Included in Newsweek’s list of Most
Responsible Companies.
Included in the CNBC/Just Capital list of
JUST 100 Companies, a ranking of most
responsible publicly traded companies.
Recognized in Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality
Index for our commitment to transparency
in gender reporting and promoting
women’s equality in the workplace.
2021
Annual Report
E
V
E
R
S
O
U
R
C
E
E
N
E
R
G
Y
2
0
2
1
A
N
N
U
A
L
R
E
P
O
R
T
002CSNCB57
Diluted Earnings Per Share
(1)
(Non-GAAP)
$3.86
$3.64
$3.45
$3.25
$3.11
Dividends Paid
Per Share
$2.27
$2.14
$2.02
$1.90
$2.41
Shareholders
Direct Deposit for Quarterly Dividends
As of December 31, 2021, there were 31,079 common
Direct deposit provides the convenience of automatic and
shareholders of record of Eversource Energy holding an
immediate access to your funds, while eliminating the
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
(1) Diluted Earnings per Share for 2021 (Non-GAAP) was adjusted to exclude an after-tax charge of
$0.25 per share related to the settlement of multiple regulatory dockets concerning Eversource
Energy subsidiary, The Connecticut Light and Power Company, and after-tax transition-related
costs of $0.07 per share associated primarily with the acquisition of the natural gas assets of
Columbia Gas of Massachusetts. Diluted Earnings per Share (Non-GAAP) for 2020 was adjusted to
exclude after-tax acquisition-related costs of $0.09 per share associated with the aforementioned
acquisition. Diluted Earnings per Share (Non-GAAP) for 2019 was adjusted to exclude an after-tax
impairment charge of $0.64 per share related to the Northern Pass Transmission Project.
Total Shareholder Return
(Assumes $100 invested on December 31, 2011 with all dividends reinvested)
$500
$400
$300
$200
$100
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Eversource
EEI
S&P 500
Shareholder Information
aggregate of 344,403,196 common shares.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare Investor Services
P.O. Box 505005
Louisville, KY 40233-5005
1-800-999-7269
TDD for hearing impaired: 1-800-952-9245
Shareholder Account Access
We have partnered with Computershare to offer you
online access to your important shareowner
communications in a single secure place. You can
manage your account online via the Investor Center
website, Computershare's web-based tool for
shareholders, at www.computershare.com/investor.
Through free around-the-clock access to the Investor
Center website, you can view your account, access forms
and request a variety of account transactions.
You may contact our Investor Relations Department:
860-665-5154
781-441-8862
781-441-8118
Investor Relations
Jeffrey Kotkin:
Melissa Cameron:
John Gavin:
www.eversource.com
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
Eversource offers a dividend reinvestment and share
purchase plan. This plan is sponsored by the company and
not only offers the reinvestment of dividends but provides
both registered shareholders and interested first-time
investors an affordable alternative for buying and selling
Eversource common shares. To request an enrollment
package, please call 1-800-999-7269 or log into:
www.computershare.com/investor
possibility for mail delays and lost, stolen or destroyed
checks. This service is free of charge to you. Please call
1-800-999-7269 to request an enrollment form.
Common Share Dividend Payment Dates
Last business day of March, June, September
and December.
Common Share Information
The common shares of Eversource Energy are listed on the
New York Stock Exchange. The ticker symbol is "ES." The
high and low daily prices and dividends paid for the past
two years, by quarters, are shown in the table below.
Year
Quarter High
Low
2021
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Second
Third
Fourth
$92.21
$91.20
$92.66
$91.46
$99.42
$93.50
$91.96
$96.66
$76.64
$78.44
$79.57
$81.60
$60.69
$73.61
$77.00
$82.17
2020
First
Quarterly
Dividend
per Share
$0.6025
$0.6025
$0.6025
$0.6025
$0.5675
$0.5675
$0.5675
$0.5675
Corporate Governance
For information on Corporate Governance at Eversource, go
to our website, www.eversource.com, and select “About”
then “Investors” and scroll down to the link under
"Corporate Governance."
Selected Financial Data
(Thousands of dollars, except share information and statistical data)
Operating Revenues
Net Income Attributable to Common Shares
Diluted Earnings per Common Share (GAAP)
Diluted Earnings per Common Share (Non-GAAP) (1)
Diluted Common Shares Outstanding (Weighted Average)
Dividends Paid per Share
Electric Customers (As of Year End)
Natural Gas Customers (As of Year End)
Water Customers (As of Year End)
Investments in Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net (As of Year End)
Market Capitalization (As of Year End)
Share Price (As of Year End)
2021
9,863,085
1,220,527
3.54
3.86
344,631,056
2.41
3,261,518
886,510
226,410
3,175,080
33,377,650
31,333,803
90.98
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2020
8,904,430
1,205,167
3.55
3.64
339,847,062
2.27
3,241,292
881,221
215,977
2,942,996
30,882,523
29,668,953
86.51
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
(1) Diluted Earnings per Common Share for 2021 (Non-GAAP) was adjusted to exclude an after-tax charge of $0.25 per share related to the settlement of multiple regulatory dockets
concerning Eversource Energy subsidiary, The Connecticut Light and Power Company, and after-tax transition-related costs of $0.07 per share associated primarily with the acquisition of the
natural gas assets of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts. Diluted Earnings per Common Share (Non-GAAP) for 2020 was adjusted to exclude after-tax acquisition-related costs of $0.09 per share
associated with the aforementioned acquisition. See Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in the accompanying Form 10-K for a
reconciliation to GAAP.
Company Profile
Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES), a Fortune
500 and Standard & Poor’s 500 energy
company based in Connecticut,
Massachusetts and New Hampshire,
operates New England’s largest energy
delivery system. Eversource is
committed to safety, reliability,
environmental leadership and
stewardship for its 4.4 million electric,
natural gas and water customers.
Eversource
Service Territory
Eversource Electric
Eversource Gas
Combined Eversource
Electric & Gas
Water
Annual Report Chairman and CEO Letter
Eversource Energy completed a very
successful year in 2021, providing safe,
reliable delivery of electricity, natural gas,
and water to 4.4 million customers across
New England. Our reliability remained in
the top decile of our utility industry peers.
We invested $3.5 billion in our energy
and water delivery systems to make them
more resilient and reliable for our
customers. In addition, our above
average utility industry performance at
preventing serious injuries highlighted
our commitment to Safety First and
Always. We responded promptly and
safely to another year of frequent and
intense storm activity and received
many accolades from our customers.
And we continued to lead the way in
supporting the aggressive
decarbonization efforts of our states
through ongoing implementation of
the industry’s #1 energy efficiency
programs, making significant
progress in the development of our
offshore wind projects, and
continuing our efforts to make our
operations carbon neutral by 2030.
Eversource was the first in our
industry to establish a 2030 carbon
neutrality goal and our 2021 progress
toward reaching it included replacing
Joe Nolan
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Jim Judge
Executive Chairman
about 125 miles of older natural gas main in Connecticut and
Massachusetts, reducing emissions while improving service
to customers. We implemented energy-saving efficiency
initiatives at our facilities. We now have more than 300
electric or hybrid vehicles in regular service in our fleet.
And we worked to advance and support the development
of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Connecticut
and Massachusetts. Legislation passed in Massachusetts
in 2021 creates new opportunities for utility-owned
solar investment.
Our offshore wind joint venture with Ørsted successfully
advanced three projects, totaling more than 1,700 MW of
capacity, through the permitting and approval process. We
received final approvals for our 130-megawatt South Fork
Wind project in January 2022 and have commenced
construction. This project will power about 70,000 homes in
New York State with clean energy, with completion expected
in late 2023. We received all onshore and offshore permits
for the redevelopment of New London State Pier in
Connecticut, where we are working with the state to
transform an underutilized asset into a strategic hub for
offshore wind assembly and construction. Eversource and
Ørsted announced an agreement to charter Dominion
Energy’s 472-foot ship, Charybdis, the first Jones
Act-qualified offshore wind turbine installation vessel built in
the United States. The vessel, which is expected to be
sea-ready by late 2023, will support the construction of
Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind. We also announced that
Sunrise Wind will be the first offshore wind project in the U.S.
to use high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission
technology, and our projects will support U.S. manufacturing
partners in New York State and Rhode Island.
The COVID-19 pandemic that shocked the world in 2020
continued throughout 2021 but did not compromise our
service to customers. We continued to work with regulators
to offer flexible bill payment options, recognizing the
ongoing economic impact of the pandemic, and also
collaborated with community agencies to ease the impact of
service disconnections as much as possible. Eversource
remained focused on safety, adjusting our protocols as
needed to best protect employees, customers, and members
of the public. We also developed and adjusted
return-to-workplace policies that offer flexibility to
employees without affecting service to customers.
On the regulatory front, Eversource reached a constructive settlement,
involving many key stakeholders, of the Connecticut Public Utilities
Regulatory Authority’s (PURA) investigation into our Tropical Storm Isaias
response in 2020. We filed a five-year grid modernization proposal in
Massachusetts, including implementation of advanced metering
infrastructure, and remained active in PURA’s grid modernization dockets,
which include advanced metering, electric vehicle charging infrastructure,
and other technologies. We invested millions of dollars to enable the
development of electric vehicle chargers in Massachusetts, including a
specific percentage in environmental justice communities. We expect to
bring our first battery storage project, on Cape Cod, fully online in the first
half of 2022.
We worked throughout the year to advance the integration of the former
Columbia Gas of Massachusetts assets into Eversource after closing the
purchase of those assets in late 2020. This acquisition brought immediate
benefits to customers and communities, as we stepped up investment in the
replacement of older natural gas lines. It also benefited shareholders, as the
$1.1 billion acquisition was accretive to our results in 2021. Also, in December
2021, Aquarion, our water delivery business, acquired New England Service
Company, adding about 10,000 water customers in Connecticut,
Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
We emphasized urgent response to storms and emergencies throughout the
year, implementing numerous enhancements from lessons learned from
previous storms. In general, these upgrades provide more communication
and focused information to customers and communities. We’ve also
developed ways to work more strategically and effectively with first
responders and community leaders. The team responded well to six major
and 12 minor Emergency Response Plan (ERP) activations, including an
October nor’easter in eastern Massachusetts that caused more than 300,000
customer outages.
Our financial performance in 2021 met our stated goals, thanks to our team’s
focus on executing our business and investment plans. We provided an 8.2
percent total return to our shareholders in 2021. In addition, our medium and
long-term returns remain among the best in the industry. Our total return of
52 percent for the three years ended December 31, 2021 is the 6th best
among the 39 companies in the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) index and our
five-year return ranks 7th in the EEI index.
A significant factor in our strong total return performance is the continued
commitment to our common share dividend. In 2021, we raised our dividend
by more than 6 percent to an annualized level of $2.41 per share, and in
February 2022, our Board of Trustees approved an increase to an annualized
rate of $2.55 per share.
Annual Report Chairman and CEO Letter
Eversource Energy completed a very
successful year in 2021, providing safe,
about 125 miles of older natural gas main in Connecticut and
Massachusetts, reducing emissions while improving service
reliable delivery of electricity, natural gas,
to customers. We implemented energy-saving efficiency
and water to 4.4 million customers across
initiatives at our facilities. We now have more than 300
New England. Our reliability remained in
electric or hybrid vehicles in regular service in our fleet.
the top decile of our utility industry peers.
And we worked to advance and support the development
We invested $3.5 billion in our energy
of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Connecticut
and water delivery systems to make them
and Massachusetts. Legislation passed in Massachusetts
more resilient and reliable for our
customers. In addition, our above
average utility industry performance at
preventing serious injuries highlighted
our commitment to Safety First and
Always. We responded promptly and
safely to another year of frequent and
intense storm activity and received
many accolades from our customers.
And we continued to lead the way in
supporting the aggressive
decarbonization efforts of our states
through ongoing implementation of
the industry’s #1 energy efficiency
programs, making significant
progress in the development of our
offshore wind projects, and
continuing our efforts to make our
operations carbon neutral by 2030.
in 2021 creates new opportunities for utility-owned
solar investment.
Our offshore wind joint venture with Ørsted successfully
advanced three projects, totaling more than 1,700 MW of
capacity, through the permitting and approval process. We
received final approvals for our 130-megawatt South Fork
Wind project in January 2022 and have commenced
construction. This project will power about 70,000 homes in
New York State with clean energy, with completion expected
in late 2023. We received all onshore and offshore permits
for the redevelopment of New London State Pier in
Connecticut, where we are working with the state to
transform an underutilized asset into a strategic hub for
offshore wind assembly and construction. Eversource and
Ørsted announced an agreement to charter Dominion
Energy’s 472-foot ship, Charybdis, the first Jones
Act-qualified offshore wind turbine installation vessel built in
the United States. The vessel, which is expected to be
sea-ready by late 2023, will support the construction of
Eversource was the first in our
Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind. We also announced that
industry to establish a 2030 carbon
Sunrise Wind will be the first offshore wind project in the U.S.
neutrality goal and our 2021 progress
to use high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission
toward reaching it included replacing
technology, and our projects will support U.S. manufacturing
partners in New York State and Rhode Island.
The COVID-19 pandemic that shocked the world in 2020
continued throughout 2021 but did not compromise our
service to customers. We continued to work with regulators
to offer flexible bill payment options, recognizing the
ongoing economic impact of the pandemic, and also
collaborated with community agencies to ease the impact of
service disconnections as much as possible. Eversource
remained focused on safety, adjusting our protocols as
needed to best protect employees, customers, and members
of the public. We also developed and adjusted
return-to-workplace policies that offer flexibility to
employees without affecting service to customers.
Joe Nolan
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Jim Judge
Executive Chairman
On the regulatory front, Eversource reached a constructive settlement,
involving many key stakeholders, of the Connecticut Public Utilities
Regulatory Authority’s (PURA) investigation into our Tropical Storm Isaias
response in 2020. We filed a five-year grid modernization proposal in
Massachusetts, including implementation of advanced metering
infrastructure, and remained active in PURA’s grid modernization dockets,
which include advanced metering, electric vehicle charging infrastructure,
and other technologies. We invested millions of dollars to enable the
development of electric vehicle chargers in Massachusetts, including a
specific percentage in environmental justice communities. We expect to
bring our first battery storage project, on Cape Cod, fully online in the first
half of 2022.
We worked throughout the year to advance the integration of the former
Columbia Gas of Massachusetts assets into Eversource after closing the
purchase of those assets in late 2020. This acquisition brought immediate
benefits to customers and communities, as we stepped up investment in the
replacement of older natural gas lines. It also benefited shareholders, as the
$1.1 billion acquisition was accretive to our results in 2021. Also, in December
2021, Aquarion, our water delivery business, acquired New England Service
Company, adding about 10,000 water customers in Connecticut,
Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
We emphasized urgent response to storms and emergencies throughout the
year, implementing numerous enhancements from lessons learned from
previous storms. In general, these upgrades provide more communication
and focused information to customers and communities. We’ve also
developed ways to work more strategically and effectively with first
responders and community leaders. The team responded well to six major
and 12 minor Emergency Response Plan (ERP) activations, including an
October nor’easter in eastern Massachusetts that caused more than 300,000
customer outages.
Our financial performance in 2021 met our stated goals, thanks to our team’s
focus on executing our business and investment plans. We provided an 8.2
percent total return to our shareholders in 2021. In addition, our medium and
long-term returns remain among the best in the industry. Our total return of
52 percent for the three years ended December 31, 2021 is the 6th best
among the 39 companies in the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) index and our
five-year return ranks 7th in the EEI index.
A significant factor in our strong total return performance is the continued
commitment to our common share dividend. In 2021, we raised our dividend
by more than 6 percent to an annualized level of $2.41 per share, and in
February 2022, our Board of Trustees approved an increase to an annualized
rate of $2.55 per share.
We continued to advance our focus on diversity, inclusion and social justice, with an ongoing commitment from senior
management. These efforts included the launch of an internal Racial Equity Task Force; the ongoing efforts of our employee
Business Resource Groups; and awareness activities and events open to all employees. Also, we created a new Vice
President-level position focused on equity. Equity means engaging all stakeholders, including our customers and
communities, and treating them with respect and dignity while working toward fair and just outcomes, especially for those
burdened with economic challenges, racial inequity, negative environmental impacts and justice disparities. By year’s end,
we created a 15-member advisory team to develop equity guidelines that will direct our future actions in this area.
We take pride in continuing strong support for community agencies at a time when COVID has driven up demand for their
services. We held our four signature community events – the Massachusetts General Cancer Center/Eversource Everyday
Amazing Race, the Eversource Hartford Marathon, The Eversource Walk for Boston Children’s Hospital, and the Eversource
Walk & 5K for New Hampshire Easterseals – in either in-person or virtual formats. We also resumed in-person company
volunteer events on a limited basis, keeping safety as our primary focus.
We were proud to once again receive recognition for excellence in a variety of areas for our environmental, social, and
governance (ESG) performance. These recognitions included:
Inclusion in Newsweek’s list of Most Responsible Companies.
Inclusion in the JUST Capital list of JUST 100 Companies, a ranking of most responsible
publicly traded companies.
#1 energy utility and 42nd company overall on Barron’s list of America’s Most Sustainable Companies.
The 2021 Gold Medallion Award from the U.S. Department of Labor’s HIRE Vets Medallion Program.
This recognizes our excellence in recruiting, employing, and retaining active-duty, reserve and veteran
service members.
Inclusion in the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, which recognizes companies that have shown their
commitment to advancing women’s equality in the workplace and transparency in gender reporting.
Recognition as one of America’s “best employers for diversity” by Forbes magazine.
Top ratings for sustainability from two leading raters: Sustainalytics and MSCI.
A 2021 RIMS Global Enterprise Risk Management Award of Distinction from the Risk Management Society.
Eversource was one of three U.S. companies and the only utility to be honored.
Very high rankings in several categories of Institutional Investor’s annual investor rankings of utilities,
based on a poll of institutional investors and analysts.
Finally, we are pleased to report on the continued strength of our succession planning. In May, after five years as CEO, Jim
Judge became Executive Chairman and Joe Nolan was elected President and Chief Executive Officer. Joe is a 35-year veteran
of the company and has directly overseen our customer service, corporate affairs, energy efficiency, and offshore wind
partnership. We are pleased to jointly update you on Eversource’s success in 2021 and bright prospects for 2022 and
beyond. We will continue to focus on safe, reliable service; advancing clean energy and reducing carbon emissions; support
for social justice, diversity, inclusion, and equity; strong storm response; and COVID safety protocols. With our talented team
of 9,200 employees, we are confident that Eversource will respond effectively to every challenge.
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Executive Chairman
☒
☐
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021
or
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ____________ to ____________
Registrant; State of Incorporation; Address; Telephone Number;
Commission File Number; and I.R.S. Employer Identification No.
EVERSOURCE ENERGY
(a Massachusetts voluntary association)
300 Cadwell Drive, Springfield, Massachusetts 01104
Telephone: (800) 286-5000
Commission File Number: 001-05324
I.R.S. Employer Identification No. 04-2147929
THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
(a Connecticut corporation)
107 Selden Street, Berlin, Connecticut 06037-1616
Telephone: (800) 286-5000
Commission File Number: 000-00404
I.R.S. Employer Identification No. 06-0303850
NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY
(a Massachusetts corporation)
800 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02199
Telephone: (800) 286-5000
Commission File Number: 001-02301
I.R.S. Employer Identification No. 04-1278810
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
Commission File Number: 001-06392
I.R.S. Employer Identification No. 02-0181050
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Common Shares, $5.00 par value per share
Trading Symbol(s)
ES
Name of each exchange on which registered
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Registrant
Title of Class
The Connecticut Light and Power Company
Preferred Stock, par value $50.00 per share, issuable in series, of which the following
series are outstanding:
$1.90
$2.00
$2.04
$2.20
3.90%
$2.06
$2.09
4.50%
4.96%
4.50%
5.28%
$3.24
6.56%
Series
Series
Series
Series
Series
Series E
Series F
Series
Series
Series
Series
Series G
Series
of 1947
of 1947
of 1949
of 1949
of 1949
of 1954
of 1955
of 1956
of 1958
of 1963
of 1967
of 1968
of 1968
NSTAR Electric Company
Preferred Stock, par value $100.00 per share, issuable in series, of which the following
series are outstanding:
4.25%
4.78%
Series
Series
of 1956
of 1958
Indicate by check mark if the registrants are well-known seasoned issuers, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Indicate by check mark if the registrants are not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes
☐
Yes
☒
No
☐
No
☒
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
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants have submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule
405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to
submit such files).
Yes
☒
No
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a 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.
Eversource Energy
The Connecticut Light
and Power Company
NSTAR Electric
Company
Public Service Company
of New Hampshire
Large accelerated
filer
Large accelerated
filer
Large accelerated
filer
Large accelerated
filer
☒
☐
☐
☐
Accelerated
filer
Accelerated
filer
Accelerated
filer
Accelerated
filer
☐
☐
☐
☐
Non-accelerated
filer
Non-accelerated
filer
Non-accelerated
filer
Non-accelerated
filer
☐
☒
☒
☒
Smaller reporting
company
Smaller reporting
company
Smaller reporting
company
Smaller reporting
company
☐
☐
☐
☐
Emerging growth
company
Emerging growth
company
Emerging growth
company
Emerging growth
company
☐
☐
☐
☐
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 registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its
internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting
firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are shell companies (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):
Eversource Energy
The Connecticut Light and Power Company
NSTAR Electric Company
Public Service Company of New Hampshire
Yes
☐
☐
☐
☐
No
☒
☒
☒
☒
The aggregate market value of Eversource Energy's Common Shares, $5.00 par value, held by non-affiliates, computed by reference to the price at
which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of Eversource
Energy's most recently completed second fiscal quarter (June 30, 2021) was $27,528,070,961 based on a closing market price of $80.24 per share
for the 343,071,672 common shares outstanding held by non-affiliates on June 30, 2021.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
Company - Class of Stock
Eversource Energy
Common Shares, $5.00 par value
The Connecticut Light and Power Company
Common Stock, $10.00 par value
NSTAR Electric Company
Common Stock, $1.00 par value
Public Service Company of New Hampshire
Common Stock, $1.00 par value
Outstanding as of January 31, 2022
344,439,905 shares
6,035,205 shares
200 shares
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.
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-K. 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.
The following is a glossary of abbreviations and acronyms that are found in this report:
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
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
CL&P
NSTAR Electric
PSNH
PSNH Funding
NSTAR Gas
EGMA
Yankee Gas
Aquarion
NPT
Northern Pass
HEEC
Eversource Service
North East Offshore
CYAPC
MYAPC
YAEC
Yankee Companies
Regulated companies
subsidiaries, which primarily includes our unregulated businesses, HWP Company, The Rocky River
Realty Company (a real estate subsidiary), the consolidated operations of CYAPC and YAEC, and
Eversource parent's equity ownership interests that are not consolidated
The Connecticut Light and Power Company
NSTAR Electric Company
Public Service Company of New Hampshire
PSNH Funding LLC 3, a bankruptcy remote, special purpose, wholly-owned subsidiary of PSNH
NSTAR Gas Company
Eversource Gas Company of Massachusetts
Yankee Gas Services Company
Aquarion Company and its subsidiaries
Northern Pass Transmission LLC
The high-voltage direct current (HVDC) and associated alternating-current transmission line project from
Canada into New Hampshire
Harbor Electric Energy Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NSTAR Electric
Eversource Energy Service Company
North East Offshore, LLC, an offshore wind business being developed jointly by Eversource and
Denmark-based Ørsted
Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company
Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company
Yankee Atomic Electric Company
CYAPC, YAEC and MYAPC
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,
NSTAR Gas and EGMA, Aquarion’s water distribution businesses, and the solar power facilities of
NSTAR Electric
Regulators and Government Agencies:
BOEM
DEEP
DOE
DOER
DPU
EPA
FERC
ISO-NE
MA DEP
NHPUC
PURA
SEC
Other Terms and Abbreviations:
ADIT
AFUDC
AOCI
ARO
Bcf
CfD
CWIP
EDC
EDIT
EPS
ERISA
ESOP
U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
U.S. Department of Energy
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
ISO New England, Inc., the New England Independent System Operator
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission
Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes
Allowance For Funds Used During Construction
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Asset Retirement Obligation
Billion cubic feet
Contract for Differences
Construction Work in Progress
Electric distribution company
Excess Deferred Income Taxes
Earnings Per Share
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
i
Eversource 2020 Form 10-K
Fitch
FMCC
GAAP
GWh
IPP
ISO-NE Tariff
kV
kVa
kW
LNG
LRS
MG
MGP
MMBtu
MMcf
Moody's
MW
MWh
NETOs
OCI
PAM
PBOP
PBOP Plan
Pension Plan
PPA
RECs
Regulatory ROE
ROE
RRBs
RSUs
S&P
SERP
SS
UI
VIE
The Eversource Energy and Subsidiaries 2020 combined Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the
SEC
Fitch Ratings
Federally Mandated Congestion Charge
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Gigawatt-Hours
Independent Power Producers
ISO-NE FERC Transmission, Markets and Services Tariff
Kilovolt
Kilovolt-ampere
Kilowatt (equal to one thousand watts)
Liquefied natural gas
Supplier of last resort service
Million gallons
Manufactured Gas Plant
One million British thermal units
Million cubic feet
Moody's Investors Services, Inc.
Megawatt
Megawatt-Hours
New England Transmission Owners (including Eversource, National Grid and Avangrid)
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
Pension and PBOP Rate Adjustment Mechanism
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension Plan
Single uniform noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan
Power purchase agreement
Renewable Energy Certificates
The average cost of capital method for calculating the return on equity related to the distribution business
segment excluding the wholesale transmission segment
Return on Equity
Rate Reduction Bonds or Rate Reduction Certificates
Restricted share units
Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans and non-qualified defined benefit retirement plans
Standard service
The United Illuminating Company
Variable Interest Entity
ii
EVERSOURCE ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES
THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SUBSIDIARIES
2021 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.
Business
Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures
Information About Our Executive Officers
PART I
PART II
Market for the Registrants’ Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Removed and Reserved
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Other Information
PART III
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Item 15.
Item 16.
Signatures
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Form 10-K Summary
PART IV
Page
2
12
16
17
19
19
20
20
21
21
41
42
95
95
95
95
97
97
97
98
98
98
E-4
iii
EVERSOURCE ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES
THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SUBSIDIARIES
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES
LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
References in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to "Eversource," the "Company," "we," "our," and "us" refer to Eversource Energy and its
consolidated subsidiaries. CL&P, NSTAR Electric, and PSNH are each doing business as Eversource Energy.
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,
disruptions in the capital markets or other events that make our access to necessary capital more difficult or costly,
the negative impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including any new or emerging variants, on our customers,
vendors, employees, regulators, and operations,
changes in economic conditions, including impact on interest rates, tax policies, and customer demand and payment ability,
ability or inability to commence and complete our major strategic development projects and opportunities,
acts of war or terrorism, physical attacks or grid disturbances that may damage and disrupt our electric transmission and electric, natural
gas, and water distribution systems,
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 or development of alternative energy sources related to our
current or future business model,
contamination of, or disruption in, our water supplies,
changes in levels or timing of capital expenditures,
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 Annual Report on Form 10-K. This Annual
Report on Form 10-K also describes 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.
1
EVERSOURCE ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES
THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART I
Item 1. Business
Please refer to the Glossary of Terms for definitions of defined terms and abbreviations used in this combined Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Eversource Energy, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts and Hartford, Connecticut, is a public utility holding company subject to regulation by
the FERC under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005. We are engaged primarily in the energy delivery business through the following
wholly-owned utility subsidiaries:
•
The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P), a regulated electric utility that serves residential, commercial and industrial
customers in parts of Connecticut;
• NSTAR Electric Company (NSTAR Electric), a regulated electric utility that serves residential, commercial and industrial customers in
parts of eastern and western Massachusetts and owns solar power facilities;
•
Public Service Company of New Hampshire (PSNH), a regulated electric utility that serves residential, commercial and industrial
customers in parts of New Hampshire;
• NSTAR Gas Company (NSTAR Gas), a regulated natural gas utility that serves residential, commercial and industrial customers in parts
of Massachusetts;
•
Eversource Gas Company of Massachusetts (EGMA), a regulated natural gas utility that serves residential, commercial and industrial
customers in parts of Massachusetts;
• Yankee Gas Services Company (Yankee Gas), a regulated natural gas utility that serves residential, commercial and industrial customers
in parts of Connecticut; and
• Aquarion Company (Aquarion), a utility holding company that owns four separate regulated water utility subsidiaries and collectively
serves residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal and fire protection customers in parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts and New
Hampshire.
CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH also serve New England customers through Eversource Energy's electric transmission business. Along with
NSTAR Gas, EGMA and Yankee Gas, each is doing business as Eversource Energy in its respective service territory.
On October 9, 2020, Eversource acquired certain assets and liabilities that comprised NiSource Inc.’s natural gas distribution business in
Massachusetts, which was previously doing business as Columbia Gas of Massachusetts (CMA). The natural gas distribution assets acquired from
CMA were assigned to EGMA, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Eversource formed in 2020. The LNG assets acquired from CMA were
assigned to Hopkinton LNG Corp, also a subsidiary of Eversource.
Eversource Energy, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH each report their financial results separately. We also include information in this report on
a segment basis for Eversource Energy. Eversource Energy has four reportable segments: electric distribution, electric transmission, natural gas
distribution and water distribution. These segments represent substantially all of Eversource Energy's total consolidated revenues. CL&P, NSTAR
Electric and PSNH do not report separate business segments.
Eversource Energy also has an offshore wind business, which includes a 50 percent ownership interest in offshore wind projects that are being
developed and constructed through a joint and equal partnership with Ørsted.
ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SEGMENT
Eversource Energy's electric distribution segment consists of the distribution businesses of CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, which are engaged
in the distribution of electricity to retail customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, respectively, and the solar power facilities
of NSTAR Electric.
ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION – CONNECTICUT – THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
CL&P's distribution business consists primarily of the purchase, delivery and sale of electricity to its residential, commercial and industrial
customers. As of December 31, 2021, CL&P furnished retail franchise electric service to approximately 1.27 million customers in 149 cities and
towns in Connecticut, covering an area of approximately 4,400 square miles. CL&P does not own any electric generation facilities.
Rates
CL&P is subject to regulation by the PURA, which, among other things, has jurisdiction over rates, certain dispositions of property and plant,
mergers and consolidations, issuances of long-term securities, standards of service and construction and operation of facilities. CL&P's present
general rate structure consists of various rate and service classifications covering residential, commercial and industrial services. CL&P's retail
rates include a delivery service component, which includes distribution, transmission, conservation, renewable energy programs and other charges
that are assessed on all customers.
Under Connecticut law, all of CL&P's customers are entitled to choose their energy suppliers, while CL&P remains their electric distribution
company. For those customers who do not choose a competitive energy supplier, under SS rates for customers with less than 500 kilowatts of
demand (residential customers and small and medium commercial and industrial customers), and LRS rates for customers with 500 kilowatts or
more of demand (larger commercial and industrial customers), CL&P purchases power under standard offer contracts and passes the cost of the
purchased power to customers through a combined supply charge on customers' bills.
2
The rates established by the PURA for CL&P are comprised of the following:
• An electric generation service charge, which recovers energy-related costs incurred as a result of providing electric generation service
supply to all customers that have not migrated to competitive energy suppliers. The generation service charge is adjusted periodically
and reconciled annually in accordance with the policies and procedures of the PURA, with any differences refunded to, or recovered
from, customers.
• A distribution charge, which includes a fixed customer charge and a demand and/or energy charge to collect the costs of building and
expanding the infrastructure to deliver electricity to customers, as well as ongoing operating costs to maintain the infrastructure.
• A revenue decoupling adjustment that reconciles annual base distribution rate recovery amounts recovered from customers to the pre-
established level of baseline distribution delivery service revenue requirement approved by the PURA.
• An Electric System Improvements (ESI) charge, which collects the costs of building and expanding the infrastructure to deliver
electricity to customers above the level recovered through the distribution charge. The ESI also recovers costs associated with
CL&P’s system resiliency program. The ESI is adjusted periodically and reconciled annually in accordance with the policies and
procedures of the PURA, with any differences refunded to, or recovered from, customers.
• An FMCC, which recovers any costs imposed by the FERC as part of the New England Standard Market Design, including locational
marginal pricing, locational installed capacity payments, any costs approved by the PURA to reduce these charges, as well as other
costs approved by the PURA. The FMCC has both a bypassable component and a non-bypassable component, and is adjusted
periodically and reconciled annually in accordance with the policies and procedures of the PURA, with any differences refunded to, or
recovered from, customers.
• A transmission charge that recovers 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 transmission charge is adjusted periodically and
reconciled annually to actual costs incurred, and reviewed by the PURA, with any difference refunded to, or recovered from,
customers.
• A Competitive Transition Assessment (CTA) charge, assessed to recover stranded costs associated with electric industry restructuring
such as various IPP contracts. The CTA is reconciled annually to actual costs incurred and reviewed by the PURA, with any
difference refunded to, or recovered from, customers.
• A Systems Benefits Charge (SBC), established to fund expenses associated with various hardship and low-income programs. The
SBC is reconciled annually to actual costs incurred, and reviewed by the PURA, with any difference refunded to, or recovered from,
customers.
• A Renewable Energy Investment Charge, which is used to promote investment in renewable energy sources. Amounts collected by
this charge are deposited into the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and administered by the Connecticut Green Bank.
• A Conservation Adjustment Mechanism (CAM) charge established to implement cost-effective energy conservation programs and
market transformation initiatives. The CAM charge is reconciled annually to actual costs incurred, and reviewed by the PURA, with
any difference refunded to, or recovered from, customers through an approved adjustment to the following year’s energy conservation
spending plan budget.
As required by regulation, CL&P has entered into long-term contracts for the purchase of (i) products from renewable energy facilities, which may
include energy, renewable energy certificates, or capacity, (ii) capacity-related contracts with generation facilities, and (iii) contracts for peaking
capacity. Some of these contracts are subject to sharing agreements with UI, whereby CL&P is responsible for 80 percent and UI for 20 percent of
the net costs or benefits. CL&P's portion of the costs and benefits of these contracts will be paid by, or refunded to, CL&P's customers.
Distribution Rate Case: CL&P's distribution rates were established in an April 2018 PURA-approved rate case settlement agreement with rates
effective May 1, 2018, and incremental step adjustments effective May 1, 2019 and May 1, 2020.
CL&P Settlement Agreement: On October 1, 2021, CL&P entered into a settlement agreement with the DEEP, Office of Consumer Counsel
(OCC), Office of the Attorney General (AG) and the Connecticut Industrial Energy Consumers, resolving certain issues that arose in then-pending
regulatory proceedings initiated by the PURA. PURA approved the settlement agreement on October 27, 2021. In accordance with the settlement
agreement, CL&P has agreed that its current base distribution rates shall be frozen, subject to certain customer credits, until no earlier than January
1, 2024. The rate freeze applies only to base distribution rates (including storm costs) and not to other rate mechanisms such as the retail rate
components, rate reconciling mechanisms, formula rates and any other adjustment mechanisms. The rate freeze also does not apply to any cost
recovery mechanism outside of the base distribution rates with regard to grid-modernization initiatives or any other proceedings, either currently
pending or that may be initiated during the rate freeze period, that may place additional obligations on CL&P. The approval of the settlement
agreement satisfies the Connecticut statute of rate review requirements that requires electric utilities to file a distribution rate case within four years
of the last rate case.
Sources and Availability of Electric Power Supply
As noted above, CL&P does not own any generation assets and purchases energy supply to serve its SS and LRS loads from a variety of
competitive sources through requests for proposals. During 2021, CL&P supplied approximately 49 percent of its customer load at SS or LRS
rates while the other 51 percent of its customer load had migrated to competitive energy suppliers. In terms of the total number of CL&P
customers, this equates to 19 percent being on competitive supply, while 81 percent remain with SS or LRS. Because this customer migration is
only for energy supply service, it has no impact on CL&P's electric distribution business or its operating income.
As approved by the PURA, CL&P periodically enters into full requirements supply contracts for SS loads for periods of up to one year. CL&P
typically enters into full requirements supply contracts for LRS loads every three months. Currently, CL&P has full requirements supply contracts
in place for 100 percent of its SS load for the first half of 2022. For the second half of 2022, CL&P has 70 percent of its SS load under full
requirements supply contracts and intends to purchase an additional 30 percent of full requirements. None of the SS load for 2023 has been
procured. CL&P has full requirements supply contracts in place for its LRS load through June 2022 and intends to purchase 100 percent of full
requirements for the remainder of 2022.
