Document



 
eversourcelogo.jpg
 

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

FORM 10-Q

x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2018
 
or
¨

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

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________


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


 
 

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

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

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

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

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers' classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
Company - Class of Stock
Outstanding as of July 31, 2018
 
 
Eversource Energy Common Shares, $5.00 par value
316,885,808 shares
The Connecticut Light and Power Company Common Stock, $10.00 par value
6,035,205 shares
NSTAR Electric Company Common Stock, $1.00 par value
200 shares
Public Service Company of New Hampshire Common Stock, $1.00 par value
301 shares

Eversource Energy holds all of the 6,035,205 shares, 200 shares, and 301 shares of the outstanding common stock of The Connecticut Light and Power Company, NSTAR Electric Company, and Public Service Company of New Hampshire, respectively.

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

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



GLOSSARY OF TERMS

The following is a glossary of abbreviations and acronyms that are found in this report:
Current or former Eversource Energy companies, segments or investments:
Eversource, ES or the Company
Eversource Energy and subsidiaries
Eversource parent or ES parent
Eversource Energy, a public utility holding company
ES parent and other companies
ES parent and other companies are comprised of Eversource parent, Eversource Service and other subsidiaries, which primarily includes our unregulated businesses, HWP Company, The Rocky River Realty Company (a real estate subsidiary), and the consolidated operations of CYAPC and YAEC
CL&P
The Connecticut Light and Power Company
NSTAR Electric
NSTAR Electric Company
PSNH
Public Service Company of New Hampshire
NSTAR Gas
NSTAR Gas Company
Yankee Gas
Yankee Gas Services Company
Aquarion
Eversource Aquarion Holdings, Inc and its subsidiaries (formerly known as Macquarie Utilities Inc)
NPT
Northern Pass Transmission LLC
Northern Pass
The HVDC and associated alternating-current transmission line project from Canada into New Hampshire
Eversource Service
Eversource Energy Service Company
Bay State Wind
A project being developed jointly by Eversource and Denmark-based Ørsted (formerly known as DONG Energy) to construct an offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts
CYAPC
Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company
MYAPC
Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company
YAEC
Yankee Atomic Electric Company
Yankee Companies
CYAPC, YAEC and MYAPC
Regulated companies
The Eversource regulated companies are comprised of the electric distribution and transmission businesses of CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, the natural gas distribution businesses of Yankee Gas and NSTAR Gas, NPT, Aquarion, the generation facilities of PSNH, and the solar power facilities of NSTAR Electric
Regulators:
 
DEEP
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
DOE
U.S. Department of Energy
DOER
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
DPU
Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities
EPA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
FERC
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
ISO-NE
ISO New England, Inc., the New England Independent System Operator
MA DEP
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
NHPUC
New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission
PURA
Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority
SEC
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
SJC
Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts
Other Terms and Abbreviations:
Access Northeast
A project being developed jointly by Eversource, Enbridge, Inc. ("Enbridge"), and National Grid plc ("National Grid") through Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC to bring needed additional natural gas pipeline and storage capacity to New England.
ADIT
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes
AFUDC
Allowance For Funds Used During Construction
AOCI
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
ARO
Asset Retirement Obligation
Bcf
Billion cubic feet
C&LM
Conservation and Load Management
CfD
Contract for Differences
Clean Air Project
The construction of a wet flue gas desulphurization system, known as "scrubber technology," to reduce mercury emissions of the Merrimack coal-fired generation station in Bow, New Hampshire
CO2
Carbon dioxide
CTA
Competitive Transition Assessment
CWIP
Construction Work in Progress
EDC
Electric distribution company
EPS
Earnings Per Share
ERISA
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974

i


ESOP
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Eversource 2017 Form 10-K
The Eversource Energy and Subsidiaries 2017 combined Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC
Fitch
Fitch Ratings
FMCC
Federally Mandated Congestion Charge
FTR
Financial Transmission Rights
GAAP
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
GSC
Generation Service Charge
GSRP
Greater Springfield Reliability Project
GWh
Gigawatt-Hours
HQ
Hydro-Québec, a corporation wholly-owned by the Québec government, including its divisions that produce, transmit and distribute electricity in Québec, Canada
HVDC
High-voltage direct current
Hydro Renewable Energy
Hydro Renewable Energy, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hydro-Québec
IPP
Independent Power Producers
ISO-NE Tariff
ISO-NE FERC Transmission, Markets and Services Tariff
kV
Kilovolt
kVa
Kilovolt-ampere
kW
Kilowatt (equal to one thousand watts)
kWh
Kilowatt-Hours (the basic unit of electricity energy equal to one kilowatt of power supplied for one hour)
LBR
Lost Base Revenue
LNG
Liquefied natural gas
LRS
Supplier of last resort service
MG
Million gallons
MGP
Manufactured Gas Plant
MMBtu
One million British thermal units
MMcf
Million cubic feet
Moody's
Moody's Investors Services, Inc.
MW
Megawatt
MWh
Megawatt-Hours
NEEWS
New England East-West Solution
NETOs
New England Transmission Owners (including Eversource, National Grid and Avangrid)
NOx
Nitrogen oxides
OCI
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
PAM
Pension and PBOP Rate Adjustment Mechanism
PBOP
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension
PBOP Plan
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension Plan that provides certain retiree benefits, primarily medical, dental and life insurance
PCRBs
Pollution Control Revenue Bonds
Pension Plan
Single uniform noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan
PPA
Pension Protection Act
RRBs
Rate Reduction Bonds
RECs
Renewable Energy Certificates
Regulatory ROE
The average cost of capital method for calculating the return on equity related to the distribution and generation business segment excluding the wholesale transmission segment
RNS
Regional Network Service
ROE
Return on Equity
RRB
Rate Reduction Bond or Rate Reduction Certificate
RSUs
Restricted share units
S&P
Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC
SBC
Systems Benefits Charge
SCRC
Stranded Cost Recovery Charge
SERP
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans and non-qualified defined benefit retirement plans
SO2
Sulfur dioxide
SS
Standard service
TCAM
Transmission Cost Adjustment Mechanism
TSA
Transmission Service Agreement
UI
The United Illuminating Company


ii


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

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Page
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public Service Company of New Hampshire and Subsidiaries (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

iii



EVERSOURCE ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(Thousands of Dollars)
As of June 30, 2018

As of December 31, 2017





ASSETS
 


 
Current Assets:
 


 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
64,154


$
38,165

Receivables, Net
967,590


925,083

Unbilled Revenues
160,301


201,361

Taxes Receivable
156,236


18,682

Fuel, Materials, Supplies and Inventory
171,601

 
223,063

Regulatory Assets
590,898


741,868

Prepayments and Other Current Assets
107,379


119,327

Assets Held for Sale
59,431

 
219,550

Total Current Assets
2,277,590


2,487,099







Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
24,476,890


23,617,463







Deferred Debits and Other Assets:
 


 

Regulatory Assets
4,805,440


4,497,447

Goodwill
4,427,266


4,427,266

Marketable Securities
576,440


585,419

Other Long-Term Assets
680,718


605,692

Total Deferred Debits and Other Assets
10,489,864


10,115,824







Total Assets
$
37,244,344


$
36,220,386





LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
 

 
Current Liabilities:
 

 
Notes Payable
$
1,190,810


$
1,088,087

Long-Term Debt – Current Portion
387,296


549,631

Rate Reduction Bonds – Current Portion
30,727

 
—

Accounts Payable
1,010,389


1,085,034

Regulatory Liabilities
247,369


128,071

Other Current Liabilities
662,964


738,222

Total Current Liabilities
3,529,555


3,589,045





Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
 

 
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes
3,473,870


3,297,518

Regulatory Liabilities
3,689,679


3,637,273

Derivative Liabilities
394,459


377,257

Accrued Pension, SERP and PBOP
1,044,397


1,228,091

Other Long-Term Liabilities
1,069,391


1,073,501

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
9,671,796


9,613,640







Long-Term Debt
12,009,264


11,775,889

 
 
 
 
Rate Reduction Bonds
604,936

 
—

 
 
 
 
Noncontrolling Interest – Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries
155,570


155,570







Common Shareholders' Equity:
 

 
Common Shares
1,669,392


1,669,392

Capital Surplus, Paid In
6,229,247


6,239,940

Retained Earnings
3,753,343


3,561,084

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
(60,988
)

(66,403
)
Treasury Stock
(317,771
)

(317,771
)
Common Shareholders' Equity
11,273,223


11,086,242







Total Liabilities and Capitalization
$
37,244,344


$
36,220,386


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

1


EVERSOURCE ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Share Information)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Revenues
$
1,853,856

 
$
1,762,811

 
$
4,141,818

 
$
3,867,946

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission
653,915

 
549,704

 
1,600,662

 
1,303,353

Operations and Maintenance
293,858

 
310,193

 
626,406

 
648,500

Depreciation
199,140

 
189,881

 
403,406

 
376,686

Amortization
36,203

 
(7,807
)
 
81,397

 
16,210

Energy Efficiency Programs
101,955

 
116,398

 
236,196

 
262,556

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
177,431

 
156,234

 
359,865

 
311,455

Total Operating Expenses
1,462,502

 
1,314,603

 
3,307,932

 
2,918,760

Operating Income
391,354

 
448,208

 
833,886

 
949,186

Interest Expense
126,404

 
107,329

 
247,533

 
210,758

Other Income, Net
50,149

 
29,022

 
83,938

 
50,641

Income Before Income Tax Expense
315,099

 
369,901

 
670,291

 
789,069

Income Tax Expense
70,452

 
137,272

 
154,219

 
295,103

Net Income
244,647

 
232,629

 
516,072

 
493,966

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
1,880

 
1,880

 
3,759

 
3,759

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
$
242,767

 
$
230,749

 
$
512,313

 
$
490,207

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
$
0.76

 
$
0.72

 
$
1.61

 
$
1.54

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends Declared Per Common Share
$
0.51

 
$
0.48

 
$
1.01

 
$
0.95

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
317,344,596

 
317,391,365

 
317,370,825

 
317,427,258

Diluted
317,885,187

 
317,947,194

 
317,939,094

 
318,035,864


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


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
244,647

 
$
232,629

 
$
516,072

 
$
493,966

Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net of Tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Qualified Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
471

 
514

 
1,195

 
1,048

Changes in Unrealized (Losses)/Gains on
  Marketable Securities
(144
)
 
960

 
(588
)
 
2,605

Changes in Funded Status of Pension, SERP and
   PBOP Benefit Plans
1,815

 
(2,268
)
 
4,808

 
(1,306
)
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net of Tax
2,142

 
(794
)
 
5,415

 
2,347

Comprehensive Income Attributable to
  Noncontrolling Interests
(1,880
)
 
(1,880
)
 
(3,759
)
 
(3,759
)
Comprehensive Income Attributable to
  Common Shareholders
$
244,909

 
$
229,955

 
$
517,728

 
$
492,554


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

2


EVERSOURCE ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2018
 
2017




Operating Activities:
 

 
Net Income
$
516,072


$
493,966

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

 
Depreciation
403,406


376,686

Deferred Income Taxes
161,883


269,505

Pension, SERP and PBOP Expense, Net
3,317


11,242

Pension and PBOP Contributions
(179,002
)

(91,400
)
Regulatory Overrecoveries, Net
36,669


85,792

Amortization
81,397


16,210

Other
(74,006
)

(110,355
)
Changes in Current Assets and Liabilities:
 

 
Receivables and Unbilled Revenues, Net
(52,923
)

(7,660
)
Fuel, Materials, Supplies and Inventory
65,609


42,425

Taxes Receivable/Accrued, Net
(132,999
)

23,980

Accounts Payable
(80,059
)

(168,221
)
Other Current Assets and Liabilities, Net
(51,229
)

(47,220
)
Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
698,135


894,950





Investing Activities:
 

 
Investments in Property, Plant and Equipment
(1,251,678
)

(1,146,952
)
Proceeds from Sales of Marketable Securities
316,252


373,853

Purchases of Marketable Securities
(314,406
)

(394,379
)
Proceeds from the Sale of PSNH Generation Assets
116,809

 
—

Other Investing Activities
(14,122
)

(20,439
)
Net Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
(1,147,145
)

(1,187,917
)




Financing Activities:
 

 
Cash Dividends on Common Shares
(320,055
)

(301,042
)
Cash Dividends on Preferred Stock
(3,759
)

(3,759
)
Decrease in Notes Payable
(98,500
)

(211,000
)
Issuance of Rate Reduction Bonds
635,663

 
—

Issuance of Long-Term Debt
1,150,000


950,000

Retirements of Long-Term Debt
(860,421
)

(150,000
)
Other Financing Activities
(17,958
)

(19,254
)
Net Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities
484,970


264,945

Net Increase/(Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
35,960


(28,022
)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash - Beginning of Period
85,890


106,750

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash - End of Period
$
121,850


$
78,728


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



3



THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(Thousands of Dollars)
As of June 30, 2018
 
As of December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash
$
1,794

 
$
6,028

Receivables, Net
385,419

 
370,676

Accounts Receivable from Affiliated Companies
34,555

 
28,181

Unbilled Revenues
53,114

 
54,154

Materials, Supplies and Inventory
55,795

 
48,438

Regulatory Assets
198,242

 
200,281

Prepayments and Other Current Assets
20,784

 
46,926

Total Current Assets
749,703

 
754,684

 
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
8,604,611

 
8,271,030

 
 
 
 
Deferred Debits and Other Assets:
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets
1,556,977

 
1,444,935

Other Long-Term Assets
172,510

 
159,597

Total Deferred Debits and Other Assets
1,729,487

 
1,604,532

 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
11,083,801

 
$
10,630,246

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Notes Payable to Eversource Parent
$
24,000

 
$
69,500

Long-Term Debt – Current Portion
250,000

 
300,000

Accounts Payable
378,862

 
367,605

Accounts Payable to Affiliated Companies
88,138

 
82,201

Obligations to Third Party Suppliers
54,260

 
52,860

Derivative Liabilities
52,214

 
54,392

Regulatory Liabilities
72,183

 
38,967

Other Current Liabilities
119,839

 
127,234

Total Current Liabilities
1,039,496

 
1,092,759

 
 
 
 
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes
1,157,165

 
1,103,367

Regulatory Liabilities
1,124,721

 
1,112,136

Derivative Liabilities
394,270

 
376,918

Accrued Pension, SERP and PBOP
306,469

 
354,469

Other Long-Term Liabilities
119,518

 
128,135

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
3,102,143

 
3,075,025

 
 
 
 
Long-Term Debt
3,003,286

 
2,759,135

 
 
 
 
Preferred Stock Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption
116,200

 
116,200

 
 
 
 
Common Stockholder's Equity:
 
 
 
Common Stock
60,352

 
60,352

Capital Surplus, Paid In
2,210,765

 
2,110,765

Retained Earnings
1,551,241

 
1,415,741

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
318

 
269

Common Stockholder's Equity
3,822,676

 
3,587,127

 
 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Capitalization
$
11,083,801

 
$
10,630,246


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

4


THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Revenues
$
694,892

 
$
666,558

 
$
1,479,875

 
$
1,398,867

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased Power and Transmission
234,335

 
207,211

 
536,223

 
452,149

Operations and Maintenance
109,685

 
108,918

 
226,977

 
237,655

Depreciation
69,383

 
60,797

 
136,881

 
120,549

Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net
15,400

 
11,422

 
43,405

 
24,225

Energy Efficiency Programs
18,606

 
32,153

 
41,366

 
68,744

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
84,375

 
70,437

 
174,676

 
144,414

Total Operating Expenses
531,784

 
490,938

 
1,159,528

 
1,047,736

Operating Income
163,108

 
175,620

 
320,347

 
351,131

Interest Expense
38,674

 
35,299

 
75,498

 
70,264

Other Income, Net
7,063

 
4,221

 
13,623

 
7,489

Income Before Income Tax Expense
131,497

 
144,542

 
258,472

 
288,356

Income Tax Expense
31,785

 
53,249

 
60,192

 
106,855

Net Income
$
99,712

 
$
91,293

 
$
198,280

 
$
181,501


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


CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
99,712

 
$
91,293

 
$
198,280

 
$
181,501

Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Qualified Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
13

 
91

 
65

 
202

Changes in Unrealized (Losses)/Gains on
  Marketable Securities
(4
)
 
33

 
(16
)
 
89

Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax
9

 
124

 
49

 
291

Comprehensive Income
$
99,721

 
$
91,417

 
$
198,329

 
$
181,792


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


5


THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net Income
$
198,280

 
$
181,501

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
136,881

 
120,549

Deferred Income Taxes
50,915

 
73,277

Pension, SERP, and PBOP Expense
3,861

 
4,321

Pension and PBOP Contributions
(41,150
)
 
(1,250
)
Regulatory (Under)/Over Recoveries, Net
(39,908
)
 
9,762

Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net
43,405

 
24,225

Other
(33,078
)
 
(27,585
)
Changes in Current Assets and Liabilities:
 
 
 
Receivables and Unbilled Revenues, Net
(34,772
)
 
(22,333
)
Taxes Receivable/Accrued, Net
105

 
41,733

Accounts Payable
(30,805
)
 
(63,813
)
Other Current Assets and Liabilities, Net
14,377

 
15,304

Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
268,111

 
355,691

 
 
 
 
Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Investments in Property, Plant and Equipment
(457,677
)
 
(419,891
)
Other Investing Activities
110

 
132

Net Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
(457,567
)
 
(419,759
)
 
 
 
 
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Cash Dividends on Common Stock
(60,000
)
 
(99,200
)
Cash Dividends on Preferred Stock
(2,779
)
 
(2,779
)
Capital Contributions from Eversource Parent
100,000

 
—

Issuance of Long-Term Debt
500,000

 
300,000

Retirement of Long-Term Debt
(300,000
)
 
(150,000
)
(Decrease)/Increase in Notes Payable to Eversource Parent
(45,500
)
 
21,000

Other Financing Activities
(6,189
)
 
(3,894
)
Net Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities
185,532

 
65,127

Net (Decrease)/Increase in Cash and Restricted Cash
(3,924
)
 
1,059

Cash and Restricted Cash - Beginning of Period
9,619

 
8,403

Cash and Restricted Cash - End of Period
$
5,695

 
$
9,462


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




6



NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(Thousands of Dollars)
As of June 30, 2018
 
As of December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 

 
 

Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
67

 
$
1,763

Receivables, Net
382,019

 
341,341

Accounts Receivable from Affiliated Companies
20,406

 
40,723

Unbilled Revenues
48,668

 
49,865

Materials, Supplies and Inventory
50,459

 
95,517

Regulatory Assets
244,542

 
333,882

Prepayments and Other Current Assets
58,105

 
24,499

Total Current Assets
804,266

 
887,590

 
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
8,450,942

 
8,246,494

 
 
 
 
Deferred Debits and Other Assets:
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets
1,271,158

 
1,190,575

Prepaid PBOP
147,698

 
126,948

Other Long-Term Assets
93,240

 
84,766

Total Deferred Debits and Other Assets
1,512,096

 
1,402,289

 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
10,767,304

 
$
10,536,373

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Notes Payable
$
443,810

 
$
234,000

Notes Payable to Eversource Parent
4,000

 
—

Accounts Payable
315,875

 
340,115

Accounts Payable to Affiliated Companies
78,305

 
91,260

Obligations to Third Party Suppliers
101,037

 
88,721

Renewable Portfolio Standards Compliance Obligations
65,361

 
111,524

Regulatory Liabilities
90,222

 
79,562

Other Current Liabilities
61,968

 
79,916

Total Current Liabilities
1,160,578

 
1,025,098

 
 
 
 
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes
1,301,309

 
1,275,814

Regulatory Liabilities
1,540,755

 
1,514,451

Accrued Pension and SERP
17,624

 
89,995

Other Long-Term Liabilities
209,886

 
198,176

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
3,069,574

 
3,078,436

 
 
 
 
Long-Term Debt
2,944,266

 
2,943,759

 
 
 
 
Preferred Stock Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption
43,000

 
43,000

 
 
 
 
Common Stockholder's Equity:
 
 
 
Common Stock
—

 
—

Capital Surplus, Paid In
1,603,442

 
1,502,942

Retained Earnings
1,948,052

 
1,944,961

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
(1,608
)
 
(1,823
)
Common Stockholder's Equity
3,549,886

 
3,446,080

 
 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Capitalization
$
10,767,304


$
10,536,373


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

7


NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Revenues
$
690,737

 
$
704,702

 
$
1,460,865

 
$
1,438,510

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Purchased Power and Transmission
266,108

 
231,039

 
598,687

 
504,891

Operations and Maintenance
102,163

 
111,820

 
220,844

 
227,692

Depreciation
64,051

 
68,477

 
134,593

 
135,695

Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net
11,954

 
2,623

 
18,318

 
7,112

Energy Efficiency Programs
65,184

 
67,955

 
139,978

 
145,932

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
47,627

 
44,844

 
95,815

 
82,664

Total Operating Expenses
557,087

 
526,758

 
1,208,235

 
1,103,986

Operating Income
133,650

 
177,944

 
252,630

 
334,524

Interest Expense
27,359

 
29,626

 
53,822

 
57,905

Other Income, Net
14,269

 
7,096

 
26,870

 
15,445

Income Before Income Tax Expense
120,560

 
155,414

 
225,678

 
292,064

Income Tax Expense
32,639

 
60,431

 
60,607

 
113,700

Net Income
$
87,921

 
$
94,983

 
$
165,071

 
$
178,364


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


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
87,921

 
$
94,983

 
$
165,071

 
$
178,364

Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Changes in Funded Status of SERP Benefit Plan
1

 
(4
)
 
2

 
(8
)
  Qualified Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
109

 
110

 
218

 
219

  Changes in Unrealized (Losses)/Gains on
     Marketable Securities
(1
)
 
9

 
(5
)
 
25

Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax
109

 
115

 
215

 
236

Comprehensive Income
$
88,030

 
$
95,098

 
$
165,286

 
$
178,600


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


8


NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
Operating Activities:
 

 
 

Net Income
$
165,071

 
$
178,364

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

 
 

Depreciation
134,593

 
135,695

Deferred Income Taxes
29,238

 
92,223

Pension, SERP and PBOP Income, Net
(19,785
)
 
(5,125
)
Pension and PBOP Contributions
(59,156
)
 
(15,360
)
Regulatory Overrecoveries, Net
34,090

 
9,428

Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net
18,318

 
7,112

Other
(3,345
)
 
(18,883
)
Changes in Current Assets and Liabilities:
 

 
 

Receivables and Unbilled Revenues, Net
(40,073
)
 
(28,890
)
Materials, Supplies and Inventory
45,058

 
30,056

Taxes Receivable/Accrued, Net
(37,268
)
 
36,030

Accounts Payable
(17,194
)
 
(148,773
)
Other Current Assets and Liabilities, Net
(46,861
)
 
(56,345
)
Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
202,686

 
215,532

 
 
 
 
Investing Activities:
 

 
 

Investments in Property, Plant and Equipment
(356,497
)
 
(338,495
)
Other Investing Activities
31

 
(3,580
)
Net Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
(356,466
)
 
(342,075
)
 
 
 
 
Financing Activities:
 

 
 

Cash Dividends on Common Stock
(161,000
)
 
(112,000
)
Cash Dividends on Preferred Stock
(980
)
 
(980
)
Capital Contributions from Eversource Parent
100,500

 
1,800

Increase/(Decrease) in Notes Payable
213,810

 
(108,800
)
Issuance of Long-Term Debt
—

 
350,000

Other Financing Activities
(158
)
 
(3,159
)
Net Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities
152,172

 
126,861

(Decrease)/Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
(1,608
)
 
318

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash - Beginning of Period
14,708

 
15,506

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash - End of Period
$
13,100

 
$
15,824


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


9



PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(Thousands of Dollars)
As of June 30, 2018
 
As of December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash
$
379

 
$
900

Receivables, Net
93,735

 
92,774

Accounts Receivable from Affiliated Companies
20,235

 
5,297

Unbilled Revenues
40,452

 
49,448

Taxes Receivable
31,701

 
5,838

Materials, Supplies and Inventory
32,629

 
40,285

Regulatory Assets
87,504

 
130,134

Prepayments and Other Current Assets
24,335

 
23,093

Assets Held for Sale
59,431

 
219,550

Total Current Assets
390,401

 
567,319

 
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
2,763,610

 
2,642,274

 
 
 
 
Deferred Debits and Other Assets:
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets
901,718

 
810,677

Other Long-Term Assets
46,448

 
42,391

Total Deferred Debits and Other Assets
948,166

 
853,068

 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
4,102,177

 
$
4,062,661

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Notes Payable to Eversource Parent
$
118,700

 
$
262,900

Long-Term Debt – Current Portion
—

 
110,000

Rate Reduction Bonds – Current Portion
30,727

 
—

Accounts Payable
123,717

 
128,685

Accounts Payable to Affiliated Companies
26,583

 
24,676

Dividends Payable to Eversource Parent
—

 
150,000

Renewable Portfolio Standards Compliance Obligations
22,185

 
27,765

Regulatory Liabilities
30,023

 
6,251

Other Current Liabilities
43,540

 
40,159

Total Current Liabilities
395,475

 
750,436

 
 
 
 
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes
487,441

 
443,468

Regulatory Liabilities
447,896

 
444,397

Accrued Pension, SERP and PBOP
129,870

 
124,639

Other Long-Term Liabilities
35,596

 
56,689

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
1,100,803

 
1,069,193

 
 
 
 
Long-Term Debt
893,960

 
892,438

 
 
 
 
Rate Reduction Bonds
604,936

 
—

 
 
 
 
Common Stockholder's Equity:
 
 
 
Common Stock
—

 
—

Capital Surplus, Paid In
538,134

 
843,134

Retained Earnings
572,253

 
511,382

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
(3,384
)
 
(3,922
)
Common Stockholder's Equity
1,107,003

 
1,350,594

 
 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Capitalization
$
4,102,177

 
$
4,062,661


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


10


PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Revenues
$
235,146

 
$
230,383

 
$
502,497

 
$
483,541

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission
83,494

 
60,442

 
193,212

 
122,189

Operations and Maintenance
46,487

 
66,569

 
97,867

 
130,533

Depreciation
22,808

 
32,447

 
46,301

 
63,182

Amortization of Regulatory Assets/(Liabilities), Net
8,926

 
(18,937
)
 
13,961

 
(13,492
)
Energy Efficiency Programs
4,674

 
3,287

 
9,831

 
7,032

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
21,879

 
23,118

 
38,680

 
44,001

Total Operating Expenses
188,268

 
166,926

 
399,852

 
353,445

Operating Income
46,878

 
63,457

 
102,645

 
130,096

Interest Expense
14,612

 
12,970

 
27,386

 
25,780

Other Income, Net
3,409

 
1,891

 
8,159

 
4,703

Income Before Income Tax Expense
35,675

 
52,378

 
83,418

 
109,019

Income Tax Expense
9,896

 
20,787

 
22,547

 
43,116

Net Income
$
25,779

 
$
31,591

 
$
60,871

 
$
65,903


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


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
25,779

 
$
31,591

 
$
60,871

 
$
65,903

Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Qualified Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
277

 
290

 
567

 
581

Changes in Unrealized (Losses)/Gains on
   Marketable Securities
(8
)
 
58

 
(29
)
 
155

Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax
269

 
348

 
538

 
736

Comprehensive Income
$
26,048

 
$
31,939

 
$
61,409

 
$
66,639


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


11


PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
(Thousands of Dollars)
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net Income
$
60,871

 
$
65,903

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
46,301

 
63,182

Deferred Income Taxes
41,981

 
37,670

Regulatory Underrecoveries, Net
(29,816
)
 
(1,964
)
Amortization of Regulatory Assets/(Liabilities), Net
13,961

 
(13,492
)
Other
(3,428
)
 
(6,747
)
Changes in Current Assets and Liabilities:
 
 
 
Receivables and Unbilled Revenues, Net
(10,510
)
 
(1,427
)
Fuel, Materials, Supplies and Inventory
21,803

 
12,288

Taxes Receivable/Accrued, Net
(15,475
)
 
(20,945
)
Accounts Payable
(4,843
)
 
2,236

Other Current Assets and Liabilities, Net
(8,050
)
 
5,422

Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
112,795

 
142,126

 
 
 
 
Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Investments in Property, Plant and Equipment
(149,925
)
 
(155,737
)
Proceeds from the Sale of Generation Assets
116,809

 
—

Other Investing Activities
243

 
26

Net Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
(32,873
)
 
(155,711
)
 
 
 
 
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Cash Dividends on Common Stock
(150,000
)
 
(23,900
)
Capital Contribution from Eversource Parent
225,000

 
—

Return of Capital
(530,000
)
 
—

Issuance of Rate Reduction Bonds
635,663

 
—

Retirements of Long-Term Debt
(110,000
)
 
—

(Decrease)/Increase in Notes Payable to Eversource Parent
(144,200
)
 
33,200

Other Financing Activities
(75
)
 
(150
)
Net Cash Flows (Used in)/Provided by Financing Activities
(73,612
)
 
9,150

Net Increase/(Decrease) in Cash and Restricted Cash
6,310

 
(4,435
)
Cash and Restricted Cash - Beginning of Period
2,191

 
5,953

Cash and Restricted Cash - End of Period
$
8,501

 
$
1,518


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


12



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

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

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

1.    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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

On December 31, 2017, Western Massachusetts Electric Company ("WMECO") was merged into NSTAR Electric. In accordance with accounting guidance on combinations between entities under common control, the net assets, results of operations and cash flows of WMECO are reflected in the NSTAR Electric financial statements. NSTAR Electric's financial statements for all prior periods presented in this combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have been retrospectively recast as if the merger occurred on the first day of the earliest reporting period.  

