 and 2007.

UIL Corporate

UIL Holdings retains certain costs at the holding company, or “corporate” level which are not allocated to the various non-utility subsidiaries as well as the results of the former Xcelecom entities which were not divested.  UIL Corporate incurred net after tax costs of $0.6 million, or $0.03 per share, compared to a loss of $0.5 million, or $.02 per share, in the second quarter of 2007.

Discontinued Operations

Xcelecom, Inc.

The divested Xcelecom businesses lost a minimal amount in the second quarter 2008 and earned $0.3 million, or  $0.01 per share, in the second quarter of 2007.  The decrease in 2008 earnings was primarily due to the absence of a gain from an adjustment to the sale of a former subsidiary.

UIL Holdings Corporation Results of Operations: First Six Months 2008 vs. First Six Months 2007

UIL Holdings’ earnings from continuing operations were $17.9 million, or $0.71 per share, for the first six months of 2008, an increase of $2.9 million or $0.11 per share, compared to the first six months of 2007.  The loss from discontinued operations was $0.1 million, with a minimal per share impact, in the first six months of 2008, a decrease of $0.3 million, or $0.01 per share, compared to the first six months of 2007.  Total earnings, including discontinued operations, were $17.8 million, or $0.71 per share, an increase of $2.6 million, or $0.10 per share, compared to the first six months of 2007.  The table below presents a comparison of UIL Holdings’ net income and EPS for first six months of 2008 and first six months of 2007.

 
 
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Six Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
   
2008 More (Less) than 2007
 
   
June 30, 2008
   
June 30, 2007
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
                         
Net Income (Loss) (In Millions except percent and per share amounts)
                   
                         
UI
  $ 19.0     $ 15.6     $ 3.4       22  %
Non-Utility
    (1.1 )     (0.6 )     (0.5 )     83  %
Total Income from Continuing Operations
    17.9       15.0       2.9       19  %
                                 
Discontinued Operations
    (0.1 )     0.2       (0.3 )     (150 )%
Total Net Income
  $ 17.8     $ 15.2     $ 2.6       17  %
                                 
EPS
                               
UI
  $ 0.75     $ 0.62     $ 0.13       21  %
Non-Utility
    (0.04 )     (0.02 )     (0.02 )     100  %
Total EPS from Continuing Operations - Basic
    0.71       0.60       0.11       18  %
Discontinued Operations
    -       0.01       (0.01 )     (100 )%
Total EPS - Basic
  $ 0.71     $ 0.61     $ 0.10       16  %
                                 
Total EPS - Diluted (Note 1)
  $ 0.70     $ 0.60     $ 0.10       17  %
Note 1: Reflecting the effect of dilutive stock options, performance shares and restricted stock.

The United Illuminating Company Results of Operations:  First Six Months 2008 vs. First Six Months 2007
 
   
Six Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
   
2008 More (Less) than 2007
 
   
June 30, 2008
   
June 30, 2007
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
EPS
                       
Total UI - basic
  $ 0.75     $ 0.62     $ 0.13       21  %
                                 
Total UI - diluted (Note 1)
  $ 0.74     $ 0.61     $ 0.13       21  %
                                 
Retail Sales*
  $ 2,770     $ 2,866     $ (96 )     (3 )%
Weather Impact* (Note 2)
    (6 )     1       (7 )     (700 )%
Retail Sales – Normalized*
  $ 2,764     $ 2,867     $ (103 )     (4 )%
* Millions of kilowatt-hours
Note 1: Reflecting the effect of dilutive stock options, performance shares and restricted stock.
Note 2: Percentage change reflects impact to total retail sales.

UI’s net income was $19.0 million, or $0.75 per share, for the first six months of 2008, compared to $15.6 million, or $0.62 per share, for the first six months of 2007.  The increase in earnings was primarily due to growth in the transmission business of $0.23 per share, resulting from the earnings from construction work in progress on the Middletown/Norwalk transmission project, and increases in UI’s 2008 distribution rate components as approved by the DPUC in prior dockets.  The earnings improvement year over year was partially offset by decreases in distribution sales volume of $0.08 per share, increases in interest expense from higher borrowings of $0.11 per share, and uncollectible expense of $0.02 per share.  Actual kWh sales decreased 3.4% compared to the same period in 2007.

Overall, UI’s operating revenue decreased by $40.9 million, from $491.3 million for the first six months of 2007, to $450.4 million for the first six months of 2008.  Retail revenue decreased $50.0 million due primarily to the impact of customers switching to alternate suppliers for services, which has no impact on net income, and to decreases in distribution sales volume, partially offset by increases in UI’s 2008 distribution rate components as approved by the DPUC.  Other revenues increased $4.9 million, largely due to higher transmission revenue, partially offset by the net activity of the GSC “working capital allowance” due to timing differences.

Purchased power expense decreased by $78.2 million, from $287.7 million for the first six months of 2007, to $209.5 million for the first six months of 2008.  Retail purchased power expense decreased $81.4 million during the first six months of 2008, primarily due to the impact of customers switching to alternate suppliers for generation services, partially offset by higher costs to procure power.  UI receives electricity to satisfy its standard service and supplier of last resort requirements through fixed-price purchased power agreements.  These costs are recovered through the GSC and BFMCC portion of UI’s unbundled retail customer rates.  UI’s wholesale energy expense for the first six months of 2008 increased by $3.3 million, primarily due to higher pricing for generation at the Bridgeport RESCO generating plant.

 
 
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UI’s O&M expenses increased by $7.2 million, from $97.0 million in the first six months of 2007, to $104.2 million in the first six months of 2008.  The increase was primarily attributable to higher uncollectible accounts of $3.9 million and increased salary expense of $1.3 million.

UI’s transmission wholesale expenses increased by $5.4 million, from $12.6 million in the first six months of 2007, to $18.0 million in the first six months of 2008.  The increase was primarily attributable to higher regional transmission expenses of which UI pays a portion of based upon its relative load.

UI’s depreciation and amortization of regulatory assets increased by $9.8 million, from $40.5 million for the first six months, of 2007 to $50.3 million for the first six months of 2008.  The increase was primarily attributable to increased CTA amortization.  UI accrues or defers additional amortization to achieve the authorized return on equity of 9.75% on unamortized CTA rate base.

UI’s other income and deductions decreased by $1.8 million, from $5.2 million for the first six months of 2007, to $3.4 million for the first six months of 2008.  The decrease was primarily attributable to a mark-to-market adjustment to non-qualified pension investments and the ISO-NE demand response program ending during the first six months of 2008.

UI’s interest expense increased by $4.1 million, from $10.0 million for the first six months of 2007, to $14.1 million for the first six months of 2008.  The increase was mainly attributable to interest charges associated with increased long-term and short-term borrowings.

Non-Utility Results of Operations:  First Six Months 2008 vs. First Six Months Quarter 2007
 
   
Six Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
   
2008 More (Less) than 2007
 
   
June 30, 2008
   
June 30, 2007
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
EPS
                       
UCI
  $ -     $ -     $ -       N/A  
UIL Corporate (Note A)
    (0.04 )     (0.02 )     (0.02 )     100  %
Total Non-Utility EPS from Continuing Operations
    (0.04 )     (0.02 )     (0.02 )     100  %
Discontinued Operations
    -       0.01       (0.01 )     (100 )%
Total Non-Utility EPS – Basic
  $ (0.04 )   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.03 )     300  %
                                 
Total Non-Utility EPS – Diluted (Note B)
  $ (0.04 )   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.03 )     300  %
 
Note A:
Includes interest charges and strategic and administrative costs of the non-utility holding company.
Note B:
Reflecting the effect of dilutive stock options, performance shares and restricted stock.

The non-utility operations reported a loss of $1.1 million from continuing operations in the first six months of 2008, compared to a loss of $0.6 million in the first six months of 2007.  The following is an explanation of the quarterly variances for UIL Holdings’ non-utility operations.

 
 
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Non-Utility Activities and Unallocated Corporate Costs

United Capital Investments, Inc. (UCI)

UCI earned a minimal amount in the first six months of both 2008 and 2007.

UIL Corporate

UIL Holdings retains certain costs at the holding company, or “corporate” level which are not allocated to the various non-utility subsidiaries as well as the results of the former Xcelecom entities which were not divested.  UIL Corporate incurred a loss of $1.1 million, or $0.04 per share, compared to a loss of $0.6 million, or $0.02 per share, in the first six months of 2007.  The decrease in 2008 earnings was primarily due to lower interest income earned on short-term investments.

Discontinued Operations

Xcelecom, Inc.

The divested Xcelecom businesses incurred net after-tax costs of $0.1 million, with a minimal per share impact, in the first six months of 2008 and earned $0.2 million, or $0.01 per share, in the first six months of 2007.   The decrease in 2008 earnings was primarily due to the absence of a gain from an adjustment of the sale of a former subsidiary.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

UIL Holdings and UI have market risk associated with (1) the refinancing of fixed rate debt at maturity, (2) the remarketing of multi-annual tax-exempt bonds, (3) the periodic reset by auction (every 35 days) of the interest rate on $64.5 million principal amount of tax exempt bonds (Auction Rate Bonds); and (4) the issuance of new debt to refinance existing debt or finance capital expenditures (the Financings).  The Auction Rate bonds are also referred to as pollution control revenue refunding bonds.

The weighted average remaining fixed rate period of outstanding long-term debt obligations of UIL Holdings and UI as of June 30, 2008 is 5.69 years, at an average interest rate of 5.10%.

The principal and interest payments on certain of UI’s tax exempt bonds are insured by Ambac Assurance Corporation (Ambac).  The insured bonds are as follows: (1) $25 million principal amount of bonds remarketed December 3, 2007 for a rate period of one-year to December 1, 2008; (2) $27.5 million principal amount of multi-annual tax exempt bonds to be remarketed in February 2010; and (3) $64.5 million principal amount of Auction Rate Bonds.  These insured bonds have been rated by either Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) or Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s (S&P), based on the credit rating of Ambac.  Published reports indicate that Ambac had been subject to review and downgrade by the credit rating agencies, due to its exposure to sub-prime mortgages.  In June, the ratings on UI’s insured bonds were lowered, based on Ambac’s credit rating.  The credit rating from Moody’s was lowered from Aaa to Aa3, with an underlying rating of Baa2, based on UI’s credit rating, and the credit rating from S&P was lowered from AAA to AA.  The credit pressure on Ambac has increased the remarketing risk of the insured bonds and increased the potential for a failure to achieve sufficient clearing bids at future auctions of the Auction Rate Bonds.  Also, there has been considerable dislocation in the auction rate bond market, and there have been failed auctions, resulting from insufficient clearing bids.  The auctions for the Auction Rate Bonds have failed, beginning with the March 2008 auction. When there are insufficient clearing bids as a result of an auction, the interest rate will be set at a rate equal to the product of a multiple of 125% to 225%, based on the credit rating on the Auction Rate Bonds assigned by Moody’s or S&P, and one-month London Interbank Offering Rate (LIBOR), and the bondholders will continue to hold the bonds.  Currently, these bonds are rated by Moody’s.  In the event of subsequent failed auctions of the Auction Rate Bonds, the interest rate on the bonds will continue to be reset as described above.  The interest rate on these bonds at July 21, 2008 was equal to 150% times LIBOR or 3.691%.  UI is evaluating its options with respect to outstanding tax exempt bonds that are insured by Ambac.

 
 
- 43 -

 

On March 9, 2006, UI entered into an interest rate cap (rate cap) transaction to mitigate interest rate risk with respect to the Auction Rate Bonds.  The rate cap was set at 3.68% and became effective March 30, 2006.  The rate cap will terminate on August 5, 2009.  The rate cap is tied to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Municipal Swap Index (SIFMA), formerly the U.S. Dollar – Bond Market Association Municipal Swap Index.  If the average of the index for the calculation period exceeds the rate cap, UI will be paid an amount based on such difference.  In the past, the interest rate on the Auction Rate Bonds closely tracked the SIFMA index.  However, the conditions in the auction rate bond market and failed auctions of the Auction Rate Bonds, have resulted in interest rates on the Auction Rate Bonds having been set at rates that no longer closely track the SIFMA index.  Therefore, although the interest rate on the Auction Rate Bonds as of the July 21, 2008 auction was greater than the rate cap, the average of the SIFMA index for the calculation period was less than the rate cap, and UI did not receive payment under the rate cap.  Market risk also represents the risks of changes in the value of a financial instrument, derivative or non-derivative, caused by fluctuation in interest rates, and equity prices.  At the end of each quarter, changes in the market value of the rate cap are marked-to-market, which resulted in an immaterial amount charged to income for the period ended June 30, 2008.  UI paid $0.6 million to enter into the rate cap transaction, which is being amortized over the life of the rate cap based upon quarterly fair market value analysis.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.

UIL Holdings maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its periodic reports to the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to UIL Holdings’ management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure based on the definition of “disclosure controls and procedures” in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

UIL Holdings carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of UIL Holdings’ disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2008.  Based on the foregoing, UIL Holdings’ Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that its disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2008.

There have been no changes in UIL Holdings’ internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, UIL Holdings’ internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A. – Risk Factors.

The financial condition and results of operations of UIL Holdings are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors, as described in UIL Holdings’ Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2007.  The following risk factors included in that report have been updated to reflect activity as of June 30, 2008:

The inability to collect amounts due under a promissory note from the buyers of the divested Xcelecom companies could adversely impact UIL Holdings’ financial condition and results of operations.

The buyer of the former Xcelecom companies comprising its systems integration business signed a promissory note payable to Xcelecom or UIL Holdings in connection with the sale of that business, which totals $1.5 million as of June 30, 2008.  In June 2008, UIL Holdings was notified that the buyer is in default on its third party credit line, which prohibits it from making any subordinated debt payments, including payments under the promissory note.  The buyer is attempting to resolve the default with the lender.  UIL Holdings expects ultimately to receive full payment under the note.

 
 
- 44 -

 

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

UIL Holdings repurchased 16,644 shares of common stock in open market transactions to satisfy matching contributions for participants’ contributions into UIL Holdings 401(k) in the form of UIL Holdings stock as follows:

 
 
 
Period
 
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased*
   
 
Average Price Paid Per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans
Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans
April
    8,238       30.76  
None
None
May
    8,406       32.08  
None
None
June
    -       -  
None
None
Total
    16,644       31.43  
None
None
* All shares were purchased in open market transactions.  The effects of these transactions did not change the number of outstanding shares of UIL Holdings’ common stock.

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to Vote of Security Holders.

The Annual Meeting of the Shareowners of UIL Holdings was held on May 14, 2008.  The following matters were submitted to vote:  (1) electing a Board of Directors for the ensuing year, (2) ratifying the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the firm of independent public accountants to audit the books and affairs of UIL Holdings for the fiscal year 2008 and (3) approval of the UIL Holdings Corporation 2008 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan.

All of the nominees for election as Directors listed in UIL Holdings’ proxy statement for the meeting were elected, by the following votes:

 
Number of Shares
 
Voted
Not
Nominee
“For”
Voted
Thelma R. Albright
21,798,917
554,385
Marc C. Breslawsky
21,901,685
451,617
Arnold L. Chase
21,519,325
833,977
John F. Croweak
21,807,192
546,110
Betsy Henley-Cohn
21,864,298
489,004
John L. Lahey
21,891,572
461,730
F. Patrick McFadden, Jr.
21,875,976
477,326
Daniel J. Miglio
22,028,295
325,007
William F. Murdy
21,902,158
451,144
James A. Thomas
21,817,050
536,253
James P. Torgerson
21,886,157
467,145

The selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the books and affairs of UIL Holdings for the fiscal year 2008 was ratified by the following vote:

Number of Shares
Voted
Voted
Not  Voted
 “For”
“Against”
/Abstain
22,016,200
264,388
72,714

The proposal to approve the UIL Holdings Corporation 2008 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan was ratified by the following vote:

Number of Shares
Voted
Voted
Not Voted
“For”
“Against”
/Abstain
14,879,613
970,973
123,064

 
 
- 45 -

 

Item 5.  Other Information

On August 4, 2008, UIL Holdings Corporation entered into agreements with James Torgerson and Linda Randell and The United Illuminating Company entered into agreements with Anthony Vallillo, Richard Nicholas and Richard Reed which amend each executive’s Employment Agreement to conform to the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and make other minor changes.  The amendments primarily clarify (i) the timing of severance payments and other benefits in the event the executive experiences an involuntary separation from service, and (ii) the circumstances under which an executive may be entitled to severance benefits in the event of a termination by the executive on account of a constructive termination.  The amendments also address recent IRS guidance concerning Code Section 162(m) performance-based compensation and clarify provisions relating to payments to be made on account of non-competes.  The foregoing description of the amendments to the Employment Agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference to the amendments, which are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.26a, 10.34a, 10.37c, 10.14a and 10.38b, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

On August 4, 2008, The UIL Holdings Corporation Change in Control Severance Plan II was amended and restated to conform the Plan to the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and coordinate Plan provisions with the amendments to the Employment Agreements noted above.  The amended and restated Plan document primarily clarifies (i) the timing of severance payments and other benefits in the event an executive experiences an involuntary separation from service within two years following a Change in Control, (ii) the circumstances under which an executive may be entitled to severance benefits in the event of a termination by the executive on account of a constructive termination within two years following a Change in Control, and (iii) the payment and administration of a “gross-up” in the event an eligible executive becomes subject to the excise tax under the Code Section 4999 golden parachute rules.  The amended and restated Plan document also adopts a definition of Change in Control that is consistent with Code Section 409A, and modifies the health and welfare benefits that are made available after an involuntary separation from service in ways that are consistent with Code Section 409A.  The foregoing description of the changes to the Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the amended and restated Plan document, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.28a and incorporated herein by reference.

On August 4, 2008, The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan of The United Illuminating Company was amended and restated to conform the Plan with the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A.  The Plan has been memorialized in two Plan documents, one of which reflects the terms of the grandfathered benefits (accrued and vested prior to January 1, 2005) and the other of which reflects the terms of the non-grandfathered benefits (accrued or vested on or after January 1, 2005).  In addition to clarifying the grandfathered or non-grandfathered status of benefits, the amended and restated Plan documents primarily clarify (i) the timing of deferral and payment elections; and (ii) the circumstances when payments will be made (e.g., upon a “Separation from Service”).  The foregoing description of the amended and restated Plan documents is qualified in its entirety by reference to the documents, which are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.43 and 10.44 and incorporated herein by reference.

On August 4, 2008, The UIL Holdings Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan was amended and restated to conform the Plan with the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A.  The Plan has been memorialized in two Plan documents, one of which reflects the terms of the grandfathered benefits (accrued and vested prior to January 1, 2005) and the other of which reflects the terms of the non-grandfathered benefits (accrued or vested on or after January 1, 2005).  In addition to clarifying the grandfathered or non-grandfathered status of benefits, the amended and restated Plan documents primarily clarify (i) the timing of deferral and payment elections; and (ii) the circumstances when payments will be made (e.g., “Separation from Service”, “Unforeseeable Emergency”).  The foregoing description of the amended and restated Plan documents is qualified in its entirety by reference to the documents, which are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.41 and 10.42 and incorporated herein by reference

 
 
- 46 -

 

Item 6.  Exhibits.

(a)                 Exhibits.

Exhibit
Table Item
 Number
 
 
Exhibit
Number
 
 
 
Description
(10)
 
10.14a*
 
Copy of First Amendment, dated August 4, 2008, to Employment Agreement, dated as of July 8, 2005, between The United Illuminating Company and Richard J. Nicholas.
(10)
 
10.26a*
 
Copy of First Amendment, dated August 4, 2008, to Employment Agreement, dated as of January 10, 2006, between UIL Holdings Corporation and James P. Torgerson.
(10)
 
10.28a*
 
Copy of amended and restated UIL Holdings Corporation Change In Control Severance Plan dated August 4, 2008.
(10)
 
10.34a*
 
Copy of First Amendment, dated August 4, 2008, to Employment Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2007, between UIL Holdings Corporation and Linda L. Randell.
(10)
 
10.37c*
 
Copy of Third Amendment, dated August 4, 2008, to Employment Agreement, dated as of January 26, 2004, between The United Illuminating Company and Anthony J. Vallillo.
(10)
 
10.38b*
 
Copy of Second Amendment, dated August 4, 2008, to Employment Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2004, between The United Illuminating Company and Richard J. Reed.
(10)
 
10.40*
 
Copy of UIL Holdings Corporation 2008 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan dated May 14, 2008
(10)
 
10.41*
 
Copy of The United Illuminating Company Deferred Compensation Plan Grandfathered Benefits Provisions dated August 4, 2008.
(10)
 
10.42*
 
Copy of The United Illuminating Company Deferred Compensation Plan Non-Grandfathered Benefits Provisions dated August 4, 2008.
(10)
 
10.43*
 
Copy of The United Illuminating Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Grandfathered Benefits Provisions dated August 4, 2008.
(10)
 
10.44*
 
Copy of The United Illuminating Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Non-Grandfathered Benefits Provisions dated August 4, 2008.
(31)
 
31.1
 
Certification of Periodic Financial Report.
(31)
 
31.2
 
Certification of Periodic Financial Report.
(32)
 
32
 
Certification of Periodic Financial Report.
*Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 
 
- 47 -

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

 
UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION
   
   
   
   
Date       08/05/2008       
               /s/ Richard J. Nicholas                     
 
         Richard J. Nicholas
 
     Executive Vice President
 
     and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
- 48 -



EXHIBIT 10.14a

FIRST AMENDMENT
TO
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This amendment (the “First Amendment”) is made the 4th day of August, 2008, between The United Illuminating Company, a Connecticut Corporation (the “Company”), and Richard J. Nicholas (the “Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Company previously entered into an Employment Agreement with the Executive dated as of March 1, 2005 (the “Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, in light of changes to the law concerning severance and deferred compensation, including Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and related Treasury Regulations, the Company and the Executive wish to further amend the Agreement by this First Amendment to clarify certain provisions in the event the Executive’s employment is involuntarily terminated, and to make other minor, clarifying revisions to the Agreement,

NOW THEREFORE, the following Sections of the Agreement are hereby amended as follows:

1.   The third sentence of Section (1)(b) of the Agreement is deleted.

2.   The second sentence of Section (2)(c) of the Agreement is revised to read as follows:

In the event that the Executive’s employment is not so continued, the Executive may be eligible for benefits on account of a Constructive Termination in accordance with the terms of the UIL CIC Plan II.

3.   The third paragraph of Section (4)(b) of the Agreement is revised to read as follows:

The Executive’s “Stub-Period Incentive Compensation” shall mean the annual short-term incentive compensation being earned in the year in which the Executive terminates employment, pro-rated for the year in which he terminates service, and shall be equal to that short-term annual incentive compensation payment to which the Executive would be entitled, if any, under the terms of the Company’s executive incentive compensation plan, calculated as if he had been employed by the Company on the last day of the year including his Date of Termination, based on actual performance with respect to the achievement of UIL and Company goals (collectively referred to as “Company goals”), multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days which have elapsed in such year through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is 365.  UIL shall determine in its discretion the composition of the Executive’s scorecard.  In the event that the ‘gate’, if any, is not achieved with respect to Company goals, then no Stub-Period Incentive Compensation will be paid.  Any Stub-Period Incentive Compensation payable upon termination of the Executive shall be paid in accordance with Section (6)(e) of this Agreement.

 
 

 


4.   Section (5)(d) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(d)   Termination by Executive .

(i)   Breach by the Company, not during Change of Control Protective Period .  If the Executive is not in default of any of the Executive’s obligations under Section (2), (9), (10), (11) or (12) hereof, the Executive may terminate employment hereunder on account of a Constructive Termination in accordance with this Section (5)(d)(i).  For purposes of this Agreement, a Constructive Termination means:

(1)  a Separation from Service (as defined for purposes of the UIL CIC Plan II) within ninety (90) days of the initial occurrence of one of the following events arising without the consent of the Executive (a “Constructive Termination Event”):

(A)  A material diminution in the Executive’s annual base salary rate, unless such reduction is part of, and consistent with, a general reduction of the compensation rates of all employees of the Company or of the Executive’s business unit;

(B)  Except as provided in Section (2)(b), a material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities, including the assignment of duties materially inconsistent in any adverse respect with such Executive’s position, duties, responsibilities and status with the Company immediately prior thereto, or diminishment in such Executive’s management responsibilities, duties or powers as in effect immediately prior thereto, or the removal from or failure to re-elect such Executive to any such position or office;

(C)  A requirement that the Executive relocate his principal place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles from the Company’s current executive offices in New Haven, Connecticut; or

(D)  Any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of the Agreement, including (1) a failure to include the Executive in the management salary compensation programs then in effect on substantially the same terms and conditions as that applicable to the other officers or similarly situated executives of the Company; (2) a failure to continue the Executive’s participation in the material benefit plans of the Company on substantially the same basis, both in terms of the amount of benefits provided (other than due to the Company’s stock price performance, provided such performance is a relevant criterion in determining the amount of benefits) and the level of the Executive’s participation relative to other officers or similarly
 

 
2

 

situated executives of such Company, as that in effect immediately prior thereto; or (3) a failure to renew the Executive’s Employment Agreement at the time such Agreement expires, provided that the Executive was willing and able to execute a new Agreement providing terms and conditions substantially similar to those in the expiring Agreement and to continue working for the Company;  and

(2)  The Executive has given notice to the UIL Board stating that in the Executive’s opinion at least one of the Constructive Termination Events has occurred and setting forth in reasonable detail the relevant facts, and such notice was given within thirty-one (31) days of the occurrence of the Constructive Termination Event; and

(3)  The Company shall have failed to remedy or otherwise cure the situation within thirty-one (31) days after receipt of the notice.

(ii)   Breach by the Company, during Change of Control Protective Period .  If the Executive is not in default of any of the Executive’s obligations under Section (2), (9), (10), (11) or (12) hereof, the Executive may terminate employment hereunder on account of a Constructive Termination in accordance with the UIL CIC Plan II.

(iii)   In the absence of Breach by the Company .  If the Executive is not in default of any of the Executive’s obligations under Section (2), (9), (10), (11) or (12) hereof, the Executive may terminate employment in the absence of a Breach by the Company, effective upon at least ninety (90) days prior written notice.

5.   The initial paragraph of Section (6)(c) of the Agreement is hereby revised to provide as follows:

(c)   Upon Termination Without Cause or a Constructive Termination prior to a Change in Control .   If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause or if the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder on account of a Constructive Termination, and in either case the termination constitutes an Involuntary Separation from Service within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(n) and is not upon a Change in Control or within the Change in Control Protective Period, the Company shall pay or provide (as applicable) to the Executive, all of the following:

6.   Subsection (6)(c)(v) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to read as follows:

(v)  benefits under the Company’s health care plans during the COBRA continuation period on the same terms as are then available to active employees of the Company.

 
 
3

 
 
7.   Subsection (6)(c)(vi) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to read as follows:
 
(vi)  the addition of two (2) years of service deemed as an Employee of the Company in the calculation of the entitlement to and benefits payable under the Company’s retiree medical benefit plan.

8.   New Subsection (6)(c)(vii) of the Agreement is hereby added, to read as follows:

(vii)  a supplemental lump sum payment that is actuarially equivalent to the amount by which the value of the Executive’s accrued benefit under The United Illuminating Company Pension Plan would have increased had the Executive been credited with two (2) additional years of credited service for purposes of calculation of benefits payable under the Pension Plan.

9.   Subsection (6)(d) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(d)   Separation from Service .   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no compensation constituting severance or deferred compensation shall be paid under this Agreement upon a termination of employment or termination of service unless such termination of employment or termination of service constitutes a Separation from Service as defined in the UIL CIC Plan II.

10.   Subsection (6)(e) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(e)   Timing of Payment .   Any cash amount that is due and owing to the Executive upon a termination of service pursuant to Section (6) or Section (7) (other than pursuant to the UIL CIC Plan II) will be paid on the thirtieth (30 th ) day following the Executive’s Separation from Service and in no event may the Executive designate the timing or year of payment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, (i) any Stub-Period Incentive Compensation shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan or program and such incentive compensation and that portion of any severance payment that is based on such incentive compensation shall be paid at the same time that such incentive compensation generally would be payable to all other employees, but in no event later than March 15 th of the calendar year following the end of the performance period to which such incentive compensation relates; (ii) any long-term incentive compensation shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan or program and such incentive compensation shall be paid at the same time that such incentive compensation generally would be payable to all other employees, but in no event later than March 15 th of the calendar year following the end of the performance period to which such compensation relates; and (iii) any qualified or non-qualified deferred compensation payable pursuant to the terms of a plan of the Company shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan.

11.   The first paragraph of Section (7)(a) of the Employment Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:


 
4

 

(7)           CHANGE IN CONTROL

(a)  If on, or within twenty-four (24) months following, a Change in Control, the Company (or its successor or other entity employing the Executive following such Change in Control) either terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause or fails to renew this Agreement on substantially identical terms, or if the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment on account of a Constructive Termination (as defined in the UIL CIC Plan II), and in any such case the termination constitutes an Involuntary Separation from Service within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(n), then the Executive shall be entitled to the following:

12.   Subsection (7)(a)(iv) of the Agreement (including the second, flush paragraph thereof) is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(iv) those payments, and benefits, if any, to which the Executive is entitled by reason of having been designated a Participant in the UIL CIC Plan II.  The severance payments, pension supplements and other benefit provisions under the UIL CIC Plan II shall be controlling and shall supplant the payments and benefits to which the Executive would be otherwise be entitled under Section (6)(c)(iv), (v), (vi) and (vii) of this Agreement; expressly provided, however, that if the severance benefit provided for in Section (6)(c)(iv), taking into account Section (11)(b) of this Agreement, exceeds the value of the analogous severance benefit provided under the UIL CIC Plan II, then the amount of the severance benefit paid under the UIL CIC Plan II shall be determined as provided in Section (6)(c)(iv), taking into account Section (11)(b) of this Agreement.

13.   Section (9) of the Agreement is revised in its entirety to read as follows:

(9)            GROSS UP FOR EXCISE TAX .

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the UIL CIC Plan II, and conditioned upon the Executive providing the release called for in Section (6)(f) and complying with the confidentiality and non-compete provisions of this Agreement, in the event that it shall be determined that any payment made and benefits provided by the Company or UIL to or for the Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the UIL CIC Plan II or otherwise, would constitute an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code subject to an excise tax under Code Section 4999 (or any successor provisions) (the “Excise Tax”), the Executive shall be paid an additional amount (the “Gross-Up Payment”) which shall be calculated as the amount needed to reimburse the Executive for the Excise Tax and the additional excise, income and employment taxes imposed on the Executive due to the Company’s payment of the Excise Tax, so that the net amount retained by Executive after deduction of any Excise Tax, and any federal, state and local income and employment tax (including any Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment itself) shall be equal to the total amount of all payments and benefits to which the Executive would be entitled from the Company absent the Excise Tax, but net of all applicable federal, state and local taxes.  Unless

 
5

 

otherwise agreed to by the Executive, the calculation and administration of the Gross-Up Payment shall be in accordance with the terms of the UIL CIC Plan II, as in effect on August 4, 2008, and applicable Treasury regulations.

14.   Section (11)(b) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(b)  The Executive acknowledges and agrees that, of the total payments and benefits to which he would be entitled under Section (6)(c) (termination of the Executive without Cause) of this Agreement an amount equal to one (1) times his Target Total Remuneration (or, if less, the lump sum severance amount that would be payable to the Executive under Section (6)(c) absent this adjustment) shall be deemed to be on account of, and paid as consideration for, the covenant not to compete provided in this Section.  The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the amount attributable to this covenant shall be paid out in twelve (12) equal, fixed monthly installments beginning with the month following the month in which the Executive’s Separation from Service occurs, and that such amount shall be deducted from, and not be in addition to, the amounts otherwise payable under Section (6)(c) of this Agreement.

In the event that benefits shall become payable under the UIL CIC Plan II rather than this Agreement, in addition to such amounts as may become payable under the UIL CIC Plan II on account of an Involuntary Separation from Service, an amount equal to one (1) times the Executive’s Target Total Remuneration (or, if less, the lump sum severance amount that would be payable to the Executive under the UIL CIC Plan II absent the deduction equal to Target Total Remuneration) shall be deemed to be on account of, and paid as consideration for, the covenant not to compete provided in this Section, and shall be paid ratably over the twelve (12) month period hereinbefore provided.

Target Total Remuneration shall be defined as the sum of the following components of the Executive’s remuneration as most recently approved by the Compensation and Executive Development Committee of the Board prior to the date of the Executive’s termination: (1) Base Salary, (2) target annual short-term incentive award, and (3) target long-term incentive award.

In the event that the Company determines that this covenant has been violated, no further payments shall be made under this Section, the Executive shall be obligated immediately to repay any amounts paid hereunder, and the Company shall have all of the rights and remedies provided under Section (13) of this Agreement.  Payments hereunder shall be subject to the rabbi trust deposit requirements of Section (8).

In the event any payments are made in accordance with this Section (11)(b), payments shall be made in equal, fixed monthly installments beginning with the month following the month in which the Executive’s Separation from Service occurs.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the value of the payments to be made in accordance with this Section (11)(b) exceeds two times the lesser of the Executive’s annualized compensation or the maximum amount that may be taken into account for qualified plan purposes (in each case determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-

 
6

 

1(b)(9)(iii)(A)), the excess shall be not be paid prior to the first business day of the month following the date that is six months after the Executive’s Separation from Service date, at which time that portion of the excess amount that would have otherwise been paid in the preceding six months shall be paid in a single lump sum.  No interest or earnings shall be paid on the excess amount for which payment is delayed.  In no event may the Executive designate the timing or year of any payment made pursuant to this Section (11)(b) or accelerate or delay any such payment, nor shall any such payment be made later than the last day of the second taxable year of the Executive following the taxable year in which occurs the Executive’s separation from service.  In the event of the Executive’s death, amounts otherwise payable hereunder shall be paid to the Executive’s estate.

15.   Section (13)(c) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(c)   Binding Agreement; Assignment .

 
(i)  The Company will require the acquirer of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company (whether directly or indirectly, by purchase of stock or assets, merger, consolidation or otherwise), by agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Executive, to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.  As used in this Section, the term the “Company” shall include   The United Illuminating Company, UIL Holdings Corporation, and any successor to, or acquirer of, the business or assets of the Company that executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section (13)(c) or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.
 

(ii)  This Agreement, and the Executive’s rights and obligations hereunder, may not be assigned by the Executive.  Any attempted assignment of this Agreement by the Executive shall be void and of no force and effect.  This Agreement and all rights of the Executive hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.

16.   New Subsection (13)(j) is hereby added to the Agreement to provide as follows:

(j)   Code Section 409A Compliance .   The parties hereto recognize that certain provisions of this Agreement may be affected by Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and guidance issued thereunder, and agree to amend this Agreement, or take such other action as may be necessary or advisable, to comply with Section 409A.  It is intended that all payments hereunder shall comply with Section 409A and the regulations promulgated thereunder so as to not subject the Executive to payment of interest or any additional tax under Section 409A.  In furtherance thereof, if payment or provision of any amount or benefit hereunder (including any transfer to a “rabbi” trust or similar funding

 
7

 

entity) that is subject to Section 409A at the time specified herein would subject such amount or benefit to any additional tax under Section 409A, the payment or provision of such amount or benefit shall be postponed to the earliest date on which the payment or provision of such amount or benefit could be made without incurring such additional tax.  In addition, to the extent that any regulations or other guidance issued under Section 409A (after application of the previous provisions of this Section (13)(j)) would result in the Executive’s being subject to the payment of interest or any additional tax under Section 409A, the parties agree, to the extent reasonably possible, to amend this Agreement in order to avoid the imposition of any such interest or additional tax under Section 409A, which amendment shall have the minimum economic effect necessary and be reasonably determined in good faith by the Company and the Executive.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, it is expressly understood that at any time the Company (or any related employer treated with the Company as the service recipient for purposes of Code Section 409A) is publicly traded on an established securities market (as defined for purposes of Code Section 409A), if a payment or provision of an amount or benefit constituting a deferral of compensation is to be made pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to the Executive on account of a Separation from Service (as defined under the UIL CIC Plan II) at a time when the Executive is a Specified Employee (as defined for purposes of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i)), such deferred compensation shall not be paid to the Executive prior to the date that is six (6) months after the Separation from Service.  In the event this restriction applies, the deferred compensation that the Executive would have otherwise been entitled to during the restriction period will be accumulated and paid (without adjustment for the delay in payment) on the first business day of the seventh month following the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service.

The parties hereto intend that the Agreement, as amended, be consistent with IRS Notice 2007-78, IRS Notice 2007-86 and other Code Section 409A transition relief, and it shall be interpreted accordingly.

All of the other terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

                                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY


Attest:
 
By             /s/ James P. Torgerson                        
  /s/ Angel Bruno  
James P. Torgerson
   
UIL Holdings Corporation, President and
   
Chief Financial Officer
   
The United Illuminating Company
   
Chief Executive Officer
     
     
   
 /s/ Richard J. Nicholas                                                                                                     
   
Richard J. Nicholas
 
8



EXHIBIT 10.26a

FIRST AMENDMENT
TO
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This amendment (the “First Amendment”) is made the 4th day of August, 2008, between UIL Holdings Corporation, a Connecticut Corporation (the “Company”) and James P. Torgerson (the “Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Company previously entered into an Employment Agreement with the Executive dated as of January 23, 2006 (the “Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, in light of changes to the law concerning severance and deferred compensation, including Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and related Treasury Regulations, the Company and the Executive wish to amend the Agreement by this First Amendment to clarify certain provisions in the event the Executive’s employment is involuntarily terminated, and to make other minor, clarifying revisions to the Agreement,

NOW THEREFORE, the following Sections of the Agreement are hereby amended as follows:

1.           The third sentence of Section (1)(b) of the Agreement is deleted.

2.           The last paragraph of Section (4)(b) of the Agreement is revised to read as follows:

The Executive’s “Stub-Period Incentive Compensation” shall mean the annual short-term incentive compensation being earned in the year in which the Executive terminates employment, pro-rated for the year in which he terminates service, and shall be equal to that short-term annual incentive compensation payment to which the Executive would be entitled, if any, under the terms of the Company’s executive incentive compensation plan, calculated as if he had been employed by the Company on the last day of the year including his Date of Termination, based on actual performance with respect to the achievement of UIL and Company goals (collectively referred to as “Company goals”), multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days which have elapsed in such year through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is 365.  UIL shall determine in its discretion the composition of the Executive’s scorecard.  In the event that the ‘gate’, if any, is not achieved with respect to Company goals, then no Stub-Period Incentive Compensation will be paid.  Any Stub-Period Incentive Compensation payable upon termination of the Executive shall be paid in accordance with Section (6)(e) of this Agreement.

3.           The first sentence of Section (4)(c) of the Agreement is revised to provide as follows:

The Executive shall be designated by the UIL Board as an individual covered by the UIL Holdings Corporation Change in Control Severance Plan II of the Company (the “UIL CIC


 
 

 

Plan II”), subject to all of the terms and provisions of the UIL CIC Plan II, as it may be amended from time to time.

4.           Section (5)(d) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(d)   Termination by Executive .

 
(i)   Breach by the Company, not during Change of Control Protective Period .  If the Executive is not in default of any of the Executive’s obligations under Section (2), (9), (10) or (11) hereof, the Executive may terminate employment hereunder on account of a Constructive Termination in accordance with this Section (5)(d)(i).  For purposes of this Agreement, a Constructive Termination means:
 
 
(1)  a Separation from Service (as defined for purposes of the UIL CIC Plan II) within ninety (90) days of the initial occurrence of one of the following events arising without the consent of the Executive (a “Constructive Termination Event”):
 
 
(A) A material diminution in the Executive’s annual base salary rate, unless such reduction is part of, and consistent with, a general reduction of the compensation rates of all employees of the Company or of the Executive’s business unit;
 
 
(B) Except as provided in Section (2)(b), a material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities, including the assignment of duties materially inconsistent in any adverse respect with such Executive’s position, duties, responsibilities and status with the Company immediately prior thereto, or diminishment in such Executive’s management responsibilities, duties or powers as in effect immediately prior thereto, or the removal from or failure to re-elect such Executive to any such position or office;
 
 
(C) A requirement that the Executive relocate his principal place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles from the Company’s current executive offices in New Haven, Connecticut; or
 
 
(D) Any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of the Agreement, including (1) a failure to include the Executive in the management salary compensation programs then in effect on substantially the same terms and conditions as that applicable to the other officers or similarly situated executives of the Company; (2) a failure to continue the Executive’s participation in the material benefit plans of the Company on substantially the same basis, both in terms of the amount of benefits provided (other than due to the Company’s stock price performance, provided such performance is a relevant criterion in determining the amount of benefits) and the level of the
 

 
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Executive’s participation relative to other officers or similarly situated executives of such Company, as that in effect immediately prior thereto; or (3) a failure to renew the Executive’s Employment Agreement at the time such Agreement expires, provided that the Executive was willing and able to execute a new Agreement providing terms and conditions substantially similar to those in the expiring Agreement and to continue working for the Company;  and
 

(2)  The Executive has given notice to the UIL Board stating that in the Executive’s opinion at least one of the Constructive Termination Events has occurred and setting forth in reasonable detail the relevant facts, and such notice was given within thirty-one (31) days of the occurrence of the Constructive Termination Event; and

(3)  The Company shall have failed to remedy or otherwise cure the situation within thirty-one (31) days after receipt of the notice.

(ii)   Breach by the Company, during Change of Control Protective Period .  If the Executive is not in default of any of the Executive’s obligations under Section (2), (9), (10) or (11) hereof, the Executive may terminate employment hereunder on account of a Constructive Termination in accordance with the UIL CIC Plan II.

(iii)   In the absence of Breach by the Company .  If the Executive is not in default of any of the Executive’s obligations under Section (2), (9), (10) or (11) hereof, the Executive may terminate employment in the absence of a Breach by the Company, effective upon at least ninety (90) days prior written notice.

5.           The initial paragraph of Section (6)(c) of the Agreement is hereby revised to provide as follows:

(c)   Upon Termination Without Cause or a Constructive Termination prior to a Change in Control .   If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause or if the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder on account of a Constructive Termination, and in either case the termination constitutes an Involuntary Separation from Service within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(n) and is not upon a Change in Control or within the Change in Control Protective Period, the Company shall pay or provide (as applicable) to the Executive, all of the following:

6.           The initial phrase of Subsection (6)(c)(iv) of the Agreement is hereby revised to provide as follows:

(iv)  lump sum severance equal to one (1) times the sum of:

 
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7.           Subsection (6)(c)(v) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(v)  benefits under the Company’s healthcare plans during the COBRA continuation period on the same terms as are then available to active employees of the Company.

8.           Section (6)(c) of the Agreement is hereby revised by the addition of a new paragraph at the end thereof, after subsection (6)(c)(v), as follows:

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Involuntary Separation from Service is due to a non-renewal of this Agreement, (A) the lump sum severance amount payable under subsection (iv) shall not be paid, but, in lieu thereof, lump sum severance equal to six (6) months of the Executive’s annual Base Salary rate in effect immediately prior to the Executive’s Date of Termination shall be paid, and (B) the subsidized medical and dental benefits of subsection (v) shall not be provided.

9.           Subsection (6)(d) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(d)   Separation from Service .   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no compensation constituting severance or deferred compensation shall be paid under the Agreement upon a termination of employment or termination of service unless such termination of employment or termination of service constitutes a Separation from Service as defined in the UIL CIC Plan II.

10.           Subsection (6)(e) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(e)   Timing of Payment .   Any cash amount that is due and owing to the Executive upon a termination of service pursuant to Section (6) or Section (7) (other than pursuant to the UIL CIC Plan II) will be paid on the thirtieth (30 th ) day following the Executive’s Separation from Service and in no event may the Executive designate the timing or year of payment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, (i) any Stub-Period Incentive Compensation shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan or program and such incentive compensation and that portion of any severance payment that is based on such incentive compensation shall be paid at the same time that such incentive compensation generally would be payable to all other employees, but in no event later than March 15 th of the calendar year following the end of the performance period to which such incentive compensation relates; (ii) any long-term incentive compensation shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan or program and such incentive compensation shall be paid at the same time that such incentive compensation generally would be payable to all other employees, but in no event later than March 15 th of the calendar year following the end of the performance period to which such compensation relates; and (iii) any qualified or non-qualified deferred compensation payable pursuant to the terms of a plan of the Company shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan.