3
ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION – MASSACHUSETTS – NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY
NSTAR Electric's distribution business consists primarily of the purchase, delivery and sale of electricity to its residential, commercial and
industrial customers. As of December 31, 2021, NSTAR Electric furnished retail franchise electric service to approximately 1.46 million
customers in 140 cities and towns in eastern and western Massachusetts, including Boston, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and the greater
Springfield metropolitan area, covering an aggregate area of approximately 3,200 square miles.
NSTAR Electric does not own any generating facilities that are used to supply customers, and purchases its energy requirements from competitive
energy suppliers.
NSTAR Electric owns, operates and maintains a total of 70 MW of solar power facilities on twenty-two sites in Massachusetts. NSTAR Electric
will sell energy from these facilities into the ISO-NE market, with proceeds credited to customers.
Rates
NSTAR Electric is subject to regulation by the DPU, which, among other things, has jurisdiction over rates, certain dispositions of property and
plant, mergers and consolidations, issuances of long-term securities, acquisition of securities, standards of service and construction and operation
of facilities. The present general rate structure for NSTAR Electric consists of various rate and service classifications covering residential,
commercial and industrial services.
Under Massachusetts law, all customers of NSTAR Electric are entitled to choose their energy suppliers, while NSTAR Electric remains their
electric distribution company. NSTAR Electric purchases power from competitive suppliers on behalf of, and passes the related cost through to, its
customers who do not choose a competitive energy supplier (basic service). Electric distribution companies in Massachusetts are required to
obtain and resell power to retail customers through basic service for those who choose not to buy energy from a competitive energy supplier. Most
of the residential customers of NSTAR Electric have continued to buy their power from NSTAR Electric at basic service rates. Most commercial
and industrial customers have switched to a competitive energy supplier.
The rates established by the DPU for NSTAR Electric are comprised of the following:
• A basic service charge that represents the collection of energy costs incurred as a result of providing electric generation service supply
to all customers that have not migrated to competitive energy suppliers, including costs related to charge-offs of uncollectible energy
costs from customers. Basic service rates are reset every six months (every three months for large commercial and industrial
customers). Additionally, the DPU has authorized NSTAR Electric to recover the cost of its NSTAR Green wind contracts through the
basic service charge. Basic service costs are reconciled annually, with any differences refunded to, or recovered from, customers.
• A distribution charge, which includes a fixed customer charge and a demand and/or energy charge to collect the costs of building and
expanding the distribution infrastructure to deliver electricity to its destination, as well as ongoing operating costs.
• A revenue decoupling adjustment that reconciles annual base distribution rate recovery amounts recovered from customers to the pre-
established level of baseline distribution delivery service revenue requirement approved by the DPU. Annual base distribution
amounts are adjusted for inflation and filed for approval by the DPU on an annual basis, until the next rate case.
• A transmission charge that recovers 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 transmission charge is reconciled annually to
actual costs incurred, and reviewed by the DPU, with any difference refunded to, or recovered from, customers.
• A transition charge that represents costs to be collected primarily from previously held investments in generating plants, costs related
to existing above-market power contracts, and contract costs related to long-term power contract buy-outs. The transition charge is
reconciled annually to actual costs incurred, and reviewed by the DPU, with any difference refunded to, or recovered from, customers.
• A renewable energy charge that represents a legislatively-mandated charge to support the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust
Fund.
• An energy efficiency charge that represents a legislatively-mandated charge to collect costs for energy efficiency programs. The
energy efficiency charge is reconciled annually to actual costs incurred, and reviewed by the DPU, with any difference refunded to, or
recovered from, customers.
•
Reconciling adjustment charges that recover certain DPU-approved costs, including pension and PBOP benefits, low income customer
discounts, credits issued to net-metering facilities installed by customers, payments to solar facilities qualified under the state solar
renewable energy target program, attorney general consultant expenses, long-term renewable contracts, company-owned solar
facilities, vegetation management costs, credits related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, grid modernization costs, and storm
restoration. These charges are reconciled annually to actual costs incurred, and reviewed by the DPU, with any difference refunded to,
or recovered from, customers.
As approved by the DPU, NSTAR Electric has signed long-term commitments for the purchase of energy from renewable energy facilities.
Distribution Rate Case: NSTAR Electric's distribution rates were established in a 2017 DPU-approved rate case with rates effective February 1,
2018. DPU-approved inflation-based adjustments to annual base distribution amounts were effective annually beginning in 2019 and last through
2022. On January 14, 2022, NSTAR Electric filed an application with the DPU for new base distribution rates to be effective January 1, 2023.
Service Quality Metrics: NSTAR Electric is subject to service quality (SQ) metrics that measure safety, reliability and customer service, and could
be required to pay to customers a SQ charge of up to 2.5 percent of annual transmission and distribution revenues for failing to meet such metrics.
NSTAR Electric will not be required to pay a SQ charge for its 2021 performance as the company achieved results at or above target for all of its
SQ metrics in 2021.
4
Sources and Availability of Electric Power Supply
As noted above, NSTAR Electric does not own any generation assets (other than 70 MW of solar power facilities that produce energy that is sold
into the ISO-NE market) and purchases its energy supply requirements from a variety of competitive sources through requests for proposals issued
periodically, consistent with DPU regulations. As approved by the DPU, NSTAR Electric enters into supply contracts for basic service for
approximately 30 percent of its residential and 23 percent of its small commercial and industrial (C&I) customers twice per year for twelve-month
terms. NSTAR Electric enters into supply contracts for basic service for 13 percent of its large C&I customers every three months.
During 2021, NSTAR Electric supplied approximately 17 percent of its overall customer load at basic service rates. The remaining 83 percent of
its overall customer load was served either by municipal aggregation or competitive supply. Because customer migration is limited to energy
supply service, it has no impact on NSTAR Electric’s electric distribution business or operating income of NSTAR Electric.
ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION – NEW HAMPSHIRE – PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
PSNH's distribution business consists primarily of the purchase, delivery and sale of electricity to its residential, commercial and industrial
customers. As of December 31, 2021, PSNH furnished retail franchise electric service to approximately 532,000 retail customers in 211 cities and
towns in New Hampshire, covering an area of approximately 5,630 square miles. PSNH does not own any electric generation facilities.
Rates
PSNH is subject to regulation by the NHPUC, which, among other things, has jurisdiction over rates, certain dispositions of property and plant,
mergers and consolidations, issuances of securities, standards of service and construction and operation of facilities.
Under New Hampshire law, all of PSNH's customers are entitled to choose competitive energy suppliers. For those customers who do not choose a
competitive energy supplier, PSNH purchases power on behalf of, and passes the related cost through to, those customers (default energy service).
The rates established by the NHPUC for PSNH are comprised of the following:
• A default energy service charge recovers energy-related costs incurred as a result of providing electric generation service supply to all
customers that have not migrated to competitive energy suppliers.
• A distribution charge, which includes kilowatt-hour and/or demand-based charges to recover costs related to the maintenance and
operation of PSNH's infrastructure to deliver power to its destination, as well as power restoration and service costs. It also includes a
customer charge to collect the cost of providing service to a customer; such as the installation, maintenance, reading and replacement
of meters and maintaining accounts and records.
• A transmission charge that recovers 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.
• A Stranded Cost Recovery Charge (SCRC), which allows PSNH to recover its stranded costs, including above-market expenses
incurred under mandated power purchase obligations, other long-term investments and obligations, and the remaining costs associated
with the 2018 sales of its generation facilities.
• A Systems Benefits Charge (SBC), which funds energy efficiency programs for all customers, as well as assistance programs for
residential customers within certain income guidelines.
• A Regulatory Reconciliation Adjustment (RRA) that reconciles the difference between certain estimated and actual costs included in
base distribution rates, including costs related to regulatory assessments, vegetation management program expenses, property tax
expenses, storm cost amortization updated for the actual cost of long-term debt and lost base revenues related to net metering.
As approved by the NHPUC, PSNH has signed long-term commitments for the purchase of energy from renewable energy facilities.
The default energy service charge and SCRC rates change semi-annually and the transmission and SBC rates change annually. These rates are
reconciled annually in accordance with the policies and procedures of the NHPUC, with any differences refunded to, or recovered from,
customers.
Distribution Rate Case: PSNH’s distribution rates were established in a December 2020 NHPUC-approved settlement agreement, with rates
effective January 1, 2021. PSNH was also permitted three step increases, effective January 1, 2021, August 1, 2021, and August 1, 2022, to reflect
plant additions in calendar years 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively.
Sources and Availability of Electric Power Supply
PSNH does not own any generation assets and as approved by the NHPUC, purchases energy supply from a variety of competitive suppliers for its
energy service customers through requests for proposals issued twice per year, for six-month terms, for approximately 82 percent of its residential
and small C&I customers and for 17 percent of its large C&I customers.
During 2021, PSNH supplied approximately 47 percent of its customer load at default energy service rates while the other 53 percent of its
customer load had migrated to competitive energy suppliers. Because this customer migration is only for energy supply service, it has no impact
on PSNH’s electric distribution business or its operating income.
ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION SEGMENT
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. Each of CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, and 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. Under these arrangements, ISO-NE, a non-profit corporation whose board of directors and staff are independent of
all market participants, serves as the regional transmission organization of the New England transmission system.
5
Wholesale Transmission Rates
Wholesale transmission revenues are recovered through FERC-approved formula rates. Annual transmission revenue requirements include
recovery of transmission costs and include a return on equity applied to transmission rate base. Transmission revenues are collected from New
England customers, including distribution customers of CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH. The transmission rates provide for an annual true-up
of estimated to actual costs. The financial impacts of differences between actual and estimated costs are deferred for future recovery from, or
refund to, transmission customers.
Transmission Rate Base
Transmission rate base under our FERC-approved tariff primarily consists of our investment in transmission net utility plant less accumulated
deferred income taxes. Under our FERC-approved tariff, investments in net utility plant generally enter rate base after they are placed in
commercial operation. At the end of 2021, our estimated transmission rate base was approximately $8.7 billion, including approximately $3.8
billion at CL&P, $3.5 billion at NSTAR Electric, and $1.4 billion at PSNH.
FERC ROE Complaints
Four separate complaints were 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. In the fourth complaint, filed April 29, 2016, the Complainants challenged the NETOs' base ROE billed of 10.57 percent and
the maximum ROE for transmission incentive (incentive cap) of 11.74 percent, asserting that these ROEs were unjust and unreasonable.
In response to appeals of the FERC decision in the first complaint filed by the NETOs and the Complainants, the 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. On October 16, 2018, FERC issued an
order on all four complaints describing how it intends to address the issues that were remanded by the Court. FERC proposed a new framework to
determine (1) whether an existing ROE is unjust and unreasonable and, if so, (2) how to calculate a replacement ROE.
On November 21, 2019, FERC issued Opinion No. 569 affecting the two pending transmission ROE complaints against the Midcontinent ISO
(MISO) transmission owners, in which FERC adopted a new methodology for determining base ROEs. Various parties sought rehearing. On
December 23, 2019, the NETOs filed supplementary materials in the NETOs' four pending cases to respond to this new methodology because of
the uncertainty of the applicability to the NETOs' cases.
On May 21, 2020, the FERC issued its order in Opinion No. 569-A on the rehearing of the MISO transmission owners' cases, in which FERC
again changed its methodology for determining the MISO transmission owners' base ROEs. On November 19, 2020, the FERC issued Opinion
No. 569-B denying rehearing of Opinion No. 569-A and reaffirmed the methodology previously adopted in Opinion No. 569-A. The new
methodology differs significantly from the methodology proposed by FERC in its October 16, 2018 order to determine the NETOs' base ROEs in
its four pending cases. FERC Opinion Nos. 569-A and 569-B are currently under appeal with the Court.
Given the significant uncertainty regarding the applicability of the FERC opinions in the MISO transmission owners' two complaint cases to the
NETOs' pending four complaint cases, Eversource concluded that there is no reasonable basis for a change to the reserve or recognized ROEs for
any of the complaint periods at this time. As well, Eversource cannot reasonably estimate a range of any gain or loss for any of the four complaint
proceedings at this time.
For further information, see "FERC Regulatory Matters - FERC ROE Complaints" in the accompanying Item 7, Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Transmission Projects
During 2021, we were involved in the planning, development and construction of a series of electric transmission projects that enhance system
reliability and improve capacity. For more information on transmission projects, see "Business Development and Capital Expenditures – Electric
Transmission Business" in the accompanying Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION SEGMENT
On October 9, 2020, Eversource acquired certain assets and liabilities that comprised the NiSource Inc. (NiSource) natural gas distribution
business in Massachusetts, which was previously doing business as CMA, pursuant to an asset purchase agreement (the Agreement) entered into
on February 26, 2020 between Eversource and NiSource. The cash purchase price was $1.1 billion, plus a working capital amount of
$68.6 million, as finalized in the first quarter of 2021. The natural gas distribution assets acquired from CMA were assigned to Eversource Gas
Company of Massachusetts (EGMA), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Eversource formed in 2020. The LNG assets acquired from CMA
were assigned to Hopkinton LNG Corp, also a subsidiary of Eversource.
NSTAR Gas distributes natural gas to approximately 303,000 customers in 51 communities in central and eastern Massachusetts covering 1,067
square miles. EGMA distributes natural gas to approximately 335,000 customers in 65 communities throughout Massachusetts covering 1,206
square miles. Yankee Gas distributes natural gas to approximately 249,000 customers in 74 cities and towns in Connecticut covering 2,632 square
miles. Total throughput (sales and transportation) in 2021 was approximately 66.9 Bcf for NSTAR Gas, 53.4 Bcf for EGMA, and 56.4 Bcf for
Yankee Gas. Our natural gas businesses provide firm natural gas sales and transportation service to eligible retail customers who require a
continuous natural gas supply throughout the year, such as residential customers who rely on natural gas for heating, hot water and cooking needs,
as well as commercial and industrial customers that rely on natural gas for space heating, hot water, cooking and commercial and industrial
applications.
NSTAR Gas, EGMA and Yankee Gas generate revenues primarily through the sale and/or transportation of natural gas. All NSTAR Gas and
EGMA retail customers have the ability to choose to purchase gas from third party marketers under the Massachusetts Retail Choice program. In
the past year in Massachusetts, Retail Choice represented only approximately one percent of the total residential load, while Retail Choice
represented approximately 59 percent of the total commercial and industrial load. Retail natural gas service in Connecticut is partially unbundled:
residential customers in Yankee Gas' service territory buy natural gas supply and delivery only from Yankee Gas while commercial and industrial
customers may choose their natural gas suppliers. Firm transportation service is offered to customers who purchase natural gas from sources other
than NSTAR Gas, EGMA or Yankee Gas. NSTAR Gas and EGMA have the ability to offer interruptible transportation and interruptible natural
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gas sales service to high volume commercial and industrial customers. Yankee Gas offers interruptible transportation and interruptible natural gas
sales service to commercial and industrial customers that have the ability to switch from natural gas to an alternate fuel on short notice. NSTAR
Gas, EGMA and Yankee Gas can interrupt service to these customers during peak demand periods or at any other time to maintain distribution
system integrity.
A portion of the storage of natural gas supply for NSTAR Gas and EGMA during the winter heating season is provided by Hopkinton LNG Corp.,
an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Eversource Energy. NSTAR Gas has access to facilities consisting of an LNG liquefaction and
vaporization plant and three above-ground cryogenic storage tanks having an aggregate capacity of 3.0 Bcf of liquefied natural gas and facilities
that include additional storage capacity of 0.5 Bcf. Total vaporization capacity of these facilities is 0.21 Bcf per day. EGMA has access to
approximately 1.8 Bcf of LNG and 0.1 Bcf of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage, with a total vaporization capacity of 0.14 Bcf per day.
Yankee Gas owns a 1.2 Bcf LNG facility, which also has the ability to liquefy and vaporize up to 0.1 Bcf per day. This facility is used primarily to
assist Yankee Gas in meeting its supplier-of-last-resort obligations and also enables it to provide economic supply and make economic refill of
natural gas, typically during periods of low demand.
Rates
NSTAR Gas and EGMA are subject to regulation by the DPU and Yankee Gas is subject to regulation by the PURA, both of which, among other
things, have jurisdiction over rates, certain dispositions of property and plant, mergers and consolidations, issuances of long-term securities,
standards of service and construction and operation of facilities.
Retail natural gas delivery and supply rates are established by the DPU and the PURA and are comprised of:
• A distribution charge consisting of a fixed customer charge and a demand and/or energy charge that collects the costs of building,
maintaining, and expanding the natural gas infrastructure to deliver natural gas supply to its customers. This also includes collection
of ongoing operating costs.
• A seasonal cost of gas adjustment clause (CGAC) at NSTAR Gas and EGMA that collects natural gas supply costs, pipeline and
storage capacity costs, costs related to charge-offs of uncollected energy costs and working capital related costs. The CGAC is reset
semi-annually with any difference being recovered from, or refunded to, customers during the following corresponding season. In
addition, NSTAR Gas and EGMA file interim changes to the CGAC factor when the actual costs of natural gas supply vary from
projections by more than five percent.
• A Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) clause at Yankee Gas that collects the costs of the procurement of natural gas for its firm and
seasonal customers. The PGA is evaluated monthly. Differences between actual natural gas costs and collection amounts from
September 1st through August 31st of each PGA year are deferred and then recovered from, or refunded to, customers during the
following PGA year. Carrying charges on outstanding balances are calculated using Yankee Gas' weighted average cost of capital in
accordance with the directives of the PURA.
• A local distribution adjustment clause (LDAC) at NSTAR Gas and EGMA that collects all energy efficiency and related program
costs, environmental costs, pension and PBOP related costs, attorney general consultant costs, credits related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs
Act of 2017, gas system enhancement program (GSEP) costs and costs associated with low income customers. The LDAC is reset
annually with any difference being recovered from, or refunded to, customers during the following period and provides for the
recovery of certain costs applicable to both sales and transportation customers.
• A Conservation Adjustment Mechanism (CAM) at Yankee Gas, which allows 100 percent recovery of conservation costs through this
mechanism including program incentives to promote energy efficiency. A reconciliation of CAM revenues to expenses is performed
annually with any difference being recovered from, or refunded to, customers with carrying charges during the following year.
• A Gas System Improvement (GSI) reconciliation mechanism at Yankee Gas, which collects the costs of certain Distribution Integrity
Management Program (DIMP) and core capital plant in service above and beyond the level that is recovered through the distribution
charge. The GSI is adjusted and reconciled annually, with any differences refunded to, or recovered from, customers.
• A System Expansion Rate (SER) Reconciliation Mechanism at Yankee Gas, which compares distribution system expansion investment
costs and revenues for new customers, with the level projected in current distribution customer rates. This reconciliation is performed
annually and customer rates are adjusted accordingly.
• A Revenue Decoupling Mechanism (RDM) at NSTAR Gas and EGMA that reconciles annual base distribution rate recovery amounts
recovered from customers to the pre-established level of baseline distribution delivery service revenue requirement approved by the
DPU in 2020. The pre-established level of baseline distribution delivery service revenue requirement is also subject to adjustment in
accordance with provisions of the November 2020 NSTAR Gas distribution rate case and the October 2020 EGMA rate settlement
agreement.
• A RDM at Yankee Gas that reconciles annual base distribution rate recovery amounts recovered from customers to the pre-established
level of baseline distribution delivery service revenue requirement approved by the PURA in 2018. The pre-established level of
baseline distribution delivery service revenue requirement is also subject to adjustment in accordance with provisions of the 2018 rate
case settlement agreement.
Service Quality Metrics: NSTAR Gas and EGMA are subject to SQ metrics that measure safety, reliability and customer service and each could be
required to pay to customers a SQ charge of up to 2.5 percent of annual distribution revenues for failing to meet such metrics. NSTAR Gas and
EGMA will not be required to pay an SQ charge for their 2021 performance as each achieved results at or above target for all of their SQ metrics in
2021.
Distribution Rate Cases:
NSTAR Gas: NSTAR Gas distribution rates were established in an October 2020 DPU-approved rate case, with rates effective November 1, 2020.
NSTAR Gas' 2019 plant additions were allowed recovery beginning on November 1, 2021. DPU-approved inflation-based adjustments to annual
base distribution amounts were effective annually beginning November 1, 2021.
EGMA: EGMA’s distribution rates were established in a DPU-approved October 7, 2020 rate settlement agreement, with rate increases on
November 1, 2021 and November 1, 2022, and two rate base resets during an eight-year rate plan, occurring on November 1, 2024 and
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November 1, 2027. Notwithstanding the two distribution rate increases, the two rate base reset provisions, and potential adjustments for qualifying
exogenous events, EGMA agreed not to file for an increase or redesign of distribution base rates effective prior to November 1, 2028.
Yankee Gas: Yankee Gas distribution rates were established in a December 2018 PURA-approved rate case settlement agreement, with rates
effective November 15, 2018. PURA also approved step adjustments effective January 1, 2019, January 1, 2020 and March 1, 2021.
Natural Gas Replacement
Massachusetts: Pursuant to Massachusetts legislation, in October of each year, NSTAR Gas and EGMA file GSEP Plans with the DPU for the
following construction year. The GSEP Program is designed to accelerate the replacement of certain natural gas distribution facilities in the system
to less than 25 years. The GSEP includes a tariff that provides NSTAR Gas and EGMA an opportunity to collect the costs for the program on an
annual basis through a reconciling factor. On April 30th each year, the DPU approves the GSEP rate recovery factor that goes into effect on May
1st.
In October 2020, the DPU opened Docket “DPU 20-80 The Future of Gas” to examine the role of Massachusetts natural gas local distribution
companies (LDCs) in helping to meet the state’s 2050 climate goals. The DPU will consider new policies and structures that would protect
ratepayers as Massachusetts works to decarbonize the building sector, potentially recasting the role of LDCs in Massachusetts, which may require
significant changes to the LDCs planning processes and business models. At this time, Eversource cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this
proceeding and the resulting impact to its natural gas businesses, however the Company does not believe there is any indication of an inability to
recover costs or risk of impairment of our natural gas assets at this time.
Connecticut: Yankee Gas' December 2018 PURA approved rate case settlement agreement included an accelerated pipeline replacement cost
recovery program. The Gas System Improvement (GSI) rate recovers accelerated pipeline replacement as well as other capital investment through
an annual reconciliation. Yankee Gas files its GSI reconciliation annually on March 1st for rates effective April 1st.
Sources and Availability of Natural Gas Supply
NSTAR Gas maintains a flexible resource portfolio consisting of natural gas supply contracts, transportation contracts on interstate pipelines,
market area storage and peaking services. NSTAR Gas purchases transportation, storage, and balancing services from Tennessee Gas Pipeline
Company and Algonquin Gas Transmission Company, as well as other upstream pipelines that transport natural gas from major natural gas
producing regions in the U.S., including the Gulf Coast, Mid-continent region, and Appalachian Shale supplies to the final delivery points in the
NSTAR Gas service area. NSTAR Gas purchases all of its natural gas supply under a firm, competitively bid annual portfolio management
contract. In addition to the firm transportation and natural gas storage supplies discussed above, NSTAR Gas utilizes on-system LNG facilities to
meet its winter peaking demands. These LNG facilities are located within NSTAR Gas' distribution system and are used to liquefy and store
pipeline natural gas during the warmer months for vaporization and use during the heating season. During the summer injection season, excess
pipeline capacity and supplies are used to deliver and store natural gas in market area underground storage facilities located in Maryland and
Pennsylvania. Stored natural gas is withdrawn during the winter season to supplement flowing pipeline supplies in order to meet firm heating
demand. NSTAR Gas has firm underground storage contracts and total storage capacity entitlements of approximately 6.6 Bcf, and 3.5 Bcf LNG
storage is provided by Hopkinton LNG Corp. in facilities located in two different locations in Massachusetts.
EGMA maintains a flexible resource portfolio consisting of natural gas supply contracts, transportation contracts on interstate pipelines, market
area storage and peaking services. EGMA purchases transportation, storage, and balancing services from Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company and
Algonquin Gas Transmission Company, as well as other upstream pipelines that transport natural gas from major natural gas producing regions in
the U.S. as well as Canada, including the Gulf Coast, Mid-continent region, Appalachian Shale, and Dawn, Ontario supplies to the final delivery
points in the EGMA service area. EGMA purchases the majority of its natural gas supply under a number of firm, competitively bid annual
portfolio management contracts and manages a portion of its portfolio itself. In addition to the firm transportation and natural gas storage supplies
discussed above, EGMA utilizes on-system LNG and LPG facilities to meet its winter peaking demands. These LNG and LPG facilities are
located within EGMA’s distribution system and are used to liquefy pipeline natural gas and/or receive liquefied natural gas or liquefied petroleum
gas to be stored during the warmer months for vaporization and use during the heating season. During the summer injection season, excess
pipeline capacity and supplies are used to deliver and store natural gas in market area underground storage facilities located in Maryland and
Pennsylvania. Stored natural gas is withdrawn during the winter season to supplement flowing pipeline supplies in order to meet firm heating
demand. EGMA has firm underground storage contracts and total storage capacity entitlements of approximately 8.6 Bcf, and 1.9 Bcf LNG and
LPG storage is provided by Hopkinton LNG Corp. in facilities located at seven different locations in Massachusetts.
The PURA requires Yankee Gas to meet the needs of its firm customers under all weather conditions. Specifically, Yankee Gas must structure its
supply portfolio to meet firm customer needs under a design day scenario (defined as the coldest day in 30 years) and under a design year scenario
(defined as the average of the four coldest years in the last 30 years). Yankee Gas also maintains a flexible resource portfolio consisting of natural
gas supply contracts, transportation contracts on interstate pipelines, off-system storage and its on-system 1.2 Bcf LNG storage facility in
Connecticut to meet consumption needs during the coldest days of winter. Yankee Gas obtains its interstate capacity from the three interstate
pipelines that directly serve Connecticut: the Algonquin, Tennessee and Iroquois Pipelines, which connect to other upstream pipelines that
transport natural gas from major natural gas producing regions, including the Gulf Coast, Mid-continent, Canadian regions and Appalachian Shale
supplies.
Based on information currently available regarding projected growth in demand and estimates of availability of future supplies of pipeline natural
gas, each of NSTAR Gas, EGMA and Yankee Gas believes that in order to meet the long-term firm customer requirements in a reliable manner, a
combination of pipeline, storage, and non-pipeline solutions will be necessary.
WATER DISTRIBUTION SEGMENT
Aquarion Company (Aquarion) operates four separate regulated water utilities in Connecticut (Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut, or AWC-
CT), Massachusetts (Aquarion Water Company of Massachusetts, or AWC-MA), New Hampshire (Aquarion Water Company of New Hampshire,
or AWC-NH) and Abenaki Water Company (Abenaki). These regulated companies provide water services to approximately 226,000 residential,
commercial, industrial, municipal and fire protection and other customers, in 68 towns and cities in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New
Hampshire. As of December 31, 2021, approximately 92 percent of Aquarion’s customers were based in Connecticut.
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Rates
Aquarion's water utilities are subject to regulation by the PURA, the DPU and the NHPUC in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire,
respectively. These regulatory agencies have jurisdiction over, among other things, rates, certain dispositions of property and plant, mergers and
consolidations, issuances of long-term securities, standards of service and construction and operation of facilities.
Aquarion’s general rate structure consists of various rate and service classifications covering residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal and
fire protection services.
The rates established by the PURA, DPU and NHPUC are comprised of the following:
• A base rate, which is comprised of fixed charges based on meter/fire connection sizes, as well as volumetric charges based on the amount
of water sold. Together these charges are designed to recover the full cost of service resulting from a general rate proceeding.
•
•
In Connecticut, a revenue adjustment mechanism (RAM) that reconciles earned revenues, with certain allowed adjustments, on an annual
basis, to the revenue requirement approved by the PURA.
In Connecticut and New Hampshire, a water infrastructure conservation adjustment (WICA) charge, and in Massachusetts, an annual
main replacement adjustment mechanism (MRAM) charge, which is applied between rate case proceedings and seeks recovery of
allowed costs associated with eligible infrastructure improvement projects placed in-service. The WICA is updated semi-annually in
Connecticut and annually in New Hampshire. In Connecticut, an annual WICA reconciliation mechanism reconciles earned WICA
revenue to the approved WICA revenue with any differences refunded to, or recovered from, customers.
Sources and Availability of Water Supply
Our water utilities obtain their water supplies from owned surface water sources (reservoirs) and groundwater supplies (wells) with a total supply
yield of approximately 127 million gallons per day, as well as water purchased from other water suppliers. Approximately 99 percent of our
annual production is self-supplied and processed at nine surface water treatment plants and numerous well stations, which are all located in
Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
The capacities of Aquarion’s sources of supply, and water treatment, pumping and distribution facilities, are considered sufficient to meet the
present requirements of Aquarion’s customers under normal conditions. On occasion, drought declarations are issued for portions of Aquarion’s
service territories in response to extended periods of dry weather conditions.
OFFSHORE WIND PROJECTS
Eversource's offshore wind business includes a 50 percent ownership interest in North East Offshore, which holds power purchase agreements
(PPAs) and contracts for the Revolution Wind, South Fork Wind and Sunrise Wind projects, as well as offshore leases issued by BOEM. Our
offshore wind projects are being developed and constructed through a joint and equal partnership with Ørsted. This partnership also participates in
new procurement opportunities for offshore wind energy in the Northeast U.S.
The offshore leases include a 257 square-mile ocean lease off the coasts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island and a separate, adjacent 300 square-
mile ocean lease located approximately 25 miles south of the coast of Massachusetts. In aggregate, these ocean lease sites jointly-owned by
Eversource and Ørsted could eventually develop at least 4,000 MW of clean, renewable offshore wind energy.
Revolution Wind is a 704 MW offshore wind power project located approximately 15 miles south of the Rhode Island coast, and South Fork Wind
is a 130 MW offshore wind power project located approximately 35 miles east of Long Island. Sunrise Wind is a 924 MW offshore wind facility,
which will be developed 35 miles east of Montauk Point, Long Island. The completion dates for these projects are subject to federal permitting
through BOEM, and engineering, state siting and permitting in New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. For more information on these
projects, see "Business Development and Capital Expenditures – Offshore Wind Business" in the accompanying Item 7, Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
PROJECTED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
We project to make capital expenditures of $18.14 billion from 2022 through 2026, of which we expect $7.02 billion to be in our electric
distribution segment, $4.53 billion to be in our natural gas distribution segment, $4.60 billion to be in our electric transmission segment and $0.89
billion to be in our water distribution segment. We also project to invest $1.10 billion in information technology and facilities upgrades and
enhancements. These projections do not include any expected investments related to our offshore wind business.
FINANCING
For information regarding short-term and long-term debt agreements, see "Liquidity" in the accompanying Item 7, Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Note 8, "Short-Term Debt," and Note 9, "Long-Term Debt," of the Combined
Notes to Financial Statements.
NUCLEAR FUEL STORAGE
CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH, and several other New England electric utilities are stockholders in three inactive regional nuclear generation
companies, CYAPC, MYAPC and YAEC (collectively, the Yankee Companies). The Yankee Companies have completed the physical
decommissioning of their respective nuclear power facilities and are now engaged in the long-term storage of their spent nuclear fuel. The Yankee
Companies fund these costs through litigation proceeds received from the DOE and, to the extent necessary, through wholesale, FERC-approved
rates charged under power purchase agreements with several New England utilities, including CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH. CL&P, NSTAR
Electric and PSNH, in turn recover these costs from their customers through state regulatory commission-approved retail rates. The Yankee
Companies collect amounts that we believe are adequate to recover the remaining plant closure and fuel storage cost estimates for the respective
plants. We believe 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.
We consolidate the assets and obligations of CYAPC and YAEC on our consolidated balance sheet because our ownership and voting interests are
greater than 50 percent of each of these companies.
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OTHER REGULATORY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
General
We are regulated by various federal and state agencies, including FERC, the SEC, and various state and/or local regulatory authorities with
jurisdiction over the industry and the service areas in which each of our companies operates, including the PURA, which has jurisdiction over
CL&P, Yankee Gas, and Aquarion, the DPU, which has jurisdiction over NSTAR Electric, NSTAR Gas, EGMA and Aquarion, and the NHPUC,
which has jurisdiction over PSNH and Aquarion.
Renewable Portfolio Standards
Each of the states in which we do business also has Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) requirements, which generally require fixed percentages
of our energy supply to come from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, landfill gas, fuel cells and other similar sources.
Connecticut's RPS statute requires increasing percentages of the electricity sold to retail customers to have direct ties to renewable sources. In
2021, the total RPS obligation was 30.5 percent and will ultimately reach 48.0 percent in 2030. CL&P is permitted to recover any costs incurred in
complying with RPS from its customers through its Generation Service Charge rate.
Massachusetts' RPS program requires electricity suppliers to meet renewable energy standards. For 2021, the RPS and Clean Energy Standard
(CES) requirements were 49.26 percent, and will ultimately reach 57.30 percent in 2025. Massachusetts electric suppliers were also required to
meet Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (APS) of 5.25 percent and Clean Peak Energy Standards (CPS) of 3.0 percent in 2021. Those
requirements will reach 6.25 and 9.00 percent in 2025, respectively. NSTAR Electric is permitted to recover any costs incurred in complying with
these requirements from its customers through rates. NSTAR Electric also owns renewable solar power facilities. The RECs generated from
NSTAR Electric's solar power facilities are sold to other energy suppliers, and the proceeds from these sales are credited back to customers.
New Hampshire's RPS provision requires increasing percentages of the electricity sold to retail customers to have direct ties to renewable sources.
In 2021, the total RPS obligation was 21.6 percent and it will ultimately reach 25.2 percent in 2025. The costs of the RECs are recovered by
PSNH through rates charged to customers.
Environmental Regulation
We are subject to various federal, state and local environmental legislation and regulation with respect to water quality, air quality, hazardous
materials and other environmental matters. Our environmental policy includes formal procedures and a task-scheduling system in place to help
ensure environmental compliance. The Board’s Governance, Environmental and Social Responsibility Committee also provides oversight of
environmental matters and compliance. We also identify and address potential environmental risks through our Enterprise Risk Management
(ERM) program in addition to rigorous audits of our facilities, vendors, and processes.
Additionally, projects may not be constructed or significantly modified without a review of the environmental impact of the proposed construction
or modification by the applicable federal or state agencies. Many of our construction projects require the submission of comprehensive permitting
applications to various local, state and federal agencies. The permits we receive outline various best management practices and restoration
requirements to address any construction period-impacts.
Hazardous Materials Regulations
We have recorded a liability for what we believe, based upon currently available information, is our reasonably estimable environmental
investigation, remediation, and/or natural resource damages costs for waste disposal sites for which we have probable liability. Under federal and
state law, government agencies and private parties can attempt to impose liability on us for recovery of investigation and remediation costs at
hazardous material sites. As of December 31, 2021, the liability recorded for our reasonably estimable and probable environmental remediation
costs for known sites needing investigation and/or remediation, exclusive of recoveries from insurance or from third parties, was $115.4 million,
representing 61 sites. These costs could be significantly higher if additional remediation becomes necessary or when additional information as to
the extent of contamination becomes available.
The most significant liabilities currently relate to future clean-up costs at former MGP facilities. These facilities were owned and operated by our
predecessor companies from the mid-1800's to mid-1900's. By-products from the manufacture of natural gas using coal resulted in fuel oils,
hydrocarbons, coal tar, purifier wastes, metals and other waste products that may pose a potential risk to human health and the environment. We
currently have partial or full ownership responsibilities at former MGP sites that have a reserve balance of $105.6 million of the total $115.4
million as of December 31, 2021. MGP costs are recoverable through rates charged to our customers.
When planning environmental investigations and remediation of impacted properties, we work closely with the municipalities and environmental
regulators to ensure that our plans adhere to applicable regulations while protecting human health and the environment. Projects that may be
located in the vicinity of regulated resource areas (wetlands, waterways) are permitted to address local, state and federal requirements. In many
cases, these projects are designed to address opportunities for beneficial reuse of the property.
Global Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emission Issues
We assess the regulatory, physical and transitional impacts related to climate change to develop mitigation strategies including evaluating the
impacts of more severe weather events, financial risks, changing customer behaviors, and opportunities to reduce emissions in our operations and
for the region through clean energy and emerging technologies investments.