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

The combined notes to the financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.  Certain information and footnote disclosures included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  The accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Combined Notes to Financial Statements included in Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of the Eversource 2017 Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC on February 26, 2018. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The financial statements contain, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (including normal, recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly Eversource's, CL&P's, NSTAR Electric's and PSNH's financial position as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the results of operations and comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, and the cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.  The results of operations and comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 and the cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for a full year.  

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

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

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

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act became law, which amended existing federal tax rules and included numerous provisions that impacted corporations. In particular, this act reduced the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent effective January 1, 2018. Our regulated companies have established a reserve to reflect the difference between the 35 percent federal corporate income tax rate included in rates charged to customers and the 21 percent federal income tax rate. Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH's effective tax rate has decreased, as compared to the prior period, as a result of incurring a lower federal income tax expense, which is reflected on the statements of income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. See Note 16, "Revenues," for further information on the amounts reserved in revenues.


13


B.    Accounting Standards
Accounting Standards Issued but Not Yet Effective:  In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-02, Leases, which changes existing lease accounting guidance and is required to be applied in the first quarter of 2019, with earlier application permitted. The Company will implement the new leases standard in the first quarter of 2019 and apply the 2016-02 lease criteria to new leases and lease renewals entered into effective January 1, 2019.  The requirements of the new leases standard include balance sheet recognition of leases previously deemed to be operating leases, and additional disclosure requirements.  The Company is in the process of evaluating what impact the new leases standard will have on its financial statements, including reviewing its lease population and determining which of several practical expedients provided in the new guidance it will elect.  As of December 31, 2017, Eversource’s total future undiscounted minimum rental payments, excluding executory costs, under long-term noncancelable operating and capital leases were less than $100 million.

Accounting Standards Recently Adopted: On January 1, 2018, Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which amended existing revenue recognition guidance, using the modified retrospective method (cumulatively at the date of initial application) applying it only to contracts that were not complete at January 1, 2018. Under this method of adoption, prior year reported results were not restated. Implementation of the ASU did not have a material effect on the results of operations, financial position or cash flows of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric or PSNH. See Note 16, "Revenues," for further information.

The Company identified an item that was accounted for differently under the new revenue guidance, as compared to the previously existing guidance. As a result of applying guidance on the unit of account under the new standard, purchases of power from and sales of power to ISO-New England are now accounted for net by the hour, rather than net by the month. This change increased Operating Revenues and Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission by $3 million and $22 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, with no impact on net income.

On January 1, 2018, Eversource adopted ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities.  The ASU removed the available-for-sale designation for equity securities, whereby changes in fair value were previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income within shareholders' equity, and required changes in fair value of all equity securities to be recorded in earnings effective January 1, 2018. There was no cumulative effect of adoption. Unrealized gains recorded in Other Income, Net were $0.9 million and $0.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. For further information, see Note 5, "Marketable Securities," to the financial statements.  

On January 1, 2018, Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH adopted ASU 2017-07, Compensation – Retirement Benefits: Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. The ASU required separate presentation of service cost from other components of net pension and PBOP costs, with the other components presented as non-operating income and not subject to capitalization. The ASU has been applied retrospectively for the separate presentation in the income statement of service costs and other components and prospectively in the balance sheet for the capitalization of only the service cost component. As of June 30, 2018, the non-service cost components of net pension, SERP and PBOP costs that were not capitalized in plant were recorded as an increase to regulatory liabilities of approximately $20 million, as these amounts continue to be included in rates. See Note 1F, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Other Income, Net," to the financial statements for the portion of pension and PBOP costs that are presented as non-operating income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. For the three months ended June 30, 2017, the amounts which were previously presented within Operations and Maintenance expense on the statements of income, totaled $7.5 million at Eversource, $0.4 million at CL&P, $4.8 million at NSTAR Electric and $1.5 million at PSNH, and have been retrospectively presented to Other Income, Net. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, these amounts were $15.5 million at Eversource, $0.9 million at CL&P, $9.8 million at NSTAR Electric and $3.1 million at PSNH.

On January 1, 2018, Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH adopted two accounting standards relating to the statement of cash flows; ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, and ASU 2016-18, Restricted Cash. As a result of implementing ASU 2016-15, dividends from equity method investments of $10.4 million and $9.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, are presented in operating activities at Eversource, for which the 2017 amounts were previously classified in investing activities. ASU 2016-18 required that the statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. Both standards were applied retrospectively, as required, and neither had a material impact on Eversource's, CL&P's, NSTAR Electric's or PSNH's statements of cash flows. See Note 1H, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Supplemental Cash Flow Information," to the financial statements for a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents as reported on the balance sheet to the statement of cash flows, which includes amounts described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents.

C.    Northern Pass
Northern Pass is Eversource's planned 1,090 MW HVDC transmission line that will interconnect from the Québec-New Hampshire border to Franklin, New Hampshire and an associated alternating current radial transmission line between Franklin and Deerfield, New Hampshire.  As of June 30, 2018, our capitalized Northern Pass project costs were approximately $297 million.

In March 2018, the Massachusetts EDCs terminated the selection of, and subsequent contract negotiations with, Northern Pass under the Massachusetts Clean Energy RFP, and the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee ("NHSEC") issued a written decision denying Northern Pass’ siting application. The NHSEC denial of Northern Pass' siting application caused us to review the recoverability of our Northern Pass project costs in the first quarter of 2018. In this recoverability review, we estimated undiscounted expected project cash flows and compared the result to our estimated project costs to determine whether the recorded amount was recoverable. Our undiscounted cash flows were substantially in excess of our estimated project costs. We completed this analysis and concluded that our project costs were recoverable as of March 31, 2018, based on our expectation that the Northern Pass project remains probable of being placed in service.

14



On April 27, 2018, NPT filed a motion for rehearing with the NHSEC and on July 12, 2018, the NHSEC issued its written decision denying Northern Pass’ motion for rehearing. These events did not require an additional review of the recoverability of project costs as of June 30, 2018. We are preparing to initiate an appeal to the New Hampshire Supreme Court, based on the NHSEC’s failure to follow applicable law in its review of the project. In parallel, Northern Pass intends to pursue all available options to secure NHSEC approval and to construct the project.

Consistent with Eversource’s and HQ’s long-term relationship to bring clean energy into New England, Eversource and HQ remain committed to Northern Pass and the many benefits this project will bring to our customers and the region.  If as a result of future events and changes in circumstances a new recoverability review were to conclude that our project costs are not recoverable, then we would reduce Northern Pass' project costs to the estimated fair value, which could result in most of our $297 million of capitalized project costs being written off. Such a write off could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

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

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

The total provision for both uncollectible accounts and for uncollectible hardship accounts (the uncollectible hardship balance is included in the total provision) is included in Receivables, Net on the balance sheets, and is as follows:
 
Total Provision for Uncollectible Accounts
 
Uncollectible Hardship
(Millions of Dollars)
As of June 30, 2018
 
As of December 31, 2017
 
As of June 30, 2018
 
As of December 31, 2017
Eversource
$
211.3

 
$
195.7

 
$
126.8

 
$
122.5

CL&P
80.4

 
78.9

 
64.5

 
65.5

NSTAR Electric
77.2

 
69.7

 
44.0

 
40.3

PSNH
11.5

 
10.5

 
—

 
—


In accordance with new revenue accounting guidance, bad debt expense associated with customers' accounts receivable included in Operations and Maintenance expense on the statements of income is presented as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
For the Six Months Ended
(Millions of Dollars)
June 30, 2018
 
June 30, 2017
 
June 30, 2018
 
June 30, 2017
Eversource
$
9.5

 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
29.3

 
$
15.7

CL&P
3.8

 
(4.7
)
 
7.7

 
(1.9
)
NSTAR Electric
3.8

 
0.4

 
11.3

 
6.9

PSNH
1.5

 
1.9

 
3.2

 
3.6


The 2017 amounts reflect adjustments to the provision for uncollectible accounts as a result of improved accounts receivable aging from the implementation of enhanced collection efforts.

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

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

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


15


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

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

Determination of Fair Value:  The valuation techniques and inputs used in Eversource's fair value measurements are described in Note 4, "Derivative Instruments," Note 5, "Marketable Securities," and Note 11, "Fair Value of Financial Instruments," to the financial statements.

F.    Other Income, Net
The components of Other Income, Net on the statements of income were as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
June 30, 2018
 
June 30, 2017
(Millions of Dollars)
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
 
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
Pension, SERP and PBOP Non-Service
  Income Components (1)
$
14.6

 
$
2.4

 
$
9.5

 
$
2.1

 
$
7.5

 
$
0.4

 
$
4.8

 
$
1.5

AFUDC Equity
10.9

 
3.3

 
3.9

 
—

 
8.0

 
2.9

 
2.2

 
—

Equity in Earnings (2)
22.9

 
—

 
0.4

 
—

 
13.3

 
—

 
(0.1
)
 
—

Investment (Loss)/Income
(0.3
)
 
0.4

 
0.3

 
—

 
(1.7
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.2
)
Interest Income
1.9

 
1.0

 
0.2

 
1.3

 
1.9

 
1.3

 
0.3

 
0.6

Other
0.1

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total Other Income, Net (1)
$
50.1

 
$
7.1

 
$
14.3

 
$
3.4

 
$
29.0

 
$
4.2

 
$
7.1

 
$
1.9

 
For the Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2018
 
June 30, 2017
(Millions of Dollars)
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
 
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
Pension, SERP and PBOP Non-Service
  Income Components (1)
$
29.8

 
$
5.3

 
$
17.9

 
$
4.4

 
$
15.5

 
$
0.9

 
$
9.8

 
$
3.1

AFUDC Equity
20.6

 
6.1

 
7.3

 
—

 
14.6

 
4.8

 
4.1

 
—

Equity in Earnings (2)
27.5

 
—

 
0.4

 
—

 
17.9

 
—

 
(0.1
)
 
—

Investment Income/(Loss)
0.4

 
0.2

 
0.9

 
0.1

 
(1.0
)
 
(0.6
)
 
1.1

 
0.5

Interest Income
5.4

 
2.0

 
0.4

 
3.7

 
3.6

 
2.4

 
0.5

 
1.1

Other
0.2

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total Other Income, Net (1)
$
83.9

 
$
13.6

 
$
26.9

 
$
8.2

 
$
50.6

 
$
7.5

 
$
15.4

 
$
4.7


(1) 
As a result of the adoption of new accounting guidance, the non-service related components of pension, SERP and PBOP benefit costs are presented as non-operating income and recorded in Other Income, Net on the statements of income. The 2017 amounts, which were previously presented within Operations and Maintenance expense on the statements of income, have been retrospectively presented within Other Income, Net for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017. Eversource elected the practical expedient in the accounting guidance that allows the Company to use the amounts disclosed in its Pension Benefits and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension footnote for the prior period presentations as the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements.

(2) Equity in earnings includes $17.6 million of unrealized gains associated with an investment in a renewable energy fund for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. For both the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, unrealized gains on this investment totaled $9.7 million.

G.    Other Taxes
Eversource's companies that serve customers in Connecticut collect gross receipts taxes levied by the state of Connecticut from their customers. These gross receipts taxes are shown separately with collections in Operating Revenues and with payments in Taxes Other Than Income Taxes on the statements of income as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
For the Six Months Ended
(Millions of Dollars)
June 30, 2018
 
June 30, 2017
 
June 30, 2018
 
June 30, 2017
Eversource
$
35.6

 
$
35.7

 
$
79.0

 
$
77.9

CL&P
31.5

 
31.8

 
67.1

 
65.7


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


16


Separately from the amounts above are $12.7 million and $25.4 million of expense recorded as Taxes Other than Income Taxes in the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, related to the future remittance of energy efficiency funds collected from customers in Operating Revenues to the State of Connecticut. These amounts are shown separately with collections in Operating Revenues and expenses in Taxes Other than Income Taxes on the Eversource and CL&P statements of income.  

H.    Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Non-cash investing activities include plant additions included in Accounts Payable as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
As of June 30, 2018
 
As of June 30, 2017
Eversource
$
305.7

 
$
172.0

CL&P
110.9

 
85.9

NSTAR Electric
71.1

 
40.1

PSNH
46.6

 
20.2


The following table reconciles cash and cash equivalents as reported on the balance sheets to the cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash as reported on the statements of cash flows:
 
As of June 30, 2018
 
As of December 31, 2017
(Millions of Dollars)
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
 
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
Cash and Cash Equivalents as reported on the Balance Sheets
$
64.2

 
$
1.8

 
$
0.1

 
$
0.4

 
$
38.2

 
$
6.0

 
$
1.8

 
$
0.9

Restricted cash included in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepayments and Other Current Assets
28.6

 
3.5

 
12.9

 
4.3

 
24.4

 
3.1

 
12.8

 
0.5

Marketable Securities
25.8

 
0.4

 
0.1

 
0.6

 
23.3

 
0.5

 
0.1

 
0.8

Other Long-Term Assets
3.2

 
—

 
—

 
3.2

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash reported on the Statements of Cash Flows
$
121.8

 
$
5.7

 
$
13.1

 
$
8.5

 
$
85.9

 
$
9.6

 
$
14.7

 
$
2.2


Restricted cash included in Prepayments and Other Current Assets and Other Long-Term Assets, shown above, primarily represents required ISO-NE cash deposits and cash collections related to the RRB customer charges that are held in trust. Restricted cash included in Marketable Securities, shown above, represents money market funds held in trusts to fund certain non-qualified executive benefits and restricted trusts to fund CYAPC and YAEC's spent nuclear fuel removal obligations of their nuclear fuel storage facilities.

As a result of implementing new accounting guidance for the statement of cash flows, the reclassification of the change in restricted cash balances, which was previously classified as operating activities, resulted in a decrease of $22.4 million in the total cash and restricted cash change for the six months ended June 30, 2017.

2.    REGULATORY ACCOUNTING

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

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


17


Regulatory Assets:  The components of regulatory assets were as follows:
 
As of June 30, 2018
 
As of December 31, 2017
(Millions of Dollars)
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR
Electric
 
PSNH
 
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR
Electric
 
PSNH
Benefit Costs
$
2,021.6

 
$
455.5

 
$
544.8

 
$
178.0

 
$
2,068.8

 
$
469.2

 
$
560.7

 
$
212.3

Income Taxes, Net
717.6

 
451.4

 
112.7

 
12.2

 
768.9

 
453.8

 
113.2

 
21.7

Securitized Stranded Costs
628.8

 
—

 
—

 
628.8

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Deferred Costs from Generation Asset Sale
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
516.1

 
—

 
—

 
516.1

Storm Restoration Costs
625.7

 
326.5

 
247.7

 
51.5

 
404.8

 
216.7

 
146.6

 
41.5

Regulatory Tracker Mechanisms
409.3

 
93.4

 
193.5

 
102.3

 
509.9

 
85.3

 
273.0

 
116.4

Derivative Liabilities
369.5

 
369.3

 
—

 
—

 
367.2

 
362.3

 
—

 
—

Goodwill-related
356.8

 
—

 
306.3

 
—

 
365.2

 
—

 
313.6

 
—

Asset Retirement Obligations
85.9

 
31.3

 
40.6

 
3.2

 
101.0

 
30.3

 
39.0

 
17.0

Other Regulatory Assets
181.1

 
27.8

 
70.1

 
13.2

 
137.4

 
27.6

 
78.4

 
15.8

Total Regulatory Assets
5,396.3

 
1,755.2


1,515.7


989.2


5,239.3

 
1,645.2


1,524.5


940.8

Less:  Current Portion
590.9

 
198.2

 
244.5

 
87.5

 
741.9

 
200.3

 
333.9

 
130.1

Total Long-Term Regulatory Assets
$
4,805.4

 
$
1,557.0


$
1,271.2


$
901.7


$
4,497.4

 
$
1,444.9


$
1,190.6


$
810.7


Securitized Stranded Costs: On May 8, 2018, PSNH issued $635.7 million of securitized RRBs to finance the unrecovered stranded costs associated with the divestiture of its generation assets. Securitized regulatory assets, which are not earning an equity return, are being recovered over the amortization period of the associated RRBs. The PSNH RRBs are scheduled to amortize by February 1, 2033. The stranded costs related to the difference between the carrying value and the fair value less costs to sell the thermal generation assets were reflected as a deferred cost in the table above as of December 31, 2017, and are now reflected in the securitized stranded costs balance as of June 30, 2018.

Storms: In March and May 2018, several significant storms caused extensive damage to our electric distribution systems and significant customer outages across all three states. A storm must meet certain criteria to qualify for recovery with the criteria specific to each state jurisdiction and utility company. Once a storm qualifies for recovery, all qualifying expenses incurred during storm restoration efforts are deferred and recovered from customers. Costs for storms that do not meet the specific criteria are expensed as incurred. The 2018 storms resulted in deferred storm restoration costs of approximately $274 million ($142 million for CL&P, $116 million for NSTAR Electric, and $16 million for PSNH) as of June 30, 2018. Management believes the storm restoration costs were prudent and meet the criteria for specific cost recovery in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and that recovery from customers is probable through the applicable regulatory recovery processes.

Regulatory Costs in Long-Term Assets:  Eversource's regulated companies had $124.4 million (including $24.1 million for CL&P, $49.8 million for NSTAR Electric and $30.2 million for PSNH) and $105.8 million (including $18.2 million for CL&P, $42.7 million for NSTAR Electric and $27.2 million for PSNH) of additional regulatory costs as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, that were included in long-term assets on the balance sheets.  These amounts represent incurred costs for which recovery has not yet been specifically approved by the applicable regulatory agency.  However, based on regulatory policies or past precedent on similar costs, management believes it is probable that these costs will ultimately be approved and recovered from customers in rates.

Regulatory Liabilities:  The components of regulatory liabilities were as follows:
 
As of June 30, 2018
 
As of December 31, 2017
(Millions of Dollars)
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR
Electric
 
PSNH
 
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR
Electric
 
PSNH
Excess ADIT due to Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
$
2,885.3

 
$
1,031.6

 
$
1,091.1

 
$
405.1

 
$
2,882.0

 
$
1,031.6

 
$
1,087.9

 
$
405.1

Cost of Removal
517.9

 
34.8

 
299.5

 
34.9

 
502.1

 
23.2

 
293.8

 
37.9

Benefit Costs
131.0

 
—

 
110.9

 
—

 
132.3

 
—

 
112.6

 
—

Regulatory Tracker Mechanisms
235.7

 
41.0

 
90.6

 
29.8

 
136.7

 
34.6

 
77.8

 
5.0

AFUDC - Transmission
68.1

 
48.1

 
20.0

 
—

 
67.1

 
48.8

 
18.3

 
—

Revenue Subject to Refund
36.5

 
16.6

 
3.7

 
6.2

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Other Regulatory Liabilities
62.6

 
24.8

 
15.2

 
1.9

 
45.2

 
12.9

 
3.7

 
2.7

Total Regulatory Liabilities
3,937.1

 
1,196.9


1,631.0


477.9


3,765.4

 
1,151.1


1,594.1


450.7

Less:  Current Portion
247.4

 
72.2

 
90.2

 
30.0

 
128.1

 
39.0

 
79.6

 
6.3

Total Long-Term Regulatory Liabilities
$
3,689.7

 
$
1,124.7


$
1,540.8


$
447.9


$
3,637.3

 
$
1,112.1


$
1,514.5


$
444.4


Revenue Subject to Refund: The regulatory liability balance represents a reserve established to reflect the difference between the 35 percent federal corporate income tax rate included in rates charged to customers and the 21 percent federal income tax rate, effective January 1, 2018 as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Effective February 1, 2018 for NSTAR Electric and effective May 1, 2018 for CL&P, base rates charged to customers have been adjusted to reflect the new federal income tax rate. As part of CL&P's 2018 rate case settlement, a new capital tracker regulatory mechanism was established, which will include the refund of the $16.6 million reserve for the higher federal corporate income tax rate to customers between January 1, 2018 through April 30, 2018 in rates, from July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

18



3.    PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

The following tables summarize property, plant and equipment by asset category:
Eversource
As of June 30, 2018
 
As of December 31, 2017
(Millions of Dollars)
 
Distribution - Electric
$
14,695.7

 
$
14,410.5

Distribution - Natural Gas
3,317.1

 
3,244.2

Transmission - Electric
9,601.4

 
9,270.9

Distribution - Water
1,571.1

 
1,558.4

Solar (1)
107.1

 
36.2

Utility
29,292.4

 
28,520.2

Other (2)
706.4

 
693.7

Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
29,998.8

 
29,213.9

Less:  Accumulated Depreciation
 
 
 
Utility   
(7,049.9
)
 
(6,846.9
)
Other
(313.2
)
 
(286.9
)
Total Accumulated Depreciation
(7,363.1
)
 
(7,133.8
)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
22,635.7

 
22,080.1

Construction Work in Progress
1,841.2

 
1,537.4

Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
$
24,476.9

 
$
23,617.5

 
As of June 30, 2018
 
As of December 31, 2017
(Millions of Dollars)
CL&P
 
NSTAR
Electric
 
PSNH
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR
Electric
 
PSNH
Distribution
$
6,015.5

 
$
6,580.1

 
$
2,140.4

 
$
5,888.3

 
$
6,479.0

 
$
2,083.4

Transmission
4,451.9

 
3,864.3

 
1,236.5

 
4,239.9

 
3,821.2

 
1,161.3

Solar (1)
—

 
107.1

 
—

 
—

 
36.2

 
—

Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
10,467.4

 
10,551.5

 
3,376.9

 
10,128.2

 
10,336.4

 
3,244.7

Less:  Accumulated Depreciation
(2,319.5
)
 
(2,636.6
)
 
(754.5
)
 
(2,239.0
)
 
(2,550.2
)
 
(751.8
)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
8,147.9

 
7,914.9

 
2,622.4

 
7,889.2

 
7,786.2

 
2,492.9

Construction Work in Progress
456.7

 
536.0

 
141.2

 
381.8

 
460.3

 
149.4

Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
$
8,604.6

 
$
8,450.9

 
$
2,763.6

 
$
8,271.0

 
$
8,246.5

 
$
2,642.3


(1) 
On January 10, 2018, PSNH completed the sale of its thermal generation assets, pursuant to an agreement dated October 11, 2017. PSNH expects to complete the sale of its hydroelectric generation assets, pursuant to the agreement dated October 11, 2017, in the third quarter of 2018. As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, PSNH has classified its generation assets as held for sale. See Note 10, "Assets Held for Sale," for further information.