 
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11.           The first paragraph of Section (7)(a) of the Employment Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(7)           CHANGE IN CONTROL

(a)  If on, or within twenty-four (24) months following, a Change in Control, the Company (or its successor or other entity employing the Executive following such Change in Control) either terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause or fails to renew this Agreement on substantially identical terms, or if the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment on account of a Constructive Termination (as defined in the UIL CIC Plan II), and in any such case the termination constitutes an Involuntary Separation from Service within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(n), then the Executive shall be entitled to the following:

12.           Subsection (7)(a)(iv) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(iv) those payments, and benefits, if any, to which the Executive is entitled by reason of having been designated a Participant in the UIL CIC Plan II.  The severance payments, pension supplements and other benefit provisions under the UIL CIC Plan II shall be controlling and shall supplant the payments and benefits to which the Executive would be otherwise be entitled under Section (6)(c)(iv) and (v) of this Agreement; expressly provided, however, that if the severance benefit provided for in Section (6)(c)(iv) exceeds the value of the analogous severance benefit provided under the UIL CIC Plan II, then the amount of the severance benefit paid under the UIL CIC Plan II shall be determined as provided in Section (6)(c)(iv) hereof.

13.           Section (8) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(8)           GROSS UP FOR EXCISE TAX

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the UIL CIC Plan II, and conditioned upon the Executive providing the release called for in Section (6)(f) and complying with the confidentiality and non-compete provisions of this Agreement, in the event that it shall be determined that any payment made and benefits provided by the Company to or for the Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the UIL CIC Plan II or otherwise, would constitute an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code subject to an excise tax under Code Section 4999 (or any successor provisions) (the “Excise Tax”), the Executive shall be paid an additional amount (the “Gross-Up Payment”) which shall be calculated as the amount needed to reimburse the Executive for the Excise Tax and the additional excise, income and employment taxes imposed on the Executive due to the Company’s payment of the Excise Tax, so that the net amount retained by the Executive after deduction of any Excise Tax, and any federal, state or local income and employment tax (including any Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment itself), shall be equal to the total amount of all payments and benefits to which

 
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the Executive would be entitled absent the Excise Tax, but net of all applicable federal, state and local taxes.  Unless otherwise agreed to by the Executive, the calculation and administration of the Gross-Up Payment shall be in accordance with the terms of the UIL CIC Plan II as in effect on August 4, 2008, and applicable Treasury regulations.

14.           Section (10) of the Agreement is hereby revised by designating the existing provisions as subsection (a), designating the existing paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) as paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) respectively, and adding new subsection (b) as follows:

(b)  In the event that benefits shall become payable under the UIL CIC Plan II on account of an Involuntary Separation from Service, the Executive acknowledges and agrees that, in addition to such amounts as may become payable under the UIL CIC Plan II, an amount equal to one (1) times the Executive’s Target Total Remuneration (or, if less, the lump sum severance amount that would be payable to the Executive under the UIL CIC Plan II absent the deduction equal to Target Total Remuneration) shall be deemed to be on account of, and paid as consideration for, the covenant not to compete provided in this Section.  The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the amount attributable to this covenant shall be paid out in twelve (12) equal, fixed monthly installments beginning with the month following the month in which the Executive’s Separation from Service occurs.  In addition and paid at the same time as the fixed monthly installments, the Executive shall be entitled to simple interest on the amount attributable to this covenant that has not yet been paid.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the value of the monthly payments to be made in accordance with this Section (10)(b) exceeds two times the lesser of the Executive’s annualized compensation or the maximum amount that may be taken into account for qualified plan purposes (in each case determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)), the excess shall not be paid prior to the first business day of the month following the date that is six months after the Executive’s Separation from Service date, at which time that portion of the excess amount that would have otherwise been paid in the preceding six months, plus interest, shall be paid in a single lump sum.  Interest shall be credited at the prime rate of Citibank, N.A, its successor, or any other bank approved by the Board for such purpose, in effect on the first day of the month of payment.

Target Total Remuneration shall be defined as the sum of the following components of the Executive’s remuneration as most recently approved by the Compensation and Executive Development Committee of the Board prior to the date of the Executive’s termination: (1) Base Salary, (2) target annual short-term incentive award, and (3) target long-term incentive award.

In no event may the Executive designate the timing or year of any payment made pursuant to this Section (10)(b) or accelerate or delay any such payment, nor shall any such payment be made later than the last day of the second taxable year of the Executive following the taxable year in which occurs the Executive’s Separation from Service.  In the event of the Executive’s death, amounts otherwise payable hereunder shall be paid to the Executive’s estate.

 
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15.           Section (12)(c) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(c)   Successors; Binding Agreement; Assignment .

 
(i)  The Company will require the acquirer of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company (whether directly or indirectly, by purchase of stock or assets, merger, consolidation or otherwise), by agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Executive, to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.  As used in this Section, the term the “Company” shall include   The United Illuminating Company, UIL Holdings Corporation, and any successor to, or acquirer of, the business or assets of the Company that executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section (12)(c) or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.
 
(ii)  This Agreement, and the Executive’s rights and obligations hereunder, may not be assigned by the Executive.  Any attempted assignment of this Agreement by the Executive shall be void and of no force and effect.  This Agreement and all rights of the Executive hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.

16.           New Subsection (12)(j) is hereby added to the Agreement to provide as follows:

(j)   Code Section 409A Compliance .   The parties hereto recognize that certain provisions of this Agreement may be affected by Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and guidance issued thereunder, and agree to amend this Agreement, or take such other action as may be necessary or advisable, to comply with Section 409A.  It is intended that all payments hereunder shall comply with Section 409A and the regulations promulgated thereunder so as to not subject the Executive to payment of interest or any additional tax under Section 409A.  In furtherance thereof, if payment or provision of any amount or benefit hereunder that is subject to Section 409A at the time specified herein would subject such amount or benefit to any additional tax under Section 409A, the payment or provision of such amount or benefit shall be postponed to the earliest date on which the payment or provision of such amount or benefit could be made without incurring such additional tax.  In addition, to the extent that any regulations or other guidance issued under Section 409A (after application of the previous provisions of this Section (12)(j)) would result in the Executive’s being subject to the payment of interest or any additional tax under Section 409A, the parties agree, to the extent reasonably possible, to amend this Agreement in order to avoid the imposition of any such interest or additional tax under Section 409A, which amendment shall have the minimum economic effect necessary and be reasonably determined in good faith by the Company and the Executive.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, it is expressly understood that at any time the Company (or any related employer treated with the Company as the service

 
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recipient for purposes of Code Section 409A) is publicly traded on an established securities market (as defined for purposes of Code Section 409A), if a payment or provision of an amount or benefit constituting a deferral of compensation is to be made pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to the Executive on account of a Separation from Service (as defined under the UIL CIC Plan II) at a time when the Executive is a Specified Employee (as defined for purposes of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i)), such deferred compensation shall not be paid to the Executive prior to the date that is six (6) months after the Separation from Service.  In the event this restriction applies, the deferred compensation that the Executive would have otherwise been entitled to during the restriction period will be accumulated and paid (without adjustment for the delay in payment) on the first business day of the seventh month following the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service.

The parties hereto intend that the Agreement, as amended, be consistent with IRS Notice 2007-78, IRS Notice 2007-86 and other Code Section 409A transition relief, and it shall be interpreted accordingly.


All of the other terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.


                                             UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION


Attest:
 
By                        /s/ John L. Lahey            
/s/ Angel Bruno
   
   
Chair, Compensation and Executive
   
Development Committee
   
Board of Directors
   
UIL Holdings Corporation
     
   
/s/ James P. Torgerson                                                                                         
   
James P. Torgerson
 
 
 8



EXHIBIT 10.28a


UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

________________________________

CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE PLAN II
Originally effective October 24, 2003
As amended and restated August 4, 2008

________________________________



ARTICLE I

Purpose of Plan

1.1           The purpose of the UIL Holdings Corporation Change in Control Severance Plan (“Plan”) is to provide the officers and certain other executive employees of UIL Holdings Corporation (“UIL”), The United Illuminating Company and any other wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of UIL (UIL and its subsidiaries each referred to herein as an “Employing Company” and collectively, along with any successor, as the “Company”) with appropriate assurances of continued income and other benefits for a reasonable period of time in the event that the individual’s employment with the Company is terminated under any of the circumstances described herein, thereby encouraging the continued attention and dedication of each such employee to the continued success of the Company.


ARTICLE II

Eligibility for Participation

2.1           The Board of Directors of UIL (the “UIL Board”) shall, from time to time and in its absolute discretion, (i) select the persons to be covered by the Plan (each a “Participant”), (ii) determine the classification and benefit levels applicable to such Participant, and (iii) direct that each Participant be notified of this selection and provided with a copy of the Plan.

2.2           Participation in the Plan shall not in any respect be deemed to grant the Participant a right to continued participation in the Plan; nor shall participation in the Plan be deemed to grant the Participant a right to continued employment by the Company.

 
 

 

2.3           A Participant may be a party to an employment agreement with an Employing Company that provides for the payment of severance and other benefits to such Participant under certain circumstances which constitute an Involuntary Separation from Service.  In the event that a Change in Control has occurred, as defined in this Plan, and thereafter the Participant experiences an Involuntary Separation from Service as described in Section 4.2, below, except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in the Participant’s employment agreement, benefits under this Plan shall be paid in lieu of the benefits to which the Participant would or may be entitled to on account of an Involuntary Separation from Service pursuant to the terms of the Participant’s employment agreement and in lieu of any benefits a Participant may be eligible for under any severance plan or policy of the Company that is generally applicable to employees of the Company.

2.4           Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Plan shall impair a Participant’s rights to (a) regular compensation and benefits through the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service; (b) deferred compensation and other employee benefits otherwise payable to a Participant in accordance with the terms of the Participant’s employment agreement and/or Company plans or arrangements on account of a Separation from Service which are not contingent on the Separation from Service being an Involuntary Separation from Service; or (c) compensation that is payable on account of a non-compete agreement (or comparable provisions in such Participant’s employment agreement), regardless of whether eligibility for such compensation shall arise either before or after a Change in Control.


ARTICLE III

Effect of Change in Control on Modification or Termination

3.1           Termination or suspension of the Plan, or any amendment of the Plan that impairs the rights of any Participant, occurring on or after a Change in Control, as defined herein, shall not take effect until twenty-four (24) months after the occurrence of such Change in Control.

3.2           Subject to Section 3.1, above, the UIL Board may, at any time and from time to time, remove a Participant from the Plan, or modify or amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the Plan, or suspend or terminate it entirely.


ARTICLE IV

Eligibility for Benefits

4.1           A “Change in Control” of UIL or any subsidiary (an “Employing Company”) occurs on the date on which any of the following events occur:  a change in the ownership of the Employing Company;  a change in the effective control of the

 
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Employing Company; and a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Employing Company.
 
(a)           A change in the ownership of the Employing Company occurs on the date on which any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of the Employing Company that, together with stock held by such person or group constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Employing Company.
 
 
(b)           A change in the effective control of the Employing Company occurs on the date on which either (i) a person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of the Employing Company possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Employing Company, taking into account all such stock acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition, or (ii) a majority of the members of the Employing Company’s Board of Directors is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of such Board of Directors prior to the date of the appointment or election, but only if no other corporation is a majority shareholder of the Employing Company.
 
 
(c)           A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of assets occurs on the date on which any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, other than a person or group of persons that is related to the Employing Company, acquires assets from the Employing Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Employing Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions, taking into account all such assets acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition.
 
 
(d)           An event constitutes a Change in Control with respect to a Participant only if the Participant performs services for the Employing Company that has experienced the Change in Control, or the Participant’s relationship to the affected Employing Company otherwise satisfies the requirements of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)(ii).
 
 
(e)           In determining whether a person or group has acquired a percentage of stock, stock of the Company held pursuant to the terms of an employee benefit plan of the Company (or any subsidiary thereof) in a suspense account or otherwise unallocated to a participant’s account shall be disregarded to the extent that expressing the applicable percentage as a fraction, such shares shall not be included in the numerator, but such shares will be included in the denominator.
 

 
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(f)           The determination as to the occurrence of a Change in Control shall be based on objective facts and in accordance with the requirements of Internal Revenue Service Code (“Code”) §409A.
 
4.2           If an Employing Company (or its successor) terminates a Participant’s employment involuntarily other than for Cause, as defined in Section 4.4 below, and under circumstances constituting an Involuntary Separation from Service, as defined in Section 4.3, below, during the 24-month period beginning on the date a Change in Control with respect to the Participant occurs, the benefits described in Article V hereof shall become payable to the Participant.  Likewise, if a Participant has an Involuntary Separation from Service after a Constructive Termination Event, as defined in Section 4.3, below, during the 24-month period beginning on the date a Change in Control with respect to the Participant occurs and the Participant’s Employing Company (or its successor) did not have Cause (as defined in Section 4.4, below) to terminate the Participant’s employment, the benefits described in Article V hereof shall become payable to the Participant.

4.3           Involuntary Separation from Service means a Separation from Service due to the independent exercise of the unilateral authority of the Participant’s Employing Company (or its successor) to terminate the Participant’s employment, other than due to the Participant’s implicit or explicit request, where the Participant was willing and able to continue working for the Employing Company (or its successor).
 
(a)           A voluntary Separation from Service will be treated as an Involuntary Separation from Service by the Company for purposes of this Plan if the Separation from Service occurs under the following circumstances:
 
 
(1) One (or more) of the following events arises without the consent of the Participant (a “Constructive Termination Event”):
 
 
(i)  A material diminution in the Participant’s annual Base Salary, unless such reduction is part of, and consistent with, a general reduction of the compensation rates of all employees of the Participant’s Employing Company;
 
 
(ii)  A material diminution in the Participant’s authority, duties, or responsibilities, including the assignment of duties inconsistent in any material adverse respect with such Participant’s position, duties, responsibilities and status with the Participant’s Employing Company immediately prior to the Change in Control, or material diminishment in such Participant’s management responsibilities, duties or powers as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, or the removal from or failure to re-elect such Participant to any such position or office;
 

 
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(iii)  A requirement that the Participant relocate his or her principal place of employment by more than seventy-five (75) miles from such location immediately prior to the Change in Control; or
 
 
(iv)  Any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Participant’s Employing Company (or its successor) of the agreement under which the Participant provides services, including (1) a failure to include the Participant in the management salary compensation programs then in effect on substantially the same terms and conditions as that applicable to the other officers or similarly situated executives of the Company; (2) a failure to continue the Participant’s participation in the material benefit plans of the Participant’s Employing Company (or its successor) on substantially the same basis, both in terms of the amount of benefits provided (other than due to the Company’s stock price performance, provided such performance is a relevant criterion in determining the amount of benefits) and the level of the Participant’s participation relative to other officers or similarly situated executives of the Company, as that in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control; (3) a failure to renew the Participant’s employment agreement at the time such agreement expires, provided that the Participant was willing and able to execute a new agreement providing terms and conditions substantially similar to those in the expiring agreement and to continue working for the Company; or (4) any successor to UIL fails to assume and adopt this Plan for a period of no less than twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control; and
 
 
(2)  Within thirty-one (31) days of the occurrence of the Constructive Termination Event the Participant has given notice to the UIL Board (or the governing board of its successor) stating that, in the Participant’s opinion, a Constructive Termination Event has occurred and setting forth in reasonable detail the relevant facts; and
 
 
(3)  The Company shall fail to remedy or otherwise cure the situation within thirty-one (31) days after receipt of the notice described in (2), above; and
 
 
(4)  The Separation from Service occurs within 90 days of the initial occurrence of the Constructive Termination Event; and
 
 
(5)  Until the Separation from Service, the Participant was willing and able to continue working for the Company and the Company did not have grounds to terminate the Participant’s employment for Cause.
 

 
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(b)           Whether an Involuntary Separation from Service has occurred will be determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(n).
 
 
(c)           “Separation from Service” means a Separation from Service within the meaning of Code §409A and related regulations.  The UIL Board (or its successor) will determine, in accordance with Code §409A, whether a Separation from Service has occurred.
 
 
(1)  A Participant incurs a Separation from Service upon termination of employment with the Company and all affiliates.  For purposes of determining whether another entity is an affiliate of the Company, common ownership of at least 50% shall be determinative.
 
 
(2)  Except in the case of an Participant on a bona fide leave of absence, a Participant is deemed to have incurred a Separation from Service if the Company and the Participant reasonably anticipated that the level of services to be performed by the Participant after a date certain would be reduced to 20% or less of the average services rendered by the Participant during the immediately preceding 36-month period (or the total period of employment, if less than 36 months), disregarding periods during which the Participant was on a bona fide leave of absence.
 
 
(3)  The UIL Board specifically reserves the right to determine whether a sale or other disposition of substantial assets to an unrelated party constitutes a Separation from Service with respect to a Participant providing services to the seller immediately prior to the transaction and providing services to the buyer after the transaction.  Such determination shall be made in accordance with the requirements of Code §409A.
 
4.4           For the purposes of the Plan, an Employing Company (or its successor) shall be deemed to have Cause to terminate a Participant’s employment only upon such Participant’s (A) commission of a serious crime, such as an act of fraud, misappropriation of funds, embezzlement, or a crime involving personal dishonesty or moral turpitude; or (B) willful failure of the Participant to substantially perform his or her duties (other than by reason of incapacity due to physical or mental illness or injury); or (C) misconduct that is demonstrably injurious to the Company or its affiliates.  The placement of an executive on paid leave for up to ninety (90) days pending a determination of whether or not there is a basis to terminate the executive for Cause will not constitute a Constructive Termination Event under Section 4.3.  Any termination of a Participant by his or her Employing Company (or its successor) for Cause shall be given in writing and shall specify the relevant facts and circumstances.

4.5           Except as provided in Section 4.3(a), in no event shall the voluntary resignation or retirement of a Participant give rise to any benefits under this Plan.

 
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ARTICLE V

Benefits

5.1           In the event of an Involuntary Separation from Service described in Sections 4.2 and 4.3, above, subject to Section 5.5, below, the Participant shall be entitled to receive benefits in accordance with Schedule A hereto (as amended from time to time).  Such benefits may consist of the following:

(a)  A lump sum severance payment based on the Participant’s (i) Base Salary, or (ii) Total Compensation.  For purposes of calculating the lump sum severance payment, Base Salary is determined as of the Participant’s Separation from Service date, and Total Compensation means the Participant’s Base Salary plus the target amount payable to such Participant under any annual short-term executive incentive compensation program of the Company in effect as of the Participant’s Separation from Service date.  If a lump sum severance payment shall become payable hereunder, it shall be paid on the thirtieth (30 th ) day following the Participant’s Separation from Service date.

(b)  Benefits under the Company’s healthcare plans during the COBRA continuation period on the same terms as are then available to active employees of the Participant’s Employing Company.

(c)  A supplemental lump sum payment in lieu of continued coverage under the Company’s life insurance, disability and other employee welfare and fringe benefit plans (other than healthcare plans subject to COBRA).  The amount of this supplemental payment shall be determined as a multiple of the estimated annual cost of providing replacement coverage, as determined by the UIL Board (or its successor) in its complete discretion.  The formula for determining a Participant’s benefit supplement payment shall be as provided on Schedule A.  If a lump sum benefit supplement payment shall become payable hereunder, it shall be paid on the thirtieth (30 th ) day following the Participant’s Separation from Service date.

(d)  Additional credited years of service for purposes of calculating benefits payable to the Participant under the Company’s retiree medical benefit plan(s).

(e)  A supplemental lump sum payment that is actuarially equivalent to the amount by which the value of the Participant’s accrued benefit under The United Illuminating Company Pension Plan would have increased had the Participant been credited with additional years of credited service for purposes of calculation of benefits payable under the Pension Plan.  If a lump sum supplemental pension payment shall become payable hereunder, it shall be paid on the thirtieth (30 th ) day following the Participant’s Separation from Service date.

 
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(f)  A tax “gross-up” payment if the Participant becomes subject to an excise tax under Code §4999 on account of any payments or benefits that are determined to constitute an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Code §280G.  If a tax gross-up payment becomes payable hereunder, it shall be calculated and paid as provided in Schedule B hereto.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except with respect to Participants who have been designated as eligible for a tax gross-up payment, as provided on Schedule A, if any portion of the payments that a Participant has the right to receive hereunder would constitute “excess parachute payments” (as defined in Code §280G) subject to the excise tax imposed by Code §4999, the amount otherwise payable under subsection (a), shall be reduced to the largest amount that will result in no portion of such excess parachute payments being subject to the excise tax imposed by Code §4999.

5.2           Unless otherwise expressly approved by the UIL Board (or its successor), no benefits shall be payable under the terms of this Plan to any individual who is covered by, and entitled to benefits under, another plan of the Company (or any affiliate) providing severance benefits upon a Change In Control.

5.3           In no event may a Participant designate the timing or year of any payment payable under this Plan.  All payments due under Subsections 5.1(a), (c) and (e) shall be made, if at all, by no later than the end of the “applicable 2-1/2 month period” described in Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(b)(4)(i)(A).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time that UIL (or its successor) or any related employer treated as the service recipient for purposes of Code §409A is publicly traded on an established securities market (as defined for purposes of Code §409A), if a distribution of amounts constituting a deferral of compensation is to be made pursuant to the terms of this Plan to a Specified Employee (as defined for purposes of Code §409A(a)(2)(B)(i)) on account of a Separation from Service, such deferred compensation shall not be paid to the Specified Employee prior to the date that is six months after the Separation from Service.  In the event this restriction applies, the deferred compensation that the Specified Employee would have otherwise been entitled to during the restriction period will be accumulated and paid (without adjustment for the delay in payment) on the first business day of the seventh month following the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service.

5.4           If any Participant who has become entitled to benefits under this Article V should die while any amounts are still payable to him or her hereunder, all such amounts shall be paid to the Participant’s estate.

5.5           All payments and obligations of the Company under this Plan shall be conditioned upon the execution and delivery by the Participant to the Company of a full and effective release by the Participant of any liability by the Company to the Participant in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company.

5.6           A Participant’s benefits that become payable hereunder shall be forfeited and discontinued if such Participant violates the terms of any agreement with the

 
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Company or Company policy relating to confidential information, non-competition or disclosure and assignment of inventions and discoveries, or if such Participant engages in conduct that is materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise, all as determined by the Company, in its sole discretion.


ARTICLE VI

General Provisions

6.1           Unless otherwise agreed to by the parties, any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with the Plan shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in New Haven, Connecticut, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect, and judgment may be entered on the arbitration award in any court having jurisdiction.

6.2           In the event that a Participant institutes any legal action to enforce his or her rights under the Plan, and provided that he or she is the prevailing party, such Participant shall be entitled to recover from the Company any actual and documented expenses for reasonable attorney’s fees and disbursements incurred by him or her.

6.3           Any notice or other communication pursuant to the Plan intended for a Participant shall be deemed given when personally delivered to such Participant or sent to such Participant by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, at such Participant’s residence address as it appears on the records of the Participant’s Employing Company (or its successor), or at such other address as such Participant shall have specified by notice to the Company in the manner herein provided.  Any notice or other communication pursuant to the Plan intended for the Participant’s Employing Company (or its successor) shall be deemed given when personally delivered to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of UIL (or its successor), or sent to the attention of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, at the Company’s headquarters at 157 Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut, or at such other address as the Company shall have specified by notice to all of the Participants in the manner herein provided.

6.4           A Participant may not assign, anticipate, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or alienate in any manner any interest arising under the Plan, nor shall any such interest be subject to attachment, bankruptcy proceedings or to any other legal processes or to the interference or control of creditors or others.

6.5           It is intended that the decisions of the UIL Board (or its successor) or its delegate shall be exclusive and final with respect to the interpretation or application of the Plan.  If any body of law should be used or applied in determining the meaning or effect of the Plan, it shall be the law of the State of Connecticut.

 
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6.6           In the event any provision of the Plan, if challenged, would be declared invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be construed and enforced as if it had been more narrowly drawn so as not to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected or impaired thereby.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has set his hand, this 4th day of August, 2008.

                                                   UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION, INC.

     
   
By:      /s/ James P. Torgerson                  
   
Its President & Chief Executive Officer
   
Duly Authorized


 
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SCHEDULE A
Part 1
Executive Officers
as of August 4, 2008

 

 
Name
Lump Sum Severance 1
Medical/ Dental (active employee terms)
Pension Supplement (lump sum) 2
Welfare Benefit Supplement (lump sum) 3
Retiree Medical Credit
Code §280G
Susan E. Allen
2X Total Compensation
subsidized during COBRA period
2 years
2X
2 years
Cut-back
Steven P. Favuzza
1.5X Total Compensation
subsidized during COBRA period
no
1.5X
1.5 years
Cut-back
Deborah C. Hoffman
1.5-2X Total Compensation 4
subsidized during COBRA period
no
1.5X
1.5 years
Cut-back
Richard J. Nicholas
2X Total Compensation, minus 1X Target Total Remuneration
subsidized during COBRA period
2 years
2X
2 years
Gross-up
Linda L. Randell
2X Base Salary, minus 1X Target Total Remuneration
subsidized during COBRA period
no
1X
not applicable
Gross-up
 
 

  1 Total Compensation is defined for purposes of the Plan as the Participant’s base salary plus the target amount payable to such employee under any annual short term executive incentive compensation program of the Company (or its successor) in effect as of the Participant’s Separation from Service date.  Target Total Remuneration is the sum of the following as most recently approved by the Compensation and Executive Development Committee of the Board prior to the Separation from Service: base salary, target annual short-term incentive award and target long-term incentive award.
 
2 Except as otherwise noted, the Pension Supplement is calculated as the difference between the pension benefit actually payable under the Company’s qualified Pension Plan and the pension benefit that would have been payable had the Participant been credited with the additional years of service shown above.
 
3 The Benefit Supplement is a fixed dollar amount, currently $5,500, multiplied by the multiplier shown above.
 
4 Ms. Hoffman’s lump sum severance payment is based on her years of service (0.08333 times years of service times Total Compensation), with a floor of 1.5 times her Total Compensation and a cap of 2 times her Total Compensation
 
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Name
Lump Sum Severance 1
Medical/ Dental (active employee terms)
Pension Supplement (lump sum) 2
Welfare Benefit Supplement (lump sum) 3
Retiree Medical Credit
Code §280G
Richard J. Reed
2X Total Compensation
subsidized during COBRA period
no
1.5X
1.5 years
Cut-back
James P. Torgerson
3X Base Salary, minus 1X Target Total Remuneration
subsidized during COBRA period
no
3X
not applicable
Gross-up
Anthony J. Vallillo
2X Total Compensation, minus 1X Target Total Remuneration
subsidized during COBRA period
2 years 5
2X
2 years
Gross-up




5 Mr. Vallillo has a special enhanced SERP benefit under the terms of his employment agreement.  If benefits become payable under this Plan, he will be credited with 2 years of additional service for purposes of his special SERP (subject to applicable limits thereunder), in lieu of the supplemental SERP benefit that may be payable hereunder.

 
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SCHEDULE B
TAX GROSS-UP PAYMENTS


1.           In the event a Participant becomes eligible for a tax gross-up payment pursuant to this Plan or the Participant’s employment agreement, on account of any payments or benefits constituting an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Code §280G and the imposition of an excise tax on the Participant under Code §4999 (the “Excise Tax”), the Participant shall be paid an amount (the “Gross-Up Payment”) which shall be calculated as the amount needed to reimburse the Participant for the Excise Tax and the additional excise, income and employment taxes imposed on the Participant due to the Company’s payment of the Excise Tax, so that the net amount retained by the Participant after deduction of any Excise Tax, and any federal, state or local income and employment tax (including any Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment itself), shall be equal to the total amount of all payments and benefits to which the Participant would be entitled pursuant to this Plan absent the Excise Tax, but net of all applicable federal, state and local taxes.  (For purposes of this Schedule B, the term “Participant” shall an include an employee who is entitled to a Gross-Up Payment pursuant to the terms of his or her employment agreement, regardless of whether such employee is also a Participant in this Plan.)

2.           The Gross-Up Payment, if any, shall be paid, at the discretion of the Company, directly to governmental authorities through tax withholding on the Participant’s behalf, or to the Participant as soon as practicable following the payment of the excess parachute payment, but in any event not later than 30 days immediately following such payment.

3.           Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 4, below, all determinations required to be made under this Schedule B, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by tax counsel appointed by UIL (or its successor) (the “Tax Counsel”), which shall provide its determinations and any supporting calculations both to the Company and the Participant within 10 business days of having made such determination.  The Tax Counsel shall consult with the Company’s benefit consultants and counsel in determining which payments to, or for the benefit of, the Participant are to be deemed to be “parachute payments” within the meaning of Code §280G(b)(2).   Any such determination by the Tax Counsel shall be final and binding upon the Company and the Participant.  All fees and expenses of the Tax Counsel (and, if applicable, benefits consultants or other counsel) shall be borne solely by the Company.  As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Code §4999 at the time of the initial determination by the Tax Counsel hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments, which will not have been made by the Company, should have been made (“Underpayment”).  In the event that it is ultimately determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in Paragraph 4, below, that the Participant is required to make a payment of Excise Tax, the Tax Counsel shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred, and any such Underpayment shall be paid by the

 
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Company to or for the benefit of the Participant within 30 days immediately following the underpayment determination.

4.           The Participant shall notify UIL (or its successor) (“the Corporation”) in writing of any claims by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Corporation of any, or any additional, Gross-Up Payment.  Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than 30 days after the Participant actually receives notice in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Corporation of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid.  The Participant shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which he gives such notice to the Corporation (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due).  If the Corporation notifies the Participant in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Participant shall:

(a)  give the Corporation any information reasonably requested by the Corporation relating to such claim;

(b)  take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Corporation shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney selected by the Corporation and reasonably acceptable to the Participant;

(c)  cooperate with the Corporation in good faith in order to contest such claim effectively; and

(d)  if the Corporation elects not to assume and control the defense of such claim, permit the Corporation to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;

provided, however, that the Corporation shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Participant harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses.  Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Paragraph 4, the Corporation shall have the right, at its sole option, to assume the defense of and control all proceedings in connection with such contest, in which case it may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may either direct the Participant to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Participant agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Corporation shall determine; provided, however, that if the Corporation directs the Participant to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Corporation shall advance the amount of such payment to the Participant, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and hold the Participant harmless, on an after-tax basis,

 
15

 

from any Excise Tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and further provided, that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Participant with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount.  Furthermore, the Corporation’s right to assume the defense of and control the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder, and the Participant shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

5.           If, after the receipt by the Participant of an amount advanced by the Corporation pursuant to Paragraph 4, the Participant becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Participant shall (subject to the Corporation’s complying with the requirements of Paragraph 4) promptly pay to the Corporation the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto).  If, after the receipt by the Participant of an amount advanced by the Corporation pursuant to Paragraph 4, a determination is made that the Participant shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim, and the Corporation does not notify the Participant in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid, and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

6.           Notwithstanding the foregoing, any and all payments made pursuant to this Schedule B shall be in accordance with Treasury Regulations §1.409A-3(i)(1)(v), including, but not limited to, the following:

(a)  Payments constituting reimbursements of the designated portions of the applicable taxes imposed on the Participant as a result of compensation paid or made available to the Participant will be made by the end of the Participant’s taxable year next following the taxable year in which the Participant remits the applicable taxes.

(b)  Payments constituting reimbursements of expenses incurred due to a tax audit or litigation addressing the existence or amount of a tax liability, whether federal, state or local shall be made by the end of the participant’s taxable year next following the taxable year in which the taxes that are the subject of the audit or litigation are remitted to the taxing authority, or where as a result of such audit or litigation no taxes are remitted, the end of the Participant’s taxable year following the Participant’s taxable year in which the audit is completed or there is a final and nonappealable settlement or other resolution of the litigation.

 
 
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EXHIBIT 10.34a

FIRST AMENDMENT
TO
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This amendment (the “First Amendment”) is made the 4th day of August, 2008, between UIL Holdings Corporation, a Connecticut Corporation (the “Company”) and Linda L. Randell (the “Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Company previously entered into an Employment Agreement with the Executive dated as of February 28, 2007 (the “Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, in light of changes to the law concerning severance and deferred compensation, including Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and related Treasury Regulations, the Company and the Executive wish to amend the Agreement by this First Amendment to clarify certain provisions in the event the Executive’s employment is involuntarily terminated, and to make other minor, clarifying revisions to the Agreement,

NOW THEREFORE, the following Sections of the Agreement are hereby amended as follows:

1.           The third sentence of Section (1)(b) of the Agreement is deleted.

2.           The last paragraph of Section (4)(b) of the Agreement is revised to read as follows:

The Executive’s “Stub-Period Incentive Compensation” shall mean the annual short-term incentive compensation being earned in the year in which the Executive terminates employment, pro-rated for the year in which she terminates service, and shall be equal to that short-term annual incentive compensation payment to which the Executive would be entitled, if any, under the terms of the Company’s executive incentive compensation plan, calculated as if she had been employed by the Company on the last day of the year including her Date of Termination, based on actual performance with respect to the achievement of UIL and Company goals (collectively referred to as “Company goals”), multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days which have elapsed in such year through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is 365.  UIL shall determine in its discretion the composition of the Executive’s scorecard.  In the event that the ‘gate’, if any, is not achieved with respect to Company goals, then no Stub-Period Incentive Compensation will be paid.  Any Stub-Period Incentive Compensation payable upon termination of the Executive shall be paid in accordance with Section (6)(e) of this Agreement.

3.           The first sentence of Section (4)(c) of the Agreement is revised to provide as follows:

The Executive shall be designated by the UIL Board as an individual covered by the UIL Holdings Corporation Change in Control Severance Plan II of the Company (the “UIL


 
 

 

CIC Plan II”), subject to all of the terms and provisions of the UIL CIC Plan II, as it may be amended from time to time.

4.           Section (5)(d) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(d)   Termination by Executive

(i)   Breach by the Company, not during Change of Control Protective Period .  If the Executive is not in default of any of the Executive’s obligations under Section (2), (9), (10) or (11) hereof, the Executive may terminate employment hereunder on account of a Constructive Termination in accordance with this Section (5)(d)(i).  For purposes of this Agreement, a Constructive Termination means:

(1) a Separation from Service (as defined for purposes of the UIL CIC Plan II) within ninety (90) days of the initial occurrence of one of the following events arising without the consent of the Executive (a “Constructive Termination Event”):

(A) A material diminution in the Executive’s annual base salary rate, unless such reduction is part of, and consistent with, a general reduction of the compensation rates of all employees of the Company or of the Executive’s business unit;

(B) Except as provided in Section (2)(b), a material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities, including the assignment of duties materially inconsistent in any adverse respect with such Executive’s position, duties, responsibilities and status with the Company immediately prior thereto, or diminishment in such Executive’s management responsibilities, duties or powers as in effect immediately prior thereto, or the removal from or failure to re-elect such Executive to any such position or office;

(C) A requirement that the Executive relocate her principal place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles from the Company’s current executive offices in New Haven, Connecticut; or

(D) Any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of the Agreement, including (1) a failure to include the Executive in the management salary compensation programs then in effect on substantially the same terms and conditions as that applicable to the other officers or similarly situated executives of the Company; (2) a failure to continue the Executive’s participation in the material benefit plans of the Company on substantially the same basis, both in terms of the amount of benefits provided (other than due to the Company’s stock price performance, provided such performance is a relevant

 
2

 

criterion in determining the amount of benefits) and the level of the Executive’s participation relative to other officers or similarly situated executives of such Company, as that in effect immediately
prior thereto; or (3) a failure to renew the Executive’s Employment Agreement at the time such Agreement expires, provided that the Executive was willing and able to execute a new Agreement providing terms and conditions substantially similar to those in the expiring Agreement and to continue working for the Company;  and

(2)  The Executive has given notice to the UIL Board stating that in the Executive’s opinion at least one of the Constructive Termination Events has occurred and setting forth in reasonable detail the relevant facts, and such notice was given within thirty-one (31) days of the occurrence of the Constructive Termination Event; and

(3)  The Company shall have failed to remedy or otherwise cure the situation within thirty-one (31) days after receipt of the notice.

(ii)   Breach by the Company, during Change of Control Protective Period .  If the Executive is not in default of any of the Executive’s obligations under Section (2), (9), (10) or (11) hereof, the Executive may terminate employment hereunder on account of a Constructive Termination in accordance with the UIL CIC Plan II.

(iii)   In the absence of Breach by the Company .  If the Executive is not in default of any of the Executive’s obligations under Section (2), (9), (10) or (11) hereof, the Executive may terminate employment in the absence of a Breach by the Company, effective upon at least ninety (90) days prior written notice.

5.           The initial paragraph of Section (6)(c) of the Agreement is hereby revised to provide as follows:

(c)   Upon Termination Without Cause or a Constructive Termination prior to a Change in Control .   If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause or if the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder on account of a Constructive Termination, and in either case the termination constitutes an Involuntary Separation from Service within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(n) and is not upon a Change in Control or within the Change in Control Protective Period, the Company shall pay or provide (as applicable) to the Executive, all of the following:

6.           The initial phrase of Subsection (6)(c)(iv) of the Agreement is hereby revised to provide as follows:

(iv)  lump sum severance equal to one (1) times the sum of:

 
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7.           Subsection (6)(c)(v) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(v)  benefits under the Company’s healthcare plans during the COBRA continuation period on the same terms as are then available to active employees of the Company.

8.           Section (6)(c) of the Agreement is hereby revised by the addition of a new paragraph at the end thereof, after subsection (6)(c)(v), as follows:

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Involuntary Separation from Service is due to a non-renewal of this Agreement, (A) the lump sum severance amount payable under subsection (iv) shall not be paid, but, in lieu thereof, lump sum severance equal to six (6) months of the Executive’s annual Base Salary rate in effect immediately prior to the Executive’s Date of Termination shall be paid, and (B) the subsidized medical and dental benefits of subsection (v) shall not be provided.

9.           Subsection (6)(d) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(d)   Separation from Service .   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no compensation constituting severance or deferred compensation shall be paid under the Agreement upon a termination of employment or termination of service unless such termination of employment or termination of service constitutes a Separation from Service as defined in the UIL CIC Plan II.

10.           Subsection (6)(e) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(e)   Timing of Payment .   Any cash amount that is due and owing to the Executive upon a termination of service pursuant to Section (6) or Section (7) (other than pursuant to the UIL CIC Plan II) will be paid on the thirtieth (30 th ) day following the Executive’s Separation from Service and in no event may the Executive designate the timing or year of payment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, (i) any Stub-Period Incentive Compensation shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan or program and such incentive compensation and that portion of any severance payment that is based on such incentive compensation shall be paid at the same time that such incentive compensation generally would be payable to all other employees, but in no event later than March 15 th of the calendar year following the end of the performance period to which such incentive compensation relates; (ii) any long-term incentive compensation shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan or program and such incentive compensation shall be paid at the same time that such incentive compensation generally would be payable to all other employees, but in no event later than March 15 th of the calendar year following the end of the performance period to which such compensation relates; and (iii) any qualified or non-qualified deferred compensation payable pursuant to the terms of a plan of the Company shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan.

 
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11.           The first paragraph of Section (7)(a) of the Employment Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(7)           CHANGE IN CONTROL

(a)  If on, or within twenty-four (24) months following, a Change in Control, the Company (or its successor or other entity employing the Executive following such Change in Control) either terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause or fails to renew this Agreement on substantially similar terms, or if the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment on account of a Constructive Termination (as defined in the UIL CIC Plan II), and in any such case the termination constitutes an Involuntary Separation from Service within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(n), then the Executive shall be entitled to the following:

12.           Subsection (7)(a)(iv) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(iv) those payments, and benefits, if any, to which the Executive is entitled by reason of having been designated a Participant in the UIL CIC Plan II.  The severance payments, pension supplements and other benefit provisions under the UIL CIC Plan II shall be controlling and shall supplant the payments and benefits to which the Executive would be otherwise be entitled under Section (6)(c)(iv) and (v) of this Agreement; expressly provided, however, that if the severance benefit provided for in Section (6)(c)(iv) exceeds the value of the analogous severance benefit provided under the UIL CIC Plan II, then the amount of the severance benefit paid under the UIL CIC Plan II shall be determined as provided in Section (6)(c)(iv) hereof.

13.           Section (8) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(8)           GROSS UP FOR EXCISE TAX

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the UIL CIC Plan II, and conditioned upon the Executive providing the release called for in Section (6)(f) and complying with the confidentiality and non-compete provisions of this Agreement, in the event that it shall be determined that any payment made and benefits provided by the Company to or for the Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the UIL CIC Plan II or otherwise, would constitute an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code subject to an excise tax under Code Section 4999 (or any successor provisions) (the “Excise Tax”), the Executive shall be paid an additional amount (the “Gross-Up Payment”) which shall be calculated as the amount needed to reimburse the Executive for the Excise Tax and the additional excise, income and employment taxes imposed on the Executive due to the Company’s payment of the Excise Tax, so that the net amount retained by the Executive after deduction of any Excise Tax, and any federal, state or local income and employment tax (including any Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment itself), shall be equal to the total amount of all payments and benefits to which

 
5

 

the Executive would be entitled absent the Excise Tax, but net of all applicable federal, state and local taxes.  Unless otherwise agreed to by the Executive, the calculation and
administration of the Gross-Up Payment shall be in accordance with the terms of the UIL CIC Plan II as in effect on August 4, 2008, and applicable Treasury regulations.

14.           Section (10) of the Agreement is hereby revised by designating the existing provisions as subsection (a), designating the existing paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) as paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) respectively, and adding new subsection (b) as follows:

(b)  In the event that benefits shall become payable under the UIL CIC Plan II on account of an Involuntary Separation from Service, the Executive acknowledges and agrees that, in addition to such amounts as may become payable under the UIL CIC Plan II, an amount equal to one (1) times the Executive’s Target Total Remuneration (or, if less, the lump sum severance amount that would be payable to the Executive under the UIL CIC Plan II absent the deduction equal to Target Total Remuneration) shall be deemed to be on account of, and paid as consideration for, the covenant not to compete provided in this Section.  The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the amount attributable to this covenant shall be paid out in twelve (12) equal, fixed monthly installments beginning with the month following the month in which the Executive’s Separation from Service occurs.  In addition and paid at the same time as the fixed monthly installments, the Executive shall be entitled to simple interest on the amount attributable to this covenant that has not yet been paid.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the value of the monthly payments to be made in accordance with this Section (10)(b) exceeds two times the lesser of the Executive’s annualized compensation or the maximum amount that may be taken into account for qualified plan purposes (in each case determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations §1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)), the excess shall not be paid prior to the first business day of the month following the date that is six months after the Executive’s Separation from Service date, at which time that portion of the excess amount that would have otherwise been paid in the preceding six months, plus interest, shall be paid in a single lump sum.  Interest shall be credited at the prime rate of Citibank, N.A, its successor, or any other bank approved by the Board for such purpose, in effect on the first day of the month of payment.

Target Total Remuneration shall be defined as the sum of the following components of the Executive’s remuneration as most recently approved by the Compensation and Executive Development Committee of the Board prior to the date of the Executive’s termination: (1) Base Salary, (2) target annual short-term incentive award, and (3) target long-term incentive award.

In no event may the Executive designate the timing or year of any payment made pursuant to this Section (10)(b) or accelerate or delay any such payment, nor shall any such payment be made later than the last day of the second taxable year of the Executive following the taxable year in which occurs the Executive’s Separation from Service.  In the event of the Executive’s death, amounts otherwise payable hereunder shall be paid to the Executive’s estate.

 
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15.           Section (12)(c) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(c)   Successors; Binding Agreement; Assignment .