Regulatory Impacts of Climate Change: Global climate change continues to receive increasing focus from the federal government and state
governments. The Biden Administration has communicated a renewed focus on addressing climate change by setting a U.S. target of reducing
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50 percent by 2030, compared to 2005 levels, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 economy-wide. The
plan calls for aggressive measures focused on clean transportation, clean energy and climate investments targeted at environmental justice
communities. Similarly, the states in which we operate have aggressive climate goals and implementation plans. In Massachusetts, climate
legislation was passed in 2021 requiring aggressive measures across all sectors to meet the state’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050
and Connecticut legislation includes a target to achieve zero-carbon electricity by 2040. We are continually evaluating the evolving regulatory
landscape concerning climate change, which could potentially lead to additional requirements and additional rules and regulations that could
impact how we operate our utility businesses. Potential future environmental statutes and regulations, such as additional greenhouse gas reduction
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regulation to address global climate change, could impose significant additional costs and there can be no assurance that regulators will approve
the recovery of those costs.
Physical and Transitional Impacts of Climate Change: Physical risks from climate change may result from sea level rise and shifting weather
conditions, such as changes in precipitation, more frequent and severe storms, droughts and floods. These risks may result in customers’ energy
and water usage increasing or decreasing depending on the duration and magnitude of the changes, degradation of water quality and our ability to
reliably deliver our services to customers. Severe weather may cause outages, potential disruption of operations, and property damage to our
operating facilities.
Our business is transitioning in response to climate change and our evolution to a low-carbon environment. We actively support state and federal
emission reduction goals and are developing adaptation and resiliency strategies to address climate change. We have implemented measures and
made investments to strengthen our infrastructure to continue delivering reliable energy to customers and enable the integration of clean energy
resources. Our system hardening and grid modernization programs also reduce the potential impact of severe weather events due to climate change
on our electric transmission and distribution systems and natural gas facilities.
We have made a corporate commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our operations and reach carbon neutrality by 2030. Greenhouse
gas emissions from our operations consist primarily of line loss (the energy lost when power is transmitted and distributed across the electric
system), methane leaks from our natural gas distribution system, operating our facilities and vehicle fleet, and sulfur hexafluoride leaks from
electric equipment. To measure our influences on climate change, we quantify and publicly report our operational carbon footprint through a
comprehensive GHG emission inventory on an annual basis. Our initiatives to reduce GHG emissions across our company include improving
energy efficiency and expanding the use of renewable energy at our buildings, utilizing alternative fuels and introducing more hybrid vehicles into
the company fleet, cutting fugitive emissions of methane and sulfur hexafluoride by replacing leaky natural gas pipes, improving maintenance of
electrical equipment, and piloting innovative technologies.
To address physical and transitional impacts related to climate change and maintain resiliency across our system in the face of climate change, we
are pursuing the following actions:
•
•
• Working with our regulators to gain approval for new programs that will help improve our system resiliency in response to climate
change, including vegetation management, pole and wire strengthening, flood proofing, and other system hardening measures;
Implementing a grid modernization plan that will enhance our electric distribution infrastructure to improve resiliency and reliability and
facilitate integration of distributed energy resources and electric vehicle infrastructure;
Focusing on improving the efficiency of our electric and natural gas distribution systems, preparing for the opportunities that clean
energy advancements create, and providing customers with ways to minimize their energy use;
Investigating emerging technologies such as energy storage and automation programs that improve reliability;
Implementing programs to address risks that may impact water availability and water quality; and
Evaluating our natural gas system and exploring alternative, less carbon-intense, technologies like renewable natural gas and geothermal
for heating.
•
•
•
Electric and Magnetic Fields
For more than forty years, published reports have discussed the possibility of adverse health effects from electric and magnetic fields (EMF)
associated with electric transmission and distribution facilities, including appliances, and wiring in buildings and homes. Some epidemiology
studies have reported a possible statistical association between adverse health effects and exposure with EMF. The association identified in some
of these studies remain unexplained and inconclusive. Numerous scientific review panels, considering all significant EMF epidemiology and
laboratory studies, have concluded that the available body of scientific information does not support a conclusion that EMF affects human health at
levels expected in the vicinity. In accordance with recommendations of various regulatory bodies and public health organizations, we use design
principles that help reduce potential EMF exposures associated with new transmission lines.
HUMAN CAPITAL
Eversource is committed to delivering reliable energy and superior customer service; expanding energy options for our region; environmental
stewardship; a safe, diverse and fairly-compensated workforce; and community service and leadership. Our employees are critical to achieving
this mission. We recognize our employees are our most valuable asset and the importance of attracting, retaining, growing and developing our
employees. Leaders at all levels strive to create a workplace where our employees are engaged, advocate for the customer, work collaboratively,
raise ideas for improvement and focus on delivering a superior customer experience. We build employee engagement through continuous
communication, developing talent, fostering teamwork and creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.
As of December 31, 2021, Eversource Energy employed a total of 9,227 employees, excluding temporary employees, of which 1,382 were
employed by CL&P, 1,599 were employed by NSTAR Electric, and 765 were employed by PSNH. In addition, 3,335 were employed by
Eversource Service, Eversource's service company, that provides support services to all Eversource operating companies. Approximately 51
percent of our employees are members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Utility Workers Union of America or The United
Steelworkers, and are covered by 14 collective bargaining agreements.
Safety. At Eversource, our commitment to “Safety First and Always” is a principle and a mindset present in every job and every task, whether in
the field, office or at home. A priority at Eversource is continuous improvement and safety is at the forefront as we continue to build a strong safety
culture, embrace new technologies, and learn with our industry and community partners to improve safety performance. We use metrics such as
Eversource Corporate Days Away Restricted Time (DART) and Preventable Motor Vehicle events, among others, to monitor safety performance.
Our DART safety performance was 0.9 in 2021, measured by days away, restricted or transferred per 100 workers.
In our continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we operated under our company-wide pandemic plan in the best interest of our employees,
customers, and communities. This included having nearly half of our employees working remotely, while implementing additional significant
safety measures for employees that continued critical on-site work. State and federal guidelines, public health guidance, external conditions, and
critical business priorities continue to inform our plan, with the safety of our employees and customers as our highest priority. By the end of 2021,
we completed the re-entry phase of our pandemic response plan for those of our employees that were working remotely. Significant health and
safety measures and pandemic protocols have remained in place, including the use of personal protective equipment, social distancing
requirements, sanitization efforts and employee training. No employees were subject to lay-offs as a result of the pandemic. We covered COVID-
19 testing, treatment and vaccinations at no cost to our employees and their dependents under our medical plans. Beginning July 1, 2021, we
provided all employees additional paid time off for COVID-related absences.
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Our commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) is critical to building a diverse, empowered and engaged
team that delivers great service safely to our customers. A diverse workforce and inclusive culture contribute to our success and sustainability by
driving innovation and creating trusted relationships with our employees, customers, suppliers and community partners. We continue to identify
and support many programs and agencies that address racial and ethnic disparities in our communities and beyond. We also remain committed to
developing a workforce that fully reflects the diversity of the people and communities we serve. Our hiring practices emphasize diversity, equity
and inclusion and we encourage employees to embrace different people, perspectives and experiences in our workplace and within our
communities. Additionally, our leadership behaviors underscore the importance of creating inclusive teams, where employees’ voices and
contributions are essential to delivering superior customer service.
Eversource continues to work toward a diverse workforce with an increased focus on women and minorities in leadership and has DEI goals and
initiatives for diversity in leadership promotions and new hires, diverse external hires, diverse candidate slate, key talent, workforce representation,
community support and supplier spends. Eversource drives accountability for DEI progress throughout the company and executive compensation
is linked to meeting these goals. We sustained our successful drive to increase workforce diversity; in 2021, 57% of our external hires were
women or people of color and 41.2% percent of new hires and promotions into leadership roles were women or people of color.
Eversource’s executive leadership team promotes and supports DEI by leading and building diverse, inclusive work teams with high engagement,
growing a pipeline of diverse talent, leveraging multiple perspectives to improve customer service, using diverse suppliers, engaging with
multicultural organizations in our communities and supporting the work of our DEI council, racial equity task force, business resource groups, and
cross-functional pro-equity advisory team.
Eversource's Board of Trustees is committed to diversity and inclusion and receives regular monthly progress updates. The Corporate Governance,
Environmental and Social Responsibility Committee of the Board of Trustees is responsible for the oversight of environmental, human capital
management and social responsibility strategy, programs and policies. The Board of Trustees seeks diversity in gender, ethnicity and personal
background when considering Trustee candidates. Our Board of Trustees has been recognized as one of the most diverse in our industry.
Compensation, Health and Wellness Benefits. We are committed to the health, safety and wellness of our employees. We provide competitive
compensation and comprehensive benefit packages, including healthcare, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, death benefits, retirement
plans (defined benefit pension plans or 401k Plan), an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, health savings and flexible spending accounts, paid time off,
employee assistance programs, and tuition assistance, among many others. Eversource also provides wellness programs and benefits to encourage
employees and their families to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle habits.
Talent Development, Training Programs and Education Opportunities. Strategic workforce plans are developed every year as part of the
annual business planning process to identify immediate and long-range needs to ensure that we acquire, develop and retain diverse, capable talent.
Eversource supports and develops its employees through training and development programs that build and strengthen employees’ leadership and
skill set. Employee development programs are aligned to our strategic workforce plan to support succession within all levels of the organization.
Continuous professional development is important to support our employees’ ongoing success. These professional development programs include
leadership effectiveness programs designed to develop new and current supervisors; a talent management process to identify high potential and
emerging talent and ensure their development; a rotational associate engineering program; educational and professional development opportunities
for employees who are recent college graduates; tuition assistance program; and paid internships and co-ops.
We leverage educational partnerships in critical trade and technical areas and have developed proactive sourcing strategies to attract experienced
workers in highly technical roles in engineering, electric and gas operations, and energy efficiency. As part of this process, we identify critical roles
and develop succession plans to ensure we have a capable supply of talent for the future.
Community & Social Impact. Eversource and our employees support many programs, agencies, and not-for-profit organizations that support
economic and community development, the environment, and initiatives that address local, high-priority concerns and needs. Eversource provides
donations and other support to community agencies, including significant volunteer hours of our employees.
See Item 11, Executive Compensation, included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as our 2020 Sustainability Report located on our
website, for more detailed information regarding our human capital programs and initiatives. Nothing on our website, including our Sustainability
Report or sections thereof, shall be deemed incorporated by reference into this Annual Report.
INTERNET INFORMATION
Our website address is 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Printed copies of these reports may be obtained free of charge by writing to our Investor
Relations Department at Eversource Energy, 107 Selden Street, Berlin, CT 06037.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to the matters set forth under "Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995" included
immediately prior to Item 1, Business, above, we are subject to a variety of material risks. Our susceptibility to certain risks, including those
discussed in detail below, could exacerbate other risks. These risk factors should be considered carefully in evaluating our risk profile. There may
be additional risks and uncertainties (either currently unknown or not currently believed to be material) that could adversely affect our financial
position, results of operations, and cash flows.
Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Risks:
Cyberattacks, including acts of war or terrorism, targeted directly on or indirectly affecting our systems or the systems of third parties on
which we rely, could severely impair operations, negatively impact our business, lead to the disclosure of confidential information and
adversely affect our reputation.
Cyberattacks that seek to exploit potential vulnerabilities in the utility industry and seek to disrupt electric, natural gas and water transmission and
distribution systems are increasing in sophistication, magnitude and frequency. A successful cyberattack on the information technology systems
that control our transmission, distribution, natural gas and water systems or other assets could impair or prevent us from managing these systems
and facilities, operating our systems effectively, or properly managing our data, networks and programs. The breach of certain information
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technology systems could adversely affect our ability to correctly record, process and report financial information. A major cyber incident could
result in significant expenses to investigate and to repair system damage or security breaches and could lead to litigation, fines, other remedial
action, heightened regulatory scrutiny and damage to our reputation.
We have instituted safeguards to protect our information technology systems and assets. We deploy substantial technologies to system and
application security, encryption and other measures to protect our computer systems and infrastructure from unauthorized access or misuse.
Specifically, regarding vulnerabilities, we patch systems where patches are available to deploy, and have technologies that detect exploits of
vulnerabilities and proactively block the exploit when it happens. Although we did not experience any material impacts from the SolarWinds event
in 2020 or the Log4j security vulnerability that was widely publicized in December 2021, there can be no assurance that we will not experience
future events that may be material. We also interface with numerous external entities to improve our cybersecurity situational awareness. The
FERC, through the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), requires certain safeguards to be implemented to deter cyberattacks.
These safeguards may not always be effective due to the evolving nature of cyberattacks. We maintain cyber insurance to cover damages and
defense costs related to breaches of networks or operational technology, but it may be insufficient in limits and coverage exclusions to cover all
losses.
Any such cyberattacks could result in loss of service to customers and a significant decrease in revenues, which could have a material adverse
impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
The unauthorized access to, and the misappropriation of, confidential and proprietary customer, employee, financial or system operating
information could adversely affect our business operations and adversely impact our reputation.
In the regular course of business, we, and our third-party suppliers, rely on information technology to maintain sensitive customer, employee,
financial and system operating information. We are required by various federal and state laws to safeguard this information. Cyber intrusions,
security breaches, theft or loss of this information by cybercrime or otherwise could lead to the release of critical operating information or
confidential customer or employee information, which could adversely affect our business operations or adversely impact our reputation, and could
result in significant costs, fines and litigation. We employ system controls to prevent the dissemination of certain confidential information and
periodically train employees on phishing risks. We maintain cyber insurance to cover damages and defense costs arising from unauthorized
disclosure of, or failure to protect, private information, as well as costs for notification to, or for credit monitoring of, customers, employees and
other persons in the event of a breach of private information. This insurance covers amounts paid to avert, prevent or stop a network attack or the
disclosure of personal information, and costs of a qualified forensics firm to determine the cause, source and extent of a network attack or to
investigate, examine and analyze our network to find the cause, source and extent of a data breach, but it may be insufficient to cover all losses.
While we have implemented measures designed to prevent network attacks and mitigate their effects should they occur, these measures may not be
effective due to the continually evolving nature of efforts to access confidential information.
Business and Operational Risks:
Strategic development opportunities associated with offshore wind or investment opportunities in electric transmission or clean-energy
opportunities may not be successful, and projects may not commence operation as scheduled or within budget, or be completed, which
could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects.
We are pursuing broader strategic development investment opportunities that will benefit the Northeast region related to the development,
construction and operation of offshore wind electric generation facilities, and investment opportunities in electric transmission facilities and other
clean-energy infrastructure. The states in which we provide service have implemented selection procedures for such new facilities that require the
review of competing projects and permit the selection of only those projects that are expected to provide the greatest benefit to customers.
Accordingly, our projects may not be selected for construction. The development and construction of projects selected for construction involves
numerous significant risks including scheduling delays, increased costs, tax strategies and changes to federal tax laws, federal, state and local
permitting and regulatory approval processes, specifically BOEM’s approval processes, new legislation impacting the industry, future legislative or
regulatory actions that could result in these projects not being probable of entering the construction phase, economic events or factors,
environmental and community concerns, design and siting issues, difficulties in obtaining required rights of way, competition from incumbent
utilities and other entities, actions of our strategic partners, and capacity factors once projects are placed in operation. Our offshore wind
partnership’s ability to generate returns from its offshore wind projects will depend on meeting construction schedules, controlling cost overruns,
maintaining continuing interconnection arrangements, power purchase agreements, or other market mechanisms as well as interconnecting utility
and Regional Transmission Organizations rules, policies, procedures and FERC tariffs that permit future offshore wind project operations.
Additionally, scheduling delays in offshore wind projects, any changes to tax laws impacting Eversource’s ability to monetize tax attributes
associated with these projects, or the cancellation of any projects, as well as the other risk factors described above, could have a material adverse
effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows, or our future growth opportunities may not be realized as anticipated.
We rely on third-party suppliers for equipment, materials, and services and we outsource certain business functions to third-party
suppliers and service providers, and substandard performance or inability to fulfill obligations by those third parties could harm our
business, reputation and results of operations.
We outsource certain services to third parties in areas including information technology, transaction processing, human resources, payroll and
payroll processing and certain operational areas. As a result of our acquisition of the Columbia Gas of Massachusetts (CMA) assets from NiSource
on October 9, 2020, we have entered into a Transition Services Agreement with NiSource whereby NiSource is performing certain services on
behalf of Eversource Gas Company of Massachusetts in the areas of information technology, transaction processing, human resources, payroll and
payroll processing and certain operational areas for periods ranging from 1 to 24 months from the acquisition date. Outsourcing of services to
third parties could expose us to substandard quality of service delivery or substandard deliverables, which may result in missed deadlines or other
timeliness issues, non-compliance (including with applicable legal requirements and industry standards) or reputational harm, which could
negatively impact our results of operations. Our contractual arrangements with these contractors typically include performance standards, progress
payments, insurance requirements and security for performance. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and current state of the global economy as a
whole, we may experience supply chain issues with obtaining key materials, equipment or services timely and at a reasonable price across all
business lines. We also continue to pursue enhancements to standardize our systems and processes. If any difficulties in the global supply chain
cycle or operation of these systems were to occur, they could adversely affect our results of operations, or adversely affect our ability to work with
regulators, unions, customers or employees.
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Our transmission and distribution systems may not operate as expected, and could require unplanned expenditures, which could
adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Our ability to properly operate our transmission and distribution systems is critical to the financial performance of our business. Our transmission
and distribution businesses face several operational risks, including the breakdown, failure of, or damage to operating equipment, information
technology systems, or processes, especially due to age; labor disputes; disruptions in the delivery of electricity, natural gas and water; increased
capital expenditure requirements, including those due to environmental regulation; catastrophic events such as fires, explosions, a solar event, an
electromagnetic event, or other similar occurrences; extreme weather conditions beyond equipment and plant design capacity; human error; global
supply chain disruptions; and potential claims for property damage or personal injuries beyond the scope of our insurance coverage. Many of our
transmission projects are expected to alleviate identified reliability issues and reduce customers' costs. However, if the in-service date for one or
more of these projects is delayed due to economic events or factors, or regulatory or other delays, the risk of failures in the electric transmission
system may increase. We also implement new information technology systems from time to time, which may disrupt operations. Any failure of
our transmission and distribution systems to operate as planned may result in increased capital costs, reduced earnings or unplanned increases in
operation and maintenance costs. The inability to recover a significant amount of such costs could have an adverse effect on our financial position,
results of operations and cash flows.
New technology and alternative energy sources could adversely affect our operations and financial results.
Advances in technology that reduce the costs of alternative methods of producing electric energy to a level that is competitive with that of current
electric production methods, could result in loss of market share and customers, and may require us to make significant expenditures to remain
competitive. These changes in technology, including micro-grids and advances in energy or battery storage, could also alter the channels through
which electric customers buy or utilize energy, which could reduce our revenues or increase our expenses. Economic downturns or periods of high
energy supply costs typically can lead to the development of legislative and regulatory policy designed to promote reductions in energy
consumption and increased energy efficiency and self-generation by customers.
The loss of key personnel, the inability to hire and retain qualified employees, or the failure to maintain a positive relationship with our
workforce could have an adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.
Our operations depend on the continued efforts of our employees. Retaining key employees and maintaining the ability to attract new employees
are important to both our operational and financial performance. We cannot guarantee that any member of our management or any key employee at
the Eversource parent or subsidiary level will continue to serve in any capacity for any particular period of time. In addition, a significant portion
of our workforce in our subsidiaries, including many workers with specialized skills maintaining and servicing the electric, natural gas and water
infrastructure, will be eligible to retire over the next five to ten years. Such highly skilled individuals cannot be quickly replaced due to the
technically complex work they perform. We have developed strategic workforce plans to identify key functions and proactively implement plans to
assure a ready and qualified workforce, but we cannot predict the impact of these plans on our ability to hire and retain key employees. Labor
disputes, work stoppages or an inability to negotiate future collective bargaining agreements on commercially reasonable terms, as well as the
increased competition for talent or the intentional misconduct of employees or contractors, may also have an adverse effect on our business,
financial position and results of operations.
Risks Related to the Environment and Catastrophic Events:
The effects of climate change, including severe storms, could cause significant damage to any of our facilities requiring extensive
expenditures, the recovery for which is subject to approval by regulators.
Climate change creates physical and financial risks to our operations. Physical risks from climate change may include an increase in sea levels and
changes in weather conditions, such as changes in precipitation and extreme weather events. Customers’ energy needs vary with weather
conditions, primarily temperature and humidity. For residential customers, heating and cooling represent their largest energy use. For water
customers, conservation measures imposed by the communities we serve could impact water usage. To the extent weather conditions are affected
by climate change, customers’ energy and water usage could increase or decrease depending on the duration and magnitude of the changes.
Severe weather, such as ice and snow storms, tornadoes, micro-bursts, hurricanes, floods, droughts, and other natural disasters, may cause outages
and property damage, which may require us to incur additional costs that may not be recoverable from customers. The cost of repairing damage to
our operating subsidiaries' facilities and the potential disruption of their operations due to storms, natural disasters or other catastrophic events
could be substantial, particularly as regulators and customers demand better and quicker response times to outages. If, upon review, any of our
state regulatory authorities finds that our actions were imprudent, some of those restoration costs may not be recoverable from customers, and
could result in penalties or fines. The inability to recover a significant amount of such costs could have an adverse effect on our financial position,
results of operations and cash flows. We maintain property insurance, but it may be insufficient in limits and coverage exclusions to cover all
losses.
Contamination of our water supplies, the failure of dams on reservoirs providing water to our customers, or requirements to repair,
upgrade or dismantle any of these dams, may disrupt our ability to distribute water to our customers and result in substantial additional
costs, which could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Our water supplies, including water provided to our customers, are subject to possible contamination from naturally occurring compounds or man-
made substances. Our water systems include impounding dams and reservoirs of various sizes. Although we believe our dams are structurally
sound and well-maintained, significant damage to these facilities, or a significant decrease in the water in our reservoirs, could adversely affect our
ability to provide water to our customers until the facilities and a sufficient amount of water in our reservoirs can be restored. A failure of a dam
could result in personal injuries and downstream property damage for which we may be liable. The failure of a dam would also adversely affect
our ability to supply water in sufficient quantities to our customers. Any losses or liabilities incurred due to a failure of one of our dams may not be
recoverable in rates and may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. We maintain liability
insurance, but it may be insufficient in limits and coverage exclusions to cover all losses.
Physical attacks, including acts of war or terrorism, both threatened and actual, could adversely affect our ability to operate our systems
and could adversely affect our financial results and liquidity.
Physical attacks, including acts of war or terrorism, both threatened and actual, that damage our transmission and distribution systems or other
assets could negatively impact our ability to transmit or distribute energy, water, natural gas, or operate our systems efficiently or at all. Because
our electric transmission systems are part of an interconnected regional grid, we face the risk of widespread blackouts due to grid disturbances or
disruptions on a neighboring interconnected system. Similarly, our natural gas distribution system is connected to transmission pipelines, not
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owned by Eversource. If there was an attack on the transmission pipelines, it could impact our ability to deliver natural gas. If our assets were
physically damaged and were not recovered in a timely manner, it could result in a loss of service to customers, a significant decrease in revenues,
significant expense to repair system damage, costs associated with governmental actions in response to such attacks, and liability claims, all of
which could have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. We maintain property and liability
insurance, but it may be insufficient in limits and coverage exclusions to cover all losses. In addition, physical attacks against third-party providers
could have a similar effect on the operation of our systems.
Regulatory, Legislative and Compliance Risks:
The actions of regulators and legislators could result in outcomes that may adversely affect our earnings and liquidity.
The rates that our electric, natural gas and water companies charge their customers are determined by their state regulatory commissions and by the
FERC. These commissions also regulate the companies' accounting, operations, the issuance of certain securities and certain other matters. The
FERC also regulates the transmission of electric energy, the sale of electric energy at wholesale, accounting, issuance of certain securities and
certain other matters, including reliability standards through the NERC.
Under state and federal law, our electric, natural gas and water companies are entitled to charge rates that are sufficient to allow them an
opportunity to recover their prudently incurred operating and capital costs and a reasonable rate of return on invested capital, to attract needed
capital and maintain their financial integrity, while also protecting relevant public interests. Our electric, natural gas and water companies are
required to engage in regulatory approval proceedings as a part of the process of establishing the terms and rates for their respective services. Each
of these companies prepares and submits periodic rate filings with their respective regulatory commissions for review and approval, which allows
for various entities to challenge our current or future rates, structures or mechanisms and could alter or limit the rates we are allowed to charge our
customers. These proceedings typically involve multiple parties, including governmental bodies and officials, consumer advocacy groups, and
various consumers of energy, who have differing concerns. Any change in rates, including changes in allowed rate of return, are subject to
regulatory approval proceedings that can be contentious, lengthy, and subject to appeal. This may lead to uncertainty as to the ultimate result of
those proceedings. Established rates are also subject to subsequent prudency reviews by state regulators, whereby various portions of rates could
be adjusted, subject to refund or disallowed, including cost recovery mechanisms. The ultimate outcome and timing of regulatory rate proceedings
could have a significant effect on our ability to recover costs or earn an adequate return. Adverse decisions in our proceedings could adversely
affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
There can be no assurance that regulators will approve the recovery of all costs incurred by our electric, natural gas and water companies,
including costs for construction, operation and maintenance, and storm restoration. The inability to recover a significant amount of operating costs
could have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Changes to rates may occur at times different from
when costs are incurred. Additionally, catastrophic events at other utilities could result in our regulators and legislators imposing additional
requirements that may lead to additional costs for the companies. In addition to the risk of disallowance of incurred costs, regulators may also
impose downward adjustments in a company’s allowed ROE as well as assess penalties and fines. These actions would have an adverse effect on
our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
The FERC has jurisdiction over our transmission costs recovery and our allowed ROEs. Certain outside parties have filed four complaints against
all electric companies under the jurisdiction of ISO-NE alleging that our allowed ROEs are unjust and unreasonable. An adverse decision in any of
these four complaints could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
FERC's policy has encouraged competition for transmission projects, even within existing service territories of electric companies. Implementation
of FERC's goals, including within our service territories, may expose us to competition for construction of transmission projects, additional
regulatory considerations, and potential delay with respect to future transmission projects, which may adversely affect our results of operations and
lower rate base growth.
Changes in tax laws, as well as the potential tax effects of business decisions could negatively impact our business, results of operations (including
our expected project returns from our planned offshore wind facilities), financial condition and cash flows.
We are exposed to significant reputational risks, which make us vulnerable to increased regulatory oversight or other sanctions.
Because utility companies, including our electric, natural gas and water utility subsidiaries, have large customer bases, they are subject to adverse
publicity focused on the reliability of their distribution services and the speed with which they are able to respond to electric outages, natural gas
leaks and similar interruptions caused by storm damage or other unanticipated events, including those related to climate change. Adverse publicity
of this nature could harm our reputation and the reputation of our subsidiaries; may make state legislatures, utility commissions and other
regulatory authorities less likely to view us in a favorable light; and may cause us to be subject to less favorable legislative and regulatory
outcomes, legal claims or increased regulatory oversight. Unfavorable regulatory outcomes can include more stringent laws and regulations
governing our operations, such as reliability and customer service quality standards or vegetation management requirements, as well as fines,
penalties or other sanctions or requirements.
Addressing any adverse publicity, regulatory scrutiny or enforcement or other legal proceedings is time consuming and expensive and, regardless
of the factual basis for the assertions being made, can have a negative impact on the reputation of our business, on the morale and performance of
our employees and on our relationships with respective regulators, customers and counterparties. The direct and indirect effects of negative
publicity, and the demands of responding to and addressing it, may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations
and cash flows.
Costs of compliance with environmental laws and regulations, including those related to climate change, may increase and have an
adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Our subsidiaries' operations are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental statutes, rules and regulations that govern, among other
things, water quality, water discharges, the management of hazardous material and solid waste, and air emissions. Compliance with these
requirements requires us to incur significant costs relating to environmental permitting, monitoring, maintenance and upgrading of facilities, and
remediation.
The costs of compliance with existing legal requirements or legal requirements not yet adopted may increase in the future. Although we have
recorded liabilities for known environmental obligations, these costs can be difficult to estimate due to uncertainties about the extent of
contamination, remediation alternatives, the remediation levels required by state and federal agencies, and the financial ability of other potentially
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responsible parties. An increase in such costs, unless promptly recovered, could have an adverse impact on our business and our financial position,
results of operations and cash flows.
For further information, see Item 1, Business - Other Regulatory and Environmental Matters, included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Pandemic Risks, including COVID-19 Related Risks:
As evidenced by the global pandemic of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), global pandemics result in widespread disruption to the
overall economic market and outlook, which could cause various unfavorable impacts to our customers, vendors, employees, regulators,
and operations and could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
The COVID-19 pandemic, including any new or emerging variants, continues to evolve, and the extent of the impact to us in the future will vary
and depend in large part on the duration, scope and severity of the pandemic and the timing and extent of COVID-19 relief legislation, and the
resulting impact on economic, health care and capital market conditions. The continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to an
increased risk of cybersecurity attacks, interruptions in the global supply chain that impact us and our vendors, and the loss of key personnel,
among other effects. The future impact will also depend on the outcome of future proceedings before our state regulatory commissions to recover
our incremental costs associated with COVID-19, which include uncollectible customer receivable expenses, and our financial condition may be
adversely affected depending on the outcome of those proceedings. As a result, we are currently unable to estimate the potential impact of COVID-
19 to our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. See the accompanying Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations for additional information.
Financial, Economic, and Market Risks:
Our goodwill is recorded at an amount that, if impaired and written down, could adversely affect our future operating results and total
capitalization.
We have a significant amount of goodwill on our consolidated balance sheet, which, as of December 31, 2021, totaled $4.48 billion. The carrying
value of goodwill represents the fair value of an acquired business in excess of the fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities as of the
acquisition date. We test our goodwill balances for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events occur, or circumstances change that would
indicate a potential for impairment. A determination that goodwill is deemed to be impaired would result in a non-cash charge that could materially
adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and total capitalization.
Our counterparties may not meet their obligations to us or may elect to exercise their termination rights, which could adversely affect our
earnings.
We are exposed to the risk that counterparties to various arrangements that owe us money, have contracted to supply us with energy or other
commodities or services, or that work with us as strategic partners, including on significant capital projects, will not be able to perform their
obligations, will terminate such arrangements or, with respect to our credit facilities, fail to honor their commitments. Should any of these
counterparties fail to perform their obligations or terminate such arrangements, we might be forced to replace the underlying commitment at higher
market prices and/or have to delay the completion of, or cancel, a capital project. Should any lenders under our credit facilities fail to perform, the
level of borrowing capacity under those arrangements could decrease. In any such events, our financial position, results of operations, or cash
flows could be adversely affected.
Limits on our access to, or increases in, the cost of capital may adversely impact our ability to execute our business plan.
We use short-term debt and the long-term capital markets as a significant source of liquidity and funding for capital requirements not obtained
from our operating cash flow. If access to these sources of liquidity becomes constrained, our ability to implement our business strategy could be
adversely affected. In addition, higher interest rates would increase our cost of borrowing, which could adversely impact our results of operations.
A downgrade of our credit ratings or events beyond our control, such as a disruption in global capital and credit markets, could increase our cost of
borrowing and cost of capital or restrict our ability to access the capital markets and negatively affect our ability to maintain and to expand our
businesses.
Market performance or changes in assumptions may require us to make significant contributions to our pension and other postretirement
benefit plans.
We provide a defined benefit pension plan and other postretirement benefits for a substantial number of employees, former employees and retirees.
Our future pension obligations, costs and liabilities are highly dependent on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. These
factors include estimated investment returns, interest rates, discount rates, health care cost trends, benefit changes, salary increases and the
demographics of plan participants. If our assumptions prove to be inaccurate, our future costs could increase significantly. In addition, various
factors, including underperformance of plan investments and changes in law or regulation, could increase the amount of contributions required to
fund our pension plan in the future. Additional large funding requirements, when combined with the financing requirements of our construction
program, could impact the timing, amounts, and number of future financings and negatively affect our financial position, results of operations and
cash flows.
As a holding company with no revenue-generating operations, Eversource parent's liquidity is dependent on dividends from its
subsidiaries, its commercial paper program, and its ability to access the long-term debt and equity capital markets.
Eversource parent is a holding company and as such, has no revenue-generating operations of its own. Its ability to meet its debt service
obligations and to pay dividends on its common shares is largely dependent on the ability of its subsidiaries to pay dividends to, or repay
borrowings from, Eversource parent, and/or Eversource parent's ability to access its commercial paper program or the long-term debt and equity
capital markets. Prior to funding Eversource parent, the subsidiary companies have financial obligations that must be satisfied, including among
others, their operating expenses, debt service, preferred dividends of certain subsidiaries, and obligations to trade creditors. Should the subsidiary
companies not be able to pay dividends or repay funds due to Eversource parent, or if Eversource parent cannot access its commercial paper
programs or the long-term debt and equity capital markets, Eversource parent's ability to pay interest, dividends and its own debt obligations would
be restricted.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
We do not have any unresolved SEC staff comments.
16
Item 2. Properties
Transmission and Distribution System
As of December 31, 2021, Eversource and our electric operating subsidiaries owned the following:
Eversource
Number of substations owned
Transformer capacity (in kVa)
Overhead lines (in circuit miles)
Underground lines (in circuit miles)
Capacity range of overhead transmission lines (in kV)
Capacity range of underground transmission lines (in kV)
Number of substations owned
Transformer capacity (in kVa)
Overhead lines (in circuit miles)
Underground lines (in circuit miles)
Capacity range of overhead transmission lines (in kV)
Capacity range of underground transmission lines (in kV)
Electric
Distribution
478
44,361,360
40,515
18,050
N/A
N/A
Electric
Transmission
75
20,299,000
3,980
421
69 to 345
69 to 345
CL&P
NSTAR Electric
Transmission
Distribution
Transmission
Distribution
Distribution
181
21,890,000
16,770
6,834
N/A
N/A
21
173
32
3,633,000 18,027,360 11,615,000
1,249
11,469
275
9,163
69 to 345
N/A
115 to 345
N/A
1,677
143
69 to 345
69 to 345
PSNH
124
4,444,000
12,276
2,053
N/A
N/A
Transmission
22
5,051,000
1,054
3
115 to 345
115
Underground and overhead line transformers in service
Aggregate capacity (in kVa)
634,839
38,386,798
Electric Generating Plants
Eversource
CL&P
292,902
16,443,711
NSTAR Electric
172,876
14,842,428
PSNH
169,061
7,100,659
As of December 31, 2021, NSTAR Electric owned the following solar power facilities:
Type of Plant
Solar Fixed Tilt, Photovoltaic
Number
of Sites
22
Year
Installed
2010 - 2019
Claimed Capability**
(kilowatts, dc)
70,000
** Claimed capability represents the direct current nameplate capacity of the plants.
CL&P and PSNH do not own any electric generating plants.
Natural Gas Distribution System
As of December 31, 2021, NSTAR Gas owned 22 active gate stations, 148 district regulator stations, and approximately 3,322 miles of natural gas
main pipeline. Hopkinton, another subsidiary of Eversource, owns a satellite vaporization plant and above ground storage tanks in Acushnet,
Massachusetts (0.5 Bcf of natural gas). In addition, Hopkinton owns a liquefaction and vaporization plant with above ground storage tanks in
Hopkinton, Massachusetts (3.0 Bcf of natural gas). Combined, the two plants' tanks have an aggregate storage capacity equivalent to 3.5 Bcf of
natural gas that is provided to NSTAR Gas under contract.
As of December 31, 2021, EGMA owned 14 active gate stations, 193 district regulator stations, and approximately 5,014 miles of natural gas main
pipeline. Hopkinton, another subsidiary of Eversource, owns liquefaction and vaporization plants and above ground storage tanks at four locations
throughout Massachusetts with an aggregate storage capacity equivalent to 1.8 Bcf of natural gas. In addition, Hopkinton owns three propane peak
shaving plants at three locations throughout Massachusetts with an aggregate storage capacity equivalent to 0.1 Bcf.
As of December 31, 2021, Yankee Gas owned 28 active gate stations, 207 district regulator stations, and approximately 3,530 miles of natural gas
main pipeline. Yankee Gas also owns a liquefaction and vaporization plant and above ground storage tank with a storage capacity equivalent of
1.2 Bcf of natural gas in Waterbury, Connecticut.
Natural Gas Transmission System
As of December 31, 2021, NSTAR Gas and EGMA owned 1.0 and 2.36 miles of intrastate transmission natural gas pipeline, respectively.
Water Distribution System
Aquarion’s properties consist of water transmission and distribution mains and associated valves, hydrants and service lines, water treatment
plants, pumping facilities, wells, tanks, meters, dams, reservoirs, buildings, and other facilities and equipment used for the operation of our
systems, including the collection, treatment, storage, and distribution of water.