(2) 
These assets are primarily comprised of building improvements, computer software, hardware and equipment at Eversource Service.

4.    DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

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

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

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


19


The gross fair values of derivative assets and liabilities with the same counterparty are offset and reported as net Derivative Assets or Derivative Liabilities, with current and long-term portions, on the balance sheets.  The following table presents the gross fair values of contracts, categorized by risk type, and the net amounts recorded as current or long-term derivative assets or liabilities:
 
 
 
As of June 30, 2018
 
As of December 31, 2017
(Millions of Dollars)
Fair Value Hierarchy
 
Commodity Supply and Price Risk
Management
 
Netting (1)
 
Net Amount
Recorded as a Derivative
 
Commodity Supply and Price Risk
Management
 
Netting (1)
 
Net Amount
Recorded as
a Derivative
Current Derivative Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CL&P
Level 3
 
$
8.0

 
$
(6.0
)
 
$
2.0

 
$
9.5

 
$
(7.1
)
 
$
2.4

Long-Term Derivative Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CL&P
Level 3
 
77.5

 
(2.3
)
 
75.2

 
71.9

 
(5.3
)
 
66.6

Current Derivative Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eversource
Level 2
 
(0.4
)
 
0.4

 
—

 
(4.5
)
 
—

 
(4.5
)
CL&P
Level 3
 
(52.2
)
 
—

 
(52.2
)
 
(54.4
)
 
—

 
(54.4
)
Long-Term Derivative Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eversource
Level 2
 
(0.2
)
 
—

 
(0.2
)
 
(0.4
)
 
—

 
(0.4
)
CL&P
Level 3
 
(394.3
)
 
—

 
(394.3
)
 
(376.9
)
 
—

 
(376.9
)

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

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

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

As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Eversource had New York Mercantile Exchange ("NYMEX") financial contracts for natural gas futures in order to reduce variability associated with the purchase price of 7.4 million and 9.5 million MMBtu of natural gas, respectively.

For the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, there were gains of $8.6 million and losses of $4.4 million, respectively, deferred as regulatory costs, which reflect the change in fair value associated with Eversource's derivative contracts. For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, these losses were $27.5 million and $30.9 million, respectively.

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

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

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

The following is a summary of CL&P's Level 3 derivative contracts and the range of the significant unobservable inputs utilized in the valuations over the duration of the contracts:
 
As of June 30, 2018
 
As of December 31, 2017
CL&P
Range
 
Period Covered
 
Range
 
Period Covered
Capacity Prices
$
4.30

 
—
 
7.50

 
per kW-Month
 
2022 - 2026
 
$
5.00

 
—
 
8.70

 
per kW-Month
 
2021 - 2026
Forward Reserve
$
0.95

 
—
 
2.00

 
per kW-Month
 
2018 - 2024
 
$
1.00

 
—
 
2.00

 
per kW-Month
 
2018 - 2024

20



Exit price premiums of 2 percent through 17 percent are also applied to these contracts and reflect the uncertainty and illiquidity premiums that would be required based on the most recent market activity available for similar type contracts.

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

Valuations using significant unobservable inputs:  The following table presents changes in the Level 3 category of derivative assets and derivative liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  The derivative assets and liabilities are presented on a net basis.
CL&P
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
(Millions of Dollars)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Derivatives, Net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value as of Beginning of Period
$
(386.5
)
 
$
(413.5
)
 
$
(362.3
)
 
$
(420.5
)
Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) Included in Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
8.6

 
(0.6
)
 
(28.2
)
 
(15.2
)
Settlements
8.6

 
19.3

 
21.2

 
40.9

Fair Value as of End of Period
$
(369.3
)
 
$
(394.8
)
 
$
(369.3
)
 
$
(394.8
)

5.    MARKETABLE SECURITIES

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

Equity Securities: In accordance with new accounting guidance, unrealized gains and losses on equity securities are recorded in Other Income, Net on the statements of income. The fair value of equity securities subject to this guidance as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was $53.6 million and $50 million, respectively.  For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, there were unrealized gains of $0.9 million and $0.2 million, respectively, recorded in Other Income, Net related to these equity securities.

Eversource's equity securities also include CYAPC's and YAEC's marketable securities held in nuclear decommissioning trusts, which had fair values of $246.8 million and $263.8 million as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.  Unrealized gains and losses for these nuclear decommissioning trusts are subject to regulatory accounting treatment and are recorded in Marketable Securities with the corresponding offset to Other Long-Term Liabilities on the balance sheets, with no impact on the statements of income.

Available-for-Sale Debt Securities: The following is a summary of the available-for-sale debt securities, which are recorded at fair value and are included in current and long-term Marketable Securities on the balance sheets.
 
As of June 30, 2018
 
As of December 31, 2017
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Amortized Cost
 
Pre-Tax
Unrealized Gains
 
Pre-Tax
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Pre-Tax
Unrealized Gains
 
Pre-Tax
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
Debt Securities
$
294.6

 
$
1.4

 
$
(2.6
)
 
$
293.4

 
$
284.9

 
$
3.2

 
$
(1.1
)
 
$
287.0


Eversource's debt securities include CYAPC's and YAEC's marketable securities held in nuclear decommissioning trusts in the amounts of $249.8 million and $242.3 million as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale debt securities held in Eversource's non-qualified benefit trust are recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. There have been no significant unrealized losses, other-than-temporary impairments, or credit losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.  Factors considered in determining whether a credit loss exists include the duration and severity of the impairment, adverse conditions specifically affecting the issuer, and the payment history, ratings and rating changes of the security.  For asset-backed debt securities, underlying collateral and expected future cash flows are also evaluated.


21


As of June 30, 2018, the contractual maturities of available-for-sale debt securities were as follows:  
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
Less than one year (1)
$
34.7

 
$
34.6

One to five years
47.5

 
47.8

Six to ten years
58.2

 
58.1

Greater than ten years
154.2

 
152.9

Total Debt Securities
$
294.6

 
$
293.4


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

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

Fair Value Measurements:  The following table presents the marketable securities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis by the level in which they are classified within the fair value hierarchy:
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
As of June 30, 2018
 
As of December 31, 2017
Level 1:  
 
 
 
Mutual Funds and Equities
$
300.4

 
$
313.8

Money Market Funds
25.8

 
23.3

Total Level 1
$
326.2

 
$
337.1

Level 2:
 
 
 
U.S. Government Issued Debt Securities (Agency and Treasury)
$
77.9

 
$
70.2

Corporate Debt Securities
147.3

 
50.9

Asset-Backed Debt Securities
14.4

 
21.2

Municipal Bonds
16.3

 
110.7

Other Fixed Income Securities
11.7

 
10.7

Total Level 2
$
267.6

 
$
263.7

Total Marketable Securities
$
593.8

 
$
600.8


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

6.    SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEBT

Short-Term Debt - Commercial Paper Programs and Credit Agreements: Eversource parent has a $1.45 billion commercial paper program allowing Eversource parent to issue commercial paper as a form of short-term debt.  Eversource parent, CL&P, PSNH, NSTAR Gas and Yankee Gas are also parties to a five-year $1.45 billion revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility terminates on December 8, 2022 and serves to backstop Eversource parent's $1.45 billion commercial paper program.  

NSTAR Electric has a $650 million commercial paper program allowing NSTAR Electric to issue commercial paper as a form of short-term debt. NSTAR Electric is also a party to a five-year $650 million revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility terminates on December 8, 2022 and serves to backstop NSTAR Electric's $650 million commercial paper program.  

There were no borrowings outstanding on either the Eversource parent or NSTAR Electric revolving credit facilities as of June 30, 2018 or December 31, 2017. Eversource's water distribution business has a $100 million revolving credit facility, which expires on August 19, 2019, and there were no amounts outstanding as of June 30, 2018 and $76.0 million outstanding as of December 31, 2017.


22


The amount of borrowings outstanding and available under the commercial paper programs were as follows:
 
Borrowings Outstanding as of
 
Available Borrowing Capacity as of
 
Weighted-Average Interest Rate as of
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
(Millions of Dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
Eversource Parent Commercial Paper Program
$
747.0

 
$
979.3

 
$
703.0

 
$
470.7

 
2.28
%
 
1.86
%
NSTAR Electric Commercial Paper Program
443.8

 
234.0

 
206.2

 
416.0

 
1.99
%
 
1.55
%

Amounts outstanding under the commercial paper programs and revolving credit facility are included in Notes Payable for Eversource and NSTAR Electric and are classified in current liabilities on the balance sheets as all borrowings are outstanding for no more than 364 days at one time.  As a result of the Eversource parent long-term debt issuances on January 8, 2018, the net proceeds of which were used to repay short-term borrowings outstanding under its commercial paper program, $201.2 million of commercial paper borrowings under the Eversource parent commercial paper program were reclassified as Long-Term Debt as of December 31, 2017.

As of June 30, 2018, there were intercompany loans from Eversource parent of $24.0 million to CL&P, $118.7 million to PSNH and $4.0 million to NSTAR Electric. Intercompany loans from Eversource parent to other Eversource subsidiaries primarily included $221.6 million to Eversource Service and $149.0 million to NSTAR Gas as of June 30, 2018. As of December 31, 2017, there were intercompany loans from Eversource parent of $69.5 million to CL&P and $262.9 million to PSNH. Intercompany loans from Eversource parent to other Eversource subsidiaries primarily included $115.9 million to Eversource Service and $198.0 million to NSTAR Gas as of December 31, 2017. These intercompany loans from Eversource parent are included in Notes Payable to Eversource Parent and are classified in current liabilities on the respective subsidiary's balance sheets. Intercompany loans from Eversource parent are eliminated in consolidation on Eversource's balance sheets.

We believe the future operating cash flows of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, along with our existing borrowing availability and access to financial markets for the issuance of new long-term debt, will be sufficient to meet any working capital and future operating requirements, and capital investment forecast opportunities.

Long-Term Debt: The following table summarizes long-term debt issuances and repayments:
(Millions of Dollars)
Issue Date
 
Issuances/(Repayments)
 
Maturity Date
 
Use of Proceeds for Issuances/
Repayment Information
CL&P:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.00% 2018 Series A First Mortgage Bonds
March 2018
 
$
500.0

 
April 2048
 
Repay long-term debt due to mature in 2018 and repay short-term borrowings
5.65% 2008 Series A First Mortgage Bonds
May 2008
 
(300.0
)
 
May 2018
 
Repayment at maturity paid on May 1, 2018
PSNH:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.00% 2008 Series O First Mortgage Bonds
May 2008
 
(110.0
)
 
May 2018
 
Repayment at maturity paid on May 1, 2018
Eversource Parent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.50% Series I Senior Notes (1)
January 2018
 
200.0

 
March 2021
 
Repay long-term debt due to mature in 2018 and repay short-term borrowings
3.30% Series M Senior Notes
January 2018
 
450.0

 
January 2028
 
Repay long-term debt due to mature in 2018
1.60% Series G Senior Notes
January 2015
 
(150.0
)
 
January 2018
 
Repayment at maturity paid on January 15, 2018
1.45% Series E Senior Notes
May 2013
 
(300.0
)
 
May 2018
 
Repayment at maturity paid on May 1, 2018

(1) 
These notes are part of the same series issued by Eversource parent in March 2016. The aggregate outstanding principal amount for these notes is now $450 million.

As a result of the Eversource parent debt issuances in January 2018, $446.8 million of current portion of long-term debt related to two Eversource parent issuances maturing in 2018 and $201.2 million of commercial paper borrowings were reclassified to Long-Term Debt as of December 31, 2017.

7.    RATE REDUCTION BONDS AND VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

Rate Reduction Bonds: PSNH Funding LLC 3 (PSNH Funding) is a bankruptcy remote, special purpose, wholly-owned subsidiary of PSNH. PSNH Funding was formed solely to issue rate reduction bonds (RRBs) to finance PSNH’s unrecovered stranded costs associated with the divestiture of its generation assets.

On May 8, 2018, PSNH issued $635.7 million of securitized RRBs in multiple tranches with a weighted average interest rate of 3.66 percent, and final maturity dates ranging from 2026 to 2035.  The RRBs are expected to mature by February 1, 2033. RRB payments consist of principal and interest and will be paid semi-annually, beginning on February 1, 2019. The RRBs were issued pursuant to a finance order issued by the NHPUC on January 30, 2018 to recover stranded costs resulting from the divestiture of PSNH’s generating assets.


23


The proceeds were used to purchase PSNH’s stranded cost asset-recovery property, including its vested property right to bill, collect and adjust a non-bypassable stranded cost recovery charge from PSNH’s retail customers. The collections will be used to pay principal, interest and other costs in connection with the RRBs. The RRBs are secured by the stranded cost asset-recovery property and cash collections from the stranded cost recovery charges, and funds on deposit in trust accounts are the sole source of funds to satisfy the debt obligation. PSNH is not the owner of the RRBs, and PSNH Funding’s assets and revenues are not available to pay PSNH’s creditors. The RRBs are non-recourse senior secured obligations of PSNH Funding and are not insured or guaranteed by PSNH or Eversource Energy.

PSNH Funding is considered a variable interest entity (VIE) primarily because the equity capitalization is insufficient to support its operations. PSNH has the power to direct the significant activities of the VIE and is most closely associated with the VIE as compared to other interest holders. Therefore, PSNH is considered the primary beneficiary and consolidates PSNH Funding in its consolidated financial statements. The following tables summarize the impact of PSNH Funding on PSNH's balance sheet and income statement:
(Millions of Dollars)
 
Balance Sheet:
As of June 30, 2018
Restricted Cash - Current Portion (included in Prepayments and Other Current Assets)
$
4.3

Restricted Cash - Long-Term Portion (included in Other Long-Term Assets)
3.2

Securitized Stranded Cost (included in Regulatory Assets)
628.8

Other Regulatory Assets (included in Regulatory Assets)
5.4

Accrued Interest (included in Other Current Liabilities)
2.8

Rate Reduction Bonds - Current Portion
30.7

Rate Reduction Bonds - Long-Term Portion
604.9



(Millions of Dollars)
Income Statement:
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
Amortization of RRB Principal (included in Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net)
$
6.8

 
$
6.8

Interest Expense on RRB Principal (included in Interest Expense)
2.8

 
2.8


Variable Interest Entities - Other: The Company's variable interests outside of the consolidated group include contracts that are required by regulation and provide for regulatory recovery of contract costs and benefits through customer rates.  Eversource, CL&P and NSTAR Electric hold variable interests in VIEs through agreements with certain entities that own single renewable energy or peaking generation power plants, with other independent power producers and with transmission businesses.  Eversource, CL&P and NSTAR Electric do not control the activities that are economically significant to these VIEs or provide financial or other support to these VIEs.  Therefore, Eversource, CL&P and NSTAR Electric do not consolidate these VIEs.

8.    PENSION BENEFITS AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSION

Eversource provides defined benefit retirement plans ("Pension Plans") that cover eligible employees, including, among others, employees of CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH.  In addition to the Pension Plans, Eversource maintains non-qualified defined benefit retirement plans ("SERP Plans"), which provide benefits in excess of Internal Revenue Code limitations to eligible participants consisting of current and retired employees. Eversource also provides defined benefit postretirement plans (the "PBOP Plans") that provide life insurance and a health reimbursement arrangement created for the purpose of reimbursing retirees and dependents for health insurance premiums and certain medical expenses to eligible employees that met certain age and service eligibility requirements.

The components of net periodic benefit expense for the Pension, SERP and PBOP Plans are shown below.  The service cost component of net periodic benefit expense and the intercompany allocations, less the capitalized portions, are included in Operations and Maintenance expense on the statements of income.  The remaining components of net periodic benefit costs for pension, SERP and PBOP are included in Other Income, Net on the statements of income. Capitalized amounts relate to employees working on capital projects and are included in Property, Plant and Equipment, Net on the balance sheets.  Pension, SERP and PBOP expense reflected in the statements of cash flows for CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH does not include the intercompany allocations or the corresponding capitalized portion, as these amounts are cash settled on a short-term basis.

24


 
Pension and SERP
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
(Millions of Dollars)
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
 
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
Service Cost
$
20.7

 
$
5.2

 
$
4.3

 
$
2.7

 
$
17.4

 
$
4.6

 
$
3.8

 
$
2.4

Interest Cost
49.1

 
10.5

 
10.9

 
5.5

 
47.2

 
10.5

 
10.7

 
5.3

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(97.9
)
 
(19.4
)
 
(26.6
)
 
(10.8
)
 
(83.5
)
 
(17.8
)
 
(21.9
)
 
(10.0
)
Actuarial Loss
35.7

 
7.1

 
10.1

 
3.3

 
33.9

 
6.8

 
10.4

 
3.0

Prior Service Cost
2.1

 
0.2

 
0.1

 
0.1

 
1.1

 
0.4

 
0.2

 
0.1

Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense/(Income)
$
9.7

 
$
3.6

 
$
(1.2
)
 
$
0.8

 
$
16.1

 
$
4.5

 
$
3.2

 
$
0.8

Intercompany Allocations
N/A

 
$
1.5

 
$
1.6

 
$
0.5

 
N/A

 
$
2.4

 
$
2.3

 
$
0.8

Capitalized Pension Expense
$
5.9

 
$
1.9

 
$
1.9

 
$
0.7

 
$
5.5

 
$
2.4

 
$
2.0

 
$
0.4

 
Pension and SERP
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
(Millions of Dollars)
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
 
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
Service Cost
$
43.1

 
$
11.0

 
$
9.0

 
$
5.7

 
$
36.4

 
$
9.3

 
$
7.8

 
$
4.9

Interest Cost
97.8

 
20.9

 
21.7

 
10.9

 
93.5

 
20.9

 
21.2

 
10.5

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(195.8
)
 
(40.2
)
 
(51.8
)
 
(21.8
)
 
(167.0
)
 
(36.0
)
 
(44.0
)
 
(19.9
)
Actuarial Loss
71.8

 
14.8

 
20.7

 
6.5

 
67.5

 
13.9

 
20.5

 
5.8

Prior Service Cost
4.1

 
0.6

 
0.1

 
0.2

 
2.0

 
0.7

 
0.4

 
0.2

Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense/(Income)
$
21.0

 
$
7.1

 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
1.5

 
$
32.4

 
$
8.8

 
$
5.9

 
$
1.5

Intercompany Allocations
N/A

 
$
3.0

 
$
3.2

 
$
1.0

 
N/A

 
$
5.0

 
$
4.6

 
$
1.7

Capitalized Pension Expense
$
13.4

 
$
4.2

 
$
4.0

 
$
1.5

 
$
10.9

 
$
4.9

 
$
3.7

 
$
0.7

 
PBOP
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
(Millions of Dollars)
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR
Electric
 
PSNH
 
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR
Electric
 
PSNH
Service Cost
$
2.5

 
$
0.4

 
$
0.5

 
$
0.3

 
$
2.4

 
$
0.5

 
$
0.4

 
$
0.3

Interest Cost
6.8

 
1.5

 
2.2

 
0.9

 
6.3

 
1.2

 
2.0

 
0.7

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(16.7
)
 
(2.6
)
 
(8.1
)
 
(1.5
)
 
(16.0
)
 
(2.4
)
 
(7.2
)
 
(1.3
)
Actuarial Loss
1.6

 
0.4

 
0.4

 
0.2

 
2.5

 
0.3

 
0.8

 
0.2

Prior Service Cost/(Credit)
(5.7
)
 
0.3

 
(4.3
)
 
0.1

 
(5.3
)
 
0.3

 
(4.3
)
 
0.1

Total Net Periodic Benefit Income
$
(11.5
)
 
$
—

 
$
(9.3
)
 
$
—

 
$
(10.1
)
 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
(8.3
)
 
$
—

Intercompany Allocations
N/A

 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
(0.1
)
 
N/A

 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
(0.1
)
Capitalized PBOP Expense/(Income)
$
0.8

 
$
0.2

 
$
0.3

 
$
0.1

 
$
(4.9
)
 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
(4.2
)
 
$
—

 
PBOP
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
(Millions of Dollars)
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR
Electric
 
PSNH
 
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR
Electric
 
PSNH
Service Cost
$
5.0

 
$
0.9

 
$
1.0

 
$
0.6

 
$
4.7

 
$
0.9

 
$
0.9

 
$
0.6

Interest Cost
14.4

 
2.9

 
4.4

 
1.6

 
13.5

 
2.7

 
4.3

 
1.5

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(34.8
)
 
(5.2
)
 
(16.2
)
 
(3.0
)
 
(31.9
)
 
(4.8
)
 
(14.3
)
 
(2.7
)
Actuarial Loss
4.4

 
0.8

 
1.1

 
0.4

 
4.6

 
0.5

 
1.7

 
0.3

Prior Service Cost/(Credit)
(11.5
)
 
0.5

 
(8.5
)
 
0.3

 
(10.7
)
 
0.5

 
(8.5
)
 
0.3

Total Net Periodic Benefit Income
$
(22.5
)
 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
(18.2
)
 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
(19.8
)
 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
(15.9
)
 
$
—

Intercompany Allocations
N/A

 
$
(0.5
)
 
$
(0.7
)
 
$
(0.2
)
 
N/A

 
$
(0.4
)
 
$
(0.6
)
 
$
(0.2
)
Capitalized PBOP Expense/(Income)
$
1.6

 
$
0.4

 
$
0.5

 
$
0.2

 
$
(9.5
)
 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
(8.1
)
 
$
—



25


9.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

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

The number of environmental sites and related reserves for which remediation or long-term monitoring, preliminary site work or site assessment is being performed are as follows:
 
As of June 30, 2018
 
As of December 31, 2017
 
Number of Sites
 
Reserve
(in millions)
 
Number of Sites
 
Reserve
(in millions)
Eversource
59

 
$
64.9

 
59

 
$
54.9

CL&P
14

 
4.9

 
14

 
4.7

NSTAR Electric
16

 
6.5

 
15

 
2.7

PSNH
9

 
5.5

 
10

 
5.7


Included in the Eversource number of sites and reserve amounts above are former MGP sites that were operated several decades ago and manufactured gas from coal and other processes, which resulted in certain by-products remaining in the environment that may pose a potential risk to human health and the environment, for which Eversource may have potential liability.  The reserve balances related to these former MGP sites were $55.2 million and $49.0 million as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, and related primarily to the natural gas business segment. The increase in the reserve balance at the MGP sites was primarily due to changes in cost estimates at sites under investigation for which additional remediation will be required.

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

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

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

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


26


Management does not anticipate a material impact to net income or cash flows as a result of these various guarantees and indemnifications.  The following table summarizes Eversource parent's exposure to guarantees and indemnifications of its subsidiaries to external parties, as of June 30, 2018:  
Company
 
Description
 
Maximum
 Exposure
(in millions)
 
Expiration Dates
On behalf of subsidiaries:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eversource Gas Transmission LLC
 
Access Northeast Project Capital Contributions
   Guaranty (1)
 
$
185.0

 
2021
Various
 
Surety Bonds (2)
 
42.5

 
2018 - 2019
Eversource Service and Rocky River Realty Company
 
Lease Payments for Vehicles and Real Estate
 
6.9

 
2019 - 2024

(1) 
Eversource parent issued a declining balance guaranty on behalf of its subsidiary, Eversource Gas Transmission LLC, to guarantee the payment of the subsidiary's capital contributions for its investment in the Access Northeast project. The guaranty decreases as capital contributions are made. The guaranty will expire upon the earlier of the full performance of the guaranteed obligations or December 31, 2021.

(2) 
Surety bond expiration dates reflect termination dates, the majority of which will be renewed or extended.  Certain surety bonds contain credit ratings triggers that would require Eversource parent to post collateral in the event that the unsecured debt credit ratings of Eversource parent are downgraded.  

C.     Spent Nuclear Fuel Obligations - Yankee Companies
CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH have plant closure and fuel storage cost obligations to the Yankee Companies, which have each completed the physical decommissioning of their respective nuclear facilities and are now engaged in the long-term storage of their spent fuel. The Yankee Companies collect these costs through wholesale, FERC-approved rates charged under power purchase agreements with several New England utilities, including CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH. These companies in turn recover these costs from their customers through state regulatory commission-approved retail rates. The Yankee Companies have collected or are currently collecting amounts that management believes are adequate to recover the remaining plant closure and fuel storage cost estimates for the respective plants. Management believes CL&P and NSTAR Electric will recover their shares of these obligations from their customers. PSNH has recovered its total share of these costs from its customers.

Spent Nuclear Fuel Litigation:
The Yankee Companies have filed complaints against the DOE in the Court of Federal Claims seeking monetary damages resulting from the DOE's failure to provide for a permanent facility to store spent nuclear fuel pursuant to the terms of the 1983 spent fuel and high level waste disposal contracts between the Yankee Companies and the DOE. The court had previously awarded the Yankee Companies damages for Phase I, II and III of litigation resulting from the DOE's failure to meet its contractual obligations. These Phases covered damages incurred in the years 1998 through 2012, and the awarded damages have been received by the Yankee Companies with certain amounts of the damages refunded to their customers.

DOE Phase IV Damages - On May 22, 2017, each of the Yankee Companies filed subsequent lawsuits against the DOE in the Court of Federal
Claims seeking monetary damages totaling approximately $100 million for CYAPC, YAEC and MYAPC, resulting from the DOE's failure to begin accepting spent nuclear fuel for disposal covering the years from 2013 to 2016 (“DOE Phase IV”). No date is set for the DOE Phase IV trial.