 
(i)  The Company will require the acquirer of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company (whether directly or indirectly, by purchase of stock or assets, merger, consolidation or otherwise), by agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Executive, to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.  As used in this Section, the term the “Company” shall include   The United Illuminating Company, UIL Holdings Corporation, and any successor to, or acquirer of, the business or assets of the Company that executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section (12)(c) or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.
 

(ii)  This Agreement, and the Executive’s rights and obligations hereunder, may not be assigned by the Executive.  Any attempted assignment of this Agreement by the Executive shall be void and of no force and effect.  This Agreement and all rights of the Executive hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.

16.           Subsection (12)(f) is hereby is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(f) Code Section 409A Compliance .   The parties hereto recognize that certain provisions of this Agreement may be affected by Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and guidance issued thereunder, and agree to amend this Agreement, or take such other action as may be necessary or advisable, to comply with Section 409A.  It is intended that all payments hereunder shall comply with Section 409A and the regulations promulgated thereunder so as to not subject the Executive to payment of interest or any additional tax under Section 409A.  In furtherance thereof, if payment or provision of any amount or benefit hereunder that is subject to Section 409A at the time specified herein would subject such amount or benefit to any additional tax under Section 409A, the payment or provision of such amount or benefit shall be postponed to the earliest date on which the payment or provision of such amount or benefit could be made without incurring such additional tax.  In addition, to the extent that any regulations or other guidance issued under Section 409A (after application of the previous provisions of this Section (12)(f)) would result in the Executive’s being subject to the payment of interest or any additional tax under Section 409A, the parties agree, to the extent reasonably possible, to amend this Agreement in order to avoid the imposition of any such interest or additional tax under Section 409A, which amendment shall have the minimum economic effect necessary and be reasonably determined in good faith by the Company and the Executive.

 
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Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, it is expressly understood that at any time the Company (or any related employer treated with the Company as the service recipient for purposes of Code Section 409A) is publicly traded on an established securities market (as defined for purposes of Code Section 409A), if a payment or provision of an amount or benefit constituting a deferral of compensation is to be made pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to the Executive on account of a Separation from Service (as defined under the UIL CIC Plan II) at a time when the Executive is a Specified Employee (as defined for purposes of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i)), such deferred compensation shall not be paid to the Executive prior to the date that is six (6) months after the Separation from Service.  In the event this restriction applies, the deferred compensation that the Executive would have otherwise been entitled to during the restriction period will be accumulated and paid (without adjustment for the delay in payment) on the first business day of the seventh month following the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service.

The parties hereto intend that the Agreement, as amended, be consistent with IRS Notice 2007-78, IRS Notice 2007-86 and other Code Section 409A transition relief, and it shall be interpreted accordingly.


All of the other terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.


                                             UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Attest:
 
By             /s / James P. Torgerson                  
/s/ Angel Bruno
 
James P. Torgerson
   
UIL Holdings Corporation, President and
   
Chief Financial Officer
   
The United Illuminating Company
   
Chief Executive Officer
     
   
/s/ Linda L. Randell                                                                                                  
   
Linda L. Randell
 
 8



EXHIBIT 10.37c

THIRD AMENDMENT
TO
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This amendment (the “Third Amendment”) is made the 4th day of August, 2008, between The United Illuminating Company, a Connecticut Corporation (the “Company”) and Anthony J. Vallillo (the “Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Company previously entered into an amended and restated employment Agreement with the Executive dated as of January 26, 2004, a First Amendment thereto, dated November 18, 2004, and a second Amendment thereto, dated November 28, 2005, (collectively, the “Employment Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, in light of changes to the law concerning severance and deferred compensation, including Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and related Treasury Regulations, the Company and the Executive wish to amend the Agreement by this Third Amendment to clarify certain provisions in the event the Executive’s employment is involuntarily terminated, and to make other minor, clarifying revisions to the Agreement,

NOW THEREFORE, the following Sections of the Agreement are hereby amended as follows:

1.           The third sentence of Section (1)(b) of the Agreement is deleted.

2.           The second sentence of Section (2)(c) of the Agreement is revised to read as follows:

In the event that the Executive’s employment is not so continued, the Executive may be eligible for benefits on account of a Constructive Termination in accordance with the terms of the UIL CIC Plan II.

3.           The third paragraph of Section (4)(b) of the Agreement is revised to read as follows:

The Executive’s “Stub-Period Incentive Compensation” shall mean the annual short-term incentive compensation being earned in the year in which the Executive terminates employment, pro-rated for the year in which he terminates service, and shall be equal to that short-term annual incentive compensation payment to which the Executive would be entitled, if any, under the terms of the Company’s executive incentive compensation plan, calculated as if he had been employed by the Company on the last day of the year including his Date of Termination, based on actual performance with respect to the achievement of UIL and Company goals (collectively referred to as “Company goals”), multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days which have elapsed in such year through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is 365.  UIL shall determine in its discretion the composition of the Executive’s scorecard.  In the event that the ‘gate’, if any, is not achieved with respect to Company goals, then no Stub-Period Incentive Compensation will be paid.  Any Stub-Period Incentive


 
 

 

Compensation payable upon termination of the Executive shall be paid in accordance with Section (6)(e) of this Agreement.

4.           Section (4)(g) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(g)   Supplemental Executive Retirement Benefit .

(i) Benefit Formula .  Upon the Executive’s Separation from Service (as defined for purposes of The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan of the United Illuminating Company) other than for Cause (as defined in Section 5(b) of this Agreement), a supplemental retirement benefit shall be payable in accordance with the provisions of this Section (4)(g).  The annual supplemental retirement benefit, expressed in the form of a single life annuity beginning at the Executive’s Normal Retirement Date as defined in The United Illuminating Company Pension Plan (the “UI Pension Plan”), shall be the excess, if any, of (A) less (B), where (A) is 2.0% (.02) of the Executive’s highest three-year average Total Compensation times his number of years of service as an employee of the Company (including any deemed service credited under this Agreement or the CIC Plan II) at termination (not to exceed thirty years), and (B) is the benefit payable under the Company’s Pension Plan, where (A) and (B) are both expressed as a single life annuity commencing as of the Executive’s Normal Retirement Date.  For purposes of this Section, Total Compensation shall mean the Executive’s Base Salary, and any amount paid to the Executive as short-term incentive compensation pursuant to the Company’s annual executive incentive compensation plan. With the exception of the lump sum methodology noted below (i.e., the present value of an immediate annuity), the benefits payable under this Section (4)(g) shall be calculated using the same definitions of actuarial equivalence, and the same early retirement reduction factors that are specified in the Pension Plan in the event that the Executive becomes entitled to payment of the supplemental retirement benefit prior to what would have been his Normal Retirement Date, except that, in the event that the Executive is credited with deemed years of service, the reductions shall be based on the Executive’s service deemed as an employee of the Company.

(ii) Time and Form of Payment for Pre-2005 Accruals .  Distribution of the supplemental retirement benefit as accrued through December 31, 2004 shall be made in a single lump sum in the month of January following the Executive’s Separation from Service, but in no event earlier than the first business day of the month following the date that is six months after the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service (or, if earlier, the first business day of the month following the Executive’s date of death).  The pre-2005 accrual shall be the actuarially equivalent present value of the supplemental retirement benefit to which the Executive would be entitled under this Section (4)(g) if the Executive had voluntarily terminated service as of December 31, 2004 and received an actuarially equivalent lump sum equal to the present value of the immediate life annuity payable upon his termination of service.  Early retirement subsidies to which the Executive would not in fact be entitled as of December 31, 2004 because the Executive had not attained sufficient service shall not be included in determining the pre-2005 accrued benefit.

 
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(iii) Time and Form of Payment for Post-2004 Accruals .  Distribution of those portions of the supplemental retirement benefit that accrue after December 31, 2004 shall be in accordance with the terms of The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan of the United Illuminating Company, Non-Grandfathered Benefit Provisions (“UI SERP, Non-Grandfathered Benefits”) except that any lump sum shall be calculated as the present value of an immediate life annuity and prior to the beginning of any calendar year the Executive may elect the form of payment for the portion of the supplemental retirement benefit that may accrue in that calendar year from among the forms of benefit then available under the UI SERP, Non-Grandfathered Benefits.  Any such election shall apply for all subsequent calendar years unless a new, timely election is made prior to the beginning of a subsequent calendar year.  As of the date hereof, the Executive has elected to have accruals for calendar year 2005 paid in a single lump sum and accruals thereafter paid in the form of a modified joint and 50% survivor annuity which is actuarially reduced so that if the joint annuitant predeceases the Executive after the benefit has commenced, the monthly benefit will be adjusted to the monthly amount of a single life annuity form of benefit payment.

(iv)   Death of Executive .  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive has a Separation from Service on account of death, the pre-retirement death benefit provisions of the Pension Plan shall apply to the supplemental retirement benefit payable pursuant to this Section (4)(g).  If the Executive should die following his Separation from Service date, death benefits, if any, shall be payable to the Executive’s spouse or other beneficiary in accordance with the form of payment in effect at the time of the Participant’s death, provided, however, that any lump sum form of payment that has been elected but not yet paid to the Executive as of the Executive’s date of death will be paid to the Executive’s beneficiary at the same time and in the same amount as it would have been paid to the Executive had the Executive not died between the Executive’s Separation from Service date and the payment date of the lump sum benefit.

(v)   Administrative Matters .  Except to the extent otherwise expressly provided for in this Section (4)(g), administration of this benefit shall be in accordance with the provisions of the UI SERP, Non-Grandfathered Benefits.  All payments under this Section (4)(g) are conditioned upon the Executive executing the release provided for in Section (6)(f).

5.           Section (5)(d) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(d)   Termination by Executive .

 
(i)  If the Executive is not in default of any of the Executive’s obligations under Section (2), (10), (11) or (12) hereof, the Executive may terminate employment hereunder on account of a Constructive Termination in accordance with this Section (5)(d)(i).  For purposes of this Agreement, a Constructive Termination means:
 

 
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(1)  a Separation from Service (as defined for purposes of the UIL CIC Plan II) within ninety (90) days of the initial occurrence of one of the following events arising without the consent of the Participant (a “Constructive Termination Event”):
 
 
(A) A material diminution in the Participant’s annual base salary rate, unless such reduction is part of, and consistent with, a general reduction of the compensation rates of all employees of the Company or of the Executive’s business unit;
 
 
(B) Except as provided in Section (2)(b), a material diminution in the Participant’s authority, duties, or responsibilities, including the assignment of duties materially inconsistent in any adverse respect with such Participant’s position, duties, responsibilities and status with the Company immediately prior thereto, or diminishment in such Participant’s management responsibilities, duties or powers as in effect immediately prior thereto, or the removal from or failure to re-elect such Participant to any such position or office;
 
 
(C) A requirement that the Executive relocate his principal place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles from the Company’s current executive offices in New Haven, Connecticut; or
 
 
(D) Any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of the Agreement, including (1) a failure to include the Executive in the management salary compensation programs then in effect on substantially the same terms and conditions as that applicable to the other officers or similarly situated executives of the Company; (2) a failure to continue the Executive’s participation in the material benefit plans of the Company on substantially the same basis, both in terms of the amount of benefits provided (other than due to the Company’s stock price performance, provided such performance is a relevant criterion in determining the amount of benefits) and the level of the Executive’s participation relative to other officers or similarly situated executives of such Company, as that in effect immediately prior thereto; or (3) a failure to renew the Executive’s Employment Agreement at the time such Agreement expires, provided that the Executive was willing and able to execute a new Agreement providing terms and conditions substantially similar to those in the expiring Agreement and to continue working for the Company;  and
 

(2)  The Executive has given notice to the UIL Board stating that in the Executive’s opinion at least one of the Constructive Termination Events has occurred and setting forth in reasonable detail the relevant facts, and


 
4

 

such notice was given within thirty-one (31) days of the occurrence of the Constructive Termination Event; and

(3)  The Company shall fail to remedy or otherwise cure the situation within thirty-one (31) days after receipt of the notice.

(ii)   Breach by the Company, during Change of Control Protective Period .  If the Executive is not in default of any of the Executive’s obligations under Section (2), (10), (11) or (12) hereof, the Executive may terminate employment hereunder on account of a Constructive Termination in accordance with the UIL CIC Plan II.

(iii)   In the absence of Breach by the Company .  If the Executive is not in default of any of the Executive’s obligations under Section (2), (10), (11) or (12) hereof, the Executive may terminate employment in the absence of a Breach by the Company, effective upon at least ninety (90) days prior written notice.

6.           The initial paragraph of Section (6)(c) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(c)   Upon Termination Without Cause or a Constructive Termination prior to a Change in Control .   If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause or if the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder on account of a Constructive Termination, and in either case the termination constitutes an Involuntary Separation from Service within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(n) and is not upon a Change in Control or within the Change in Control Protective Period, the Company shall pay or provide (as applicable) to the Executive, the following:

7.           Subsection (6)(c)(v) is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(v)  Benefits under the Company’s healthcare plans during the COBRA continuation period on the same terms as are then available to active employees of the Company.

8.           Subsection (6)(d) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(d)   Separation from Service .   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no compensation constituting severance or deferred compensation shall be paid under this Agreement upon a termination of employment or termination of service unless such termination of employment or termination of service constitutes a Separation from Service as defined in the UIL CIC Plan II.

9.           Subsection 6(e) is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(e)   Timing of Payment .   Any cash amount that is due and owing to the Executive upon a termination of service pursuant to Section (6) or Section (7) (other than
 
 
5

 
 
pursuant to the UIL CIC Plan II) will be paid on the thirtieth (30 th ) day following the Executive’s Separation from Service and in no event may the Executive designate the timing or year of payment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, (i) any Stub-Period Incentive Compensation shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan or program and such incentive compensation and that portion of any severance payment that is based on such incentive compensation shall be paid at the same time that such incentive compensation generally would be payable to all other employees, but in no event later than March 15 th of the calendar year following the end of the performance period to which such incentive compensation relates; (ii) any long-term incentive compensation shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan or program and such incentive compensation shall be paid at the same time that such incentive compensation generally would be payable to all other employees, but in no event later than March 15 th of the calendar year following the end of the performance period to which such compensation relates; and (iii) any qualified or non-qualified deferred compensation payable pursuant to the terms of a plan of the Company shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan.

10.           The first paragraph of Section (7)(a) of the Agreement is hereby revised to read in its entirety as follows:

(7)           CHANGE IN CONTROL

(a)  If on, or within twenty-four (24) months following, a Change in Control, the Company (or its successor or other entity employing the Executive following such Change in Control) either terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause or fails to renew this Agreement on substantially identical terms, or if the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment on account of a Constructive Termination (as defined in the UIL CIC Plan II), and in any such case the termination constitutes an Involuntary Separation from Service within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(n), then the Executive shall be entitled to the following:

11.           Subsection (7)(a)(iv) of the Employment Agreement is hereby revised to read in its entirety as follows:

(iv) those payments, and benefits, if any, to which the Executive is entitled by reason of having been designated a Participant in the UIL CIC Plan II.  The severance payments, pension supplements and other benefit provisions under the UIL CIC Plan II shall be controlling and shall supplant the payments and benefits to which the Executive would be otherwise be entitled under Section (6)(c)(iv) and (v) of this Agreement; expressly provided, however, that if the severance benefit provided for in Section (6)(c)(iv), taking into account Section (11)(b) of this Agreement, exceeds the value of the analogous severance benefit provided under the UIL CIC Plan II, then the amount of the severance benefit paid under the UIL CIC Plan II shall be determined as provided in Section (6)(c)(iv), taking into account Section (11)(b) of this Agreement.

12.           Section (9) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

 
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(9)           GROSS UP FOR EXCISE TAX

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the UIL CIC Plan II, and conditioned upon the Executive providing the release called for in Section (6)(f) and complying with the confidentiality and non-compete provisions of this Agreement, in the event that it shall be determined that any payment made and benefits provided by the Company or UIL to or for the Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the UIL CIC Plan II or otherwise, would constitute an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code subject to an excise tax under Code Section 4999 (or any successor provisions) (the “Excise Tax”), the Executive shall be paid an additional amount (the “Gross-Up Payment”) which shall be calculated as the amount needed to reimburse the Executive for the Excise Tax and the additional excise, income and employment taxes imposed on the Executive due to the Company’s payment of the Excise Tax, so that the net amount retained by the Executive after deduction of any Excise Tax, and any federal, state or local income and employment tax (including any Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment itself), shall be equal to the total amount of all payments and benefits to which the Executive would be entitled absent the Excise Tax, but net of all applicable federal, state and local taxes.  Unless otherwise agreed to by the Executive, the calculation and administration of the Gross-Up Payment shall be in accordance with the terms of the UIL CIC Plan II as in effect on August 4, 2008, and applicable Treasury regulations.

13.           Section (11)(b) of the Employment Agreement, as amended by the First Amendment hereto, is hereby revised to read in its entirety:

(b)  The Executive acknowledges and agrees that, of the total payments and benefits to which he would be entitled under Section (6)(c) (termination of the Executive without Cause) of this Agreement, an amount equal to one (1) times his Target Total Remuneration (or, if less, the lump sum severance amount that would be payable to the Executive under Section (6)(c) absent this adjustment) shall be deemed to be on account of, and paid as consideration for, the covenant not to compete provided in this Section.  The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the amount attributable to this covenant shall be paid out in twelve (12) equal, fixed monthly installments beginning with the month following the month in which the Executive’s Separation from Service occurs, and that such amount shall be deducted from, and not be in addition to, the amounts otherwise payable under Section (6)(c) of this Agreement.

In the event that benefits shall become payable under the UIL CIC Plan II rather than this Agreement, in addition to such amounts as may become payable under the UIL CIC Plan II on account of an Involuntary Separation from Service, an amount equal to one (1) times the Executive’s Target Total Remuneration (or, if less, the lump sum severance amount that would be payable to the Executive under the UIL CIC Plan II absent the deduction equal to Target Total Remuneration) shall be deemed to be on account of, and


 
7

 

paid as consideration for, the covenant not to compete provided in this Section, and shall be paid ratably over the twelve (12) month period hereinbefore provided.

Target Total Remuneration shall be defined as the sum of the following components of the Executive’s remuneration as most recently approved by the Compensation and Executive Development Committee of the Board prior to the date of the Executive’s termination: (1) Base Salary, (2) target annual short-term incentive award, and (3) target long-term incentive award.

In the event that the Company determines that this covenant has been violated, no further payments shall be made under this Section, the Executive shall be obligated immediately to repay any amounts paid hereunder, and the Company shall have all of the rights and remedies provided under Section (13) of this Agreement.  Payments hereunder shall be subject to the rabbi trust deposit requirements of Section (8).

In the event any payments are made in accordance with this Section (11)(b), payments shall be made in equal, fixed monthly installments beginning with the month following the month in which the Executive’s Separation from Service occurs.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the value of the payments to be made in accordance with this Section (11)(b) exceeds two times the lesser of the Executive’s annualized compensation or the maximum amount that may be taken into account for qualified plan purposes (in each case determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)), the excess shall be not be paid prior to the first business day of the month following the date that is six months after the Executive’s Separation from Service date, at which time that portion of the excess amount that would have otherwise been paid in the preceding six months shall be paid in a single lump sum.  No interest or earnings shall be paid on the excess amount for which payment is delayed.  In no event may the Executive designate the timing or year of any payment made pursuant to this Section (11)(b) or accelerate or delay any such payment, nor shall any such payment be made later than the last day of the second taxable year of the Executive following the taxable year in which occurs the Executive’s separation from service.  In the event of the Executive’s death, amounts otherwise payable hereunder shall be paid to the Executive’s estate.

14.           Section (13)(c) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(c)   Successors; Binding Agreement; Assignment .

 
(i)  The Company will require the acquirer of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company (whether directly or indirectly, by purchase of stock or assets, merger, consolidation or otherwise), by agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Executive, to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.  As used in this Section, the term the “Company” shall include   The United Illuminating Company, UIL Holdings Corporation, and any successor to, or acquirer of, the business or assets of the Company
 

 
8

 

 
that executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section (13)(c) or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.
 

(ii)  This Agreement, and the Executive’s rights and obligations hereunder, may not be assigned by the Executive.  Any attempted assignment of this Agreement by the Executive shall be void and of no force and effect.  This Agreement and all rights of the Executive hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.

15.           New Subsection (13)(j) is hereby added to the Agreement to provide as follows:

(j)   Code Section 409A Compliance .   The parties hereto recognize that certain provisions of this Agreement may be affected by Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and guidance issued thereunder, and agree to amend this Agreement, or take such other action as may be necessary or advisable, to comply with Section 409A.  It is intended that all payments hereunder shall comply with Section 409A and the regulations promulgated thereunder so as to not subject the Executive to payment of interest or any additional tax under Section 409A.  In furtherance thereof, if payment or provision of any amount or benefit hereunder (including any transfer to a “rabbi” trust or similar funding entity) that is subject to Section 409A at the time specified herein would subject such amount or benefit to any additional tax under Section 409A, the payment or provision of such amount or benefit shall be postponed to the earliest date on which the payment or provision of such amount or benefit could be made without incurring such additional tax.  In addition, to the extent that any regulations or other guidance issued under Section 409A (after application of the previous provisions of this Section (13)(j)) would result in the Executive’s being subject to the payment of interest or any additional tax under Section 409A, the parties agree, to the extent reasonably possible, to amend this Agreement in order to avoid the imposition of any such interest or additional tax under Section 409A, which amendment shall have the minimum economic effect necessary and be reasonably determined in good faith by the Company and the Executive.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, it is expressly understood that at any time the Company (or any related employer treated with the Company as the service recipient for purposes of Code Section 409A) is publicly traded on an established securities market (as defined for purposes of Code Section 409A), if a payment or provision of an amount or benefit constituting a deferral of compensation is to be made pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to the Executive on account of a Separation from Service (as defined under the UIL CIC Plan II) at a time when the Executive is a Specified Employee (as defined for purposes of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i)), such deferred compensation shall not be paid to the Executive prior to the date that is six (6) months after the Separation from Service.  In the event this restriction applies, the deferred compensation that the Executive would have otherwise been entitled to during the restriction period will be accumulated and paid (without adjustment for the delay in


 
9

 

payment) on the first business day of the seventh month following the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service.

The parties hereto intend that the Agreement, as amended, be consistent with IRS Notice 2007-78, IRS Notice 2007-86 and other Code Section 409A transition relief, and it shall be interpreted accordingly.

All of the other terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

                                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

Attest:
 
By             /s/ James P. Torgerson                      
/s/ Angel Bruno
 
     James P. Torgerson
   
UIL Holdings Corporation, President and
   
Chief Financial Officer
   
The United Illuminating Company
   
Chief Executive Officer
     
   
/s/ Anthony J. Vallillo                                                                                               
   
Anthony J. Vallillo

 
 
 10



EXHIBIT 10.38b

SECOND AMENDMENT
TO
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This amendment ( the “Second Amendment”) is made the 4th day of August, 2008, between The United Illuminating Company, a Connecticut Corporation (the “Company”), and Richard J. Reed (the “Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Company previously entered into an amended and restated Employment Agreement with the Executive dated as of March 26, 2004, and a First Amendment thereto, dated November 18, 2004 (collectively, the “Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, in light of changes to the law concerning severance and deferred compensation, including Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and related Treasury Regulations, the Company and the Executive wish to further amend the Agreement by this Second Amendment to clarify certain provisions in the event the Executive’s employment is involuntarily terminated, and to make other minor, clarifying revisions to the Agreement,

NOW THEREFORE, the following Sections of the Agreement are hereby amended as follows:

1.           The third sentence of Section (1)(b) of the Agreement is deleted.

2.           The second sentence of Section (2)(c) of the Agreement is revised to read as follows:

In the event that the Executive’s employment is not so continued, the Executive may be eligible for benefits on account of a Constructive Termination in accordance with the terms of the UIL CIC Plan II.

3.           The third paragraph of Section (4)(b) of the Agreement is revised to read as follows:

The Executive’s “Stub-Period Incentive Compensation” shall mean the annual short-term incentive compensation being earned in the year in which the Executive terminates employment, pro-rated for the year in which he terminates service, and shall be equal to that short-term annual incentive compensation payment to which the Executive would be entitled, if any, under the terms of the Company’s executive incentive compensation plan, calculated as if he had been employed by the Company on the last day of the year including his Date of Termination, based on actual performance with respect to the achievement of UIL and Company goals (collectively referred to as “Company goals”), multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days which have elapsed in such year through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is 365.  UIL shall determine in its discretion the composition of the Executive’s scorecard.  In the event that the ‘gate’, if any, is not achieved with respect to Company goals, then no Stub-Period Incentive Compensation will be paid.  Any Stub-Period Incentive Compensation payable upon termination of the Executive shall be paid in accordance with Section (6)(e) of this Agreement.

 
 

 


4.           Section (5)(d) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(d)   Termination by Executive .

(i)   Breach by the Company, not during Change of Control Protective Period .  If the Executive is not in default of any of the Executive’s obligations under Section (2), (10), (11) or (12) hereof, the Executive may terminate employment hereunder on account of a Constructive Termination in accordance with this Section (5)(d)(i).  For purposes of this Agreement, a Constructive Termination means:

(1)  a Separation from Service (as defined for purposes of the UIL CIC Plan II) within ninety (90) days of the initial occurrence of one of the following events arising without the consent of the Executive (a “Constructive Termination Event”):

(A)  A material diminution in the Executive’s annual base salary rate, unless such reduction is part of, and consistent with, a general reduction of the compensation rates of all employees of the Company or of the Executive’s business unit;

(B)  Except as provided in Section (2)(b), a material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities, including the assignment of duties materially inconsistent in any adverse respect with such Executive’s position, duties, responsibilities and status with the Company immediately prior thereto, or diminishment in such Executive’s management responsibilities, duties or powers as in effect immediately prior thereto, or the removal from or failure to re-elect such Executive to any such position or office;

(C)  A requirement that the Executive relocate his principal place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles from the Company’s current executive offices in New Haven, Connecticut; or

(D)  Any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of the Agreement, including (1) a failure to include the Executive in the management salary compensation programs then in effect on substantially the same terms and conditions as that applicable to the other officers or similarly situated executives of the Company; (2) a failure to continue the Executive’s participation in the material benefit plans of the Company on substantially the same basis, both in terms of the amount of benefits provided (other than due to the Company’s stock price performance, provided such performance is a relevant criterion in determining the amount of benefits) and the level of the Executive’s participation relative to other officers or similarly situated executives of such Company, as that in effect immediately

 
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prior thereto; or (3) a failure to renew the Executive’s Employment Agreement at the time such Agreement expires, provided that the Executive was willing and able to execute a new Agreement providing terms and conditions substantially similar to those in the expiring Agreement and to continue working for the Company;  and

(2)  The Executive has given notice to the UIL Board stating that in the Executive’s opinion at least one of the Constructive Termination Events has occurred and setting forth in reasonable detail the relevant facts, and such notice was given within thirty-one (31) days of the occurrence of the Constructive Termination Event; and

(3)  The Company shall have failed to remedy or otherwise cure the situation within thirty-one (31) days after receipt of the notice.

(ii)   Breach by the Company, during Change of Control Protective Period .  If the Executive is not in default of any of the Executive’s obligations under Section (2), (10), (11) or (12) hereof, the Executive may terminate employment hereunder on account of a Constructive Termination in accordance with the UIL CIC Plan II.

(iii)   In the absence of Breach by the Company .  If the Executive is not in default of any of the Executive’s obligations under Section (2), (10), (11) or (12) hereof, the Executive may terminate employment in the absence of a Breach by the Company, effective upon at least ninety (90) days prior written notice.

5.           The initial paragraph of Section (6)(c) of the Agreement is hereby revised to provide as follows:

(c)   Upon Termination Without Cause, or a Constructive Termination prior to a Change in Control .   If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause or if the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder on account of a Constructive Termination, and in either case the termination constitutes an Involuntary Separation from Service within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(n) and is not upon a Change in Control or within the Change in Control Protective Period, the Company shall pay or provide (as applicable) to the Executive, all of the following:

6.           Subsection (6)(c)(v) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(v)  benefits under the Company’s health care plans during the COBRA continuation period on the same terms as are then available to active employees of the Company.


 
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7.           Subsection (6)(d) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(d)   Separation from Service .   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no compensation constituting severance or deferred compensation shall be paid under the Agreement upon a termination of employment or termination of service unless such termination of employment or termination of service constitutes a Separation from Service as defined in the UIL CIC Plan II.

8.           Subsection (6)(e) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(e)   Timing of Payment .   Any cash amount that is due and owing to the Executive upon a termination of service pursuant to Section (6) or Section (7) (other than pursuant to the UIL CIC Plan II) will be paid on the thirtieth (30 th ) day following the Executive’s Separation from Service and in no event may the Executive designate the timing or year of payment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, (i) any Stub-Period Incentive Compensation shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan or program and such incentive compensation and that portion of any severance payment that is based on such incentive compensation shall be paid at the same time that such incentive compensation generally would be payable to all other employees, but in no event later than March 15 th of the calendar year following the end of the performance period to which such incentive compensation relates; (ii) any long-term incentive compensation shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan or program and such incentive compensation shall be paid at the same time that such incentive compensation generally would be payable to all other employees, but in no event later than March 15 th of the calendar year following the end of the performance period to which such compensation relates; and (iii) any qualified or non-qualified deferred compensation payable pursuant to the terms of a plan of the Company shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan.

9.           The first paragraph of Section (7) of the Employment Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(7)           CHANGE IN CONTROL

If on, or within twenty-four (24) months following, a Change in Control, the Company (or its successor or other entity employing the Executive following such Change in Control) either terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause or fails to renew this Agreement on substantially identical terms, or if the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment on account of a Constructive Termination (as defined in the UIL CIC Plan II), and in any such case the termination constitutes an Involuntary Separation from Service within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(n), then the Executive shall be entitled to the following:

10.           Subsection (7)(a)(iv) of the Agreement (including the second, flush paragraph thereof) is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:


 
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(iv) those payments, and benefits, if any, to which the Executive is entitled by reason of having been designated a Participant in the UIL CIC Plan II.  The severance payments, pension supplements and other benefit provisions under the UIL CIC Plan II shall be controlling and shall supplant the payments and benefits to which the Executive would be otherwise be entitled under Section (6)(c)(iv) and (v) of this Agreement; expressly provided, however, that if the severance benefit provided for in Section (6)(c)(iv) exceeds the value of the analogous severance benefit provided under the UIL CIC Plan II, then the amount of the severance benefit paid under the UIL CIC Plan II shall be determined as provided in Section (6)(c)(iv) hereof.

11.           The text of Section (9) of the Agreement is deleted, and the Section reserved for future use.

12.           Section (13)(c) of the Agreement is hereby revised in its entirety to provide as follows:

(c)   Successors; Binding Agreement; Assignment .

(i)  The Company will require the acquirer of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company (whether directly or indirectly, by purchase of stock or assets, merger, consolidation or otherwise), by agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Executive, to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.  As used in this Section, the term the “Company” shall include   The United Illuminating Company, UIL Holdings Corporation, and any successor to, or acquirer of, the business or assets of the Company that executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section (13)(c) or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.

(ii)  This Agreement, and the Executive’s rights and obligations hereunder, may not be assigned by the Executive.  Any attempted assignment of this Agreement by the Executive shall be void and of no force and effect.  This Agreement and all rights of the Executive hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.

13.           New Subsection (13)(j) is hereby added to the Agreement to provide as follows:

(j)   Code Section 409A Compliance .   The parties hereto recognize that certain provisions of this Agreement may be affected by Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and guidance issued thereunder, and agree to amend this Agreement, or take such other action as may be necessary or advisable, to comply with Section 409A.  It is intended that all payments hereunder shall comply with Section 409A and the regulations promulgated thereunder so as to not subject the Executive to payment of interest or any additional tax under Section 409A.  In furtherance thereof, if payment or provision of any amount or benefit hereunder that is subject to Section 409A at the time specified herein would subject such amount or benefit to any additional tax under Section 409A, the

 
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payment or provision of such amount or benefit shall be postponed to the earliest date on which the payment or provision of such amount or benefit could be made without incurring such additional tax.  In addition, to the extent that any regulations or other guidance issued under Section 409A (after application of the previous provisions of this Section (12)(j)) would result in the Executive’s being subject to the payment of interest or any additional tax under Section 409A, the parties agree, to the extent reasonably possible, to amend this Agreement in order to avoid the imposition of any such interest or additional tax under Section 409A, which amendment shall have the minimum economic effect necessary and be reasonably determined in good faith by the Company and the Executive.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, it is expressly understood that at any time the Company (or any related employer treated with the Company as the service recipient for purposes of Code Section 409A) is publicly traded on an established securities market (as defined for purposes of Code Section 409A), if a payment or provision of an amount or benefit constituting a deferral of compensation is to be made pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to the Executive on account of a Separation from Service (as defined under the UIL CIC Plan II) at a time when the Executive is a Specified Employee (as defined for purposes of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i)), such deferred compensation shall not be paid to the Executive prior to the date that is six (6) months after the Separation from Service.  In the event this restriction applies, the deferred compensation that the Executive would have otherwise been entitled to during the restriction period will be accumulated and paid (without adjustment for the delay in payment) on the first business day of the seventh month following the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service.

The parties hereto intend that the Agreement, as amended, be consistent with IRS Notice 2007-78, IRS Notice 2007-86 and other Code Section 409A transition relief, and it shall be interpreted accordingly.

All of the other terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

                                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

Attest:
 
By             / s/ James P. Torgerson                  
  /s/ Angel Bruno  
James P. Torgerson
   
UIL Holdings Corporation, President and
   
Chief Financial Officer
   
The United Illuminating Company
   
Chief Executive Officer
     
   
/s/ Richard J. Reed                                                                                                  
   
Richard J. Reed
 
6



EXHIBIT 10.40















UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

2008 STOCK AND INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN














 
 

 

 UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

2008 STOCK AND INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN



   
Page
1.
Purpose
           1
     
     
2.
Definitions
           1
     
     
3.
Administration
           3
     
     
4.
Stock Subject to Plan
           4
     
     
5.
Eligibility; Per-Person Award Limitations
           5
     
     
6.
Specific Terms of Awards
           5
     
     
7.
Performance Awards
           8
     
     
8.
Certain Provisions Applicable to Awards
         12
     
     
9.
Additional Award Forfeiture Provisions
         12
     
     
10.
General Provisions
         13

 
i

 

UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

2008 STOCK AND INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

1.         Purpose .  The purpose of this 2008 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan (the "Plan") is to enable UIL Holdings Corporation, a Connecticut corporation (together with its successors and assigns, the "Corporation") and its Subsidiaries (individually and collectively, with the Corporation, the “Company”) to attract, retain and reward outstanding directors and managerial employees, provide them with equitable and competitive compensation opportunities, recognize individual contributions and reward achievement of Company goals, and promote the creation of long-term value for shareowners by closely aligning the interests of Participants with those of the Corporation’s shareowners.  The Plan authorizes stock-based and cash-based incentives for Participants.
 
2.            Definitions .  In addition to the terms defined in Section 1 above and elsewhere in the Plan, the following capitalized terms used in the Plan have the respective meanings set forth in this Section:
 
(a)           "Annual Incentive Award" means a type of Performance Award granted to a Participant under Section 7(c) representing a conditional right to receive cash, Stock or other Awards or payments, as determined by the Committee, based on performance in a performance period of one fiscal year or a portion thereof.
 
(b)           "Annual Limit" shall have the meaning specified in Section 5(b).
 
(c)           "Award" means any Option, SAR, Stock, Restricted Stock, Stock granted as a bonus or in lieu of another award, Dividend Equivalent, Other Stock-Based Award, or Performance Award or Annual Incentive Award, together with any related right or interest, granted to a Participant under the Plan.
 
(d)           "Beneficiary" means the legal representatives of the Participant's estate entitled by will or the laws of descent and distribution to receive the benefits under a Participant's Award upon a Participant's death, provided that, if and to the extent authorized by the Committee, a Participant may be permitted to designate a Beneficiary, in which case the "Beneficiary" instead will be the person or persons (including individuals who survive the Participant, and trusts) which have been designated by the Participant in his or her most recent written and duly filed beneficiary designation to receive the benefits specified under the Participant's Award upon such Participant's death.
 
(e)           "Board" means, except as otherwise expressly provided, the Corporation’s Board of Directors.
 
(f)           “Change in Control” means, unless otherwise expressly provided in a given Award, a Change in Control as defined for purposes of the UIL Holdings Corporation Change in Control Severance Plan II.

(g)           "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  References to any provision of the Code or regulation thereunder shall include any successor provisions and regulations, and reference to regulations includes any applicable guidance or pronouncement of the Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service.
 
(h)           "Committee" means, except as otherwise expressly provided, the Compensation and Executive Development Committee of the Board (or a designated successor to such committee), the composition and governance of which is established in the Committee's Charter as approved from time to time by the Board and subject to other corporate governance documents of the Company.   Notwithstanding the foregoing, no action of the Committee shall be void or deemed to be without authority due to the failure of any member, at the time the action was taken, to meet any qualification standard set forth in the Committee’s charter or this Plan.  The full Board may perform any function of the Committee hereunder (except to the extent limited under applicable New York Stock Exchange rules), in which case the term "Committee" shall refer to the Board.
 
 

 
 
(i)           "Covered Employee" means an Eligible Person who is a Covered Employee as specified in Section 10(j).
 
(j)           "Dividend Equivalent" means a right, granted under this Plan, to receive cash, Stock, other Awards or other property equal in value to all or a specified portion of the dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock.
 
(k)           "Effective Date" means the effective date specified in Section 10(p).
 
(l)           "Eligible Person" has the meaning specified in Section 5.
 
(m)           "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  References to any provision of the Exchange Act or rule (including a proposed rule) thereunder shall include any successor provisions and rules.
 
(n)           "Fair Market Value" means the fair market value of Stock, Awards or other property as determined in good faith by the Committee or under procedures established by the Committee.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Fair Market Value of Stock on a given day shall be the average of the high and low sales prices of the Stock on the date on which it is to be valued hereunder as reported for New York Stock Exchange -- Composite Transactions.  Fair Market Value relating to the exercise price or base price of any Non-409A Option or SAR and relating to the market value of Stock measured at the time of exercise shall conform to requirements under Code Section 409A.
 
(o)           "409A Awards" means Awards that constitute a deferral of compensation under Code Section 409A and regulations thereunder.  "Non-409A Awards" means Awards other than 409A Awards.  Although the Committee retains authority under the Plan to grant Options, SARs and Restricted Stock on terms that will qualify those Awards as 409A Awards, Options, SARs, and Restricted Stock are intended to be Non-409A Awards unless otherwise expressly specified by the Committee.
 
(p)           “Governance Committee” means the Governance Committee of the Board (or a designated successor to such committee).
 
(q)           "Incentive Stock Option" or "ISO" means any Option designated as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Code Section 422 and qualifying thereunder.
 
(r)           "Option" means a right to purchase Stock granted under Section 6(b).
 
(s)           "Other Stock-Based Awards" means Awards granted to a Participant under Section 6(h).
 
(t)           "Participant" means a person who has been granted an Award under the Plan which remains outstanding, including a person who is no longer an Eligible Person.
 
(u)           "Performance Award" means a conditional right, granted to a Participant under Sections 6(i) or 7, to receive cash, Stock or other Awards or payments.
 
(v)           “Preeexisting Plan” means the UIL Holdings Corporation 1999 Amended and Restated Stock Plan.
 
(w)           "Restricted Stock" means Stock granted under this Plan which is subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture.
 
(x)           "Stock" means the Corporation's Common Stock, without par value , and any other equity securities of the Corporation that may be substituted or resubstituted for Stock pursuant to Section 10(c).
 
(y)           "Stock Appreciation Rights" or "SAR" means a right granted to a Participant under Section 6(c).
 
(z)           “Subsidiary” or “Subsidiaries” means The United Illuminating Company and/or any other entity that is owned directly or indirectly by the Corporation such that it would constitute a member of a controlled group of corporations with the Corporation or a trade or business under common control with the Corporation within the meaning of Code Section 414(b) or Section 414(c).
 
 

 
 
3.            Administration .
 
(a)            Authority of the Committee .  The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall have full and final authority, in each case subject to and consistent with the provisions of the Plan, to select Eligible Persons to become Participants; to grant Awards; to determine the type and number of Awards, the dates on which Awards may be exercised, whether such Awards may be deferred, the dates on which the risk of forfeiture or deferral period relating to Awards shall lapse or terminate, the acceleration of any such dates (including upon a Change in Control), the expiration date of any Award, whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may be settled, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid, in cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property, and other terms and conditions of, and all other matters relating to, Awards; to prescribe documents evidencing or setting terms of Awards (such Award documents need not be identical for each Participant or each Award), amendments thereto, and rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan and amendments thereto; to construe and interpret the Plan and Award documents and correct defects, supply omissions or reconcile inconsistencies therein; and to make all other decisions and determinations as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.  Decisions of the Committee with respect to the administration and interpretation of the Plan shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all persons interested in the Plan, including Participants, Beneficiaries, transferees under Section 10(b) and other persons claiming rights from or through a Participant, and shareowners.  The foregoing notwithstanding, in accordance with the recommendations of the Governance Committee, the Board shall perform the functions of the Committee for purposes of granting Awards under the Plan to non-employee directors (the administrative functions of the Committee with respect to other aspects of non-employee director awards is not exclusive to the Board, however).
 
(b)            Manner of Exercise of Committee Authority .  The express grant of any specific power to the Committee, and the taking of any action by the Committee, shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee.  The Committee may act through subcommittees, including for purposes of perfecting exemptions under Rule 16b-3 or qualifying Awards under Code Section 162(m) as performance-based compensation, in which case the subcommittee shall be subject to and have authority under the charter applicable to the Committee, and the acts of the subcommittee shall be deemed to be acts of the Committee hereunder.  The Committee may delegate to officers or managers of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, or committees thereof, the authority, subject to such terms as the Committee shall determine, to perform such functions, including administrative functions, as the Committee may determine, to the extent that such delegation (i) will not result in the loss of an exemption under Rule 16b-3(d) for Awards granted to Participants subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Corporation, (ii) will not cause Awards intended to qualify as "performance-based compensation" under Code Section 162(m) to fail to so qualify, (iii) will not result in a related-person transaction with an executive officer required to be disclosed under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K (in accordance with Instruction 5.a.ii thereunder) under the Exchange Act, and (iv) is permitted under applicable provisions of the Connecticut Business Corporation Act.
 
(c)            Limitation of Liability .  The Committee and each member thereof, and any person acting pursuant to authority delegated by the Committee, shall be entitled, in good faith, to rely or act upon any report or other information furnished by any executive officer, other officer or employee of the Corporation or a Subsidiary, the Corporation's independent auditors, consultants or any other agents assisting in the administration of the Plan.  Members of the Committee, any person acting pursuant to authority delegated by the Committee, and any officer or employee of the Corporation or a Subsidiary acting at the direction or on behalf of the Committee or a delegee shall not be personally liable for any action or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Corporation with respect to any such action or determination.
 
4.            Stock Subject To Plan .
 
(a)            Overall Number of Shares Available for Delivery .  The total number of shares of Stock reserved and available for delivery in connection with Awards under the Plan shall be (i) 550,000 shares, plus (ii) the number of shares that, immediately prior to the Effective Date, remain available for new awards under the Preexisting Plan; provided, however, that the total number of shares with respect to which ISOs may be granted shall not exceed the number specified under clause (i) above.  Any shares of Stock delivered under the Plan shall consist of authorized and unissued shares.  