17
As of December 31, 2021, Aquarion owned and operated sources of water supply with a combined yield of approximately 127 million gallons per
day; 3,573 miles of transmission and distribution mains; 9 surface water treatment plants; 29 dams; and 123 wellfields.
Franchises
CL&P Subject to the power of alteration, amendment or repeal by the General Assembly of Connecticut and subject to certain approvals, permits
and consents of public authority and others prescribed by statute, CL&P has, subject to certain exceptions not deemed material, valid franchises
free from burdensome restrictions to provide electric transmission and distribution services in the respective areas in which it is now supplying
such service.
In addition to the right to provide electric transmission and distribution services as set forth above, the franchises of CL&P include, among others,
limited rights and powers, as set forth under Connecticut law and the special acts of the General Assembly constituting its charter, to manufacture,
generate, purchase and/or sell electricity at retail, including to provide Standard Service, Supplier of Last Resort service and backup service, to sell
electricity at wholesale and to erect and maintain certain facilities on public highways and grounds, all subject to such consents and approvals of
public authority and others as may be required by law. The franchises of CL&P include the power of eminent domain. Connecticut law prohibits
an electric distribution company from owning or operating generation assets. However, under "An Act Concerning Electricity and Energy
Efficiency," enacted in 2007, an electric distribution company, such as CL&P, is permitted to purchase an existing electric generating plant located
in Connecticut that is offered for sale, subject to prior approval from the PURA and a determination by the PURA that such purchase is in the
public interest.
NSTAR Electric Through its charter, which is unlimited in time, NSTAR Electric has the right to engage in the business of delivering and selling
electricity within its respective service territory, and has the power incidental thereto and is entitled to all the rights and privileges of and subject to
the duties imposed upon electric companies under Massachusetts laws. The locations in public ways for electric transmission and distribution lines
are obtained from municipal and other state authorities who, in granting these locations, act as agents for the state. In some cases, the actions of
these authorities are subject to appeal to the DPU. The rights to these locations are not limited in time and are subject to the action of these
authorities and the legislature. Under Massachusetts law, no other entity may provide electric delivery service to retail customers within NSTAR
Electric service territory without the written consent of NSTAR Electric. This consent must be filed with the DPU and the municipality so
affected. The franchises of NSTAR Electric include the power of eminent domain, obtained through application to the DPU.
Massachusetts restructuring legislation defines service territories as those territories actually served on July 1, 1997 and following municipal
boundaries to the extent possible. The restructuring legislation further provides that until terminated by law or otherwise, distribution companies
shall have the exclusive obligation to serve all retail customers within their service territories and no other person shall provide distribution service
within such service territories without the written consent of such distribution companies.
PSNH The NHPUC, pursuant to statutory requirements, has issued orders granting PSNH exclusive franchises to distribute electricity in the
respective areas in which it is now supplying such service.
In addition to the right to distribute electricity as set forth above, the franchises of PSNH include, among others, rights and powers to manufacture,
generate, purchase, and transmit electricity, to sell electricity at wholesale to other utility companies and municipalities and to erect and maintain
certain facilities on certain public highways and grounds, all subject to such consents and approvals of public authority and others as may be
required by law. PSNH's status as a public utility gives it the ability to petition the NHPUC for the right to exercise eminent domain for
distribution services and for transmission eligible for regional cost allocation.
PSNH is also subject to certain regulatory oversight by the Maine Public Utilities Commission and the Vermont Public Utility Commission.
NSTAR Gas Through its charter, which is unlimited in time, NSTAR Gas has the right to engage in the business of delivering and selling natural
gas within its respective service territory, and has the power incidental thereto and is entitled to all the rights and privileges of and subject to the
duties imposed upon natural gas companies under Massachusetts laws. The locations in public ways for natural gas distribution pipelines are
obtained from municipal and other state authorities who, in granting these locations, act as agents for the state. In some cases, the actions of these
authorities are subject to appeal to the DPU. The rights to these locations are not limited in time and are subject to the action of these authorities
and the legislature. Under Massachusetts law, no other entity may provide natural gas delivery service to retail customers within the NSTAR Gas
service territory without the written consent of NSTAR Gas. This consent must be filed with the DPU and the municipality so affected.
Eversource Gas Company of Massachusetts Eversource Gas Company of Massachusetts holds valid franchises to sell natural gas in the areas in
which it supplies natural gas service. Generally, Eversource Gas Company of Massachusetts holds franchises to serve customers in areas
designated by those franchises as well as in most other areas throughout Massachusetts so long as those areas are not occupied and served by
another natural gas utility under a valid franchise of its own or are not subject to an exclusive franchise of another natural gas utility or by consent.
Yankee Gas Yankee Gas holds valid franchises to sell natural gas in the areas in which Yankee Gas supplies natural gas service. Generally,
Yankee Gas holds franchises to serve customers in areas designated by those franchises as well as in most other areas throughout Connecticut so
long as those areas are not occupied and served by another natural gas utility under a valid franchise of its own or are not subject to an exclusive
franchise of another natural gas utility or by consent. Yankee Gas' franchises are perpetual but remain subject to the power of alteration,
amendment or repeal by the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut, the power of revocation by the PURA and certain approvals, permits
and consents of public authorities and others prescribed by statute. Generally, Yankee Gas' franchises include, among other rights and powers, the
right and power to manufacture, generate, purchase, transmit and distribute natural gas and to erect and maintain certain facilities on public
highways and grounds, and the right of eminent domain, all subject to such consents and approvals of public authorities and others as may be
required by law.
Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut AWC-CT derives its rights and franchises to operate from special acts of the Connecticut General
Assembly and subject to certain approvals, permits and consents of public authority and others prescribed by statute and by its charter, AWC-CT
has, with minor exceptions, solid franchises free from burdensome restrictions and unlimited as to time, and is authorized to sell potable water in
the towns (or parts thereof) in which water is now being supplied by AWC-CT.
In addition to the right to sell water as set forth above, the franchises of AWC-CT include rights and powers to erect and maintain certain facilities
on public highways and grounds, all subject to such consents and approvals of public authority and others as may be required by law. Under the
Connecticut General Statutes, AWC-CT may, upon payment of compensation, take and use such lands, springs, streams or ponds, or such rights or
interests therein as the Connecticut Superior Court, upon application, may determine is necessary to enable AWC-CT to supply potable water for
public or domestic use in its franchise areas.
18
Aquarion Water Company of Massachusetts Through its charters, which are unlimited in time, AWC-MA has the right to engage in the
business of distributing and selling water within its service territories, and has the power incidental thereto and is entitled to all the rights and
privileges of and subject to the duties imposed upon water companies under Massachusetts laws. AWC-MA has the right to construct and maintain
its mains and distribution pipes in and under any public ways and to take and hold water within its respective service territories. Subject to DPU
regulation, AWC-MA has the right to establish and fix rates for use of the water distributed and to establish reasonable regulations regarding the
same. Certain of the towns within our service area have the right, at any time, to purchase the corporate property and all rights and privileges of
AWC-MA according to pricing formulas and procedures specifically described in AWC-MA's respective charters and in compliance with
Massachusetts law.
Aquarion Water Company of New Hampshire The NHPUC, pursuant to statutory law, has issued orders granting and affirming AWC-NH’s
exclusive franchise to own, operate, and manage plant and equipment and any part of the same, for the conveyance of water for the public located
within its franchise territory. That franchise territory encompasses the towns of Hampton, North Hampton and Rye. Abenaki Water Systems
territory encompasses the towns of Belmont, Bow, Carroll, and Gilford. Subject to NHPUC’s regulations, AWC-NH has the right to establish and
fix rates for use of the water distributed and to establish reasonable regulations regarding the same.
In addition to the right to provide water supply, the franchise also allows AWC-NH to sell water at wholesale to other water utilities and
municipalities and to construct plant and equipment and maintain such plant and equipment on certain public highways and grounds, all subject to
such consents and approvals of public authority and others as may be required by law.
AWC-NH's status as a regulated public utility gives it the ability to petition the NHPUC for the right to exercise eminent domain for the
establishment of plant and equipment. It can also petition the NHPUC for exemption from the operation of any local ordinance when certain
utility structures are reasonably necessary for the convenience or welfare of the public and the local conditions, and, if the purpose of the structure
relates to water supply withdrawal, the exemption is recommended by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
We are involved in legal, tax and regulatory proceedings regarding matters arising in the ordinary course of business. For information regarding
material lawsuits and proceedings, see Note 13, “Commitments and Contingencies,” of the Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
In addition, see Item 1, Business: "– Electric Distribution Segment," "– Electric Transmission Segment," "– Natural Gas Distribution Segment,"
and "– Water Distribution Segment" for information about various state and federal regulatory and rate proceedings, civil lawsuits related thereto,
and information about proceedings relating to power, transmission and pricing issues; "– Nuclear Fuel Storage" for information related to nuclear
waste; and "– Other Regulatory and Environmental Matters" for information about toxic substances and hazardous materials, climate change, and
other matters. In addition, see Item 1A, Risk Factors, for general information about several significant risks.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
19
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Age Title
The following sets forth the executive officers of Eversource Energy as of February 16, 2022. All of Eversource Energy’s officers serve terms of
one year and until their successors elected and qualified.
Name
James J. Judge
Joseph R. Nolan, Jr.
Philip J. Lembo
Gregory B. Butler
Christine M. Carmody
Penelope M. Conner
James W. Hunt, III
Werner J. Schweiger
Jay S. Buth
Executive Chairman of the Board
President and Chief Executive Officer
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Executive Vice President-Human Resources and Information Technology
Executive Vice President-Customer Experience and Energy Strategy
Executive Vice President-Corporate Relations and Sustainability and Secretary
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
66
57
66
64
59
58
50
62
52
James J. Judge. Mr. Judge has served as Executive Chairman of the Board of Eversource Energy since May 5, 2021 and as a Trustee of
Eversource Energy since May 4, 2016. Previously, Mr. Judge served as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Eversource Energy from May 3, 2017 until May 5, 2021, and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Eversource Energy from May 4, 2016
until May 3, 2017. Based on his experience described above, Mr. Judge has the skills and qualifications necessary to serve as a Trustee of
Eversource Energy.
Joseph R. Nolan, Jr. Mr. Nolan has served as President and Chief Executive Officer and a Trustee of Eversource Energy. Previously, Mr. Nolan
served as Executive Vice President-Strategy, Customer and Corporate Relations of Eversource Energy from February 5, 2020 until May 5, 2021,
and as Executive Vice President-Customer and Corporate Relations of Eversource Energy from August 8, 2016 to February 5, 2020. Based on his
experience described above, Mr. Nolan has the skills and qualifications necessary to serve as a Trustee of Eversource Energy.
Philip J. Lembo. Mr. Lembo has served as Chief Financial Officer of Eversource Energy since May 4, 2016. He previously served as Treasurer of
Eversource Energy from April 10, 2012 until May 3, 2017. Mr. Lembo has served as Executive Vice President of Eversource Energy since
August 8, 2016.
Gregory B. Butler. Mr. Butler has served as General Counsel of Eversource Energy since May 1, 2001. He has served as Executive Vice President
of Eversource Energy since August 8, 2016.
Christine M. Carmody. Ms. Carmody has served as Executive Vice President-Human Resources and Information Technology of Eversource
Energy since August 8, 2016.
Penelope M. Conner. Ms. Conner has served as Executive Vice President-Customer Experience and Energy Strategy of Eversource Energy since
May 5, 2021. Previously, Ms. Conner served as Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer of Eversource Service from March 2, 2013 until
May 5, 2021.
James W. Hunt, III. Mr. Hunt has served as Executive Vice President-Corporate Relations and Sustainability of Eversource Energy since May 5,
2021 and as Secretary of Eversource Energy since July 9, 2021. Previously Mr. Hunt served as Senior Vice President-Communications, External
Affairs and Sustainability of Eversource Service from December 17, 2019 until May 5, 2021 and as Senior Vice President-Regulatory Affairs and
Chief Communications Officer of Eversource Service from October 3, 2016 until December 17, 2019.
Werner J. Schweiger. Mr. Schweiger has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Eversource Energy since September 2,
2014.
Jay S. Buth. Mr. Buth has served as Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of Eversource Energy since April 10, 2012.
PART II
Item 5. Market for the Registrants' Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
(a)
Market Information
Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The ticker symbol is "ES." There is no established public trading market for the
common stock of CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH. All of the common stock of CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH is held solely by
Eversource.
(b)
Holders
As of January 31, 2022, there were 31,020 registered common shareholders of our company on record. As of the same date, there were a total of
344,439,905 shares outstanding.
(c)
Dividends
Information with respect to dividends and dividend restrictions for Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH is contained in Item 8,
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, in the Combined Notes to Financial Statements, within this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(d)
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
For information regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, see Item 12, Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters, included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
20
(e)
Performance Graph
The performance graph below illustrates a five-year comparison of cumulative total returns based on an initial investment of $100 in 2016 in
Eversource Energy common stock, as compared with the S&P 500 Stock Index and the EEI Index for the period 2016 through 2021, assuming all
dividends are reinvested.
Eversource Energy
EEI Index
S&P 500
2016
$100
$100
$100
2017
$118
$112
$122
December 31,
2018
$126
$116
$116
2019
$169
$146
$153
2020
$176
$144
$181
2021
$191
$169
$233
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
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 matching
contributions under the Eversource 401k Plan.
Period
October 1 - October 31, 2021
November 1 - November 30, 2021
December 1 - December 31, 2021
Total
Item 6. Removed and Reserved
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
— $
—
2,081
2,081 $
Average Price
Paid per Share
—
—
90.70
90.70
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)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
EVERSOURCE ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related combined notes
included in this combined Annual Report on Form 10-K. References in this combined Annual Report on Form 10-K 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 consolidated financial statements of Eversource, NSTAR Electric and PSNH and the financial statements of CL&P are herein
collectively referred to as the "financial statements." Our discussion of fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020 is included herein. Unless
expressly stated otherwise, for discussion and analysis of fiscal year 2019 items and of fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019, please refer
to Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in our combined 2020 Annual Report on
Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Refer to the Glossary of Terms included in this combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for abbreviations and acronyms used throughout this
21
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 (non-GAAP) that is 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. Our earnings discussion also includes non-GAAP financial measures referencing our 2021 earnings and EPS excluding charges at CL&P
related to a settlement agreement that included credits to customers and funding of various customer assistance initiatives and a storm performance
penalty imposed on CL&P by the PURA and our 2021 and 2020 earnings and EPS excluding certain acquisition and transition costs.
We use these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate and provide details of earnings results by business and to more fully compare and explain
our 2021 and 2020 results without including these items. This information is among the primary indicators we use as a basis for evaluating
performance and planning and forecasting of future periods. We believe the impacts of the CL&P settlement agreement, the storm performance
penalty imposed on CL&P by the PURA, and acquisition and transition costs are not indicative of our ongoing costs and performance. We view
these charges as not directly related to the ongoing operations of the business and therefore not an indicator of baseline operating performance.
Due to the nature and significance of the effect of these items on Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders and EPS, we believe that the
non-GAAP presentation is a more meaningful representation of our financial performance and provides additional and useful information to
readers of this report in analyzing historical and future performance of our business. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be
considered as alternatives to reported Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders or EPS determined in accordance with GAAP as
indicators of operating performance.
Financial Condition and Business Analysis
Executive Summary
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, NSTAR Gas and Eversource Gas Company of Massachusetts (EGMA) (natural gas utilities) and Aquarion (water utilities).
Eversource is organized into the electric distribution, electric transmission, natural gas distribution, and water distribution reportable segments.
The following items in this executive summary are explained in more detail in this combined Annual Report on Form 10-K:
Earnings Overview and Future Outlook:
• We earned $1.22 billion, or $3.54 per share, in 2021, compared with $1.21 billion, or $3.55 per share, in 2020.
• Our 2021 results include after-tax costs recorded within the electric distribution segment resulting from a PURA-approved CL&P settlement
agreement and an after-tax charge at CL&P for a PURA assessment as a result of CL&P’s preparation for and response to Tropical Storm
Isaias in August 2020. Our 2021 results also include after-tax acquisition and transition costs recorded at Eversource parent. In total, these
after-tax costs were $109.7 million, or $0.32 per share in 2021. Our 2020 results include after-tax acquisition and transition costs of $32.1
million, or $0.09 per share, recorded primarily at Eversource parent. Excluding those costs, our non-GAAP earnings were $1.33 billion, or
$3.86 per share, in 2021, compared with $1.24 billion, or $3.64 per share, in 2020.
• We currently project 2022 non-GAAP earning guidance of between $4.00 per share and $4.17 per share, which excludes the impact of
remaining integration costs as a result of transitioning EGMA onto Eversource’s systems. We also project that our long-term EPS growth rate
through 2026 from our regulated utility businesses will be in the upper half of a 5 to 7 percent range.
Liquidity:
•
•
•
Cash flows provided by operating activities totaled $1.96 billion in 2021, compared with $1.68 billion in 2020. Investments in property, plant
and equipment totaled $3.18 billion in 2021 and $2.94 billion in 2020.
Cash totaled $66.8 million as of December 31, 2021, compared with $106.6 million as of December 31, 2020. Our available borrowing
capacity under our commercial paper programs totaled $1.14 billion as of December 31, 2021. In 2021, we issued $3.23 billion of new long-
term debt and we repaid $1.14 billion of long-term debt.
In 2021, we issued dividends totaling $2.41 per common share, compared with dividends of $2.27 per common share in 2020. Our quarterly
common share dividend payment was $0.6025 per share in 2021, as compared to $0.5675 per share in 2020. On February 2, 2022, our Board
of Trustees approved a common share dividend payment of $0.6375 per share, payable on March 31, 2022 to shareholders of record as of
March 3, 2022.
• We project to make capital expenditures of $18.14 billion from 2022 through 2026, of which we expect $7.02 billion to be in our electric
distribution segment, $4.53 billion to be in our natural gas distribution segment, $4.60 billion to be in our electric transmission segment, and
$0.89 billion to be in our water distribution segment. We also project to invest $1.10 billion in information technology and facilities upgrades
and enhancements. Additionally, we currently expect to make investments in our offshore wind business between $0.9 billion and $1.0 billion
in 2022 and expect to make investments for our three projects in total between $3.0 billion and $3.6 billion from 2023 through 2026. These
estimates assume that the three projects are completed and are in-service by the end of 2025, as planned.
Strategic and Regulatory Items:
• On January 18, 2022, South Fork Wind received BOEM’s final approval of its Construction and Operations Plan (COP), following BOEM’s
November 2021 issuance of the Record of Decision, which concluded BOEM’s environmental review of the project. The COP approval
outlines the project’s one nautical mile turbine spacing, the requirements on the construction methodology for all work occurring in federal
ocean waters, and mitigation measures to protect marine habitats and species. The final decision from BOEM was needed to move the project
toward the start of construction, and with the decision received, South Fork has now entered the construction phase.
• On October 1, 2021, CL&P entered into a settlement agreement with the DEEP, Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC), Office of the Attorney
General (AG) and the Connecticut Industrial Energy Consumers, resolving certain issues that arose in then-pending regulatory proceedings
initiated by the PURA. PURA approved the settlement agreement on October 27, 2021. In the settlement agreement, CL&P agreed to
22
provide a total of $65 million of customer credits, which were distributed based on customer sales over a two-month billing period from
December 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022. CL&P also agreed to irrevocably set aside $10 million in a fund to provide bill payment assistance to
certain existing non-hardship and hardship customers carrying arrearages, as approved by the PURA. In exchange for the $75 million of
customer credits and assistance, PURA’s interim rate reduction docket was resolved without findings. As a result of the settlement agreement,
neither the 90 basis point reduction to CL&P’s return on equity introduced in PURA’s storm-related decision issued April 28, 2021, nor the 45
basis point reduction to CL&P’s return on equity included in PURA’s decision issued September 14, 2021 in the interim rate reduction docket,
will be implemented. Additionally, CL&P agreed to withdraw its pending appeals related to the $28.6 million storm performance penalty
imposed in PURA’s April 28, 2021 and July 14, 2021 decisions. CL&P has also agreed to freeze its current base distribution rates until no
earlier than January 1, 2024. The cumulative pre-tax impact of the October 1, 2021 settlement agreement and the Storm Isaias penalty
imposed by PURA totaled $103.6 million, and the after-tax earnings impact was $86.1 million, or $0.25 per share, in 2021.
Earnings Overview
Consolidated: Below is a summary of our earnings by business, which also reconciles the non-GAAP financial measures of consolidated non-
GAAP earnings and EPS, as well as EPS by business, to the most directly comparable GAAP measures of consolidated Net Income Attributable to
Common Shareholders and diluted EPS.
(Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders (GAAP)
Regulated Companies (non-GAAP)
Eversource Parent and Other Companies (non-GAAP)
Non-GAAP Earnings
CL&P Settlement Impacts (after-tax) (1)
Acquisition and Transition Costs (after-tax) (2)
Impairment of Northern Pass Transmission (after-tax)
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders (GAAP)
$
$
$
$
2021
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
Amount
Per Share
Amount
Per Share
Amount
1,220.5 $
3.54 $
1,205.2 $
3.55 $
909.1 $
Per Share
2.81
1,342.4 $
(12.2)
1,330.2 $
(86.1)
(23.6)
—
1,220.5 $
3.89 $
(0.03)
3.86 $
(0.25)
(0.07)
—
3.54 $
1,223.3 $
14.0
1,237.3 $
—
(32.1)
—
1,205.2 $
3.60 $
0.04
3.64 $
—
(0.09)
—
3.55 $
1,105.3 $
8.2
1,113.5 $
—
—
(204.4)
909.1 $
3.43
0.02
3.45
—
—
(0.64)
2.81
Regulated Companies: Our regulated companies comprise the electric distribution, electric transmission, natural gas distribution and water
distribution segments. A summary of our segment earnings and EPS is as follows:
(Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)
Net Income - Regulated Companies (GAAP)
Electric Distribution, excluding CL&P Settlement Impacts
(Non-GAAP)
Electric Transmission, excluding Impairment of Northern Pass
Transmission (Non-GAAP)
Natural Gas Distribution, excluding Acquisition-Related Costs
(Non-GAAP)
Water Distribution
Net Income - Regulated Companies (Non-GAAP)
CL&P Settlement Impacts (after-tax) (1)
Acquisition-Related Costs (after-tax) (2)
Impairment of Northern Pass Transmission (after-tax)
Net Income - Regulated Companies (GAAP)
$
$
$
$
2021
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
Amount
Per Share
Amount
Per Share
Amount
1,256.3 $
3.64 $
1,221.8 $
3.60 $
900.9 $
Per Share
2.79
556.2 $
1.61 $
544.0 $
1.60 $
513.3 $
544.6
1.58
502.5
204.8
36.8
1,342.4 $
(86.1)
—
—
1,256.3 $
0.59
0.11
3.89 $
(0.25)
—
—
3.64 $
135.6
41.2
1,223.3 $
—
(1.5)
—
1,221.8 $
1.48
0.40
0.12
3.60 $
—
—
—
3.60 $
460.9
96.2
34.9
1,105.3 $
—
—
(204.4)
900.9 $
1.59
1.43
0.30
0.11
3.43
—
—
(0.64)
2.79
(1) The 2021 after-tax costs are associated with the CL&P settlement agreement approved by PURA on October 27, 2021, which included a pre-
tax $65 million charge to earnings for customer credits provided to customers over a two-month billing period from December 1, 2021 to
January 31, 2022 and a $10 million charge to earnings to establish a fund to provide bill payment assistance to certain existing non-hardship
and hardship customers carrying arrearages. The 2021 after-tax costs also include charges recorded at CL&P as a result of the April 28, 2021
and July 14, 2021 PURA decisions, which included a $28.4 million penalty for storm performance results and is currently being provided as
credits to customer bills and a $0.2 million fine to the State of Connecticut’s general fund. As a result of the October 1, 2021 settlement
agreement, CL&P agreed to withdraw its pending appeals related to the storm performance penalty imposed in PURA’s April 28, 2021 and
July 14, 2021 decisions. Management views these collective charges as not directly related to the ongoing operations of the business and
therefore not an indicator of baseline operating performance.
(2) The 2021 costs are for the transition of systems as a result of our purchase of the assets of CMA on October 9, 2020 and costs associated with
our December 1, 2021 water business acquisition. The 2020 acquisition costs are associated with our CMA acquisition. We expect integration
costs in 2022 as a result of continuing to transition the CMA assets onto Eversource’s systems.
Our electric distribution segment earnings decreased $73.9 million in 2021, as compared to 2020, due primarily to CL&P’s settlement agreement
on October 1, 2021 resulting in a $75 million pre-tax charge to earnings and a $28.6 million pre-tax charge to earnings at CL&P for a storm
performance penalty imposed by PURA as a result of CL&P’s preparation for and response to Tropical Storm Isaias in August 2020 that was
recorded in 2021. The after-tax impact of the CL&P settlement agreement and CL&P storm performance penalty imposed by the PURA was $86.1
million, or $0.25 per share. For further information, see "Regulatory Developments and Rate Matters - Connecticut" included in this
Management’s Discussion and Analysis. Excluding those charges, electric distribution segment earnings increased $12.2 million due primarily to
23
base distribution rate increases at NSTAR Electric effective January 1, 2021, at PSNH effective January 1, 2021 and August 1, 2021, and at CL&P
effective May 1, 2020, and higher earnings from CL&P's capital tracker mechanism due to increased electric system improvements. Those
earnings increases were partially offset by higher operations and maintenance expense driven by higher employee-related expenses and higher
vegetation management costs, higher depreciation expense, higher property tax expense, and higher interest expense.
Our electric transmission segment earnings increased $42.1 million in 2021, as compared to 2020, 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 $70.7 million in 2021, as compared to 2020, due primarily to the incremental impact of
EGMA earnings of $43.0 million. Additionally, the earnings increase was due to base distribution rate increases at NSTAR Gas effective
November 1, 2021 and 2020 and at Yankee Gas effective January 1, 2021 (with changes to customer rates beginning March 1, 2021), and higher
earnings from capital tracker mechanisms due to continued investments in natural gas infrastructure. The earnings increase was partially offset by
higher depreciation expense, higher property tax expense and higher interest expense.
Our water distribution segment earnings decreased $4.4 million in 2021, as compared to 2020, due primarily to the absence in 2021 of an after-tax
gain of $3.5 million and lower revenues both as a result of the sale of the water system and treatment plant in Hingham, Massachusetts in July
2020.
Eversource Parent and Other Companies: Eversource parent and other companies had an increased loss of $19.2 million in 2021, as compared to
2020, due primarily to a higher effective tax rate and higher employee-related costs. The higher loss was partially offset by a decrease of $7.0
million in acquisition and transition costs of EGMA recorded at Eversource parent and a higher return at Eversource Service as a result of
increased investments in property, plant and equipment.
Impact of COVID-19
COVID-19 has adversely affected customers, workers and the U.S. economy. We provide a critical service to our customers and have taken
extensive measures to maintain its safety and reliability. We continue to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and how the related
developments affect Eversource. By the end of 2021, we completed the re-entry phase of our pandemic response plan for those of our employees
that were working remotely. We have not experienced significant impacts directly related to the pandemic that have materially affected our current
operations, our workforce, or results of operations. The extent of the impact to us in the future will vary, and depend on the duration, scope and
severity of the pandemic and the resulting impact on economic, health care and capital market conditions. The future impact will also depend on
the outcome of future proceedings before our state regulatory commissions to recover our incremental costs associated with COVID-19, which
include uncollectible customer receivable expenses.
The current and expected future financial impacts of COVID-19 as it relates to our businesses primarily relate to collectability of customer
receivables and customer payment plans and increased expenses for cleaning and supplies for personal protective equipment.
As of December 31, 2021, our allowance for uncollectible customer receivable balance of $417.4 million, of which $226.1 million relates to
hardship accounts that are specifically recovered in rates charged to customers, adequately reflected the collection risk and net realizable value for
our receivables. Our evaluation of the uncollectible allowance has shown that our operating companies have experienced an increase in aged
receivables and lower cash collections from customers because of the length of the moratorium on disconnections in Connecticut and
Massachusetts, and the economic slowdown resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. In Connecticut, the moratorium on disconnections of
commercial and non-hardship residential customers ended in June 2021 and September 2021, respectively, but is still in place for hardship
residential customers. In Massachusetts, the moratorium on disconnections of commercial customers and residential customers ended in
September 2020 and July 2021, respectively. Disconnection activities have resumed after these moratoria have expired, which has resulted in
recent improved collection experience, more customers applying for, and receiving, hardship status, and higher write-offs of aged receivable
amounts. On July 7, 2021, the NHPUC issued an order to New Hampshire utilities that concluded that recovery of incremental bad debt or waived
late fees related to the COVID-19 pandemic would be addressed in a future rate case to the extent those costs are relevant at that time. As a result
of the order, PSNH removed its $0.6 million deferral of net incremental COVID-19 costs in 2021. In New Hampshire, the moratorium on
disconnections of non-hardship residential and commercial customers ended in late 2020 and for hardship residential customers ended in May
2021 and PSNH has resumed disconnection activities, which has resulted in improved collection of outstanding customer receivable balances.
Based upon the evaluation performed, for the year ended December 31, 2021, management increased the allowance for uncollectible accounts for
amounts incurred as a result of COVID-19 by $24.1 million for Eversource (increase of $20.1 million for CL&P and $6.6 million at our natural gas
businesses, and decrease of $1.3 million at NSTAR Electric). The COVID-19 related uncollectible amounts were deferred either as incremental
regulatory costs at our Connecticut and Massachusetts utilities or deferred through existing regulatory tracking mechanisms that recover
uncollectible energy supply costs, as management believes it is probable that these costs will ultimately be recovered from customers in future
rates. As of December 31, 2021, the total amount incurred as a result of COVID-19 included in the allowance for uncollectible accounts was
$55.3 million at Eversource ($23.9 million at CL&P, $9.0 million at NSTAR Electric, and $21.4 million at our natural gas businesses). Based on
the status of our COVID-19 regulatory dockets, communications with our state regulatory commissions, and policies and practices in the
jurisdictions in which we operate, we believe our state regulatory commissions in Connecticut and Massachusetts will allow us to recover our
incremental costs associated with COVID-19, which include uncollectible customer receivable expenses, while balancing the impact on our
customers’ bills and our operating cash flows.
We worked closely with our state regulatory commissions and consumer advocates on customer assistance measures, including payment plan
options as well as financial hardship and arrearage management programs, in order to mitigate the impact on customer rates in the future. We
developed these long-term solutions for customers in order to help minimize the extent of the impact of COVID-19 on customer receivable
balances and customers’ affordability in light of the current financial impact they may experience.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, net incremental costs incurred as a result of COVID-19 totaled $20.8 million, and related to uncollectible
expense that impacts earnings, facilities and fleet cleaning, sanitizing costs and supplies for personal protective equipment, net of cost savings and
benefits under the CARES Act. In 2021, we deferred $15.8 million of these net incremental COVID-19 costs on the balance sheet. Net
incremental COVID-19 expenses that reduced pre-tax earnings totaled $5.0 million on the statement of income in 2021.
As of December 31, 2021, a total of $39.8 million of net deferred incremental COVID-19 costs were recorded on the balance sheet, of which
$33.0 million of that deferral related to uncollectible expense that impacts earnings and $6.8 million related to cleaning and supplies for personal
protective equipment.
24
Liquidity
Sources and Uses of Cash: Eversource’s regulated business is capital intensive and requires considerable capital resources. Eversource’s regulated
companies’ capital resources are provided by cash flows generated from operations, short-term borrowings, long-term debt issuances, capital
contributions from Eversource parent, and existing cash, and are used to fund their liquidity and capital requirements. Eversource’s regulated
companies typically maintain minimal cash balances and use short-term borrowings to meet their working capital needs and other cash
requirements. Short-term borrowings are also used as a bridge to long-term debt financings. The levels of short-term borrowing may vary
significantly over the course of the year due to the impact of fluctuations in cash flows from operations, dividends paid, capital contributions
received and the timing of long-term debt financings.
Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH each uses its available capital resources to fund its respective construction expenditures, meet debt
requirements, pay operating costs, including storm-related costs, pay dividends, and fund other corporate obligations, such as pension
contributions. Eversource's regulated companies recover their electric, natural gas and water distribution construction expenditures as the related
project costs are depreciated over the life of the assets. This impacts the timing of the revenue stream designed to fully recover the total
investment plus a return on the equity and debt used to finance the investments. Eversource's regulated companies’ spend a significant amount of
cash on capital improvements and construction projects that have a long-term return on investment and recovery period. In addition, Eversource’s
investments in its offshore wind business are recognized as long-term assets. These factors have resulted in current liabilities exceeding current
assets by $2.58 billion, $537.0 million, and $165.0 million at Eversource, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, respectively, as of December 31, 2021.
As of December 31, 2021, $1.18 billion of Eversource's long-term debt, including $750.0 million at Eversource parent, $400.0 million at NSTAR
Electric, $20.0 million at Yankee Gas, and $5.4 million at Aquarion, will mature within the next 12 months. Eversource, with its strong credit
ratings, has several options available in the financial markets to repay or refinance these maturities with the issuance of new long-term debt.
Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH will reduce their short-term borrowings with operating cash flows or with the issuance of new
long-term debt, determined by considering capital requirements and maintenance of Eversource's credit rating and profile.
We expect the future operating cash flows of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, along with our existing borrowing availability and
access to both debt and equity markets, will be sufficient to meet any working capital and future operating requirements, and capital investment
forecasted opportunities.
Cash totaled $66.8 million as of December 31, 2021, compared with $106.6 million as of December 31, 2020.
Short-Term Debt - Commercial Paper Programs and Credit Agreements: Eversource parent has a $2.00 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, Yankee Gas,
EGMA and Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut are parties to a five-year $2.00 billion revolving credit facility, which terminates on
October 15, 2026. This revolving credit facility serves to backstop Eversource parent's $2.00 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, which terminates on October 15, 2026. The revolving credit
facility serves to backstop NSTAR Electric's $650 million commercial paper program.
The amount of borrowings outstanding and available under the commercial paper programs were as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
Eversource Parent Commercial Paper Program
NSTAR Electric Commercial Paper Program
$
Borrowings Outstanding
as of December 31,
2020
2021
1,054.3 $
1,343.0 $
195.0
162.5
Available Borrowing Capacity
as of December 31,
2020
2021
Weighted-Average Interest Rate
as of December 31,
2020
2021
657.0 $
487.5
945.7
455.0
0.31 %
0.14 %
0.25 %
0.16 %
There were no borrowings outstanding on the revolving credit facilities as of December 31, 2021 or 2020.
CL&P and PSNH have uncommitted line of credit agreements totaling $450 million and $300 million, respectively, which will expire on May 12,
2022. There are no borrowings outstanding on either the CL&P or PSNH uncommitted line of credit agreements as of December 31, 2021.
Amounts outstanding under the commercial paper programs are included in Notes Payable and classified in current liabilities on the Eversource
and NSTAR Electric balance sheets, as all borrowings are outstanding for no more than 364 days at one time.
Intercompany Borrowings: Eversource parent uses its available capital resources to provide loans to its subsidiaries to assist in meeting their short-
term borrowing needs. Eversource parent records intercompany interest income from its loans to subsidiaries, which is eliminated in
consolidation. Intercompany loans from Eversource parent to its subsidiaries are eliminated in consolidation on Eversource's balance sheets. As of
December 31, 2021, there were intercompany loans from Eversource parent to PSNH of $110.6 million. As of December 31, 2020, there were
intercompany loans from Eversource parent to PSNH of $46.3 million, and to a subsidiary of NSTAR Electric of $21.3 million. Intercompany
loans from Eversource parent are included in Notes Payable to Eversource Parent and classified in current liabilities on the respective subsidiary's
balance sheets.
Availability under Long-Term Debt Issuance Authorizations: On March 31, 2021, the DPU approved NSTAR Electric's request for authorization
to issue up to $1.60 billion in long-term debt through December 31, 2023. On September 10, 2021, the DPU approved EGMA’s request for
authorization to issue up to $725.0 million in long-term debt through December 31, 2023. The remaining Eversource operating companies,
including CL&P and PSNH, have utilized the long-term debt authorizations in place with the respective regulatory commissions.