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

In response to appeals of the October 16, 2014 FERC decision in the first complaint filed by the NETOs and the Complainants, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (the "Court") issued a decision on April 14, 2017 vacating and remanding the FERC's decision. The Court found that the FERC failed to make an explicit finding that the 11.14 percent base ROE was unjust and unreasonable, as required under Section 206 of the Federal Power Act, before it set a new base ROE. The Court also found that the FERC did not provide a rational connection between the record evidence and its decision to select the midpoint of the upper half of the zone of reasonableness for the new base ROE.

Hearings on the fourth complaint were held in December 2017 before the FERC Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ"). On March 27, 2018, the FERC ALJ issued an initial decision in that complaint, finding that the current base ROE of 10.57 percent, which has an incentive cap ROE of 11.74 percent, is not unjust and not unreasonable. 


27


A summary of the four separate complaints and the base ROEs pertinent to those complaints are as follows:
Complaint
 
15-Month Time Period
of Complaint
(Beginning as of Complaint Filing Date)
 
Original Base ROE Authorized by FERC at Time of Complaint
Filing Date (1)
 
Base ROE Subsequently Authorized by FERC for First Complaint Period and also Effective from
October 16, 2014 through April 14, 2017 (1)
 
Reserve
(Pre-Tax and Excluding Interest) as of June 30, 2018
(in millions)
 
FERC ALJ Recommendation of Base ROE on Second, Third and Fourth Complaints
First
 
10/1/2011 - 12/31/2012
 
11.14%
 
10.57%
 
$—
(2) 
 
N/A
Second
 
12/27/2012 - 3/26/2014
 
11.14%
 
N/A
 
39.1
(3) 
 
9.59%
Third
 
7/31/2014 - 10/30/2015
 
11.14%
 
10.57%
 
—
 
 
10.90%
Fourth
 
4/29/2016 - 7/28/2017
 
10.57%
 
10.57%
 
—
 
 
10.57%

(1)
The ROE billed during the period October 1, 2011 through October 15, 2014 consisted of a base ROE of 11.14 percent and incentives up to 13.1 percent. On October 16, 2014, the FERC set the base ROE at 10.57 percent and an incentive cap at 11.74 percent for the first complaint period. This was also effective for all prospective billings to customers beginning October 16, 2014. This FERC order was vacated on April 14, 2017.

(2)  
CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH have refunded all amounts associated with the first complaint period, totaling $38.9 million (pre-tax and excluding interest) at Eversource (consisting of $22.4 million at CL&P, $13.7 million at NSTAR Electric and $2.8 million at PSNH), reflecting both the base ROE and incentive cap prescribed by the FERC order.

(3)
The reserve represents the difference between the billed rates during the second complaint period and a 10.57 percent base ROE and 11.74 percent incentive cap. The reserve consisted of $21.4 million for CL&P, $14.6 million for NSTAR Electric and $3.1 million for PSNH as of June 30, 2018.

On June 5, 2017, the NETOs, including Eversource, submitted a filing to the FERC to reinstate the base ROE of 11.14 percent with an associated ROE incentive cap of 13.5 percent effective June 8, 2017, as these were the last ROEs lawfully in effect for transmission billing purposes prior to the FERC order vacated by the Court on April 14, 2017. On October 6, 2017, the FERC did not accept the NETOs filing, temporarily leaving in place the ROEs (10.57 percent base ROE with an 11.74 percent incentive cap ROE) set in the first complaint proceeding until the FERC addresses the Court’s decision. On November 6, 2017, the NETOs submitted a request for rehearing of the FERC's October 6, 2017 Order rejecting the compliance filing.

On October 5, 2017, the NETOs filed a series of motions, requesting that the FERC dismiss the four complaint proceedings. Alternatively, if the FERC does not dismiss the proceedings, the NETOs requested that the FERC consolidate all four complaint proceedings for expeditious resolution and/or stay the trial in the fourth complaint proceeding and resolve it based on the standards set in the April 14, 2017 Court decision.

At this time, the Company cannot reasonably estimate a range of gain or loss for the complaint proceedings. No events in 2017 or 2018 provided a reasonable basis for a change to the reserve balance of $39.1 million (pre-tax and excluding interest) for the second complaint period, and the Company has not changed its reserve or recognized ROEs for any of the complaint periods. Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH currently record revenues at the 10.57 percent base ROE and incentive cap at 11.74 percent established in the October 16, 2014 FERC order. At this time, the Company cannot predict the timing or ultimate effect of the Court decision or future FERC action on any of the complaint periods or the estimated impacts on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric or PSNH.

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

E.    Eversource and NSTAR Electric Boston Harbor Civil Action
On July 15, 2016, the United States Attorney on behalf of the United States Army Corps of Engineers filed a civil action in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts under provisions of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and the Clean Water Act against NSTAR Electric, Harbor Electric Energy Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NSTAR Electric ("HEEC"), and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (together with NSTAR Electric and HEEC, the "Defendants").  The action alleged that the Defendants failed to comply with certain permitting requirements related to the placement of the HEEC-owned electric distribution cable beneath Boston Harbor.  The action sought an order to compel HEEC to comply with cable depth requirements in the United States Army Corps of Engineers' permit or alternatively to remove the electric distribution cable and cease unauthorized work in U.S. waterways.  The action also sought civil penalties and other costs.

The parties reached a settlement pursuant to which HEEC agreed to install a new 115kV distribution cable across Boston Harbor to Deer Island, utilizing a different route, and remove portions of the existing cable. Upon the installation and completion of the new cable and the removal of the portions of the existing cable, all issues surrounding the current permit from the United States Army Corps of Engineers are expected to be resolved, and such litigation is expected to be dismissed with prejudice.


28


In 2017, as a result of the settlement, NSTAR Electric expensed $4.9 million (pre-tax) of previously incurred capitalized costs associated with engineering work performed on the existing cable that will no longer be used. In addition, NSTAR Electric agreed to provide a rate base credit of $17.5 million to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority for the new cable. This negotiated credit resulted in the initial $17.5 million of construction costs on the new cable being expensed as incurred, all of which were fully expensed by June 30, 2018. Construction of the new cable is underway and is expected to be completed in 2019.

10.    ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

In June 2015, Eversource and PSNH entered into the 2015 Public Service Company of New Hampshire Restructuring and Rate Stabilization Agreement, under the terms of which PSNH agreed to divest its generation assets, subject to NHPUC approval.  The NHPUC approval for this agreement, as well as NHPUC approval of the final divestiture plan and auction process, were received in the second half of 2016.  In October 2017, PSNH entered into two Purchase and Sale Agreements ("Agreements") to sell its thermal and hydroelectric generation assets to private investors at purchase prices of $175 million and $83 million, respectively, subject to adjustments as set forth in the Agreements. The NHPUC approved the Agreements in late November 2017, at which time the Company classified these assets as held for sale.

On January 10, 2018, PSNH completed the sale of its thermal generation assets, pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement dated October 11, 2017. In accordance with the Agreement, the original purchase price of $175 million was adjusted to reflect working capital adjustments, closing date adjustments and proration of taxes and fees prior to closing, totaling $40.9 million, resulting in net proceeds of $134.1 million. In the second quarter of 2018, PSNH adjusted the purchase price by approximately $17 million for the thermal generation assets relating to the valuation of certain allowances, and also received amounts in escrow of $3.5 million. As a result of these adjustments, total proceeds from the sale amounted to $116.8 million.

On May 8, 2018, PSNH issued $635.7 million of securitized RRBs to finance the unrecovered stranded costs associated with the divestiture of its generation assets, which included the deferred costs resulting from the sale of the thermal generation assets. As of June 30, 2018, unamortized securitized stranded costs totaled $628.8 million and are included in Regulatory Assets on the Eversource and PSNH balance sheets. As of December 31, 2017, the deferred costs resulting from the thermal generation asset sale of $516.1 million represented the difference between the carrying value and the fair value less cost to sell the thermal generation assets.

On July 16, 2018, FERC issued its order approving the transfer of PSNH's six hydro licenses to the private investors. The order includes a 30-day rehearing period. PSNH expects to complete the sale of its hydroelectric generation assets in the third quarter of 2018 at an amount above net carrying value, and the assets are therefore stated at carrying value. As of June 30, 2018, the difference between the carrying value of the hydroelectric generation assets and the anticipated sale proceeds was $23.2 million. The estimated gain from the sale of these assets was included in the amount of stranded costs securitized.

Full recovery of the costs of PSNH's generation assets and transaction-related expenses is expected to occur through a combination of cash flows during the remaining operating period, sales proceeds, and recovery of stranded costs primarily via the issuance of bonds that are secured by a non-bypassable charge billed to PSNH's customers. For further information on the securitized RRB issuance, see Note 7, "Rate Reduction Bonds and Variable Interest Entities."

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, pre-tax income associated with the hydroelectric assets held for sale was $3.3 million and $9.2 million, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, pre-tax income associated with PSNH's generation assets was $15.3 million and $30.1 million, respectively.

As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, PSNH's generation assets held for sale, which are included in current assets on the Eversource and PSNH balance sheets, and are part of the Electric Distribution reportable segment, were as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
As of June 30, 2018
 
As of December 31, 2017
Thermal Gross Plant
$
—

 
$
1,091.4

Hydroelectric Gross Plant
86.8

 
83.0

Accumulated Depreciation
(27.5
)
 
(575.4
)
Net Plant
59.3

 
599.0

Fuel and Inventory
—

 
87.7

Materials and Supplies
0.1

 
27.3

Emissions Allowances
—

 
19.1

Other Assets
—

 
2.6

Deferred Costs from Thermal Generation Asset Sale
—

 
(516.1
)
Total Generation Assets Held for Sale
$
59.4

 
$
219.6



29


11.    FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

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

Preferred Stock, Long-Term Debt and Rate Reduction Bonds:  The fair value of CL&P's and NSTAR Electric's preferred stock is based upon pricing models that incorporate interest rates and other market factors, valuations or trades of similar securities and cash flow projections.  The fair value of long-term debt and RRB debt securities is based upon pricing models that incorporate quoted market prices for those issues or similar issues adjusted for market conditions, credit ratings of the respective companies and treasury benchmark yields.  The fair values provided in the table below are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.  Carrying amounts and estimated fair values are as follows:
 
Eversource
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
(Millions of Dollars)
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
As of June 30, 2018:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred Stock Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption
$
155.6

 
$
156.4

 
$
116.2

 
$
113.9

 
$
43.0

 
$
42.5

 
$
—

 
$
—

Long-Term Debt
12,396.6

 
12,501.7

 
3,253.3

 
3,473.3

 
2,944.3

 
3,019.9

 
894.0

 
909.0

Rate Reduction Bonds
635.7

 
638.3

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
635.7

 
638.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred Stock Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption
$
155.6

 
$
160.8

 
$
116.2

 
$
116.5

 
$
43.0

 
$
44.3

 
$
—

 
$
—

Long-Term Debt
12,325.5

 
12,877.1

 
3,059.1

 
3,430.5

 
2,943.8

 
3,156.5

 
1,002.4

 
1,038.2


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

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

12.    ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)

The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) by component, net of tax, is as follows:
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
Eversource 
(Millions of Dollars)
Qualified
Cash Flow
Hedging
Instruments
 
Unrealized
Losses on
Marketable
Securities
 
Defined
Benefit Plans
 
Total
 
Qualified
Cash Flow
Hedging
Instruments
 
Unrealized
Gains on
Marketable
Securities
 
Defined
Benefit Plans
 
Total
Balance as of Beginning of Period
$
(6.2
)
 
$
—

 
$
(60.2
)
 
$
(66.4
)
 
$
(8.2
)
 
$
0.4

 
$
(57.5
)
 
$
(65.3
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OCI Before Reclassifications
—

 
(0.6
)
 
2.6

 
2.0

 
—

 
2.6

 
(3.5
)
 
(0.9
)
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI
1.2

 
—

 
2.2

 
3.4

 
1.1

 
—

 
2.2

 
3.3

Net OCI
1.2

 
(0.6
)
 
4.8

 
5.4

 
1.1

 
2.6

 
(1.3
)
 
2.4

Balance as of End of Period
$
(5.0
)
 
$
(0.6
)
 
$
(55.4
)
 
$
(61.0
)
 
$
(7.1
)
 
$
3.0

 
$
(58.8
)
 
$
(62.9
)

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

Defined benefit plan OCI amounts before reclassifications relate to actuarial gains and losses that arose during the year and were recognized in AOCI. The unamortized actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs on the defined benefit plans are amortized from AOCI into Other Income, Net over the average future employee service period, and are reflected in amounts reclassified from AOCI. For further information, see Note 1F, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Other Income, Net," and Note 8, "Pension Benefits and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension."


30


13.    COMMON SHARES

The following table sets forth the Eversource parent common shares and the shares of common stock of CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH that were authorized and issued, as well as the respective per share par values:  
 
Shares
 
 
 
Authorized as of June 30, 2018 and
 
Issued as of
 
Par Value
 
December 31, 2017
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Eversource
$
5

 
380,000,000

 
333,878,402

 
333,878,402

CL&P
$
10

 
24,500,000

 
6,035,205

 
6,035,205

NSTAR Electric
$
1

 
100,000,000

 
200

 
200

PSNH
$
1

 
100,000,000

 
301

 
301


As of both June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there were 16,992,594 Eversource common shares held as treasury shares.  As of both June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there were 316,885,808 Eversource common shares outstanding.

14.    COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

Dividends on the preferred stock of CL&P and NSTAR Electric totaled $1.9 million for each of the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 and $3.8 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. These dividends were presented as Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests on the Eversource statements of income. Noncontrolling Interest – Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries on the Eversource balance sheets totaled $155.6 million as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. On the Eversource balance sheets, Common Shareholders' Equity was fully attributable to the parent and Noncontrolling Interest – Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries was fully attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

15.    EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic EPS is computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period.  Diluted EPS is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the potential dilutive effect of certain share-based compensation awards as if they were converted into common shares.  The dilutive effect of unvested RSU and performance share awards is calculated using the treasury stock method.  RSU and performance share awards are included in basic weighted average common shares outstanding as of the date that all necessary vesting conditions have been satisfied.  

The following table sets forth the components of basic and diluted EPS:
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars, except share information)
For the Three Months Ended
 
For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2018
 
June 30, 2017
 
June 30, 2018
 
June 30, 2017
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
$
242.8

 
$
230.7

 
$
512.3

 
$
490.2

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
317,344,596

 
317,391,365

 
317,370,825

 
317,427,258

Dilutive Effect
540,591

 
555,829

 
568,269

 
608,606

Diluted
317,885,187

 
317,947,194

 
317,939,094

 
318,035,864

Basic and Diluted EPS
$
0.76

 
$
0.72

 
$
1.61

 
$
1.54



31


16.    REVENUES

On January 1, 2018, Eversource, including CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, adopted ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” using the modified retrospective approach. The core principle of this accounting guidance is that revenue is recognized when promised goods or services (referred to as performance obligations) are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard uses a five-step model for recognizing and measuring revenue from contracts with customers, which includes identifying the contract with the customer, identifying the performance obligations promised within the contract, determining the transaction price (the amount of consideration to which the company expects to be entitled), allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations and recognizing revenue when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied.

The following table presents operating revenues disaggregated by revenue source:
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Electric
Distribution
 
Natural Gas
Distribution
 
Electric
Transmission
 
Water Distribution
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail Tariff Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
$
794.4

 
$
104.1

 
$
—

 
$
32.3

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
930.8

Commercial
622.0

 
70.0

 
—

 
15.7

 
—

 
(2.0
)
 
705.7

Industrial
88.4

 
23.5

 
—

 
1.1

 
—

 
(2.4
)
 
110.6

Total Retail Tariff Sales Revenue
1,504.8


197.6

 
—

 
49.1


—

 
(4.4
)
 
1,747.1

Wholesale Transmission Revenue
—

 
—

 
310.8

 
—

 
12.6

 
(268.0
)
 
55.4

Wholesale Market Sales Revenue
34.2

 
12.1

 
—

 
0.9

 
—

 
—

 
47.2

Other Revenue from Contracts with Customers
18.4

 
(0.6
)
 
3.2

 
1.9

 
224.4

 
(225.1
)
 
22.2

Reserve for Revenue Subject to Refund
(7.3
)
 
(3.5
)
 
—

 
(0.5
)
 
—

 
—

 
(11.3
)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers
1,550.1


205.6

 
314.0

 
51.4


237.0

 
(497.5
)
 
1,860.6

Alternative Revenue Programs
(14.4
)
 
0.1

 
3.4

 
1.9

 
—

 
(2.9
)
 
(11.9
)
Other Revenue
4.2

 
0.8

 
—

 
0.2

 
—

 
—

 
5.2

Total Operating Revenues
$
1,539.9


$
206.5

 
$
317.4

 
$
53.5


$
237.0

 
$
(500.4
)
 
$
1,853.9

 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Electric
Distribution
 
Natural Gas
Distribution
 
Electric
Transmission
 
Water Distribution
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail Tariff Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
$
1,788.7

 
$
352.9

 
$
—

 
$
59.7

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
2,201.3

Commercial
1,233.4

 
204.7

 
—

 
30.0

 
—

 
(2.1
)
 
1,466.0

Industrial
169.9

 
53.1

 
—

 
2.1

 
—

 
(5.0
)
 
220.1

Total Retail Tariff Sales Revenue
3,192.0

 
610.7

 
—

 
91.8

 
—

 
(7.1
)
 
3,887.4

Wholesale Transmission Revenue
—

 
—

 
624.5

 
—

 
22.7

 
(526.7
)
 
120.5

Wholesale Market Sales Revenue
92.7

 
29.9

 
—

 
1.7

 
—

 
—

 
124.3

Other Revenue from Contracts with Customers
35.3

 
(0.9
)
 
6.2

 
3.7

 
445.2

 
(446.3
)
 
43.2

Reserve for Revenue Subject to Refund
(26.5
)
 
(8.0
)
 
—

 
(2.0
)
 
—

 
—

 
(36.5
)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers
3,293.5

 
631.7

 
630.7

 
95.2

 
467.9

 
(980.1
)
 
4,138.9

Alternative Revenue Programs
(5.7
)
 
(1.7
)
 
(8.3
)
 
2.6

 
—

 
7.7

 
(5.4
)
Other Revenue
6.7

 
1.4

 
—

 
0.2

 
—

 
—

 
8.3

Total Operating Revenues
$
3,294.5

 
$
631.4

 
$
622.4

 
$
98.0

 
$
467.9

 
$
(972.4
)
 
$
4,141.8


32


 
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
(Millions of Dollars)
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail Tariff Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
$
387.1

 
$
292.5

 
$
114.8

 
$
870.4

 
$
656.7

 
$
261.6

Commercial
220.7

 
325.5

 
76.2

 
443.2

 
640.0

 
151.1

Industrial
36.5

 
30.9

 
21.0

 
72.3

 
59.0

 
38.6

Total Retail Tariff Sales Revenue
644.3

 
648.9

 
212.0

 
1,385.9

 
1,355.7

 
451.3

Wholesale Transmission Revenue
139.9

 
120.9

 
50.1

 
290.6

 
239.5

 
94.3

Wholesale Market Sales Revenue
10.6

 
13.4

 
10.9

 
21.0

 
38.2

 
34.9

Other Revenue from Contracts with Customers
8.3

 
9.3

 
3.9

 
16.2

 
18.3

 
7.5

Reserve for Revenue Subject to Refund
(4.2
)
 
—

 
(3.1
)
 
(16.6
)
 
(3.7
)
 
(6.2
)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers
798.9

 
792.5

 
273.8

 
1,697.1

 
1,648.0

 
581.8

Alternative Revenue Programs
1.0

 
(6.9
)
 
(5.0
)
 
(4.1
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(9.6
)
Other Revenue
2.4

 
1.6

 
0.2

 
3.3

 
2.7

 
0.6

Eliminations
(107.4
)
 
(96.5
)
 
(33.9
)
 
(216.4
)
 
(189.6
)
 
(70.3
)
Total Operating Revenues
$
694.9

 
$
690.7

 
$
235.1

 
$
1,479.9

 
$
1,460.9

 
$
502.5


Retail Tariff Sales: Regulated utilities provide products and services to their regulated customers under rates, pricing, payment terms and conditions of service, regulated by each state regulatory agency. The arrangement whereby a utility provides commodity service to a customer for a price approved by the respective state regulatory commission is referred to as a tariff sale contract, and the tariff governs all aspects of the provision of regulated services by utilities. The majority of revenue for Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH is derived from regulated retail tariff sales for the sale and distribution of electricity, natural gas and water to residential, commercial and industrial retail customers.

The utility's performance obligation for the regulated tariff sales is to provide electricity, natural gas or water to the customer as demanded.
The promise to provide the commodity represents a single performance obligation, as it is a promise to transfer a series of distinct goods or services that are substantially the same and that have the same pattern of transfer to the customer. Revenue is recognized over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the utility, and the utility satisfies its performance obligation. Revenue is recognized based on the output method as there is a directly observable output to the customer (electricity, natural gas or water units delivered to the customer and immediately consumed). Each Eversource utility is entitled to be compensated for performance completed to date (service taken by the customer) until service is terminated.

In regulated tariff sales, the transaction prices are the rates approved by the respective state regulatory commissions.  In general, rates can only be changed through formal proceedings with the state regulatory commissions. These rates are designed to recover the costs to provide service to customers and include a return on investment. Regulatory commission-approved tracking mechanisms are included in these rates and are also used to recover, on a fully-reconciling basis, certain costs, such as the procurement of energy supply, retail transmission charges, energy efficiency program costs, net metering for distributed generation, and restructuring and stranded costs. These tracking mechanisms result in rates being changed periodically to ensure recovery of actual costs incurred.

Customers may elect to purchase electricity from each Eversource electric utility or may contract separately with a competitive third party supplier. Revenue is not recorded for the sale of the electricity commodity to customers who have contracted separately with these suppliers, only the delivery to a customer, as the utility is acting as an agent on behalf of the third party supplier.

Wholesale Transmission Revenues:  The Eversource electric transmission-owning companies (CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH) each own and maintain transmission facilities that are part of an interstate power transmission grid over which electricity is transmitted throughout New England. CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, as well as most other New England utilities, are parties to a series of agreements that provide for coordinated planning and operation of the region's transmission facilities and the rules by which they acquire transmission services.  The Eversource electric transmission-owning companies have a combination of FERC-approved regional and local formula rates that work in tandem to recover all their transmission costs. These rates are part of the ISO-NE Tariff. Regional rates recover the costs of higher voltage transmission facilities that benefit the region and are collected from all New England transmission customers, including the Eversource distribution businesses. Eversource's local rates recover the companies' total transmission revenue requirements, less revenues received from regional rates and other sources, and are collected from Eversource's distribution businesses and other transmission customers. The distribution businesses of Eversource, in turn, recover the FERC approved charges from retail customers through annual or semiannual tracking mechanisms, which are retail tariff sales.

The utility's performance obligation for regulated wholesale transmission sales is to provide transmission services to the customer as demanded. The promise to provide transmission service represents a single performance obligation. The transaction prices are the transmission rate formulas as defined by the ISO-NE Tariff and are regulated and established by FERC. Wholesale transmission revenue is recognized over time as the performance obligation is completed, which occurs as transmission services are provided to customers. The revenue is recognized based on the output method. Each Eversource utility is entitled to be compensated for performance completed to date (e.g., use of the transmission system by the customer).


33


Wholesale Market Sales Revenues: Wholesale market sales transactions include sales of energy and energy-related products into the ISO-NE wholesale electricity market, sales of natural gas to third party marketers, and also the sale of RECs to various counterparties. ISO-NE oversees the region's wholesale electricity market and administers the transactions and terms and conditions, including payment terms, which are established in the ISO-NE tariff, between the buyers and sellers in the market. Pricing is set by the wholesale market. The wholesale transactions in the ISO-NE market occur on a day-ahead basis or a real-time basis (daily) and are, therefore, short-term. Transactions are tracked and reported by ISO-NE net by the hour, which is the net hourly position of energy sales and purchases by each market participant. Beginning in the first quarter of 2018, the performance obligation for ISO-NE energy transactions is defined to be the net by hour transaction. Revenue is recognized when the performance obligation for these energy sales transactions is satisfied, when the sale occurs and the energy is transferred to the customer. For sales of natural gas, transportation, and natural gas pipeline capacity to third party marketers, revenue is recognized when the performance obligation is satisfied at the point in time the sale occurs and the natural gas or related product is transferred to the marketer. RECs are sold to various counterparties, and revenue is recognized when the performance obligation is satisfied upon transfer of title to the customer through the New England Power Pool Generation Information System.

Other Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Other revenue from contracts with customers primarily includes property rentals that are not deemed leases. These revenues are generally recognized on a straight-line basis over time as the service is provided to the customer.

Reserve for Revenue Subject to Refund: Current base rates include an estimate of income taxes, which was based on the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in effect at the time of the rate proceeding. Eversource established a reserve, recorded as a reduction to revenue, to reflect the difference between the 35 percent federal corporate income tax rate included in rates charged to customers and the 21 percent federal income tax rate, effective January 1, 2018 as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Eversource expects to refund these amounts to customers through various rate mechanisms in the future, depending on regulatory outcomes. Effective February 1, 2018, NSTAR Electric's base rates charged to customers have been adjusted to reflect the new federal income tax rate, effective May 1, 2018, CL&P's rates charged to customers reflect the new income tax rate and effective July 1, 2018, NSTAR Gas' rates reflect the new income tax rate.

Alternative Revenue Programs: In accordance with accounting guidance for rate-regulated operations, certain of Eversource's utilities' rate making mechanisms qualify as alternative revenue programs ("ARPs") if they meet specified criteria, in which case revenues may be recognized prior to billing based on allowed levels of collection in rates. Eversource's utility companies recognize revenue and record a regulatory asset or liability once the condition or event allowing for the automatic adjustment of future rates occurs. ARP revenues include both the recognition of the deferral adjustment to ARP revenues, when the regulator-specified condition or event allowing for additional billing or refund has occurred, and an equal and offsetting reversal of the ARP deferral to revenues as those amounts are reflected in the price of service in subsequent periods.