 

 

(b)            Share Counting Rules .  The Committee may adopt reasonable counting procedures to ensure appropriate counting, avoid double counting (as, for example, in the case of tandem or substitute awards) and make adjustments in accordance with this Section 4(b).  Shares shall be counted against those reserved to the extent such shares have been delivered and are no longer subject to a risk of forfeiture.  Accordingly, (i) to the extent that an Award under the Plan, in whole or in part, is canceled, expired, forfeited, settled in cash, settled by delivery of fewer shares than the number underlying the Award, or otherwise terminated without delivery of shares to the Participant, the shares retained by or returned to the Corporation will not be deemed to have been delivered under the Plan; and (ii) shares that are withheld from such an Award or separately surrendered by the Participant in payment of the exercise price or taxes relating to such an Award shall be deemed to constitute shares not delivered and will be available under the Plan.  The Committee may determine that Awards may be outstanding that relate to more shares than the aggregate remaining available under the Plan so long as Awards will not in fact result in delivery and vesting of shares in excess of the number then available under the Plan.  In addition, in the case of any Award granted in assumption of or in substitution for an award of a company or business acquired by the Corporation or a Subsidiary or with which the Corporation or a Subsidiary combines, shares delivered or deliverable in connection with such assumed or substitute Award shall not be counted against the number of shares reserved under the Plan.
 
5.            Eligibility; Per-Person Award Limitations .
 
(a)            Eligibility .  Awards may be granted under the Plan only to Eligible Persons.  For purposes of the Plan, an "Eligible Person" means (i) an employee of the Corporation or any Sub­sid­iary, including any executive officer or employee director of the Corporation or a Sub­sidiar­y, (ii) any person who has been offered employment by the Corporation or a Subsidiary, provided that such prospective employee may not receive any payment or exercise any right relating to an Award until such person has commenced employment with the Corporation or a Subsidiary, and (iii) any non-employee director of the Corporation or a Subsidiary.  An employee on leave of absence may be considered as still in the employ of the Corporation or a Subsidiary for purposes of eligibility for participation in the Plan.
 
(b)            Per-Person Award Limitations .  In each calendar year during any part of which the Plan is in effect, an Eligible Person may be granted Awards intended to qualify as "performance-based compensation" under Code Section 162(m) under the Plan relating to up to his or her Annual Limit.  A Participant's Annual Limit, in any year during any part of which the Participant is then eligible under the Plan, shall equal 250,000 shares plus the amount of the Participant's unused Annual Limit relating to the same type of Award as of the close of the previous year, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10(c).  In the case of an Award which is not valued in a way in which the limitation set forth in the preceding sentence would operate as an effective limitation satisfying applicable law (including Treasury Regulation 1.162-27(e)(4)), an Eligible Person may not be granted Awards authorizing the earning during any calendar year of an amount that exceeds the Eligible Person's Annual Limit, which for this purpose shall equal $5 million plus the amount of the Eligible Person's unused cash Annual Limit as of the close of the previous year (this limitation is separate and not affected by the number of Awards granted during such calendar year subject to the limitation in the preceding sentence).  For this purpose, (i) "earning" means satisfying performance conditions so that an amount becomes payable, without regard to whether it is to be paid currently or on a deferred basis or continues to be subject to any service requirement or other non-performance condition, (ii) a Participant's Annual Limit is used to the extent an amount or number of shares may be potentially earned or paid under an Award (at the maximum designated amount for such Awards), regardless of whether such amount or shares are in fact earned or paid, and (iii) the Annual Limit applies to Dividend Equivalents under Section 6(g) only if such Dividend Equivalents are granted separately from and not as a feature of another Award.
 
6.            Specific Terms Of Awards.
 
(a)            General .  Awards may be granted on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6.  In addition, the Committee may impose on any Award or the exercise thereof, at the date of grant or thereafter (subject to Sections 10(e) and 10(k)), such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine, including terms requiring forfeiture of Awards in the event of termination of employment or service by the Participant and terms permitting a Participant to make elections relating to his or her Award.  The Committee shall retain full power and discretion with respect to any term or condition of an Award that is not mandatory under the Plan, subject to Section 10(k) and the terms of the  Award agreement.  The Committee may require payment of consideration for an Award except as limited by the Plan.
 
 

 
 
(b)            Options .  The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants on the following terms and conditions:
 
 
(i)
Exercise Price.  The exercise price per share of Stock purchasable under an Option (including both ISOs and non-qualified Options) shall be determined by the Committee, provided that such exercise price shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant of such Option, subject to Section 8(a).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any substitute award granted in assumption of or in substitution for an outstanding award granted by a company or business acquired by the Corporation or a Subsidiary or with which the Corporation or a Subsidiary combines may be granted with an exercise price per share of Stock other than as required above.  No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date on which the stock is issued, except as provided in Section 10(c) of the Plan.
 
 
(ii)
Option Term; Time and Method of Exercise.  The Committee shall determine the term of each Option, provided that in no event shall the term of any Option exceed a period of ten years from the date of grant.  The Committee shall determine the time or times at which or the circumstances under which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), the methods by which such exercise price may be paid or deemed to be paid and the form of such payment (subject to Sections 10(k) and 10(l)), including, without limitation, cash, Stock (including by withholding Stock deliverable upon exercise), other Awards or awards granted under other plans of the Corporation or any Subsidiary or other property (including through broker-assisted "cashless exercise" arrangements, to the extent permitted by applicable law), and the methods by or forms in which Stock will be delivered or deemed to be delivered in satisfaction of Options to Participants (including, in the case of 409A Awards, deferred delivery of shares subject to the Option, as mandated by the Committee, with such deferred shares subject to any vesting, forfeiture or other terms as the Committee may specify).
 
 
(iii)
ISOs.  The terms of any ISO granted under the Plan shall comply in all respects with the provisions of Code Section 422.
 
(c)            Stock Appreciation Rights .  The Committee is authorized to grant SARs to Participants on the following terms and conditions:
 
 
(i)
Right to Payment.  A SAR shall confer on the Participant to whom it is granted a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the date of exercise over (B) the grant price of the SAR as determined by the Committee but which in any event shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant of the SAR, subject to Section 8(a).
 
 
(ii)
Other Terms.  The Committee shall determine the term of each SAR, provided that in no event shall the term of a SAR exceed a period of ten years from the date of grant.  The Committee shall determine at the date of grant or thereafter, the time or times at which and the circumstances under which a SAR may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), the method of exercise, method of settlement, form of consideration payable in settlement, method by or forms in which Stock will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants, whether or not a SAR shall be free-standing or in tandem or combination with any other Award, and whether or not the SAR will be a 409A Award or Non-409A Award.  Limited SARs that may only be exercised in connection with a Change in Control or termination of service following a Change in Control as specified by the Committee may be granted on such terms, not inconsistent with this Section 6(c), as the Committee may determine.  The Committee may require that an outstanding Option be exchanged for a SAR exercisable for Stock having vesting, expiration, and other terms substantially the same as the Option, so long as such exchange will not result in additional accounting expense to the Corporation.
 
 

 

(d)            Stock.   The Committee is authorized to grant Awards of Stock, including Awards which provide that Stock will be issued and delivered at a future date (including, but not limited to, Awards of Performance Shares and Awards of Stock, Performance Shares and Restricted Stock which may be deferred in the form of stock units pursuant to the terms of the UIL Holdings Deferred Compensation Plan or other deferred compensation plan or arrangement of the Corporation).  Such Awards may be subject to restrictions on transferability, dividend equivalents and deferral, a risk of forfeiture, and other conditions and restrictions, if any, as the Committee may impose.
 
(e)            Restricted Stock .  The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Participants on the following terms and conditions:
 
 
(i)
Grant and Restrictions.  Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the Committee may impose, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), in such installments or otherwise and under such other circumstances as the Committee may determine at the date of grant or thereafter.  Except to the extent restricted under the terms of the Plan and any Award document relating to the Restricted Stock, a Participant granted Restricted Stock shall have all of the rights of a shareowner, including the right to vote the Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends thereon (subject to any mandatory reinvestment or other requirement imposed by the Committee).
 
 
(ii)
Forfeiture.  Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, upon termination of employment or service during the applicable restriction period, Restricted Stock that is at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited and reacquired by the Corporation; provided that the Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award document, or may determine in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock will lapse in whole or in part, including in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes.
 
 
(iii)
Certificates for Stock.  Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine.  If certificates representing Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, the Committee may require that such certificates bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, that the Corporation retain physical possession of the certificates, and that the Participant deliver a stock power to the Corporation, endorsed in blank, relating to the Restricted Stock.
 
 
(iv)
Dividends and Splits.  As a condition to the grant of an Award of Restricted Stock, the Committee may require that any dividends paid on a share of Restricted Stock shall be either (A) paid with respect to such Restricted Stock at the dividend payment date in cash, in kind, or in a number of shares of unrestricted Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends, or (B) automatically reinvested in additional Restricted Stock or held in kind, which shall be subject to the same terms as applied to the original Restricted Stock to which it relates, or (C) deferred as to payment, either as a cash deferral or with the amount or value thereof automatically deemed reinvested in deferred stock units, other Awards or other investment vehicles, subject to such terms as the Committee shall determine or permit a Participant to elect.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, Stock distributed in connection with a Stock split or Stock dividend, and other property distributed as a dividend, shall be subject to restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Stock with respect to which such Stock or other property has been distributed.
 
(f)            Bonus Stock and Awards in Lieu of Obligations .  The Committee is authorized to grant to Participants Stock as a bonus, or to grant Stock or other Awards in lieu of obligations of the Corporation or a Subsidiary to pay cash or deliver other property under the Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements, subject to such terms as shall be determined by the Committee.
 
(g)            Dividend Equivalents .  The Committee is authorized to grant Dividend Equivalents to a Participant, which may be awarded on a free-standing basis or in connection with another Award.  The Committee may provide that Dividend Equivalents shall be paid or distributed when accrued or shall be deemed to have been
 

 

 
 
reinvested in additional Stock, Awards, or other investment vehicles, and subject to restrictions on transferability, risks of forfeiture and such other terms as the Committee may specify.
 
(h)            Other Stock-Based Awards .  The Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant to Participants such other Awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Stock or factors that may influence the value of Stock, including, without limitation, convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into Stock, purchase rights for Stock, Awards with value and payment contingent upon performance of the Corporation, a Subsidiary or business units thereof or any other factors designated by the Committee, and Awards valued by reference to the book value of Stock or the value of securities of or the performance of specified subsidiaries or other business units.  The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards.  Stock delivered pursuant to an Award in the nature of a purchase right granted under this Section 6(h) shall be purchased for such consideration, paid for at such times, by such methods, and in such forms, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards, notes, or other property, as the Committee shall determine.  Cash awards, as an element of or supplement to any other Award under the Plan, may also be granted pursuant to this Section 6(h).
 
(i)            Performance Awards .  Performance Awards, denominated in cash or in Stock or other Awards, may be granted by the Committee in accordance with Section 7.  A Performance Award denominated in shares shall constitute an Award authorized under Sections 6(b) - 6(h) to which performance conditions have been attached under Section 7.
 
7.            Performance Awards .
 
(a)            Performance Awards Generally .  Performance Awards may be denominated as a cash amount, number of shares of Stock, or specified number of other Awards (or a combination) which may be earned upon achievement or satisfaction of performance conditions specified by the Committee.  In addition, the Committee may specify that any other Award shall constitute a Performance Award by conditioning the right of a Participant to exercise the Award or have it settled, and the timing thereof, upon achievement or satisfaction of such performance conditions as may be specified by the Committee.  The Committee may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance conditions, and may exercise its discretion to reduce or increase the amounts payable under any Award subject to performance conditions, except as limited under Sections 7(b) in the case of a Performance Award intended to qualify as "performance-based compensation" under Code Section 162(m).
 
(b)            Performance Awards Granted to Covered Employees .  If the Committee determines that a Performance Award to be granted to an Eligible Person who is designated by the Committee as likely to be a Covered Employee should qualify as "performance-based compensation" for purposes of Code Section 162(m), the grant, exercise and/or settlement of such Performance Award shall be contingent upon achievement of a preestablished performance goal and other terms set forth in this Section 7(b).
 
 
(i)
Performance Goal Generally.  The performance goal for such Performance Awards shall consist of one or more business criteria and a targeted level or levels of performance with respect to each of such criteria, as specified by the Committee consistent with this Section 7(b).  The performance goal shall be objective and shall otherwise meet the requirements of Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder, including the requirement that the level or levels of performance targeted by the Committee result in the achievement of performance goals being "substantially uncertain." The Committee may determine that such Performance Awards shall be granted, exercised and/or settled upon achievement of any one performance goal or that two or more of the performance goals must be achieved as a condition to grant, exercise and/or settlement of such Performance Awards.  Performance goals may differ for Performance Awards granted to any one Participant or to different Participants.
 
 
(ii)
Business Criteria.  One or more of the following business criteria for the Corporation, the Company, on a consolidated basis, and/or for any specified Subsidiary or other business unit of the Company (alone or in combination), shall be used by the Committee in establishing performance goals for such Performance Awards:

 

 

(i) net income;
(ii) earnings, before or after income taxes;
(iii) earnings per share;
(iv) pre-tax operating income;
(v) expense management;
(vi) profitability, including profitability of an identifiable business unit or product;
(vii) revenue;
(viii) shareowner value creation measures, including but not limited to stock price or total shareowner return;
(ix) return measures, including return on assets (gross or net), return on investment, return on capital, or return on equity;
(x) cash flow, free cash flow, cash flow return on investment (discounted or otherwise), net cash provided by operations, or cash flow in excess of cost of capital;
(xi) net economic profit (operating earnings minus a charge for capital) or economic value created;
(xii) strategic innovation;
(xiii) dividend levels;
(xiv) strategic business criteria, consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified market penetration, geographic business expansion goals, cost targets, completion of capital and debt transactions, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, management of employment practices and employee benefits, supervision of litigation and information technology, and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures of subsidiaries, affiliates or joint ventures and the management of capital projects;
(xv) operating performance metrics, including, but not limited to, safety and electric system reliability; or
(xvi) any combination of the foregoing. 

The targeted level or levels of performance with respect to such business criteria may be established at such levels and in such terms as the Committee may determine, in its discretion, including in absolute terms, as a goal relative to performance in prior periods, or as a goal compared to the performance of one or more comparable companies or an index covering multiple companies.  Performance goals based upon these business criteria may be based upon generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) or may be non-GAAP measures, and in either case may be adjusted for purchase accounting impacts related to acquisitions and other extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual events or accounting treatments.  Performance Goals may be particular to a Participant, the Corporation, the Company or a division, Subsidiary or other business segment of the Company, or may be based on the performance of the Company as a whole.
 
 
(iii)
Performance Period; Timing for Establishing Performance Goals.  Achievement of performance goals in respect of such Performance Awards shall be measured over a performance period of up to one year or more than one year, as specified by the Committee.  A performance goal shall be established not later than the earlier of (A) 90 days after the beginning of any performance period applicable to such Performance Award or (B) the time 25% of such performance period has elapsed.
 
 
(iv)
Performance Award Pool.  The Committee may establish a Performance Award pool, which shall be an unfunded pool, for purposes of measuring performance of the Company in connection with Performance Awards.  The amount of such Performance Award pool shall be based upon the achievement of a performance goal or goals based on one or more of the business criteria set forth in Section  7(b)(ii) during the given performance period, as specified by the Committee in accordance with Section 7(b)(iv).  The Committee may specify the amount of the Performance Award pool as a percentage of any of such business criteria, a percentage thereof in excess of a threshold amount, or as another amount which need not bear a strictly mathematical relationship to such business criteria.  The Committee may specify Performance Awards for any one Participant
 
 

 
 
as a percentage of the Performance Award pool, subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may specify, provided that the aggregate percentage of the Performance Award pool allocated to Participants may not exceed 100% of the Performance Award pool.
 
 
(v)
Settlement of Performance Awards; Other Terms.  Settlement of Performance Awards shall be in cash, Stock, other Awards or other property, in the discretion of the Committee.  The Committee may, in its discretion, increase or reduce the amount of a settlement otherwise to be made in connection with such Performance Awards, but may not exercise discretion to increase any such amount payable to a Covered Employee in respect of a Performance Award subject to this Section 7(b) beyond the level of payment authorized for achievement of the performance goal specified under this Section 7(b) based on the actual level of achievement of such goal in excess of the amount earned through performance with respect to the performance goal established under Section 7(b).  Any settlement which changes the form of payment from that originally specified shall be implemented in a manner such that the Performance Award and other related Awards do not, solely for that reason, fail to qualify as "performance-based compensation" for purposes of Code Section 162(m).  The Committee shall specify the circumstances in which such Performance Awards shall be paid or forfeited in the event of termination of employment by the Participant or other event (including a Change in Control) prior to the end of a performance period or settlement of such Performance Awards.
 
(c)            Annual Incentive Awards Granted to Covered Employees .  The Committee may grant an Annual Incentive Award to an Eligible Person who is designated by the Committee as likely to be a Covered Employee.  Such Annual Incentive Award will be intended to qualify as "performance-based compensation" for purposes of Code Section 162(m), and its grant, exercise and/or settlement shall be contingent upon achievement of preestablished performance goals and other terms set forth in this Section 7(c).
 
 
(i)
Grant of Annual Incentive Awards.  Not later than the earlier of 90 days after the beginning of any performance period applicable to such Annual Incentive Award or the time 25% of such performance period has elapsed, the Committee shall determine the Covered Employees who will potentially receive Annual Incentive Awards, and the amount(s) potentially payable thereunder, for that performance period.  The amount(s) potentially payable shall be based upon the achievement of a performance goal or goals based on one or more of the business criteria set forth in Section 7(b)(ii) in the given performance period, as specified by the Committee.  The Committee may designate an annual incentive award pool as the means by which Annual Incentive Awards will be measured, which pool shall conform to the provisions of Section 7(b)(iv).  In such case, the portion of the Annual Incentive Award pool potentially payable to each Covered Employee shall be preestablished by the Committee.  In all cases, the maximum Annual Incentive Award of any Participant shall be subject to the limitation set forth in Section 5.
 
 
(ii)
Payout of Annual Incentive Awards.  After the end of each performance period, the Committee shall determine the amount, if any, of the Annual Incentive Award for that performance period payable to each Participant.  The Committee may, in its discretion, determine that the amount payable to any Participant as a final Annual Incentive Award shall be reduced from the amount of his or her potential Annual Incentive Award, including a determination to make no final Award whatsoever, but may not exercise discretion to increase any such amount.  The Committee shall specify the circumstances in which an Annual Incentive Award shall be paid or forfeited in the event of termination of employment by the Participant or other event prior to the end of a performance period or settlement of such Annual Incentive Award.
 
(d)            Written Determinations .  Determinations by the Committee as to the establishment of performance goals, the amount potentially payable in respect of Performance Awards and Annual Incentive Awards, the level of actual achievement of the specified performance goals relating to Performance Awards and Annual Incentive Awards, and the amount of any final Performance Award and Annual Incentive Awards shall be recorded in writing in the case of Awards intended to qualify under Section 162(m).  Specifically, the Committee shall certify
 
 

 
 
in writing, in a manner conforming to applicable regulations under Section 162(m), prior to settlement of each such Award granted to a Covered Employee, that the performance objective relating to the Performance Award or Annual Incentive Award and other material terms of the Award upon which settlement of the Award was conditioned have been satisfied.
 
8.            Certain Provisions Applicable To Awards .
 
(a)            Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem, and Substitute Awards .  Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution or exchange for, any other Award or any award granted under another plan of the Corporation or any Subsidiary or any business entity to be acquired by the Corporation or a Subsidiary or any other right of a Participant to receive payment from the Corporation or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that a 409A Award may not be granted in tandem with a Non-409A Award.  Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or awards may be granted either as of the same time as or a different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.  The Committee may determine that, in granting a new Award, the in-the-money value or fair value of any surrendered Award or award or the value of any other right to payment surrendered by the Participant may be applied to the purchase of any other Award.  This Section 8(a) shall be subject to Section 10(e) (including the limitation on repricing) and subject to Section 10(k) (and (l).
 
(b)            Term of Awards .  The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee, subject to the express limitations set forth in Sections 6(b)(ii), 6(c)(ii) and 8 or elsewhere in the Plan.
 
(c)            Form and Timing of Payment under Awards; Deferrals .  Subject to the terms of the Plan (including Sections 10(k) and (l)) and any applicable Award document, payments to be made by the Corporation or a Subsidiary upon the exercise of an Option or other Award or settlement of an Award may be made in such forms as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards or other property, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments, or on a deferred basis.  The settlement of any Award may be accelerated, and cash paid in lieu of Stock in connection with such settlement, in the discretion of the Committee or upon occurrence of one or more specified events, subject to Sections 10(k) and (l).  Subject to Section 10(k), installment or deferred payments may be required by the Committee (subject to Section 10(e)) or permitted at the election of the Participant on terms and conditions established by the Committee.  Payments may include, without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable interest on installment or deferred payments or the grant or crediting of Dividend Equivalents or other amounts in respect of installment or deferred payments denominated in Stock.

9.            Additional Award Forfeiture Provisions .  The Committee may condition a Participant’s right to receive a grant of an Award, to exercise the Award, to retain cash, Stock, other Awards or other property acquired in connection with an Award, or to retain the profit or gain realized by a Participant in connection with an Award, including cash or other proceeds received upon sale of Stock acquired in connection with an Award, upon compliance by the Participant with specified conditions relating to non-competition, confidentiality of information relating to or possessed by the Company, non-solicitation of customers, suppliers, and employees of the Company, cooperation in litigation, non-disparagement of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates and the officers, directors and affiliates of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and other restrictions upon or covenants of the Participant, including during specified periods following termination of employment or service to the Company.   Pursuant to this authorization, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the following policy will apply to each Award:
 
In the event that the Corporation or any Subsidiary is required to restate its financial statements due to material noncompliance of the Corporation or any Subsidiary with any applicable financial reporting requirement, if such restatement results directly or indirectly from willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Participant the Participant shall reimburse the Corporation for the difference between (i) the amount of any bonus, incentive or equity compensation paid as a result of the erroneous financial statement and (ii) the amount that would have been paid, if any, under the restated financial statements. The Committee may specify additional forfeitures applicable in the event of such a restatement or similar circumstances, subject to Section 10(e).

 

 
 
10.            General Provisions .
 
(a)            Compliance with Legal and Other Requirements .  The Corporation may, to the extent deemed necessary or advisable by the Committee and subject to Section 10(k), postpone the issuance or delivery of Stock or payment of other benefits under any Award until completion of such registration or qualification of such Stock or other required action under any federal or state law, rule or regulation, listing or other required action with respect to any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Stock or other securities of the Corporation are listed or quoted, or compliance with any other obligation of the Corporation, as the Committee may consider appropriate, and may require any Participant to make such representations, furnish such information and comply with or be subject to such other conditions as it may consider appropriate in connection with the issuance or delivery of Stock or payment of other benefits in compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations, listing requirements, or other obligations.  The foregoing notwithstanding, in connection with a Change in Control, the Corporation shall take or cause to be taken no action, and shall undertake or permit to arise no legal or contractual obligation, that results or would result in any postponement of the issuance or delivery of Stock or payment of benefits under any Award or the imposition of any other conditions on such issuance, delivery or payment, to the extent that such postponement or other condition would represent a greater burden on a Participant than existed on the 90th day preceding the Change in Control.
 
(b)            Limits on Transferability; Beneficiaries .  No Award or other right or interest of a Participant under the Plan shall be pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or subject to any lien, obligation or liability of such Participant to any party (other than the Corporation or a Subsidiary thereof), or assigned or transferred by such Participant otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or to a Beneficiary upon the death of a Participant, and such Awards or rights that may be exercisable shall be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant or his or her guardian or legal representative, except that Awards and other rights (other than ISOs and SARs in tandem therewith) may be transferred to one or more transferees during the lifetime of the Participant but not otherwise to a third party for value, and may be exercised by such transferees in accordance with the terms of such Award, but only if and to the extent such transfers are permitted by the Committee and the Committee has determined that there will be no transfer of the Award to a third party for value, and subject to any terms and conditions which the Committee may impose thereon (which may include limitations the Committee may deem appropriate in order that offers and sales under the Plan will meet applicable requirements of registration forms under the Securities Act of 1933 specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission).  A Beneficiary, transferee, or other person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participant shall be subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award document applicable to such Participant, except as otherwise determined by the Committee, and to any additional terms and conditions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee.
 
(c)            Adjustments .  In the event that an extraordinary dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash or property other than Stock), recapitalization, forward or reverse split, Stock dividend, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spinoff, combination, repurchase, share exchange, liquidation, dissolution, equity restructuring as defined under FAS 123R, or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Stock such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee to be appropriate or, in the case of any outstanding Award, which is necessary in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of the Participant, then the Committee shall, in an equitable manner as determined by the Committee, adjust any or all of (i) the number and kind of shares of Stock which may be delivered in connection with Awards granted thereafter, including the number of shares available under Section 4, (ii) the number and kind of shares of Stock by which annual per-person Award limitations are measured under Section 5, (iii) the number and kind of shares of Stock subject to or deliverable in respect of outstanding Awards, (iv) the exercise price, grant price or purchase price relating to any Award or, if deemed appropriate, the Committee may make provision for a payment of cash or property to the holder of an outstanding Option (subject to Section 10(l)), and (v) the performance goals or conditions of outstanding Awards that are based on share prices.  In addition, the Committee is authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards (including Performance Awards and perfor­mance goals and any hypothetical funding pool relating thereto) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, events described in the preceding sentence, as well as acquisitions and dispositions of businesses and assets) affecting the Corporation, any Subsidiary or other business unit, or the financial statements of the Corporation or any Subsidiary or in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, tax rates and regulations or business
 
 

 
 
conditions or in view of the Committee's assessment of the business strategy of the Corporation, any Subsidiary or business unit thereof, performance of comparable organizations, economic and business conditions, personal performance of a Participant, and any other circumstances deemed relevant; provided that no such adjustment shall be authorized or made if and to the extent that the existence of such authority (i) would cause Options, SARs, or Performance Awards granted under the Plan to Participants designated by the Committee as Covered Employees and intended to qualify as "performance-based compensation" under Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder to otherwise fail to qualify as "performance-based compensation" under Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder, or (ii) would cause the Committee to be deemed to have authority to change the targets, within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 1.162-27(e)(4)(vi), under the performance goals relating to Options or SARs granted to Covered Employees and intended to qualify as "performance-based compensation" under Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder.
 
(d)            Tax Provisions .
 
 
(i)
Withholding.  The Corporation and any Subsidiary is authorized to withhold from any Award granted, any payment relating to an Award under the Plan, including from a distribution of Stock, or any payroll or other payment to a Participant, amounts of withholding and other taxes due or potentially payable in connection with any transaction involving an Award, and to take such other action as the Committee may deem advisable to enable the Company and Participants to satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to any Award.  This authority shall include authority to withhold or receive Stock or other property and to make cash payments in respect thereof in satisfaction of a Participant's withholding obligations, either on a mandatory or elective basis in the discretion of the Committee, or in satisfaction of other tax obligations.  Other provisions of the Plan notwithstanding, only the minimum amount of Stock deliverable in connection with an Award necessary to satisfy statutory withholding requirements will be withheld, unless withholding of any additional amount of Stock will not result in additional accounting expense to the Corporation.
 
 
(ii)
Required Consent to and Notification of Code Section 83(b) Election.  No election under Section 83(b) of the Code (to include in gross income in the year of transfer the amounts specified in Code Section 83(b)) or under a similar provision of the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States may be made unless expressly permitted by the terms of the Award document or by action of the Committee in writing prior to the making of such election.  In any case in which a Participant is permitted to make such an election in connection with an Award, the Participant shall notify the Corporation of such election within ten days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service or other governmental authority, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant to regulations issued under Code Section 83(b) or other applicable provision.
 
 
(iii)
Requirement of Notification Upon Disqualifying Disposition Under Code Section 421(b).  If any Participant shall make any disposition of shares of Stock delivered pursuant to the exercise of an ISO under the circumstances described in Code Section 421(b) (i.e., a disqualifying disposition), such Participant shall notify the Corporation of such disposition within ten days thereof.
 
(e)            Changes to the Plan .  The Committee may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or the Committee's authority to grant Awards under the Plan without the consent of shareowners or Participants; provided, however, that any amendment to the Plan shall be submitted to the Corporation's shareowners for approval not later than the earliest annual meeting for which the record date is at or after the date of such Board action if such shareowner approval is required by any federal or state law or regulation or the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, or if such amendment would materially increase the number of shares reserved for issuance and delivery under the Plan, and the Committee or the Board may otherwise, in its discretion, determine to submit other amendments to the Plan to shareowners for approval.  The Committee is authorized to amend outstanding awards, except as limited by the Plan.  The Board and Committee may not amend outstanding Awards (including by means of an amendment to the Plan) without the consent of an affected Participant if such an amendment would materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant with respect to the outstanding Award (for this purpose, actions that alter the timing of federal income taxation of a Participant will not be deemed material unless such action results
 
 

 
 
in an income tax penalty on the Participant, and any discretion that is reserved by the Board or Committee with respect to an Award is unaffected by this provision).  Without the approval of shareowners, the Committee will not amend or replace previously granted Options or SARs in a transaction that constitutes a "repricing," which for this purpose means any of the following or any other action that has the same effect:
 
·  
Lowering the exercise price of an option or SAR after it is granted;
 
·  
Any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles;
 
·   
Canceling an option or SAR at a time when its exercise price exceeds the fair market value of the underlying Stock, in exchange for another option or SAR, restricted stock, other equity or cash;
 
provided, however, that the foregoing transactions shall not be deemed a repricing if pursuant to an adjustment authorized under Section 10(c).   A cancellation and exchange described in the preceding sentence will be considered a repricing regardless of whether the Option, Restricted Stock or other equity is delivered simultaneously with the cancellation, regardless of whether it is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles, and regardless of whether it is voluntary on the part of the Participant.  With regard to other terms of Awards, the Committee shall have no authority to waive or modify any such Award term after the Award has been granted to the extent the waived or modified term would be mandatory under the Plan for any Award newly granted at the date of the waiver or modification.
 
(f)            Right of Setoff .  The Corporation or any Subsidiary may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, deduct from and set off against any amounts the Corporation or a Subsidiary may owe to the Participant from time to time, including amounts payable in connection with any Award, owed as wages, fringe benefits, or other compensation owed to the Participant, such amounts as may be owed by the Participant to the Company, including but not limited to amounts owed under Section 9(a), although the Participant shall remain liable for any part of the Participant's payment obligation not satisfied through such deduction and setoff.  By accepting any Award granted hereunder, the Participant agrees to any deduction or setoff under this Section 10(f).  With respect to any amount that constitutes a deferral of compensation, the Corporation may implement a setoff under this provision only at such time as the deferred compensation otherwise would be distributable to the Participant (i.e., the settlement date for such deferred compensation).
 
(g)            Unfunded Status of Awards; Creation of Trusts .  The Plan is intended to constitute an "unfunded" plan for incentive and deferred compensation.  With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant or obligation to deliver Stock pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company; provided that the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts and deposit therein cash, Stock, other Awards or other property, or make other arrangements to meet the Company's obligations under the Plan.  Such trusts or other arrangements shall be consistent with the "unfunded" status of the Plan unless the Committee otherwise determines with the consent of each affected Participant.
 
(h)            Nonexclusivity of the Plan .  Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor its submission to the shareowners of the Corporation for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or a committee thereof to adopt such other incentive arrangements, apart from the Plan, as it may deem desirable, including incentive arrangements and awards which do not qualify under Code Section 162(m), and such other arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in specific cases.
 
(i)            Payments in the Event of Forfeitures; Fractional Shares .  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event of a forfeiture of an Award with respect to which a Participant paid cash consideration, the Participant shall be repaid the amount of such cash consideration.  No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award.  The Committee shall determine whether cash, other Awards or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.
 

 

 
 
(j)            Compliance with Code Section 162(m).   It is the intent of the Company that Options and SARs granted to Covered Employees and other Awards designated as Awards to Covered Employees subject to Section 7 shall constitute qualified "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder, unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of allocation of an Award.  Accordingly, the terms of Sections 7(b) and (c), including the definitions of Covered Employee and other terms used therein, shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder.  The foregoing notwithstanding, because the Committee cannot determine with certainty whether a given Participant will be a Covered Employee with respect to a fiscal year that has not yet been completed, the term Covered Employee as used herein shall mean only a person designated by the Committee as likely to be a Covered Employee with respect to a specified fiscal year.  If any provision of the Plan or any Award document relating to a Performance Award that is designated as intended to comply with Code Section 162(m) does not comply or is inconsistent with the requirements of Code Section 162(m) or regulations thereunder, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements, and no provision shall be deemed to confer upon the Committee or any other person discretion to increase the amount of compensation otherwise payable in connection with any such Award upon attainment of the applicable performance objectives.
 
(k)            Compliance with Section 409A .   To the extent any Award hereunder is a 409A Award and provides for the deferral of compensation (within the meaning of Code Section 409A and related regulations) other than in accordance with the terms of the UIL Holdings Deferred Compensation Plan, the material terms of the deferral, to the extent required under Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(c)(3) to establish a deferred compensation plan, shall be set forth in the written award or grant (including by incorporation by reference, if applicable).  To the extent any Award hereunder does not provide for a deferral of compensation, but may be deferred under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan (or other nonqualified deferred compensation plan), the terms of the Deferred Compensation Plan (or such other nonqualified deferred compensation plan) shall govern the deferral and, to the extent necessary, are incorporated herein by reference.

(l)            Governing Law .  The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan, any rules and regulations relating to the Plan and any Award document shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws, and applicable provisions of federal law.
 
(m)            Awards to Participants Outside the United States .  The Committee may modify the terms of any Award under the Plan made to or held by a Participant who is then resident or primarily employed outside of the United States, or establish one or more sub-plans for such participants, in any manner deemed by the Committee to be necessary or appropriate in order that such Award shall conform to laws, regulations, and customs of the country in which the Participant is then resident or primarily employed, or so that the value and other benefits of the Award to the Participant, as affected by foreign tax laws and other restrictions applicable as a result of the Participant's residence or employment abroad shall be comparable to the value of such an Award to a Participant who is resident or primarily employed in the United States.  An Award may be modified under this Section 10(m) in a manner that is inconsistent with the express terms of the Plan, so long as such modifications will not contravene any applicable law or regulation or result in actual liability under Section 16(b) for the Participant whose Award is modified.
 
(n)            Limitation on Rights Conferred under Plan .  Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as (i) giving any Eligible Person or Participant the right to continue as an Eligible Person or Participant or in the employ or service of the Corporation or a Subsidiary, (ii) interfering in any way with the right of the Corporation or a Subsidiary to terminate any Eligible Person's or Participant's employment or service at any time (subject to the terms and provisions of any separate written agreements), (iii) giving an Eligible Person or Participant any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan or to be treated uniformly with other Participants and employees, or (iv) conferring on a Participant any of the rights of a shareowner of the Corporation unless and until the Participant is duly issued or transferred shares of Stock in accordance with the terms of an Award or an Option is duly exercised.  Except as expressly provided in the Plan and an Award document, neither the Plan nor any Award document shall confer on any person other than the Company and the Participant any rights or remedies thereunder.  Any Award shall not be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits under any retirement plan of the Corporation or any Subsidiary and shall not affect any benefits under any other benefit plan at any time in effect and which the availability or amount of benefits is related to the level of compensation (unless required by any such other plan or arrangement with specific reference to Awards under this Plan).
 

 

 
 
(o)            Severability .  If any of the provisions of this Plan or any Award document is finally held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable (whether in whole or in part), such provision shall be deemed modified to the extent, but only to the extent, of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, and the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby; provided, that, if any of such provisions is finally held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable because it exceeds the maximum scope determined to be acceptable to permit such provision to be enforceable, such provision shall be deemed to be modified to the minimum extent necessary to modify such scope in order to make such provision enforceable hereunder.  The Plan and any Award documents contain the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter thereof and supersede all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations and warranties between them, whether written or oral with respect to the subject matter thereof.  No rule of strict construction shall be applied against the Company, the Committee, or any other person in the interpretation of any terms of the Plan, Award, or agreement or other document relating thereto.
 
 
(p)           Plan Effective Date and Termination.  The Plan shall become effective if, and at such time as, the shareowners of the Corporation have approved it by a vote sufficient to approve it in accordance with applicable law and the Corporation's charter documents.  The date of such shareowner approval shall be the Effective Date.  Upon such approval of the Plan by the shareowners of the Corporation, no further awards shall be granted under the Preexisting Plan, but any outstanding awards under the Preexisting Plan shall continue in accordance with their terms.  Unless earlier terminated by action of the Board of Directors, the authority to make new grants under the Plan shall terminate on the date that is ten years after the latest date upon which shareowners of the Corporation, have approved the Plan, and the Plan will remain in effect until such time as no Stock remains available for delivery under the Plan and the Corporation, has no further rights or obligations under the Plan with respect to outstanding Awards under the Plan.
 
 
 


















EXHIBIT 10.41







UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

GRANDFATHERED BENEFIT PROVISIONS




originally adopted effective January 27, 2003,
as amended through August 4, 2008



 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
Page
INTRODUCTION
1
ARTICLE I – TITLE AND DEFINITIONS
1
1.1                 Definitions
1
ARTICLE II – PARTICIPATION
7
2.1                 Determination of Eligible Persons
7
2.2                 Enrollment; Duration of Participation
7
2.3                 Transfers to Non-Participating Related Companies
7
2.4                 Amendment of Eligibility Criteria
7
ARTICLE III – DEFERRAL ELECTIONS
7
3.1                 Elections to Defer Compensation
7
3.2                 Deemed Investment Elections
8
3.3                 Elections as to Form and Timing of Payment
10
ARTICLE IV – COMPENSATION DEFERRAL AND COMPANY CONTRIBUTION ACCOUNTS
11
4.1                 Compensation Deferral Subaccount
11
4.2                 Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccount
11
4.3                 Company Matching Contribution Subaccount
11
4.4                 Deferred Restricted Stock Account
12
ARTICLE V – VESTING
12
5.1                 Vesting
12
5.2                 Vesting Upon Death/Change in Control
12
ARTICLE VI – DISTRIBUTIONS
12
6.1                 Manner of Payment – Cash vs. Stock
12
6.2                 Distribution of Grandfathered Accounts
13
6.3                 Early Non-Scheduled Distributions
15
6.4                 Hardship Distribution
16
6.5                 Inability to Locate Participant
16
ARTICLE VII – ADMINISTRATION
16
7.1                 Committee Action
16
7.2                 Powers and Duties of the Committee
17
7.3                 Construction and Interpretation
17
7.4                 Information
17
7.5                 Compensation, Expenses and Indemnity
18
7.6                 Filing a Claim
18
7.7                 Appeal of Denied Claims
19
ARTICLE VIII – MISCELLANEOUS
20
8.1                 Unsecured General Creditor
20
8.2                 Restriction Against Assignment
20
8.3                 Withholding
21
8.4                 Amendment, Modification, Suspension or Termination
21
8.5                 Governing Law
21
8.6                 Receipt or Release
21
8.7                 Payments on Behalf of Persons Under Incapacity
21
8.9                 Adjustments; Assumptions of Obligations
21
8.10                 Headings
22
EXHIBIT A - PARTICIPATING BUSINESS UNITS
23


 
 

 

UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
GRANDFATHERED BENEFIT PROVISIONS


INTRODUCTION

Effective as of February 1, 2003, UIL Holdings Corporation (the "Company") established the UIL Holdings Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan to provide a select group of its senior management and the senior management of its selected Business Units with the opportunity to accumulate capital by deferring compensation on a pre-tax basis, and to provide the Company and its Business Units with a method of rewarding and retaining top executives and managerial employees.  The Plan also permits those eligible executive employees whose matching allocations under the United Illuminating Company 401(k)/Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("UI KSOP") would be limited by virtue of their Compensation Deferrals under this Plan to make up for such limitations with certain supplemental benefits, and provides non-Employee Directors of the Company with a means to defer receipt of certain shares of Restricted Stock and Performance Share awards.

The terms of the Plan as set forth in this Plan document apply solely with respect to deferrals made and vested pursuant to the terms of the Plan prior to January 1, 2005.  With respect to deferrals made pursuant to the terms of the Plan on and after January 1, 2005 and with respect to deferrals made pursuant to the terms of the Plan before January 1, 2005 that vest on or after January 1, 2005, the terms of the Plan are as described in the separate Plan document relating to “Non-Grandfathered Benefits.”  With respect to amounts subject to this Plan document, this Plan document supersedes the prior Plan document (as amended from time to time).

ARTICLE I
TITLE AND DEFINITIONS

1.1            Definitions .

Capitalized terms used in this Plan document shall have the meanings specified below.

" Account " or " Accounts " shall mean a Participant's Grandfathered Amount under the Plan, including all subaccounts as are specifically authorized for inclusion in this portion of the Plan.

Affiliate ” shall mean any corporation, trade or business that, together with the Company, is treated as a single employer under Code Section 414(b) or (c).

" Base Salary " shall mean an Eligible Employee's annual base salary, including any salary continuation, excluding bonus, commissions, incentive and all other remuneration for services rendered to the Company, but prior to reduction for any salary contributions to a plan established pursuant to Sections 125 or 132(f) of the Code or qualified pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Code.

" Beneficiary " or " Beneficiaries " shall mean the person or persons, including a trustee, personal representative or other fiduciary, last designated in writing by a Participant in accordance with procedures established by the Committee to receive the benefits specified hereunder in the event of the Participant's death.  No beneficiary designation shall become effective until it is filed with the Committee (or the Recordkeeper).  Any designation shall be revocable at any time through a written instrument filed by the Participant with the Committee (or the Recordkeeper) with or without the consent of the previous

 
 

 

Beneficiary, provided, however, that no designation of a Beneficiary other than the Participant's spouse shall be valid unless consented to in writing by such spouse.  If there is no such designation or if there is no surviving designated Beneficiary, then the Participant's surviving spouse shall be the Beneficiary.  If there is no surviving spouse to receive any benefits payable in accordance with the preceding sentence, the duly appointed and currently acting personal representative of the Participant's estate shall be the Beneficiary.  In any case where there is no such personal representative of the Participant's estate duly appointed and acting in that capacity within 90 days after the Participant's death (or such extended period as the Committee determines is reasonably necessary to allow such personal representative to be appointed, but not to exceed 180 days after the Participant's death), then Beneficiary shall mean the person or persons who can verify by affidavit or court order to the satisfaction of the Committee that they are legally entitled to receive the benefits specified hereunder.  In the event any amount is payable under the Plan to a minor, payment shall not be made to the minor, but instead be paid to such minor's legal guardian duly appointed and currently acting to hold the funds for such minor.  If no guardian of the estate for the minor is duly appointed and currently acting within 60 days after the date the amount becomes payable, payment shall be deposited with the court having jurisdiction over the estate of the minor.  Payment by the Company pursuant to any unrevoked Beneficiary designation, or to the Participant's estate if no such designation exists, of all benefits owed hereunder shall terminate any and all liability of the Company.

" Board of Directors " or " Board " shall mean the Board of Directors of UIL Holdings Corporation.

" Bonuses " shall mean the bonuses earned pursuant to any bonus plan or program approved by the Company (or its affiliates).

" Business Unit " means The United Illuminating Company (“UI”) and any other subsidiary of the Company which, with the consent of the Board, has adopted the Plan.  Business Units shall be listed on Exhibit A to the Plan.

A " Change in Control " of the Company or any Business Unit (“an Employing Company”) occurs on the date on which any of the following events occur: a change of the ownership of the Employing Company; a change of the effective control of the Employing Company; or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Employing Company.

For purposes of this definition:

(i)  A change in the ownership of the Employing Company occurs on the date on which any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of the Employing Company that, together with stock held by such person or group constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Employing Company.

(ii)  A change in the effective control of the Employing Company occurs on the date on which either (A) a person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of the Employing Company possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Employing Company, taking into account all such stock acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition, or (B) a majority of the members of the Employing Company’s Board of Directors is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members
of such Board of Directors prior to the date of the appointment or election, but only if no other corporation is a majority shareholder of the Employing Company.

 
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(iii)  A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of assets occurs on the date on which any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, other than a person or group of persons that is related to the Employing Company, acquires assets from the Employing Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Employing Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions, taking into account all such assets acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition.