25
(Millions of Dollars)
CL&P:
2.05% Series A First Mortgage Bonds
4.38% Series A PCRB
NSTAR Electric:
3.10% 2021 Debentures
3.50% Series F Senior Notes
1.95% 2021 Debentures
PSNH:
4.05% Series Q First Mortgage Bonds
3.20% Series R First Mortgage Bonds
Long-Term Debt Issuances and Repayments: The following table summarizes long-term debt issuances and repayments:
Issuance/
(Repayment)
Issue Date or
Repayment Date
Maturity Date
Use of Proceeds for Issuance/
Repayment Information
$
425.0
(120.5)
June 2021
September 2021
July 2031
September 2028
Repaid short-term debt, paid capital
expenditures and working capital
Paid on par call date in advance of maturity
300.0
(250.0)
May 2021
June 2021
June 2051
September 2021
300.0
August 2021
August 2031
(122.0)
(160.0)
March 2021
June 2021
June 2021
September 2021
2.20% Series V First Mortgage Bonds
Other:
Eversource Parent 2.50% Series I Senior Notes
Eversource Parent 2.55% Series S Senior Notes
Eversource Parent 1.40% Series U Senior Notes
Eversource Parent Variable Rate Series T Senior Notes (1)
Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut 3.31%
Senior Notes
Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut 5.50% Notes
Yankee Gas 1.38% Series S First Mortgage Bonds
Yankee Gas 2.88% Series T First Mortgage Bonds
EGMA 2.11% Series A First Mortgage Bonds
EGMA 2.92% Series B First Mortgage Bonds
NSTAR Gas 2.25% Series T First Mortgage Bonds
NSTAR Gas 3.03% Series U First Mortgage Bonds
350.0
June 2021
June 2031
(450.0)
February 2021
March 2021
350.0
300.0
350.0
100.0
(40.0)
90.0
35.0
310.0
240.0
40.0
40.0
March 2021
August 2021
August 2021
March 2031
August 2026
August 2023
April 2021
April 2051
April 2021
April 2021
August 2021
August 2026
August 2051
August 2021
September 2021 October 2031
September 2021 October 2051
November 2031
October 2021
November 2051
October 2021
Refinanced investments in eligible green
expenditures, which were previously
financed in 2019 and 2020
Paid on par call date in advance of maturity
Repaid short-term debt, paid capital
expenditures and working capital
Paid on par call date in advance of maturity
Paid on par call date in advance of maturity
Repaid short-term debt, including short-term
debt used to redeem Series R First Mortgage
Bonds, paid capital expenditures and working
capital
Paid on par call date in advance of maturity
Repaid short-term debt, including short-term
debt used to redeem Series I Senior Notes
Repaid short-term debt
Repaid short-term debt
Repaid 5.50% Notes, repaid short-term debt,
paid capital expenditures and working capital
Paid at maturity
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(1) On August 13, 2021, Eversource Parent issued $350 million of floating rate Series T Senior Notes with a maturity date of August 15, 2023.
The notes have a coupon rate based on Compounded SOFR plus 0.25%. The notes had an interest rate of 0.30% as of December 31, 2021.
(2) The use of proceeds from these various issuances refinanced existing indebtedness, funded capital expenditures and were for general
corporate purposes. The EGMA indebtedness that was refinanced included $309.4 million of long-term debt.
Rate Reduction Bonds: PSNH's RRB payments consist of principal and interest and are paid semi-annually. PSNH paid $43.2 million of RRB
principal payments and $18.9 million of interest payments in 2021, and paid $43.2 million of RRB principal payments and $20.2 million of interest
payments in 2020.
Cash Flows: Cash flows from operating activities primarily result from the transmission and distribution of electricity, and the distribution of
natural gas and water. Cash flows provided by operating activities totaled $1.96 billion in 2021, compared with $1.68 billion in 2020. Changes in
Eversource’s cash flows from operations were generally consistent with changes in its results of operations, as adjusted by changes in working
capital in the normal course of business and as further discussed. Operating cash flows were favorably impacted by improvements in the timing of
cash collections on our accounts receivable, the timing of collections for regulatory tracking mechanisms, and the timing of other working capital
items. These favorable impacts were partially offset by the timing of cash payments made on our accounts payable, a $93.8 million increase in cost
of removal expenditures, a $72.7 million increase in income tax payments made in 2021, as compared to 2020, and a $70.8 million increase in
Pension and PBOP contributions made in 2021, as compared to 2020.
In 2021, we paid cash dividends of $805.4 million and issued non-cash dividends of $22.9 million in the form of treasury shares, totaling dividends
of $828.3 million, or $2.41 per common share. In 2020, we paid cash dividends of $744.7 million and issued non-cash dividends of $22.8 million
in the form of treasury shares, totaling dividends of $767.5 million, or $2.27 per common share. Our quarterly common share dividend payment
was $0.6025 per share in 2021, as compared to $0.5675 per share in 2020. On February 2, 2022, our Board of Trustees approved a common share
dividend payment of $0.6375 per share, payable on March 31, 2022 to shareholders of record as of March 3, 2022.
Eversource issues treasury shares to satisfy awards under the Company's incentive plans, shares issued under the dividend reinvestment and share
purchase plan, and matching contributions under the Eversource 401k Plan.
In 2021, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH paid $341.4 million, $283.2 million and $260.8 million, respectively, in common stock dividends to
Eversource parent.
Investments in Property, Plant and Equipment on the statements of cash flows do not include amounts incurred on capital projects but not yet paid,
cost of removal, AFUDC related to equity funds, and the capitalized and deferred portions of pension and PBOP expense. In 2021, investments for
Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH were $3.18 billion, $790.1 million, $960.9 million and $326.4 million, respectively. Capital
26
expenditures were primarily for continuing projects to maintain and improve infrastructure and operations, including enhancing reliability to the
transmission and distribution systems.
Contractual Obligations: For information regarding our cash requirements from contractual obligations and payment schedules, see Note 9,
"Long-Term Debt," Note 10, "Rate Reduction Bonds and Variable Interest Entities," Note 11A, "Employee Benefits - Pension Benefits and
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension," Note 13, "Commitments and Contingencies," and Note 14, "Leases," to the financial statements.
Estimated interest payments on existing long-term fixed-rate debt are calculated by multiplying the coupon rate on the debt by its scheduled
notional amount outstanding for the period of measurement as of December 31, 2021 and are as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
Eversource
CL&P
Total
7,463.8
2,523.1
4,923.0 $
1,784.8
551.3 $
154.7
463.1 $
138.6
583.8 $
159.7
509.4 $
149.7
433.2 $
135.6
Thereafter
2026
2024
2025
2023
2022
$
Our commitments to make payments in addition to these contractual obligations include other liabilities reflected on our balance sheets, future
funding of our offshore wind equity method investment, and guarantees of certain obligations primarily associated with our offshore wind
investment.
For information regarding our projected capital expenditures over the next five years, see "Business Development and Capital Expenditures -
Projected Capital Expenditures" and for projected investments in our offshore wind business, see Business Development and Capital Expenditures
- Offshore Wind Business" included in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Credit Ratings: A summary of our corporate credit ratings and outlooks by S&P, Moody's, and Fitch is as follows:
Eversource Parent
CL&P
NSTAR Electric
PSNH
S&P
Current
A-
A
A
A
Outlook
Stable
Stable
Stable
Stable
Moody's
Current
Baa1
A3
A1
A3
Outlook
Negative
Negative
Stable
Stable
Fitch
Current
BBB+
A-
A
A-
Outlook
Stable
Negative
Stable
Stable
A summary of the current credit ratings and outlooks by S&P, Moody's, and Fitch for senior unsecured debt of Eversource parent and NSTAR
Electric, and senior secured debt of CL&P and PSNH is as follows:
Eversource Parent
CL&P
NSTAR Electric
PSNH
S&P
Current
BBB+
A+
A
A+
Outlook
Stable
Stable
Stable
Stable
Moody's
Current
Baa1
A1
A1
A1
Outlook
Negative
Negative
Stable
Stable
Fitch
Current
BBB+
A+
A+
A+
Outlook
Stable
Negative
Stable
Stable
Business Development and Capital Expenditures
Our consolidated capital expenditures, including amounts incurred but not paid, cost of removal, AFUDC, and the capitalized and deferred
portions of pension and PBOP expense (all of which are non-cash factors), totaled $3.54 billion in 2021, $3.06 billion in 2020, and $3.06 billion in
2019. These amounts included $238.0 million in 2021, $239.1 million in 2020, and $239.0 million in 2019 related to information technology and
facilities upgrades and enhancements, primarily at Eversource Service and The Rocky River Realty Company.
Electric Transmission Business: Our consolidated electric transmission business capital expenditures increased by $151.7 million in 2021, as
compared to 2020. A summary of electric transmission capital expenditures by company is as follows:
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2021
(Millions of Dollars)
CL&P
NSTAR Electric
PSNH
NPT
Total Electric Transmission Segment
$
$
400.0 $
480.3
235.0
—
1,115.3 $
402.9 $
366.8
193.9
—
963.6 $
2019
459.5
379.7
190.4
9.8
1,039.4
Our transmission projects are designed to improve the reliability of the electric grid, meet customer demand for power, strengthen the electric
grid's resilience against extreme weather and other safety and security threats, and increase access to clean power generation from renewable
sources, such as solar and offshore wind. In Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, our transmission projects include transmission line
upgrades, the installation of new transmission lines, and substation enhancements.
Our transmission projects in Massachusetts include electric transmission upgrades in the greater Boston metropolitan area. Two of these upgrades,
the Mystic-Woburn and the Wakefield-Woburn reliability projects, are under construction and are expected to be placed in service by the second
quarter of 2023. The last remaining upgrade, the Sudbury-Hudson Reliability Project, received siting approval, however one appeal remains
pending with expected resolution in the first quarter of 2022. We spent $53 million during 2021 and we expect to make additional capital
expenditures of approximately $170 million on these remaining transmission upgrades. There are also several transmission projects underway in
southeastern Massachusetts, including Cape Cod, required to reinforce the Southeastern Massachusetts transmission system and bring the system
into compliance with applicable national and regional reliability standards. We spent $20 million during 2021 and we expect to make additional
capital expenditures of approximately $140 million on these transmission upgrades.
27
Distribution Business: A summary of distribution capital expenditures is as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
2021
Basic Business
Aging Infrastructure
Load Growth and Other
Total Distribution
Solar
Total
2020
Basic Business
Aging Infrastructure
Load Growth and Other
Total Distribution
Solar
Total
2019
Basic Business
Aging Infrastructure
Load Growth and Other
Total Distribution
Solar and Other
Total
$
$
$
$
$
$
CL&P
NSTAR Electric
For the Years Ended December 31,
Total Electric
Natural Gas
PSNH
256.2 $
178.0
80.2
514.4
—
514.4 $
233.4 $
179.9
77.8
491.1
—
491.1 $
228.7 $
224.5
59.6
512.8
—
512.8 $
179.9 $
219.1
170.5
569.5
(0.6)
568.9 $
195.1 $
237.1
110.8
543.0
1.4
544.4 $
201.0 $
255.5
89.4
545.9
7.5
553.4 $
56.0 $
67.7
37.1
160.8
—
160.8 $
52.4 $
80.2
21.3
153.9
—
153.9 $
47.3 $
90.8
16.8
154.9
—
154.9 $
492.1 $
464.8
287.8
1,244.7
(0.6)
1,244.1 $
480.9 $
497.2
209.9
1,188.0
1.4
1,189.4 $
477.0 $
570.8
165.8
1,213.6
7.5
1,221.1 $
206.1 $
509.6
83.3
799.0
—
799.0
88.2 $
391.3
65.6
545.1
—
545.1 $
71.2 $
315.2
66.8
453.2
—
453.2 $
Water
Total
16.5 $
127.1
0.6
144.2
—
144.2 $
10.9 $
115.5
0.8
127.2
—
127.2 $
15.0 $
93.9
1.5
110.4
—
110.4 $
714.7
1,101.5
371.7
2,187.9
(0.6)
2,187.3
580.0
1,004.0
276.3
1,860.3
1.4
1,861.7
563.2
979.9
234.1
1,777.2
7.5
1,784.7
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 service territory, including improvements of
acquisitions, installation of new services, and interconnections of systems.
Projected Capital Expenditures: A summary of the projected capital expenditures for the regulated companies' electric transmission and for the
total electric distribution, natural gas distribution and water distribution for 2022 through 2026, including information technology and facilities
upgrades and enhancements on behalf of the regulated companies, is as follows:
$
(Millions of Dollars)
CL&P Transmission
NSTAR Electric Transmission
PSNH Transmission
Total Electric Transmission
Electric Distribution
Natural Gas Distribution
Total Electric and Natural Gas Distribution $
Water Distribution
$
Information Technology and All Other
$
Total
$
$
$
2022
381 $
459
278
1,118 $
1,450 $
921
2,371 $
154 $
254 $
3,897 $
2023
240 $
462
277
979 $
1,469 $
849
2,318 $
163 $
224 $
3,684 $
Years
2024
218 $
382
261
861 $
1,391 $
926
2,317 $
176 $
208 $
3,562 $
2025
207 $
459
168
834 $
1,372 $
895
2,267 $
190 $
203 $
3,494 $
2026
2022 - 2026 Total
201 $
446
161
808 $
1,338 $
938
2,276 $
206 $
214 $
3,504 $
1,247
2,208
1,145
4,600
7,020
4,529
11,549
889
1,103
18,141
The projections do not include investments related to offshore wind projects. Actual capital expenditures could vary from the projected amounts
for the companies and years above.
Acquisition of New England Service Company: Following receipt of all required approvals, on December 1, 2021, Aquarion acquired New
England Service Company (NESC), pursuant to a definitive agreement entered into on April 8, 2021. The acquisition was structured as a stock-
28
for-stock merger and Eversource issued 462,517 treasury shares at closing for a purchase price of $38.1 million. NESC’s utility subsidiaries
provided regulated water service to approximately 10,000 customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
Offshore Wind Business: Our offshore wind business includes a 50 percent ownership interest in North East Offshore, which holds PPAs and
contracts for the Revolution Wind, South Fork Wind and Sunrise Wind projects, as well as offshore leases issued by BOEM. Our offshore wind
projects are being developed and constructed through a joint and equal partnership with Ørsted. This partnership also participates in new
procurement opportunities for offshore wind energy in the Northeast U.S.
The offshore leases include a 257 square-mile ocean lease off the coasts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island and a separate, adjacent 300-square-
mile ocean lease located approximately 25 miles south of the coast of Massachusetts. In aggregate, these ocean lease sites jointly-owned by
Eversource and Ørsted could eventually develop at least 4,000 MW of clean, renewable offshore wind energy.
The following table provides a summary of the Eversource and Ørsted major projects with announced contracts:
Wind Project
Revolution Wind
Revolution Wind
South Fork Wind
South Fork Wind
Sunrise Wind
State Servicing
Rhode Island
Connecticut
New York (LIPA)
New York (LIPA)
New York (NYSERDA)
Size
(MW)
400
304
90
40
924 (1)
Term
(Years)
20
20
20
20
25
Price per
MWh
$98.43
$98.43 - $99.50
$160.33
$86.25
$110.37 (2)
Pricing Terms
Fixed price contract; no price escalation
Fixed price contracts; no price escalation
2 percent average price escalation
2 percent average price escalation
Fixed price contract; no price escalation
Contract Status
Approved
Approved
Approved
Approved
Approved
(1) The contractual capacity increased from 880 MWs to 924 MWs, as allowed under the original agreement with NYSERDA.
(2)
Index Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Certificate (OREC) strike price.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, Eversource's total equity investment balance in its offshore wind business was $1.21 billion and $887 million,
respectively. This equity investment includes capital expenditures for the three projects, as well as capitalized costs related to future development,
acquisition costs of offshore lease areas, and capitalized interest.
Our offshore wind projects are subject to receipt of federal, state and local approvals necessary to construct and operate the projects. The federal
permitting process is led by BOEM, and state approvals are required from New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Significant delays in the
siting and permitting process resulting from the timeline for obtaining approval from BOEM and the state and local agencies could adversely
impact the timing of these projects' in-service dates.
Federal Siting and Permitting Process: The federal siting and permitting process for each of our offshore wind projects commence with the filing
of a Construction and Operations Plan (COP) application with BOEM. The first major milestone in the BOEM review process is an issuance of a
Notice of Intent (NOI) to complete an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). BOEM then provides a final review schedule for the project’s COP
approval. BOEM conducts environmental and technical reviews of the COP. The EIS assesses the environmental, social, and economic impacts of
constructing the project and recommends measures to minimize impacts. The Final EIS will inform BOEM in deciding whether to approve the
project or to approve with modifications and BOEM will then issue its Record of Decision. BOEM issues its final approval of the COP following
the Record of Decision.
South Fork Wind filed its COP application with BOEM in 2018 and BOEM issued the NOI in 2018. In August 2020, South Fork Wind received
the final review schedule from BOEM regarding its COP approval. In January 2021, BOEM released its Draft EIS for the South Fork Wind
project and in August 2021, BOEM released its Final EIS. On November 24, 2021, BOEM issued its Record of Decision, which concluded
BOEM’s environmental review of the project and identified the recommended configuration. The Record of Decision supported South Fork
Wind’s proposed turbine layout. On January 18, 2022, South Fork Wind received BOEM’s final approval of its COP. The COP approval outlines
the project’s one nautical mile turbine spacing, the requirements on the construction methodology for all work occurring in federal ocean waters,
and mitigation measures to protect marine habitats and species.
Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind filed their COP applications with BOEM in March 2020 and September 2020, respectively. On April 30, 2021,
Revolution Wind received BOEM’s NOI to prepare an EIS for the review of the COP submitted by Revolution Wind. For Revolution Wind, a final
EIS is expected in the first quarter of 2023, the Record of Decision in the second quarter of 2023, and final approval is expected in the third quarter
of 2023. On August 31, 2021, Sunrise Wind received BOEM’s NOI to prepare an EIS for the review of the COP. For Sunrise Wind, a final EIS
and Record of Decision is expected in the third quarter of 2023, and final approval is expected in the fourth quarter of 2023.
South Fork Wind, Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind are each designated as a “Covered Project” pursuant to Title 41 of the Fixing America’s
Surface Transportation Act (FAST41) and a Major Infrastructure Project under Section 3(e) of Executive Order 13807, which provides greater
federal attention on meeting the projects’ permitting timelines.
State and Local Siting and Permitting Process: South Fork Wind commenced the New York state siting process in 2018. On September 17, 2020,
South Fork Wind filed a Joint Proposal in the New York State Article VII siting application. Among other things, the Joint Proposal included
proposed mitigation for certain environmental, community and construction impacts associated with constructing the project. South Fork Wind
was joined by PSEG Long Island and several citizens advocacy organizations. On October 9, 2020, the Joint Proposal was signed by the New
York Departments of Public Service, Environmental Conservation, Transportation and State as well as the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation. On March 18, 2021, the New York Public Service Commission approved an order adopting the Joint Proposal and granting a
Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need. Two petitions for re-hearing of the New York Public Service Commission decision
have been filed, and South Fork Wind responded on May 3, 2021 opposing the re-hearing requests. In April 2021, South Fork Wind filed its
Environmental Management and Construction Plan (EM&CP) with the New York Public Service Commission, which details the plans on how the
project will be constructed in accordance with the conditions of the approved Joint Proposal. Comments from reviewing agencies and parties have
been received and South Fork Wind has responded to and addressed those comments in the plan which was re-submitted in September 2021. The
project received approval of the EM&CP in November 2021.
On September 10, 2020, the Town of East Hampton and the East Hampton Town Trustees announced that they had reached an agreement with
South Fork Wind to issue the necessary easements and other real estate rights necessary to construct the South Fork Wind project. The Town
approved the easements on January 21, 2021, and Trustees approved the real estate lease on January 25, 2021.
29
State permitting applications in Rhode Island for Revolution Wind and in New York for Sunrise Wind were filed in December 2020. The
Revolution Wind state siting application was deemed complete on January 22, 2021, and the preliminary hearing was completed on March 22,
2021. On April 26, 2021, the Rhode Island Energy Facilities Siting Board issued a Preliminary Decision and Order on scheduling with Advisory
Opinions for local and state agencies. All advisory opinions were received in August, in accordance with the expedited schedule, and evidentiary
hearings began in October 2021. The Sunrise Wind state siting application was deemed complete on July 1, 2021, initiating the formal review
process, and Sunrise Wind filed a formal notice of intent to commence settlement negotiations towards a Joint Proposal on August 31, 2021.
Settlement negotiations are ongoing.
Construction Process - South Fork Wind: South Fork Wind has received all required approvals to start construction and the project has now
entered the construction phase. Site preparation and onshore activities for the project’s underground onshore transmission line and construction of
the onshore interconnection facility located in East Hampton, New York will be the first to begin. Offshore installation, including the project’s
monopile foundations, 11-megawatt wind turbines, and offshore substation, is expected to occur in 2023. Construction-related purchase
agreements with third-party contractors and materials contracts have largely been secured. South Fork Wind faces several challenges and appeals
of New York State agency approvals, however it believes it will be able to overcome these challenges.
Projected In-Service Dates: We expect the South Fork Wind project to be in-service by the end of 2023. For Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind,
based on the BOEM permit schedule included in each respective NOI outlining when BOEM will complete its review of the COP, we currently
expect in-service dates in 2025 for both projects, and are continuing to analyze the overall project schedules.
Projected Investments: For Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind, we are preparing our final project designs and advancing the appropriate federal,
state, and local siting and permitting processes along with our offshore wind partner, Ørsted. Construction of South Fork Wind is now underway.
Construction-related purchase agreements with third-party contractors and materials contracts are approximately 80 percent secured. Subject to
advancing our final project designs and federal, state and local permitting processes and construction schedules, we currently expect to make
investments in our offshore wind business between $0.9 billion and $1.0 billion in 2022 and expect to make investments for our three projects in
total between $3.0 billion and $3.6 billion from 2023 through 2026. These estimates assume that the three projects are completed and are in-
service by the end of 2025, as planned.
FERC Regulatory Matters
FERC ROE Complaints: Four separate complaints were 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. In the fourth complaint, filed April 29, 2016, the Complainants challenged the NETOs' base
ROE billed 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.
The ROE originally 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 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 both December 31, 2021 and 2020. 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 both December 31, 2021 and 2020.
On October 16, 2018, FERC issued an order on all four complaints describing how it intends to address the issues that were remanded by the
Court. FERC proposed a new framework to determine (1) whether an existing ROE is unjust and unreasonable and, if so, (2) how to calculate a
replacement ROE. Initial briefs were filed by the NETOs, Complainants and FERC Trial Staff on January 11, 2019 and reply briefs were filed on
March 8, 2019. The NETOs' brief was supportive of the overall ROE methodology determined in the October 16, 2018 order provided the FERC
does not change the proposed methodology or alter its implementation in a manner that has a material impact on the results.
The FERC order included illustrative calculations for the first complaint using FERC's proposed frameworks with financial data from that
complaint. Those illustrative calculations indicated that for the first complaint period, for the NETOs, which FERC concludes are of average
financial risk, the preliminary just and reasonable base ROE is 10.41 percent and the preliminary incentive cap on total ROE is 13.08 percent. If
the results of the illustrative calculations were included in a final FERC order for each of the complaint periods, then a 10.41 percent base ROE
and a 13.08 percent incentive cap would not have a significant impact on our financial statements for all of the complaint periods. These
preliminary calculations are not binding and do not represent what we believe to be the most likely outcome of a final FERC order.
On November 21, 2019, FERC issued Opinion No. 569 affecting the two pending transmission ROE complaints against the Midcontinent ISO
(MISO) transmission owners, in which FERC adopted a new methodology for determining base ROEs. Various parties sought rehearing. On
December 23, 2019, the NETOs filed supplementary materials in the NETOs' four pending cases to respond to this new methodology because of
the uncertainty of the applicability to the NETOs' cases.
On May 21, 2020, the FERC issued its order in Opinion No. 569-A on the rehearing of the MISO transmission owners' cases, in which FERC
again changed its methodology for determining the MISO transmission owners' base ROEs. On November 19, 2020, the FERC issued Opinion
No. 569-B denying rehearing of Opinion No. 569-A and reaffirmed the methodology previously adopted in Opinion No. 569-A. The new
methodology differs significantly from the methodology proposed by FERC in its October 16, 2018 order to determine the NETOs' base ROEs in
its four pending cases. FERC Opinion Nos. 569-A and 569-B are currently under appeal with the Court.
Given the significant uncertainty regarding the applicability of the FERC opinions in the MISO transmission owners' two complaint cases to the
NETOs' pending four complaint cases, Eversource concluded that there is no reasonable basis for a change to the reserve or recognized ROEs for
any of the complaint periods at this time. As well, Eversource cannot reasonably estimate a range of any gain or loss for any of the four complaint
proceedings at this time.
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.
30
A change of 10 basis points to the base ROE used to establish the reserves would impact Eversource’s after-tax earnings by an average of
approximately $3 million for each of the four 15-month complaint periods. Prospectively from the date of a final FERC order implementing a new
base ROE, based off of estimated 2021 rate base, a change of 10 basis points to the base ROE would impact Eversource’s future annual after-tax
earnings by approximately $5 million per year, and will increase slightly over time as we continue to invest in our transmission infrastructure.
FERC Notice of Inquiry on ROE: On March 21, 2019, FERC issued a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) seeking comments from all stakeholders on FERC's
policies for evaluating ROEs for electric public utilities, and interstate natural gas and oil pipelines. On June 26, 2019, the NETOs jointly filed
comments supporting the methodology established in the FERC’s October 16, 2018 order with minor enhancements going forward. The NETOs
jointly filed reply comments in the FERC ROE NOI on July 26, 2019. On May 12, 2020, the NETOs filed supplemental comments in the NOI
ROE docket. At this time, Eversource cannot predict how this proceeding will affect its transmission ROEs.
FERC Notice of Inquiry and Proposed Rulemaking on Transmission Incentives: On March 21, 2019, FERC issued an NOI seeking comments on
FERC's policies for implementing electric transmission incentives. On June 26, 2019, Eversource filed comments requesting that FERC retain
policies that have been effective in encouraging new transmission investment and remain flexible enough to attract investment in new and
emerging transmission technologies. Eversource filed reply comments on August 26, 2019. On March 20, 2020, FERC issued a Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) on transmission incentives. The NOPR intends to revise FERC’s electric transmission incentive policies to reflect
competing uses of transmission due to generation resource mix, technological innovation and shifts in load patterns. FERC proposes to grant
transmission incentives based on measurable project economics and reliability benefits to consumers rather than its current project risks and
challenges framework. On July 1, 2020, Eversource filed comments generally supporting the NOPR.
On April 15, 2021, FERC issued a Supplemental NOPR that proposes to eliminate the existing 50 basis point return on equity for utilities that have
been participating in a regional transmission organization (RTO ROE incentive) for more than three years. On June 25, 2021, the NETOs jointly
filed comments strongly opposing the Commission’s proposal. On July 26, 2021, the NETOs filed Supplemental NOPR reply comments
responding to various parties advocating for the elimination of the RTO Adder. If the FERC issues a final order eliminating the RTO ROE
incentive as proposed in the Supplemental NOPR, the estimated annual impact (using 2021 estimated rate base) on Eversource’s after-tax earnings
is approximately $17 million. The Supplemental NOPR contemplates an effective date 30 days from the final order.
At this time, Eversource cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these proceedings, including possible appellate review, and the resulting impact on
its transmission incentives.
Regulatory Developments and Rate Matters
Electric, Natural Gas and Water Utility Retail Tariff Rates: Each Eversource utility subsidiary is subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the state
in which it operates: CL&P, Yankee Gas and Aquarion operate in Connecticut and are subject to PURA regulation; NSTAR Electric, NSTAR Gas,
EGMA and Aquarion operate in Massachusetts and are subject to DPU regulation; and PSNH and Aquarion operate in New Hampshire and are
subject to NHPUC regulation. 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.
Base Distribution Rates: In Connecticut, electric and natural gas utilities are required to file a distribution rate case within four years of the last
rate case. CL&P's and Yankee Gas' distribution rates were each established in 2018 PURA-approved rate case settlement agreements. On October
27, 2021, PURA approved a settlement agreement at CL&P that included a current base distribution rate freeze until no earlier than January 1,
2024. The approval of the settlement agreement satisfies the Connecticut statute of rate review requirements that requires electric utilities to file a
distribution rate case within four years of the last rate case. Aquarion is not required to initiate a rate review with the PURA on a set schedule.
Aquarion rates were established in a 2013 PURA-approved rate case.
In Massachusetts, electric distribution companies are required to file at least one distribution rate case every five years, and natural gas local
distribution companies to file at least one distribution rate case every 10 years, and those companies are limited to one settlement agreement in any
10-year period. NSTAR Electric's distribution rates were established in a 2017 DPU-approved rate case. On January 14, 2022, NSTAR Electric
filed an application with the DPU for an increase in base distribution rates, effective January 1, 2023. NSTAR Gas' distribution rates were
established in an October 2020 DPU-approved rate case. EGMA's distribution rates were established in an October 2020 DPU-approved rate
settlement agreement. Aquarion is not required to initiate a rate review with the DPU. Aquarion rates were established in a 2018 DPU-approved
rate case.
In New Hampshire, PSNH's distribution rates were established in a December 2020 NHPUC-approved rate case settlement agreement. Aquarion
rates were established in a 2013 NHPUC-approved rate case, further revised in 2016. On December 18, 2020, Aquarion filed an application with
the NHPUC for a permanent increase in base rates and a decision by the NHPUC is expected in the second quarter of 2022.
Rate Reconciling Mechanisms: The Eversource electric distribution companies obtain and resell power to retail customers who choose not to buy
energy from a competitive energy supplier. The natural gas distribution companies procure natural gas for firm and seasonal customers. These
energy supply procurement costs are recovered from customers in energy supply rates that are approved by the respective state regulatory
commission. The rates are reset periodically and are fully reconciled to their costs. Each electric and natural gas distribution company fully
recovers its energy supply costs through approved regulatory rate mechanisms on a timely basis and, therefore, such costs have no impact on
earnings.
The electric and natural gas distribution companies also recover certain other costs in retail rates on a fully reconciling basis through regulatory
commission-approved cost tracking mechanisms and, therefore, recovery of these costs has no impact on earnings. Costs recovered through cost
tracking mechanisms include, among others, electric retail transmission charges, energy efficiency program costs, electric restructuring and
stranded cost recovery revenues (including securitized RRB charges), certain capital tracking mechanisms for infrastructure improvements, and
additionally for the Massachusetts utilities, pension and PBOP benefits, net metering for distributed generation, and solar-related programs. The
reconciliation filings compare the total actual costs allowed to revenue requirements related to these services and the difference between the costs
incurred (or the rate recovery allowed) and the actual costs allowed is deferred and included, to be either recovered or refunded, in future customer
rates. These cost tracking mechanisms also include certain incentives earned, return on capital tracking mechanisms, and carrying charges that are
billed in rates to customers, which do impact earnings.
Excess ADIT Amortization: Eversource amortized excess ADIT (EDIT) of $69.1 million in 2021, $48.7 million in 2020 and $37.4 million in 2019.
In 2021, EDIT amortization was $9.8 million at CL&P, $43.2 million at NSTAR Electric, and $10.5 million at PSNH. Of the 2021 total EDIT
amortized, the Company’s transmission businesses amortized $15.4 million pursuant to FERC orders issued on December 22, 2021 and December
31
30, 2021 that approved the refund of EDIT to its transmission customers ($1.6 million at CL&P, $12.0 million at NSTAR Electric and $1.8 million
at PSNH). The effective date of these FERC orders was January 27, 2020, resulting in catch-up amortization recorded in 2021. EDIT amortization
in 2020 and 2019 pertained solely to the Company’s distribution businesses. The refund of these EDIT regulatory liabilities to customers will
generally be made over the same period as the remaining useful lives of the underlying assets that gave rise to the ADIT liabilities. The refund to
customers and resulting amortization of the EDIT regulatory liabilities results in lower revenues (for the amortization of the EDIT and the tax
gross up portion) and lower income tax expense (for the amortization of EDIT and lower current tax benefits from the tax gross up portion) on the
statement of income. The refund of EDIT results in a lower effective tax rate and no impact on net income.
Connecticut:
CL&P Deferred Storm Costs: In 2021 and 2020, multiple tropical and severe storms caused extensive damage to CL&P’s electric distribution
systems and customer outages, along with significant pre-staging costs. These storms resulted in deferred pre-staging and storm restoration costs
at CL&P of $232 million for 2021 storms and $344 million for 2020 storms, including the catastrophic impact of Tropical Storm Isaias in August
2020, among others. Management believes that all of these storm costs were prudently incurred and meet the criteria for specific cost recovery. As
part of CL&P’s October 1, 2021 settlement agreement described below, it agreed to freeze its current base distribution rates (including storm costs)
until no earlier than January 1, 2024.
CL&P Tropical Storm Isaias Costs: On August 4, 2020, Tropical Storm Isaias caused catastrophic damage to our electric distribution system,
which resulted in significant numbers and durations of customer outages, primarily in Connecticut. In terms of customer outages, this storm was
one of the worst in CL&P’s history. PURA will investigate the prudency of costs incurred by CL&P to restore service in response to Tropical
Storm Isaias. That investigation is expected to occur either in a separate proceeding not yet initiated or as part of CL&P’s next rate review
proceeding. Tropical Storm Isaias resulted in deferred storm restoration costs of approximately $234 million at CL&P and $251 million at
Eversource as of December 31, 2021. Although PURA found that CL&P’s performance in its preparation for and response to Tropical Storm Isaias
fell below applicable performance standards in certain instances, CL&P believes it will be able to present credible evidence in a future proceeding
demonstrating there is no reasonably close causal connection between the alleged sub-standard performance and the storm costs incurred. While it
is possible that some amount of storm costs may be disallowed by the PURA in a future proceeding, any such amount cannot be estimated at this
time. Eversource and CL&P continue to believe that these storm restoration costs associated with Tropical Storm Isaias were prudently incurred
and meet the criteria for cost recovery; and as a result, management does not expect the storm cost review by the PURA to have a material impact
on the financial position or results of operations of Eversource or CL&P.
CL&P Tropical Storm Isaias Response Investigation: In August 2020, PURA opened a docket to investigate the preparation for and response to
Tropical Storm Isaias by Connecticut utilities, including CL&P. On April 28, 2021, PURA issued a final decision on CL&P’s compliance with its
emergency response plan that concluded CL&P failed to comply with certain storm performance standards and was imprudent in certain instances.
Specifically, PURA concluded that CL&P did not satisfy the performance standards for managing its municipal liaison program, timely removing
electrical hazards from blocked roads, communicating critical information to its customers, or meeting its obligation to secure adequate external
contractor and mutual aid resources in a timely manner. Based on its findings, PURA ordered CL&P to adjust its future rates in a pending or future
rate proceeding to reflect a monetary penalty in the form of a downward adjustment of 90 basis points in its allowed rate of return on equity
(ROE), which is currently 9.25 percent. In its decision, PURA explained that additional monetary penalties and further enforcement orders
pursuant to Connecticut statute would be considered in a separate proceeding that was initiated on May 6, 2021.
On May 6, 2021, as part of the penalty proceeding, PURA issued a notice of violation that included an assessment of $30 million, consisting of a
$28.4 million civil penalty for non-compliance with storm performance standards to be provided as credits on customer bills and a $1.6 million
fine for violations of accident reporting requirements to be paid to the State of Connecticut’s general fund. On July 14, 2021, PURA issued a final
decision in this penalty proceeding that included an assessment of $28.6 million, maintaining the $28.4 million performance penalty and reducing
the $1.6 million fine for accident reporting to $0.2 million. The $28.4 million performance penalty is currently being credited to customers on
electric bills beginning on September 1, 2021 over a one-year period. The $28.4 million is the maximum statutory penalty amount under
applicable Connecticut law in effect at the time of Tropical Storm Isaias, which is 2.5 percent of CL&P’s annual distribution revenues. The
liability for the performance penalty was recorded as a current regulatory liability on CL&P’s balance sheet and as a reduction to Operating
Revenues on the year ended December 31, 2021 statement of income. The after-tax earnings impact of this charge was $0.07 per share.
PURA New Rate Design and Rate Review Proceeding: Pursuant to an October 2020 Connecticut law, PURA opened a proceeding related to new
rate designs to consider the implementation of an interim rate decrease, low-income and economic development rates for electric customers, and a
review of that rate design implementation process. The proceeding has separate phases. In the first phase, PURA issued a final decision on
June 23, 2021 directing CL&P to offer new rates to certain small commercial and industrial customers that will reduce demand charges and instead
include volumetric charges for electricity based on kWh used. Customers can elect to transition to these new offered rates, which became effective
November 1, 2021. PURA’s decision in the first phase of the proceeding is not expected to have a material impact on CL&P’s earnings, financial
position, or cash flows. The second phase of this proceeding was addressed in PURA’s September 14, 2021 decision, and would have resulted in
an interim rate decrease associated with a 45 basis point reduction in CL&P’s authorized ROE. This phase of the proceeding was resolved as a
result of the October 2021 settlement agreement, described below. In addition, PURA is also investigating low-income and other economic
development rates. A procedural schedule for this part of the proceeding has not yet been set by the PURA.