Eversource’s ARPs include the revenue decoupling mechanism and the annual reconciliation adjustment to transmission formula rates, described below.

•
Certain Eversource electric, natural gas and water companies, including CL&P and NSTAR Electric, have revenue decoupling mechanisms approved by a regulatory commission ("decoupled companies"). Decoupled companies’ distribution revenues are not directly based on sales volumes. The decoupled companies reconcile their annual base distribution rate recovery to pre-established levels of baseline distribution delivery service revenues, with any difference between the allowed level of distribution revenue and the actual amount realized adjusted through subsequent rates.

•
The transmission formula rates provide for the annual reconciliation and recovery or refund of estimated costs to actual costs.  The financial impacts of differences between actual and estimated costs are deferred for future recovery from, or refund to, transmission customers.  This transmission deferral reconciles billed transmission revenues to the revenue requirement for our transmission businesses.

Other Revenues: Other Revenues include certain fees charged to customers and lease revenue that are not considered revenue from contracts with customers.

Intercompany Eliminations: Intercompany eliminations are primarily related to the Eversource electric transmission revenues that are derived from ISO-NE regional transmission charges to the distribution businesses of CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH that recover the costs of the wholesale transmission business, and revenues from Eversource's service company. Intercompany revenues and expenses between the Eversource wholesale transmission businesses and the Eversource distribution businesses and from Eversource's service company are eliminated in consolidation and included in "Eliminations" in the table above.

Receivables: Receivables, Net on the balance sheet include trade receivables from our retail customers and receivables arising from ISO-NE billing related to wholesale transmission contracts and wholesale market transactions, sales of natural gas and capacity to marketers, sales of RECs, and property rentals. In general, retail tariff customers and wholesale transmission customers are billed monthly and the payment terms are generally due and payable upon receipt of the bill.

Unbilled Revenues on the balance sheet represent estimated amounts due from retail customers for electricity, natural gas or water delivered to customers but not yet billed. The utility company has satisfied its performance obligation and the customer has received and consumed the commodity as of the balance sheet date, and therefore, the utility company records revenue for those services in the period the services were provided. Only the passage of time is required before the company is entitled to payment for the satisfaction of the performance obligation. Payment from customers is due monthly as services are rendered and amounts are billed. Actual amounts billed to customers when meter readings become available may vary from the estimated amount.


34


Unbilled revenues are recognized by allocating estimated unbilled sales volumes to the respective customer classes, and then applying an estimated rate by customer class to those sales volumes. Unbilled revenue estimates reflect seasonality, weather, customer usage patterns, customer rates in effect for customer classes, and the timing of customer billing. The companies that have a decoupling mechanism record a regulatory deferral to reflect the actual allowed amount of revenue associated with their respective decoupled distribution rate design.

Practical Expedients: Eversource has elected practical expedients in the accounting guidance that allow the company to record revenue in the amount that the company has a right to invoice, if that amount corresponds directly with the value to the customer of the company's performance to date, and not to disclose related unsatisfied performance obligations. Retail and wholesale transmission tariff sales fall into this category, as these sales are recognized as revenue in the period the utility provides the service and completes the performance obligation, which is the same as the monthly amount billed to customers. There are no other material revenue streams for which Eversource has unsatisfied performance obligations.

17.    SEGMENT INFORMATION

Presentation:  Eversource is organized among the Electric Distribution, Electric Transmission, Natural Gas Distribution and Water Distribution reportable segments and Other based on a combination of factors, including the characteristics of each segments' services, the sources of operating revenues and expenses and the regulatory environment in which each segment operates.  These reportable segments represent substantially all of Eversource's total consolidated revenues.  Revenues from the sale of electricity, natural gas and water primarily are derived from residential, commercial and industrial customers and are not dependent on any single customer.  The Electric Distribution reportable segment includes the results of PSNH's generation facilities and NSTAR Electric's solar power facilities. Eversource's reportable segments are determined based upon the level at which Eversource's chief operating decision maker assesses performance and makes decisions about the allocation of company resources. On December 4, 2017, Eversource acquired Aquarion, which was considered to be a new operating segment, water distribution. Though the water distribution segment does not meet quantitative thresholds under the segment reporting accounting guidance, based on qualitative factors including the nature of the water distribution business, Water Distribution was deemed a reportable segment beginning in the first quarter of 2018.
 
The remainder of Eversource's operations is presented as Other in the tables below and primarily consists of 1) the equity in earnings of Eversource parent from its subsidiaries and intercompany interest income, both of which are eliminated in consolidation, and interest expense related to the debt of Eversource parent, 2) the revenues and expenses of Eversource Service, most of which are eliminated in consolidation, 3) the operations of CYAPC and YAEC, and 4) the results of other unregulated subsidiaries, which are not part of its core business. In addition, Other in the tables below includes Eversource parent's equity ownership interests in certain natural gas pipeline projects owned by Enbridge, Inc., the Bay State Wind project, a renewable energy investment fund, and two companies that transmit hydroelectricity imported from the Hydro-Quebec system in Canada. In the ordinary course of business, Yankee Gas and NSTAR Gas purchase natural gas transmission services from the Enbridge, Inc. natural gas pipeline projects described above. These affiliate transaction costs total approximately $62.5 million annually and are classified as Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission on the Eversource statements of income.

Each of Eversource's subsidiaries, including CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, has one reportable segment.

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

Eversource's segment information is as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 (1)
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Electric
Distribution
 
Natural Gas
Distribution
 
Electric
Transmission
 
Water Distribution
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Operating Revenues
$
1,539.9

 
$
206.5

 
$
317.4

 
$
53.5

 
$
237.0

 
$
(500.4
)
 
$
1,853.9

Depreciation and Amortization
(135.5
)
 
(19.3
)
 
(57.0
)
 
(12.2
)
 
(11.9
)
 
0.6

 
(235.3
)
Other Operating Expenses
(1,233.0
)
 
(170.6
)
 
(88.8
)
 
(24.5
)
 
(211.7
)
 
501.4

 
(1,227.2
)
Operating Income
$
171.4

 
$
16.6

 
$
171.6

 
$
16.8

 
$
13.4

 
$
1.6

 
$
391.4

Interest Expense
$
(52.1
)
 
$
(11.4
)
 
$
(30.0
)
 
$
(8.6
)
 
$
(32.3
)
 
$
8.0

 
$
(126.4
)
Other Income/(Loss), Net
19.0

 
1.6

 
9.9

 
(0.6
)
 
302.0

 
(281.8
)
 
50.1

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
101.3

 
5.0

 
112.7

 
7.2

 
288.8

 
(272.2
)
 
242.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 (1)
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Electric Distribution
 
Natural Gas Distribution
 
Electric Transmission
 
Water Distribution
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Operating Revenues
$
3,294.5

 
$
631.4

 
$
622.4

 
$
98.0

 
$
467.9

 
$
(972.4
)
 
$
4,141.8

Depreciation and Amortization
(279.9
)
 
(45.7
)
 
(113.5
)
 
(22.9
)
 
(23.9
)
 
1.1

 
(484.8
)
Other Operating Expenses
(2,676.5
)
 
(483.2
)
 
(172.0
)
 
(48.4
)
 
(416.3
)
 
973.3

 
(2,823.1
)
Operating Income
$
338.1

 
$
102.5

 
$
336.9

 
$
26.7

 
$
27.7

 
$
2.0

 
$
833.9

Interest Expense
$
(99.5
)
 
$
(22.5
)
 
$
(59.7
)
 
$
(16.9
)
 
$
(64.3
)
 
$
15.4

 
$
(247.5
)
Other Income/(Loss), Net
38.6

 
3.5

 
17.8

 
(1.1
)
 
662.1

 
(637.0
)
 
83.9

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
205.5

 
62.8

 
220.1

 
8.7

 
634.8

 
(619.6
)
 
512.3

Cash Flows Used for Investments in Plant
475.6

 
150.3

 
508.5

 
40.2

 
77.1

 
—

 
1,251.7


35


 
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Electric
Distribution
 
Natural Gas
Distribution
 
Electric
Transmission
 
Water Distribution
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Operating Revenues
$
1,275.9

 
$
186.0

 
$
324.6

 
$
—

 
$
217.0

 
$
(240.7
)
 
$
1,762.8

Depreciation and Amortization
(105.4
)
 
(17.9
)
 
(51.4
)
 
—

 
(7.9
)
 
0.5

 
(182.1
)
Other Operating Expenses
(931.9
)
 
(150.8
)
 
(94.9
)
 
—

 
(196.0
)
 
241.1

 
(1,132.5
)
Operating Income
$
238.6

 
$
17.3

 
$
178.3

 
$
—

 
$
13.1

 
$
0.9

 
$
448.2

Interest Expense
$
(49.4
)
 
$
(10.9
)
 
$
(28.9
)
 
$
—

 
$
(21.6
)
 
$
3.5

 
$
(107.3
)
Other Income, Net
9.1

 
0.9

 
6.8

 
—

 
257.7

 
(245.5
)
 
29.0

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
121.9

 
4.5

 
96.4

 
—

 
249.0

 
(241.1
)
 
230.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Electric
Distribution
 
Natural Gas
Distribution
 
Electric
Transmission
 
Water Distribution
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Operating Revenues
$
2,677.0

 
$
589.6

 
$
641.5

 
$
—

 
$
453.4

 
$
(493.6
)
 
$
3,867.9

Depreciation and Amortization
(235.2
)
 
(39.6
)
 
(102.0
)
 
—

 
(17.2
)
 
1.1

 
(392.9
)
Other Operating Expenses
(1,980.9
)
 
(441.0
)
 
(185.0
)
 
—

 
(412.8
)
 
493.9

 
(2,525.8
)
Operating Income
$
460.9

 
$
109.0

 
$
354.5

 
$
—

 
$
23.4

 
$
1.4

 
$
949.2

Interest Expense
$
(97.6
)
 
$
(21.5
)
 
$
(57.0
)
 
$
—

 
$
(41.3
)
 
$
6.6

 
$
(210.8
)
Other Income, Net
21.0

 
1.8

 
11.9

 
—

 
586.8

 
(570.9
)
 
50.6

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
236.0

 
55.3

 
190.6

 
—

 
571.2

 
(562.9
)
 
490.2

Cash Flows Used for Investments in Plant
515.0

 
139.7

 
415.6

 
—

 
76.7

 
—

 
1,147.0


(1)
Effective January 1, 2018, upon implementation of the new revenue accounting guidance, the electric distribution segment is presented gross and intercompany transmission billings are presented in the eliminations column, as Eversource believes that the electric distribution segment acts as a principal, rather than an agent, in its contracts with retail customers. Retail customers contract directly with the electric distribution utility and do not differentiate between distribution and transmission services. Therefore, the electric distribution segment revenues, which are derived from retail customer billings, are presented gross of the eliminations. Prior to 2018, the electric distribution segment presented intercompany electric transmission billings net, based on indicators of net presentation prior to the new revenue guidance.  See Note 16, "Revenues," regarding accounting for revenues.

The following table summarizes Eversource's segmented total assets:
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Electric
Distribution
 
Natural Gas
Distribution
 
Electric
Transmission
 
Water Distribution
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
As of June 30, 2018
$
21,116.3

 
$
3,656.7

 
$
10,085.7

 
$
2,500.4

 
$
16,456.3

 
$
(16,571.1
)
 
$
37,244.3

As of December 31, 2017
19,250.4

 
3,595.2

 
9,401.2

 
2,470.0

 
15,933.8

 
(14,430.2
)
 
36,220.4


18.     ACQUISITION OF AQUARION

On December 4, 2017, Eversource acquired Aquarion from Macquarie Infrastructure Partners for a purchase price of $1.675 billion, consisting of approximately $880 million in cash and $795 million of assumed Aquarion debt. Aquarion is a holding company that owns three separate regulated water utility subsidiaries engaged in the water collection, treatment and distribution business that operate in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. These regulated utilities collect, treat and distribute water to residential, commercial and industrial customers, to other utilities for resale, and for private and municipal fire protection. Aquarion and its subsidiaries became wholly-owned subsidiaries of Eversource, and Eversource's consolidated financial information includes Aquarion and its subsidiaries' activity beginning December 4, 2017. The approximate $880 million cash purchase price included the $745 million equity purchase price plus a $135 million shareholder loan that was repaid at closing.

Purchase Price Allocation: The purchase price allocation reflects a measurement period adjustment recorded in the first quarter of 2018 to revise the fair value of Aquarion's regulated debt. The $7.9 million increase to the fair value of Long-Term Debt and corresponding increase to Regulatory Assets, included within Other Noncurrent Assets, excluding Goodwill in the table below, will be amortized over the life of the related debt. The allocation of the cash purchase price is as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
 
Current Assets
$
41.2

PP&E
1,034.9

Goodwill
907.9

Other Noncurrent Assets, excluding Goodwill
215.5

Current Liabilities
(121.9
)
Noncurrent Liabilities
(421.6
)
Long-Term Debt
(778.3
)
Total Cash Purchase Price
$
877.7


36


EVERSOURCE ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related combined notes included in this combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, as well as the Eversource 2017 Form 10-K.  References in this combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to "Eversource," the "Company," "we," "us," and "our" refer to Eversource Energy and its consolidated subsidiaries.  All per-share amounts are reported on a diluted basis.  The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Eversource, NSTAR Electric and PSNH and the unaudited condensed financial statements of CL&P are herein collectively referred to as the "financial statements."  

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

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

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

•
cyberattacks or breaches, including those resulting in the compromise of the confidentiality of our proprietary information and the personal information of our customers,
•
acts of war or terrorism, physical attacks or grid disturbances that may damage and disrupt our transmission and distribution systems,
•
ability or inability to commence and complete our major strategic development projects and opportunities,
•
actions or inaction of local, state and federal regulatory, public policy and taxing bodies,
•
substandard performance of third-party suppliers and service providers,
•
fluctuations in weather patterns, including extreme weather due to climate change,
•
changes in business conditions, which could include disruptive technology related to our current or future business model,
•
increased conservation measures of customers and development of alternative energy sources,
•
contamination of or disruption in our water supplies,
•
changes in economic conditions, including impact on interest rates, tax policies, and customer demand and payment ability,
•
changes in levels or timing of capital expenditures,
•
disruptions in the capital markets or other events that make our access to necessary capital more difficult or costly,
•
changes in laws, regulations or regulatory policy, including compliance with environmental laws and regulations,
•
changes in accounting standards and financial reporting regulations,
•
actions of rating agencies, and
•
other presently unknown or unforeseen factors.  

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

All such factors are difficult to predict and contain uncertainties that may materially affect our actual results, many of which are beyond our control.  You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, as each speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.  New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all of such factors, nor can we assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. For more information, see Item 1A, Risk Factors, included in this combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in Eversource's 2017 combined Annual Report on Form 10-K.  This combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Eversource's 2017 combined Annual Report on Form 10-K also describe material contingencies and critical accounting policies in the accompanying Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Combined Notes to Financial Statements.  We encourage you to review these items.

37


Financial Condition and Business Analysis

Executive Summary

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

Results:  

•
We earned $242.8 million, or $0.76 per share, in the second quarter of 2018, and $512.3 million, or $1.61 per share, in the first half of 2018, compared with $230.7 million, or $0.72 per share, in the second quarter of 2017, and $490.2 million, or $1.54 per share, in the first half of 2017.  

•
Our electric distribution segment earned $101.3 million, or $0.32 per share, in the second quarter of 2018, and $205.5 million, or $0.65 per share, in the first half of 2018, compared with $121.9 million, or $0.38 per share, in the second quarter of 2017, and $236.0 million, or $0.74 per share, in the first half of 2017.  Our electric transmission segment earned $112.7 million, or $0.35 per share, in the second quarter of 2018, and $220.1 million, or $0.69 per share, in the first half of 2018, compared with $96.4 million, or $0.30 per share, in the second quarter of 2017, and $190.6 million, or $0.60 per share, in the first half of 2017.  Our natural gas distribution segment earned $5.0 million, or $0.02 per share, in the second quarter of 2018, and $62.8 million, or $0.20 per share, in the first half of 2018, compared with $4.5 million, or $0.01 per share, in the second quarter of 2017, and $55.3 million, or $0.17 per share, in the first half of 2017.  Our water distribution segment earned $7.2 million, or $0.02 per share in the second quarter of 2018, and $8.7 million, or $0.03 per share, in the first half of 2018.

•
Eversource parent and other companies earned $16.6 million, or $0.05 per share, in the second quarter of 2018 and $15.2 million, or $0.04 per share, in the first half of 2018, compared with $7.9 million, or $0.03 per share, in the second quarter of 2017 and $8.3 million, or $0.03 per share, in the first half of 2017.  

Liquidity:

•
Cash flows provided by operating activities totaled $698.1 million in the first half of 2018, compared with $895.0 million in the first half of 2017.  Investments in property, plant and equipment totaled $1.25 billion in the first half of 2018, compared with $1.15 billion in the first half of 2017.  Cash and cash equivalents totaled $64.2 million as of June 30, 2018, compared with $38.2 million as of December 31, 2017.

•
On May 8, 2018, PSNH issued $635.7 million of securitized RRBs in multiple tranches with a weighted average interest rate of 3.66 percent, and final maturity dates ranging from 2026 to 2035.  The RRBs were issued to finance PSNH’s unrecovered stranded costs associated with the divestiture of its generation assets.

•
In the second quarter of 2018, we repaid, at maturity, $710 million of previously issued long-term debt, consisting of $300 million at CL&P, $110 million at PSNH and $300 million at Eversource parent.  

•
On May 2, 2018, our Board of Trustees approved a common share dividend payment of $0.505 per share, which was paid on June 29, 2018, to shareholders of record as of May 24, 2018.

•
We expect our total capital expenditures related to our operating companies (including shared services) for the period from 2019 to 2021 to increase from approximately $6.5 billion, as reported in our 2017 Form 10-K, to approximately $7.1 billion. The approximately $600 million increase in projected capital spending is comprised of approximately $300 million at our electric transmission segment, approximately $200 million at our electric distribution segment and approximately $100 million at our natural gas distribution segment, related to resiliency and reliability infrastructure investments.

Strategic, Legislative, Regulatory, Policy and Other Items:

•
In March and May 2018, several significant storms caused extensive damage to our electric distribution systems and significant customer outages across all three states. The 2018 storms resulted in deferred storm restoration costs of approximately $274 million ($142 million for CL&P, $116 million for NSTAR Electric, and $16 million for PSNH). Management believes that recovery of these costs from customers is probable through the applicable regulatory recovery processes.


38


Overview

Consolidated:  Below is a summary of our earnings by business, which also reconciles the non-GAAP financial measure of EPS by business to the most directly comparable GAAP measure of diluted EPS, for the second quarter and the first half of 2018 and 2017.  
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
(Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)
Amount
 
Per Share
 
Amount
 
Per Share
 
Amount
 
Per Share
 
Amount
 
Per Share
Net Income Attributable to
Common Shareholders (GAAP)
$
242.8

 
$
0.76

 
$
230.7

 
$
0.72

 
$
512.3

 
$
1.61

 
$
490.2

 
$
1.54

Regulated Companies
$
226.2

 
$
0.71

 
$
222.8

 
$
0.69

 
$
497.1

 
$
1.57

 
$
481.9

 
$
1.51

Eversource Parent and Other Companies
16.6

 
0.05

 
7.9

 
0.03

 
15.2

 
0.04

 
8.3

 
0.03

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders (GAAP)
$
242.8

 
$
0.76

 
$
230.7


$
0.72

 
$
512.3

 
$
1.61

 
$
490.2

 
$
1.54


Regulated Companies:  Our regulated companies comprise the electric distribution (including PSNH's remaining hydroelectric generation facilities and NSTAR Electric's solar power facilities), electric transmission, natural gas distribution and water distribution segments. A summary of our segment earnings and EPS is as follows: 
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
(Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)
Amount
 
Per Share
 
Amount
 
Per Share
 
Amount
 
Per Share
 
Amount
 
Per Share
Electric Distribution
$
101.3

 
$
0.32

 
$
121.9

 
$
0.38

 
$
205.5

 
$
0.65

 
$
236.0

 
$
0.74

Electric Transmission
112.7

 
0.35

 
96.4

 
0.30

 
220.1

 
0.69

 
190.6

 
0.60

Natural Gas Distribution
5.0

 
0.02

 
4.5

 
0.01

 
62.8

 
0.20

 
55.3

 
0.17

Water Distribution
7.2

 
0.02

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
8.7

 
0.03

 
N/A

 
N/A

Net Income - Regulated Companies
$
226.2

 
$
0.71

 
$
222.8

 
$
0.69

 
$
497.1

 
$
1.57

 
$
481.9

 
$
1.51


Our electric distribution segment earnings decreased $20.6 million in the second quarter of 2018, as compared to the second quarter of 2017, due primarily to lower electric distribution margin, which includes the seasonal impact of a decoupled rate structure at NSTAR Electric in 2018 as compared to a traditional rate structure with LBR recovery in 2017, partially offset by a net earnings benefit from lower income tax expense as compared to lower distribution revenues resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Earnings were also unfavorably impacted by lower generation earnings due to the sale of PSNH's thermal generation assets on January 10, 2018 and higher property tax expense. The earnings decrease was partially offset by lower employee benefit plan costs and the impact of the CL&P base distribution rate increase effective May 1, 2018.

Our electric distribution segment earnings decreased $30.5 million in the first half of 2018, as compared to the first half of 2017, due primarily to lower generation earnings due to the sale of PSNH's thermal generation assets on January 10, 2018, higher property tax expense, higher depreciation expense, higher operations and maintenance expense and lower electric distribution margin. The lower electric distribution margin is the result of the seasonal impact of a decoupled rate structure at NSTAR Electric in 2018 as compared to a traditional rate structure with LBR recovery in 2017, partially offset by a net earnings benefit from lower income tax expense as compared to lower distribution revenues resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The earnings decrease was partially offset by lower employee benefit plan costs, and the impact of the CL&P base distribution rate increase effective May 1, 2018.

Our electric transmission segment earnings increased $16.3 million and $29.5 million in the second quarter and first half of 2018, respectively, as compared to the second quarter and first half of 2017, due primarily to a higher transmission rate base as a result of our continued investment in our transmission infrastructure.

Our natural gas distribution segment earnings increased $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2018, as compared to the second quarter of 2017, due primarily to an increase in sales volumes and demand revenues driven by colder April weather in Connecticut in 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, partially offset by higher operations and maintenance expense and higher depreciation expense.

Our natural gas distribution segment earnings increased $7.5 million in the first half of 2018, as compared to the first half of 2017, due primarily to an increase in sales volumes and demand revenues driven by colder January and April weather in Connecticut in 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, as well as growth in new customer base, and a net earnings benefit from lower income tax expense as compared to lower distribution revenues resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, partially offset by higher operations and maintenance expense and higher depreciation expense.

Our second quarter and first half of 2018 water distribution segment results reflect the earnings of the Aquarion water distribution business, which was acquired on December 4, 2017.

Eversource Parent and Other Companies:  Eversource parent and other companies had earnings of $16.6 million in the second quarter of 2018 and $15.2 million in the first half of 2018, compared with $7.9 million in the second quarter of 2017 and $8.3 million in the first half of 2017.  The increase in earnings in both periods was due primarily to increased unrealized gains on our investment in a renewable energy fund and an income tax benefit associated with our investments, partially offset by higher interest expense.

39



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

Fluctuations in retail electric sales volumes at PSNH and natural gas sales volumes at Yankee Gas impact earnings ("Traditional" in the table below).  For CL&P, NSTAR Electric (effective February 1, 2018, as a result of the DPU-approved rate case decision) and NSTAR Gas, fluctuations in retail sales volumes do not impact earnings due to their respective regulatory commission approved distribution revenue decoupling mechanisms ("Decoupled" in the table below).  These distribution revenues are decoupled from their customer sales volumes, which breaks the relationship between sales volumes and revenues recognized.  Fluctuations in water sales volumes largely do not impact earnings as our Connecticut water distribution business is decoupled.

CL&P and NSTAR Electric reconcile their annual base distribution rate recovery amounts to their respective pre-established levels of baseline distribution delivery service revenues of approximately $1.1 billion (effective May 1, 2018) and $947 million, respectively. Any difference between the allowed level of distribution revenue and the actual amount realized during a 12-month period is adjusted through rates in the following period.

A 2016 DPU-approved energy efficiency plan at NSTAR Electric authorized recovery of LBR in its eastern Massachusetts service territory until LBR was covered under a decoupled rate structure, which occurred on February 1, 2018. NSTAR Electric recognized LBR of $7.0 million in the first half of 2018, compared to $18.7 million and $35.9 million in the second quarter and first half of 2017, and no longer has an LBR mechanism effective February 1, 2018.