In determining whether a person or group has acquired a percentage of stock, stock of the Company held pursuant to the terms of an employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary thereof in a suspense account or otherwise unallocated to a Participant’s account shall be disregarded to the extent that expressing the applicable percentage as a fraction, such shares shall not be included in the numerator, but such shares will be included in the denominator.

An event constitutes a Change in Control with respect to a Participant only if the Participant performs services for the Employing Company that has experienced the Change in Control, or the Participant’s relationship to the affected Employing Company otherwise satisfies the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(2)(i)(5)(ii).

The determination as to the occurrence of a Change in Control shall be based on objective facts and in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A.

" Code " shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Committee ” shall mean the Compensation and Executive Development Committee of the Board (or such other committee as shall be designated by the Board).

" Company " shall mean UIL Holdings Corporation, a Connecticut corporation.

" Company Discretionary Contribution " shall mean such discretionary contributions, if any, credited by the Company to the Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccount of a Participant for a Plan Year.  Such contribution may differ from Participant to Participant both in amount (including no contribution) and as a percentage of Compensation.

" Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccount " shall mean the bookkeeping account maintained by the Company for each Participant that is credited with an amount equal to (i) the Company Discretionary Contribution Amount, if any, paid by the Company and (ii) net earnings and losses attributable thereto.

" Company Matching Contribution " shall mean such matching contributions, if any, made by the Company with respect to a Participant, in order to make up for the loss of a matching contribution under the UI KSOP resulting from the Participant's Compensation Deferrals under this Plan.

" Company Matching Contribution Subaccount " shall mean the bookkeeping account maintained by the Company for each Participant that is credited with an amount equal to (i) the number of Stock units equal in value to the Company Matching Contributions, if any, and the Dividend Equivalents, if any, paid by the Company, plus (ii) net earnings and losses attributable thereto.

Compensation ” shall mean, in the case of Eligible Employees, Base Salary, increases in Base Salary received during the Plan Year, Bonuses and other incentive awards, compensation in excess of the amount deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code, and any other compensation permitted by the Committee to be deferred.

 
3

 

" Compensation Deferrals " shall mean the compensation deferred by a Participant pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Plan.

" Compensation Deferral Subaccount " shall mean the bookkeeping account maintained by the Recordkeeper for each Participant that is credited with amounts equal to (i) the portion of the Participant's Compensation that he or she elects to defer, and (ii) net earnings and losses attributable thereto.

Designated Individuals ” shall mean those Eligible Employees and Eligible Directors designated as eligible to defer Restricted Stock Awards and/or Performance Shares Awards.

" Disability " shall mean that the Participant meets the definition of "disabled" under the terms of The United Illuminating Company Long-Term Disability Plan in effect on the date in question, whether or not such Participant actually is covered by such plan.

" Distributable Amount " shall mean the vested balance in the Participant's Accounts subject to distribution in a given Plan Year.

" Dividend Equivalents " shall mean the amount of cash dividends or other cash distributions paid by the Company on that number of shares equal to the number of Stock Units credited to a Participant's Stock Unit Subaccount as of the applicable record date for the dividend or other distribution, which amount shall be credited in the form of additional Stock Units to the Participant's Stock Unit Subaccount.

" Early Distribution " shall mean an election by a Participant in accordance with Section 6.3 to receive a withdrawal of amounts from his or her Compensation Deferral Subaccount, and any vested Company Discretionary and/or Matching Contribution Subaccounts, prior to the time at which such Participant would otherwise be entitled to such amounts.

" Effective Date " of the Plan means February 1, 2003.

Election Period ” shall mean the time period associated with deferral of Compensation under the Plan.  The first Election Period with respect to Eligible Employees becoming Participants on the Effective Date (February 1, 2003) shall end on January 24, 2003.  Thereafter, except as expressly provided otherwise in this definition or by the Committee, subsequent elections with respect to a subsequent calendar year must be filed by October 30th of the preceding year (by December 20th of the preceding year with respect to elections made in 2004 and later years), to be effective with respect to such subsequent calendar year.  The Election Period with respect to the deferral by a Designated Individual of some portion or all of a Restricted Stock Award shall be any period designated by the Committee, which ends prior to receipt of such Award, and which shall be deemed effective contemporaneously with the granting of such Award with respect to any Restricted Stock vesting at least one year after such election is processed.  The Election Period with respect to the deferral by a Designated Individual of some portion or all of a Performance Share Award shall be any period designated by the Committee, which ends no later than 12 months prior to the end of the performance period related to such Performance Share Award, and which shall be deemed effective contemporaneously with the vesting of such Award with respect to any Performance Share vesting at least one year after such election is processed.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Election Period hereunder shall commence on or after January 1, 2005.

" Eligible Employee " shall mean each Employee of the Company or a participating Business Unit who is eligible to participate in the Plan, as determined in Section 2.1.

 
4

 

" Eligible Person " shall mean each Eligible Employee or Director of the Company or a participating Business Unit, to the extent that such individual is eligible to participate in the Plan, as determined in Section 2.1.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, because no deferral under this Plan by a Director vested prior to January 1, 2005, no Director of the Company is an Eligible Person for purposes of this Plan Document.

" Employer " shall mean the Company and its Affiliates.

" ERISA " shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

" Exchange Act " shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

" Fund " or " Funds " shall mean one or more of the investment funds selected by the Committee pursuant to Section 3.2.

Grandfathered Amount ” means the vested Account Balances of Plan Participants determined as of December 31, 2004, together with actual or notional earnings thereon accruing after December 31, 2004, which shall be subject to the provisions of the Plan and tax law in effect immediately prior to the enactment of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (i.e., as of October 3, 2004), including, without limitation, requirements as to election of the timing and form of payment; expressly provided, however that the Grandfathered Amounts shall be so grandfathered only to the extent that the Plan terms governing such Amounts are not materially modified after October 3, 2004.

" Hardship Distribution " shall mean a distribution made on account of a severe financial hardship of the Participant resulting from a sudden and unexpected illness or accident of the Participant or of his or her dependent (as defined in Section 152(a) of the Code), loss of a Participant's property due to casualty, or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant.

" Investment Rate " shall mean, for each Fund, an amount equal to the closing price of such Fund during each business day, recorded for internal reporting to the Company on a monthly basis and reported to Participants on a calendar quarterly basis.

" Participant " shall mean any Eligible Person who became a Participant in this Plan in accordance with Article II.

" Payment Date " shall mean the date for payment of Distributable Amounts, as provided in Article VI.

Performance Share Award ” or “ Performance Share ” shall mean a phantom stock award issued under the UIL Holdings Corporation CEO/CFO Long Term Incentive Program, the UIL Holdings Corporation UI Long-Term Incentive Program, the UIL Holdings Corporation UIL Long-Term Incentive Program, or the UIL Holdings Corporation Xcelecom Long-Term Incentive Program, which awards are settled in shares of Stock drawn from the UIL Holdings Corporation 1999 Restated Stock Plan, with the limited exception of certain of the Performance Share awards payable in cash to the CEO.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, because no deferral of a Performance Share award vested prior to January 1, 2005, all such deferrals shall be governed by the provisions of this Plan relating to Non-Grandfathered Benefits.

 
5

 

" Plan " shall mean the UIL Holdings Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan.  The terms of the Plan are reflected in this document entitled “UIL Holdings Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan - Grandfathered Benefit Provisions” and the document entitled “UIL Holdings Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan – Non-Grandfathered Benefit Provisions.”

" Plan Year " shall mean January 1 to December 31 of each year.

Recordkeeper ” shall mean the administrator appointed by the Committee.  As of February 1, 2003, TBG Financial was appointed the Recordkeeper.

" Restricted Stock " shall mean shares of Stock issued under the Restricted Stock feature of the UIL Holdings Corporation 1999 Amended and Restated Stock Plan, which shares are subject to forfeiture based on non-compliance with certain enumerated criteria.

“Restricted Stock Award ” shall mean any award of Restricted Stock which, if deferred under this Plan, shall be credited as Restricted Stock Units, and which is settled in shares of Company Stock that may be drawn from the UIL Holdings Corporation 1999 Amended and Restated Stock Plan or from this Plan, or both, to the extent permitted under the terms of said plans.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, because no deferral of a Restricted Stock Award vested prior to January 1, 2005, all such deferrals shall be governed by the provisions of this Plan relating to Non-Grandfathered Benefits.

" Retirement " shall mean termination of service after the Participant has satisfied the requirements for early retirement under the terms of The United Illuminating Company Pension Plan.

" Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date " shall mean February of the year elected by the Participant to withdraw, or begin to withdraw, balances attributable to amounts deferred in a given Plan Year, and earnings and losses attributable thereto.  A Participant’s Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date in a given Plan Year may be no earlier than three years from the last day of the Plan Year for which Compensation Deferrals, deferrals of Restricted Stock, deferrals of Performance Shares, and contributions of Company Discretionary and Matching Contribution Amounts, are made; expressly provided, however, that in the case of the deferrals of Restricted Stock, Performance Shares, and any other Compensation subject to a vesting schedule, the three year period shall be deemed to begin running from the date on which such Restricted Stock, Performance Shares or Compensation would otherwise vest.

" Stock " shall mean common stock of UIL Holdings Corporation, or any successor to UIL Holdings Corporation.

" Stock Fund " or " Company Stock Fund " shall mean the deemed unitized investment Fund established to record (i) Participants' deemed investments in Stock Units, (ii) Designated Individuals' deferrals of Restricted Stock in Stock Units, (iii) Company Matching Contributions invested in Stock Units, and (iv) Dividend Equivalents deemed reinvested in Stock Units.  The Company has reserved 83,333 (post split) shares of Company Stock for deemed investment in this Plan.

Stock Unit ” shall mean a unit of value, equivalent to the value of a share of Stock, or Restricted Stock, or a Performance Share, established by the Committee as a means of measuring value of the Stock-related portion of an Account under the Plan.

Stock Unit Subaccount ” shall mean the bookkeeping account maintained by the Committee on behalf of each Participant who is credited with Stock Units and Dividend Equivalents resulting from Compensation Deferrals and Company Matching Contributions, that are deemed invested in Stock Units, and deferrals of Restricted Stock and Performance Shares.

 
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ARTICLE II
PARTICIPATION

2.1            Determination of Eligible Persons .

All (i) officers of the Company and its Business Units, and (ii) those Employees of the Company and Business Units whose Base Salary is fixed at more than $100,000 per year (determined during the Election Period) and who, in the case of Company and UI Employees, are classified in Grade 10 or above (collectively, "Eligible Employees"), shall be eligible to participate in this Plan.  Any other key management or highly compensated Employee from time to time designated by the Committee to be eligible to participate shall also be considered an Eligible Employee under the Plan.  With respect to the 2003 Plan Year, Directors of the Company and its Participating Business Units shall be eligible to participate only in that portion of the Plan permitting deferral of Restricted Stock.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Eligible Employee or Director who was not an Eligible Person prior to January 1, 2005 shall participate in this portion of the Plan, and only Grandfathered Amounts shall be subject to the terms of this Plan document.

2.2            Enrollment; Duration of Participation .

An Eligible Person shall become a Participant in the Plan by electing to make deferrals in accordance with Section 3.1 during an Election Period, in accordance with such procedures as may be established from time to time by the Committee.  An individual who, at any time, ceases to be an Eligible Person as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, shall cease making deferrals in the Plan, and no future deferrals will be allowed until such time as the individual again becomes an Eligible Person.  In such case, the individual shall remain a Participant in the Plan with respect to amounts already deferred that have not yet been distributed or forfeited.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no deferral election shall be made pursuant to the terms of this Plan document with respect to compensation earned on or after January 1, 2005, and only Grandfathered Amounts shall be subject to the terms of this Plan document.

2.3            Transfers to Non-Participating Related Companies .

An Eligible Employee who becomes employed by an Affiliate, which is not a participating Business Unit, shall no longer be eligible to make any future deferral elections under the Plan.  However, such individual shall remain a participant in the Plan with respect to amounts already deferred and deferral elections that become irrevocable prior to the date of transfer.

2.4            Amendment of Eligibility Criteria .

The Committee may change the criteria for eligibility on a prospective basis.
ARTICLE III
DEFERRAL ELECTIONS

3.1            Elections to Defer Compensation .

(a)   Election to Defer .  Subject to the provisions of Article II and subsection (e), below, each Eligible Employee may elect to defer Compensation earned after the Election Period, by filing an election with the Recordkeeper (a "Deferral Election") that conforms to the requirements of this Section 3.1 either via the internet or mail, on a form provided by the Recordkeeper, by no later than the


 
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last day of the Election Period.  Deferral Elections are irrevocable for the Plan Year, except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan.

(b)   Deferrals of Base Salary and Bonus Amounts .  With respect to each Plan Year, an Eligible Employee may defer, in either whole percentages or a flat dollar amount, up to 85% of Annual Base Salary and up to 100% of increases in Base Salary that become effective during the Year; and up to 100% of Bonuses or other incentive awards that would be payable in a calendar year subsequent to the filing of the Deferral Election.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the total amount deferred shall be limited, as necessary, to satisfy income tax and Social Security Tax (including Medicare) withholding obligations, and employee benefit plan withholding requirements as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the Committee.  The minimum contribution that must be made in any Plan Year by an Eligible Employee shall not be less than $5,000, which may be satisfied from any deferral source (e.g., Base Salary, Bonus, etc.).

(c)   Deferral of Restricted Stock and Performance Shares .  A Designated Individual may elect to defer all or any portion of a Restricted Stock Award or, on or after September 27, 2004, a Performance Share Award as of the date such Award is made provided that such deferral is permitted by the terms of the Award.  Any such deferral election must be made in a time period designated by the Committee in accordance with the applicable Election Period as defined with respect to deferrals of Restricted Stock and Performance Shares.  Such Election shall be irrevocable.  All such deferrals shall be deemed invested only in Stock Units.

(d)   Mandatory Deferral of Excess 162(m) Compensation .  Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to subsection (e), below, to the extent that any Compensation to be paid to an Eligible Employee with respect to a taxable year would exceed the amount deductible by the Company or a Business Unit under Section 162(m) of the Code (the "Excess"), such Excess automatically shall be deferred under the terms of this Plan without the necessity of an election to defer.  Such deferred Excess shall be held and administered subject to the terms of the Plan, provided that, irrespective of the Employee's election as to timing and form of payment under Section 3.3, no deferred Excess shall be distributed to the affected Employee prior to the first taxable year in which such amounts, if paid, would be deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code (or any successor provision).

(e)   Grandfathered Amounts Only .  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no deferral with respect to compensation earned on or after January 1, 2005 shall be subject to the terms of this Plan document.  Any deferral that is not with respect to a Grandfathered Amount shall be subject to the terms of the Plan document entitled “UIL Holdings Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan-Non-Grandfathered Benefit Provisions.”

3.2            Deemed Investment Elections .

(a)   With Respect to Compensation Deferrals .  At the time of making the deferral elections described in Section 3.1(b), the Participant shall designate, on a form provided by the Recordkeeper, or, if allowed by the Committee, via voice response, internet or other technology, the types of investment Funds (selected and made available by the Committee),in which the Participant's Compensation Deferral Subaccount will be deemed to be invested for purposes of determining the amount of net earnings or losses to be credited to that Subaccount.  In making the designation pursuant to this Section 3.2, the Participant may specify that all, or any portion, of his or her Compensation Deferral Subaccount be deemed to be invested, in whole percentage increments, in one or more of the types of investment Funds provided under the Plan, as communicated from time to time by the Committee.

A Participant may change the designation made under this Section 3.2 by filing an election, on a form provided by the Recordkeeper, or, if allowed by the Committee, via voice response,

 
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Internet or other technology on any business day; provided, however, that a Participant who has elected to have some portion of his Compensation Deferrals deemed invested in the Company Stock Fund may not transfer out of such investment with respect to such Compensation Deferral amount.  A Participant may elect to have each Plan Year of Compensation Deferrals hypothetically invested in investment allocations different or distinct from his or her prior elections.

A Participant's Compensation Deferral will be deemed invested in the Money Market Investment Fund (i) if a Participant fails to make a deemed investment election under this Section 3.2, or (ii) pending the effective date of the deemed investment in the Company Stock Fund as provided in Section 3.2(c).

(b)   With Respect to Deferrals of Restricted Stock Awards and Performance Share Awards .  As of the date that Restricted Stock vests, a Participant’s Stock Unit Subaccount shall be credited with the number of Stock Units equivalent in value to the amount of shares of Restricted Stock vested.  As of the date that Performance Shares would be payable to the Participant in the absence of a deferral election made pursuant to Section 3.1, the Participant’s Stock Unit Subaccount shall be credited with a number of Stock Units equivalent in value to the number of Shares that would be payable to the Participant in settlement of the Performance Share Award absent such deferral election.  Notwithstanding the foreoing, only amounts that are deferred and vested prior to January 1, 2005 shall be subject to the terms of this Plan document.

(c)   Deemed Investments Will Be Valued Daily .  Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection 3.2(c) with respect to deemed investments in the Company Stock Fund, a deemed investment direction, or change in deemed investment direction, shall be processed based on the closing values for the date received, if such direction is received by the Recordkeeper by 4 p.m. Eastern Time.  Otherwise, such direction shall be processed based on the closing values of the particular investment Funds on the next business day on which the markets are open.  The net gain or loss of each deemed investment Fund (the "Investment Rate") shall be recorded monthly, and reported quarterly as provided in (e) below.  Except as provided in Section 6.5, below, a Participant’s Account shall be credited with earnings (and losses) until all amounts credited to such Account have been distributed or forfeited.

Except as provided in Subsection 3.2(b) above, a deemed investment in the Company Stock Fund shall be deemed to be a direction to invest in the UIL Stock Money Market Fund pending the end of the quarter, and shall be credited with the rate of return of such deemed investment in the UIL Stock Money Market Fund, with the direction to invest in the Company Stock Fund to be effective as of the third business day following the end of the quarter in which such direction is received, based on the closing price of the Company Stock Fund as of the end of the business day on which such investment is deemed acquired.  Except as provided in Subsection 3.2(b) above, deemed purchases in the Company Stock Fund shall be made on a non-calendar quarter basis, beginning with the third business day following the non-calendar quarter ending with the month of February, 2003, and continuing quarterly thereafter.

Once the investment in the Company Stock Fund is effective with respect to Compensation Deferrals and with respect to deferrals of Restricted Stock and Performance Shares, a Participant may not re-direct such investment back into other deemed investment Funds available under the Plan.

(d)   Committee Discretion concerning Deemed Investment Designations .  Although the Participant may designate deemed investments for his Compensation Deferrals, the Committee shall not be bound by such designation.  The Committee shall have no obligation to actually make any hypothetical investment, but may do so if it chooses.  If a hypothetical investment is actually made by the Committee,  then for the period the investment is held, the timing of actual investment changes and the actual value of

 
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investments, less actual costs, fees and expenses incurred, shall be used to measure investment return of the deemed investment under this Plan.  The Committee shall select from time to time, in its sole and absolute discretion, investment funds, may rebalance funds, and shall communicate the same to the Recordkeeper.

(e)   Quarterly Reporting .  The Investment Rate of each such deemed investment fund shall be used to determine the amount of earnings or losses to be credited to all Participants' Subaccounts under Article IV, and shall be reported on a calendar quarterly basis to Participants.

(f)   Administration and Costs .  The Committee in its discretion shall establish reasonable and uniform rules applicable to all Participants for hypothetical investments under the Plan, which rules shall include, but not be limited to, rules governing the frequency of permitted changes in hypothetical investments and the effective date of such changes.  All direct costs, management fees and other expenses that would have been incurred if a hypothetical investment or change in investment had actually been made shall be charged against a Participant's Account, unless otherwise determined by the Committee.

3.3            Elections as to Form and Timing of Payment .  The provisions of this Section 3.3 apply only to Grandfathered Amounts.

(a)  At the time of making the deferral elections described in Section 3.1, the Participant shall elect, on a form provided by the Recordkeeper:

(i)  to receive his or her Compensation Deferral Account, deferred Restricted Stock Account, deferred Performance Share Account, and any Company Contributions made with respect to such Plan Year either (A) commencing upon his or her termination of service (due to Retirement, death, disability, or voluntary or involuntary termination) or (B) at a specified future date while the Participant remains employed (a “Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date”); and

(ii)  the payment method in which such amounts (and hypothetical net earnings thereon) shall be distributed from among the forms of benefit payment available under Section 6.2.

In determining the Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date, the Participant and the Recordkeeper shall take into account the fact that, with respect to Restricted Stock and Performance Share Awards, the Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date shall be measured from the date on which such Awards would otherwise vest.

(b)  The Participant may, but is not required to, elect to subject each Plan Year's Compensation Deferrals and earnings thereon to a separate distribution schedule.

(c)  Each election as to the timing and form of payment shall apply only for one Plan Year, and only to the Compensation Deferrals, deferrals of Restricted Stock, deferrals of Performance
Shares, and any Company Contributions made with respect to such year, and shall not carry forward.  To the extent that a Participant does not file an election as to form and timing of payment with respect to Compensation Deferrals, Deferrals of Restricted Stock, Deferrals of Performance Shares, and Company Contributions for a Plan Year, the deemed distribution election automatically shall be a lump sum following termination of employment with the Company and its Affiliates.

 
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ARTICLE IV
COMPENSATION DEFERRAL AND COMPANY CONTRIBUTION ACCOUNTS

4.1            Compensation Deferral Subaccount .

The Recordkeeper shall maintain a Compensation Deferral Subaccount for each Participant under the Plan.  Each Participant's Compensation Deferral Subaccount shall be further divided into separate Subaccounts ("Investment Fund Subaccounts"), each of which corresponds to an investment Fund elected by the Participant pursuant to Section 3.2.  A Participant's Compensation Deferral Subaccount shall be credited as follows:

(a)  As soon as administratively feasible, and in no event later than ten (10) days, after amounts are withheld and/or deferred from a Participant's Compensation, the Committee shall credit the Investment Fund Subaccounts of the Participant's Compensation Deferral Subaccount with an amount equal to Compensation deferred by the Participant in accordance with the Participant's election under Section 3.1.

(b)  Each business day, each Investment Fund Subaccount of a Participant's Compensation Deferral Subaccount shall be credited with earnings or losses in an amount equal to that determined by multiplying the balance credited to such investment Fund Subaccount as of the prior day plus contributions credited that day to the Investment Fund Subaccount by the Investment Rate for the corresponding deemed Fund selected by the Participant.

4.2            Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccount .

With approval of the Board, the Company or any Business Unit may from time to time make Discretionary Contributions to the Accounts of Participants or selected Participants, and, if it so decides, may impose a vesting schedule on such Contributions.  In the event that the Company or any Business Unit determines to make such a contribution, the Record keeper shall establish and maintain a Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccount for each Participant under the Plan.  Each Participant's Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccount shall be further divided into separate Subaccounts, each of which corresponds to a Fund elected by the Participant pursuant to Section 3.2(a).  A Participant's Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccount shall be credited as follows:

(a)  The Recordkeeper shall credit the Investment Fund Subaccounts of the Participant's Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccount with an amount equal to the Company Discretionary Contribution Amount, if any, applicable to that Participant, within ten (10) business days after such amount is deemed contributed; and

(b)  Such Subaccount shall be deemed invested, and valued, in the same manner and proportion as the Participant's other Account balances under the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Company.

4.3            Company Matching Contribution Subaccount .  The provisions of this Section 4.3 apply only to Grandfathered Amounts.

(a)  In the event that the Committee determines that a Participant is unable with respect to a calendar year to receive the maximum matching allocation in the UI KSOP due to the Compensation Deferrals made by the Participant to this Plan, the Company shall make a supplemental Company Matching Contribution in the amount of such shortfall to this Plan as soon as administratively feasible following the end of such calendar year.

 
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(b)  In such case, the Recordkeeper shall establish and maintain a Company Matching Contribution Subaccount for such Participant.  Each such Participant's Company Matching Contribution Subaccount shall be deemed invested in the Company Stock Fund, at the end of the quarter in which such contribution is allocated to the Participant's Company Matching Contribution Subaccount, with such contribution deemed invested in the Money Market Fund pending the end of such quarter.

(c)  A Participant's Company Matching Contribution Subaccount shall be valued in the same manner, and at the same time, as the Company Stock Fund.

4.4            Deferred Restricted Stock Account .

(a)  The Recordkeeper shall maintain a Restricted Stock Unit Subaccount for each Designated Individual to record the number of Restricted Stock Units to be credited to such Designated Individual as of the date that such Units vest.

(b)  The number of Restricted Stock Units to be credited shall be equivalent in value to the number of shares of Restricted Stock when vesting restrictions (and any other applicable conditions) have been satisfied.

(c)  The Designated Individual's Restricted Stock Unit Subaccount shall be credited with Dividend Equivalents.

(d)  Until such time as such Subaccounts are actually paid in Stock to the Designated Individual, the Designated Individual shall have no voting rights associated with such Subaccounts.


ARTICLE V
VESTING

5.1            Vesting .

A Participant shall be 100% vested in his or her Compensation Deferral Account and Company Matching Contribution Subaccount.  A Participant shall be vested in accordance with any schedule that the Committee may establish with respect to his or her Company Discretionary Contribution Account, if any.  A Participant shall vest in his or her Restricted Stock Unit Account and Performance Share Unit Account in accordance with the terms of the applicable awards.

5.2            Vesting Upon Death/Change in Control .

Upon death of a Participant, or in the event of a Change in Control, the Participant shall be 100% vested in his or her Compensation Deferral Account, Company Matching Contribution Subaccount, and in any Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccount.


ARTICLE VI
DISTRIBUTIONS

6.1            Manner of Payment—Cash vs. Stock .

With respect to Grandfathered Amounts, distributions shall be made in cash, except to the extent that a Participant’s Subaccounts are deemed invested in the Company Stock Fund.  With respect to Grandfathered Amounts, distributions of Company Stock Fund Subaccounts shall be paid in shares of

 
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Company Stock, except to the extent that the Committee determines some portion of such Subaccount must be paid in cash due to limitations contained in the UIL Holdings Corporation 1999 Restated Stock Plan, the UIL Holdings Corporation Senior Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, or otherwise.  All fractional shares in a Company Stock Fund Subaccount shall be paid in cash.

6.2            Distribution of Grandfathered Accounts .

(a)   Distribution Due to Retirement, Disability or Termination of Service .

(1)   Termination of Service with $10,000 Account Balance or Less .  In the case of a Participant who terminates service with the Company and all affiliates, and who has a total Account balance of $10,000 or less ($50,000 or less for terminations prior to January 1, 2005), the Distributable Amount shall be paid to the Participant in a lump sum distribution as soon as administratively practicable after the end of the calendar quarter in which the Participant terminates service.

(2)   Termination of Service with More than $10,000 Account Balance .

(i)   For Reasons other than Retirement or Disability .  In the case of a Participant who terminates service with the Company and all affiliates for reasons other than Retirement or Disability with an Account balance of more than $10,000 ($50,000 or less for terminations prior to January 1, 2005), the Distributable Amount shall be paid to the Participant in a lump sum after the end of the quarter in which the Participant terminates service.

(ii)   Due to Retirement or Disability .  In the case of a Participant who terminates service with the Company and all affiliates due to Retirement or Disability and has a total Account balance more than $10,000 ($50,000 or less for terminations prior to January 1, 2005), the Distributable Amount shall be paid to the Participant in a lump sum unless the Participant has made a timely election to have the Distributable Amount paid in one of the optional installment forms set forth in Section 6.2(a)(3).

(3)   Election of Installment Form .  An installment form of benefit may be elected by the Participant (to be implemented upon the Participant’s Retirement or Disability), with respect to each Plan Year’s Compensation Deferrals, deferred Restricted Stock Units, deferred Performance Shares Units, and Company Contributions, on a form provided by the Recordkeeper, or, if permitted by the Committee, via voice response, Internet or other approved technology, during an Election Period, from among the following:
(i)   annual installments over five (5) years beginning on the Participant’s Payment Date;
(ii)   annual installments over ten (10) years beginning on the Participant’s Payment Date;

(iii)                 annual installments over fifteen (15) years beginning on the Participant’s Payment Date.

(4)   Modification of Election of Form of Payment .  A Participant may modify the form of benefit that he or she has previously elected, provided such modification occurs at least one (1) year before the Participant terminates employment with the Company.

(5)   Delay of Payment Date with respect to Retiring Participants .  Prior to Retirement a Participant may delay the Payment Date for any Plan Year's Compensation Deferrals to a date later than the otherwise applicable Payment Date, provided such extension occurs at least one year before the Participant's Retirement Date.  The Participant may delay his or her Payment Date no more than twice.

 
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(6)   Timing of Installment Payments .  Upon a Participant's termination of service due to Retirement or Disability, the first annual installment distribution will be made as soon as administratively practicable following the end of the calendar quarter in which the Participant terminates service, but not later than sixty (60) days following the end of the calendar quarter containing the Participant's termination.  Subsequent annual installments will be distributed in February of each year.

(7)   Deferral of Installment Commencement Date to February following Retirement or Disability .  A Participant who terminates service with the Company and all affiliates due to Retirement or Disability may elect to defer commencement of his or her annual installment payments until February of the year following his termination of service due to Retirement or Disability, but any such election must be made at least twelve (12) months prior to such termination of service.

(8)   Timing of Lump Sum Distributions .  Lump sum distributions will be paid as soon as administratively practicable following the end of the calendar quarter in which the Participant terminates service (due to retirement, disability, death or otherwise), but not later than sixty (60) days following the calendar quarter containing his or her termination of service.

(9)   Termination Not on Account of Retirement or Disability .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6.2(a), in the event that a Participant terminates service with the Company and all affiliates for any reason other than Retirement or Disability, including on account of a Change in Control of UIL Holdings or a Business Unit (for whom the Participant was employed as of the Change in Control), then the Participant's entire Account balance will be distributed in a single lump sum.  In the event that a Participant is receiving Scheduled In-Service Withdrawals and then terminates service, any unpaid balance of Subaccounts will be paid in a lump sum.

(10)   Delay of Distribution Due to Disability Offset .  If any distribution from the Plan shall have the effect of reducing disability benefits receivable by the Participant under any other policy, plan, program or arrangement, such distribution may be postponed, in the sole discretion of the Committee, upon application by the Participant.

(b)   Distribution With a Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date .

(1)  In the case of a Participant who has elected a Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal, such Participant shall receive his or her Distributable Amount as scheduled, but only with respect to those deferrals of Compensation, deferrals of Restricted Stock, deferral of Performance Shares, any vested Company Discretionary Contribution Amounts, Company Matching Contribution Amounts and earnings or losses attributable thereto, as shall have been elected by the Participant to be subject to the Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date (as defined in Section 1.1, above).

(2)  A Participant’s Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date in a given Plan Year may be no earlier than three (3) years from the last day of the Plan Year for which the deferrals of Compensation are deemed effective, provided, however that in the case of Restricted Stock Awards and Performance Share Awards, the Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date shall be measured from the date that such awards vest.  A Participant may elect either a lump sum, or annual installments over a period ranging from two (2) years, up to and including five (5) years from the Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date.

(3)  A Participant may extend the Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date for any Plan Year, provided such extension occurs at least one (1) year before the Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date and is for a period of not less than five (5) years from the Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date (not less than two (2) years with respect to any extension occurring prior to January 1, 2005).  The


 
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Participant may modify any Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date in the manner set forth above, no more than two (2) times.

(4)  The first annual installment subject to a Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date shall commence to be paid in February of the Plan Year in which the Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date falls.  Subsequent annual installments will be distributed in February of each year.

(5)  Lump sum distributions will be paid in February of the year specified on the Participant’s election of a Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date.

(6)  If a Participant terminates service with the Company and all affiliates for reasons other than Retirement or Disability prior to his or her Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date, any amounts subject to such Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date will instead be distributed in the form of a lump sum.  Such lump sum distribution will be paid as soon as administratively feasible following the end of the calendar quarter in which the Participant terminates service, but not later than sixty (60) days following the calendar quarter containing his or her termination of service.

(c)   Distribution for Termination Due to Death .  In the case of the death of a Participant while in the service of the Company or an affiliate, the Participant's entire vested Account balance shall be distributed to the Participant's Beneficiary, in a lump sum as soon as practicable following the end of the calendar quarter in which death occurs.  In the event a Participant dies while receiving installment payments, the remaining installments shall be paid to the Participant's Beneficiary in a lump sum as soon as practicable following the end of the calendar quarter in which death occurs.

(d)   Delayed Distribution attributable to Code Section 162(m ).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Company reasonably anticipates that if a payment were made at the time provided for in this Section 6.2, the Company’s deduction with respect to such payment would not be permitted due to the application of Code Section 162(m), it may delay the payment until the Participant’s first taxable year in which the Company reasonably anticipates (or should reasonably anticipate) that if the payment is made during the year, the deduction of such payment will not be barred by the application of Code Section 162(m).

6.3            Early Non-Scheduled Distributions .

A Participant shall be permitted to elect an unplanned Early Distribution from his or her Grandfathered Account Balance prior to the Payment Date, subject to the following restrictions and penalties:

(a)  The election to take an Early Distribution shall be made by filing a form provided by and filed with the Committee or, if permitted by the Committee, via voice response, Internet or other approved technology prior to the end of any calendar month.  No more than two Early Distributions may be taken by any Participant.

(b)  The total amount of the Early Distribution shall be no more than 65% of the Participant's vested Account balance.

(c)  The amount described in subsection (b) above shall be paid in a cash lump sum as soon as practicable after the end of the calendar month in which the Early Distribution election is made.

(d)  If a Participant requests an Early Distribution of his or her entire vested Account, the remaining balance of his or her Account (35% of the Account) shall be permanently forfeited and the Company shall have no obligation to the Participant or his or her Beneficiary with respect to such

 
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forfeited amount.  If a Participant receives an Early Distribution of less than his or her entire vested Account, such Participant shall forfeit 35% of the gross amount to be distributed from the Participant's Account and the Company shall have no obligation to the Participant or his or her Beneficiary with respect to such forfeited amount.

(e)  If a Participant receives an Early Distribution of either all or a part of his or her Account, the Participant will be ineligible to participate in the Plan for the balance of the Plan Year and for the following Plan Year; provided, however, that such individual shall remain a Participant in the Plan with respect to amounts already deferred.

6.4            Hardship Distribution .

(a)  A Participant shall be permitted to elect a Hardship Distribution from his or her Compensation Deferral Subaccount, Matching Contribution Subaccount, and any vested Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccounts prior to the Payment Date, subject to the following restrictions:

(1)  The election to take a Hardship Distribution shall be made by filing a form provided by and filed with Committee or its delegate prior to the end of any calendar month.

(2)  The Committee, or its delegatee, shall have made a determination, in its sole discretion, that the requested distribution constitutes a Hardship Distribution as defined in Section 1.1 of the Plan.

(3)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, no Hardship Distribution may be made to the extent that such Hardship is or may be relieved (i) through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise, (ii) by liquidation of the Participant's assets, to the extent the liquidation of assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship, or (iii) by cessation of deferrals under this Plan.

(b)  The amount determined to qualify for a Hardship Distribution shall be paid in a cash lump sum as soon as practicable after the Hardship Distribution election is made and approved by the Committee or its delegatee.

6.5            Inability to Locate Participant .

In the event that the Committee is unable to locate a Participant or Beneficiary within two years following the required Payment Date, the amount allocated to the Participant's Account shall be forfeited.  If, after such forfeiture, the Participant or Beneficiary later claims such benefit, such benefit shall be reinstated without additional interest or earnings.


ARTICLE VII
ADMINISTRATION

7.1            Committee Action .

The Committee shall act at meetings by affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Committee.  Any action permitted to be taken at a meeting may be taken without a meeting if, prior to such action, a written consent to the action is signed by all members of the Committee and such written consent is filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Committee.  A member of the Committee shall not vote or act upon any matter which relates solely to himself or herself as a Participant.  The Chairman or any other member or members of the Committee designated by the Chairman may execute any certificate or other written direction on behalf of the Committee.  Notwithstanding any provision of the

 
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Plan to the contrary, in the event of any conflict between the Plan and the Committee’s charter, the Committee’s charter shall govern.

7.2            Powers and Duties of the Committee .

The Committee, on behalf of the Participants and their Beneficiaries, shall enforce the Plan in accordance with its terms, shall be charged with the general administration of the Plan, and shall have all powers necessary to accomplish its purposes, including, but not limited to, the following:

(i)  To select the funds in accordance with Section 3.2(a) hereof;

(ii)  To construe and interpret the terms and provisions of this Plan;

(iii)  To compute and certify to the amount and kind of benefits payable to Participants and their Beneficiaries;

(iv)  To maintain all records that may be necessary for the administration of the Plan, and to approve all administrative forms and procedures to be used in the establishment and maintenance of Accounts and Subaccounts;

(v)  To provide for the disclosure of all information and the filing or provision of all reports and statements to Participants, Beneficiaries or governmental agencies as shall be required by law;

(vi)  To make and publish such rules for the regulation of the Plan and procedures for the administration of the Plan as are not inconsistent with the terms hereof;

(vii)  To appoint a Recordkeeper or any other agent, and to delegate to them such powers and duties in connection with the administration of the Plan as the Committee may from time to time prescribe; and

(viii)  To take all actions necessary for the administration of the Plan.

The Committee shall be the named fiduciary and plan adminstrator of the plan for purposes of ERISA.

7.3            Construction and Interpretation .

The Committee shall have full discretion to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of this Plan, which interpretations or construction shall be final and binding on all parties, including but not limited to the Company and any Participant or Beneficiary.  The Committee shall administer such terms and provisions in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner and in full accordance with any and all laws applicable to the Plan.

7.4            Information

To enable the Committee to perform its functions, the Company shall supply full and timely information to the Committee on all matters relating to the Compensation of all Participants, their death or other events which cause termination of their participation in this Plan, and such other pertinent facts as the Committee may require.

 
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7.5            Compensation, Expenses and Indemnity .

(a)  The members of the Committee shall serve without additional compensation for their services hereunder.

(b)  The Committee is authorized at the expense of the Company to employ such legal counsel as it may deem advisable to assist in the performance of its duties hereunder.  Expenses and fees in connection with the administration of the Plan shall be paid by the Company.

(c)  To the extent permitted by applicable state law, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Committee and each member thereof, the Board of Directors and any delegate of the Committee who is an employee of the Company against any and all expenses, liabilities and claims, including legal fees to defend against such liabilities and claims arising out of their discharge in good faith of responsibilities under or incident of the Plan, other than expenses and liabilities arising out of willful misconduct.  This indemnity shall not preclude such further indemnities as may be available under insurance purchased by the Company or provided by the Company under any bylaw, agreement or otherwise, as such indemnities are permitted under state law.

7.6            Filing a Claim .  Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to the Plan shall be filed in writing with the Committee which shall make all determinations concerning such claim.  Any claim filed with the Committee and any decision by the Committee denying such claim shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the Participant or Beneficiary filing the claim (the “Claimant”).

(a)   In General .  Notice of a denial of benefits (other than Disability benefits) will be provided within ninety (90) days of the Committee’s receipt of the Claimant's claim for benefits.  If the Committee determines that it needs additional time to review the claim, the Committee will provide the Claimant with a notice of the extension before the end of the initial ninety (90) day period.  The extension will not be more than ninety (90) days from the end of the initial ninety (90) day period and the notice of extension will explain the special circumstances that require the extension and the date by which the Committee expects to make a decision.

(b)   Disability Benefits .  Notice of denial of Disability benefits will be provided within forty-five (45) days of the Committee’s receipt of the Claimant’s claim for Disability benefits.  If the Committee determines that it needs additional time to review the Disability claim, the Committee will provide the Claimant with a notice of the extension before the end of the initial forty-five (45) day period.  If the Committee determines that a decision cannot be made within the first extension period due to matters beyond the control of the Committee, the time period for making a determination may be further extended for an additional thirty (30) days.  If such an additional extension is necessary, the Committee shall notify the Claimant prior to the expiration of the initial thirty (30) day extension.  Any notice of extension shall indicate the circumstances necessitating the extension of time, the date by which the Committee expects to furnish a notice of decision, the specific standards on which such entitlement to a benefit is based, the unresolved issues that prevent a decision on the claim and any additional information needed to resolve those issues.  A Claimant will be provided a minimum of forty-five (45) days to submit any necessary additional information to the Committee.  In the event that a thirty (30) day extension is necessary due to a Claimant’s failure to submit information necessary to decide a claim, the period for furnishing a notice of decision shall be tolled from the date on which the notice of the extension is sent to the Claimant until the earlier of the date the Claimant responds to the request for additional information or the response deadline.

(c)   Contents of Notice .  If a claim for benefits is completely or partially denied, notice of such denial shall be in writing and shall set forth the reasons for denial in plain language.  The notice shall (i) cite the pertinent provisions of the Plan document and (ii) explain, where appropriate, how the

 
18

 

Claimant can perfect the claim, including a description of any additional material or information necessary to complete the claim and why such material or information is necessary.  The claim denial also shall include an explanation of the claims review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse decision on review.  In the case of a complete or partial denial of a Disability benefit claim, the notice shall provide a statement that the Committee will provide to the Claimant, upon request and free of charge, a copy of any internal rule, guideline, protocol, or other similar criterion that was relied upon in making the decision.

7.7            Appeal of Denied Claims .  A Claimant whose claim has been completely or partially denied shall be entitled to appeal the claim denial by filing a written appeal with a committee designated to hear such appeals (the “Appeals Committee”).  A Claimant who timely requests a review of the denied claim (or his or her authorized representative) may review, upon request and free of charge, copies of all documents, records and other information relevant to the denial and may submit written comments, documents, records and other information relevant to the claim to the Appeals Committee.  All written comments, documents, records, and other information shall be considered “relevant” if the information (i) was relied upon in making a benefits determination, (ii) was submitted, considered or generated in the course of making a benefits decision regardless of whether it was relied upon to make the decision, or (iii) demonstrates compliance with administrative processes and safeguards established for making benefit decisions.  The Appeals Committee may, in its sole discretion and if it deems appropriate or necessary, decide to hold a hearing with respect to the claim appeal.

(a)   In General .  Appeal of a denied benefits claim (other than a Disability benefits claim) must be filed in writing with the Appeals Committee no later than sixty (60) days after receipt of the written notification of such claim denial.  The Appeals Committee shall make its decision regarding the merits of the denied claim within sixty (60) days following receipt of the appeal (or within one hundred and twenty (120) days after such receipt, in a case where there are special circumstances requiring extension of time for reviewing the appealed claim).  If an extension of time for reviewing the appeal is required because of special circumstances, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Claimant prior to the commencement of the extension.  The notice will indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Appeals Committee expects to render the determination on review.  The review will take into account comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the Claimant relating to the claim without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.

(b)   Disability Benefits .  Appeal of a denied Disability benefits claim must be filed in writing with the Appeals Committee no later than one hundred eighty (180) days after receipt of the written notification of such claim denial.  The review shall be conducted by the Appeals Committee (exclusive of the person who made the initial adverse decision or such person’s subordinate).  In reviewing the appeal, the Appeals Committee shall (i) not afford deference to the initial denial of the claim, (ii) consult a medical professional who has appropriate training and experience in the field of medicine relating to the Claimant’s disability and who was neither consulted as part of the initial denial nor is the subordinate of such individual and (iii) identify the medical or vocational experts whose advice was obtained with respect to the initial benefit denial, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the decision.  The Appeals Committee shall make its decision regarding the merits of the denied claim within forty-five (45) days following receipt of the appeal (or within ninety (90) days after such receipt, in a case where there are special circumstances requiring extension of time for reviewing the appealed claim).  If an extension of time for reviewing the appeal is required because of special circumstances, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Claimant prior to the commencement of the extension.  The notice will indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Appeals Committee expects to render the determination on

 
19

 

review.  Following its review of any additional information submitted by the Claimant, the Appeals Committee shall render a decision on its review of the denied claim.