CL&P Settlement Agreement: On October 1, 2021, CL&P entered into a settlement agreement with the DEEP, Office of Consumer Counsel
(OCC), Office of the Attorney General (AG) and the Connecticut Industrial Energy Consumers, resolving certain issues that arose in then-pending
regulatory proceedings initiated by the PURA. PURA approved the settlement agreement on October 27, 2021. In the settlement agreement,
CL&P agreed to provide a total of $65 million of customer credits, which were distributed based on customer sales over a two-month billing
period from December 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022. CL&P also agreed to irrevocably set aside $10 million to provide bill payment assistance to
certain existing non-hardship and hardship customers carrying arrearages, as approved by the PURA, with the objective of disbursing the funds
prior to April 30, 2022. CL&P recorded a current regulatory liability of $75 million on the balance sheet associated with the provisions of the
settlement agreement, with a $65 million pre-tax charge as a reduction to Operating Revenues associated with the customer credits and a
$10 million charge to Operations and Maintenance expense associated with the customer assistance fund on the year ended December 31, 2021
statement of income.
In exchange for the $75 million of customer credits and assistance, PURA’s interim rate reduction docket was resolved without findings. As a
result of the settlement agreement, neither the 90 basis point reduction to CL&P’s return on equity introduced in PURA’s storm-related decision
issued April 28, 2021, nor the 45 basis point reduction to CL&P’s return on equity included in PURA’s decision issued September 14, 2021 in the
interim rate reduction docket, will be implemented.
CL&P has also agreed to freeze its current base distribution rates, subject to the customer credits described above, until no earlier than January 1,
2024. The rate freeze applies only to base distribution rates (including storm costs) and not to other rate mechanisms such as the retail rate
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components, rate reconciling mechanisms, formula rates and any other adjustment mechanisms. The rate freeze also does not apply to any cost
recovery mechanism outside of the base distribution rates with regard to grid-modernization initiatives or any other proceedings, either currently
pending or that may be initiated during the rate freeze period, that may place additional obligations on CL&P. The approval of the settlement
agreement satisfies the Connecticut statute of rate review requirements that requires electric utilities to file a distribution rate case within four years
of the last rate case.
As part of the settlement agreement, CL&P agreed to withdraw with prejudice its pending appeals of PURA’s decisions dated April 28, 2021 and
July 14, 2021 related to Storm Isaias and agreed to waive its right to file an appeal and seek a judicial stay of the September 14, 2021 decision in
the interim rate reduction docket. The settlement agreement assures that CL&P will have the opportunity to petition for and demonstrate the
prudency of the storm costs incurred to respond to customer outages associated with Storm Isaias in a future ratemaking proceeding.
The cumulative pre-tax impact of the settlement agreement and the Storm Isaias assessment imposed in PURA’s April 28, 2021 and July 14, 2021
decisions totaled $103.6 million, and the after-tax earnings impact was $86.1 million, or $0.25 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2021.
CL&P Rate Adjustment Mechanisms (RAM) Filing: On July 31, 2020, PURA temporarily suspended its June 26, 2020 approval of certain
delivery rate components effective July 1, 2020, and ordered CL&P to restore rates to those in effect as of June 30, 2020 in order to allow PURA
time to reexamine the rates. Rates were adjusted effective August 1, 2020. On December 2, 2020, PURA issued a final decision in which it
adjusted the timing of the annual rate adjustments for the Transmission Adjustment Clause (TAC) charge, the Non-Bypassable Federally Mandated
Congestion Charge (NBFMCC), the Electric System Improvements Tracker (ESI), Competitive Transition Assessment (CTA), System Benefits
Charge (SBC) and Revenue Decoupling Mechanism (RDM) so that these rates take effect on May 1st of each year. On April 28, 2021, PURA
issued its interim decision on CL&P’s proposal that accepted the May 1, 2021 rate proposals for the CTA, TAC, ESI and RDM, but ordered that
these rate changes go into effect on June 1, 2021, as opposed to May 1, 2021. Further, PURA elected to keep in place the current rates for the
NBFMCC and SBC until further review of the costs being recovered in those rates could be performed. Finally, PURA indicated it would further
review CL&P’s proposal to begin recovery of 2020 under-recoveries associated with these rates on October 1, 2021.
On September 15, 2021, PURA issued its final decision in the 2020 RAM reconciliation filing, which required no adjustment to the GSC, BFMCC,
NBFMCC, SBC, CTA, ESI and base distribution rates, but resulted in changes to the TAC and RDM rates effective October 1, 2021. As part of
this decision, PURA also approved the recovery of cumulative under-recoveries associated with the NBMFCC, TAC, and RDM of $193 million
effective October 1, 2021. The NBFMCC and TAC under-recoveries will be recovered over a 31-month period and the RDM under-recovery will
be recovered over a 15-month period.
CL&P Impact of 2021 Rate Changes (Excluding Supply Rates): On June 1, 2021, CL&P implemented an overall rate increase of $0.00411 per
kWh for residential customers. The rate increase included delivery rate changes for the CTA, TAC, ESI and RDM charges. Partially offsetting the
rate increase was a base distribution rate decrease, which was driven by a reduction to storm cost amortization resulting from a 2019 PURA
decision. For residential customers with 700 kWh monthly usage, the impact of the June 1, 2021 rate changes equated to an increase of $2.88 on
monthly customer bills.
On September 1, 2021, CL&P adjusted its rates for the $28.4 million penalty imposed by the PURA for non-compliance with performance
standards that is being provided as credits on customer bills over a one-year period. On October 1, 2021, CL&P implemented new TAC and RDM
delivery rates. In total, CL&P implemented an overall net rate increase of $0.00174 per kWh for residential Rate 1 customers for these rate
component charges, net of the rate decrease for the storm penalty credit. The impact of the September 1 and October 1, 2021 rate changes equated
to an increase of $1.22 on monthly customer bills for residential customers with 700 kWh monthly usage.
On December 1, 2021, CL&P adjusted its rates for the $65 million of customer credits resulting from the October settlement agreement that were
distributed based on customer sales over a two-month period from December 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022. For residential customers with 700
kWh monthly usage, the impact of the settlement credit equated to $34.25 for the two-month period.
Residential Customer Bill Credits and Reimbursements for Storm-Related Outages: On June 30, 2021, in accordance with an October 2020
Connecticut law, PURA issued a final decision establishing standards and procedures for residential customers to receive bill credits and other
compensation for spoiled food and medicine from Connecticut utilities, including CL&P, after future weather-related emergencies. The PURA
decision requires, effective after July 1, 2021, that Connecticut utilities provide customers with a $25 bill credit for each 24-hour time period
following the initial 96 consecutive hours of an electric distribution outage after a major storm or emergency. The decision also authorizes
residential customers to submit a claim to receive up to $250 in compensation for any medication and food that expired or spoiled due to an
electric distribution outage lasting longer than 96 consecutive hours. The decision also establishes a process by which the electric utilities (i) can
elect to submit a filing within seven days of a storm event that proposes when the 96-hour time period commenced for that storm event based on
relevant weather data, when it was safe to deploy crews into the field, and the other relevant factors identified in the decision; and (ii) can elect to
seek within 14 days of a storm event a waiver from providing customer bill credits, for reasons such as line worker safety and continuing
emergency or potentially hazardous conditions that prevented or delayed restoration activities.
CL&P Performance Based Rate Making: On May 26, 2021, in accordance with an October 2020 Connecticut law, PURA opened a proceeding to
begin to evaluate and eventually implement performance based regulation for electric distribution companies. PURA will conduct the proceeding
in two phases, with a draft decision on the first phase and procedural schedule established for the second phase expected in March 2023. At this
time, we cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this proceeding and the resulting impact to CL&P.
CL&P Advanced Metering Infrastructure Filing: On July 31, 2020, CL&P submitted to PURA its proposed $512 million Advanced Metering
Infrastructure investment and implementation plan for the years 2021 through 2027. On August 17, 2021, PURA issued a Notice of Request for
Amended EDC Advanced Metering Infrastructure Proposal. CL&P submitted an Amended Proposal in response to this request on November 8,
2021, which included additional information as required by the PURA. As required, the plan includes a full deployment of advanced metering
functionality and a composite business case in support of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure plan. A procedural schedule in this proceeding has
not been issued by the PURA.
Massachusetts:
NSTAR Electric Distribution Rates: As part of an inflation-based mechanism, NSTAR Electric submitted its fourth annual Performance Based
Rate Adjustment filing on November 10, 2021 and on December 22, 2021, the DPU approved a $36.8 million increase to base distribution rates
for effect on January 1, 2022.
NSTAR Electric Distribution Rate Case: On January 14, 2022, NSTAR Electric filed an application with the DPU for approval of an $89 million
increase in base distribution rates, with new rates anticipated to be effective January 1, 2023. As part of this filing, NSTAR Electric is requesting a
33
renewal of the performance-based ratemaking plan originally authorized in its last rate case for up to a ten-year term, alignment with state
electrification policy, storm fund refinements, and Advanced Metering Infrastructure tariff approval. A final decision from the DPU is expected on
December 1, 2022.
NSTAR Electric Grid Modernization and Advanced Metering Infrastructure Filing: On July 1, 2021, NSTAR Electric submitted for DPU approval
its four-year $198.8 million grid modernization plan for the years 2022 through 2025 and proposed $620 million Advanced Metering Infrastructure
investment and implementation plan for the years 2023 through 2028. As required, the plan includes a ten-year vision, five-year strategic plan,
including a full deployment of advanced metering functionality, separate four-year grid-facing and customer-facing short-term investment plans,
and a composite business case in support of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure plan. NSTAR Electric has requested expedited approval of
$38.3 million of the $198.8 million grid modernization plan for previously approved continuing investments that are currently in process and are
expected to be spent in 2022 so these activities will not be interrupted pending full plan approval. NSTAR Electric expects DPU guidance for all
investment years by the second quarter of 2022. For Advanced Metering Infrastructure investments, additional review of the cost recovery
mechanism will be conducted in NSTAR Electric’s base distribution rate case that was filed on January 14, 2022 with a decision expected on
December 1, 2022.
NSTAR Electric Storm Threshold Filing: On December 22, 2021, the DPU approved NSTAR Electric to defer for future recovery the storm cost
threshold amounts associated with six qualifying major storm events that occurred during 2020, totaling $7.2 million. The DPU approved the
deferral of threshold costs that exceeded four storms (those recovered in base rates plus one additional storm) until the next rate case proceeding, at
which time the DPU will determine the appropriate level of recovery of storm threshold amounts. In its January 14, 2022 distribution rate case
filing, NSTAR Electric is also seeking recovery of the deferral of threshold costs for an additional seven storms in 2021. The pre-tax benefit to
earnings for the deferral as a regulatory asset of threshold costs for both the 2020 and 2021 major storms was $15.6 million and was recorded in
the fourth quarter of 2021.
NSTAR Gas and EGMA Distribution Rates and Mitigation Filings: As part of an inflation-based mechanism, NSTAR Gas submitted its first
annual Performance Based Rate Adjustment filing on September 15, 2021, for rates effective November 1, 2021. As established in the October 7,
2020 EGMA Rate Settlement Agreement, EGMA filed for its first base distribution rate increase on September 17, 2021, for rates effective
November 1, 2021. Subsequent to those base distribution rate filings, on October 6, 2021, NSTAR Gas and EGMA made filings with the DPU to
defer recovery of certain costs for the purpose of mitigating November 1, 2021 bill impacts associated with the new delivery rates as a result of
increases in natural gas supply costs, thereby providing rate relief to customers. These adjustments to rates do not impact the recovery of costs,
only the timing of when the costs are collected in rates. For NSTAR Gas and EGMA, these adjustments included delaying the decoupling revenue
requirement, the recovery of certain prior period under-collections, and portions of the base distribution rate change for NSTAR Gas, until
November 1, 2022. These adjustments delay recovery of $16.7 million for NSTAR Gas and $19.7 million for EGMA for a one-year period. These
adjustments result in the under-recovery of costs beginning November 1, 2021, with no material impact on the statement of income.
For NSTAR Gas, the DPU approved a $13.6 million increase to base distribution rates on October 29, 2021, effective November 1, 2021. For
EGMA, the DPU approved a $13 million increase to base distribution rates on October 28, 2021, effective November 1, 2021.
New Hampshire:
PSNH Distribution Rates: In connection with an October 9, 2020 settlement agreement, the NHPUC approved a permanent rate increase of $45.0
million effective January 1, 2021. PSNH was also permitted three step increases, effective January 1, 2021, August 1, 2021, and August 1, 2022,
to reflect plant additions in calendar years 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. On December 23, 2020, the NHPUC approved the first step
adjustment for 2019 plant in service to recover a revenue requirement of $10.6 million, effective January 1, 2021. On July 30, 2021, the NHPUC
approved the second step adjustment for 2020 plant in service to recover a revenue requirement of $11.0 million, subject to reconciliation after
completion of an audit, with rates effective August 1, 2021.
COVID Regulatory Docket: On July 7, 2021, the NHPUC issued an order to New Hampshire utilities that concluded that recovery of incremental
bad debt or waived late fees related to the COVID-19 pandemic would be addressed in the context of the utility’s next rate case when related costs,
to the extent those costs remain relevant under test year based rate-setting, would be considered in the context of the utility’s full revenue
requirement and overall rate of return. The NHPUC concluded that New Hampshire utilities would not be permitted to establish a regulatory asset
for these items. As a result of the order, in the second quarter of 2021, PSNH removed its $0.6 million deferral of net incremental COVID-19
costs.
Energy Efficiency Plan: On November 12, 2021, the NHPUC issued an order rejecting the proposed 2021 through 2023 energy efficiency plan
and significantly reduced funding and operational functions of the program. PSNH made programmatic adjustments in late November and
December 2021 to ensure utilization of the 2021 budget and achievement of the 2021 performance incentive. The order eliminated the recovery of
performance incentives beginning in 2022. PSNH sought rehearing of the order and was denied. There is state legislation pending that would
undo the most impactful effects of the order. PSNH, as well as various other parties, have appealed the order to the New Hampshire Supreme
Court. The energy efficiency rate for 2022 went into effect January 1, 2022 at a level that is 29 percent lower than the 2021 rate. However,
effective March 1, 2022, the energy efficiency rate will be restored to the 2021 level. Given the pending legislation that has already passed the
New Hampshire Senate and the four Supreme Court appeals filed, it is likely that at least some of the provisions of the NHPUC order will be
undone. At this time, PSNH cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this order, and the resulting impact on its financial statements.
Legislative and Policy Matters
Federal: On November 5, 2021, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Act provided spending of more than $500
billion on roads, highways, bridges, public transit, and utilities. For water and sewer utilities, the Act restored the exclusion from a corporation’s
income for contributions in aid of construction where the corporation is a water or sewer utility eliminated by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
Under the Act, a regulated public utility that provides water or sewage disposal services can treat money or property received from any person as a
tax-free contribution to capital if it meets certain criteria for contributions made after 2020. The Act did not have a material impact on Eversource
in 2021.
Massachusetts: On March 26, 2021, Governor Baker signed into law a climate change bill which permits electric or natural gas distribution
companies to assist Massachusetts municipalities in responding to the risks of climate change by owning solar facilities equal to up to 10 percent
of the total installed solar generating capacity in Massachusetts as of July 31, 2020. Such facilities may be paired with energy storage where
feasible to do so. This law will allow each of Eversource’s Massachusetts operating companies to own up to approximately 280 MWs of solar
generating facilities in addition to the 70 MWs previously constructed at NSTAR Electric.
34
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 discusses with the Audit Committee of our Board of Trustees significant
matters relating to critical accounting policies. Our critical accounting policies are discussed below. See the combined notes to our financial
statements for further information concerning the accounting policies, estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our financial
statements.
Regulatory Accounting: Our regulated companies are subject to rate regulation that is based on cost recovery and meets the criteria for application
of accounting guidance for rate-regulated operations, which considers the effect of regulation on the timing of the recognition of certain revenues
and expenses. The regulated companies' financial statements reflect the effects of the rate-making process. The rates charged to the customers of
our regulated companies are designed to collect each company's costs to provide service, plus a return on investment.
The application of accounting guidance for rate-regulated enterprises results in recording regulatory assets and liabilities. Regulatory assets
represent the deferral of incurred costs that are probable of future recovery in customer rates. Regulatory assets are amortized as the incurred costs
are recovered through customer rates. In some cases, we record regulatory assets before approval for recovery has been received from the
applicable regulatory commission. We must use judgment to conclude that costs deferred as regulatory assets are probable of future recovery. We
base our conclusion on certain factors, including, but not limited to, regulatory precedent.
Regulatory liabilities represent either revenues received from customers to fund expected costs that have not yet been incurred or probable future
refunds to customers. We make judgments regarding the future outcome of regulatory proceedings that involve potential future refund to
customers and record liabilities for these loss contingencies when probable and reasonably estimable based upon available information.
Regulatory liabilities are recorded at the best estimate, or at a low end of the range of possible loss. The amount recorded may differ from when
the uncertainty is resolved. Such differences could have a significant impact on our financial statements.
We use judgment when recording regulatory assets and liabilities; however, regulatory commissions can reach different conclusions about the
recovery of costs, and those conclusions could have a material impact on our financial statements. The ultimate outcome of regulatory rate
proceedings could have a significant effect on our ability to recover costs or earn an adequate return. Established rates are also often subject to
subsequent prudency reviews by state regulators, whereby various portions of rates could be adjusted, subject to refund or disallowed. We have
approximately $1 billion of storm restoration and pre-staging costs that are subject to prudency reviews from our regulators. We believe that our
storm costs were prudently incurred and are probable of recovery.
We continually assess whether the regulatory assets and liabilities continue to meet the criteria for probable future recovery or refund. This
assessment includes consideration of recent orders issued by regulatory commissions, the passage of new legislation, historical regulatory
treatment for similar costs in each of our jurisdictions, discussions with legal counsel, the status of any appeals of regulatory decisions, and
changes in applicable regulatory and political environments. We believe that we will continue to be able to defer and recover prudently incurred
costs, including additional storm costs, based on the legal and regulatory framework.
We believe it is probable that each of our regulated companies will recover its respective investments in long-lived assets and the regulatory assets
that have been recorded. If we determine that we can no longer apply the accounting guidance applicable to rate-regulated enterprises, or that we
cannot conclude it is probable that costs will be recovered from customers in future rates, the applicable costs would be charged to net income in
the period in which the determination is made.
Pension, SERP and PBOP: We sponsor Pension, SERP and PBOP Plans to provide retirement benefits to our employees. For each of these plans,
several significant assumptions are used to determine the projected benefit obligation, funded status and net periodic benefit cost. These
assumptions include the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, discount rate, compensation/progression rate and mortality and retirement
assumptions. We evaluate these assumptions at least annually and adjust them as necessary. Changes in these assumptions could have a material
impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Expected Long-Term Rate of Return on Plan Assets: In developing the expected long-term rate of return, we consider historical and expected
returns, as well as input from our consultants. Our expected long-term rate of return on assets is based on assumptions regarding target asset
allocations and corresponding expected rates of return for each asset class. We routinely review the actual asset allocations and periodically
rebalance the investments to the targeted asset allocations. For the year ended December 31, 2021, our expected long-term rate-of-return
assumption used to determine our pension and PBOP expense was 8.25 percent for the Eversource Service plans and 7 percent for the Aquarion
plans. For the forecasted 2022 pension and PBOP expense, an expected long-term rate of return of 8.25 percent for the Eversource Service plans
and 7 percent for the Aquarion plans will be used reflecting our target asset allocations.
Discount Rate: Payment obligations related to the Pension, SERP and PBOP Plans are discounted at interest rates applicable to the expected
timing of each plan's cash flows. The discount rate that was utilized in determining the pension, SERP and PBOP obligations was based on a
yield-curve approach. This approach utilizes a population of bonds with an average rating of AA based on bond ratings by Moody's, S&P and
Fitch, and uses bonds with above median yields within that population. As of December 31, 2021, the discount rates used to determine the funded
status were within a range of 2.8 percent to 3.0 percent for the Pension and SERP Plans, and within a range of 2.91 percent to 2.92 percent for the
PBOP Plans. As of December 31, 2020, the discount rates used were within a range of 2.4 percent to 2.7 percent for the Pension and SERP Plans,
and within a range of 2.5 percent to 2.6 percent for the PBOP Plans. The increase in the discount rates used to calculate the funded status resulted
in a decrease to the Pension and PBOP Plans' liability of $286.8 million and $29.8 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2021.
The Company uses the spot rate methodology for the service and interest cost components of Pension, SERP and PBOP expense because it
provides a relatively precise measurement by matching projected cash flows to the corresponding spot rates on the yield curve. The discount rates
used to estimate the 2021 expense were within a range of 1.5 percent to 3.0 percent for the Pension and SERP Plans, and within a range of 1.8
percent to 3.1 percent for the PBOP Plans.
Mortality Assumptions: Assumptions as to mortality of the participants in our Pension, SERP and PBOP Plans are a key estimate in measuring the
expected payments a participant may receive over their lifetime and the corresponding plan liability we need to record. In 2021, a revised scale for
the mortality table was released, and we utilized it in our measurements.
Compensation/Progression Rate: This assumption reflects the expected long-term salary growth rate, including consideration of the levels of
increases built into collective bargaining agreements, and impacts the estimated benefits that Pension and SERP Plan participants receive in the
35
future. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the compensation/progression rates used to determine the funded status were within a range of 3.5
percent to 4.0 percent.
Health Care Cost: The Eversource Service PBOP Plan is not subject to health care cost trends. As of December 31, 2021, for the Aquarion PBOP
Plan, the health care trend rate for pre-65 retirees is 6.5 percent, with an ultimate rate of 5 percent in 2028, and for post-65 retirees, the health care
trend rate and ultimate rate is 3.5 percent.
Actuarial Determination of Expense: Pension, SERP and PBOP expense is determined by our actuaries and consists of service cost and prior
service cost, interest cost based on the discounting of the obligations, and amortization of actuarial gains and losses, offset by the expected return
on plan assets. Actuarial gains and losses represent the amortization of differences between assumptions and actual information or updated
assumptions. Pre-tax net periodic benefit expense for the Pension and SERP Plans was $23.6 million, $56.9 million and $63.7 million for the
years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. For the PBOP Plans, there was net periodic PBOP income of $60.5 million, $51.6
million and $41.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The expected return on plan assets is determined by applying the assumed long-term rate of return to the Pension and PBOP Plan asset balances.
This calculated expected return is compared to the actual return or loss on plan assets at the end of each year to determine the investment gains or
losses to be immediately reflected in unamortized actuarial gains and losses.
Forecasted Expenses and Expected Contributions: We estimate that income in 2022 for the Pension and SERP Plans will be approximately $177
million and income in 2022 for the PBOP Plans will be approximately $80 million. Pension, SERP and PBOP expense for subsequent years will
depend on future investment performance, changes in future discount rates and other assumptions, and various other factors related to the
populations participating in the plans.
Our policy is to fund the Pension Plans annually in an amount at least equal to the amount that will satisfy all federal funding requirements. We
contributed $180.0 million to the Pension Plans in 2021. We currently estimate contributing between $100 million to $175 million to the Pension
Plans in 2022, however, there is no minimum funding requirement for our Pension Plans for 2022, and therefore the planned contribution is
discretionary and subject to change. It is our policy to fund the PBOP Plans annually through tax deductible contributions to external trusts. We
contributed $2.3 million to the PBOP Plans in 2021. We currently estimate contributing $2.4 million to the PBOP Plans in 2022.
Sensitivity Analysis: The following represents the hypothetical increase to the Pension Plans' (excluding the SERP Plans) reported annual cost and
a decrease to the PBOP Plans' reported annual income as a result of a change in the following assumptions by 50 basis points:
(Millions of Dollars)
Assumption Change
Eversource
Lower expected long-term rate of return
Lower discount rate
Higher compensation rate
Decrease in PBOP Plan Income
For the Years Ended December 31,
Increase in Pension Plan Cost
For the Years Ended December 31,
26.5 $
27.0
9.9
25.0 $
25.4
8.8
4.8 $
2.6
N/A
4.5
1.7
N/A
2021
2021
2020
2020
$
Goodwill: We recorded goodwill on our balance sheet associated with previous mergers and acquisitions, all of which totaled $4.48 billion as of
December 31, 2021. We have identified our reporting units for purposes of allocating and testing goodwill as Electric Distribution, Electric
Transmission, Natural Gas Distribution and Water Distribution. Electric Distribution and Electric Transmission reporting units include carrying
values for the respective components of CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH. The Natural Gas Distribution reporting unit includes the carrying
values of NSTAR Gas, Yankee Gas and EGMA. The Water Distribution reporting unit includes the Aquarion water utility businesses. As of
December 31, 2021, goodwill was allocated to the reporting units as follows: $2.54 billion to Electric Distribution, $577 million to Electric
Transmission, $451 million to Natural Gas Distribution and $905 million to Water Distribution.
We recorded $51.9 million of goodwill arising from the acquisition of CMA on October 9, 2020, which included measurement period adjustments
in 2021. This goodwill was allocated to the Natural Gas Distribution reporting unit. We recorded $21.7 million of goodwill arising from the
acquisition of NESC on December 1, 2021, which was allocated to the Water Distribution reporting unit.
We are required to test goodwill balances for impairment at least annually by considering the fair values of the reporting units, which requires us to
use estimates and judgments. Additionally, we monitor all relevant events and circumstances during the year to determine if an interim impairment
test is required. We have selected October 1st of each year as the annual goodwill impairment test date. Goodwill impairment is deemed to exist if
the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value. If goodwill were deemed to be impaired, it would be written down in the
current period to the extent of the impairment.
In assessing goodwill for impairment, an entity is permitted to first assess qualitatively whether it is more likely than not that goodwill impairment
exists as of the annual impairment test date. A quantitative impairment test is required only if it is concluded that it is more likely than not that a
reporting unit’s fair value is less than it’s carrying amount.
We performed an impairment test of goodwill as of October 1, 2021 for the Electric Distribution, Electric Transmission, Natural Gas Distribution
and Water Distribution reporting units. Our qualitative evaluation included an evaluation of multiple factors that impact the fair value of the
reporting units, including general, macroeconomic and market conditions, and entity-specific assumptions that affect the future cash flows of the
reporting units. Key considerations include discount rates, utility sector market performance and merger transaction multiples, the Company's
share price and credit ratings, analyst reports, financial performance, cost and risk factors, internal estimates and projections of future cash flows
and net income, long-term strategy, the timing and outcome of rate cases, and recent regulatory and legislative proceedings.
The 2021 goodwill impairment assessment resulted in a conclusion that goodwill is not impaired and no reporting unit is at risk of a goodwill
impairment. We believe that the fair value of the reporting units was substantially in excess of carrying value. Adverse regulatory actions, changes
in the regulatory and political environment, or changes in significant assumptions could potentially result in future goodwill impairment indicators.
Long-Lived Assets: Impairment evaluations of long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and other assets, involve a significant
degree of estimation and judgment, including identifying circumstances that indicate an impairment may exist. Impairment analysis is required
when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. Indicators of potential
impairment include a deteriorating business climate, unfavorable regulatory action, decline in value that is other than temporary in nature, plans to
dispose of a long-lived asset significantly before the end of its useful life, and accumulation of costs that are in excess of amounts allowed for
36
recovery. The review of long-lived assets for impairment utilizes significant assumptions about operating strategies and external developments,
including assessment of current and projected market conditions that can impact future cash flows.
Equity Method Investments: Investments in affiliates where we have the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over an investee
are initially recognized as an equity method investment at cost. Any differences between the cost of an investment and the amount of underlying
equity in net assets of an investee are considered basis differences and are determined based upon the estimated fair values of the investee's
identifiable assets and liabilities. For our offshore wind equity method investment, basis differences are related to intangible assets for PPAs that
will be amortized over the term of the PPAs, and equity method goodwill that is not amortized. Capitalized interest associated with our offshore
wind equity method investment is included in the investment balance.
Equity method investments are assessed for impairment when conditions exist that indicate that the fair value of the investment is less than book
value. If the decline in value is considered to be other-than-temporary, the investment is written down to its estimated fair value, which establishes
a new cost basis in the investment. Impairment evaluations involve a significant degree of judgment and estimation, including identifying
circumstances that indicate an impairment may exist and developing an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows.
Income Taxes: Income tax expense is estimated for each of the jurisdictions in which we operate and is recorded each quarter using an estimated
annualized effective tax rate. This process to record income tax expense involves estimating current and deferred income tax expense or benefit
and the impact of temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for financial reporting and income tax return reporting
purposes. Such differences are the result of timing of the deduction for expenses, as well as any impact of permanent differences, non-tax
deductible expenses, or other items that directly impact income tax expense as a result of regulatory activity (flow-through items). The temporary
differences and flow-through items result in deferred tax assets and liabilities that are included in the balance sheets.
We also account for uncertainty in income taxes, which applies to all income tax positions previously filed in a tax return and income tax positions
expected to be taken in a future tax return that have been reflected on our balance sheets. The determination of whether a tax position meets the
recognition threshold under applicable accounting guidance is based on facts and circumstances available to us.
The interpretation of tax laws and associated regulations involves uncertainty since tax authorities may interpret the laws differently. Ultimate
resolution or clarification of income tax matters may result in favorable or unfavorable impacts to net income and cash flows, and adjustments to
tax-related assets and liabilities could be material.
Significant management judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes, primarily due to the uncertainty related to tax
positions taken, as well as deferred tax assets and liabilities and valuation allowances. We evaluate the probability of realizing deferred tax assets
by reviewing a forecast of future taxable income and our intent and ability to implement tax planning strategies, if necessary, to realize deferred tax
assets. We also assess negative evidence, such as the expiration of historical operating loss or tax credit carryforwards, that could indicate the
inability to realize the deferred tax assets. Valuation allowances are provided to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that will more likely than
not be realized in future periods. This requires management to make judgments and estimates regarding the amount and timing of the reversal of
taxable temporary differences, expected future taxable income, and the impact of tax planning strategies.
Actual income taxes could vary from estimated amounts due to the future impacts of various items, including future changes in income tax laws,
not realizing expected tax planning strategy amounts, as well as results of audits and examinations of filed tax returns by taxing authorities.
Accounting for Environmental Reserves: Environmental reserves are accrued when assessments indicate it is probable that a liability has been
incurred and an amount can be reasonably estimated. Increases to estimates of environmental liabilities could have an adverse impact on earnings.
We estimate these liabilities based on findings through various phases of the assessment, considering the most likely action plan from a variety of
available remediation options (ranging from no action required to full site remediation and long-term monitoring), current site information from
our site assessments, remediation estimates from third party engineering and remediation contractors, and our prior experience in remediating
contaminated sites. If a most likely action plan cannot yet be determined, we estimate the liability based on the low end of a range of possible
action plans. A significant portion of our environmental sites and reserve amounts relate to former MGP sites that were operated several decades
ago and manufactured natural 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 we may have potential liability. Estimates are based on the expected remediation
plan. Our estimates are subject to revision in future periods based on actual costs or new information from other sources, including the level of
contamination at the site, the extent of our responsibility or the extent of remediation required, recently enacted laws and regulations or a change in
cost estimates.
Fair Value Measurements: We follow fair value measurement guidance that defines fair value as the price that would be received for the sale of an
asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). We have applied
this guidance to our Company's derivative contracts that are not elected or designated as "normal purchases or normal sales" (normal), to
marketable securities held in trusts, and to our investments in our Pension and PBOP Plans. Fair value measurements are also incorporated into the
accounting for goodwill, long-lived assets, equity method investments, and AROs, and in the valuation of the acquisition of CMA in 2020. The
fair value measurement guidance was also applied in estimating the fair value of preferred stock, long-term debt and RRBs.
Changes in fair value of our derivative contracts are recorded as Regulatory Assets or Liabilities, as we recover the costs of these contracts in rates
charged to customers. These valuations are sensitive to the prices of energy-related products in future years and assumptions made.
We use quoted market prices when available to determine the fair value of financial instruments. When quoted prices in active markets for the
same or similar instruments are not available, we value derivative contracts using models that incorporate both observable and unobservable
inputs. Significant unobservable inputs utilized in the models include energy-related product prices for future years for long-dated derivative
contracts and market volatilities. Discounted cash flow valuations incorporate estimates of premiums or discounts, reflecting risk-adjusted profit
that would be required by a market participant to arrive at an exit price, using available historical market transaction information. Valuations of
derivative contracts also reflect our estimates of nonperformance risk, including credit risk.
37
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
years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
(Millions of Dollars)
Operating Revenues
Operating Expenses:
Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission
Operations and Maintenance
Depreciation
Amortization
Energy Efficiency Programs
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
Total Operating Expenses
Operating Income
Interest Expense
Other Income, Net
Income Before Income Tax Expense
Income Tax Expense
Net Income
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
$
$
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2021
9,863.1 $
3,372.3
1,739.7
1,103.0
232.0
592.8
830.0
7,869.8
1,993.3
582.4
161.3
1,572.2
344.2
1,228.0
7.5
1,220.5 $
Increase/(Decrease)
958.7
8,904.4 $
2,987.8
1,480.3
981.4
177.7
535.8
752.7
6,915.7
1,988.7
538.4
108.6
1,558.9
346.2
1,212.7
7.5
1,205.2 $
384.5
259.4
121.6
54.3
57.0
77.3
954.1
4.6
44.0
52.7
13.3
(2.0)
15.3
—
15.3
Eversource's consolidated financial information includes the results of EGMA beginning on October 9, 2020. The natural gas distribution assets
acquired from CMA on October 9, 2020 were assigned to EGMA.
Operating Revenues
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, is as follows:
Traditional
Decoupled and Special Contracts (1)(2)
Total Sales Volumes
Electric
Sales Volumes (GWh) Percentage
2020
2021
Increase
1.4 %
7,675
7,782
1.6 %
42,531
43,228
1.6 %
50,206
51,010
Firm Natural Gas
Sales Volumes (MMcf) Percentage
2020
2021
Increase
— %
2.1 %
2.1 %
—
—
150,145 147,123
150,145 147,123
Water
Sales Volumes (MG)
2020
2021
2,011
1,256
23,122
22,099
25,133
23,355
Percentage
Decrease
(37.5) %
(4.4) %
(7.1) %
(1) 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.
(2) Eversource acquired CMA's natural gas distribution assets on October 9, 2020. Prior year sales volumes have been presented for comparative
purposes.
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
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 impact earnings ("Traditional" in the table above). For CL&P, NSTAR Electric, NSTAR Gas,
EGMA, Yankee Gas, and our Connecticut water distribution business, fluctuations in retail sales volumes do not materially impact earnings due to
their respective regulatory commission-approved distribution revenue decoupling mechanisms ("Decoupled" in the table above). These
distribution revenues are decoupled from their customer sales volumes, which breaks the relationship between sales volumes and revenues
recognized.
38
Operating Revenues: Operating Revenues by segment increased in 2021, as compared to 2020, as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
Electric Distribution
Natural Gas Distribution
Electric Transmission
Water Distribution
Other
Eliminations
Total Operating Revenues
Increase/(Decrease)
291.3
580.9
98.5
(4.1)
118.1
(126.0)
958.7
$
$
Electric and Natural Gas (excluding EGMA) Distribution Revenues:
Base Distribution Revenues:
•
•
Base electric distribution revenues increased $28.8 million in 2021, as compared to 2020, due primarily to the impact of base distribution
rate increases at NSTAR Electric effective January 1, 2021, at PSNH effective January 1, 2021 and August 1, 2021, and at CL&P
effective May 1, 2020. These increases were partially offset by a base distribution rate decrease at CL&P implemented June 1, 2021.
The decrease in the CL&P base distribution rate on June 1, 2021 was due primarily to the completion of the recovery of certain storm
cost amortization and therefore the base rate decrease did not impact earnings.
Base natural gas distribution revenues increased $62.8 million in 2021, as compared to 2020, due primarily to base distribution rate
increases at NSTAR Gas effective November 1, 2021 and November 1, 2020, which includes a shift of recovery into base rates of certain
GSEP investments, and at Yankee Gas effective January 1, 2021. Although new rates at Yankee Gas were implemented on March 1,
2021 to customers, the provisions of the base distribution rate increase were effective January 1, 2021.
Electric distribution revenues at CL&P also decreased $93.4 million in 2021, as compared to 2020, due to a reserve established to provide bill
credits to customers as a result of CL&P’s settlement agreement on October 1, 2021 and a storm performance penalty assessed by PURA in 2021.