A summary of our retail electric GWh sales volumes, our firm natural gas MMcf sales volumes, and our water MG sales volumes, and percentage changes, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to 2017, is as follows:  
 
Electric
 
Firm Natural Gas
 
Water
 
Sales Volumes (GWh)
 
Percentage
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
Sales Volumes (MMcf)
 
Percentage
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
Sales Volumes (MG)
 
Percentage
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
2018
 
2017 (1)
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
2017 (2)
 
Three Months Ended June 30:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traditional
1,803

 
1,823

 
(1.1
)%
 
9,287

 
7,778

 
19.4
 %
 
485

 
472

 
2.8
 %
Decoupled
10,330

 
10,341

 
(0.1
)%
 
8,812

 
8,106

 
8.7
 %
 
5,016

 
5,387

 
(6.9
)%
Special Contracts (3)
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
833

 
1,132

 
(26.4
)%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

Total - Decoupled and Special Contracts
10,330

 
10,341

 
(0.1
)%
 
9,645

 
9,238

 
4.4
 %
 
5,016

 
5,387

 
(6.9
)%
Total Sales Volumes
12,133

 
12,164

 
(0.3
)%
 
18,932

 
17,016

 
11.3
 %
 
5,501

 
5,859

 
(6.1
)%
Six Months Ended June 30:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traditional
5,650

 
5,522

 
2.3
 %
 
29,760

 
26,683

 
11.5
 %
 
953

 
904

 
5.4
 %
Decoupled
19,704

 
19,813

 
(0.6
)%
 
30,685

 
29,130

 
5.3
 %
 
9,373

 
9,827

 
(4.6
)%
Special Contracts (3)
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
1,538

 
2,349

 
(34.5
)%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

Total - Decoupled and Special Contracts
19,704

 
19,813

 
(0.6
)%
 
32,223

 
31,479

 
2.4
 %
 
9,373

 
9,827

 
(4.6
)%
Total Sales Volumes
25,354

 
25,335

 
0.1
 %
 
61,983

 
58,162

 
6.6
 %
 
10,326

 
10,731

 
(3.8
)%

(1)  
In 2017 and in the month of January 2018, NSTAR Electric operated under two different rate structures (traditional and decoupled) based on its service territory geography. Effective February 1, 2018, NSTAR Electric operated entirely under a decoupled rate structure. The 2017 sales volumes for NSTAR Electric have been recast to present February through June 2017 as decoupled, to conform to the 2018 presentation for comparative purposes.

(2) 
Eversource acquired its water distribution business on December 4, 2017. Prior year sales volumes have been presented for comparative purposes.

(3) 
Special contracts are unique to Yankee Gas natural gas distribution customers who take service under such an arrangement and generally specify the amount of distribution revenue to be paid to Yankee Gas regardless of the customers' usage.

Traditional retail electric sales volumes were lower in the second quarter of 2018, as compared to the second quarter of 2017, due primarily to increased customer energy conservation efforts. Traditional retail electric sales volumes were higher in the first half of 2018, as compared to the first half of 2017, due primarily to colder weather in January 2018 at NSTAR Electric (prior to its decoupled rate structure). Heating degree days in January of 2018 were 21.7 percent higher in the Boston metropolitan, as compared to January 2017.


40


Our firm natural gas sales volumes are subject to many of the same influences as our retail electric sales volumes. In addition, they have benefited from customer growth in our natural gas distribution segment.  Consolidated firm natural gas sales volumes were higher in the second quarter of 2018, as compared to the second quarter of 2017, due primarily to colder April weather in 2018. Consolidated firm natural gas sales volumes were higher in the first half of 2018, as compared to the first half of 2017, due primarily to colder January and April weather in 2018. Heating degree days in the second quarter and first half of 2018 were 12.8 percent and 4.4 percent higher in Connecticut, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2017.

Liquidity

Consolidated:  Cash and cash equivalents totaled $64.2 million as of June 30, 2018, compared with $38.2 million as of December 31, 2017.

Short-Term Debt - Commercial Paper Programs and Credit Agreements: Eversource parent has a $1.45 billion commercial paper program allowing Eversource parent to issue commercial paper as a form of short-term debt.  Eversource parent, CL&P, PSNH, NSTAR Gas and Yankee Gas are also parties to a five-year $1.45 billion revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility terminates on December 8, 2022 and serves to backstop Eversource parent's $1.45 billion commercial paper program.  

NSTAR Electric has a $650 million commercial paper program allowing NSTAR Electric to issue commercial paper as a form of short-term debt. NSTAR Electric is also a party to a five-year $650 million revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility terminates on December 8, 2022 and serves to backstop NSTAR Electric's $650 million commercial paper program.  

There were no borrowings outstanding on either the Eversource parent or NSTAR Electric revolving credit facilities as of June 30, 2018 or December 31, 2017. Eversource's water distribution business has a $100 million revolving credit facility, which expires on August 19, 2019, and there were no amounts outstanding as of June 30, 2018 and $76.0 million outstanding as of December 31, 2017.

The amount of borrowings outstanding and available under the commercial paper programs were as follows:
 
Borrowings Outstanding as of
 
Available Borrowing Capacity as of
 
Weighted-Average Interest Rate as of
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
(Millions of Dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
Eversource Parent Commercial Paper Program
$
747.0

 
$
979.3

 
$
703.0

 
$
470.7

 
2.28
%
 
1.86
%
NSTAR Electric Commercial Paper Program
443.8

 
234.0

 
206.2

 
416.0

 
1.99
%
 
1.55
%

Amounts outstanding under the commercial paper programs and revolving credit facility are included in Notes Payable for Eversource and NSTAR Electric and are classified in current liabilities on the balance sheets as all borrowings are outstanding for no more than 364 days at one time.  As a result of the Eversource parent long-term debt issuances on January 8, 2018, the net proceeds of which were used to repay short-term borrowings outstanding under its commercial paper program, $201.2 million of commercial paper borrowings under the Eversource parent commercial paper program were reclassified as Long-Term Debt as of December 31, 2017.

As of June 30, 2018, there were intercompany loans from Eversource parent of $24.0 million to CL&P, $118.7 million to PSNH and $4.0 million to NSTAR Electric. Intercompany loans from Eversource parent to other Eversource subsidiaries primarily included $221.6 million to Eversource Service and $149.0 million to NSTAR Gas as of June 30, 2018. As of December 31, 2017, there were intercompany loans from Eversource parent of $69.5 million to CL&P and $262.9 million to PSNH. Intercompany loans from Eversource parent to other Eversource subsidiaries primarily included $115.9 million to Eversource Service and $198.0 million to NSTAR Gas as of December 31, 2017. These intercompany loans from Eversource parent are included in Notes Payable to Eversource Parent and are classified in current liabilities on the respective subsidiary's balance sheets. Intercompany loans from Eversource parent are eliminated in consolidation on Eversource's balance sheets.





41



Long-Term Debt: The following table summarizes long-term debt issuances and repayments:
(Millions of Dollars)
Issue Date
 
Issuances/(Repayments)
 
Maturity Date
 
Use of Proceeds for Issuances/
Repayment Information
CL&P:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.00% 2018 Series A First Mortgage Bonds
March 2018
 
$
500.0

 
April 2048
 
Repay long-term debt due to mature in 2018 and repay short-term borrowings
5.65% 2008 Series A First Mortgage Bonds
May 2008
 
(300.0
)
 
May 2018
 
Repayment at maturity paid on May 1, 2018
PSNH:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.00% 2008 Series O First Mortgage Bonds
May 2008
 
(110.0
)
 
May 2018
 
Repayment at maturity paid on May 1, 2018
Eversource Parent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.50% Series I Senior Notes (1)
January 2018
 
200.0

 
March 2021
 
Repay long-term debt due to mature in 2018 and repay short-term borrowings
3.30% Series M Senior Notes
January 2018
 
450.0

 
January 2028
 
Repay long-term debt due to mature in 2018
1.60% Series G Senior Notes
January 2015
 
(150.0
)
 
January 2018
 
Repayment at maturity paid on January 15, 2018
1.45% Series E Senior Notes
May 2013
 
(300.0
)
 
May 2018
 
Repayment at maturity paid on May 1, 2018

(1) 
These notes are part of the same series issued by Eversource parent in March 2016. The aggregate outstanding principal amount for these notes is now $450 million.

Rate Reduction Bonds: PSNH Funding LLC 3 (PSNH Funding) is a bankruptcy remote, special purpose, wholly-owned subsidiary of PSNH. PSNH Funding was formed solely to issue RRBs to finance PSNH’s unrecovered stranded costs associated with the divestiture of its generation assets.

On May 8, 2018, PSNH issued $635.7 million of securitized RRBs in multiple tranches with a weighted average interest rate of 3.66 percent, and final maturity dates ranging from 2026 to 2035.  The RRBs are expected to mature by February 1, 2033. RRB payments consist of principal and interest and will be paid semi-annually, beginning on February 1, 2019. The RRBs were issued pursuant to a finance order issued by the NHPUC on January 30, 2018 to recover stranded costs resulting from the divestiture of PSNH’s generating assets.

The proceeds were used to purchase PSNH’s stranded cost asset-recovery property, including its vested property right to bill, collect and adjust a non-bypassable stranded cost recovery charge from PSNH’s retail customers. The collections will be used to pay principal, interest and other costs in connection with the RRBs. The RRBs are secured by the stranded cost asset-recovery property and cash collections from the stranded cost recovery charges, and funds on deposit in trust accounts are the sole source of funds to satisfy the debt obligation. PSNH is not the owner of the RRBs, and PSNH Funding’s assets and revenues are not available to pay PSNH’s creditors. The RRBs are non-recourse senior secured obligations of PSNH Funding and are not insured or guaranteed by PSNH or Eversource Energy.

Cash Flows:  Cash flows provided by operating activities totaled $698.1 million in the first half of 2018, compared with $895.0 million in the first half of 2017. The decrease in operating cash flows was due primarily to cash payments made in 2018 for storm restoration costs of approximately $172 million, an increase of $109.2 million in income tax payments made in the first half of 2018, as compared to 2017, and an increase of $87.6 million in 2018 of Pension and PBOP contributions. Partially offsetting these unfavorable impacts was the benefit related to the timing of payments of our working capital items, including accounts payable, and the increases in certain regulatory overrecoveries. The 2018 Pension Plan cash contribution of approximately $170 million was made in the first quarter of 2018, compared with the 2017 cash contributions of approximately $235 million that were made over the twelve month period ended December 31, 2017.

We believe the future operating cash flows of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, along with our existing borrowing availability and access to financial markets for the issuance of new long-term debt, will be sufficient to meet any working capital and future operating requirements, and capital investment forecast opportunities.

On May 2, 2018, our Board of Trustees approved a common share dividend payment of $0.505 per share, which was paid on June 29, 2018, to shareholders of record as of May 24, 2018. In the first half of 2018, we paid cash dividends of $320.1 million, compared with $301.0 million paid in the first half of 2017.

In the first half of 2018, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH paid $60.0 million, $161.0 million, and $150.0 million, respectively, in common stock dividends to Eversource parent. In the second quarter of 2018, PSNH returned $530 million of capital to Eversource parent.

Investments in Property, Plant and Equipment on the statements of cash flows do not include amounts incurred on capital projects but not yet paid, cost of removal, AFUDC related to equity funds, and the capitalized portions of pension and PBOP expense.  In the first half of 2018, investments for Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, and PSNH were $1.25 billion, $457.7 million, $356.5 million, and $149.9 million respectively.

Credit Ratings: On June 14, 2018, Moody’s raised the outlook on all its credit ratings for NSTAR Electric from stable to positive. On June 27, 2018, Moody’s upgraded CL&P’s corporate credit rating to A3 from Baa1 and the credit rating of CL&P’s senior secured debt to A1 from A2.


42


Business Development and Capital Expenditures

Our consolidated capital expenditures, including amounts incurred but not paid, cost of removal, AFUDC, and the capitalized portions of pension and PBOP expense (all of which are non-cash factors), totaled $1.18 billion in the first half of 2018, compared to $1.03 billion in the first half of 2017.  These amounts included $69.8 million and $58.6 million in the first half of 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to information technology and facilities upgrades and enhancements, primarily at Eversource Service and The Rocky River Realty Company.

Offshore Wind Projects: Bay State Wind is a proposed offshore wind project being jointly developed by Eversource and Denmark-based Ørsted. Bay State Wind will be located in a 300-square-mile area of the Atlantic Ocean approximately 25 miles off the coast of Massachusetts that has the ultimate potential to generate at least 2,000 MW of clean, renewable energy. Eversource and Ørsted each hold a 50 percent ownership interest in Bay State Wind.

Based on current clean energy requirements in New England and New York, future solicitations for offshore wind are expected to occur in late 2018 and early 2019. Bay State Wind expects to participate in some or all of the following opportunities:

•
Connecticut issued a draft RFP for zero carbon resources in which nuclear and clean energy resources, including offshore wind, are eligible to participate. Bids are expected to be due in the third quarter of 2018 with a decision expected in either late 2018 or early 2019.

•
Massachusetts’ second offshore wind RFP for 400 MW to 800 MW is expected to be issued in 2019.

•
Rhode Island announced a 400 MW clean energy RFP with bids due in the fourth quarter of 2018 and a decision scheduled in 2019.

•
New York has a goal of 2,400 MW of offshore wind by 2030; 800 MW is expected to be procured by 2019, with the first RFP expected to be issued later this year.

Bay State Wind had previously participated in certain other New England RFPs earlier this year and was not selected.

Electric Transmission Business:  

Our consolidated electric transmission business capital expenditures increased by $111.7 million in the first half of 2018, as compared to the first half of 2017.  A summary of electric transmission capital expenditures by company is as follows:  
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
(Millions of Dollars)
2018
 
2017
CL&P
$
240.4

 
$
185.7

NSTAR Electric
138.6

 
118.0

PSNH
88.7

 
50.6

NPT
19.4

 
21.1

Total Electric Transmission Segment
$
487.1

 
$
375.4


Northern Pass:  Northern Pass is Eversource's planned 1,090 MW HVDC transmission line that will interconnect from the Québec-New Hampshire border to Franklin, New Hampshire and an associated alternating current radial transmission line between Franklin and Deerfield, New Hampshire.

Northern Pass has achieved several key milestones, including receiving the following major permits:

•
NHPUC approval on February 12, 2018 for the proposed lease of certain land and easement rights from PSNH to NPT, concluding that the lease is in the public interest;

•
U.S. Forest Service Record of Decision on January 5, 2018, which allows NPT to install approximately 11 miles of underground transmission lines along existing roads through the White Mountain National Forest;

•
Province of Québec permit granted to HQ on December 21, 2017 to construct the hydroelectric transmission line that will connect at the border of New Hampshire;

•
DOE Record of Decision and Presidential Permit on November 16, 2017, which will allow construction of transmission facilities at the Québec-New Hampshire border; and

•
DOE final Environmental Impact Statement issued on August 10, 2017, which concluded that the proposed Northern Pass route is the preferred alternative, providing substantial benefits with only minimal impacts.


43


On January 25, 2018, Northern Pass was selected from the 46 proposal packages submitted as the winning bidder in the Massachusetts clean energy request for proposal ("RFP"), which successfully positioned Northern Pass to provide a firm delivery of hydropower to Massachusetts.  On February 1, 2018, the NHSEC voted to deny Northern Pass’ siting application. On March 28, 2018, the Massachusetts EDCs, in coordination with the DOER and an independent evaluator, notified Northern Pass that the EDCs had terminated its selection and all contract negotiations.

On March 30, 2018, the NHSEC released its written decision confirming its denial. NPT reviewed the written decision and filed a motion for rehearing with the NHSEC on April 27, 2018. The NHSEC issued its written decision denying Northern Pass’ motion for rehearing on July 12, 2018. We are preparing to initiate an appeal to the New Hampshire Supreme Court, based on the NHSEC’s failure to follow applicable law in its review of the project. In parallel, Northern Pass intends to pursue all available options to secure NHSEC approval and to construct the project.

The March 2018 NHSEC decision denying Northern Pass' siting application caused us to review the recoverability of our Northern Pass project costs in the first quarter of 2018. In this recoverability review, we estimated undiscounted expected project cash flows and compared the result to our estimated project costs to determine whether the recorded amount was recoverable. Our undiscounted cash flows were substantially in excess of our estimated project costs. We completed this analysis and concluded that our project costs were recoverable as of March 31, 2018, based on our expectation that the Northern Pass project remains probable of being placed in service. The events that occurred subsequent to March 31, 2018 did not require an additional review of recoverability of the Northern Pass project costs as of June 30, 2018, which were approximately $297 million.
 
Consistent with Eversource’s and HQ’s long-term relationship to bring clean energy into New England, Eversource and HQ remain committed to Northern Pass and the many benefits this project will bring to our customers and the region. If, as a result of future events and changes in circumstances, a new recoverability review were to conclude that our project costs are not recoverable, then we would reduce Northern Pass' project costs to the estimated fair value, which could result in most of our $297 million of capitalized project costs being written off. Such a write off could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

Greater Boston Reliability Solution: In February 2015, ISO-NE selected the Greater Boston and New Hampshire Solution (the "Solution"), proposed by Eversource and National Grid, to satisfy the requirements identified in the Greater Boston study.  The Solution consists of a portfolio of electric transmission upgrades in southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts and continuing into the greater Boston metropolitan area, of which 28 upgrades are in Eversource's service territory. The NHSEC issued its written order approving the New Hampshire upgrades on October 4, 2016. All the New Hampshire upgrades, including the Merrimack Valley Reliability Project, have been completed and placed in service.  We are currently pursuing the necessary regulatory and siting application approvals in Massachusetts. To date, we have received approval for five of these projects from the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board. Construction has also begun on multiple projects, several of which have been placed in service. Most upgrades are expected to be completed by the end of 2019. One project is now expected to be in service by the end of 2020 and another project by mid 2021.  We estimate our portion of the investment in the Solution will be approximately $560 million, of which $273.0 million has been capitalized through June 30, 2018.

GHCC:  The Greater Hartford Central Connecticut ("GHCC") projects, which have been approved by ISO-NE, consist of 27 projects with an expected investment of approximately $350 million that are scheduled to be placed in service through 2019. As of June 30, 2018, 21 projects have been placed in service, and three projects are in active construction. The remaining three projects are expected to enter construction in the third quarter of 2018. As of June 30, 2018, CL&P had capitalized $224.7 million in costs associated with GHCC.

Seacoast Reliability Project:  On April 12, 2016, PSNH filed a siting application with the NHSEC for the Seacoast Reliability Project, a 13-mile, 115kV transmission line within several New Hampshire communities, which proposes to use a combination of overhead, underground and underwater line design to help meet the growing demand for electricity in the Seacoast region.  In June 2016, the NHSEC accepted the application as complete. On February 28, 2018, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services issued a final decision and recommended approval of the application to the NHSEC. On July 1, 2018, PSNH filed with the NHSEC, per its order, a more detailed review of potential construction methods for installing the underwater line. The review supports the original proposed method of embedding the cable in the floor of the bay as cost effective with minimal environmental impacts. The NHSEC decision is expected in late 2018 or early 2019. This project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019.  We estimate the investment in this project to be approximately $84 million, of which PSNH had capitalized $27.2 million in costs through June 30, 2018.


44


Distribution Business:  

A summary of distribution capital expenditures is as follows:
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
(Millions of Dollars)
 CL&P
 
 NSTAR Electric
 
 PSNH
 
 Total Electric
 
 Natural Gas
 
Water
 
 Total
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Business
$
87.2

 
$
92.6

 
$
37.5

 
$
217.3

 
$
29.0

 
$
7.5

 
$
253.8

Aging Infrastructure
54.2

 
45.3

 
41.0

 
140.5

 
87.6

 
27.8

 
255.9

Load Growth and Other
34.9

 
14.1

 
5.9

 
54.9

 
19.1

 
1.1

 
75.1

Total Distribution
176.3

 
152.0

 
84.4

 
412.7

 
135.7

 
36.4

 
584.8

Generation and Solar
—

 
38.5

 
0.8

 
39.3

 
—

 
—

 
39.3

Total
$
176.3

 
$
190.5

 
$
85.2

 
$
452.0

 
$
135.7

 
$
36.4

 
$
624.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Business
$
106.8

 
$
80.0

 
$
37.7

 
$
224.5

 
$
35.3

 
N/A

 
$
259.8

Aging Infrastructure
77.9

 
40.2

 
42.1

 
160.2

 
81.4

 
N/A

 
241.6

Load Growth and Other
26.4

 
32.2

 
8.1

 
66.7

 
15.9

 
N/A

 
82.6

Total Distribution
211.1

 
152.4

 
87.9

 
451.4

 
132.6

 
N/A

 
584.0

Generation and Solar
—

 
7.2

 
4.5

 
11.7

 
—

 
N/A

 
11.7

Total
$
211.1

 
$
159.6

 
$
92.4

 
$
463.1

 
$
132.6

 
N/A

 
$
595.7


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

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

For the water distribution business, basic business addresses daily operational needs including periodic meter replacement, water main relocation, facility maintenance, and tools. Aging infrastructure relates to reliability and the replacement of water mains, regulators, storage tanks, pumping stations, wellfields, reservoirs, and treatment facilities. Load growth and other reflects growth in our territory including improvements to acquisitions, installation of new services, and interconnections of systems.

Projected Capital Expenditures: We expect our total capital expenditures related to our operating companies (including shared services) for the period from 2019 to 2021 to increase from approximately $6.5 billion, as reported in our 2017 Form 10-K, to approximately $7.1 billion. The approximately $600 million increase in projected capital spending is comprised of approximately $300 million at our electric transmission segment, approximately $200 million at our electric distribution segment and approximately $100 million at our natural gas distribution segment, related to resiliency and reliability infrastructure investments.

FERC Regulatory Matters

FERC ROE Complaints: Four separate complaints have been filed at the FERC by combinations of New England state attorneys general, state regulatory commissions, consumer advocates, consumer groups, municipal parties and other parties (collectively the "Complainants"). In each of the first three complaints, filed on October 1, 2011, December 27, 2012, and July 31, 2014, respectively, the Complainants challenged the NETOs' base ROE of 11.14 percent that had been utilized since 2005 and sought an order to reduce it prospectively from the date of the final FERC order and for the separate 15-month complaint periods.

The ROE billed during the period October 1, 2011 (beginning of the first complaint period) through October 15, 2014 consisted of a base ROE of 11.14 percent and incentives up to 13.1 percent. On October 16, 2014, the FERC set the base ROE at 10.57 percent and the maximum ROE for transmission incentive ("incentive cap") at 11.74 percent for the first complaint period. This was also effective for all prospective billings to customers beginning October 16, 2014. This FERC order was vacated on April 14, 2017 by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (the "Court").

All amounts associated with the first complaint period have been refunded. Eversource has recorded a reserve of $39.1 million (pre-tax and excluding interest) for the second complaint period as of June 30, 2018. This reserve represents the difference between the billed rates during the second complaint period and a 10.57 percent base ROE and 11.74 percent incentive cap. The reserve consisted of $21.4 million for CL&P, $14.6 million for NSTAR Electric and $3.1 million for PSNH as of June 30, 2018.


45


In the fourth complaint, filed April 29, 2016, the Complainants challenged the NETOs' base ROE of 10.57 percent and the incentive cap of 11.74 percent, asserting that these ROEs were unjust and unreasonable. Hearings on the fourth complaint were held in December 2017 before the FERC Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ"). On March 27, 2018, the FERC ALJ issued an initial decision in that complaint, finding that the current base ROE of 10.57 percent, which has an incentive cap ROE of 11.74 percent, is not unjust and not unreasonable. 

At this time, the Company cannot reasonably estimate a range of gain or loss for the complaint proceedings. No events in 2017 or 2018 provided a reasonable basis for a change to the reserve balance of $39.1 million (pre-tax and excluding interest) for the second complaint period, and the Company has not changed its reserve or recognized ROEs for any of the complaint periods. Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH currently record revenues at the 10.57 percent base ROE and incentive cap at 11.74 percent established in the October 16, 2014 FERC order. At this time, the Company cannot predict the timing or ultimate effect of the Court decision or future FERC action on any of the complaint periods or the estimated impacts on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric or PSNH.

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

Regulatory Developments and Rate Matters

Electric, Natural Gas and Water Base Distribution Rates:  

The regulated companies’ distribution rates are set by their respective state regulatory commissions, and their tariffs include mechanisms for periodically adjusting their rates for the recovery of specific incurred costs.  Other than as described below, for the first half of 2018, changes made to the regulated companies’ rates did not have a material impact on their earnings, financial position, or cash flows.  For further information, see "Financial Condition and Business Analysis – Regulatory Developments and Rate Matters" included in Item 7, "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," of the Eversource 2017 Form 10-K.

U.S. Federal Corporate Income Taxes:

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act became law, which amended existing federal tax rules and included numerous provisions that impacted corporations. In particular, this act reduced the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent effective January 1, 2018. For our regulated companies, the most significant changes will be (1) the benefit of incurring a lower federal income tax expense, which we expect to be passed back to customers depending on regulatory outcomes, and (2) the provisional regulated excess ADIT liabilities that we expect will benefit our customers in future periods, which were estimated to be approximately $2.9 billion and recognized as regulatory liabilities as of June 30, 2018.

We are currently working with our state regulatory commissions, who have opened investigations to examine the impact of this act on customer rates. As part of this regulatory process, each of our utility companies is quantifying, or has quantified, the refund amount being deferred in current rates and the excess ADIT, and is working on proposals with estimated timing to refund these amounts to customers, which will be, or have already been, submitted in filings to the state regulatory commissions.

On March 15, 2018, the FERC issued a notice of inquiry requesting comments from FERC-regulated utilities on whether and how the FERC should address changes in ADIT as a result of this act. Effective January 1, 2018, the local transmission service rates were updated to reflect the lower U.S. corporate federal income tax rate that resulted from the act, which impacts only the revenue requirements we currently bill customers, not the excess ADIT. On June 28, 2018, FERC granted a one-time tariff waiver related to the corporate federal income tax rate so that effective June 1, 2018, the regional transmission service rates reflect the reduced federal corporate income tax rate at 21 percent.

NSTAR Electric (effective February 1, 2018), CL&P (effective May 1, 2018) and NSTAR Gas (effective July 1, 2018) lowered rates charged to customers to reflect the impacts of the lower U.S. corporate federal income tax rate, which impacts only the revenue requirements we currently bill customers, not the excess ADIT. For further information on these rate changes, see "Connecticut" and "Massachusetts" sections below.

We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on our statement of financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. The impacts will vary depending on the ultimate amount and timing of when certain income tax benefits will benefit our customers, and will vary by jurisdiction.