(c)   Contents of Notice .  If a benefits claim is completely or partially denied on review, notice of such denial shall be in writing and shall set forth the reasons for denial in plain language.  The decision on review shall set forth (i) the specific reason or reasons for the denial, (ii) specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based, (iii) a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all documents, records, or other information relevant (as defined above) to the Claimant’s claim, and (iv) a statement describing any voluntary appeal procedures offered by the plan and a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring an action under Section 502(a) of ERISA.  For the denial of a Disability benefit, the notice will also include a statement that the Appeals Committee will provide, upon request and free of charge, (i) any internal rule, guideline, protocol or other similar criterion relied upon in making the decision, (ii) any medical opinion relied upon to make the decision, and (iii) the required statement under Section 2560.503-1(j)(5)(iii) of the Department of Labor regulations.

(d)   Discretion of Appeals Committee .  All interpretations, determinations and decisions of the Appeals Committee with respect to any claim shall be made in its sole discretion, and shall be final and conclusive.


ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS

8.1            Unsecured General Creditor .

Participants and their Beneficiaries, heirs, successors, and assign shall have no legal or equitable rights, claims, or interest in any specific property or assets of the Company, including in any Compensation Deferrals made under this Plan.  No assets of the Company shall be held in any way as collateral security for the fulfilling of the obligations of the Company under this Plan.  Any and all of the Company's assets shall be, and remain, the general unpledged, unrestricted assets of the Company.  The Company's obligation under the Plan shall be merely that of an unfunded and unsecured promise of the Company to pay money in the future, and the rights of the Participants and Beneficiaries shall be no greater than those of unsecured general creditors.  It is the intention of the Company that this Plan be unfunded for purposes of the Code and for purposes of Title 1 of ERISA.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may enter into one or more rabbi trusts, in accordance with the provisions of Revenue Procedure 92-64, to assist it and its Business Units in providing benefits under this Plan.

8.2            Restriction Against Assignment .

The Company shall pay all amounts payable hereunder only to the person or persons designated by the Plan and not to any other person or corporation.  No part of a Participant's Accounts shall be liable for the debts, contracts, or engagements of any Participant, his or her Beneficiary, or successors in interest, nor shall a Participant's Accounts be subject to execution by levy, attachment, or garnishment or by any other legal or equitable proceeding, nor shall any such person have any right to alienate, anticipate, sell, transfer, commute, pledge, encumber, or assign any benefits or payments hereunder in any manner whatsoever.  If any Participant, Beneficiary or successor in interest is adjudicated bankrupt or purports to anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, commute, assign, pledge, encumber or charge any distribution or payment from the Plan, voluntarily or involuntarily, the Committee, in its discretion, may cancel such distribution or payment (or any part thereof) to or for the benefit of such Participant, Beneficiary or successor in interest in such manner as the Committee shall direct.

 
20

 

8.3            Withholding .

There shall be deducted from each payment made under the Plan or any other Compensation payable to the Participant (or Beneficiary) all taxes that are required to be withheld by the Company under applicable federal, state and local laws.  The Company shall have the right to reduce any payment (or compensation) by the amount of cash sufficient to provide the amount of said taxes.

8.4            Amendment, Modification, Suspension or Termination .

The Committee, with the approval of the Board, may amend, modify, suspend or terminate this portion of the Plan in whole or in part, except to the extent that such power has been expressly reserved otherwise under the terms of this portion of the Plan.  No amendment, modification, suspension or termination shall have any retroactive effect to reduce any amounts allocated to a Participant's Accounts.  In the event that this portion of the Plan is terminated, the amounts allocated to a Participant's Accounts shall be distributed to the Participant or, in the event of his or her death, his or her Beneficiary, in a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the date of termination.

8.5            Governing Law .

This Plan shall be construed, governed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut without regard to the conflicts of law principles thereof.

8.6            Receipt or Release .

Any payment to a Participant or the Participant's Beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of the Plan shall, to the extent thereof, be in full satisfaction of all claims against the Committee and the Company.  The Committee may require such Participant or Beneficiary as a condition precedent to such payment, to execute a receipt and release to such effect.

8.7            Payments on Behalf of Persons Under Incapacity .

In the event that any amount becomes payable under the Plan to a person who, in the sole judgment of the Committee, is considered by reason of physical or mental condition to be unable to give a valid receipt therefore, the Committee may direct that such payment be made to any person found by the Committee, in its sole judgment, to have assumed the care of such person.  Any payment made pursuant to such determination shall constitute a full release and discharge of the Committee and the Company.

8.8            Limitation of Rights and Employment Relationship .

Neither the establishment of the Plan nor any modification thereof, nor the creating of any fund or account, nor the payment of any benefits shall be construed as giving any Participant, or Beneficiary or other person any legal or equitable right against the Company except as provided in the Plan; and in no event shall the terms of employment of any Employee or Participant be modified or in any way be affected by the provisions of the Plan.

8.9            Adjustments; Assumptions of Obligations .

In the event of a reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, stock or extraordinary cash dividend, combination of shares, merger, consolidation, distribution of assets, or any other change in the corporate structure or shares of the Company, the Committee shall make the appropriate adjustments in (i) the number of Stock Units credited to Participants' Accounts, (ii) the number (or type) of shares of Stock reserved for issuance hereunder, (iii) the number (or type) of shares subject to any deferred

 
21

 

 
Restricted Stock Units and deferred Performance Shares, and (iv) any Share limitations imposed under the Plan, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or any Stock Units credited hereunder.  In the event of any merger, consolidation or other reorganization in which the Company is not the surviving or continuing entity, all Stock Units, deferred Restricted Stock and deferred Performance Shares hereunder shall be assumed by the surviving or continuing entity.  In the event of any reorganization in which all of the shares of the Company's Stock are exchanged for shares of the common stock of another corporation, all Stock Units credited hereunder and all deferred Restricted Stock Units and deferred Performance Shares outstanding on the effective date of the share exchange shall be automatically converted into obligations of the other corporation on identical terms, and the other corporation shall assume this Plan, or if the Committee deems such action appropriate, it may provide for a cash payment to the Participant.  The Committee may also make adjustments to Stock Units, and deferred Restricted Stock Units and deferred Performance Shares under this Plan on account of those events set forth in Section 8 of the UIL Holdings Corporation 1999 Amended and Restated Stock Plan.

8.10            Headings .

Headings and subheadings in this Plan are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in the construction of the provisions hereof.

Executed as of the 4th day of August, 2008.

                                                           UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION


                                                           By       / s/ James P. Torgerson __________________
                                                                                             James P. Torgerson
                                                              Its President & Chief Executive Officer
     
 
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EXHIBIT A
 
PARTICIPATING BUSINESS UNITS
 
As of January 1, 2008
 

 
Company Name                                                                                                               Date of Participation
 
The United Illuminating Company ("UI")                                                                                           2/1/03
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 23

















EXHIBIT 10.42








UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

NON-GRANDFATHERED BENEFIT PROVISIONS





originally adopted effective January 27, 2003,
as amended through August 4, 2008




 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
Page
INTRODUCTION
1
ARTICLE I – TITLE AND DEFINITIONS
1
1.1         Definitions
1
ARTICLE II – PARTICIPATION
8
2.1         Determination of Eligible Persons
8
2.2         Enrollment; Duration of Participation
8
2.3         Transfers to Non-Participating Related Companies
8
2.4         Amendment of Eligibility Criteria
8
ARTICLE III – DEFERRAL ELECTIONS
9
3.1         Elections to Defer Compensation
9
3.2         Deemed Investment Elections
10
3.3         Elections as to Form and Timing of Payment
12
3.4         Code Section 409A Transition Provisions
13
ARTICLE IV – COMPENSATION DEFERRAL AND COMPANY CONTRIBUTION ACCOUNTS
14
4.1         Compensation Deferral Subaccount
14
4.2         Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccount
14
4.3         Company Matching Contribution Subaccount
14
4.4         Deferred Restricted Stock Account
15
4.5         Deferred Performance Share Account
15
ARTICLE V – VESTING
16
5.1         Vesting
16
5.2         Vesting Upon Death/Change in Control
16
ARTICLE VI – DISTRIBUTIONS
16
6.1         Manner of Payment – Cash vs. Stock
16
6.2         Distribution of Accounts
16
6.3         Hardship Distribution
19
6.4         Inability to Locate Participant
19
6.5         Uninvested Amounts
19
ARTICLE VII – ADMINISTRATION
19
7.1         Committee Action
19
7.2         Powers and Duties of the Committee
20
7.3         Construction and Interpretation
20
7.4         Information
20
7.5         Compensation, Expenses and Indemnity
21
7.6         Filing a Claim
21
7.7         Appeal of Denied Claims
22
ARTICLE VIII – MISCELLANEOUS
23
8.1         Unsecured General Creditor
23
8.2         Restriction Against Assignment
23
8.3         Withholding
24
8.4         Amendment, Modification, Suspension or Termination
24
8.5         Governing Law
24
8.6         Receipt or Release
24
8.7         Payments on Behalf of Persons Under Incapacity
24
8.8         Limitations of Rights and Employment Relationship
24
8.9         Adjustments; Assumptions of Obligations
25
8.10       Headings
25
EXHIBIT A - PARTICIPATING BUSINESS UNITS
26

 
 

 


UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
NON-GRANDFATHERED BENEFIT PROVISIONS


INTRODUCTION

Effective as of February 1, 2003, UIL Holdings Corporation (the "Company") established the UIL Holdings Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan to provide a select group of its senior management and the senior management of its selected Business Units with the opportunity to accumulate capital by deferring compensation on a pre-tax basis, and to provide the Company and its Business Units with a method of rewarding and retaining top executives and managerial employees.  The Plan also permits those eligible executive employees whose matching allocations under the United Illuminating Company 401(k)/Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("UI KSOP") would be limited by virtue of their Compensation Deferrals under this Plan to make up for such limitations with certain supplemental benefits, and provides non-Employee Directors of the Company with a means to defer receipt of certain shares of Restricted Stock and Performance Share awards.

The terms of the Plan as set forth in this Plan document apply solely with respect to deferrals made pursuant to the terms of the Plan on and after January 1, 2005 and with respect to deferrals made pursuant to the terms of the Plan before January 1, 2005 that vest on or after January 1, 2005.  With respect to deferrals made and vested pursuant to the terms of the Plan prior to January 1, 2005, the terms of the Plan are as described in the separate Plan document relating to “Grandfathered Benefits.”  With respect to amounts subject to this Plan document, this Plan document supersedes the prior Plan document (as amended from time to time).


ARTICLE I
TITLE AND DEFINITIONS

1.1            Definitions .

Capitalized terms used in this Plan, shall have the meanings specified below.

" Account " or " Accounts " shall mean a Participant's Non-Grandfathered Amounts under this Plan, including all subaccounts as are specifically authorized for inclusion in this portion of the Plan.

Affiliate ” shall mean any corporation, trade or business that, together with the Company, is treated as a single employer under Code Section 414(b) or (c).

" Base Salary " shall mean an Eligible Employee's annual base salary, excluding commissions, incentive and all other remuneration for services rendered to the Company, but prior to reduction for any salary contributions to a plan established pursuant to Sections 125 or 132(f) of the Code or qualified pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Code.

" Beneficiary " or " Beneficiaries " shall mean the person or persons, including a trustee, personal representative or other fiduciary, last designated in writing by a Participant in accordance with procedures established by the Committee to receive the benefits specified hereunder in the event of the Participant's death.  No beneficiary designation shall become effective until it is filed with the Committee (or the Recordkeeper).  Any designation shall be revocable at any time through a written instrument filed

 
 

 

by the Participant with the Committee (or the Recordkeeper) with or without the consent of the previous Beneficiary, provided, however, that no designation of a Beneficiary other than the Participant's spouse shall be valid unless consented to in writing by such spouse.  If there is no such designation or if there is no surviving designated Beneficiary, then the Participant's surviving spouse shall be the Beneficiary.  If there is no surviving spouse to receive any benefits payable in accordance with the preceding sentence, the duly appointed and currently acting personal representative of the Participant's estate shall be the Beneficiary.  In any case where there is no such personal representative of the Participant's estate duly appointed and acting in that capacity within 90 days after the Participant's death (or such extended period as the Committee determines is reasonably necessary to allow such personal representative to be appointed, but not to exceed 180 days after the Participant's death), then Beneficiary shall mean the person or persons who can verify by affidavit or court order to the satisfaction of the Committee that they are legally entitled to receive the benefits specified hereunder.  In the event any amount is payable under the Plan to a minor, payment shall not be made to the minor, but instead be paid to such minor's legal guardian duly appointed and currently acting to hold the funds for such minor.  If no guardian of the estate for the minor is duly appointed and currently acting within 60 days after the date the amount becomes payable, payment shall be deposited with the court having jurisdiction over the estate of the minor.  Payment by the Company pursuant to any unrevoked Beneficiary designation, or to the Participant's estate if no such designation exists, of all benefits owed hereunder shall terminate any and all liability of the Company.

" Board of Directors " or " Board " shall mean the Board of Directors of UIL Holdings Corporation.

" Business Unit " means The United Illuminating Company ("UI") and any other subsidiary of the Company which, with the consent of the Board, has adopted the Plan.  Business Units shall be listed on Exhibit A to the Plan.

A " Change in Control " of the Company or any Business Unit (an “Employing Company”) occurs on the date on which any of the following events occur:  a change in the ownership of the Employing Company;  a change in the effective control of the Employing Company; and a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Employing Company.

For purposes of this definition:

(i)  A change in the ownership of the Employing Company occurs on the date on which any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of the Employing Company that, together with stock held by such person or group constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Employing Company.

(ii)  A change in the effective control of the Employing Company occurs on the date on which either (A) a person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of the Employing Company possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Employing Company, taking into account all such stock acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition, or (B) a majority of the members of the Employing Company’s Board of Directors is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of such Board of Directors prior to the date of the appointment or election, but only if no other corporation is a majority shareholder of the Employing Company.


 
2

 

(iii)  A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of assets occurs on the date on which any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, other than a person or group of persons that is related to the Employing Company, acquires assets from the Employing Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Employing Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions, taking into account all such assets acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition.

In determining whether a person or group has acquired a percentage of stock, stock of the Company held pursuant to the terms of an employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary thereof in a suspense account or otherwise unallocated to a participant’s account shall be disregarded to the extent that expressing the applicable percentage as a fraction, such shares shall not be included in the numerator, but such shares will be included in the denominator.

An event constitutes a Change in Control with respect to a Participant only if the Participant performs services for the Employing Company that has experienced the Change in Control, or the Participant’s relationship to the affected Employing Company otherwise satisfies the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(2)(i)(5)(ii).

The determination as to the occurrence of a Change in Control shall be based on objective facts and in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A.

" Code " shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Committee ” shall mean the Compensation and Executive Development Committee of the Board (or such other committee as shall be designated by the Board).

" Company " shall mean UIL Holdings Corporation, a Connecticut corporation.

" Company Discretionary Contribution " shall mean such discretionary contributions, if any, credited by the Company to the Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccount of a Participant for a Plan Year.  Such contribution may differ from Participant to Participant both in amount (including no contribution) and as a percentage of Compensation.

" Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccount " shall mean the bookkeeping account maintained by the Company for each Participant that is credited with an amount equal to (i) the Company Discretionary Contribution Amount, if any, paid by the Company, and (ii) net earnings and losses attributable thereto.

" Company Matching Contribution " shall mean such matching contributions, if any, made by the Company with respect to a Participant, in order to make up for the loss of a matching contribution under the UI KSOP resulting from the Participant's Compensation Deferrals under this Plan.

" Company Matching Contribution Subaccount " shall mean the bookkeeping account maintained by the Company for each Participant that is credited with an amount equal to (i) the number of Stock units equal in value to the Company Matching Contributions, if any, and the Dividend Equivalents, if any, paid by the Company, plus (ii) net earnings and losses attributable thereto.

Compensation ” shall mean, in the case of all Eligible Employees, Base Salary, increases in Base Salary received during the Plan Year, incentive awards, deferrals of compensation in

 
3

 

excess of the amount deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code, and any other compensation permitted by the Committee to be deferred.

" Compensation Deferrals " shall mean the compensation deferred by a Participant pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Plan.

" Compensation Deferral Subaccount " shall mean the bookkeeping account maintained by the Recordkeeper for each Participant that is credited with amounts equal to (i) the portion of the Participant's Compensation that he or she elects to defer, and (ii) net earnings and losses attributable thereto.

Designated Individuals ” shall mean those Eligible Employees and Eligible Directors designated as eligible to defer Restricted Stock Awards and/or Performance Shares Awards.

Disability ” or “ Disabled ” shall mean that the Participant is, by reason of any medically-determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months, (i) unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity, or (ii) receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Participant’s employer.  The Committee shall determine whether a Participant is Disabled in accordance with Code Section 409A and related regulations, provided, however, that a Participant shall be deemed to be Disabled if determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration or if the Participant becomes eligible for disability benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan.

" Distributable Amount " shall mean the vested balance in the Participant's Accounts subject to distribution in a given Plan Year.

" Dividend Equivalents " shall mean the amount of cash dividends or other cash distributions paid by the Company on that number of shares equal to the number of Stock Units credited to a Participant's Stock Unit Subaccount as of the applicable record date for the dividend or other distribution, which amount shall be credited in the form of additional Stock Units to the Participant's Stock Unit Subaccount.

" Effective Date " of the Plan means February 1, 2003.

Election Period ” shall mean the time period provided to elect to defer Compensation under the Plan, as provided in Section 3.1.

“Eligible Director” shall mean each non-Employee Director of the Company who is eligible to participate in the Plan, as determined in Section 2.1.

" Eligible Employee " shall mean each Employee of the Company or a participating Business Unit who is eligible to participate in the Plan, as determined in Section 2.1.

" Eligible Person " shall mean each Eligible Employee or Eligible Director of the Company or a participating Business Unit, to the extent that such individual is eligible to participate in the Plan, as determined in Section 2.1.

" Employer " shall mean the Company and its Affiliates.

 
4

 

" ERISA " shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

" Exchange Act " shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

" Fund " or " Funds " shall mean one or more of the investment funds selected by the Committee pursuant to Section 3.2.

" Hardship Distribution " shall mean a distribution made on account of an Unforeseeable Emergency as defined for purposes of Code Section 409A, including Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(3).  Generally, this means a severe financial hardship of the Participant resulting from a sudden and unexpected illness or accident of the Participant or of his or her spouse, beneficiary or dependent, loss of a Participant's property due to casualty, or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant.

" Investment Rate " shall mean, for each Fund, an amount equal to the closing price of such Fund during each business day, recorded for internal reporting to the Company on a monthly basis and reported to Participants on a calendar quarterly basis.

Non-Grandfathered Amount ” means any amount deferred under the Plan which is not a Grandfathered Amount.  A “Grandfathered Amount” means the vested Account Balances of Plan Participants determined as of December 31, 2004, together with actual or notional earnings thereon accruing after December 31, 2004.  Non-Grandfathered Amounts shall be subject to requirements of Code Section 409A and the terms of this Plan document.  Grandfathered Amounts shall be subject to the terms of the Plan document entitled “UIL Holdings Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan Grandfathered Benefit Provisions.”

" Participant " shall mean any Eligible Person who becomes a Participant in this Plan in accordance with Article II.

" Payment Date " shall mean the date for payment of Distributable Amounts, as provided in Article VI.

Performance Share Award ” or “Performance Share” shall mean a long-term incentive performance share award which, if deferred under this Plan, is credited in Stock Units when such Performance Share is vested at the end of the performance period, and which is settled in shares of Company Stock that may be drawn from this Plan, the UIL Holdings Corporation 1999 Amended and Restated Stock Plan, the UIL Holdings Corporation 2008 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan or any other stock plan of the Company which allows for awards to be deferred pursuant to the terms of this Plan, to the extent permitted under the terms of said plans.

" Plan " shall mean the UIL Holdings Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan.  The terms of the Plan are reflected in this document entitled “UIL Holdings Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan – Non-Grandfathered Benefit Provisions” and the document entitled “UIL Holdings Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan – Grandfathered Benefit Provisions.”

" Plan Year " shall mean January 1 to December 31 of each year.

Recordkeeper ” shall mean the administrator appointed by the Committee.  As of February 1, 2003, TBG Financial was appointed the Recordkeeper.

 
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" Restricted Stock " shall mean shares of Stock issued under the Restricted Stock feature of the UIL Holdings Corporation 1999 Amended and Restated Stock Plan, the UIL Holdings Corporation 2008 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan or any other stock plan of the Company, which shares are subject to forfeiture based on non-compliance with certain enumerated criteria.

Restricted Stock Award ” shall mean any award of Restricted Stock which, if deferred under this Plan, shall be credited as Restricted Stock Units, and which is settled in shares of Company Stock that may be drawn from this Plan, the UIL Holdings Corporation 1999 Amended and Restated Stock Plan, the UIL Holdings Corporation 2008 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan or any other stock plan of the Company which allows for awards to be deferred pursuant to the terms of this Plan, to the extent permitted under the terms of said plans.

" Retirement " shall mean termination of service after the Participant has satisfied the age and service requirements for early retirement under the terms of The United Illuminating Company Pension Plan.

" Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date " shall mean February of the year elected by the Participant to withdraw, or begin to withdraw, balances attributable to amounts deferred in a given Plan Year, and earnings and losses attributable thereto.  A Participant’s Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date in a given Plan Year may be no earlier than three years from the last day of the Plan Year for which Compensation Deferrals, deferrals of Restricted Stock, deferrals of Performance Shares, and contributions of Company Discretionary and Matching Contribution Amounts, are made; expressly provided, however, that in the case of the deferrals of Restricted Stock, Performance Shares, and any other Compensation subject to a vesting schedule, the three year period shall be deemed to begin running from the date on which such Restricted Stock, Performance Shares or Compensation would otherwise vest.

Separation from Service ” shall mean a Separation from Service within the meaning of Code Section 409A and related regulations.  The Committee will determine, in accordance with Code Section 409A, whether a Separation from Service has occurred.

(i)  An Employee incurs a Separation from Service upon termination of employment with the Employer.  Except in the case of an Employee on a bona fide leave of absence as provided below, an Employee is deemed to have incurred a Separation from Service if the Employer and the Employee reasonably anticipated that the level of services to be performed by the Employee after a date certain would be reduced to 20% or less of the average services rendered by the Employee during the immediately preceding 36-month period (or the total period of employment, if less than 36 months), disregarding periods during which the Employee was on a bona fide leave of absence.

(ii)  An Employee who is absent from work due to military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence shall incur a Separation from Service on the first date immediately following the later of the six-month anniversary of the commencement of the leave or the expiration of the Employee’s right, if any, to reemployment under statute or contract.

(iii)  For purposes of determining whether a Separation from Service has occurred, the Employer means the Employer as defined above, except that for purposes of determining whether another organization is an Affiliate of the Company, common ownership of at least 50% shall be determinative.

(iv)  Generally, a Director incurs a Separation from Service upon termination of service as a Director of the Company.

 
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(v)  The Committee specifically reserves the right to determine whether a sale or other disposition of substantial assets to an unrelated party constitutes a Separation from Service with respect to a Participant providing services to the seller immediately prior to the transaction and providing services to the buyer after the transaction.  Such determination shall be made in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A.

Specified Employee ” means a Specified Employee as defined for purposes of Code Section 409A and related regulations.  Specified Employee means an Employee who, as of the date of his or her Separation from Service, is a “key employee” of the Company or any Affiliate, any stock of which is actively traded on an established securities market or otherwise.  An Employee is a key employee if he or she meets the requirements of Code Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii), or (iii) (applied in accordance with applicable regulations thereunder and without regard to Code Section 416(i)(5)) at any time during the 12-month period ending on the Specified Employee Identification Date.  Such Employee shall be treated as a key employee for the entire 12-month period beginning on the Specified Employee Effective Date.  In the event of corporate transactions described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i)(6), the identification of Specified Employees shall be determined in accordance with the default rules described therein, unless the Committee elects to utilize the available alternative methodology through designations made within the timeframes specified therein.  For purposes of this definition, Specified Employee Effective Date means the first day of the fourth month following the Specified Employee Identification Date, or such earlier date as is selected by the Committee; and Specified Employee Identification Date means December 31, unless the Committee has elected a different date through action that is legally binding with respect to all nonqualified deferred compensation plans maintained by the Company.

" Stock " shall mean common stock of UIL Holdings Corporation, or any successor to UIL Holdings Corporation.

" Stock Fund " or " Company Stock Fund " shall mean the deemed, unitized, investment Fund established to record (i) Participants' deemed investments in Stock Units, (ii) Designated Individuals' deferrals of Restricted Stock in Stock Units, (iii) Company Matching Contributions invested in Stock Units, (iv) Stock Units credited to Participants’ Accounts upon the vesting of deferred Performance Shares, and (v) Dividend Equivalents deemed reinvested in Stock Units.  The Company has reserved 83,333 (post split) shares of Company Stock for deemed investment in this Plan.  Such Stock Units shall be settled in Shares of Company Stock that may be drawn from this Plan, the UIL Holdings Corporation 1999 Amended and Restated Stock Plan, the UIL Holdings Corporation 2008 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan or any other stock plan of the Company which allows for awards to be deferred pursuant to the terms of this Plan, to the extent permitted under the terms of said plans.

Stock Unit ” shall mean a unit of value, equivalent to the value of a share of Stock, or Restricted Stock, or a Performance Share, established by the Committee as a means of measuring value of the Stock-related portion of an Account under the Plan.

Stock Unit Subaccount ” shall mean the bookkeeping account maintained by the Committee on behalf of each Participant who is credited with Stock Units and, as applicable, Dividend Equivalents, resulting from Compensation Deferrals, Company Matching Contributions deemed invested in Stock Units, deferred Restricted Stock Units and deferred Performance Shares.

Unforeseeable Emergency ” shall mean the circumstances under which a Hardship Distribution may be made.

 
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ARTICLE II
PARTICIPATION

2.1            Determination of Eligible Persons .

All officers of the Company and its Business Units who have been selected by the Committee shall be eligible to participate in this Plan.  Any other key management or highly compensated Employee from time to time designated by the Committee to be eligible to participate shall also be considered an Eligible Employee under the Plan.

Non-Employee Directors of the Company and its Participating Business Units shall be eligible to participate in that portion of the Plan permitting deferral of Restricted Stock and Performance Shares.  Such Directors shall be eligible to participate prospectively in that portion of the Plan permitting elective deferrals of Compensation and other features of the Plan, to the extent that they are made applicable to Directors through subsequent Plan amendment.  A Director shall be deemed an Eligible Person with respect to elective deferrals of Compensation (including fees and retainers) and other features of the Plan at such time as such provisions are made applicable to the Directors.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this portion of the Plan applies only to Eligible Employees and Directors who are Eligible Persons on or after January 1, 2005, and only Non-Grandfathered Amounts shall be subject to the terms of this Plan document.

2.2            Enrollment; Duration of Participation .

An Eligible Person shall become a Participant in the Plan by filing a Deferral Election in accordance with Section 3.1 during an Election Period, in accordance with such procedures as may be established from time to time by the Committee.  An individual who, at any time, ceases to be an Eligible Person as determined in the discretion of the Committee shall not be permitted to enter into future Deferral Elections, and no such Deferral Elections will be allowed until such time as the individual again becomes an Eligible Person; expressly provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit the Company from giving effect to any previously filed Deferral Election that was timely made.  An individual shall remain a Participant in the Plan with respect to amounts already deferred that have not yet been distributed or forfeited.

2.3            Transfers to Non-Participating Related Companies .

An Eligible Employee who becomes employed by an Affiliate which is not a participating Business Unit, shall no longer be eligible to make any future deferral elections under the Plan.  However, such individual shall remain a participant in the Plan with respect to amounts already deferred and deferral elections that became irrevocable prior to the date of transfer.

2.4            Amendment of Eligibility Criteria .

The Committee may change the criteria for eligibility on a prospective basis.

 
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ARTICLE III
DEFERRAL ELECTIONS

3.1            Elections to Defer Compensation .

(a)   Election to Defer .  Subject to the provisions of Article II and this Article III, each Eligible Employee may elect to defer Compensation earned for services after the Election Period ends, by filing an election with the Recordkeeper (a "Deferral Election") that conforms to the requirements of this Section 3.1 either via the internet or mail, on a form provided by the Recordkeeper, by no later than the last day of the Election Period.  Except as expressly provided in (b), (c) or (d) below, an Eligible Person may elect to defer Compensation by an election filed by December 20th (or such later date as determined by the Committee, but in no event later than December 31st) of the year preceding the year in which the services are to be performed and the Compensation earned.  Deferral elections shall become irrevocable as of the last day of the Election Period and shall remain irrevocable for any subsequent Plan Year to which such Deferral Election relates, except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan.  Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, Deferral Elections will continue in effect from Plan Year to Plan Year, unless decreased, increased, or terminated during an Election Period with respect to a subsequent Plan Year.

(b)   First Year of Eligibility .  An Eligible Person shall have a 30 day Election Period beginning as of the date the Eligible Person becomes eligible to participant in the Plan in which to file an initial Deferral Election, provided that the Eligible Person has not participated in any other account balance nonqualified deferred compensation plan maintained by the Company.  Any such Deferral Election shall only be effective with respect to Compensation earned for services to be rendered after the Deferral Election is made.  The amount of annual incentive Compensation that is subject to a first year Deferral Election must be pro-rated, with such pro-ration being based on the days remaining in the calendar year from the date of the election, divided by 365.

                      (c)   Deferral of Performance Share Awards .  The Election Period with respect to the deferral by a Designated Individual of some portion or all of a Performance Share Award shall be any period designated by the Committee, which ends no later than 6 months prior to the end of the performance period related to such Performance Share Award (12 months in the case of Deferral Elections filed prior to January 1, 2007), provided that in no event may an election to defer Performance Shares be made (i) if the performance period is not at least 12 consecutive months in duration, or (ii) after such compensation has become both substantially certain to be paid and readily ascertainable.  In addition, the Designated Individual must have provided services continuously from the later of the beginning of the performance period or the date the performance criteria are established through the date that the Deferral Election is filed.  All deferrals of Performance Shares shall be credited as, and invested only in, Stock Units, without voting rights or any property right.

                      (d)   Deferral of Restricted Stock Units .  The Election Period with respect to deferral by a Designated Individual of some portion or all of a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be the taxable year ending on December 20th (or such later date as determined by the Committee, but in no event later than December 31st) prior to the year in which such Award is granted, and which shall be deemed effective contemporaneously with the granting of such Award with respect to any Restricted Stock Unit vesting at least one year after such Election.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to deferrals of Restricted Stock Unit Awards made in 2006 and later, the Election Period with respect to the deferral by a Designated Individual of some portion or all of a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be a date that ends no later than the thirtieth day following the date of the grant, provided that the Deferral Election is made at least 12 months in advance of the earliest vesting date applicable to such award.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, any deferral of Restricted Stock shall be deemed to be a rejection of the

 
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Restricted Stock Award and a simultaneous award of Restricted Stock Units, all effective as of the date of such Award.  All deferrals of Restricted Stock Units shall be credited as, and invested only in, Stock Units, without voting rights or any property right.

(e)   Deferral Amounts .  Subject to the provisions of this Section 3.1 with respect to each Plan Year, an Eligible Employee may defer, in either whole percentages or a flat dollar amount, up to 85% of Annual Base Salary and up to 100% of increases in Base Salary that become effective during the year following the year of the Deferral Election; and up to 100% of incentive awards (including Performance Share Awards and Restricted Stock Unit Awards).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the total amount deferred shall be limited, as necessary, to satisfy income tax and Social Security Tax (including Medicare) withholding obligations, and employee benefit plan withholding requirements as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the Committee.  The minimum contribution that must be made in any Plan Year by an Eligible Employee shall not be less than $5,000, which may be satisfied from any deferral source (e.g., Base Salary, annual incentive, etc.).

(f)   Mandatory Deferral of Excess Code Section 162(m) Compensation .  Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, to the extent that any Compensation to be paid to an Eligible Employee with respect to a taxable year would exceed the amount deductible by the Company or a Business Unit under Section 162(m) of the Code (the “Excess”), such Excess automatically shall be deferred under the terms of this Plan without the necessity of an election to defer.  Such deferred Excess shall be held and administered as a Compensation Deferral subject to the terms of the Plan, provided that, irrespective of the Employee’s election as to timing and form of payment under Section 3.3, no deferred Excess shall be distributed to the affected Employee prior to the first taxable year in which such amounts, if paid, would not be non-deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code.

3.2            Deemed Investment Elections .

(a)   With Respect to Compensation Deferrals .  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3.2, at the time of making a Deferral Election, the Participant shall designate, on a form provided by the Recordkeeper, or, if allowed by the Committee, via voice response, internet or other technology, the types of investment Funds (selected and made available by the Committee), in which the Participant's Compensation Deferral Subaccount will be deemed to be invested for purposes of determining the amount of net earnings or losses to be credited to that Subaccount.  In making the designation pursuant to this Section 3.2, the Participant may specify that all, or any portion, of his or her Compensation Deferral Subaccount be deemed to be invested, in whole percentage increments, in one or more of the types of investment Funds provided under the Plan, as communicated from time to time by the Committee.

A Participant may change the designation made under this Section 3.2 by filing an election, on a form provided by the Recordkeeper, or, if allowed by the Committee, via voice response, Internet or other technology on any business day; provided, however, that a Participant who has elected to have some portion of his Compensation Deferrals deemed invested in the Company Stock Fund may not transfer out of such investment with respect to such Compensation Deferral amount.  A Participant may elect to have each Plan Year of Compensation Deferrals hypothetically invested in investment allocations different or distinct from his or her prior elections.

A Participant's Compensation Deferral will be deemed invested in the Money Market investment Fund (i) if a Participant fails to make a deemed investment election under this Section 3.2, or (ii) pending the establishment of a full array of deemed investment options by the Committee, or (iii) pending the effective date of the deemed investment in the Company Stock Fund as provided in Section 3.2(e).

 
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(b)   With Respect to Deferrals of Restricted Stock Awards and Performance Share Awards .  As of the date that Restricted Stock vests, a Participant’s Stock Unit Subaccount shall be credited with the number of Stock Units equivalent in value to the amount of shares of Restricted Stock vested.  As of the date that Performance Shares would be payable to the Participant in the absence of a Deferral Election made pursuant to Section 3.1, the Participant’s Stock Unit Subaccount shall be credited with a number of Stock Units equivalent in value to the number of Shares that would be payable to the Participant in settlement of the Performance Share Award absent such Deferral Election.

(c)   With Respect to Company Contribution Subaccounts .  Contributions to a Participant’s Company Discretionary Contributions Subaccount, if any, shall be deemed invested, and valued, in the same manner and proportion as the Participant's Compensation Deferral Subaccount under the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Company.  Contributions to a Participant's Company Matching Contribution Subaccount, if any, shall be deemed invested in the Company Stock Fund.

(d)   Deemed Investments Will Be Valued Daily .  Except as otherwise provided in Subsection 3.2(e) with respect to deemed investments in the Company Stock Fund, a deemed investment direction, or change in deemed investment direction, shall be processed based on the closing values for the date received, if such direction is received by the Recordkeeper by 4 p.m. Eastern Time.  Otherwise, such direction shall be processed based on the closing values of the particular investment Funds on the next business day on which the markets are open.  The net gain or loss of each deemed investment Fund (the "Investment Rate") shall be recorded monthly, and reported quarterly as provided in (g), below.  Except as provided in Section 6.4, below, a Participant’s Account shall be credited with earnings (and losses) until all amounts credited to such Account have been distributed or forfeited.

(e)   Company Stock Fund .  Except as provided in Subsection 3.2(b) above, a deemed investment in the Company Stock Fund shall be deemed to be a direction to invest in the Money Market Investment Fund pending the end of the quarter, and shall be credited with the rate of return of such deemed investment in the Money Market Investment Fund, with the direction to invest in the Company Stock Fund to be effective as of the third business day following the end of the quarter in which such direction is received, based on the closing price of the Company Stock Fund as of the end of the business day on which such investment is deemed acquired.  Except as provided in Subsection 3.2(b) above, deemed purchases in the Company Stock Fund shall be made on a non-calendar quarter basis, beginning with the third business day following the non-calendar quarter ending with the month of February, and continuing quarterly thereafter.  Once the investment in the Company Stock Fund is effective, a Participant may not re-direct such investment back into other deemed investment Funds available under the Plan.

(f)   Committee Discretion Concerning Deemed Investment Designations .  Although the Participant may designate deemed investments for his Compensation Deferrals, the Committee shall not be bound by such designation.  The Committee shall have no obligation to actually make any hypothetical investment, but may do so if it chooses.  If a hypothetical investment is actually made by the Committee,  then for the period the investment is held, the timing of actual investment changes and the actual value of investments, less actual costs, fees and expenses incurred, shall be used to measure investment return of the deemed investment under this Plan.  The Committee shall select from time to time, in its sole and absolute discretion, investment funds and shall communicate the same to the Recordkeeper.

(g)   Quarterly Reports .  The Investment Rate of each such deemed investment fund shall be used to determine the amount of earnings or losses to be credited to all of Participants' Subaccounts under Article IV, and shall be reported on a calendar quarterly basis to Participants.

 
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(h)   Administration and Costs .  The Committee in its discretion shall establish reasonable and uniform rules applicable to all Participants for hypothetical investments under the Plan, which rules shall include, but not be limited to, rules governing the frequency of permitted changes in hypothetical investments and the effective date of such changes.  All direct costs, management fees and other expenses that would have been incurred if a hypothetical investment or change in investment had actually been made shall be charged against a Participant's Account, unless otherwise determined by the Committee.

3.3            Elections as to Form and Timing of Payment .

(a)  At the same time that the Participant makes the Deferral Elections described in Section 3.1, the Participant shall elect, on a form provided by the Recordkeeper:

(i)  to receive his or her Compensation Deferral Account, deferred Restricted Stock Account, deferred Performance Share Account, and any Company Contributions made with respect to such Plan Year either (A) commencing upon his or her Separation from Service (due to Retirement, death, Disability, or voluntary or involuntary termination) or (B) at a specified future date while the Participant remains employed (a “Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date”), and

(ii)  the payment method in which such amounts (and hypothetical net earnings thereon) shall be distributed from among the forms of benefit payment available under Section 6.2.

In determining the Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date, the Participant and the Recordkeeper shall take into account the fact that, with respect to Restricted Stock and Performance Share Awards, the Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date shall be measured from the date on which such Awards would otherwise vest.

(b)  The Participant may, but is not required to, elect to subject each Plan Year's Compensation Deferrals and earnings thereon to a separate distribution schedule.

(c)  Except as otherwise provided by the Plan Administrator, each election as to the timing and form of payment shall carry forward from year to year, unless modified by the Participant by means of filing a subsequent election in accordance with Section 3.3(d).  Elections as to time and form of payment are irrevocable as of the end of the related Deferral Election Period (as provided in Section 3.1) except as provided in Section 3.3(d).  Timing and form of payment elections applicable to Company contributions shall become irrevocable in accordance with the timing rules applicable to Compensation Deferral Elections (as provided in Section 3.1(a)).  To the extent that a Participant does not file an election as to form and timing of payment with respect to Compensation Deferrals, Deferrals of Restricted Stock, Deferrals of Performance Shares, and Company Contributions for a Plan Year, the deemed distribution election automatically shall be a lump sum following the Participant’s Separation from Service.

(d)   Subsequent Elections as to Timing and Form of Payment .  A Participant may change an election as to the timing or form of payment of Non-Grandfathered Amounts in the Participant’s Account by filing a subsequent written distribution election, provided however that with respect to such Non-Grandfathered Amounts:

(i)  such subsequent election is consistent with one of the forms of benefit payment provided in Section 6.2 (i.e., a permitted installment form or a lump sum);

(ii)  such subsequent election does not take effect until at least 12 months after the date on which the subsequent election is made;

 
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(iii)  in the case of an election relating to a payment other than on account of death, Disability or the occurrence of an Unforeseeable Emergency, the first payment with respect to which such election is made is deferred for a period of not fewer than five (5) years from the date that payment would otherwise have been made or commenced; and

(iv)  with respect to any election relating to a distribution to be made (or to commence) as of a specified time or fixed schedule (as defined in Code Section 409(a)(2)(A))(iv)), the subsequent election is made not fewer than 12 months prior to the date of the first scheduled payment.

No change of election shall permit the acceleration or delay of the time or schedule of any payment under the Plan, except as may be provided by regulation or other guidance issued pursuant to Code Section 409A(a)(3) (including, without limitation, Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)).

3.4            Code Section 409A Transition Provisions .

(a)   Grandfathering Pre-2005 Accruals; Time and Form of Payment .  The vested Account Balances of Plan Participants determined as of December 31, 2004, together with actual or notional earnings thereon accruing after December 31, 2004 (the “Grandfathered Amount”) shall be subject to the provisions of the Plan and tax law in effect immediately prior to the enactment of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (i.e., as of October 3, 2004), including without limitation requirements as to election of the timing and form of payment; expressly provided, however that the Grandfathered Amounts shall be so grandfathered only to the extent that the Plan terms governing such Amounts are not materially modified after October 3, 2004.  Grandfathered Amounts shall be subject to the terms of the Plan document entitled “UIL Holdings Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan Grandfathered Benefit Provisions,” and not this Plan document.

(b)   Non-Grandfathered Amounts .  That portion of a Participant’s Account Balance attributable to Deferral Elections and/or Company contributions made with respect to the 2005 Plan Year and thereafter, and amounts subject to earlier Deferral Elections that did not vest prior to January 1, 2005, together with actual or notional earnings thereon, are a Participant’s Non-Grandfathered Amounts.  Non-Grandfathered Amounts are subject to the provisions of Code Section 409A and guidance issued thereunder, and the terms of this Plan document.

(c)   Modification of Elections as to Time and Form of  Payment During Transition Period .  Notwithstanding Section 3.3(d), Participants in the Plan as of January 1, 2005 or who became Participants on or after January 1, 2005 and before December 31, 2008, may change benefit distribution elections with respect to Non-Grandfathered Amounts during the period from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2008 with respect to benefits accrued prior to the election, provided the election is timely made and in accordance with the transition relief published by the Internal Revenue Service in Notice 2005-1, Notice 2006-64, Notice 2007-86, the preamble to the proposed and formal regulations under Code Section 409A and other IRS guidance.

 
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ARTICLE IV
COMPENSATION DEFERRAL AND COMPANY CONTRIBUTION ACCOUNTS

4.1            Compensation Deferral Subaccount .

The Recordkeeper shall establish and maintain a Compensation Deferral Subaccount for each Participant under the Plan.  Each Participant's Compensation Deferral Subaccount shall be further divided into separate Subaccounts ("Investment Fund Subaccounts"), each of which corresponds to an investment Fund elected by the Participant pursuant to Section 3.2.  A Participant's Compensation Deferral Subaccount shall be credited as follows:

(a)  As soon as administratively feasible, and in no event later than ten (10) days, after amounts are withheld and/or deferred from a Participant's Compensation, the Committee shall credit the Investment Fund Subaccounts of the Participant's Compensation Deferral Subaccount with an amount equal to Compensation deferred by the Participant in accordance with the Participant's election under Section 3.1.

(b)  Each business day, each Investment Fund Subaccount of a Participant's Compensation Deferral Subaccount shall be credited with earnings or losses in an amount equal to that determined by multiplying the balance credited to such investment Fund Subaccount as of the prior day plus contributions credited that day to the Investment Fund Subaccount by the Investment Rate for the corresponding deemed Fund selected by the Participant.

4.2            Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccount .

With approval of the Board, the Company or any Business Unit may from time to time make Discretionary Contributions to the Accounts of Participants or selected Participants, and, if it so decides, may impose a vesting schedule on such Contributions.  In the event that the Company or any Business Unit determines to make such a contribution, the Recordkeeper shall establish and maintain a Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccount for each Participant under the Plan.  Each Participant's Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccount shall be further divided into separate Subaccounts, each of which corresponds to a Fund elected by the Participant pursuant to Section 3.2.  A Participant's Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccount shall be credited as follows:

(a)  The Recordkeeper shall credit the Investment Fund Subaccounts of the Participant's Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccount with an amount equal to the Company Discretionary Contribution Amount, if any, applicable to that Participant, within ten (10) business days after such amount is deemed contributed; and

(b)  Such Subaccount shall be deemed invested, and valued, in the same manner and proportion as the Participant's other Account balances under the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Company.