In the settlement agreement, CL&P agreed to provide a total of $65 million of customer credits, which were distributed based on customer sales
over a two-month billing period from December 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022. CL&P recorded a $28.4 million reserve in 2021 for a civil penalty
for non-compliance with storm performance standards that is currently being credited to customers on electric bills beginning on September 1,
2021 over a one-year period. CL&P recorded these reserves as a current regulatory liability and a reduction to Operating Revenues. As of
December 31, 2021, the remaining reserve that has not yet been issued as customer credits and not yet reflected in rates totaled $71.1 million. For
further information, see "Regulatory Developments and Rate Matters - Connecticut" included in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
Tracked Distribution Revenues: Tracked distribution revenues consist of certain costs that are recovered from customers in retail rates through
regulatory commission-approved cost tracking mechanisms and therefore, recovery of these costs has no impact on earnings. Revenues from
certain of these cost tracking mechanisms also include certain incentives earned, return on capital tracking mechanisms, and carrying charges that
are billed in rates to customers, which do impact earnings. Costs recovered through cost tracking mechanisms include, among others, energy
supply and natural gas supply procurement and other energy-related costs, electric retail transmission charges, energy efficiency program costs,
electric restructuring and stranded cost recovery revenues (including securitized RRB charges), certain capital tracking mechanisms for
infrastructure improvements, and additionally for the Massachusetts utilities, pension and PBOP benefits, net metering for distributed generation,
and solar-related programs. Tracked revenues also include wholesale market sales transactions, such as sales of energy and energy-related
products into the ISO-NE wholesale electricity market, sales of natural gas to third party marketers, and the sale of RECs to various counterparties.
Tracked distribution revenues increased/(decreased) in 2021, as compared to 2020, due primarily to the following:
(Millions of Dollars)
Retail Tariff Tracked Revenues:
Energy supply procurement
Retail transmission
Other distribution tracking mechanisms
Wholesale Market Sales Revenue
$
Electric Distribution
Natural Gas Distribution
(152.1) $
222.2
47.3
248.5
70.0
—
11.7
4.9
The decrease in energy supply procurement within electric distribution in 2021 as compared to 2020, was driven primarily by lower average
supply-related sales volumes and lower average prices. The increase in energy supply procurement within natural gas distribution in 2021, as
compared to 2020, was driven primarily by higher average prices and higher average supply-related sales volumes.
Fluctuations in retail electric transmission revenues are driven by the recovery of the costs of our wholesale transmission business, such as those
billed by ISO-NE and Local and Regional Network Service charges. For further information, see "Purchased Power and Transmission Expense"
below.
The increase in electric distribution wholesale market sales revenue was due primarily to higher average electricity market prices received for
wholesale sales in 2021, as compared to 2020. ISO-NE average market prices received for CL&P’s wholesale sales increased approximately 95
percent in 2021, as compared to 2020, driven primarily by higher natural gas prices in New England. Volumes sold into the market were primarily
from the sale of output generated by the Millstone PPA that CL&P entered into in 2019, as required by regulation. The increase in electric
distribution wholesale market sales revenues was also driven by higher proceeds from a one-year sale of transmission rights, effective June 2021,
under CL&P’s, NSTAR Electric’s and PSNH’s Hydro-Quebec transmission support agreements. Proceeds from these sales are credited back to
customers.
EGMA Natural Gas Distribution Revenues: The incremental impact of EGMA increased total operating revenues at the natural gas distribution
segment by $431.5 million in 2021, as compared to 2020.
39
Electric Transmission Revenues: Electric transmission revenues increased $98.5 million in 2021, as compared to 2020, due primarily to a higher
transmission rate base as a result of our continued investment in our transmission infrastructure.
Other Revenues and Eliminations: Other revenues primarily include the revenues of Eversource's service company, most of which are eliminated
in consolidation. Eliminations are also 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 in rates charged to their customers.
Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission expense includes costs associated with purchasing electricity and natural gas on behalf of our
customers and the cost of energy purchase contracts, as required by regulation. These electric and natural gas supply costs and other energy-
related 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 in 2021, as compared to 2020, due primarily to the following:
(Millions of Dollars)
Purchased Power Costs
Natural Gas Costs
Transmission Costs
Eliminations
Total Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission
Increase/(Decrease)
(56.7)
$
313.4
225.2
(97.4)
384.5
$
The decrease in purchased power expense at the electric distribution business in 2021, as compared to 2020, was driven primarily by lower
expense related to the procurement of energy supply resulting from lower average supply-related sales volumes and lower average prices. The
lower energy supply expense was partially offset by higher long-term contractual energy-related costs that are recovered in the NBFMCC
mechanism at CL&P and higher net metering costs at NSTAR Electric.
The increase in costs at the natural gas distribution segment in 2021, as compared to 2020, was due primarily to the incremental impact of EGMA
natural gas supply costs of $145.0 million, as well as higher average prices and higher average supply-related sales volumes.
The increase in transmission costs in 2021, as compared to 2020, was primarily the result of an increase in costs billed by ISO-NE that support
regional grid investments and an increase resulting from 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 reflects 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 in 2021, as compared to 2020, due primarily to
the following:
(Millions of Dollars)
Base Electric Distribution (Non-Tracked Costs):
Employee-related expenses, including labor and benefits
Shared corporate costs (including computer software depreciation at Eversource Service)
Vegetation Management
Funding of CL&P storm reserve as part of June 1, 2021 rate change (offset by lower Amortization expense; no earnings impact)
CL&P charge to fund customer assistance initiatives associated with the settlement agreement on October 1, 2021
Storm restoration costs
Operations-related expenses, including vehicles and outside services
Other non-tracked operations and maintenance
Total Base Electric Distribution (Non-Tracked Costs)
Tracked Costs (Electric Distribution and Electric Transmission) - Increase due primarily to higher transmission expenses of $6.5
million and increase of $16.3 million due to higher pension tracking mechanism at NSTAR Electric
Total Electric Distribution and Electric Transmission
Natural Gas Distribution:
Base (Non-Tracked) Costs, excluding EGMA
Tracked Costs, excluding EGMA
EGMA Operations and Maintenance
Total Natural Gas Distribution
Water Distribution:
Absence in 2021 of gain on sale of Hingham water system in July 2020
Other
Total Water Distribution
Parent and Other Companies and Eliminations:
Eversource Parent and Other Companies - other operations and maintenance
Acquisition and Transition Costs
Eliminations
Total Operations and Maintenance
40
Increase/(Decrease)
$
$
47.9
21.6
19.1
16.0
10.0
(24.2)
3.1
8.5
102.0
30.3
132.3
3.5
7.3
123.1
133.9
16.0
(1.1)
14.9
106.9
(9.7)
(118.9)
259.4
Depreciation expense increased in 2021, as compared to 2020, due to higher utility plant in service balances, the incremental impact of EGMA
utility plant balances of $36.8 million and new depreciation rates effective January 1, 2021 resulting from PSNH’s 2020 distribution rate settlement
agreement.
Amortization expense includes the deferral of energy supply, energy-related costs and other costs that are included in certain regulatory
commission-approved cost tracking mechanisms. This deferral adjusts expense to match the corresponding revenues compared to the actual costs
incurred. Energy supply and energy-related costs are recovered from customers in rates and have no impact on earnings. Amortization expense
also includes the amortization of certain costs as those costs are collected in rates.
Amortization increased in 2021, as compared to 2020, due primarily to the deferral adjustment of energy supply, energy-related and other tracked
costs, which can fluctuate from period to period based on the timing of costs incurred and related rate changes to recover these costs. The increase
was partially offset by a decrease in storm amortization expense at CL&P related to the completion of the amortization period of certain storm
costs deferred assets.
Energy Efficiency Programs expense increased in 2021, as compared to 2020, due primarily to the incremental impact of EGMA energy
efficiency program costs of $48.0 million. The increase was also due to the deferral adjustment at NSTAR Electric, which reflects the actual costs
of energy efficiency programs compared to the amounts billed to customers, and the timing of the recovery of energy efficiency costs. 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 in 2021, as compared to 2020, due primarily to an increase in property taxes as a result of
higher utility plant balances, the incremental impact of EGMA property and other taxes of $23.5 million, higher Connecticut gross earnings taxes,
and the absence in 2021 of a benefit at NSTAR Gas in 2020 relating to the resolution of disputed property taxes for prior years.
Interest Expense increased in 2021, as compared to 2020, due primarily to an increase in interest on long-term debt as a result of new debt
issuances ($29.5 million), an increase in interest expense on regulatory deferrals ($12.2 million), the absence in 2021 of a benefit at NSTAR Gas in
2020 relating to the resolution of disputed property taxes and interest thereon for prior years ($5.7 million), and higher amortization of debt
discounts and premiums, net ($0.8 million), partially offset by a decrease in interest on notes payable ($3.4 million), a decrease in RRB interest
expense ($1.3 million), and an increase in capitalized AFUDC related to debt funds and other capitalized interest ($1.1 million).
Other Income, Net increased in 2021, as compared to 2020, due primarily to an increase related to pension, SERP and PBOP non-service income
components ($40.0 million) and an increase in interest income primarily from regulatory deferrals ($20.8 million), partially offset by lower
AFUDC related to equity funds ($4.7 million) and investment losses in 2021 compared to investment income in 2020 driven by market volatility
($1.3 million).
Income Tax Expense decreased in 2021, as compared to 2020, due primarily to the absence of the sale of the Hingham water system ($12.5
million), an increase in amortization of EDIT ($20.4 million), the CL&P settlement agreement ($17.5 million), a decrease in items that impact our
tax rate as a result of regulatory treatment (flow-through items) and permanent differences ($0.6 million), and a decrease in valuation allowance
($17.6 million), partially offset by higher pre-tax earnings excluding the CL&P settlement agreement charges and gain on Hingham sale ($27.8
million), higher state taxes ($31.6 million), lower share-based payment excess tax benefits ($2.6 million), and a lower return to provision
adjustment ($4.6 million).
Results of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 for each of CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH have been omitted
from this report but are set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2021 filed with the SEC on a combined basis with Eversource
Energy on February 17, 2022. Such report is also available in the Investors section at www.eversource.com.
Item 7A. 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
We have an Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program for identifying the principal risks of the Company. Our ERM program involves the
application of a well-defined, enterprise-wide methodology designed to allow our Risk Committee, comprised of our senior officers of the
Company, to identify, categorize, prioritize, and mitigate the principal risks to the Company. The ERM program is integrated with other assurance
functions throughout the Company including Compliance, Auditing, and Insurance to ensure appropriate coverage of risks that could impact the
Company. In addition to known risks, ERM identifies emerging risks to the Company, through participation in industry groups, discussions with
management and in consultation with outside advisers. Our management then analyzes risks to determine materiality, likelihood and impact, and
develops mitigation strategies. Management broadly considers our business model, the utility industry, the global economy, climate change,
sustainability and the current environment to identify risks. The Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees is responsible for oversight of the
Company's ERM program and enterprise-wide risks as well as specific risks associated with insurance, credit, financing, investments, pensions and
overall system security including cyber security. The findings of the ERM process are periodically discussed with the Finance Committee of our
Board of Trustees, as well as with other Board Committees or the full Board of Trustees, as appropriate, including reporting on how these issues
are being measured and managed. However, there can be no assurances that the ERM process will identify or manage every risk or event that
could impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
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. As of December 31, 2021, approximately 98 percent of our long-term debt was at a fixed interest
rate. The remaining long-term debt is at variable interest rates and is subject to interest rate risk that could result in earnings volatility. Assuming a
one percentage point increase in our variable interest rates, annual interest expense would have increased by a pre-tax amount of $3.5 million.
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 natural gas producers, financial institutions, and other energy marketers. Margin accounts exist within this
41
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 December 31, 2021, our regulated companies held collateral (letters of credit or cash) of $210.9 million from
counterparties related to our standard service contracts. As of December 31, 2021, Eversource had $34.6 million of cash posted with ISO-NE
related to energy transactions. For further information on cash collateral deposited and posted with counterparties, see Note 1O, "Summary of
Significant Accounting Policies - Supplemental Cash Flow Information," to the financial statements.
If the respective unsecured debt ratings of Eversource or its subsidiaries were reduced to below investment grade by either Moody's or S&P,
certain of Eversource's contracts would require additional collateral in the form of cash to be provided to counterparties and independent system
operators. Eversource would have been and remains able to provide that collateral.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Eversource
Management’s Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID No. 34)
Consolidated Financial Statements
Management’s Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
Eversource Energy
Management is responsible for the preparation, integrity, and fair presentation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements of
Eversource Energy and subsidiaries (Eversource or the Company) and of other sections of this annual report. Eversource's internal controls over
financial reporting were audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP.
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting. The Company's internal control
framework and processes have been designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. There are
inherent limitations of internal controls over financial reporting that could allow material misstatements due to error or fraud to occur and not be
prevented or detected on a timely basis by employees during the normal course of business. Additionally, internal controls over financial reporting
may become inadequate in the future due to changes in the business environment.
Under the supervision and with the participation of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, Eversource conducted an
evaluation of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated
Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this evaluation under
the framework in COSO, management concluded that internal controls over financial reporting were effective as of December 31, 2021.
February 16, 2022
42
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Eversource Energy:
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Eversource Energy and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021,
based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the
consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021, of the Company and our report dated February 16, 2022,
expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Controls Over Financial
Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a
public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S.
federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included
obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the
design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary
in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A
company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in
reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the
company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the
company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any
evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that
the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Hartford, Connecticut
February 16, 2022
43
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Eversource Energy:
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Eversource Energy and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021
and 2020, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, common shareholders’ equity, and cash flows, for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes and the schedules listed in the Index at Item 15 of Part IV (collectively
referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the
Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework
(2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 16, 2022, expressed an
unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s
financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with
respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included
performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing
procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated
or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements
and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any
way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a
separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Regulatory Accounting - Impact of Rate Regulation on the Financial Statements - Refer to Note 2 to the Financial Statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company’s utility companies are subject to rate regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and by their respective state public
utility authorities in Connecticut, Massachusetts, or New Hampshire (the “Commissions”). The rate regulation by these Commissions is based on
cost recovery. The regulated companies’ financial statements reflect the effects of the rate-making process. The rates charged to the customers of
the Company’s regulated companies are designed to collect each company’s cost to provide service, plus a return on investment.
The application of accounting guidance for rate-regulated enterprises results in recording regulatory assets and liabilities. Regulatory assets
represent the deferral of incurred costs that are probable of future recovery in customer rates. Regulatory assets are amortized as the incurred costs
are recovered through customer rates. In some cases, the Company records regulatory assets before approval for recovery has been received from
the applicable regulatory commission. The Company must use judgment to conclude that costs deferred as regulatory assets are probable of future
recovery. The Company bases its conclusion on certain factors, including, but not limited to, regulatory precedent. Regulatory liabilities represent
either revenues received from customers to fund expected costs that have not yet been incurred or probable future refunds to customers.
The Company uses judgment when recording regulatory assets and liabilities; however, regulatory commissions can reach different conclusions
about the recovery of costs, and those conclusions could have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Management believes it is
probable that each of the regulated companies will recover its respective investment 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.
Accounting for the economics of rate-regulation impacts multiple financial statement line items and disclosures, such as regulated property, plant,
and equipment, regulatory assets and liabilities, operating revenues, depreciation expense and amortization of regulatory assets. While
management has indicated it expects to recover costs from customers through regulated rates, there is a risk that the Commissions will not approve
full recovery of such costs or full recovery of all amounts invested in the utility business and a reasonable return on that investment. We identified
the impact of rate-regulation as a critical audit matter due to the significant judgments made by management to support its assertions about impact
of future regulatory orders on the financial statements. Management judgments include assessing the probability of recovery in future rates of
incurred costs and of a refund to customers. Given that management’s accounting judgments are based on assumptions about the outcome of future
decisions by the Commissions, auditing these judgments requires specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate setting
process due to its inherent complexities.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the uncertainty of future decisions by the Commissions included the following, among others:
• We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the evaluation of the likelihood of (1) the recovery in future rates of costs
incurred as property, plant, and equipment and deferred as regulatory assets, and (2) a refund or a future reduction in rates that should be
44
reported as regulatory liabilities. We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the initial recognition of amounts as
property, plant, and equipment; regulatory assets or liabilities; and the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may
affect the likelihood of recovering costs in future rates, a refund, or a future reduction in rates.
• We evaluated the Company’s disclosures related to the applicability and impacts of rate regulation, including the balances recorded and
regulatory developments disclosed in the financial statements. This included an evaluation of disclosures related to Tropical Storm Isaias
costs and other associated regulatory proceedings in Connecticut.
• We read relevant regulatory orders issued by the Commissions for the Company, including orders in Connecticut associated with the
Tropical Storm Isaias Response Investigation and associated settlement agreement. We also read orders issued by the Commissions for
other public utilities, regulatory statutes, interpretations, procedural memorandums, filings made by intervenors, and other publicly
available information to assess the likelihood of recovery in future rates or of a future refund or reduction in rates based on precedents of
the Commissions’ treatment of similar costs under similar circumstances. We evaluated the external information and compared it to
management’s recorded regulatory asset and liability balances for completeness.
• For regulatory matters in process, we inspected the Company’s filings with the Commissions and the filings with the Commissions by
intervenors that may impact the Company’s future rates, for any evidence that might contradict management’s assertions.
• We made inquiries of management, including legal counsel, and obtained the regulatory orders and analysis from management that
support the probability of recovery, refund, or future reductions in rates for regulatory assets and liabilities, including amounts related to
Tropical Storm Isaias restoration costs and associated regulatory proceedings in Connecticut, to assess management’s assertion that
amounts are probable of recovery, refund, or a future reduction in rates.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Hartford, Connecticut
February 16, 2022
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002.
45
Cash
Receivables, Net (net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $417,406 and $358,851 as of December 31, 2021 and
2020, respectively)
Unbilled Revenues
Fuel, Materials, Supplies and REC Inventory
Regulatory Assets
Prepayments and Other Current Assets
EVERSOURCE ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Thousands of Dollars)
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Total Current Assets
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Deferred Debits and Other Assets:
Regulatory Assets
Goodwill
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates
Marketable Securities
Other Long-Term Assets
Total Deferred Debits and Other Assets
Total Assets
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
Current Liabilities:
Notes Payable
Long-Term Debt – Current Portion
Rate Reduction Bonds – Current Portion
Accounts Payable
Regulatory Liabilities
Other Current Liabilities
Total Current Liabilities
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes
Regulatory Liabilities
Derivative Liabilities
Asset Retirement Obligations
Accrued Pension, SERP and PBOP
Other Long-Term Liabilities
Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
Long-Term Debt
Rate Reduction Bonds
Noncontrolling Interest - Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries
Common Shareholders' Equity:
Common Shares
Capital Surplus, Paid In
Retained Earnings
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Treasury Stock
Common Shareholders' Equity
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)
Total Liabilities and Capitalization
As of December 31,
2021
2020
$
66,773 $
106,599
$
$
1,226,069
210,879
267,547
1,129,093
369,759
3,270,120
33,377,650
4,586,709
4,477,269
1,436,293
460,347
883,756
11,844,374
48,492,144 $
1,505,450 $
1,193,097
43,210
1,672,230
602,432
830,620
5,847,039
4,597,120
3,866,251
235,387
500,111
242,463
971,080
10,412,412
17,023,577
453,702
155,570
1,789,092
8,098,514
5,005,391
(42,275)
(250,878)
14,599,844
1,195,925
233,025
265,599
1,076,556
252,439
3,130,143
30,882,523
5,493,330
4,445,988
1,107,143
456,617
583,854
12,086,932
46,099,598
1,249,325
1,053,186
43,210
1,370,647
389,430
809,214
4,915,012
4,095,339
3,850,781
294,535
499,713
1,653,788
948,506
11,342,662
15,125,876
496,912
155,570
1,789,092
8,015,663
4,613,201
(76,411)
(277,979)
14,063,566
$
48,492,144 $
46,099,598
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
46
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2021
$
9,863,085 $
8,904,430 $
8,526,470
3,372,344
1,739,685
1,103,008
231,965
592,775
829,987
—
7,869,764
1,993,321
582,334
161,282
1,572,269
344,223
1,228,046
7,519
1,220,527 $
3.55 $
3.54 $
2,987,840
1,480,252
981,380
177,679
535,760
752,785
—
6,915,696
1,988,734
538,452
108,590
1,558,872
346,186
1,212,686
7,519
1,205,167 $
3.56 $
3.55 $
3,040,160
1,363,113
885,278
195,380
501,369
711,035
239,644
6,935,979
1,590,491
533,197
132,777
1,190,071
273,499
916,572
7,519
909,053
2.83
2.81
$
$
$
343,972,926
344,631,056
338,836,147
339,847,062
321,416,086
322,941,636
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2021
$
1,228,046 $
1,212,686 $
916,572
972
(671)
33,835
34,136
(7,519)
1,254,663 $
1,596
342
(13,290)
(11,352)
(7,519)
1,193,815 $
$
1,393
1,166
(7,618)
(5,059)
(7,519)
903,994
EVERSOURCE ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Share Information)
Operating Revenues
Operating Expenses:
Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission
Operations and Maintenance
Depreciation
Amortization
Energy Efficiency Programs
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
Impairment of Northern Pass Transmission
Total Operating Expenses
Operating Income
Interest Expense
Other Income, Net
Income Before Income Tax Expense
Income Tax Expense
Net Income
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
Basic Earnings Per Common Share
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic
Diluted
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Thousands of Dollars)
Net Income
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net of Tax:
Qualified Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
Changes in Unrealized (Losses)/Gains on Marketable Securities
Changes in Funded Status of Pension, SERP and PBOP Benefit Plans
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net of Tax
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
47
EVERSOURCE ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Share Information)
Balance as of January 1, 2019
Net Income
Dividends on Common Shares - $2.14 Per Share
Dividends on Preferred Stock
Issuance of Common Shares - $5 par value
Long-Term Incentive Plan Activity
Issuance of Treasury Shares
Capital Stock Expense
Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance as of December 31, 2019
Net Income
Dividends on Common Shares - $2.27 Per Share
Dividends on Preferred Stock
Issuance of Common Shares - $5 par value
Long-Term Incentive Plan Activity
Issuance of Treasury Shares
Capital Stock Expense
Adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-13
Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance as of December 31, 2020
Net Income
Dividends on Common Shares - $2.41 Per Share
Dividends on Preferred Stock
Long-Term Incentive Plan Activity
Issuance of Treasury Shares
Issuance of Treasury Shares for Acquisition of
New England Service Company
Other Comprehensive Income
Balance as of December 31, 2021
Common Shares
Shares
Amount
Capital
Surplus,
Paid In
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Treasury
Stock
Total
Common
Shareholders'
Equity
Retained
Earnings
316,885,808 $ 1,669,392 $ 6,241,222 $ 3,953,974 $
916,572
(685,979)
(7,519)
11,980,000
59,900
1,014,837
808,650
3,434
50,758
(16,296)
329,880,645 1,729,292 7,087,768 4,177,048
1,212,686
(767,500)
(7,519)
11,960,000
59,800
1,113,378
889,860
7,890
50,812
(20,667)
(1,514)
342,954,023 1,789,092 8,015,663 4,613,201
1,228,046
(828,337)
(7,519)
986,656
462,517
3,537
49,913
29,401
344,403,196 $ 1,789,092 $ 8,098,514 $ 5,005,391 $
18,716
(299,055)
(5,059)
(65,059)
(60,000) $ (317,771) $ 11,486,817
916,572
(685,979)
(7,519)
868,550
3,434
69,474
(16,296)
(5,059)
12,629,994
1,212,686
(767,500)
(7,519)
949,660
7,890
71,888
(20,667)
(1,514)
(11,352)
14,063,566
1,228,046
(828,337)
(7,519)
3,537
68,364
(11,352)
(76,411)
(277,979)
21,076
18,451
8,650
38,051
34,136
34,136
(42,275) $ (250,878) $ 14,599,844
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
48
EVERSOURCE ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Thousands of Dollars)
Operating Activities:
Net Income
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities:
Depreciation
Deferred Income Taxes
Uncollectible Expense
Pension, SERP and PBOP (Income)/Expense, Net
Pension and PBOP Contributions
Regulatory Underrecoveries, Net
Reserve at CL&P related to PURA Settlement Agreement and Storm Performance Penalty
Amortization
Payments Related to CYAPC's DOE Pre-1983 Spent Nuclear Fuel Obligation
Proceeds from DOE Spent Nuclear Fuel Litigation
Impairment of Northern Pass Transmission
Cost of Removal Expenditures
Other
Changes in Current Assets and Liabilities:
Receivables and Unbilled Revenues, Net
Fuel, Materials, Supplies and REC Inventory
Taxes Receivable/Accrued, Net
Accounts Payable
Other Current Assets and Liabilities, Net
Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
Investing Activities:
Investments in Property, Plant and Equipment
Proceeds from Sales of Marketable Securities
Purchases of Marketable Securities
Acquisition of Assets of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, Net of Restricted Cash
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates, Net
Proceeds from the Sale of Hingham Water System
Other Investing Activities
Net Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
Financing Activities:
Issuance of Common Shares, Net of Issuance Costs
Cash Dividends on Common Shares
Cash Dividends on Preferred Stock
Increase in Notes Payable
Repayment of Rate Reduction Bonds
Issuance of Long-Term Debt
Retirement of Long-Term Debt
Other Financing Activities
Net Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities
Net (Decrease)/Increase in Cash and Restricted Cash
Cash and Restricted Cash - Beginning of Year
Cash and Restricted Cash - End of Year
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2021
$
1,228,046 $
1,212,686 $
916,572
1,103,008
347,056
60,886
(14,693)
(182,344)
(314,211)
81,274
231,965
—
—
—
(242,130)
(64,640)
(135,505)
(1,859)
(110,621)
(29,201)
5,569
1,962,600
(3,175,080)
447,893
(414,980)
—
(327,385)
—
22,178
(3,447,374)
—
(805,439)
(7,519)
256,125
(43,210)
3,230,000
(1,142,500)
(46,625)
1,440,832
(43,942)
264,950
221,008 $
981,380
257,154
53,461
12,888
(111,524)
(516,411)
—
177,679
—
—
—
(148,332)
(25,957)
(351,843)
(15,404)
43,819
122,567
(9,591)
1,682,572
(2,942,996)
434,124
(401,823)
(1,113,252)
(239,673)
110,536
23,809
(4,129,275)
928,992
(744,665)
(7,519)
13,955
(43,210)
2,760,000
(327,236)
14,273
2,594,590
147,887
117,063
264,950 $
885,278
209,812
63,446
22,000
(121,782)
(124,870)
—
195,380
(29,000)
68,840
239,644
(153,477)
(42,610)
(98,716)
(8,074)
(16,129)
14,866
(11,603)
2,009,577
(2,911,489)
566,592
(537,258)
—
(416,337)
—
24,204
(3,274,288)
852,254
(663,239)
(7,519)
325,370
(52,332)
1,520,000
(801,078)
(1,006)
1,172,450
(92,261)
209,324
117,063
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
The 2021 financial statements for CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH have been omitted from this report but are set forth in the Annual
Report on Form 10-K for 2021 filed with the SEC on a combined basis with Eversource Energy on February 17, 2022. Such report is also
available in the Investors section at www.eversource.com.
49
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 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Refer to the Glossary of Terms included in this combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for abbreviations and acronyms used throughout the
combined notes to the financial statements.
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
About Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH
A.
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, NSTAR Gas and Eversource Gas Company of Massachusetts (EGMA) (natural gas utilities) and Aquarion (water utilities).
Eversource provides energy delivery and/or water service to approximately 4.4 million electric, natural gas and water customers through ten
regulated utilities in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
On October 9, 2020, Eversource acquired certain assets and liabilities that comprised the NiSource Inc. (NiSource) natural gas distribution
business in Massachusetts, which was previously doing business as Columbia Gas of Massachusetts (CMA), pursuant to an asset purchase
agreement (the Agreement) entered into on February 26, 2020 between Eversource and NiSource. The natural gas distribution assets acquired
from CMA were assigned to EGMA, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Eversource formed in 2020. The LNG assets acquired from CMA
were assigned to Hopkinton LNG Corp. The cash purchase price was $1.1 billion, plus a working capital amount of $68.6 million, as finalized in
the first quarter of 2021. Eversource's consolidated financial information includes the results of the acquisition of the assets of CMA beginning on
October 9, 2020. See Note 24, "Acquisition of Assets of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts," for further information.
Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH are reporting companies under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Eversource Energy is a
public utility holding company under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005. Arrangements among the regulated electric companies and
other Eversource companies, outside agencies and other utilities covering interconnections, interchange of electric power and sales of utility
property are subject to regulation by the FERC. Eversource's regulated companies are subject to regulation of rates, accounting and other matters
by the FERC and/or applicable state regulatory commissions (the PURA for CL&P, Yankee Gas and Aquarion, the DPU for NSTAR Electric,
NSTAR Gas, EGMA and Aquarion, and the NHPUC for PSNH and Aquarion).
CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH furnish franchised retail electric service in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, respectively.
NSTAR Gas and EGMA are engaged in the distribution and sale of natural gas to customers within Massachusetts and Yankee Gas is engaged in
the distribution and sale of natural gas to customers within Connecticut. Aquarion is engaged in the collection, treatment and distribution of water
in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH's results include the operations of their respective
distribution and transmission businesses. The distribution business also includes the results of NSTAR Electric's solar power facilities.
Eversource Service, Eversource's service company, and several wholly-owned real estate subsidiaries of Eversource, provide support services to
Eversource, including its regulated companies.
Basis of Presentation
B.
The 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 consolidated financial statements of Eversource, NSTAR
Electric and PSNH and the financial statements of CL&P are herein collectively referred to as the "financial statements."
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.
Eversource consolidates the operations of CYAPC and YAEC, both of which are inactive regional nuclear power companies engaged in the long-
term storage of their spent nuclear fuel. Eversource consolidates CYAPC and YAEC because CL&P's, NSTAR Electric's and PSNH's combined
ownership and voting interests 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 holds several equity ownership interests that are not consolidated and are accounted for under the equity method.
In accordance with accounting guidance on noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements, the Preferred Stock of CL&P and the
Preferred Stock of NSTAR Electric, which are not owned by Eversource or its consolidated subsidiaries and are not subject to mandatory
redemption, have been presented as noncontrolling interests in the financial statements of Eversource. The Preferred Stock of CL&P and the
Preferred Stock of NSTAR Electric are considered to be temporary equity and have been classified between liabilities and permanent shareholders'
equity on the balance sheets of Eversource, CL&P and NSTAR Electric due to a provision in the preferred stock agreements of both CL&P and
NSTAR Electric that grant preferred stockholders the right to elect a majority of the CL&P and NSTAR Electric Boards of Directors, respectively,
should certain conditions exist, such as if preferred dividends are in arrears for a specified amount of time. The Net Income reported in the
statements of income and cash flows represents net income prior to apportionment to noncontrolling interests, which is represented by dividends
on preferred stock of CL&P and NSTAR Electric.
Eversource's utility subsidiaries' electric, natural gas and water distribution and transmission businesses are subject to rate-regulation that is based
on cost recovery and meets the criteria for application of accounting guidance for entities with rate-regulated operations, which considers the effect
of regulation on the differences in the timing of the recognition of certain revenues and expenses from those of other businesses and industries.
See Note 2, "Regulatory Accounting," for further information.
COVID-19 has adversely affected customers, workers and the U.S. economy. We provide a critical service to our customers and have taken
extensive measures to maintain its safety and reliability. We continue to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and how the related
developments affect Eversource. We have not experienced significant impacts directly related to the pandemic that have materially affected our
current operations, our workforce, or results of operations. The extent of the impact to us in the future will vary, and depend on the duration, scope
and severity of the pandemic and the resulting impact on economic, health care and capital market conditions. The future impact will also depend
50
on the outcome of future proceedings before our state regulatory commissions to recover our incremental costs associated with COVID-19, which
include uncollectible customer receivable expenses. See Note 1F, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Allowance for Uncollectible
Accounts," for an evaluation of the allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2021 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of December 31, 2021, we did not identify indicators or triggering events for impairments to our goodwill, long-lived assets, available-for-sale
debt securities, or equity method investment carrying values.
Certain reclassifications of prior year data were made in the accompanying financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, Eversource's carrying amount of goodwill was $4.48 billion and $4.45 billion, respectively. Eversource
performs an assessment for possible impairment of its goodwill at least annually. Eversource completed its annual goodwill impairment
assessment for each of its reporting units as of October 1, 2021 and determined that no impairment exists. See Note 25, "Goodwill," for further
information.
Accounting Standards
C.
Accounting Standards Recently Adopted: On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2019-12, Income Taxes
(Topic 740) - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which eliminates certain exceptions to the general principles of current income tax
guidance in ASC 740 and simplifies and improves consistency in application of that income tax guidance through clarifications of and amendments
to ASC 740. The ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH.
Impairment of Northern Pass Transmission
D.
Northern Pass was Eversource's planned 1,090 MW HVDC transmission line that would have interconnected 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 a result of a final decision received on July 19, 2019 from the New Hampshire Supreme Court, whereby the court denied Northern Pass’ appeal
and affirmed the NHSEC’s denial of Northern Pass’ siting application on NPT, Eversource concluded that construction of NPT was no longer
probable and that there was no constructive path forward for the project. In 2019, Eversource terminated the project and permanently abandoned
any further development. As a result, substantially all of the capitalized project costs, which totaled $318 million, certain of which were subject to
cost reimbursement agreements, were impaired.
Based on the conclusion that the construction of Northern Pass was no longer probable, Eversource recorded an impairment charge in 2019 for all
of the project costs associated with Northern Pass, which were primarily engineering design, siting, permitting and legal costs, along with
appropriate allowances for funds used during construction, and recognized a receivable for certain cost reimbursement agreements. Additionally,
Eversource recorded an impairment charge associated with the land acquired to construct Northern Pass in order to recognize the land at its
estimated fair value based on assessed values and transaction costs. In total, this resulted in a pre-tax impairment charge of $239.6 million within
Operating Income on the statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2019 and was reflected in the Electric Transmission segment. The
after-tax impact of the impairment charge was $204.4 million, or $0.64 per share, after giving effect to the estimated fair value of the related land,
reimbursement agreements, and the impact of expected income tax benefits associated with the impairment charge. As a result of the decision to
terminate the NPT project and permanently abandon any further development, Eversource does not expect any future cash expenditures associated
with this project.
Cash
E.
Cash includes cash on hand. At the end of each reporting period, any overdraft amounts are reclassified from Cash to Accounts Payable on the
balance sheets.
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts
F.
Receivables, Net on the balance sheets primarily includes trade receivables from retail customers and customers related to wholesale transmission
contracts, wholesale market sales, sales of RECs, and property rentals. Receivables, Net also includes customer receivables for the purchase of
electricity from a competitive third party supplier, the current portion of customer energy efficiency loans, property damage receivables and other
miscellaneous receivables. There is no material concentration of receivables. Receivables are recorded at amortized cost, net of a credit loss
provision (or allowance for uncollectible accounts).
Receivables are presented net of expected credit losses at estimated net realizable value by maintaining an allowance for uncollectible accounts.
The current expected credit loss (CECL) model, which was implemented on January 1, 2020 (ASU 2016-13) is applied to receivables for purposes
of calculating the allowance for uncollectible accounts. This model is based on expected losses and results in the recognition of estimated
expected credit losses, including uncollectible amounts for both billed and unbilled revenues, over the life of the receivable at the time a receivable
is recorded.
The allowance for uncollectible accounts is determined based upon a variety of judgments and factors, including the application of an estimated
uncollectible percentage to each receivable aging category. Factors in determining credit loss include historical collection, write-off experience,
and management's assessment of collectability from customers, including current conditions, reasonable forecasts, and expectations of future
collectability and collection efforts. Management continuously assesses the collectability of receivables and adjusts estimates based on actual
experience and future expectations based on economic indicators, collection efforts and other factors. Management also monitors the aging
analysis of receivables to determine if there are changes in the collections of accounts receivable. Receivable balances are written off against the
allowance for uncollectible accounts when the customer accounts are no longer in service and these balances are deemed to be uncollectible.