Storms:

In March and May 2018, several significant storms caused extensive damage to our electric distribution systems and significant customer outages across all three states. A storm must meet certain criteria to qualify for recovery with the criteria specific to each state jurisdiction and utility company. Once a storm qualifies for recovery, all qualifying expenses incurred during storm restoration efforts are deferred and recovered from customers. Costs for storms that do not meet the specific criteria are expensed as incurred. The 2018 storms resulted in deferred storm restoration costs of approximately $274 million ($142 million for CL&P, $116 million for NSTAR Electric, and $16 million for PSNH) as of June 30, 2018. Management believes the storm restoration costs were prudent and meet the criteria for specific cost recovery in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and that recovery from customers is probable through the applicable regulatory recovery processes.

46


                             
Connecticut:

CL&P Rate Case Settlement: On April 18, 2018, PURA approved the distribution rate case settlement agreement that was reached by CL&P, the Prosecutorial Unit of PURA, and the OCC on December 15, 2017, as amended on March 23, 2018. The distribution rate case settlement agreement included, among other things, rate increases of $64.3 million, $31.1 million, and $29.2 million, effective May 1, 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively, an authorized regulatory ROE of 9.25 percent, 53 percent common equity in CL&P's capital structure, and a new capital tracker, effective July 1, 2018, for capital expenditures and for capital additions for system resiliency and grid modernization. In addition, the rates charged to customers were adjusted to reflect the impacts of a lower federal income tax rate from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Amounts related to the excess ADIT liabilities will be addressed in a separate proceeding. The settlement agreement also incorporated $18.6 million of rate base recovery for catastrophic storms occurring after December 31, 2016, subject to a future storm filing.

Yankee Gas Rate Case: On June 15, 2018, Yankee Gas filed its application with PURA, which sought rate increases of $49.0 million, $21.0 million and $16.0 million effective January 1, 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. As part of this filing, Yankee Gas proposes to continue its ongoing gas system expansion program; implement a Distribution Integrity Management Program cost recovery mechanism; implement a revenue decoupling rate mechanism; and recover merger costs. Yankee Gas is requesting a regulatory ROE of 10.25 percent. In addition, the rates to be charged to customers will be adjusted to reflect the impacts of a lower corporate federal income tax rate from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Amounts related to excess ADIT are also being addressed in this proceeding. A final decision from PURA is expected in late 2018, with new rates anticipated to be effective January 1, 2019.

Massachusetts:

NSTAR Electric Grid Modernization Plan: On May 10, 2018, the DPU issued an order approving a grid modernization plan for NSTAR Electric.  In the order, the DPU pre-authorized $133 million in grid-facing investments over three years, adopted a regulatory review construct for pre-authorization of grid modernization investments, and allowed targeted cost recovery of eligible incremental grid-modernization capital and operations and maintenance expenses.  The pre-authorized $133 million is in addition to $100 million associated with energy storage and electric vehicle infrastructure previously approved by the DPU in the November 30, 2017 order issued in the NSTAR Electric distribution rate case.

Massachusetts Tax Proceeding: The DPU opened an investigation into the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Massachusetts regulated utilities. On June 29, 2018, the DPU issued a decision ordering NSTAR Gas to lower rates effective July 1, 2018 by an annualized $7.3 million. For NSTAR Electric, lower rates due to the reduction in the corporate federal income tax rate were effective February 1, 2018. A second phase of the investigation will address the excess ADIT issue and any potential rate refund for the period January 1, 2018 to the effective date of the rate changes that have occurred.

New Hampshire:

Generation Divestiture:  In June 2015, Eversource and PSNH entered into the 2015 Public Service Company of New Hampshire Restructuring and Rate Stabilization Agreement, under the terms of which PSNH agreed to divest its generation assets, subject to NHPUC approval.  The NHPUC approval for this agreement, as well as NHPUC approval of the final divestiture plan and auction process, were received in the second half of 2016. In October 2017, PSNH entered into two Purchase and Sale Agreements ("Agreements") to sell its thermal and hydroelectric generation assets to private investors at purchase prices of $175 million and $83 million, respectively, subject to adjustments as set forth in the Agreements. The NHPUC approved the Agreements in late November 2017.
  
On January 10, 2018, PSNH completed the sale of its thermal generation assets, pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement dated October 11, 2017. In accordance with the Agreement, the original purchase price of $175 million was adjusted to reflect working capital adjustments, closing date adjustments and proration of taxes and fees prior to closing, totaling $40.9 million, resulting in net proceeds of $134.1 million. In the second quarter of 2018, PSNH adjusted the purchase price by approximately $17 million for the thermal generation assets relating to the valuation of certain allowances, and also received amounts in escrow of $3.5 million. As a result of these adjustments, total proceeds from the sale amounted to $116.8 million.

On July 16, 2018, FERC issued its order approving the transfer of PSNH's six hydro licenses to the private investors. The order includes a 30-day rehearing period. PSNH expects to complete the sale of its hydroelectric generation assets in the third quarter of 2018 at a sale price of $83 million, subject to closing adjustments.

Full recovery of the costs of PSNH's generation assets and transaction-related expenses is expected to occur through a combination of cash flows during the remaining operating period, sales proceeds, and recovery of stranded costs primarily via the issuance of bonds that are secured by a non-bypassable charge billed to PSNH's customers. On May 8, 2018, PSNH issued $635.7 million of securitized RRBs in multiple tranches with a weighted average interest rate of 3.66 percent, and final maturity dates ranging from 2026 to 2035.  For further information on the securitized RRB issuance, see "Liquidity - Rate Reduction Bonds" in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Legislative, Policy and Litigation Matters

New Hampshire: On January 11, 2018, the New Hampshire Supreme Court issued a decision that affirmed the lower court's October 2016 decision that the Town of Bow, New Hampshire had over-assessed the value of the property owned by PSNH for the 2012 and 2013 property tax years.  The result of this decision was that approximately $7.4 million in property taxes and interest was payable to PSNH. Of this amount, $6.9 million was refunded to PSNH as of March 31, 2018 and the remainder was received as of June 30, 2018.

47



Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, assumptions and, at times, difficult, subjective or complex judgments.  Changes in these estimates, assumptions and judgments, in and of themselves, could materially impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  Our management communicates to and discusses with the Audit Committee of our Board of Trustees significant matters relating to critical accounting policies.  Our critical accounting policies that we believed were the most critical in nature were reported in the Eversource 2017 Form 10-K.  There have been no material changes with regard to these critical accounting policies.

Other Matters

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

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments:  There have been no material contractual obligations identified and no material changes with regard to the contractual obligations and commercial commitments previously disclosed in the Eversource 2017 Form 10-K.

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


48


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – EVERSOURCE ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES

The following provides the amounts and variances in operating revenues and expense line items in the statements of income for Eversource for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 included in this combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:  
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
(Millions of Dollars)
2018
 
2017
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
2018
 
2017
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
Operating Revenues
$
1,853.9

 
$
1,762.8

 
$
91.1

 
$
4,141.8

 
$
3,867.9

 
$
273.9

 
Operating Expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission
653.9

 
549.7

 
104.2

 
1,600.7

 
1,303.3

 
297.4

 
Operations and Maintenance
293.9

 
310.2

 
(16.3
)
 
626.4

 
648.5

 
(22.1
)
 
Depreciation
199.1

 
189.9

 
9.2

 
403.4

 
376.7

 
26.7

 
Amortization
36.2

 
(7.8
)
 
44.0

 
81.4

 
16.2

 
65.2

 
Energy Efficiency Programs
102.0

 
116.4

 
(14.4
)
 
236.2

 
262.6

 
(26.4
)
 
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
177.5

 
156.2

 
21.3

 
359.8

 
311.4

 
48.4

 
Total Operating Expenses
1,462.6

 
1,314.6

 
148.0

 
3,307.9

 
2,918.7

 
389.2

 
Operating Income
391.3

 
448.2

 
(56.9
)
 
833.9

 
949.2

 
(115.3
)
 
Interest Expense
126.4

 
107.3

 
19.1

 
247.5

 
210.7

 
36.8

 
Other Income, Net
50.1

 
29.0

 
21.1

 
83.9

 
50.6

 
33.3

 
Income Before Income Tax Expense
315.0

 
369.9

 
(54.9
)
 
670.3

 
789.1

 
(118.8
)
 
Income Tax Expense
70.4

 
137.3

 
(66.9
)
 
154.2

 
295.1

 
(140.9
)
 
Net Income
244.6

 
232.6

 
12.0

 
516.1

 
494.0

 
22.1

 
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
1.9

 
1.9

 
—

 
3.8

 
3.8

 
—

 
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
$
242.7

 
$
230.7

 
$
12.0

 
$
512.3

 
$
490.2

 
$
22.1

 

Operating Revenues
Operating Revenues by segment increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, as follows (the variance in electric distribution revenues reflects intercompany transmission billings in both periods):
(Millions of Dollars)
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
Electric Distribution
$
17.5

 
$
128.1

Natural Gas Distribution
20.5

 
41.8

Electric Transmission
(7.2
)
 
(19.1
)
Water Distribution
53.5

 
98.0

Other
20.0

 
14.5

Eliminations
(13.2
)
 
10.6

Total Operating Revenues
$
91.1

 
$
273.9


Sales Volumes: A summary of our retail electric GWh sales volumes, our firm natural gas MMcf sales volumes, and our water MG sales volumes, and percentage changes, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to 2017, is as follows: 
 
Electric
 
Firm Natural Gas
 
Water
 
Sales Volumes (GWh)
 
Percentage
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
Sales Volumes (MMcf)
 
Percentage
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
Sales Volumes (MG)
 
Percentage
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
2018
 
2017 (1)
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
2017 (2)
 
Three Months Ended June 30:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traditional
1,803

 
1,823

 
(1.1
)%
 
9,287

 
7,778

 
19.4
 %
 
485

 
472

 
2.8
 %
Decoupled
10,330

 
10,341

 
(0.1
)%
 
8,812

 
8,106

 
8.7
 %
 
5,016

 
5,387

 
(6.9
)%
Special Contracts (3)
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
833

 
1,132

 
(26.4
)%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

Total - Decoupled and Special Contracts
10,330

 
10,341

 
(0.1
)%
 
9,645

 
9,238

 
4.4
 %
 
5,016

 
5,387

 
(6.9
)%
Total Sales Volumes
12,133

 
12,164

 
(0.3
)%
 
18,932

 
17,016

 
11.3
 %
 
5,501

 
5,859

 
(6.1
)%
Six Months Ended June 30:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traditional
5,650

 
5,522

 
2.3
 %
 
29,760

 
26,683

 
11.5
 %
 
953

 
904

 
5.4
 %
Decoupled
19,704

 
19,813

 
(0.6
)%
 
30,685

 
29,130

 
5.3
 %
 
9,373

 
9,827

 
(4.6
)%
Special Contracts (3)
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
1,538

 
2,349

 
(34.5
)%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

Total - Decoupled and Special Contracts
19,704

 
19,813

 
(0.6
)%
 
32,223

 
31,479

 
2.4
 %
 
9,373

 
9,827

 
(4.6
)%
Total Sales Volumes
25,354

 
25,335

 
0.1
 %
 
61,983

 
58,162

 
6.6
 %
 
10,326

 
10,731

 
(3.8
)%

49



(1)  
In 2017 and in the month of January 2018, NSTAR Electric operated under two different rate structures (traditional and decoupled) based on its service territory geography. Effective February 1, 2018, NSTAR Electric operated entirely under a decoupled rate structure. The 2017 sales volumes for NSTAR Electric have been recast to present February through June 2017 as decoupled, to conform to the 2018 presentation for comparative purposes.

(2) 
Eversource acquired its water distribution business on December 4, 2017. Prior year sales volumes have been presented for comparative purposes.

(3) 
Special contracts are unique to Yankee Gas natural gas distribution customers who take service under such an arrangement and generally specify the amount of distribution revenue to be paid to Yankee Gas regardless of the customers' usage.

Fluctuations in retail electric sales volumes at PSNH and natural gas sales volumes at Yankee Gas impact earnings ("Traditional" in the table above).  For CL&P, NSTAR Electric (effective February 1, 2018, as a result of the DPU-approved rate case decision) and NSTAR Gas, fluctuations in retail sales volumes do not impact earnings due to their respective regulatory commission-approved distribution revenue decoupling mechanisms ("Decoupled" in the table above). Fluctuations in water sales volumes largely do not impact earnings as our Connecticut water distribution business is decoupled.

Three Months Ended: Operating Revenues, which primarily consist of base distribution revenues and tracked revenues further described below, increased $91.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017.  

Base Electric and Natural Gas Distribution Revenues:

•
Electric distribution revenues decreased $40 million due primarily to lower base distribution rates at NSTAR Electric, as per the DPU-approved rate case decision that became effective February 1, 2018, in which rates were adjusted to reflect the new lower federal corporate income tax rate (most of which did not impact earnings). Electric distribution revenues also decreased at NSTAR Electric due to the seasonal impact of a decoupled rate structure in 2018 as compared to a traditional rate structure with LBR recovery in 2017. The decrease in revenues was partially offset by CL&P's base distribution rate increase as a result of the PURA-approved rate case settlement that became effective May 1, 2018 (a portion of which did not impact earnings).

•
Electric distribution revenues also decreased $7.3 million due to the reserve established to reflect the difference between the 35 percent federal corporate income tax rate included in rates charged to customers and the 21 percent federal corporate income tax rate, effective January 1, 2018 as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Effective February 1, 2018 for NSTAR Electric and May 1, 2018 for CL&P, rates charged to customers have been adjusted to reflect the new federal corporate income tax rate.

•
Base natural gas distribution revenues increased $3.1 million due primarily to a $6.6 million increase in sales volumes and demand revenues driven by colder April weather in Connecticut in 2018, as well as growth in new customer base. The increase in revenues was partially offset by a $3.5 million decrease due to the reserve established to reflect the impact of the reduction in federal corporate income tax rates, effective January 1, 2018.

Tracked Electric and Natural Gas Distribution Revenues: Tracked revenues consist of certain costs that are recovered from customers in rates through regulatory commission-approved cost tracking mechanisms and therefore, have no impact on earnings.  Costs recovered through cost tracking mechanisms include energy supply procurement and other energy-related costs for our electric and natural gas customers, retail transmission charges, energy efficiency program costs, net metering for distributed generation and restructuring and stranded cost recovery revenues. In addition, tracked revenues include certain incentives earned and carrying charges that are billed in rates to customers.

•
Tracked electric distribution revenues increased as a result of an increase in electric energy supply costs ($27.6 million), driven by increased average retail prices. In addition, there was an increase in stranded cost recovery revenues ($23.0 million) and an increase in retail electric transmission charges ($8.9 million).

•
Tracked natural gas distribution revenues increased as a result of an increase in natural gas supply costs ($17.4 million).

Water: Water operating revenues totaled $53.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 as a result of the acquisition of Aquarion on December 4, 2017.

Electric Transmission Revenues:  The electric transmission segment revenues decreased $7.2 million due to lower revenue requirements primarily related to the lower federal corporate income tax rate that was reflected in 2018 transmission revenues, partially offset by an increase related to ongoing investments in our transmission infrastructure.


50


Six Months Ended: Operating Revenues, which primarily consist of base distribution revenues and tracked revenues further described below, increased $273.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017.  

Base Electric and Natural Gas Distribution Revenues:

•
Electric distribution revenues decreased $49.6 million due primarily to lower base distribution rates at NSTAR Electric, as per the DPU-approved rate case decision that became effective February 1, 2018, in which rates were adjusted to reflect the new lower federal corporate income tax rate (most of which did not impact earnings). Electric distribution revenues also decreased at NSTAR Electric due to the seasonal impact of a decoupled rate structure in 2018 as compared to a traditional rate structure with LBR recovery in 2017. The decrease in revenues was partially offset by CL&P's base distribution rate increase as a result of the PURA-approved rate case settlement that became effective May 1, 2018 (a portion of which did not impact earnings), and an increase in sales volumes primarily driven by the colder weather in January 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, at NSTAR Electric (prior to its decoupled rate structure). Effective February 1, 2018, NSTAR Electric operated entirely under a decoupled rate structure.

•
Electric distribution revenues also decreased $26.5 million due to the reserve established to reflect the difference between the 35 percent federal corporate income tax rate included in rates charged to customers and the 21 percent federal corporate income tax rate, effective January 1, 2018 as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Effective February 1, 2018 for NSTAR Electric and May 1, 2018 for CL&P, rates charged to customers have been adjusted to reflect the new federal corporate income tax rate.

•
Base natural gas distribution revenues increased $5.0 million due primarily to a $13.0 million increase in sales volumes and demand revenues driven by colder January and April weather in Connecticut in 2018, as well as growth in new customer base. The increase in revenues was partially offset by an $8.0 million decrease due to the reserve established to reflect the impact of the reduction in federal corporate income tax rates, effective January 1, 2018.

Tracked Electric and Natural Gas Distribution Revenues: Tracked revenues consist of certain costs that are recovered from customers in rates through regulatory commission-approved cost tracking mechanisms and therefore, have no impact on earnings.  Costs recovered through cost tracking mechanisms include energy supply procurement and other energy-related costs for our electric and natural gas customers, retail transmission charges, energy efficiency program costs, net metering for distributed generation and restructuring and stranded cost recovery revenues. In addition, tracked revenues include certain incentives earned and carrying charges that are billed in rates to customers.

•
Tracked electric distribution revenues increased as a result of an increase in electric energy supply costs ($136.6 million), driven by increased average retail prices. In addition, there was an increase in stranded cost recovery revenues ($18.1 million) and an increase in retail electric transmission charges ($32.9 million).

•
Tracked natural gas distribution revenues increased as a result of an increase in natural gas supply costs ($33.6 million) and an increase in energy efficiency program revenues ($4.9 million).

Water: Water operating revenues totaled $98.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 as a result of the acquisition of Aquarion on December 4, 2017.

Electric Transmission Revenues:  The electric transmission segment revenues decreased $19.1 million due to lower revenue requirements primarily related to the lower federal corporate income tax rate that was reflected in 2018 transmission revenues, partially offset by an increase related to ongoing investments in our transmission infrastructure.

Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission expense includes costs associated with purchasing electricity, natural gas and water, on behalf of our customers.  These supply costs are recovered from customers in rates through commission-approved cost tracking mechanisms, which have no impact on earnings (tracked costs).  Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission expense increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, due primarily to the following:
(Millions of Dollars)
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
Electric Distribution
$
62.2

 
$
192.5

Natural Gas Distribution
15.9

 
28.1

Transmission
14.2

 
42.8

Water Distribution
0.3

 
0.7

Eliminations
11.6

 
33.3

Total Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission
$
104.2

 
$
297.4


The variance in electric distribution reflects intercompany transmission charges in both periods. The increase in purchased power expense at the electric distribution business for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, was driven primarily by higher prices associated with the procurement of energy supply as well as higher purchased volumes at PSNH. As a result of the sale of PSNH's thermal generation assets on January 10, 2018, PSNH purchased power in place of its self-generation output in the first half of 2018. The increase in natural gas supply costs at our natural gas distribution business was due to higher average prices and sales volumes.


51


The increase in transmission costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, was primarily the result of an increase in costs billed by ISO-NE that support regional grid investment, and an increase in the retail transmission deferral, which reflects the actual costs of transmission service compared to estimated amounts billed to customers. This was partially offset by a decrease in Local Network Service charges, which reflect the cost of transmission service provided by Eversource over our local transmission network.

Operations and Maintenance expense includes tracked costs and costs that are part of base electric, natural gas and water distribution rates with changes impacting earnings (non-tracked costs).  Operations and Maintenance expense increased/(decreased) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, due primarily to the following:
(Millions of Dollars)
Three Months
Ended
 
Six Months
Ended
Base Electric Distribution (Non-Tracked Costs):
 
 
 
Bad debt expense
$
8.1

 
$
11.0

Shared corporate costs (including computer software depreciation at Eversource Service)
5.4

 
9.9

Employee-related expenses, including labor and benefits
(2.0
)
 
0.1

Storm restoration costs
(8.7
)
 
(6.5
)
Operations-related expenses, including vegetation management, vehicles, and outside services (excluding storm restoration costs)
(4.2
)
 
(12.7
)
Other non-tracked operations and maintenance
0.5


4.8

Total Base Electric Distribution (Non-Tracked Costs)
(0.9
)

6.6

Base Natural Gas Distribution (Non-Tracked Costs)
2.3

 
7.6

Water Distribution (Addition of Aquarion operations and maintenance expenses due to acquisition on December 4, 2017)
19.6

 
38.9

Tracked Costs (Electric Distribution, Electric Transmission and Natural Gas Distribution) - Decrease primarily due to lower PSNH generation operations expenses due to the January 10, 2018 sale of thermal generation assets and lower transmission expenses
(30.3
)

(61.7
)
Other and eliminations:
 
 
 
Eversource Parent and Other Companies - other operations and maintenance
0.9

 
0.1

   Eliminations
(7.9
)
 
(13.6
)
Total Operations and Maintenance
$
(16.3
)

$
(22.1
)

Depreciation expense increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, due primarily to higher net plant in service balances and new depreciation rates effective with the CL&P distribution rate case settlement agreement. Partially offsetting these increases were lower depreciation expense at PSNH as a result of the sale of thermal generation assets on January 10, 2018 and lower depreciation expense at NSTAR Electric due to lower depreciation composite rates effective with the NSTAR Electric rate case decision.

Amortization expense includes the deferral of energy supply and energy-related costs included in certain commission-approved cost tracking mechanisms, and the amortization of certain costs.  This deferral adjusts expense to match the corresponding revenues. Amortization increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, due primarily to the deferral of energy supply and energy-related costs, which can fluctuate from period to period based on the timing of costs incurred and the related rate changes to recover these costs. Energy supply and energy-related costs at the electric, natural gas and water companies are recovered from customers in rates and have no impact on earnings.  

Energy Efficiency Programs expense decreased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, due primarily to a State of Connecticut policy change requiring CL&P to remit 2018 energy efficiency funds to the State of Connecticut. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, these amounts totaled $12.7 million and $25.4 million, respectively. These costs were collected from CL&P's customers and remitted to the State of Connecticut; as such we have classified these amounts as Taxes Other than Income Taxes. The costs for the majority of the state energy policy initiatives and expanded energy efficiency programs are recovered from customers in rates and have no impact on earnings.

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes expense increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, due primarily to a State of Connecticut policy change requiring CL&P to remit 2018 energy efficiency funds to the State of Connecticut (which totaled $12.7 million and $25.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively), as well as higher property taxes due to higher utility plant in service balances.

Interest Expense increased for the three months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, due primarily to an increase in interest on long-term debt ($10.0 million) as a result of new debt issuances, the addition of Aquarion operations in 2018 ($6.5 million), an increase related to interest expense on the 2018 RRB issuance ($2.8 million) and an increase in interest on notes payable ($2.5 million), partially offset by higher AFUDC related to debt funds ($2.0 million) and a decrease in regulatory deferrals, primarily at NSTAR Electric, which decreased interest expense ($0.9 million).

Interest Expense increased for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, due primarily to an increase in interest on long-term debt ($23.1 million) as a result of new debt issuances, the addition of Aquarion operations in 2018 ($12.8 million) and an increase in interest on notes payable ($3.8 million), partially offset by higher AFUDC related to debt funds ($4.0 million) and a decrease in regulatory deferrals, primarily at NSTAR Electric, which decreased interest expense ($2.1 million).

52



Other Income, Net increased for the three months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, due primarily to an increase related to pension, SERP and PBOP non-service income components ($7.1 million), an increase in gains on investments ($9.6 million), primarily related to Eversource's investment in a renewable energy fund, and higher AFUDC related to equity funds ($2.9 million).

Other Income, Net increased for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, due primarily to an increase related to pension, SERP and PBOP non-service income components ($14.3 million), an increase in gains on investments ($9.6 million), primarily related to Eversource's investment in a renewable energy fund, higher AFUDC related to equity funds ($6.0 million) and changes in the market value related to deferred compensation plans ($4.2 million).

Income Tax Expense decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, due primarily to the new federal tax law enacted December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, reducing the federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent and lower pre-tax earnings ($63.3 million), and by items that impact our tax rate as a result of regulatory treatment (flow-through items) and permanent differences ($3.6 million).

Income Tax Expense decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, due primarily to the federal corporate income tax rate reduction from 35 percent to 21 percent and lower pre-tax earnings ($135.4 million), offset by higher state taxes ($1.7 million), decreased further by items that impact our tax rate as a result of regulatory treatment (flow-through items) and permanent differences ($7.2 million).