4.3            Company Matching Contribution Subaccount .

(a)  In the event that the Committee determines that a Participant is unable with respect to a calendar year to receive the maximum matching allocation in the UI KSOP due to the Compensation Deferrals made by the Participant to this Plan, the Company shall make a supplemental Company Matching Contribution in the amount of such shortfall to this Plan as soon as administratively feasible following the end of such calendar year.

 
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(b)  In such case, the Recordkeeper shall establish and maintain a Company Matching Contribution Subaccount for such Participant.  Each such Participant's Company Matching Contribution Subaccount shall be deemed invested in the Company Stock Fund, at the end of the quarter in which such contribution is allocated to the Participant's Company Matching Contribution Subaccount, with such contribution deemed invested in the Money Market Fund pending the end of such quarter.

4.4            Deferred Restricted Stock Account .

(a)  The Recordkeeper shall maintain a Restricted Stock Unit Subaccount for each Designated Individual to record the number of Restricted Stock Units to be credited to such Designated Individual as of the date that such Stock Units vest.  The Recordkeeper shall also maintain records of Deferral Elections relating to Restricted Stock Units that have not yet vested.

(b)  The number of Restricted Stock Units to be credited shall be equivalent in value to the number of shares of Restricted Stock when vesting restrictions (and any other applicable conditions) have been satisfied.

(c)  The Designated Individual's Restricted Stock Unit Subaccount shall be credited with Dividend Equivalents.

(d)  Until such time as such Subaccounts are actually paid in Stock to the Designated Individual, the Designated Individual shall have no voting rights associated with such Subaccounts.

4.5            Deferred Performance Share Account .

(a)  The Recordkeeper shall maintain a Stock Unit Subaccount for each Designated Individual to record the number of Stock Units to be credited to such Designated Individual as of the date that any Performance Shares would otherwise be payable to the Participant upon vesting thereof in the absence of a deferral election made pursuant to Section 3.1.

(b)  The number of Stock Units to be credited shall be equivalent in value to the number of shares of Stock that would have been payable to the Participant in settlement of the Performance Share Award absent his deferral election.

(c)  The Designated Individual’s Performance Share Subaccount shall not be credited with Dividend Equivalents; expressly provided however, that with respect to Stock Units credited to a Participant’s account in respect of Performance Shares that vest on or after December 31, 2006, such Stock Units shall be credited with Dividend Equivalents from, and after, the date of vesting of such Performance Shares.

(d)  Until such time as such Performance Share Subaccounts are actually paid in Stock to the Designated Individual, the Designated Individual shall have no voting rights associated with such Performance Share Subaccounts.

 
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ARTICLE V
VESTING

5.1            Vesting .

A Participant shall be 100% vested in his or her Compensation Deferral Account and Company Matching Contribution Subaccount.  A Participant shall be vested in accordance with any schedule that the Committee may establish with respect to his or her Company Discretionary Contribution Account, if any.  A Participant shall vest in his or her Restricted Stock Unit Account and Performance Share Unit Account in accordance with the terms of the applicable awards.

5.2            Vesting Upon Death/Change in Control .

Upon death of a Participant, or in the event of a Change in Control, the Participant shall be 100% vested in his or her Compensation Deferral Account, Company Matching Contribution Subaccount, and in any Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccount.


ARTICLE VI
DISTRIBUTIONS

6.1            Manner of Payment—Cash vs. Stock .

Distributions shall be made in cash, except to the extent that a Participant’s Subaccounts are deemed invested in the Company Stock Fund.  Distributions of Company Stock Fund Subaccounts shall be paid in shares of Company Stock, except to the extent that the Committee determines some portion of such Subaccount must be paid in cash due to limitations contained in the UIL Holdings Corporation 1999 Restated Stock Plan, the UIL Holdings Corporation 2008 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan (or any other stock plan of the Company which allows for awards to be deferred pursuant to the terms of this Plan), the UIL Holdings Corporation Senior Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, or otherwise.  All fractional shares in a Company Stock Fund Subaccount shall be paid in cash.

6.2            Distribution of Accounts .

Distribution of Non-Grandfathered Amounts shall be made only in the event of a Participant’s Separation from Service (including on account of Retirement, death or Disability), or on account of a Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date.  Benefits will be paid (or commence to be paid) as of the Participant’s Payment Date.

(a)   Distribution Due to Separation from Service .

(1)   De Minimis Account Balances .  Subject to Section 6.2(a)(6), in the case of a Participant who has a Separation from Service (other than on account of death) and who has a total Account balance of $10,000 or less, the Amount shall be paid to the Participant in a lump sum distribution within 60 days of the Participant’s Separation from Service Date, provided that in no event shall the Participant have a right to designate the date or taxable year of the payment.

(2)   Distribution of Accounts over $10,000 .  Subject to Section 6.2(a)(6), in the case of a Participant who has a Separation from Service (other than on account of death) and who has a total Account balance of more than $10,000, the Distributable Amount shall be paid to the Participant in a single lump sum distribution as of the first day of the first calendar quarter

 
16

 

following the calendar quarter in which the Participant has a Separation from Service, unless the Participant has made a timely election, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.3, to receive payments in one of the optional installment forms set forth in Section 6.2(a)(3).

(3)   Election of Payment Form .  In accordance with Section 3.3, a Participant may elect to have Distributable Amounts distributed either in a single lump sum or in one of the following installment forms.  The installment forms that are available are:

(i)  annual installments over five (5) years, beginning on the Participant’s Payment Date;

(ii)  annual installments over ten (10) years, beginning on the Participant’s Payment Date;

(iii)  annual installments over fifteen (15) years, beginning on the Participant’s Payment Date.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event a Participant has a Separation from Service (other than on account of death) within 24 months after a Change in Control, the Distributable Amount shall be paid to the Participant in a single lump sum distribution as of the first day of the first calendar quarter following the calendar quarter in which the Participant’s Separation from Service occurs, subject to Section 6.2(a)(6).

(4)   Commencement of Distributions .  Except with respect to de minimis Account balances, as provided in Section 6.2(a)(1) and subject to Section 6.2(a)(6), all installment payments and lump sum distributions shall commence to be paid, or be paid on the first day of the first calendar quarter following the calendar quarter in which the Participant Separates from Service.

(5)   Modification of Election of Form of Payment .  A Participant may change his or her election as to the timing and payment of Non-Grandfathered Amounts only in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.3(d) on subsequent elections and Section 3.4.

(6)   Delay in Distribution for Specified Employees .  Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time the Company is publicly traded on an established securities market (as defined for purposes of Code Section 409A) and a distribution is to be made to a Specified Employee (as defined for purposes of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i)) on account of a Separation from Service, other than on account of death, no distribution shall be made to the Specified Employee before the date which is six months after the date of the Specified Employee’s Separation from Service or, if earlier, the date of death of the Specified Employee (the “Distribution Restriction Period”), and the Specified Employee’s Payment Date shall be the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning on or after the end of the Distribution Restriction Period.

(b)   Distribution With a Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date .

(1)  In the case of a Participant who has elected a Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal, such Participant shall receive his or her Distributable Amount as scheduled, but only with respect to those deferrals of Compensation, deferrals of Restricted Stock, deferral of Performance Shares, any vested Company Discretionary Contribution Amounts, Company Matching Contribution Amounts and earnings or losses attributable thereto, as shall have been elected by the Participant to be subject to the Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date (as defined in Section 1.1, above).

 
17

 

(2)  A Participant’s Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date in a given Plan Year may be no earlier than three (3) years from the last day of the Plan Year for which the deferrals of Compensation are deemed effective, provided, however that in the case of Restricted Stock Awards and Performance Share Awards, the Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date shall be measured from the date that such awards vest.  A Participant may elect either a lump sum, or annual installments over a period ranging from two (2) years, up to and including five (5) years from the Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date.

(3)  A Participant may elect to extend the Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date for any Plan Year, provided such election otherwise complies with the requirements of Section 3.3(d) on “subsequent elections.”  The Participant may modify any Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date in the manner set forth above, no more than two (2) times.

(4)  The first annual installment subject to a Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date shall commence to be paid in February of the Plan Year in which the Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date falls.  Subsequent annual installments will be distributed in February of each year.

(5)  Lump sum distributions will be paid in February of the year specified on the Participant’s election of a Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date.

(6)  If a Participant has a Separation from Service prior to his or her Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date, any amounts subject to such Scheduled In-Service Withdrawal Date will instead be distributed in the form of a lump sum.  Such lump sum distribution will be paid on the first day of the calendar quarter beginning on or after the Separation from Service, subject to the provisions of Section 6.2(a)(6) concerning distributions to a Specified Employee upon a Separation from Service.

(c)   Death of a Participant .  In the case of the death of a Participant while in the service of the Company or an Affiliate, the Participant's entire vested Account balance shall be distributed to the Participant's Beneficiary in a lump sum on the first day of the calendar quarter beginning after the death occurs.  In the event a Participant dies while receiving installment payments, the remaining installments shall be paid to the Participant's Beneficiary in a lump sum on the first day of the calendar quarter beginning after the death occurs.

(d)   Delayed Payment Date Attributable to Impracticability of Calculation .  In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(d), if as of a Payment Date, calculation of the amount of the payment is not administratively practicable due to events beyond the control of the participant (or the participant’s beneficiary), payment shall be made during the first taxable year of the participant (or beneficiary) in which the calculation of the amount of the payment is administratively practicable.

(e)   Delayed Distribution Attributable to Code Section 162(m ).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Company reasonably anticipates that if a payment were made at the time provided for in this Section 6.2, the Company’s deduction with respect to such payment would not be permitted due to the application of Code Section 162(m), it may delay the payment until the Participant’s first taxable year in which the Company reasonably anticipates (or should reasonably anticipate) that if the payment is made during the year, the deduction of such payment will not be barred by the application of Code Section 162(m).  This Section 6.2(f) shall be administered in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(7)-(i).

 
18

 

6.3            Hardship Distribution .

(a)  In the event of an Unforeseeable Emergency, a Participant shall be permitted to elect a Hardship Distribution from his or her Compensation Deferral Subaccount, Matching Contribution Subaccount, and any vested Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccounts prior to the Payment Date, subject to the following restrictions:

(1)  The election to take a Hardship Distribution shall be made by filing a form provided by and filed with Committee or its delegate prior to the end of any calendar month.

(2)  The Committee, or its delegatee, shall have made a determination, in its sole discretion, that the requested distribution constitutes a Hardship Distribution as defined in Section 1.1 of the Plan.

(3)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, no Hardship Distribution may be made to the extent that such Hardship is or may be relieved (i) through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise, (ii) by liquidation of the Participant's assets, to the extent the liquidation of assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship, or (iii) by cessation of deferrals under this Plan.

(b)  The amount determined to qualify for a Hardship Distribution shall be paid in a cash lump sum as soon as practicable after the Hardship Distribution election is made and approved by the Committee or its delegatee.  The amount paid shall be debited pro rata from the Participant’s Compensation Deferral Subaccount, Matching Contribution Subaccount and vested Company Discretionary Contribution Subaccount.

(c)  This Section 6.3 is intended to and shall be interpreted to be consistent with Treasury Regulations Section 409A-3(i)(3).

6.4            Inability to Locate Participant .

In the event that the Committee is unable to locate a Participant or Beneficiary within two years following the required Payment Date, the amount allocated to the Participant's Account shall be forfeited.  If, after such forfeiture, the Participant or Beneficiary later claims such benefit, such benefit shall be reinstated without additional interest or earnings.

6.5            Unvested Amounts .  Any amounts that are not (or do not become) vested as of the date they would otherwise be paid shall be forfeited.


ARTICLE VII
ADMINISTRATION

7.1            Committee Action .

The Committee shall act at meetings by affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Committee.  Any action permitted to be taken at a meeting may be taken without a meeting if, prior to such action, a written consent to the action is signed by all members of the Committee and such written consent is filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Committee.  A member of the Committee shall not vote or act upon any matter which relates solely to himself or herself as a Participant.  The Chairman or any other member or members of the Committee designated by the Chairman may execute any

 
19

 

certificate or other written direction on behalf of the Committee.  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event of any conflict between the Plan and the Committee’s charter, the Committee’s charter shall govern.

7.2            Powers and Duties of the Committee .

The Committee, on behalf of the Participants and their Beneficiaries, shall enforce the Plan in accordance with its terms, shall be charged with the general administration of the Plan, and shall have all powers necessary to accomplish its purposes, including, but not limited to, the following:

(i)  To select the funds in accordance with Section 3.2(a) hereof;

(ii)  To construe and interpret the terms and provisions of this Plan;

(iii)  To compute and certify to the amount and kind of benefits payable to Participants and their Beneficiaries;

(iv)  To maintain all records that may be necessary for the administration of the Plan, and to approve all administrative forms and procedures to be used in the establishment and maintenance of Accounts and Subaccounts;

(v)  To provide for the disclosure of all information and the filing or provision of all reports and statements to Participants, Beneficiaries or governmental agencies as shall be required by law;

(vi)  To make and publish such rules for the regulation of the Plan and procedures for the administration of the Plan as are not inconsistent with the terms hereof;

(vii)  To appoint a Recordkeeper or any other agent, and to delegate to them such powers and duties in connection with the administration of the Plan as the Committee may from time to time prescribe; and

(viii)  To take all actions necessary for the administration of the Plan.

The Committee shall be the named fiduciary and plan administrator of the Plan for purposes of ERISA.

7.3            Construction and Interpretation .

The Committee shall have full discretion to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of this Plan, which interpretations or construction shall be final and binding on all parties, including but not limited to the Company and any Participant or Beneficiary.  The Committee shall administer such terms and provisions in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner and in full accordance with any and all laws applicable to the Plan.

7.4            Information .

To enable the Committee to perform its functions, the Company shall supply full and timely information to the Committee on all matters relating to the Compensation of all Participants, their death or other events which cause termination of their participation in this Plan, and such other pertinent facts as the Committee may require.

 
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7.5            Compensation, Expenses and Indemnity .

(a)  The members of the Committee shall serve without additional compensation for their services hereunder.

(b)  The Committee is authorized at the expense of the Company to employ such legal counsel as it may deem advisable to assist in the performance of its duties hereunder.  Expenses and fees in connection with the administration of the Plan shall be paid by the Company.

(c)  To the extent permitted by applicable state law, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Committee and each member thereof, the Board of Directors and any delegate of the Committee who is an employee of the Company against any and all expenses, liabilities and claims, including legal fees to defend against such liabilities and claims arising out of their discharge in good faith of responsibilities under or incident of the Plan, other than expenses and liabilities arising out of willful misconduct.  This indemnity shall not preclude such further indemnities as may be available under insurance purchased by the Company or provided by the Company under any bylaw, agreement or otherwise, as such indemnities are permitted under state law.

7.6            Filing a Claim .  Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to the Plan shall be filed in writing with the Committee which shall make all determinations concerning such claim.  Any claim filed with the Committee and any decision by the Committee denying such claim shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the Participant or Beneficiary filing the claim (the “Claimant”).

(a)   In General .  Notice of a denial of benefits (other than Disability benefits) will be provided within ninety (90) days of the Committee’s receipt of the Claimant's claim for benefits.  If the Committee determines that it needs additional time to review the claim, the Committee will provide the Claimant with a notice of the extension before the end of the initial ninety (90) day period.  The extension will not be more than ninety (90) days from the end of the initial ninety (90) day period and the notice of extension will explain the special circumstances that require the extension and the date by which the Committee expects to make a decision.

(b)   Disability Benefits .  Notice of denial of Disability benefits will be provided within forty-five (45) days of the Committee’s receipt of the Claimant’s claim for Disability benefits.  If the Committee determines that it needs additional time to review the Disability claim, the Committee will provide the Claimant with a notice of the extension before the end of the initial forty-five (45) day period.  If the Committee determines that a decision cannot be made within the first extension period due to matters beyond the control of the Committee, the time period for making a determination may be further extended for an additional thirty (30) days.  If such an additional extension is necessary, the Committee shall notify the Claimant prior to the expiration of the initial thirty (30) day extension.  Any notice of extension shall indicate the circumstances necessitating the extension of time, the date by which the Committee expects to furnish a notice of decision, the specific standards on which such entitlement to a benefit is based, the unresolved issues that prevent a decision on the claim and any additional information needed to resolve those issues.  A Claimant will be provided a minimum of forty-five (45) days to submit any necessary additional information to the Committee.  In the event that a thirty (30) day extension is necessary due to a Claimant’s failure to submit information necessary to decide a claim, the period for furnishing a notice of decision shall be tolled from the date on which the notice of the extension is sent to the Claimant until the earlier of the date the Claimant responds to the request for additional information or the response deadline.

(c)   Contents of Notice .  If a claim for benefits is completely or partially denied, notice of such denial shall be in writing and shall set forth the reasons for denial in plain language.  The notice shall

 
21

 

(i) cite the pertinent provisions of the Plan document and (ii) explain, where appropriate, how the Claimant can perfect the claim, including a description of any additional material or information necessary to complete the claim and why such material or information is necessary.  The claim denial also shall include an explanation of the claims review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse decision on review.  In the case of a complete or partial denial of a Disability benefit claim, the notice shall provide a statement that the Committee will provide to the Claimant, upon request and free of charge, a copy of any internal rule, guideline, protocol, or other similar criterion that was relied upon in making the decision.

7.7            Appeal of Denied Claims .  A Claimant whose claim has been completely or partially denied shall be entitled to appeal the claim denial by filing a written appeal with a committee designated to hear such appeals (the “Appeals Committee”).  A Claimant who timely requests a review of the denied claim (or his or her authorized representative) may review, upon request and free of charge, copies of all documents, records and other information relevant to the denial and may submit written comments, documents, records and other information relevant to the claim to the Appeals Committee.  All written comments, documents, records, and other information shall be considered “relevant” if the information (i) was relied upon in making a benefits determination, (ii) was submitted, considered or generated in the course of making a benefits decision regardless of whether it was relied upon to make the decision, or (iii) demonstrates compliance with administrative processes and safeguards established for making benefit decisions.  The Appeals Committee may, in its sole discretion and if it deems appropriate or necessary, decide to hold a hearing with respect to the claim appeal.

(a)   In General .  Appeal of a denied benefits claim (other than a Disability benefits claim) must be filed in writing with the Appeals Committee no later than sixty (60) days after receipt of the written notification of such claim denial.  The Appeals Committee shall make its decision regarding the merits of the denied claim within sixty (60) days following receipt of the appeal (or within one hundred and twenty (120) days after such receipt, in a case where there are special circumstances requiring extension of time for reviewing the appealed claim).  If an extension of time for reviewing the appeal is required because of special circumstances, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Claimant prior to the commencement of the extension.  The notice will indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Appeals Committee expects to render the determination on review.  The review will take into account comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the Claimant relating to the claim without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.

(b)   Disability Benefits .  Appeal of a denied Disability benefits claim must be filed in writing with the Appeals Committee no later than one hundred eighty (180) days after receipt of the written notification of such claim denial.  The review shall be conducted by the Appeals Committee (exclusive of the person who made the initial adverse decision or such person’s subordinate).  In reviewing the appeal, the Appeals Committee shall (i) not afford deference to the initial denial of the claim, (ii) consult a medical professional who has appropriate training and experience in the field of medicine relating to the Claimant’s disability and who was neither consulted as part of the initial denial nor is the subordinate of such individual and (iii) identify the medical or vocational experts whose advice was obtained with respect to the initial benefit denial, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the decision.  The Appeals Committee shall make its decision regarding the merits of the denied claim within forty-five (45) days following receipt of the appeal (or within ninety (90) days after such receipt, in a case where there are special circumstances requiring extension of time for reviewing the appealed claim).  If an extension of time for reviewing the appeal is required because of special circumstances, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Claimant prior to the commencement of the extension.  The notice will indicate the special circumstances requiring the

 
22

 

extension of time and the date by which the Appeals Committee expects to render the determination on review.  Following its review of any additional information submitted by the Claimant, the Appeals Committee shall render a decision on its review of the denied claim.

(c)   Contents of Notice .  If a benefits claim is completely or partially denied on review, notice of such denial shall be in writing and shall set forth the reasons for denial in plain language.  The decision on review shall set forth (i) the specific reason or reasons for the denial, (ii) specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based, (iii) a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all documents, records, or other information relevant (as defined above) to the Claimant’s claim, and (iv) a statement describing any voluntary appeal procedures offered by the plan and a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring an action under Section 502(a) of ERISA.  For the denial of a Disability benefit, the notice will also include a statement that the Appeals Committee will provide, upon request and free of charge, (i) any internal rule, guideline, protocol or other similar criterion relied upon in making the decision, (ii) any medical opinion relied upon to make the decision and (iii) the required statement under Section 2560.503-1(j)(5)(iii) of the Department of Labor regulations.

(d)   Discretion of Appeals Committee .  All interpretations, determinations and decisions of the Appeals Committee with respect to any claim shall be made in its sole discretion, and shall be final and conclusive.


ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS

8.1            Unsecured General Creditor .

Participants and their Beneficiaries, heirs, successors, and assigns shall have no legal or equitable rights, claims, or interest in any specific property or assets of the Company, including in any Compensation Deferrals made under this Plan.  No assets of the Company shall be held in any way as collateral security for the fulfilling of the obligations of the Company under this Plan.  Any and all of the Company's assets shall be, and remain, the general unpledged, unrestricted assets of the Company.  The Company's obligation under the Plan shall be merely that of an unfunded and unsecured promise of the Company to pay money in the future, and the rights of the Participants and Beneficiaries shall be no greater than those of unsecured general creditors.  It is the intention of the Company that this Plan be unfunded for purposes of the Code and for purposes of Title 1 of ERISA.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may enter into one or more rabbi trusts, in accordance with the provisions of Revenue Procedure 92-64, to assist it and its Business Units in providing benefits under this Plan.

8.2            Restriction Against Assignment .

The Company shall pay all amounts payable hereunder only to the person or persons designated by the Plan and not to any other person or corporation.  No part of a Participant's Accounts shall be liable for the debts, contracts, or engagements of any Participant, his or her Beneficiary, or successors in interest, nor shall a Participant's Accounts be subject to execution by levy, attachment, or garnishment or by any other legal or equitable proceeding, nor shall any such person have any right to alienate, anticipate, sell, transfer, commute, pledge, encumber, or assign any benefits or payments hereunder in any manner whatsoever.  If any Participant, Beneficiary or successor in interest is adjudicated bankrupt or purports to anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, commute, assign, pledge, encumber or charge any distribution or payment from the Plan, voluntarily or involuntarily, the Committee, in its discretion, may cancel such


 
23

 

distribution or payment (or any part thereof) to or for the benefit of such Participant, Beneficiary or successor in interest in such manner as the Committee shall direct.

8.3            Withholding .

There shall be deducted from each payment made under the Plan or any other Compensation payable to the Participant (or Beneficiary) all taxes that are required to be withheld by the Company under applicable federal, state and local laws.  The Company shall have the right to reduce any payment (or compensation) by the amount of cash sufficient to provide the amount of said taxes.

8.4            Amendment, Modification, Suspension or Termination .

The Committee,   with the approval of the Board, may amend, modify or suspend this portion of the Plan in whole or in part, except to the extent that such power has been expressly reserved otherwise under the terms of this portion of the Plan.  No amendment, modification or suspension shall have any retroactive effect to reduce any amounts allocated to a Participant's Accounts.  The Committee, with the approval of the Board, may also terminate this portion of the Plan and pay Participants (and beneficiaries) their Account Balances in a single lump sum at any time, to the extent and in accordance with Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix).

8.5            Governing Law .

This Plan shall be construed, governed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut without regard to the conflicts of law principles thereof.

8.6            Receipt or Release .

Any payment to a Participant or the Participant's Beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of the Plan shall, to the extent thereof, be in full satisfaction of all claims against the Committee and the Company.  The Committee may require such Participant or Beneficiary as a condition precedent to such payment to execute a receipt and release to such effect.

8.7            Payments on Behalf of Persons Under Incapacity .

In the event that any amount becomes payable under the Plan to a person who, in the sole judgment of the Committee, is considered by reason of physical or mental condition to be unable to give a valid receipt therefore, the Committee may direct that such payment be made to any person found by the Committee, in its sole judgment, to have assumed the care of such person.  Any payment made pursuant to such determination shall constitute a full release and discharge of the Committee and the Company.

8.8            Limitation of Rights and Employment Relationship .

Neither the establishment of the Plan nor any modification thereof, nor the creating of any fund or account, nor the payment of any benefits shall be construed as giving any Participant, or Beneficiary or other person any legal or equitable right against the Company except as provided in the Plan; and in no event shall the terms of employment of any Employee or Participant be modified or in any way be affected by the provisions of the Plan.

 
24

 

8.9            Adjustments; Assumptions of Obligations .

In the event of a reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, stock or extraordinary cash dividend, combination of shares, merger, consolidation, distribution of assets, or any other change in the corporate structure or shares of the Company, the Committee shall make the appropriate adjustments in (i) the number of Stock Units credited to Participants' Accounts, (ii) the number (or type) of shares of Stock reserved for issuance hereunder, (iii) the number (or type) of shares subject to any deferred Restricted Stock Units and deferred Performance Shares, and (iv) any Share limitations imposed under the Plan, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or any Stock Units credited hereunder.  In the event of any merger, consolidation or other reorganization in which the Company is not the surviving or continuing entity, all Stock Units, deferred Restricted Stock and deferred Performance Shares hereunder shall be assumed by the surviving or continuing entity.  In the event of any reorganization in which all of the shares of the Company's Stock are exchanged for shares of the common stock of another corporation, all Stock Units credited hereunder and all deferred Restricted Stock Units and deferred Performance Shares outstanding on the effective date of the share exchange shall be automatically converted into obligations of the other corporation on identical terms, and the other corporation shall assume this Plan.  The Committee may also make adjustments to Stock Units, and deferred Restricted Stock Units and deferred Performance Shares under this Plan on account of those events set forth in Section 8 of the UIL Holdings Corporation 1999 Amended and Restated Stock Plan, Section 10(c) of the UIL Holdings Corporation 2008 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan and comparable sections of any other stock plan of the Company which allows for awards to be deferred pursuant to the terms of this Plan.

8.10            Headings .

Headings and subheadings in this Plan are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in the construction of the provisions hereof.



Executed as of the 4th day of August, 2008.

 
                                                    UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATIO N
 

 
                                                           By          James P. Torgerson ________________
 
                                                           James P. Torgerson
                                                           Its President & Chief Executive Officer


 
25

 

EXHIBIT A
 
PARTICIPATING BUSINESS UNITS
 
As of January 1, 2008
 

 
Company Name                                                                                                                Date of Participation
 
The United Illuminating Company ("UI")                                                                                              2/1/03
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26









EXHIBIT 10.43







SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN
OF
THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
GRANDFATHERED BENEFIT PROVISIONS







 
 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
Page
ARTICLE I – NAME OF PLAN
1
ARTICLE II – DEFINITIONS
1
ARTICLE III – ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE
3
3.01                 Eligibility Requirements
3
3.02                 Participation
3
3.03                 Termination of Participation
3
ARTICLE IV – SUPPLEMENTAL PENSION BENEFIT
3
4.01                 Eligibility for Supplemental Pension Benefit
3
4.02                 Calculation of Grandfathered Supplemental Pension Benefit
3
4.03                 Methodology and Assumptions in Calculating Supplemental Pension Benefit
4
4.04                 Terms and Conditions of Supplemental Pension Benefit
5
4.05                 Death Benefit
5
ARTICLE V – FUNDING
6
5.01                 Funding
6
ARTICLE VI – CLAIMS PROCEDURES
6
6.01                 Filing a Claim
6
6.02                 Appeal of Denied Claims
7
ARTICLE VII – MISCELLANEOUS
8
7.01                 Non-Guarantee of Employment or Pension
8
7.02                 Rights and Pension Plan
8
7.03                 Amendments/Termination
9
7.04                 Plan Administration
9
7.05                 Spendthrift Provision
9
7.06                 Administrative Powers
9
7.07                 Disclosure
9
7.08                 Incapacity
9
7.09                 Unclaimed Benefit
9
7.10                 Limitation on Liability
10
7.11                 Fiduciary Responsibility
10
7.12                 Withholding
10
7.13                 Successor Employer
10
7.14                 Governing Law
10



 
i

 


SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN
OF
THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
GRANDFATHERED BENEFIT PROVISIONS


ARTICLE I

NAME OF PLAN

Effective as December 1, 1994, The United Illuminating Company established the "Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan of The United Illuminating Company" (the "Plan").  The purpose of the Plan is to provide, on an unfunded basis, certain benefits that, because of limitations under the Code, cannot be provided under The United Illuminating Company Pension Plan.  The Plan also is designed to provide supplemental executive retirement benefits to a select group of management and highly compensated employees of The United Illuminating Company (the “UI”), UIL Holdings Corporation (“UIL” or the “Company”) and certain of its affiliated employers who may, from time to time, be designated as a Participating Employer.  A list of Participating Employers shall be attached to this Plan as Exhibit A.

The Plan is intended to be an unfunded, non-qualified deferred compensation plan for a select group of management and highly compensated employees, as described in Sections 201(2) and 301(a)(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”).

The terms of the Plan as set forth in this Plan document apply solely with respect to accruals that were vested pursuant to the terms of the Plan prior to January 1, 2005 (“Grandfathered Benefits”).  With respect to accruals pursuant to the terms of the Plan on and after January 1, 2005, and with respect to accruals made pursuant to the terms of the Plan before January 1, 2005, that vest on or after January 1, 2005 (“Non-Grandfathered Benefits”), the terms of the Plan are as described in the separate Plan document relating to “Non-Grandfathered Benefits.”  With respect to amounts subject to this Plan document, this Plan document supersedes the prior Plan document (as amended from time to time).


ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

Wherever used in this Plan, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Affiliate ” shall mean any corporation, trade or business that, together with the Company, is treated as a single employer under Code Section 414(b) or (c).

" Annual Additions " shall have the same meaning as set forth in Section 415(c)(2) of the Code.

" Beneficiary " shall mean the person or persons entitled to a benefit under the Plan upon the Participant's death.  With respect to married Participants, a Participant’s spouse shall be the Participant’s Beneficiary unless such spouse has consented to the naming of an alternate Beneficiary in accordance with the terms of the Pension Plan.

 
 

 

Board of Directors ” means the Board of Directors of the Company (or any successor thereto).

" Code " shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

" Committee " shall mean the Compensation and Executive Development Committee of the Company, which shall administer this Plan as set forth in Sections 7.04 and 7.06.

Company ” shall mean UIL Holdings Corporation, Inc.

" Compensation " shall have the same meaning as provided in the Pension Plan, but without the limitation imposed by Section 401(a)(17) of the Code and shall include salary and short term incentive amounts deferred by the Participant under The UIL Holdings Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan with respect to each Plan Year.

" Employee " shall mean a person in the employ of the Employer.

" Employer " shall mean the Company and its Affiliates.

" ERISA " shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

Grandfathered Benefits ” means the vested accrued benefit of Plan Participants determined as of December 31, 2004, which shall be subject to the provisions of the Plan and tax law in effect immediately prior to the enactment of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (i.e., as of October 3, 2004), including without limitation requirements as to election of the timing and form of payment; expressly provided, however that the Grandfathered Benefit shall be so grandfathered only to the extent that the Plan terms governing such benefits are not materially modified after October 3, 2004.

" Participant " shall mean any Employee who meets the eligibility requirements of Section 3.01 and has entered the Plan in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.02.  A Participant shall remain a Participant even if he or she no longer is eligible to accrue additional benefits hereunder, until his or her Accrued Benefit has been completely distributed from the Plan or forfeited.

" Participating Employer " shall mean the Company and each Affiliate that with the permission of the Committee has approved the Plan for participation by their Employees.

" Pension Plan " shall mean The United Illuminating Company Pension Plan, as amended from time to time.

" Plan " shall mean The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan of The United Illuminating Company (also known as The United Illuminating Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan), as amended from time to time, and as set forth in this document entitled “Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan of The United Illuminating Company Grandfathered Benefit Provisions” and the document entitled “Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan of The United Illuminating Company Non-Grandfathered Benefit Provisions.”

" Plan Year " shall mean a period of one year commencing with January 1.

" Supplemental Pension Benefit " shall mean the benefit determined in accordance with the provisions of Article IV.

 
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ARTICLE III

ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE

3.01            Eligibility Requirements .

Prior to January 1, 2005, an Employee shall be eligible to participate in this portion of the Plan with respect to the benefits provided under Article IV if he or she is:

 
(1)  an elected officer of an Employer; and

 
(2)  is a participant in the Pension Plan.

On and after January 1, 2005, no Employee who was not a Participant in the Plan prior to January 1, 2005 shall be eligible to be a Participant in this portion of the Plan.

3.02            Participation .  Each eligible Employee shall become a Participant in this portion of the Plan as of the date prior to January 1, 2005 that he or she met the above eligibility requirements and is designated as a Participant by the Committee.

3.03            Termination of Participation .  A Participant shall cease to accrue benefits hereunder as of the earlier of (1) the date he or she ceases to meet the above eligibility requirements, or (2) December 31, 2004; provided, however, that accrued benefits as of such date shall not be reduced and shall be paid as provided herein.


ARTICLE IV

SUPPLEMENTAL PENSION BENEFIT

4.01            Eligibility for Supplemental Pension Benefit .  If a Participant's employment shall be terminated in such manner (whether by death, disability, retirement or otherwise) as to render the Participant or the Participant's Beneficiary eligible to receive benefits under the Pension Plan, the Participant or the Participant's Beneficiary shall be eligible to receive a Supplemental Pension Benefit.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the event a Participant’s employment with the Company (or any other Participating Employer) is terminated by the Company (or other Participating Employer) for Cause or voluntarily by the Participant without timely notice (as determined by the Committee and in accordance with the terms of the Participant’s employment agreement, if applicable), the Participant’s Supplemental Pension Benefit hereunder shall be forfeited and no benefits hereunder shall be paid to such Participant or such Participant’s Beneficiary.

4.02            Calculation of Grandfathered Supplemental Pension Benefit .  A Participant's or a Participant's Beneficiary's Supplemental Pension Benefit under this portion of the Plan (“Grandfathered Benefit”) shall equal the excess, if any, of (a) minus (b) where:

(a)  is the annual benefit, expressed as a life annuity commencing at the Participant’s Normal Retirement Date (as defined for purposes of the Pension Plan) to which the Participant (or a Participant's Beneficiary) would be entitled under the Pension Plan as of the date of such Participant's termination of employment, determined:

 
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(i)  without the limitation on annual compensation imposed by Section 401(a)(17) of the Code;

(ii)  without the limitation on annual benefits imposed by Section 415 of the Code;

(iii)  based on Compensation as defined for purposes of this portion of the Plan;

(iv)  with any enhanced formula (e.g., a 2% benefit multiplier instead of 1.6%), enhanced Compensation and/or imputed years of service included for benefit accrual purposes as provided in the Participant’s employment agreement, the relevant terms of which are incorporated herein by reference; and

(v)  taking into account only service performed and Compensation earned prior to January 1, 2005;

and

(b)  is the annual benefit, if any, expressed as a life annuity commencing at the Participant’s Normal Retirement Date, which is derived from Employer contributions and which is payable to a Participant (or a Participant's Beneficiary) under the Pension Plan as of the date of the Participant's termination of employment.  Such benefit shall be calculated:

(i)  with the limitation on annual compensation imposed by Section 401(a)(17) of the Code;

(ii)  with the limitation on annual benefits imposed by Section 415(b) and 415(e) of the Code;

(iii)  based on compensation as defined for purposes of the Pension Plan; and

(iv)  taking onto account only service performed and compensation earned prior to January 1, 2005.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant has a Grandfathered Benefit, as calculated above, only if as of December 31, 2004, such Participant was a participant in the Pension Plan and had been credited with as least five (5) years of Vesting Service with the Company or another Employer as of January 1, 2005, as determined under the terms of the Pension Plan.

4.03            Methodology and Assumptions in Calculating Supplemental Pension Benefit .  The calculation of a Supplemental Pension Benefit shall be performed by the consulting actuary for the Pension Plan, and the interpretations of such actuary shall be final and binding on the Employer, the Participant and the Participant's Beneficiary.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in a Participant’s employment agreement, (a) the early retirement reduction factors and factors to be used in converting one form of benefit to another will be determined by the consulting actuary for the Pension Plan on the basis of the actuarial assumptions provided in the Pension Plan for such purpose; and (b) all lump sum distributions shall be calculated as the actuarial equivalent of an annuity payable at Normal Retirement Date.

 
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4.04            Terms and Conditions of Supplemental Pension Benefit .

(a)  Terminations of Employment Prior to January 1, 2008.  Except as otherwise provided pursuant to the terms of a Participant’s employment agreement or as provided in Section 4.05, below, payment of the Supplemental Pension Benefit shall begin at the same time as the Participant’s Pension Plan benefit payments and shall be subject to the same reductions for early commencement.  The Supplemental Pension Benefit may be paid in any form available under the Pension Plan, as elected by the Participant, and may be the same or different from the form of payment of the Participant’s benefits under the Pension Plan; and the conversion factors between forms of benefits used for purposes of the Pension Plan shall be used for purposes of the Supplemental Pension Benefit.

(b)  Termination of Employment On or After January 1, 2008.  Except as otherwise provided pursuant to the terms of a Participant’s employment agreement or as provided in Section 4.05, below, Supplemental Pension Benefits shall be paid in a single lump as of the first day of the first Plan Year beginning on or after the Participant’s termination of employment unless prior to January 1, 2008 or at least 12 months in advance of the Participant’s termination of employment the Participant has elected an alternate time or form of benefit.  If an alternate time or form of benefit is elected, the Supplemental Pension Benefit may be paid on or after the Participant’s termination of employment in any form available under the Pension Plan, and may be the same as or different from the form of payment of the Participant’s benefits under the Pension Plan; and the conversion factors between forms of benefits used for purposes of the Pension Plan shall be used for purposes of the Supplemental Pension Benefit.

(c)  Small Lump Sum Cash-Out.  Notwithstanding the above, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, which shall be evidenced in writing no later than the date of payment, elect to pay the value of a Participant’s benefit in a single lump sum cash-out in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-6(a)(4)(i)(E) and Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(v).

4.05            Death Benefit .

(a)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant should die after acquiring a nonforfeitable right to all (or any portion) of his Accrued Benefit from Employer contributions under the Pension Plan, but prior to the commencement of benefits pursuant to this portion of the Plan, and if the Participant's Beneficiary shall be entitled to a survivor benefit under the Pension Plan, it shall be assumed for purposes of this portion of the Plan that the Participant had retired under the Pension Plan on the date preceding his date of death and had been entitled to a joint and 50% survivor annuity, and a survivorship benefit shall be calculated under this portion of the Plan on the basis of such assumption in accordance with Section 4.02 hereof and shall be due to the Beneficiary of the Participant at the same time as a benefit is due to such Beneficiary pursuant to the Pension Plan (determined without regard to any deferred commencement option).

(b)  If the Participant should die following the commencement of benefits pursuant to this portion of the Plan, death benefits, if any, shall be payable to the spouse or other Beneficiary of the Participant in accordance with the form of payment in effect at the time of the Participant's death.

(c)  For purposes of this Section 4.05, on and after January 1, 2008 if a Participant has elected to have his or her Supplemental Pension Benefit paid in a single lump sum as of the first day of the first Plan Year beginning on or after the Participant’s termination of employment, benefits pursuant to this portion of the Plan shall be deemed to commence as of the Participant’s termination of employment unless such termination of employment is on account of death (in which case the provisions of subsection (a) shall

 
5

 

apply).  In the event of a Participant’s death after a termination of employment but prior to the payment of benefits in the form of a single lump sum, such benefits shall be paid to the Participant’s Beneficiary on the same date such benefits would have otherwise been paid to the Participant.


ARTICLE V

FUNDING

5.01            Funding .  The Employer shall be under no obligation to establish a fund or reserve in order to pay the benefits under this portion of the Plan.  The Employer shall be required to make payments only as benefits become due and payable.  No person shall have any right, other than the right of an unsecured general creditor, against the Employer with respect to the benefits payable hereunder, or which may be payable hereunder, to any Participant or Beneficiary.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in order to pay benefits under this portion of the Plan, the Employer may establish a grantor trust (hereinafter the "Trust") within the meaning of Section 671 of the Code.  The assets in such Trust shall at all times be subject to the claims of the general creditors of the Employer in the event of the Employer's bankruptcy or insolvency, and neither the Plan nor any Participant or Beneficiary shall have any preferred claim or right to, or any beneficiary ownership interest in, any such assets of the Trust prior to the time such assets are paid to a Participant or Beneficiary as a Supplemental Pension Benefit, and all rights created under this portion of the Plan and said Trust shall be unsecured contractual rights of a Participant or Beneficiary against the Employer.


ARTICLE VI

CLAIMS PROCEDURES

6.01            Filing a Claim .  Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to the Plan shall be filed in writing with the Committee which shall make all determinations concerning such claim.  Any claim filed with the Committee and any decision by the Committee denying such claim shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the Participant or Beneficiary filing the claim (the “Claimant”).

(a)            In General .  Notice of a denial of benefits (other than disability benefits) will be provided within ninety (90) days of the Committee’s receipt of the Claimant's claim for benefits.  If the Committee determines that it needs additional time to review the claim, the Committee will provide the Claimant with a notice of the extension before the end of the initial ninety (90) day period.  The extension will not be more than ninety (90) days from the end of the initial ninety (90) day period and the notice of extension will explain the special circumstances that require the extension and the date by which the Committee expects to make a decision.

(b)            Disability Benefits .  Notice of denial of disability benefits will be provided within forty-five (45) days of the Committee’s receipt of the Claimant’s claim for disability benefits.  If the Committee determines that it needs additional time to review the disability claim, the Committee will provide the Claimant with a notice of the extension before the end of the initial forty-five (45) day period.  If the Committee determines that a decision cannot be made within the first extension period due to matters beyond the control of the Committee, the time period for making a determination may be further extended for an additional thirty (30) days.  If such an additional extension is necessary, the Committee shall notify the Claimant prior to the expiration of the initial thirty (30) day extension.  Any notice of extension shall indicate the circumstances necessitating the extension of time, the date by which the Committee expects to furnish a notice of decision, the specific standards on which such entitlement to a benefit is based, the

 
6

 

unresolved issues that prevent a decision on the claim and any additional information needed to resolve those issues.  A Claimant will be provided a minimum of forty-five (45) days to submit any necessary additional information to the Committee.  In the event that a thirty (30) day extension is necessary due to a Claimant’s failure to submit information necessary to decide a claim, the period for furnishing a notice of decision shall be tolled from the date on which the notice of the extension is sent to the Claimant until the earlier of the date the Claimant responds to the request for additional information or the response deadline.

(c)            Contents of Notice .  If a claim for benefits is completely or partially denied, notice of such denial shall be in writing and shall set forth the reasons for denial in plain language.  The notice shall (i) cite the pertinent provisions of the Plan document and (ii) explain, where appropriate, how the Claimant can perfect the claim, including a description of any additional material or information necessary to complete the claim and why such material or information is necessary.  The claim denial also shall include an explanation of the claims review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse decision on review.  In the case of a complete or partial denial of a disability benefit claim, the notice shall provide a statement that the Committee will provide to the Claimant, upon request and free of charge, a copy of any internal rule, guideline, protocol, or other similar criterion that was relied upon in making the decision.

6.02            Appeal of Denied Claims .  A Claimant whose claim has been completely or partially denied shall be entitled to appeal the claim denial by filing a written appeal with a committee designated to hear such appeals (the “Appeals Committee”).  A Claimant who timely requests a review of the denied claim (or his or her authorized representative) may review, upon request and free of charge, copies of all documents, records and other information relevant to the denial and may submit written comments, documents, records and other information relevant to the claim to the Appeals Committee.  All written comments, documents, records, and other information shall be considered “relevant” if the information (i) was relied upon in making a benefits determination, (ii) was submitted, considered or generated in the course of making a benefits decision regardless of whether it was relied upon to make the decision, or (iii) demonstrates compliance with administrative processes and safeguards established for making benefit decisions.  The Appeals Committee may, in its sole discretion and if it deems appropriate or necessary, decide to hold a hearing with respect to the claim appeal.

(a)            In General .  Appeal of a denied benefits claim (other than a disability benefits claim) must be filed in writing with the Appeals Committee no later than sixty (60) days after receipt of the written notification of such claim denial.  The Appeals Committee shall make its decision regarding the merits of the denied claim within sixty (60) days following receipt of the appeal (or within one hundred and twenty (120) days after such receipt, in a case where there are special circumstances requiring extension of time for reviewing the appealed claim).  If an extension of time for reviewing the appeal is required because of special circumstances, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Claimant prior to the commencement of the extension.  The notice will indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Appeals Committee expects to render the determination on review.  The review will take into account comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the Claimant relating to the claim without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.

(b)            Disability Benefits .  Appeal of a denied disability benefits claim must be filed in writing with the Appeals Committee no later than one hundred eighty (180) days after receipt of the written notification of such claim denial.  The review shall be conducted by the Appeals Committee (exclusive of the person who made the initial adverse decision or such person’s subordinate).  In reviewing the appeal, the Appeals Committee shall (i) not afford deference to the initial denial of the claim, (ii) consult a

 
7

 

medical professional who has appropriate training and experience in the field of medicine relating to the Claimant’s disability and who was neither consulted as part of the initial denial nor is the subordinate of such individual and (iii) identify the medical or vocational experts whose advice was obtained with respect to the initial benefit denial, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the decision.  The Appeals Committee shall make its decision regarding the merits of the denied claim within forty-five (45) days following receipt of the appeal (or within ninety (90) days after such receipt, in a case where there are special circumstances requiring extension of time for reviewing the appealed claim).  If an extension of time for reviewing the appeal is required because of special circumstances, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Claimant prior to the commencement of the extension.  The notice will indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Appeals Committee expects to render the determination on review.  Following its review of any additional information submitted by the Claimant, the Appeals Committee shall render a decision on its review of the denied claim.

(c)            Contents of Notice .  If a benefits claim is completely or partially denied on review, notice of such denial shall be in writing and shall set forth the reasons for denial in plain language.  The decision on review shall set forth (i) the specific reason or reasons for the denial, (ii) specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based, (iii) a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all documents, records, or other information relevant (as defined above) to the Claimant’s claim, and (iv) a statement describing any voluntary appeal procedures offered by the plan and a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring an action under Section 502(a) of ERISA.  For the denial of a disability benefit, the notice will also include a statement that the Appeals Committee will provide, upon request and free of charge, (i) any internal rule, guideline, protocol or other similar criterion relied upon in making the decision, (ii) any medical opinion relied upon to make the decision, and (iii) the required statement under Section 2560.503-1(j)(5)(iii) of the Department of Labor regulations.

(d)            Discretion of Appeals Committee .  All interpretations, determinations and decisions of the Appeals Committee with respect to any claim shall be made in its sole discretion, and shall be final and conclusive.


ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS

7.01            Non-Guarantee of Employment or Pension .  Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed as a contract of employment between the Employer and any Participant or Employee, or as a right of any such Participant or Employee to be continued in the employment of the Employer, or as a limitation on the right of the Employer to deal with any Participant or Employee as to their hiring, discharge, layoff, compensation, and all other conditions of employment in all respects as though the Plan did not exist.  Nothing herein shall be construed as a contract or guarantee of any right to continue or accrue benefits under the Pension Plan.  Such rights and benefits shall be determined solely by the terms of the Pension Plan.

7.02            Rights and Pension Plan .  Nothing in this Plan shall be construed to limit, broaden, restrict, or grant any right to a Participant, Employee, or Beneficiary under the Pension Plan, or to grant any additional rights to any such Participant, Employee, or Beneficiary under the Pension Plan, or in any way to limit, modify, repeal or otherwise affect the Employer's right to amend or modify the Pension Plan.

 
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7.03            Amendments/Termination .  The Board of Directors may amend or terminate this portion of the Plan in whole or in part, except to the extent that such power has been expressly reserved otherwise under the terms of this portion of the Plan, provided, however, that no such amendment or termination shall cause a reduction or cessation of the Supplemental Pension Benefit of any Participant or Beneficiary accrued prior to the adoption of such amendment or termination.

7.04            Plan Administration .  The Plan shall be operated and administered by the Committee whose decisions on all matters involving the interpretation and administration of the Plan shall be final and binding.  The Committee shall be the named fiduciary for purposes of ERISA.

7.05            Spendthrift Provision .  No benefit payable under the Plan shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or charge prior to actual receipt thereof by the payee; and any attempt so to anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or charge prior to such receipt shall be void; and the Company shall not be liable in any manner for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of any person entitled to any benefit under the Plan.

7.06            Administrative Powers .  The Committee, in addition to the general powers set forth in Section 6.04, shall have the following specific discretionary powers, subject to ERISA:

(a)  To establish the manner of disbursement of benefits;

(b)  To establish and enforce such rules and administrative procedures as the Committee deems necessary and appropriate to carry out the Plan;

(c)  To employ actuaries, attorneys and accountants and other agents and advisors, and to delegate to such persons such powers and responsibilities as the Committee shall determine;

(d)  To decide all questions concerning the administration of the Plan;

(e)  To establish the basis for benefit calculations made pursuant to the Plan;

(f)  To request the Company to make appropriate contributions to satisfy any funding requirements under the Plan.

7.07            Disclosure .  Each Participant shall receive a copy of the Plan and the Committee will make available for inspection by any Participant, surviving spouse or Beneficiary a copy of any rules or regulations as such may be used or adopted by the Committee in administering the Plan from time to time.

7.08            Incapacity .  In the event that a Participant, surviving spouse or Beneficiary is declared incompetent and a conservator or other person legally charged with the care of his or her person or his or her estate is appointed, any benefits under the Plan to which such Participant, surviving spouse or Beneficiary is entitled may be paid to such conservator or other person legally charged with the care of his or her person or his or her estate.

7.09            Unclaimed Benefit .  Each Participant shall keep the Committee informed of his or her current address and the current address of his or her surviving spouse or Beneficiary.  The Committee shall not be obligated to search for the whereabouts of any person.  If the location of a Participant is not made known to the Committee within three (3) years after the date on which the Participant's benefit under this Plan is due, payment may be made as though the Participant had died at the end of the three-year period.  If,

 
9

 

within one (1) additional year after such three-year period has elapsed, or within three (3) years after the actual death of the Participant, the Committee is unable to locate any surviving spouse or Beneficiary of the Participant, then the Employer shall have no further obligation to pay any benefit hereunder to such Participant, surviving spouse or Beneficiary or any other person and such benefit shall be irrevocably forfeited to the Employer.

7.10            Limitation on Liability .  Notwithstanding any of the preceding provisions of the Plan, no individual acting as an employee or agent of the Employer or as a Committee or other fiduciary shall be liable to any Participant, former Participant, surviving spouse, Beneficiary or any other person for any claim, benefit, loss, or expense incurred in connection with the Plan, except as allowed by ERISA.

7.11            Fiduciary Responsibility .  In carrying out their responsibilities under the Plan, the Committee and any other fiduciary hereunder shall act solely in the interest of Participants, their surviving spouses or Beneficiaries and with the care, skill, prudence and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent person acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would use in similar circumstances.

7.12            Withholding .  The Employer shall have the right to deduct from the amount of any payment to a Participant, surviving spouse or Beneficiary, any federal, state or other taxes required by law to be withheld.

7.13            Successor Employer .  In the event of the dissolution, merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Employer, provision may be made by which a successor to all or a major portion of the Employer's property or business shall continue the Plan, and the successor shall have all of the power, duties and responsibilities of the Employer under the Plan.

7.14            Governing Law .  This Plan shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of Connecticut, to the extent not preempted by ERISA.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Plan document has been executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company.


Dated:    August 4, 2008 ________


                                            THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

Witnesses
   
/s/ Angel Bruno
 
By:             /s / James P. Torgerson                                                                             
   
James P. Torgerson
   
Its Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
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EXHIBIT 10.44








SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN
OF
THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
NON-GRANDFATHERED BENEFIT PROVISIONS









 
 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
Page
ARTICLE I – PURPOSE OF PLAN
1
ARTICLE II – DEFINITIONS
1
ARTICLE III – ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE
4
3.01                 Eligibility Requirements
4
3.02                 Effective Date of Participation
4
3.03                 Termination of Participation
4
ARTICLE IV – SUPPLEMENTAL PENSION BENEFIT
5
4.01                 Eligibility for Supplemental Pension Benefit
5
4.02                 Calculation of Non-Grandfathered Supplemental Pension Benefit
5
4.03                 Methodology and Assumptions in Calculating Supplemental Pension Benefit
6
ARTICLE V – PERMISSIBLE PAYMENT EVENTS; ELECTIONS REQUIRED OF PARTICIPANTS
6
5.01                 Payment Events
6
5.02                 Initial Elections and Forms of Benefit
6
5.03                 Subsequent Elections; Change of Benefit Distribution Elections
8
5.04                 Cash-outs, Accelerations or Delays
9
ARTICLE VI – FUNDING
9
6.01                 Funding
9
ARTICLE VII – CLAIMS PROCEDURES
10
7.01                 Filing a Claim
10
7.02                 Appeal of Denied Claims
10
ARTICLE VIII – MISCELLANEOUS
12
8.01                 Non-Guarantee of Employment or Pension
12
8.02                 Rights and Pension Plan
12
8.03                 Amendment, Modification, Suspension or Termination
12
8.04                 Plan Administration
12
8.05                 Spendthrift Provision
12
8.06                 Administrative Powers
12
8.07                 Disclosure
13
8.08                 Incapacity
13
8.09                 Unclaimed Benefit
13
8.10                 Limitation on Liability
13
8.11                 Fiduciary Responsibility
13
8.12                 Withholding
13
8.13                 Successor Employer
14
8.14                 Governing Law
14



 
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SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN
OF
THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
NON-GRANDFATHERED BENEFIT PROVISIONS


ARTICLE I

PURPOSE OF PLAN

Effective as December 1, 1994, The United Illuminating Company established the "Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan of The United Illuminating Company" (the "Plan").  The purpose of the Plan is to provide, on an unfunded basis, certain benefits that, because of limitations under the Code, cannot be provided under The United Illuminating Company Pension Plan.  The Plan also is designed to provide supplemental executive retirement benefits to a select group of management and highly compensated employees of The United Illuminating Company (the “UI”), UIL Holdings Corporation (“UIL” or the “Company”) and certain of its affiliated employers who may, from time to time, be designated as a Participating Employer.  A list of Participating Employers shall be attached to this Plan as Exhibit A.

The Plan is intended to be an unfunded, non-qualified deferred compensation plan for a select group of management and highly compensated employees, as described in Sections 201(2) and 301(a)(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”).  This portion of the Plan is also intended to be a non-qualified deferred compensation plan within the meaning of Code Section 409A.

The terms of the Plan as set forth in this Plan document apply solely with respect to accruals pursuant to the terms of the Plan on and after January 1, 2005, and with respect to accruals made pursuant to the terms of the Plan before January 1, 2005, that vest on or after January 1, 2005 (“Non-Grandfathered Benefits”).  With respect to accruals made pursuant to the terms of the Plan before January 1, 2005, that vested prior to January 1, 2005 (“Grandfathered Benefits”), the terms of the Plan are as described in the separate Plan document relating to “Grandfathered Benefits.”  With respect to amounts subject to this Plan document, this Plan document supersedes the prior Plan document (as amended from time to time).


ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

Wherever used in this Plan, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Affiliate ” shall mean any corporation, trade or business that, together with the Company, is treated as a single employer under Code Section 414(b) or (c).

" Annual Additions " shall have the same meaning as set forth in Section 415(c)(2) of the Code.

" Beneficiary " shall mean the person or persons entitled to a benefit under the Plan upon the Participant's death.  With respect to married Participants, a Participant’s spouse shall be the Participant’s Beneficiary unless such spouse has consented to the naming of an alternate Beneficiary in accordance with the terms of the Pension Plan.

Board of Directors ” means the Board of Directors of the Company (or any successor thereto).

 
 

 

" Code " shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

" Committee " shall mean the Compensation and Executive Development Committee of the Company, which shall administer this Plan as set forth in Sections 8.04 and 8.06.

Company ” shall mean UIL Holdings Corporation, Inc.

" Compensation " shall have the same meaning as provided in the Pension Plan, but without the limitation imposed by Section 401(a)(17) of the Code and shall include salary and short term incentive amounts deferred by the Participant under The UIL Holdings Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan with respect to each Plan Year.

Disability ” (or “Disabled”) means the date a Participant becomes disabled within the meaning of Code Section 409A.  Generally, this means that the Participant is either (a) unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (b) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than 3 months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Participant’s Employer, or (c) is determined to be totally disabled by the federal Social Security Administration.  The date a Participant is deemed to be Disabled for purposes of the Plan shall be determined by the Committee.

" Employee " shall mean a person in the employ of the Employer.

" Employer " shall mean the Company and its Affiliates.

" ERISA " shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

Management Executive ” shall mean a senior management employee who is not an elected officer .

" Participant " shall mean any Employee who meets the eligibility requirements of Section 3.01 and has entered the Plan in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.02.  A Participant shall remain a Participant even if he or she no longer is eligible to accrue additional benefits hereunder, until his or her Accrued Benefit has been completely distributed from the Plan or forfeited.

" Participating Employer " shall mean the Company and each Affiliate that with the permission of the Committee has approved the Plan for participation by their Employees.

" Pension Plan " shall mean The United Illuminating Company Pension Plan, as amended from time to time.

" Plan " shall mean The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan of The United Illuminating Company (also know as The United Illuminating Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan), as amended from time to time, and as set forth in this document entitled “Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan of The United Illuminating Company – Non-Grandfathered Benefit Provisions” and the document entitled “Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan of The United Illuminating Company - Grandfathered Benefit Provisions.”

 
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" Plan Year " shall mean a period of one year commencing with January 1.

Separation from Service ” shall mean a Separation from Service within the meaning of Code Section 409A and related regulations.  The Committee will determine, in accordance with Code Section 409A, whether a Separation from Service has occurred.

(i)  An Employee incurs a Separation from Service upon termination of employment with the Employer.  Except in the case of an Employee on a bona fide leave of absence as provided below, an Employee is deemed to have incurred a Separation from Service if the Employer and the Employee reasonably anticipated that the level of services to be performed by the Employee after a date certain would be reduced to 20% or less of the average services rendered by the Employee during the immediately preceding 36-month period (or the total period of employment, if less than 36 months), disregarding periods during which the Employee was on a bona fide leave of absence.

(ii)  An Employee who is absent from work due to military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence shall incur a Separation from Service on the first date immediately following the later of the six-month anniversary of the commencement of the leave or the expiration of the Employee’s right, if any, to reemployment under statute or contract.

(iii)  For purposes of determining whether a Separation from Service has occurred, the Employer means the Employer as defined in this Article II, except that for purposes of determining whether another organization is an Affiliate of the Company, common ownership of at least 50% shall be determinative.

(iv)  The Committee specifically reserves the right to determine whether a sale or other disposition of substantial assets to an unrelated party constitutes a Separation from Service with respect to a Participant providing services to the seller immediately prior to the transaction and providing services to the buyer after the transaction.  Such determination shall be made in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A.

Specified Employee ” means a Specified Employee as defined for purposes of Code Section 409A and related regulations.  Specified Employee means an Employee who, as of the date of his or her Separation from Service, is a “key employee” of the Company or any Affiliate, any stock of which is actively traded on an established securities market or otherwise.  An Employee is a key employee if he or she meets the requirements of Code Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii), or (iii) (applied in accordance with applicable regulations thereunder and without regard to Code Section 416(i)(5)) at any time during the 12-month period ending on the Specified Employee Identification Date.  Such Employee shall be treated as a key employee for the entire 12-month period beginning on the Specified Employee Effective Date.  In the event of corporate transactions described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i)(6), the identification of Specified Employees shall be determined in accordance with the default rules described therein, unless the Committee elects to utilize the available alternative methodology through designations made within the timeframes specified therein.  For purposes of this definition, Specified Employee Effective Date means the first day of the fourth month following the Specified Employee Identification Date, or such earlier date as is selected by the Committee; and Specified Employee Identification Date means December 31, unless the Committee has elected a different date through action that is legally binding with respect to all nonqualified deferred compensation plans maintained by the Company.

" Supplemental Pension Benefit " shall mean the benefit determined in accordance with the provisions of Article IV.

 
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ARTICLE III

ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE

3.01            Eligibility Requirements .

(a)  An Employee shall be eligible to participate in this portion of the Plan with respect to the benefits provided under Article IV if he or she is:

 
(1)  an elected officer or a Management Executive of an Employer; and

 
(2)  is a participant in the Pension Plan; and

 
(3)
(i)
has annual Compensation in excess of the limit that can be recognized under Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for purposes of the Pension Plan; or

 
(ii)
has an accrued benefit under the Pension Plan that has been limited under Section 415 of the Code; or

 
(iii)
has made salary or short-term incentive deferrals under the UIL Deferred Compensation Plan, which amounts cannot be taken into account as ‘compensation’ for the Pension Plan; or

 
(iv)
is entitled to a supplemental, non-qualified pension benefit which is calculated by reference to the Pension Plan pursuant to the terms of his or her employment agreement, severance agreement or early retirement incentive package, as applicable (a “contract adjustment”), that constitutes deferred compensation within the meaning of Code Section 409A and which is not actually paid, or by its terms to be paid, from other than this Plan, in which case the terms of said contract adjustment are incorporated herein by reference.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, on and after the date hereof, no eligible Employee shall become a Participant unless and until the Committee has affirmatively designated the Employee as a Participant in the Plan and has designated the effective date of participation.

(b)  Unless otherwise expressly provided by the Committee, in the event that a Participant ceases benefit accruals or is otherwise no longer an active participant in the qualified Pension Plan, the Participant shall cease future benefit accruals under this Plan as well.

3.02            Effective Date of Participation .  Each Participant in the Plan as of December 31, 2004 shall continue as a Participant in this portion of the Plan as of January 1, 2005.  Each other eligible Employee shall become a Participant in this portion of the Plan as of the date on which he or she meets the eligibility requirements specified in Section 3.01(a) and has been designated as a Participant by the Committee.

3.03            Termination of Participation .  A Participant shall cease to accrue benefits hereunder as of the date he or she ceases to meet the above eligibility requirements; provided, however, that accrued benefits as of such date shall not be reduced and shall be paid as provided herein.

 
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ARTICLE IV

SUPPLEMENTAL PENSION BENEFIT

4.01            Eligibility for Supplemental Pension Benefit .  No Participant shall be entitled to Supplemental Pension Benefits under this Plan unless that individual is a participant in the Pension Plan and has been credited with at least five (5) years of Vesting Service with the Company or another Participating Employer (as determined under the Pension Plan).

If a Participant’s employment with the Company or any Participating Employer shall terminate in such manner (whether by death, Disability, retirement or otherwise) as to render the Participant or the Participant’s Beneficiary eligible to receive benefits under the Pension Plan, as of the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service date, the Participant or the Participant’s Beneficiary shall be eligible to receive a Supplemental Pension Benefit.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the event a Participant’s employment with the Company (or any other Participating Employer) is terminated by the Company (or other Participating Employer) for Cause or voluntarily by the Participant without timely notice (as determined by the Committee and in accordance with the terms of the Participant’s employment agreement, if applicable), the Participant’s Supplemental Pension Benefit hereunder shall be forfeited and no benefits hereunder shall be paid to such Participant or such Participant’s Beneficiary.

4.02            Calculation of Non-Grandfathered Supplemental Pension Benefit .  A Participant's Supplemental Pension Benefit under this portion of the Plan (“Non-Grandfathered Benefit”) shall equal the excess, if any, of (a) minus (b) where:

(a)  is the annual benefit, expressed as a life annuity commencing at the Participant Normal Retirement Date (as defined for purposes of the Pension Plan) to which the Participant (or a Participant's Beneficiary) would be entitled under the Pension Plan as of the date of such Participant's Separation from Service, determined:

(i)  without the limitation on annual compensation imposed by Section 401(a)(17) of the Code;

(ii)  without the limitation on annual benefits imposed by Section 415 of the Code;

(iii)  based on Compensation as defined for purposes of this portion of the Plan; and

(iv)  with any enhanced formula (e.g., a 2% benefit multiplier instead of 1.6%), enhanced compensation and/or imputed years of service included for benefit accrual purposes as provided in the Participant’s contract adjustment (as provided in Section 3.01(a)(iv)), the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference;

and

(b)  is the annual benefit, if any, expressed as a life annuity commencing at the Participant’s Normal Retirement Date, which is derived from Employer contributions and which is payable to a Participant (or a Participant's Beneficiary) under the Pension Plan as of the date of the Participant's Separation from Service.  Such benefit shall be calculated:

 
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(i)  with the limitation on annual compensation imposed by Section 401(a)(17) of the Code;

(ii)  with the limitation on annual benefits imposed by Section 415(b) and Section 415(e) of the Code; and

(iii)  based on compensation as defined for purposes of the Pension Plan.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant has a Grandfathered Benefit, as provided under the Plan document entitled “Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan of The United Illuminating Company - Grandfathered Benefit Provisions,” such Participant’s Non-Grandfathered Benefit under this portion of the Plan shall be the benefit calculated as above, but further reduced by the value of the Participant’s Grandfathered Benefit, determined as of the date of such Participant’s Separation from Service.

4.03            Methodology and Assumptions in Calculating Supplemental Pension Benefit .  The calculation of a Supplemental Pension Benefit shall be performed by the consulting actuary for the Pension Plan, and the interpretations of such actuary shall be final and binding on the Employer, the Participant and the Participant's Beneficiary.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in a Participant’s contract adjustment, (a) the early retirement reduction factors and factors to be used in converting one form of benefit to another will be determined by the consulting actuary for the Pension Plan on the basis of the actuarial assumptions provided in the Pension Plan for such purpose; and (b) all lump sum distributions shall be calculated as the actuarial equivalent of an annuity payable at Normal Retirement Date.


ARTICLE V

PERMISSIBLE PAYMENT EVENTS; ELECTIONS REQUIRED OF PARTICIPANTS

5.01            Payment Events .  Non-Grandfathered Supplemental Pension Benefits shall become payable, if at all, upon the Participant’s Separation from Service (whether on account of death, Disability, retirement or otherwise).  Benefits will be paid (or commence to be paid) as of the Participant’s Benefit Commencement Date.

5.02            Initial Elections and Forms of Benefit .

(a)           Except as otherwise provided in this Section 5.02 or in any contract adjustment, any Employee who is not already a Participant who is or may become eligible to be a Participant may file an Benefit Distribution Election, on a form and in the manner acceptable to the Committee, electing a form of distribution of retirement benefits hereunder from among the following actuarially equivalent options.  Such initial Benefit Distribution Election shall be filed no later than December 20th (or such later date as determined by the Committee, but in no event later than December 31st) of the year preceding the year in which the eligible Employee becomes a Participant.  All actuarially equivalent life annuity benefit forms shall be deemed to be a single payment for purposes of the subsequent deferral rules of Section 5.03, below.

(1)            Life Annuity Benefits .  

(i)           Single Life Annuity:  monthly annuity benefits payable for the life of the Participant;

 
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(ii)           Joint and 50% Survivor Annuity:  monthly annuity benefits payable for the life of the Participant, and continuing for the life of a joint annuitant at a 50% reduced amount if the joint annuitant survives the Participant;

(iii)           Pop-up Annuity:  a modified joint and 50% survivor annuity actuarially reduced, in order to provide that if the Participant’s spouse or other joint annuitant predeceases the Participant after benefits have commenced, the amount of the Participant’s monthly benefit shall be restored to the level it would have been had the Participant retired with a single life annuity form of payment in effect;

(iv)           Joint and 75% Survivor Annuity (for Benefit Commencement Dates on or after January 1, 2008 only):  monthly annuity benefits payable for the life of the Participant, and continuing for the life of a joint annuitant at a 75% reduced amount if the joint annuitant survives the Participant; or

(v)           A Joint and 100% Survivor Annuity:  monthly annuity benefits payable for the life of the Participant, with the same amount continuing for the life of a joint annuitant if the joint annuitant survives the Participant.

(2)            Term Certain Life Annuity Benefits .

(i)           Ten Year Certain: a single life annuity payable over the life of the Participant with payments guaranteed for ten (10) years certain; or

(ii)           Fifteen Year Certain: a single life annuity payable over the life of the Participant with payments guaranteed for fifteen (15) years certain.

(3)            Lump Sum Benefit .

(i)           A Single Lump Sum that is the actuarial equivalent of the accrued benefit to which the Participant would have otherwise been entitled at his Normal Retirement Date.

(b)           In the event a Participant does not timely file an initial Benefit Distribution Election or for any other reason does not have a Benefit Distribution Election on file with the Committee, the Participant will be deemed to have elected to receive benefits in the Lump Sum form of benefit.

(c)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(a)(7)(iii), with respect only to that portion of the Plan that provides benefits solely in excess of the qualified plan limitations contained in Section 415 and Section 401(a)(17) of the Code (the “Excess Benefit” portion of the Plan), a Participant’s election as to form of payment shall be considered to be timely, if it is filed within 30 days following the end of the first taxable year in which the Participant accrues a benefit under the Plan.

(d)            Code Section 409A Transition Relief .  Employees who were Participants in the Plan as of January 1, 2005 or who became Participants on or after January 1, 2005 and before December 31, 2008 may file Benefit Distribution Elections during the period from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2008 with respect to benefits accrued prior to the Election, provided the Election is timely made and in accordance with the transition relief published by the Internal Revenue Service in Notice 2005-1, Notice 2006-64, Notice 2007-86, the preamble to the proposed regulations under Code Section 409A and other IRS guidance.

 
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(e)            Death Benefits .  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant has a Separation from Service on account of death after acquiring a nonforfeitable right to all (or any portion) of his Accrued Benefit from Employer contributions under the Pension Plan and if the Participant's Beneficiary shall be entitled to a survivor benefit under the Pension Plan, it shall be assumed for purposes of this Plan that the Participant had elected a joint and 50% survivor annuity form of payment, had a Separation from Service on the date preceding his date of death, and then died the next day.  If the Participant should die following his or her Separation from Service date, death benefits, if any, shall be payable to the spouse or other Beneficiary of the Participant in accordance with the form of payment in effect at the time of the Participant's death, and any lump sum payment that has been elected but not yet paid to the Executive as of the Executive’s date of death will be paid to the Executive’s beneficiary, provided, however, that any lump sum form of payment that has not yet been paid to the Participant as of the Participant’s date of death will be paid to the Participant’s Beneficiary on the date that would have otherwise been the Participant’s Benefit Commencement Date.

(f)            Benefit Commencement Date .  A Participant’s Benefit Commencement Date shall be the first day of the month immediately following the Participant’s Separation from Service (whether on account of death, Disability, retirement or otherwise), unless (i) the Participant has elected a lump sum, in which case the Participant’s Benefit Commencement Date shall be the first day of January of the year following the Participant’s Separation from Service; or (ii) the Participant has elected a later date pursuant to the Code Section 409A transition relief, or as permitted in accordance with Section 5.03, below, in which case the Participant’s Benefit Commencement Date shall be the date elected pursuant to the Code Section 409A transition relief or Section 5.03, as the case may be.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time the Company is publicly traded on an established securities market (as defined for purposes of Code Section 409A) and a distribution is to be made to a Specified Employee (as defined for purposes of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i)) on account of a Separation from Service, no distribution of a Non-Grandfathered Benefit shall be made to the Specified Employee on account of such Separation from Service before the date which is six months after the date of the Specified Employee’s Separation from Service or, if earlier, the date of death of the Specified Employee (the “Distribution Restriction Period”).  To the extent that such Employee would otherwise have been entitled to annuity distributions during the Distribution Restriction Period, such amounts shall be accumulated, without interest and paid in a single sum, together with the next annuity payment on the next following annuity payment date after the Distribution Restriction Period ends.  If a Participant otherwise would be entitled to a lump sum distribution during the Distribution Restriction Period, the payment of such lump sum shall be made on the first business day of the first month following the end of the Distribution Restriction Period without adjustment for the delay in payment.

5.03            Subsequent Elections; Change of Benefit Distribution Elections .  A Participant may change his or her Benefit Distribution Election by filing a subsequent written election with the Committee, provided , however , that

(a)           such subsequent election is approved by the Committee and is consistent with the Benefit Commencement Dates and the forms of benefit permitted under Section 5.02, above;

(b)           such subsequent election does not take effect until at least 12 months after the date on which the subsequent election is made;

(c)           with respect to an election relating to a distribution on account of a Separation from Service (or any other permitted distribution event under Code Section 409A, other than Disability, or death), the Benefit Commencement Date of the payment is deferred for a period of not fewer than 5 years from the date payment would otherwise have commenced; and

 
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(d)           with respect to any election relating to a distribution to be made (or commence) as of a specified date or pursuant to a fixed schedule, the subsequent election is made not less than 12 months prior to the date of the first scheduled payment.

No change of election shall permit the acceleration of the time or schedule of any payment under the Plan, except as may be provided by regulation or other guidance issued pursuant to Code Section 409A(a)(3).  A change in the form of a payment from one type of life annuity to another type of annuity before any annuity payment has been made shall not be considered to be a change in the time and form of payment requiring compliance with this Section 5.03, provided that the annuities are actuarially equivalent applying reasonable actuarial assumptions.  This paragraph is intended to be (and shall be interpreted to be) consistent with Code Section 409A(a)(3), Code Section 409A(a)(4)(C) and related guidance.

5.04            Cash-outs, Accelerations or Delays .

(a)            Small Lump Sum Cash-Out .  Notwithstanding the above, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, which shall be evidenced in writing no later than the date of payment, elect to pay the value of a Participant’s benefit in a single lump sum cash-out in accordance with Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(v).

(b)            Acceleration of or Delay in Payments .  The Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, may elect to accelerate the time or form of payment of a benefit owed to the Participant hereunder, provided such acceleration is permitted under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4).  The Committee may also, in its sole and absolute discretion, delay the time for payment of a benefit owed to the Participant hereunder, to the extent permitted under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-2(b)(7).


ARTICLE VI

FUNDING

6.01            Funding .  The Employer shall be under no obligation to establish a fund or reserve in order to pay the benefits under this portion of the Plan.  The Employer shall be required to make payments only as benefits become due and payable.  No person shall have any right, other than the right of an unsecured general creditor, against the Employer with respect to the benefits payable hereunder, or which may be payable hereunder, to any Participant or Beneficiary.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in order to pay benefits under this portion of the Plan, the Employer may establish a grantor trust (hereinafter the "Trust") within the meaning of Section 671 of the Code.  The assets in such Trust shall at all times be subject to the claims of the general creditors of the Employer in the event of the Employer's bankruptcy or insolvency, and neither the Plan nor any Participant or Beneficiary shall have any preferred claim or right to, or any beneficiary ownership interest in, any such assets of the Trust prior to the time such assets are paid to a Participant or Beneficiary as a Supplemental Pension Benefit, and all rights created under this portion of the Plan and said Trust shall be unsecured contractual rights of a Participant or Beneficiary against the Employer.

 
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ARTICLE VII

CLAIMS PROCEDURES

7.01            Filing a .  Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to the Plan shall be filed in writing with the Committee which shall make all determinations concerning such claim.  Any claim filed with the Committee and any decision by the Committee denying such claim shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the Participant or Beneficiary filing the claim (the “Claimant”).

(a)            In General .  Notice of a denial of benefits (other than Disability benefits) will be provided within ninety (90) days of the Committee’s receipt of the Claimant's claim for benefits.  If the Committee determines that it needs additional time to review the claim, the Committee will provide the Claimant with a notice of the extension before the end of the initial ninety (90) day period.  The extension will not be more than ninety (90) days from the end of the initial ninety (90) day period and the notice of extension will explain the special circumstances that require the extension and the date by which the Committee expects to make a decision.

(b)            Disability Benefits .  Notice of denial of Disability benefits will be provided within forty-five (45) days of the Committee’s receipt of the Claimant’s claim for Disability benefits.  If the Committee determines that it needs additional time to review the Disability claim, the Committee will provide the Claimant with a notice of the extension before the end of the initial forty-five (45) day period.  If the Committee determines that a decision cannot be made within the first extension period due to matters beyond the control of the Committee, the time period for making a determination may be further extended for an additional thirty (30) days.  If such an additional extension is necessary, the Committee shall notify the Claimant prior to the expiration of the initial thirty (30) day extension.  Any notice of extension shall indicate the circumstances necessitating the extension of time, the date by which the Committee expects to furnish a notice of decision, the specific standards on which such entitlement to a benefit is based, the unresolved issues that prevent a decision on the claim and any additional information needed to resolve those issues.  A Claimant will be provided a minimum of forty-five (45) days to submit any necessary additional information to the Committee.  In the event that a thirty (30) day extension is necessary due to a Claimant’s failure to submit information necessary to decide a claim, the period for furnishing a notice of decision shall be tolled from the date on which the notice of the extension is sent to the Claimant until the earlier of the date the Claimant responds to the request for additional information or the response deadline.

(c)            Contents of Notice .  If a claim for benefits is completely or partially denied, notice of such denial shall be in writing and shall set forth the reasons for denial in plain language.  The notice shall (i) cite the pertinent provisions of the Plan document, and (ii) explain, where appropriate, how the Claimant can perfect the claim, including a description of any additional material or information necessary to complete the claim and why such material or information is necessary.  The claim denial also shall include an explanation of the claims review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse decision on review.  In the case of a complete or partial denial of a Disability benefit claim, the notice shall provide a statement that the Committee will provide to the Claimant, upon request and free of charge, a copy of any internal rule, guideline, protocol, or other similar criterion that was relied upon in making the decision.

7.02            Appeal of Denied Claims .  A Claimant whose claim has been completely or partially denied shall be entitled to appeal the claim denial by filing a written appeal with a committee designated to hear such appeals (the “Appeals Committee”).  A Claimant who timely requests a review of the denied claim (or his or her authorized representative) may review, upon request and free of charge, copies of all documents,

 
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records and other information relevant to the denial and may submit written comments, documents, records and other information relevant to the claim to the Appeals Committee.  All written comments, documents, records, and other information shall be considered “relevant” if the information (i) was relied upon in making a benefits determination, (ii) was submitted, considered or generated in the course of making a benefits decision regardless of whether it was relied upon to make the decision, or (iii) demonstrates compliance with administrative processes and safeguards established for making benefit decisions.  The Appeals Committee may, in its sole discretion and if it deems appropriate or necessary, decide to hold a hearing with respect to the claim appeal.

(a)            In General .  Appeal of a denied benefits claim (other than a Disability benefits claim) must be filed in writing with the Appeals Committee no later than sixty (60) days after receipt of the written notification of such claim denial.  The Appeals Committee shall make its decision regarding the merits of the denied claim within sixty (60) days following receipt of the appeal (or within one hundred and twenty (120) days after such receipt, in a case where there are special circumstances requiring extension of time for reviewing the appealed claim).  If an extension of time for reviewing the appeal is required because of special circumstances, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Claimant prior to the commencement of the extension.  The notice will indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Appeals Committee expects to render the determination on review.  The review will take into account comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the Claimant relating to the claim without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.

(b)            Disability Benefits .  Appeal of a denied Disability benefits claim must be filed in writing with the Appeals Committee no later than one hundred eighty (180) days after receipt of the written notification of such claim denial.  The review shall be conducted by the Appeals Committee (exclusive of the person who made the initial adverse decision or such person’s subordinate).  In reviewing the appeal, the Appeals Committee shall (i) not afford deference to the initial denial of the claim, (ii) consult a medical professional who has appropriate training and experience in the field of medicine relating to the Claimant’s disability and who was neither consulted as part of the initial denial nor is the subordinate of such individual and (iii) identify the medical or vocational experts whose advice was obtained with respect to the initial benefit denial, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the decision.  The Appeals Committee shall make its decision regarding the merits of the denied claim within forty-five (45) days following receipt of the appeal (or within ninety (90) days after such receipt, in a case where there are special circumstances requiring extension of time for reviewing the appealed claim).  If an extension of time for reviewing the appeal is required because of special circumstances, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Claimant prior to the commencement of the extension.  The notice will indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Appeals Committee expects to render the determination on review.  Following its review of any additional information submitted by the Claimant, the Appeals Committee shall render a decision on its review of the denied claim.

(c)            Contents of Notice .  If a benefits claim is completely or partially denied on review, notice of such denial shall be in writing and shall set forth the reasons for denial in plain language.  The decision on review shall set forth (i) the specific reason or reasons for the denial, (ii) specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based, (iii) a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all documents, records, or other information relevant (as defined above) to the Claimant’s claim, and (iv) a statement describing any voluntary appeal procedures offered by the plan and a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring an action under Section 502(a) of ERISA.  For the denial of a Disability benefit, the notice will also include a statement that the Appeals Committee will provide, upon request and free of charge, (i) any internal rule, guideline, protocol or other similar criterion relied upon in making the decision, (ii) any medical opinion

 
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relied upon to make the decision and (iii) the required statement under Section 2560.503-1(j)(5)(iii) of the Department of Labor regulations.

(d)            Discretion of Appeals Committee .  All interpretations, determinations and decisions of the Appeals Committee with respect to any claim shall be made in its sole discretion, and shall be final and conclusive.


ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

8.01            Non-Guarantee of Employment or Pension .  Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed as a contract of employment between the Employer and any Participant or Employee, or as a right of any such Participant or Employee to be continued in the employment of the Employer, or as a limitation on the right of the Employer to deal with any Participant or Employee as to their hiring, discharge, layoff, compensation, and all other conditions of employment in all respects as though the Plan did not exist.  Nothing herein shall be construed as a contract or guarantee of any right to continue or accrue benefits under the Pension Plan.  Such rights and benefits shall be determined solely by the terms of the Pension Plan.

8.02            Rights and Pension Plan .  Nothing in this Plan shall be construed to limit, broaden, restrict, or grant any right to a Participant, Employee, or Beneficiary under the Pension Plan, or to grant any additional rights to any such Participant, Employee, or Beneficiary under the Pension Plan, or in any way to limit, modify, repeal or otherwise affect the Employer's right to amend or modify the Pension Plan.

8.03            Amendment, Modification, Suspension or Termination .  The Committee may amend or terminate this portion of the Plan in whole or in part, except to the extent that such power has been expressly reserved otherwise under the terms of this portion of the Plan, provided, however, that no such amendment or termination shall cause a reduction or cessation of the Supplemental Pension Benefit of any Participant or Beneficiary accrued prior to the adoption of such vote of amendment or termination.  The Board of Directors may also terminate this portion of the Plan and pay Participants (and beneficiaries) their Account Balances in a single lump sum at any time, to the extent and in accordance with Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix).

8.04            Plan Administration .  The Plan shall be operated and administered by the Committee whose decisions on all matters involving the interpretation and administration of the Plan shall be final and binding.  The Committee shall be the named fiduciary and plan administrator for purposes of ERISA.

8.05            Spendthrift Provision .  No benefit payable under the Plan shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or charge prior to actual receipt thereof by the payee; and any attempt so to anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or charge prior to such receipt shall be void; and the Company shall not be liable in any manner for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of any person entitled to any benefit under the Plan.

8.06            Administrative Powers .  The Committee, in addition to the general powers set forth in Section 8.04, shall have the following specific discretionary powers, subject to ERISA:

(a)  To establish the manner of disbursement of benefits;


 
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(b)  To establish and enforce such rules and administrative procedures as the Committee deems necessary and appropriate to carry out the Plan;

(c)  To employ actuaries, attorneys and accountants and other agents and advisors, and to delegate to such persons such powers and responsibilities as the Committee shall determine;

(d)  To decide all questions concerning the administration of the Plan;

(e)  To establish the basis for benefit calculations made pursuant to the Plan;

(f)  To request the Company to make appropriate contributions to satisfy any funding requirements under the Plan.

8.07            Disclosure .  Each Participant shall receive a copy of the Plan and the Committee will make available for inspection by any Participant, surviving spouse or Beneficiary a copy of any rules or regulations as such may be used or adopted by the Committee in administering the Plan from time to time.

8.08            Incapacity .  In the event that a Participant, surviving spouse or Beneficiary is declared incompetent and a conservator or other person legally charged with the care of his or her person or his or her estate is appointed, any benefits under the Plan to which such Participant, surviving spouse or Beneficiary is entitled may be paid to such conservator or other person legally charged with the care of his or her person or his or her estate.

8.09            Unclaimed Benefit .  Each Participant shall keep the Committee informed of his or her current address and the current address of his or her surviving spouse or Beneficiary.  The Committee shall not be obligated to search for the whereabouts of any person.  If the location of a Participant is not made known to the Committee within three (3) years after the date on which the Participant's benefit under this Plan is due, payment may be made as though the Participant had died at the end of the three-year period.  If, within one (1) additional year after such three-year period has elapsed, or within three (3) years after the actual death of the Participant, the Committee is unable to locate any surviving spouse or Beneficiary of the Participant, then the Employer shall have no further obligation to pay any benefit hereunder to such Participant, surviving spouse or Beneficiary or any other person and such benefit shall be irrevocably forfeited to the Employer.

8.10            Limitation on Liability .  Notwithstanding any of the preceding provisions of the Plan, no individual acting as an employee or agent of the Employer or as a Committee or other fiduciary shall be liable to any Participant, former Participant, surviving spouse, Beneficiary or any other person for any claim, benefit, loss, or expense incurred in connection with the Plan, except as allowed by ERISA.

8.11            Fiduciary Responsibility .  In carrying out their responsibilities under the Plan, the Committee and any other fiduciary hereunder shall act solely in the interest of Participants, their surviving spouses or Beneficiaries and with the care, skill, prudence and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent person acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would use in similar circumstances.

8.12            Withholding .  The Employer shall have the right to deduct from the amount of any payment to a Participant, surviving spouse or Beneficiary, any federal, state or other taxes required by law to be withheld.

 
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8.13            Successor Employer .  In the event of the dissolution, merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Employer, provision may be made by which a successor to all or a major portion of the Employer's property or business shall continue the Plan, and the successor shall have all of the power, duties and responsibilities of the Employer under the Plan.

8.14            Governing Law .  This Plan shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of Connecticut, to the extent not preempted by ERISA.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Plan document has been executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company.



Dated:        August 4, 2008      


                                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

Witnesses
   
/s/ Angel Bruno
 
By:           / s/ James P. Torgerson                                                             
   
James P. Torgerson
   
Its Chief Executive Officer
 
 

 
14

 

 
SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN
OF
THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
NON-GRANDFATHERED BENEFIT PROVISIONS


EXHIBIT A

As of August 4, 2008

THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION
 
 
 



EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, James P. Torgerson, certify that:

1.  
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of UIL Holdings Corporation;

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 August 5, 2008                                            
/s/ James P. Torgerson                                                     
 
James P. Torgerson
 
President and Chief Executive Officer





EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Richard J. Nicholas, certify that:

1.  
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of UIL Holdings Corporation;

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:   August 5, 2008                                            
/s/ Richard J. Nicholas                                                         
 
Richard J. Nicholas
 
Executive Vice President
 
and Chief Financial Officer





EXHIBIT 32




Certification of Periodic Financial Report


Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, the undersigned, James P. Torgerson and Richard J. Nicholas, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, respectively, of UIL Holdings Corporation (the “issuer”), do each hereby certify that the report on Form 10-Q to which this certification is attached as an exhibit (the “report”) fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)) and that information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the issuer.




/s/ James P. Torgerson                                                                                                     
James P. Torgerson
President and Chief Executive Officer
(chief executive officer)
UIL Holdings Corporation
August 5, 2008



/s/ Richard J. Nicholas                                                                                                                  
Richard J. Nicholas
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(chief financial officer)
UIL Holdings Corporation
August 5, 2008