53


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS –
THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SUBSIDIARIES

The following provides the amounts and variances in operating revenues and expense line items in the statements of income for CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 included in this combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
(Millions of Dollars)
2018
 
2017
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
2018
 
2017
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
2018
 
2017
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
Operating Revenues
$
1,479.9

 
$
1,398.9

 
$
81.0

 
$
1,460.9

 
$
1,438.5

 
$
22.4

 
$
502.5

 
$
483.5

 
$
19.0

Operating Expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission
536.2

 
452.1

 
84.1

 
598.7

 
504.9

 
93.8

 
193.2

 
122.2

 
71.0

Operations and Maintenance
227.0

 
237.7

 
(10.7
)
 
220.8

 
227.7

 
(6.9
)
 
97.9

 
130.5

 
(32.6
)
Depreciation
136.9

 
120.6

 
16.3

 
134.6

 
135.7

 
(1.1
)
 
46.3

 
63.2

 
(16.9
)
Amortization of Regulatory Assets/(Liabilities), Net
43.4

 
24.2

 
19.2

 
18.3

 
7.1

 
11.2

 
14.0

 
(13.5
)
 
27.5

Energy Efficiency Programs
41.4

 
68.8

 
(27.4
)
 
140.0

 
145.9

 
(5.9
)
 
9.8

 
7.0

 
2.8

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
174.7

 
144.4

 
30.3

 
95.9

 
82.7

 
13.2

 
38.7

 
44.0

 
(5.3
)
Total Operating Expenses
1,159.6

 
1,047.8

 
111.8

 
1,208.3

 
1,104.0

 
104.3

 
399.9

 
353.4

 
46.5

Operating Income
320.3

 
351.1

 
(30.8
)
 
252.6

 
334.5

 
(81.9
)
 
102.6

 
130.1

 
(27.5
)
Interest Expense
75.5

 
70.2

 
5.3

 
53.8

 
57.9

 
(4.1
)
 
27.4

 
25.8

 
1.6

Other Income, Net
13.7

 
7.5

 
6.2

 
26.9

 
15.5

 
11.4

 
8.2

 
4.7

 
3.5

Income Before Income Tax Expense
258.5

 
288.4

 
(29.9
)
 
225.7

 
292.1

 
(66.4
)
 
83.4

 
109.0

 
(25.6
)
Income Tax Expense
60.2

 
106.9

 
(46.7
)
 
60.6

 
113.7

 
(53.1
)
 
22.5

 
43.1

 
(20.6
)
Net Income
$
198.3

 
$
181.5

 
$
16.8

 
$
165.1

 
$
178.4

 
$
(13.3
)
 
$
60.9

 
$
65.9

 
$
(5.0
)

Operating Revenues
Sales Volumes: A summary of our retail electric GWh sales volumes was as follows:
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Percent
CL&P
10,222

 
10,168

 
54

 
0.5
 %
NSTAR Electric
11,357

 
11,352

 
5

 
—
 %
PSNH
3,775

 
3,815

 
(40
)
 
(1.0
)%

Fluctuations in retail electric sales volumes at PSNH impact earnings.  For CL&P and NSTAR Electric (effective February 1, 2018, as a result of the DPU-approved rate case decision), fluctuations in retail electric sales volumes do not impact earnings due to their respective regulatory commission-approved distribution revenue decoupling mechanisms.

Operating Revenues: Operating Revenues, which consist of base distribution revenues and tracked revenues further described below, increased for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
Operating Revenues
$
81.0

 
$
22.4

 
$
19.0


Base Distribution Revenues:

•
CL&P's distribution revenues increased $5.6 million due primarily to the impact of its base distribution rate increase as a result of the PURA-approved rate case settlement that became effective May 1, 2018 (a portion of which did not impact earnings).
•
NSTAR Electric's distribution revenues decreased $51.9 million due primarily to lower base distribution rates, as per the DPU-approved rate case decision that became effective February 1, 2018, in which rates were adjusted to reflect the new lower federal corporate income tax rate (most of which did not impact earnings). Electric distribution revenues also decreased due to the seasonal impact of a decoupled rate structure in 2018 as compared to a traditional rate structure with LBR recovery in 2017. The decrease in revenues was partially offset by an increase in January 2018 sales volumes, as compared to January 2017, primarily driven by the colder weather. Effective February 1, 2018, NSTAR Electric operated entirely under a decoupled rate structure, and changes in sales volumes no longer impact earnings.
•
PSNH's base distribution revenues decreased $3.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, primarily as a result of a rate change due to the completion of the full recovery of certain costs in revenues. The majority of this decrease did not impact earnings.

54


•
Distribution revenues decreased $16.6 million at CL&P, 3.7 million at NSTAR Electric and 6.2 million at PSNH due to the reserve established to reflect the difference between the 35 percent federal corporate income tax rate included in rates charged to customers and the 21 percent federal corporate income tax rate, effective January 1, 2018 as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Effective February 1, 2018 for NSTAR Electric and May 1, 2018 for CL&P, rates charged to customers have been adjusted to reflect the new federal corporate income tax rate.

Tracked Revenues: Tracked revenues consist of certain costs that are recovered from customers in rates through commission-approved cost tracking mechanisms and therefore have no impact on earnings.  Costs recovered through cost tracking mechanisms include energy supply procurement and other energy-related costs, retail transmission charges, energy efficiency program costs, net metering for distributed generation and restructuring and stranded cost recovery revenues.  In addition, tracked revenues include certain incentives earned and carrying charges that are billed in rates to customers. Tracked revenues increased/(decreased) for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, due primarily to the following:
(Millions of Dollars)
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
Energy supply procurement
$
91.7

 
$
44.2

 
$
0.7

Retail transmission
4.2

 
25.6

 
3.1

Stranded cost recovery
0.9

 
(9.9
)
 
27.1

Other distribution tracking mechanisms
(5.6
)
 
17.2

 
3.7


Transmission Revenues: Transmission revenues decreased $8.8 million and $10.9 million at CL&P and NSTAR Electric, respectively, due to lower revenue requirements primarily related to the lower federal corporate income tax rate that was reflected in 2018 transmission revenues, partially offset by an increase related to ongoing investments in our transmission infrastructure.

Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission expense includes costs associated with purchasing electricity on behalf of CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH's customers.  For PSNH, these costs also include PSNH's generation of electricity.  These energy supply costs are recovered from customers in commission-approved cost tracking mechanisms, which have no impact on earnings (tracked costs). Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission expense increased/(decreased) for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, due primarily to the following:
(Millions of Dollars)
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
Purchased Power Costs
$
64.2

 
$
59.9

 
$
68.4

Transmission Costs
12.9

 
25.5

 
4.4

Eliminations
7.0

 
8.4

 
(1.8
)
Total Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission
$
84.1

 
$
93.8

 
$
71.0


Purchased Power Costs: Included in purchased power costs are the costs associated with providing electric generation service supply to all customers who have not migrated to third party suppliers. In order to meet the demand of customers who have not migrated to third party suppliers, PSNH also procures power through power supply contracts and spot purchases in the competitive New England wholesale power market and/or produces power through its own generation. The increase in purchased power costs for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to same period in 2017, was due primarily to the following:

•
The increase at CL&P was due primarily to an increase in the price of power procured on behalf of our customers.
•
The increase at NSTAR Electric was due primarily to higher prices associated with the procurement of energy supply, partially offset by slightly lower purchased volumes.
•
The increase at PSNH was due primarily to higher purchased power energy expenses that are recovered as a component of the Energy Service tracking mechanism. As a result of the sale of its thermal generation assets on January 10, 2018, PSNH purchased power in place of its self-generation output in the first half of 2018.

Transmission Costs: Included in transmission costs are charges that recover the cost of transporting electricity over high-voltage lines from generating plants to substations, including costs allocated by ISO-NE to maintain the wholesale electric market. The increase in transmission costs for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, at CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH was primarily the result of an increase in costs billed by ISO-NE that support regional grid investment and an increase in the retail transmission cost deferral, which reflects the actual costs of transmission service compared to estimated amounts billed to customers. This was partially offset by a decrease in Local Network Service charges, which reflect the cost of transmission service.


55


Operations and Maintenance expense includes tracked costs and costs that are part of base distribution rates with changes impacting earnings (non-tracked costs).  Operations and Maintenance expense increased/(decreased) for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, due primarily to the following:
(Millions of Dollars)
CL&P
 
NSTAR Electric
 
PSNH
Base Electric Distribution (Non-Tracked Costs):
 
 
 
 
 
Bad debt expense
$
5.7

 
$
5.4

 
$
(0.1
)
Shared corporate costs (including computer software depreciation at Eversource Service)
3.7

 
5.1

 
1.1

Employee-related expenses, including labor and benefits
4.5

 
(3.2
)
 
(1.2
)
Storm restoration costs
(4.2
)
 
(0.5
)
 
(1.8
)
Operations-related expenses, including vegetation management, vehicles, and outside services (excluding storm restoration costs)
(10.4
)
 
1.8

 
(4.1
)
Other non-tracked operations and maintenance
(3.2
)
 
6.8

 
1.2

Total Base Electric Distribution (Non-Tracked Costs)
(3.9
)
 
15.4

 
(4.9
)
Tracked Costs:
 
 
 
 
 
Decrease of PSNH generation operations expenses due to the January 10, 2018 sale of thermal generation assets
—

 
—

 
(24.4
)
Transmission expenses
(9.5
)
 
(8.2
)
 
(0.7
)
Other tracked operations and maintenance
2.7

 
(14.1
)
 
(2.6
)
Total Tracked Costs
(6.8
)
 
(22.3
)
 
(27.7
)
Total Operations and Maintenance
$
(10.7
)
 
$
(6.9
)
 
$
(32.6
)

Depreciation increased/(decreased) for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to same period in 2017, due primarily to the following:

•
The increase at CL&P is due primarily to higher net plant in service balances and the implementation of new depreciation rates effective with the CL&P distribution rate case settlement agreement.  
•
The decrease at NSTAR Electric is due to lower depreciation composite rates effective with the NSTAR Electric rate case decision, partially offset by higher net plant in service.
•
The decrease at PSNH is due to lower net plant in service balances as a result of the sale of thermal generation assets on January 10, 2018.

Amortization of Regulatory Assets/(Liabilities), Net expense includes the deferral of energy supply and energy-related costs included in certain regulatory-approved tracking mechanisms, and the amortization of certain costs. This deferral adjusts expense to match the corresponding revenues. Amortization of Regulatory Assets/(Liabilities), Net increased at CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, due primarily to the deferral adjustment of energy supply and energy-related costs, which can fluctuate from period to period based on the timing of costs incurred and related rate changes to recover these costs. Energy supply and energy-related costs, which are the primary drivers of amortization, are recovered from customers in rates and have no impact on earnings.  

Energy Efficiency Programs expense includes costs for various state energy policy initiatives and expanded energy efficiency programs and the majority is recovered from customers in rates and has no impact on earnings. Energy Efficiency Programs expense decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to same period in 2017, due primarily to the following:

•
The decrease at CL&P is due primarily to a State of Connecticut policy change requiring CL&P to remit 2018 energy efficiency funds to the State of Connecticut. In the first half of 2018, this amount totaled $25.4 million. These costs were collected from CL&P's customers and remitted to the State of Connecticut; as such we have classified this amount as Taxes Other than Income Taxes.
•
The decrease at NSTAR Electric is due to the deferral adjustment, which reflects the actual cost of energy efficiency programs compared to the estimated amounts billed to customers, and the timing of the recovery of energy efficiency costs. The deferral adjusts costs incurred to match energy efficiency revenue billed to customers.

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes increased/(decreased) for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to same period in 2017, due primarily to the following:

•
The increase at CL&P is due primarily to a State of Connecticut policy change requiring CL&P to remit 2018 energy efficiency funds to the State of Connecticut (which totaled $25.4 million for the first half of 2018), as well as higher property taxes due to higher utility plant balances.
•
The increase at NSTAR Electric is due primarily to higher property taxes due to higher utility plant balances.
•
The decrease at PSNH is due primarily to the absence of property taxes as a result of the sale of thermal generation assets on January 10, 2018 and a 2018 refund of disputed property taxes for prior years from the Town of Bow, New Hampshire, partially offset by higher property taxes due to higher utility plant balances.


56


Interest Expense increased/(decreased) for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, due primarily to the following:

•
The increase at CL&P is due primarily to higher interest on long-term debt as a result of new debt issuances ($4.8 million).
•
The decrease at NSTAR Electric is due primarily to a decrease in regulatory deferrals, which decreased interest expense ($3.3 million).
•
The increase at PSNH is due primarily to interest on RRBs ($2.8 million) and higher interest on short-term borrowings ($1.4 million), partially offset by lower interest on long-term debt ($2.6 million).

Other Income, Net increased for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to same period in 2017, due primarily to the following:

•
The increase at CL&P is due to an increase related to pension, SERP and PBOP non-service income components ($4.4 million) and higher AFUDC related to equity funds ($1.3 million).
•
The increase at NSTAR Electric is due to an increase related to pension, SERP and PBOP non-service income components ($8.1 million) and higher AFUDC related to equity funds ($3.2 million).
•
The increase at PSNH is due to interest income primarily related to a 2018 refund of disputed property taxes for prior years ($2.6 million) and an increase related to pension, SERP and PBOP non-service income components ($1.3 million).

Income Tax Expense decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to same period in 2017, due primarily to the following:

•
The decrease at CL&P was due primarily to the new federal tax law enacted December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, reducing the federal corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent and lower pre-tax earnings ($46.7 million).
•
The decrease at NSTAR Electric was due primarily to the federal corporate income tax rate reduction from 35 percent to 21 percent and lower pre-tax earnings ($54.8 million), partially offset by items that impact our tax rate as a result of regulatory treatment (flow-through items) and permanent differences ($1.7 million).
•
The decrease at PSNH was due primarily to the federal corporate income tax rate reduction from 35 percent to 21 percent and lower pre-tax earnings ($20.6 million).

EARNINGS SUMMARY

CL&P's earnings increased $16.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, due primarily to an increase in transmission earnings driven by a higher transmission rate base, a net earnings benefit from lower income tax expense as compared to lower distribution revenues resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, lower employee benefit plan costs, lower non-tracked operations and maintenance expense, and the impact of the CL&P base distribution rate increase effective May 1, 2018. The earnings increase was partially offset by higher depreciation expense, higher property tax expense, and higher interest expense.

NSTAR Electric's earnings decreased $13.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, due primarily to lower electric distribution margin (which includes the seasonal impact of a decoupled rate structure at NSTAR Electric in 2018 as compared to a traditional rate structure with LBR recovery in 2017, partially offset by a net earnings benefit from lower income tax expense as compared to lower distribution revenues resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act), higher non-tracked operations and maintenance expense, and higher property tax expense. The earnings decrease was partially offset by an increase in transmission earnings driven by a higher transmission rate base, lower interest expense, and lower depreciation expense.

PSNH's earnings decreased $5.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, due primarily to lower generation earnings due to the sale of thermal generation assets on January 10, 2018. The earnings decrease was partially offset by a net earnings benefit from lower income tax expense as compared to lower distribution revenues resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, an increase in transmission earnings driven by a higher transmission rate base, lower non-tracked operations and maintenance expense, and lower property tax expense due to the 2018 refund of disputed property taxes for prior tax years.

LIQUIDITY

Cash Flows: CL&P had cash flows provided by operating activities of $268.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to $355.7 million in the same period of 2017.  The decrease in operating cash flows was due primarily to cash payments made in the first six months of 2018 for storm restoration costs of approximately $71 million and an increase in pension contributions of $39.9 million. Partially offsetting these decreases were the timing of collections and payments related to our working capital items, including accounts payable.

NSTAR Electric had cash flows provided by operating activities of $202.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to $215.5 million in the same period of 2017.  The decrease in operating cash flows was due primarily to cash payments made for storm restoration costs of approximately $85 million and income tax payments made in 2018 of $57.9 million, compared to income tax refunds received in 2017 of $14.5 million, and an increase of $43.8 million in Pension and PBOP contributions made in 2018, as compared to 2017. Partially offsetting these decreases were increases in certain regulatory overrecoveries and the timing of payments related to our working capital items, including accounts payable.


57


PSNH had cash flows provided by operating activities of $112.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to $142.1 million in the same period of 2017.  The decrease in operating cash flows was due primarily to the timing of collections and payments of our working capital items, including accounts receivable and accounts payable and increases in regulatory underrecoveries. Partially offsetting these decreases were $17.5 million in lower income tax payments made in 2018, compared to 2017.

For further information on CL&P's, NSTAR Electric's and PSNH's liquidity and capital resources, see "Liquidity" and "Business Development and Capital Expenditures" included in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

58


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY

The following provides the amounts and variances in operating revenues and expense line items in the statements of income for CL&P for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 included in this combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
(Millions of Dollars)
2018
 
2017
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
Operating Revenues
$
694.9

 
$
666.6

 
$
28.3

Operating Expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

Purchased Power and Transmission
234.3

 
207.2

 
27.1

Operations and Maintenance
109.7

 
108.9

 
0.8

Depreciation
69.4

 
60.8

 
8.6

Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net
15.4

 
11.4

 
4.0

Energy Efficiency Programs
18.6

 
32.2

 
(13.6
)
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
84.4

 
70.5

 
13.9

Total Operating Expenses
531.8

 
491.0

 
40.8

Operating Income
163.1

 
175.6

 
(12.5
)
Interest Expense
38.7

 
35.3

 
3.4

Other Income, Net
7.1

 
4.2

 
2.9

Income Before Income Tax Expense
131.5

 
144.5

 
(13.0
)
Income Tax Expense
31.8

 
53.2

 
(21.4
)
Net Income
$
99.7

 
$
91.3

 
$
8.4


Operating Revenues
Sales Volumes: A summary of CL&P's retail electric GWh sales volumes was as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Increase
 
Percent
CL&P
4,846

 
4,838

 
8

 
0.2
%

Fluctuations in retail electric sales volumes do not impact earnings due to its PURA-approved distribution revenue decoupling mechanism.

Operating Revenues: Operating Revenues, which consist of base distribution revenues and tracked revenues further described below, increased $28.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017.

Base Distribution Revenues:

•
CL&P's distribution revenues increased $5.9 million due primarily to the impact of its base distribution rate increase as a result of the PURA-approved rate case settlement that became effective May 1, 2018 (a portion of which did not impact earnings).
•
Distribution revenues decreased $4.2 million due to the reserve established to reflect the difference between the 35 percent federal corporate income tax rate included in rates charged to customers and the 21 percent federal corporate income tax rate, effective January 1, 2018 as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Effective May 1, 2018, rates charged to customers have been adjusted to reflect the new federal corporate income tax rate.

Tracked Revenues: Fluctuations in the overall level of operating revenues are primarily related to tracked revenues.  Tracked revenues consist of certain costs that are recovered from customers in rates through PURA-approved cost tracking mechanisms and therefore have no impact on earnings.  Costs recovered through cost tracking mechanisms include energy supply procurement and other energy-related costs, retail transmission charges, energy efficiency program costs, and restructuring and stranded cost recovery revenues.  In addition, tracked revenues include certain incentives earned and carrying charges that are billed in rates to customers. Tracked revenues increased/(decreased) for the three months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, due primarily to the following:
(Millions of Dollars)
 
Energy supply procurement
$
33.9

Retail transmission
(3.7
)
Other distribution tracking mechanisms
(5.1
)

Transmission Revenues: Transmission revenues decreased $2.2 million due to lower revenue requirements primarily related to the lower federal corporate income tax rate that was reflected in 2018 transmission revenues, partially offset by an increase related to ongoing investments in our transmission infrastructure.


59


Purchased Power and Transmission expense includes costs associated with purchasing electricity on behalf of CL&P's customers. These energy supply costs are recovered from customers in PURA-approved cost tracking mechanisms, which have no impact on earnings (tracked costs). Purchased Power and Transmission expense increased for the three months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, due primarily to the following:
(Millions of Dollars)
 
Purchased Power Costs
$
24.1

Transmission Costs
0.8

Eliminations
2.2

Total Purchased Power and Transmission
$
27.1


Purchased Power Costs: The increase in purchased power costs was due primarily to an increase in the price of power procured on behalf of our customers.

Transmission Costs: The increase in transmission costs was due primarily to the result of an increase in costs billed by ISO-NE that support regional grid investment and an increase in the retail transmission cost deferral, which reflects the actual costs of transmission service compared to estimated amounts billed to customers. This was partially offset by a decrease in Local Network Service charges, which reflect the cost of transmission service.

Operations and Maintenance expense includes tracked costs and costs that are part of base distribution rates with changes impacting earnings (non-tracked costs).  Operations and Maintenance expense increased/(decreased) for the three months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, due primarily to the following:
(Millions of Dollars)
 
Base Electric Distribution (Non-Tracked Costs):
 
Bad debt expense
$
4.6

Storm restoration costs
(5.0
)
Other non-tracked operations and maintenance
0.6

Total Base Electric Distribution (Non-Tracked Costs)
0.2

Total Tracked Costs
0.6

Total Operations and Maintenance
$
0.8


Depreciation expense increased for the three months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, due primarily to higher net plant in service balances and the implementation of new depreciation rates effective with the CL&P distribution rate case settlement agreement. 

Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net expense includes the deferral of energy supply and energy-related costs included in certain regulatory-approved tracking mechanisms, and the amortization of certain costs. This deferral adjusts expense to match the corresponding revenues. Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net increased at CL&P for the three months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, due primarily to the deferral adjustment of energy supply and energy-related costs, which can fluctuate from period to period based on the timing of costs incurred and related rate changes to recover these costs. Energy supply and energy-related costs, which are the primary drivers of amortization, are recovered from customers in rates and have no impact on earnings.  

Energy Efficiency Programs expense includes costs for state energy policy initiatives and expanded energy efficiency programs and the majority is recovered from customers in rates and has no impact on earnings. Energy Efficiency Programs expense decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to same period in 2017, due primarily to a State of Connecticut policy change requiring CL&P to remit 2018 energy efficiency funds to the State of Connecticut. For the three months ended June 30, 2018, this amount totaled $12.7 million. These costs were collected from CL&P's customers and remitted to the State of Connecticut; as such we have classified this amount as Taxes Other than Income Taxes.

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes increased for the three months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to same period in 2017, due primarily to a State of Connecticut policy change requiring CL&P to remit 2018 energy efficiency funds to the State of Connecticut (which totaled $12.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018), as well as higher property taxes due to higher utility plant balances.

Income Tax Expense decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to same period in 2017, due primarily to the lower federal tax rate and lower pre-tax earnings ($23.0 million) and lower state taxes ($1.1 million), partially offset by items that impact our tax rate as a result of regulatory treatment (flow-through items) and permanent differences ($2.7 million).

EARNINGS SUMMARY

CL&P's earnings increased $8.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, due primarily to an increase in transmission earnings driven by a higher transmission rate base, the impact of the CL&P base distribution rate increase effective May 1, 2018, and lower employee benefit plan costs. The earnings increase was partially offset by higher depreciation expense, higher interest expense, and higher property tax expense.

60



ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risk Information

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

Other Risk Management Activities

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

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

Our Regulated companies are subject to credit risk from certain long-term or high-volume supply contracts with energy marketing companies.  Our Regulated companies manage the credit risk with these counterparties in accordance with established credit risk practices and monitor contracting risks, including credit risk.  As of June 30, 2018, our Regulated companies held collateral (letters of credit or cash) of $10 million from counterparties related to our standard service contracts.  As of June 30, 2018, Eversource had $24.6 million of cash posted with ISO-NE related to energy transactions.

We have provided additional disclosures regarding interest rate risk management and credit risk management in Part II, Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk," in Eversource's 2017 Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference. There have been no additional risks identified and no material changes with regard to the items previously disclosed in the Eversource 2017 Form 10-K.

ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Management, on behalf of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, evaluated the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2018 to determine whether they are effective in ensuring that the disclosure of required information is made timely and in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations of the SEC.  This evaluation was made under management's supervision and with management's participation, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  There are inherent limitations of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumventing or overriding of the controls and procedures.  Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.  The principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded, based on their review, that the disclosure controls and procedures of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and regulations and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

There have been no changes in internal controls over financial reporting for Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH during the quarter ended June 30, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal controls over financial reporting.



61


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are parties to various legal proceedings.  We have disclosed these legal proceedings in Part I, Item 3, "Legal Proceedings," and elsewhere in our 2017 Form 10-K.  These disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.  There have been no additional material legal proceedings identified and no further material changes with regard to the legal proceedings previously disclosed in our 2017 Form 10-K.

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS

We are subject to a variety of significant risks in addition to the matters set forth under our forward-looking statements section in Item 2, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  We have identified a number of these risk factors in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," in our 2017 Form 10-K, which risk factors are incorporated herein by reference.  These risk factors should be considered carefully in evaluating our risk profile.  There have been no additional risk factors identified and no material changes with regard to the risk factors previously disclosed in our 2017 Form 10-K.

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

The following table discloses purchases of our common shares made by us or on our behalf for the periods shown below.  The common shares purchased consist of open market purchases made by the Company or an independent agent.  These share transactions related to shares awarded under the Company's Incentive Plan and Dividend Reinvestment Plan and matching contributions under the Eversource 401k Plan.
Period
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
Average Price
Paid per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans and Programs (at month end)
April 1 - April 30, 2018
103,494

$
59.46

—

—

May 1 - May 31, 2018
3,643

58.17

—

—

June 1 - June 30, 2018
7,345

56.57

—

—

Total
114,482

$
59.23

—

—



62


ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS

Each document described below is filed herewith, unless designated with an asterisk (*), which exhibits are incorporated by reference by the registrant under whose name the exhibit appears.
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
 
 
 
 
Listing of Exhibits (Eversource)
 
 
 
 
 
12
 
 
 
 
 
 
31
 
 
 
 
 
 
31.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
32
 
 
 
 
 
 
Listing of Exhibits (CL&P)
 
 
 
 
 
12
 
 
 
 
 
 
31
 
 
 
 
 
 
31.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
32
 
 
 
 
 
 
Listing of Exhibits (NSTAR Electric Company)
 
 
 
 
 
12
 
 
 
 
 
 
31
 
 
 
 
 
 
31.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
32
 
 
 
 
 
 
Listing of Exhibits (PSNH)
 
 
 
 
 
12
 
 
 
 
 
 
31
 
 
 
 
 
 
31.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
32
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

63


 
Listing of Exhibits (Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH)
 
 
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
 
 
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
 
 
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
 
 
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels
 
 
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation


64


SIGNATURE


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

 
 
EVERSOURCE ENERGY
 
 
 
 
August 3, 2018
 
By:
/s/ Jay S. Buth
 
 
 
Jay S. Buth
 
 
 
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

 
 
 
 
 


SIGNATURE


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

 
 
THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
 
 
 
 
August 3, 2018
 
By:
/s/ Jay S. Buth
 
 
 
Jay S. Buth
 
 
 
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

 
 
 
 
 


SIGNATURE


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

 
 
NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY
 
 
 
 
August 3, 2018
 
By:
/s/ Jay S. Buth
 
 
 
Jay S. Buth
 
 
 
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

 
 
 
 
 


SIGNATURE


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

 
 
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
 
 
 
 
August 3, 2018
 
By:
/s/ Jay S. Buth
 
 
 
Jay S. Buth
 
 
 
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

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