As of December 31, 2021, management evaluated the adequacy of the allowance for uncollectible accounts in light of the evolving COVID-19
pandemic. This evaluation included an analysis of collection and customer payment trends, economic conditions, delinquency statistics, aging-
based quantitative assessments, the impact on residential customer bills because of energy usage and change in rates, flexible payment plans and
financial hardship arrearage management programs being offered to customers, and COVID-19 developments, including any potential federal
governmental pandemic relief programs and the expansion of unemployment benefit initiatives, which help to mitigate the potential for increasing
customer account delinquencies. Additionally, management considered past economic declines and corresponding uncollectible reserves as part of
the current assessment.
This evaluation has shown that our operating companies have experienced an increase in aged receivables and lower cash collections from
customers because of the length of the moratorium on disconnections in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and the economic slowdown resulting
from the COVID-19 pandemic. In Connecticut, the moratorium on disconnections of commercial and non-hardship residential customers ended in
June 2021 and September 2021, respectively, but is still in place for hardship residential customers. In Massachusetts, the moratorium on
disconnections of commercial customers and residential customers ended in September 2020 and July 2021, respectively. Disconnection activities
have resumed after these moratoria have expired, which has resulted in recent improved collection experience, more customers applying for, and
51
receiving, hardship status, and higher write-offs of aged receivable amounts. On July 7, 2021, the NHPUC issued an order to New Hampshire
utilities that concluded that recovery of incremental bad debt or waived late fees related to the COVID-19 pandemic would be addressed in a future
rate case to the extent those costs are relevant at that time. As a result of the order, PSNH removed its $0.6 million deferral of net incremental
COVID-19 costs in 2021. In New Hampshire, the moratorium on disconnections of non-hardship residential and commercial customers ended in
late 2020 and for hardship residential customers ended in May 2021 and PSNH has resumed disconnection activities, which has resulted in
improved collection of outstanding customer receivable balances.
Based upon the evaluation performed, for the year ended December 31, 2021, management increased the allowance for uncollectible accounts for
amounts incurred as a result of COVID-19 by $24.1 million for Eversource (increase of $20.1 million for CL&P and $6.6 million at our natural gas
businesses, and decrease of $1.3 million at NSTAR Electric). The COVID-19 related uncollectible amounts were deferred either as incremental
regulatory costs at our Connecticut and Massachusetts utilities or deferred through existing regulatory tracking mechanisms that recover
uncollectible energy supply costs, as management believes it is probable that these costs will ultimately be recovered from customers in future
rates. As of December 31, 2021, the total amount incurred as a result of COVID-19 included in the allowance for uncollectible accounts was
$55.3 million at Eversource ($23.9 million at CL&P, $9.0 million at NSTAR Electric, and $21.4 million at our natural gas businesses). Based on
the status of our COVID-19 regulatory dockets, communications with our state regulatory commissions, and policies and practices in the
jurisdictions in which we operate, we believe our state regulatory commissions in Connecticut and Massachusetts will allow us to recover our
incremental costs associated with COVID-19, which include uncollectible customer receivable expenses, while balancing the impact on our
customers’ bills and our operating cash flows.
Management concluded that the reserve balance as of December 31, 2021 adequately reflected the collection risk and net realizable value for
Eversource’s receivables. Management will continue to evaluate the adequacy of the uncollectible allowance in future reporting periods based on
an ongoing assessment of accounts receivable collections, delinquency statistics, and analysis of aging-based quantitative assessments.
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, NSTAR Gas and EGMA 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.
Hardship customers are protected from shut-off in certain circumstances, and historical collection experience has reflected a higher default risk as
compared to the rest of the receivable population. Management uses a higher credit risk profile for this pool of trade receivables as compared to
non-hardship receivables. The allowance for uncollectible hardship accounts is included in the total uncollectible allowance balance.
The total allowance for uncollectible accounts is included in Receivables, Net on the balance sheets. The activity in the allowance for
uncollectible accounts by portfolio segment is as follows:
Eversource
Retail (Non-
Hardship),
Wholesale,
and Other
CL&P
Retail (Non-
Hardship),
Wholesale,
and Other
PSNH
NSTAR Electric
Retail (Non-
Hardship),
Wholesale,
and Other
Hardship
Accounts
$ 143.3 $
(Millions of Dollars)
Balance as of January 1, 2020
ASU 2016-13 Implementation
21.6
Impact on January 1, 2020
—
Increase due to CMA acquisition
—
Uncollectible Expense (1)
43.1
Uncollectible Costs Deferred (2)
(14.7)
Write-Offs
1.5
Recoveries Collected
Balance as of December 31, 2020 $ 194.8 $
—
Uncollectible Expense (1)
51.9
Uncollectible Costs Deferred (2)
(22.0)
Write-Offs
1.4
Recoveries Collected
Balance as of December 31, 2021 $ 226.1 $
Total
Allowance Hardship
Accounts
81.5 $ 224.8 $
80.1 $
17.2 $
Total
Allowance Hardship
Accounts
97.3 $
43.9 $
Total
Allowance
31.5 $
75.4 $
Total
Allowance
10.5
21.3
23.8
2.2
—
24.2
24.2
—
53.5
53.5
38.2
97.0
53.9
(11.9)
(78.0)
(63.3)
1.4
13.6
12.1
164.1 $ 358.9 $ 129.1 $
60.9
60.9
—
32.3
58.7
110.6
(18.0)
(129.7)
(107.7)
15.3
1.2
16.7
191.3 $ 417.4 $ 144.6 $
22.2
0.9
—
—
12.9
12.9
49.0
10.8
(29.7)
(17.8)
5.7
4.3
28.3 $ 157.4 $
13.5
13.5
57.8
25.5
(54.2)
(36.2)
5.6
6.8
36.7 $ 181.3 $
(1.6)
—
—
(1.7)
(0.9)
—
39.7 $
—
4.3
(0.7)
—
43.3 $
0.3
—
15.3
26.4
(26.3)
4.7
51.9 $
16.6
15.8
(36.3)
5.7
53.7 $
(1.3)
—
15.3
24.7
(27.2)
4.7
91.6 $
16.6
20.1
(37.0)
5.7
97.0 $
0.3
—
5.2
7.4
(6.9)
0.7
17.2
13.1
3.1
(10.0)
0.9
24.3
(1) Uncollectible expense associated with customer and other accounts receivable is included in Operations and Maintenance expense on the
statements of income. For the year ended December 31, 2019, uncollectible expense included in Operations and Maintenance Expense was
$63.4 million for Eversource, $15.9 million for CL&P, $25.1 million for NSTAR Electric and $6.7 million for PSNH.
(2) These expected credit losses are deferred as regulatory costs on the balance sheets, as these amounts are ultimately recovered in rates.
Amounts include uncollectible costs for hardship accounts and other customer receivables, including uncollectible amounts related to
COVID-19 and uncollectible energy supply costs.
Transfer of Energy Efficiency Loans
G.
CL&P transferred a portion of its energy efficiency customer loan portfolio to outside lenders in order to make additional loans to customers.
CL&P remains the servicer of the loans and will transmit customer payments to the lenders, with a maximum amount outstanding under this
program of $55 million. The amounts of the loans are included in Accounts Receivable, Net and Other Long-Term Assets, and are offset by Other
Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities on CL&P’s balance sheet. The current and long-term portions totaled $10.5 million and $8.3
million, respectively, as of December 31, 2021, and $12.9 million and $9.5 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2020.
52
Fuel, Materials, Supplies and REC Inventory
H.
Fuel, Materials, Supplies and REC Inventory include natural gas inventory, materials and supplies purchased primarily for construction or
operation and maintenance purposes, and RECs. Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. RECs are purchased from
suppliers of renewable sources of generation and are used to meet state mandated Renewable Portfolio Standards requirements. The carrying
amounts of fuel, materials and supplies, and RECs, which are included in Current Assets on the balance sheets, were as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
Fuel
Materials and Supplies
RECs
Total
Eversource
$
56.2 $
148.9
62.4
267.5 $
$
2021
CL&P
— $
60.3
—
60.3 $
NSTAR
Electric
— $
55.0
61.7
116.7 $
As of December 31,
PSNH
Eversource
— $
25.2
0.7
25.9 $
38.2 $
151.3
76.1
265.6 $
2020
CL&P
— $
57.9
—
57.9 $
NSTAR
Electric
— $
62.1
71.8
133.9 $
PSNH
—
22.5
4.3
26.8
Fair Value Measurements
I.
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, long-
lived assets, equity method investments, and AROs, and in the valuation of the acquisition of CMA’s assets in 2020. The fair value measurement
guidance was also applied in estimating the 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.
The levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
Level 1 - Inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets
are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an
ongoing basis.
Level 2 - Inputs are quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets
that are not active, and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable.
Level 3 - Quoted market prices are not available. Fair value is derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs
or assumptions are unobservable. Where possible, valuation techniques incorporate observable market inputs that can be validated to
external sources such as industry exchanges, including prices of energy and energy-related products.
Uncategorized - Investments that are measured at net asset value are not categorized within the fair value hierarchy.
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," Note 6, "Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates," Note 7, "Asset Retirement
Obligations," Note 11A, "Employee Benefits – Pension Benefits and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension," Note 15, "Fair Value of
Financial Instruments," Note 24, "Acquisition of Assets of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts," and Note 25, “Goodwill,” to the financial statements.
Derivative Accounting
J.
Many of the electric and natural gas companies' contracts for the purchase and sale of energy or energy-related products are derivatives. The
accounting treatment for energy contracts entered into varies and depends on the intended use of the particular contract and on whether or not the
contract is a derivative.
The application of derivative accounting is complex and requires management judgment in the following respects: identification of derivatives and
embedded derivatives, election and designation of a contract as normal, and determination of the fair value of derivative contracts. All of these
judgments can have a significant impact on the financial statements. The judgment applied in the election of a contract as normal (and resulting
accrual accounting) includes the conclusion that it is probable at the inception of the contract and throughout its term that it will result in physical
delivery of the underlying product and that the quantities will be used or sold by the business in the normal course of business. If facts and
circumstances change and management can no longer support this conclusion, then a contract cannot be considered normal, accrual accounting is
terminated, and fair value accounting is applied prospectively.
The fair value of derivative contracts is based upon the contract terms and conditions and the underlying market price or fair value per unit. When
quantities are not specified in the contract, the Company determines whether the contract has a determinable quantity by using amounts referenced
in default provisions and other relevant sections of the contract. The fair value of derivative assets and liabilities with the same counterparty are
offset and recorded as a net derivative asset or liability on the balance sheets.
Regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities are recorded to offset the fair values of derivative contracts related to energy and energy-related products,
as contract settlements are recovered from, or refunded to, customers in future rates. All changes in the fair value of derivative contracts are
recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities and do not impact net income.
For further information regarding derivative contracts, see Note 4, "Derivative Instruments," to the financial statements.
Operating Expenses
K.
Costs related to fuel and natural gas included in Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission on the statements of income were as follows:
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2021
(Millions of Dollars)
Eversource - Natural Gas and Fuel
$
718.6 $
464.2 $
462.1
53
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction
L.
AFUDC represents the cost of borrowed and equity funds used to finance construction and is included in the cost of the electric, natural gas and
water companies' utility plant on the balance sheet. The portion of AFUDC attributable to borrowed funds is recorded as a reduction of Interest
Expense, and the AFUDC related to equity funds is recorded as Other Income, Net on the statements of income. AFUDC costs are recovered from
customers over the service life of the related plant in the form of increased revenue collected as a result of higher depreciation expense.
The average AFUDC rate is based on a FERC-prescribed formula using the cost of a company's short-term financings and capitalization (preferred
stock, long-term debt and common equity), as appropriate. The average rate is applied to average eligible CWIP amounts to calculate AFUDC.
AFUDC costs and the weighted-average AFUDC rates were as follows:
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars, except percentages)
Borrowed Funds
Equity Funds
Total AFUDC
Average AFUDC Rate
55.7
4.2 %
2021
$
$
18.4
37.3
$
$
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
$
23.7
42.0
2019
25.6
45.0
(Millions of Dollars,
except percentages)
Borrowed Funds
Equity Funds
Total AFUDC
Average AFUDC Rate
$
$
2021
NSTAR
Electric
9.0
20.4
CL&P
2.9
7.7
$
$
PSNH
0.8
1.6
$
70.6
5.4 %
65.7
5.0 %
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
NSTAR
Electric
9.1
CL&P
6.6
PSNH
2.1
$
$
$
2019
NSTAR
Electric
10.4
19.8
CL&P
7.1
13.2
$
$
PSNH
2.8
$
$
10.6
5.0 %
$
29.4
4.9 %
$
2.4
2.5 %
13.8
$
20.4
5.9 %
21.5
$
30.6
5.7 %
4.2
$
6.3
4.7 %
$
20.3
6.3 %
$
30.2
5.7 %
3.4
6.2
4.6 %
Other Income, Net
M.
The components of Other Income, Net on the statements of income were as follows:
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Pension, SERP and PBOP Non-Service Income Components (1)
AFUDC Equity
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates (2)
Investment (Loss)/Income
Interest Income
Other
Total Other Income, Net
84.4 $
37.3
14.2
(0.2)
25.6
—
161.3 $
2021
$
$
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
44.4 $
42.0
14.2
1.1
4.8
2.1
108.6 $
2019
31.3
45.0
42.2
0.8
12.8
0.7
132.8
(Millions of Dollars)
Pension, SERP and PBOP Non-Service
Income Components (1)
AFUDC Equity
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated
Affiliates
Investment Income/(Loss)
Interest Income
Other
Total Other Income, Net
2021
NSTAR
Electric
CL&P
PSNH
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
NSTAR
Electric
CL&P
PSNH
2019
NSTAR
Electric
CL&P
PSNH
$
$
15.2 $
7.7
—
1.3
5.9
0.1
30.2 $
40.2 $
20.4
0.4
0.1
13.4
0.3
74.8 $
10.3 $
1.6
—
0.1
2.4
0.2
14.6 $
3.8 $
13.8
—
1.1
2.0
0.1
20.8 $
29.3 $
21.5
0.4
(0.8)
0.9
0.7
52.0 $
7.0 $
4.2
—
0.1
2.4
0.1
13.8 $
0.5 $
13.2
0.1
2.3
1.5
(0.1)
17.5 $
23.5 $
19.8
0.7
(0.4)
0.7
0.3
44.6 $
4.9
3.4
—
0.3
10.5
0.1
19.2
(1) See Note 11A, "Employee Benefits – Pension Benefits and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension," for the components of net periodic
benefit cost for the Pension, SERP and PBOP Plans. The non-service related components of pension, SERP and PBOP benefit costs, after
capitalization or deferral, are presented as non-operating income and recorded in Other Income, Net on the statements of income.
(2) Equity in earnings includes $2.1 million and $20.4 million of pre-tax unrealized gains for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2019,
respectively, and $2.4 million of primarily realized gains for the year ended December 31, 2020, associated with an equity method investment
in a renewable energy fund. Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates includes an other-than-temporary impairment of $2.8 million
related to a write-off of an investment within a renewable energy fund for the year ended December 31, 2020. See Note 6, "Investments in
Unconsolidated Affiliates," for further information.
54
Other Taxes
N.
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 recorded separately with collections in Operating Revenues and with payments in Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
on the statements of income as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
Eversource
CL&P
2021
$
181.9 $
158.1
170.6 $
149.9
2019
163.1
141.1
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
Separate from above were amounts recorded as Taxes Other Than Income Taxes at CL&P related to the remittance to the State of Connecticut of
energy efficiency funds collected from customers of $21.4 million in 2019. Energy efficiency funds collected from customers after July 1, 2019
are no longer subject to remittance to the State of Connecticut. These amounts were recorded separately, with collections in Operating Revenues
and with payments in Taxes Other Than Income Taxes on the Eversource and CL&P statements of income.
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.
O.
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Cash Paid During the Year for:
Interest, Net of Amounts Capitalized
Income Taxes
Non-Cash Investing Activities:
Plant Additions Included in Accounts Payable (As of)
As of and For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2021
2019
$
568.7 $
121.6
467.9
518.0 $
48.9
367.2
532.4
56.0
379.4
(Millions of Dollars)
Cash Paid During the Year for:
Interest, Net of Amounts Capitalized
Income Taxes
Non-Cash Investing Activities:
Plant Additions Included in Accounts
Payable (As of)
2021
CL&P NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
As of and For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
NSTAR
Electric
CL&P
PSNH
2019
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
CL&P
$
161.5 $
38.4
141.6 $
74.2
56.5 $
51.1
149.0 $
10.9
129.4 $
110.7
54.5 $
34.2
144.6 $
80.6
121.9 $
77.9
56.9
3.4
110.6
120.0
68.7
101.8
103.2
33.3
111.3
116.4
49.9
Beginning in 2019, Eversource began issuing treasury shares to satisfy awards under the Company's incentive plans, shares issued under the
dividend reinvestment and share purchase plan, and matching contributions under the Eversource 401k Plan. The issuance of treasury shares
represents a non-cash transaction, as the treasury shares were used to fulfill Eversource's obligations that require the issuance of common shares.
The following table reconciles cash as reported on the balance sheets to the cash and restricted cash balance as reported on the statements of cash
flows:
As of December 31,
(Millions of Dollars)
Cash as reported on the Balance Sheets
Restricted cash included in:
Special Deposits
Marketable Securities
Other Long-Term Assets
Cash and Restricted Cash as reported on the
Statements of Cash Flows
Eversource
$
66.8 $
CL&P
2021
NSTAR
Electric
55.8 $
0.7 $
PSNH
Eversource
— $
106.6 $
CL&P
2020
NSTAR
Electric
90.8 $
0.1 $
78.2
31.3
44.7
18.7
0.3
—
17.4
0.1
—
31.4
0.5
3.2
73.6
41.2
43.6
8.7
0.3
—
17.2
0.1
—
$
221.0 $
74.8 $
18.2 $
35.1 $
265.0 $
99.8 $
17.4 $
PSNH
0.1
36.8
0.6
2.1
39.6
Special Deposits represent cash collections related to the PSNH RRB customer charges that are held in trust, required ISO-NE cash deposits, a
customer assistance fund at CL&P established under the terms of the PURA-approved October 2021 settlement agreement, and CYAPC and YAEC
cash balances. Special Deposits are included in Current Assets on the balance sheets. Restricted cash included in Marketable Securities 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 storage obligations. Restricted cash included in Other Long-Term Assets includes $41.5 million related to an Energy Relief Fund for energy
efficiency and clean energy measures in the Merrimack Valley, and an additional energy efficiency program established under the terms of the
EGMA 2020 settlement agreement.
Related Parties
P.
Eversource Service, Eversource's service company, provides centralized accounting, administrative, engineering, financial, information
technology, legal, operational, planning, purchasing, tax, and other services to Eversource's companies. The Rocky River Realty Company and
Properties, Inc., two other Eversource subsidiaries, construct, acquire or lease some of the property and facilities used by Eversource's companies.
As of both December 31, 2021 and 2020, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH had long-term receivables from Eversource Service in the amounts of
$25.0 million, $5.5 million and $3.8 million, respectively, which were included in Other Long-Term Assets on the balance sheets. These amounts
55
related to the funding of investments held in trust by Eversource Service in connection with certain postretirement benefits for CL&P, NSTAR
Electric and PSNH employees and have been eliminated in consolidation on the Eversource financial statements.
Included in the CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH balance sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 were Accounts Receivable from Affiliated
Companies and Accounts Payable to Affiliated Companies relating to transactions between CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH and other
subsidiaries that are wholly-owned by Eversource. These amounts have been eliminated in consolidation on the Eversource financial statements.
The Eversource Energy Foundation is an independent not-for-profit charitable entity and is not included in the consolidated financial statements of
Eversource as the Company does not have title to, and cannot receive contributions back from, the Eversource Energy Foundation's assets.
Eversource did not make any contributions to the Eversource Energy Foundation in 2021 and 2019, and made contributions of $6.4 million in
2020.
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, plus a return on investment.
The application of accounting guidance for rate-regulated enterprises results in recording regulatory assets and liabilities. Regulatory assets
represent the deferral of incurred costs that are probable of future recovery in customer rates. Regulatory assets are amortized as the incurred costs
are recovered through customer rates. Regulatory liabilities represent either revenues received from customers to fund expected costs that have not
yet been incurred or probable future refunds to customers.
Management believes it is probable that each of the regulated companies will recover its respective investments in long-lived assets and the
regulatory assets that have been recorded. If management were to determine that it could no longer apply the accounting guidance applicable to
rate-regulated enterprises, or if management could not conclude it is probable that costs would be recovered from customers in future rates, the
applicable costs would be charged to net income in the period in which the determination is made.
Regulatory Assets: The components of regulatory assets were as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
Benefit Costs
Income Taxes, Net
Securitized Stranded Costs
Storm Costs, Net
Regulatory Tracker Mechanisms
Derivative Liabilities
Goodwill-related
Asset Retirement Obligations
Other Regulatory Assets
Total Regulatory Assets
Less: Current Portion
Total Long-Term Regulatory Assets
2021
NSTAR
Electric
CL&P
Eversource
$ 1,481.0 $
790.7
478.9
1,102.7
1,050.5
249.2
297.8
115.0
150.0
5,715.8
1,129.1
395.5 $
112.6
—
341.3
376.6
—
255.7
59.8
37.7
1,579.2
444.0
$ 4,586.7 $ 1,713.2 $ 1,135.2 $
272.4 $
470.5
—
695.6
333.6
249.2
—
33.6
29.9
2,084.8
371.6
As of December 31,
2020
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
CL&P
Eversource
118.9 $ 2,794.2 $
690.0 $
747.1
17.5
110.4
522.1
478.9
—
765.6
65.8
186.4
850.5
85.4
332.2
296.3
—
—
314.7
—
270.2
118.4
4.1
58.6
161.0
15.8
56.1
6,569.9
786.4
1,703.9
399.9
1,076.6
107.2
679.2 $ 5,493.3 $ 1,866.2 $ 1,304.0 $
632.3 $
458.9
—
515.1
246.6
293.1
—
32.1
33.7
2,211.8
345.6
PSNH
267.6
15.2
522.1
64.1
95.3
—
—
3.9
20.9
989.1
115.9
873.2
Benefit Costs: Eversource's Pension, SERP and PBOP Plans are accounted for in accordance with accounting guidance on defined benefit pension
and other PBOP plans. The liability (or asset) recorded by the regulated companies to recognize the funded status of their retiree benefit plans is
offset by a regulatory asset (or offset by a regulatory liability in the case of a benefit plan asset) in lieu of a charge to Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income/(Loss), reflecting ultimate recovery from customers through rates. The regulatory asset (or regulatory liability) is
amortized as the actuarial gains and losses and prior service cost are amortized to net periodic benefit cost for the pension and PBOP plans. All
amounts are remeasured annually. Regulatory accounting is also applied to the portions of Eversource's service company costs that support the
regulated companies, as these amounts are also recoverable. As these regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities do not represent a cash outlay for
the regulated companies, no carrying charge is recovered from customers. See Note 11A, "Employee Benefits - Pension Benefits and
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension," for further information on regulatory benefit plan amounts recognized and amortized during the year.
CL&P, NSTAR Electric, and PSNH recover benefit costs related to their distribution and transmission operations from customers in rates as
allowed by their applicable regulatory commissions. NSTAR Electric recovers qualified pension and PBOP expenses related to its distribution
operations through a rate reconciling mechanism that fully tracks the change in net pension and PBOP expenses each year.
Income Taxes, Net: The tax effect of temporary book-tax differences (differences between the periods in which transactions affect income in the
financial statements and the periods in which they affect the determination of taxable income, including those differences relating to uncertain tax
positions) is accounted for in accordance with the rate-making treatment of the applicable regulatory commissions and accounting guidance for
income taxes. Differences in income taxes between the accounting guidance and the rate-making treatment of the applicable regulatory
commissions are recorded as regulatory assets. As these assets are offset by deferred income tax liabilities, no carrying charge is collected. The
amortization period of these assets varies depending on the nature and/or remaining life of the underlying assets and liabilities. For further
information regarding income taxes, see Note 12, "Income Taxes," to the financial statements.
Securitized Stranded Costs: In 2018, a subsidiary of PSNH issued $635.7 million of securitized RRBs to finance PSNH's unrecovered remaining
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 expected to be repaid by February 1, 2033. For further
information, see Note 10, "Rate Reduction Bonds and Variable Interest Entities."
56
Storm Costs, Net: The storm cost deferrals relate to costs incurred for storm events at CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH that each company
expects to recover from customers. A storm must meet certain criteria to qualify for deferral and 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. In addition to storm restoration
costs, CL&P and PSNH are each allowed to recover pre-staging storm costs. Management believes all storm costs deferred were prudently
incurred 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. Each electric utility company either recovers a carrying charge on its deferred
storm cost regulatory asset balance or the regulatory asset balance is included in rate base.
In 2021 and 2020, multiple tropical and severe storms caused extensive damage to CL&P’s electric distribution systems and customer outages,
along with significant pre-staging costs. These storms resulted in deferred pre-staging and storm restoration costs at CL&P of $232 million for
2021 storms and $344 million for 2020 storms, including the catastrophic impact of Tropical Storm Isaias in August 2020, among others.
Management believes that all of these storm costs were prudently incurred and meet the criteria for specific cost recovery. As part of CL&P’s
October 1, 2021 settlement agreement described below, it agreed to freeze its current base distribution rates (including storm costs) until no earlier
than January 1, 2024.
Of Eversource’s total deferred storm costs, $1.01 billion either has yet to be filed with the applicable regulatory commission or is pending
regulatory approval (including $643 million at CL&P, $308 million at NSTAR Electric and $61 million at PSNH) as of December 31, 2021.
CL&P Tropical Storm Isaias Costs: On August 4, 2020, Tropical Storm Isaias caused catastrophic damage to our electric distribution system,
which resulted in significant numbers and durations of customer outages, primarily in Connecticut. In terms of customer outages, this storm was
one of the worst in CL&P’s history. PURA will investigate the prudency of costs incurred by CL&P to restore service in response to Tropical
Storm Isaias. That investigation is expected to occur either in a separate proceeding not yet initiated or as part of CL&P’s next rate review
proceeding. Tropical Storm Isaias resulted in deferred storm restoration costs of approximately $234 million at CL&P and $251 million at
Eversource as of December 31, 2021. Although PURA found that CL&P’s performance in its preparation for and response to Tropical Storm Isaias
fell below applicable performance standards in certain instances, CL&P believes it will be able to present credible evidence in a future proceeding
demonstrating there is no reasonably close causal connection between the alleged sub-standard performance and the storm costs incurred. While it
is possible that some amount of storm costs may be disallowed by the PURA in a future proceeding, any such amount cannot be estimated at this
time. Eversource and CL&P continue to believe that these storm restoration costs associated with Tropical Storm Isaias were prudently incurred
and meet the criteria for cost recovery; and as a result, management does not expect the storm cost review by the PURA to have a material impact
on the financial position or results of operations of Eversource or CL&P.
NSTAR Electric Storm Threshold Filing: On December 22, 2021, the DPU approved NSTAR Electric to defer for future recovery the storm cost
threshold amounts associated with six qualifying major storm events that occurred during 2020, totaling $7.2 million. The DPU approved the
deferral of threshold costs that exceeded four storms (those recovered in base rates plus one additional storm) until the next rate case proceeding, at
which time the DPU will determine the appropriate level of recovery of storm threshold amounts. In its January 14, 2022 distribution rate case
filing, NSTAR Electric is also seeking recovery of the deferral of threshold costs for an additional seven storms in 2021. The pre-tax benefit to
earnings for the deferral as a regulatory asset of threshold costs for both the 2020 and 2021 major storms was $15.6 million and was recorded in
the fourth quarter of 2021.
Regulatory Tracker Mechanisms: The regulated companies' approved rates are designed to recover costs incurred to provide service to customers.
The regulated companies recover certain of their costs on a fully-reconciling basis through regulatory commission-approved tracking mechanisms.
The differences between the costs incurred (or the rate recovery allowed) and the actual revenues are recorded as regulatory assets (for
undercollections) or as regulatory liabilities (for overcollections) to be included in future customer rates each year. Carrying charges are recovered
in rates on all material regulatory tracker mechanisms.
The electric and natural gas distribution companies recover, on a fully reconciling basis, the costs associated with the procurement of energy
supply, electric transmission related costs from FERC-approved transmission tariffs, energy efficiency programs, low income assistance programs,
certain uncollectible accounts receivable for hardship customers, restructuring and stranded costs as a result of deregulation (including securitized
RRB charges), certain capital tracking mechanisms for infrastructure improvements, and additionally for the Massachusetts utilities, pension and
PBOP benefits, net metering for distributed generation, and solar-related programs.
CL&P, NSTAR Electric, Yankee Gas, NSTAR Gas, EGMA and the Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut each have a regulatory commission
approved revenue decoupling mechanism. Distribution revenues are decoupled from customer sales volumes, where applicable, which breaks the
relationship between sales volumes and revenues. Each company reconciles its annual base distribution rate recovery amount to the pre-
established levels of baseline distribution delivery service revenues. 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.
CL&P Rate Adjustment Mechanisms (RAM) Filing: On July 31, 2020, PURA temporarily suspended its June 26, 2020 approval of certain
delivery rate components effective July 1, 2020, and ordered CL&P to restore rates to those in effect as of June 30, 2020 in order to allow PURA
time to reexamine the rates. Rates were adjusted effective August 1, 2020. On September 15, 2021, PURA issued its final decision in the 2020
RAM reconciliation filing, which required no adjustment to the GSC, BFMCC, NBFMCC, SBC, CTA, ESI and base distribution rates, but resulted
in changes to the TAC and RDM rates effective October 1, 2021. As part of this decision, PURA also approved the recovery of cumulative under-
recoveries associated with the NBMFCC, TAC, and RDM of $193 million effective October 1, 2021. The NBFMCC and TAC under-recoveries
will be recovered over a 31-month period and the RDM under-recovery will be recovered over a 15-month period.
Derivative Liabilities: Regulatory assets are recorded as an offset to derivative liabilities and relate to the fair value of contracts used to purchase
energy and energy-related products that will be recovered from customers in future rates. These assets are excluded from rate base and are being
recovered as the actual settlements occur over the duration of the contracts. See Note 4, "Derivative Instruments," to the financial statements for
further information on these contracts.
Goodwill-related: The goodwill regulatory asset originated from a 1999 transaction, and the DPU allowed its recovery in NSTAR Electric and
NSTAR Gas rates. This regulatory asset is currently being amortized and recovered from customers in rates without a carrying charge over a 40-
year period, and as of December 31, 2021, there were 18 years of amortization remaining.
Asset Retirement Obligations: The costs associated with the depreciation of the regulated companies' ARO assets and accretion of the ARO
liabilities are recorded as regulatory assets in accordance with regulatory accounting guidance. The regulated companies' ARO assets, regulatory
assets, and ARO liabilities offset and are excluded from rate base. These costs are being recovered over the life of the underlying property, plant
and equipment.
57
Other Regulatory Assets: Other Regulatory Assets primarily include environmental remediation costs, losses associated with the reacquisition or
redemption of long-term debt, certain uncollectible accounts receivable for hardship customers, certain merger-related costs allowed for recovery,
contractual obligations associated with the spent nuclear fuel storage costs of the CYAPC, YAEC and MYAPC decommissioned nuclear power
facilities, water tank painting costs, and various other items.
Regulatory Costs in Long-Term Assets: Eversource's regulated companies had $252.5 million (including $114.9 million for CL&P, $85.0 million
for NSTAR Electric and $3.4 million for PSNH) and $196.9 million (including $84.1 million for CL&P, $69.8 million for NSTAR Electric and
$4.3 million for PSNH) of additional regulatory costs as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, 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.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, these regulatory costs included net incremental COVID-19 related costs deferred of $39.8 million and
$24.0 million at Eversource, respectively, of which, $33.0 million and $15.8 million related to non-tracked uncollectible expense and the
remainder related to facilities and fleet cleaning, sanitizing costs and supplies for personal protective equipment. Net incremental COVID-19
related costs deferred at CL&P and NSTAR Electric totaled $19.0 million and $11.2 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2021 and
$4.7 million and $11.9 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2020, and primarily related to deferred non-tracked uncollectible expense.
Equity Return on Regulatory Assets: For rate-making purposes, the regulated companies recover the carrying costs related to their regulatory
assets. For certain regulatory assets, the carrying cost recovered includes an equity return component. This equity return is not recorded on the
balance sheets. There was no equity return for CL&P as of December 31, 2021 and $0.2 million as of December 31, 2020. The equity return for
PSNH was $5.0 million and $5.1 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. These carrying costs will be recovered from customers
in future rates.
Regulatory Liabilities: The components of regulatory liabilities were as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
EDIT due to Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
Cost of Removal
Benefit Costs
Regulatory Tracker Mechanisms
AFUDC - Transmission
CL&P Settlement Agreement and Storm
Performance Penalty
Other Regulatory Liabilities
Total Regulatory Liabilities
Less: Current Portion
Total Long-Term Regulatory Liabilities
Eversource
$ 2,685.2 $
649.6
133.5
448.4
81.0
2021
NSTAR
Electric
CL&P
996.1 $
100.1
—
182.0
43.2
984.5 $
381.0
107.4
185.1
37.8
As of December 31,
2020
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
Eversource
CL&P
359.2 $ 2,778.6 $ 1,010.7 $ 1,044.0 $
363.6
17.2
72.5
—
139.7
107.0
32.2
—
624.8
83.6
366.5
76.8
98.4
—
148.9
44.6
81.3
389.7
4,468.7
602.4
—
91.5
1,787.3
228.2
$ 3,866.3 $ 1,193.3 $ 1,559.1 $
81.3
57.1
1,459.8
266.5
—
—
63.2
18.2
1,715.2
501.6
164.8
120.2
381.4 $ 3,850.8 $ 1,204.9 $ 1,550.4 $
—
309.9
4,240.2
389.4
—
39.5
1,342.1
137.2
PSNH
371.5
12.9
—
47.8
—
—
9.8
442.0
58.8
383.2
EDIT due to Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017: Pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Eversource had remeasured its existing deferred
federal income tax balances to reflect the decrease in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. The remeasurement
resulted in provisional regulated excess accumulated deferred income tax (excess ADIT or EDIT) liabilities that will benefit our customers in
future periods and were recognized as regulatory liabilities on the balance sheet. EDIT liabilities related to property, plant, and equipment are
subject to IRS normalization rules and will be returned to customers using the same timing as the remaining useful lives of the underlying assets
that gave rise to the ADIT liabilities. Eversource's regulated companies (except for the Connecticut water business) are in the process of refunding
the EDIT liabilities to customers based on orders issued by applicable state and federal regulatory commissions.
Cost of Removal: Eversource's regulated companies currently recover amounts in rates for future costs of removal of plant assets over the lives of
the assets. The estimated cost to remove utility assets from service is recognized as a component of depreciation expense, and the cumulative
amount collected from customers but not yet expended is recognized as a regulatory liability.
AFUDC - Transmission: Regulatory liabilities were recorded by CL&P and NSTAR Electric for AFUDC accrued on certain reliability-related
transmission projects to reflect local rate base recovery. These regulatory liabilities will be amortized over the depreciable life of the related
transmission assets.
CL&P Settlement Agreement and Storm Performance Penalty: On April 28, 2021, PURA issued a final decision on CL&P’s compliance with its
emergency response plan that concluded CL&P failed to comply with certain storm performance standards and was imprudent in certain instances.
The $28.4 million performance penalty assessed by the PURA was recorded within current regulatory liabilities on CL&P’s balance sheet and is
currently being credited to customers on electric bills beginning on September 1, 2021 over a one-year period.
On October 1, 2021, CL&P entered into a settlement agreement with the DEEP, Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC), Office of the Attorney
General (AG) and the Connecticut Industrial Energy Consumers, resolving certain issues that arose in then-pending regulatory proceedings
initiated by the PURA. PURA approved the settlement agreement on October 27, 2021. CL&P recorded a current regulatory liability of
$75 million on the balance sheet associated with the provisions of the settlement agreement. Customer credits of $65 million were distributed
based on customer sales over a two-month billing period from December 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022. CL&P also agreed to irrevocably set aside
$10 million to provide bill payment assistance to certain existing non-hardship and hardship customers carrying arrearages, with the objective of
disbursing the funds prior to April 30, 2022.
The balance reflected in the table above represents the remaining reserve that has not yet been issued as customer credits or paid out of the fund as
of December 31, 2021. See Note 13G, “Commitments and Contingencies - CL&P Regulatory Matters,” for further information.
58
Other Regulatory Liabilities: Other Regulatory Liabilities primarily include the deferred portion of the non-service components of net periodic
benefit expense/(income) for the Pension, SERP and PBOP Plans, EGMA’s acquired regulatory liability as a result of the 2020 DPU-approved rate
settlement agreement and the CMA asset acquisition on October 9, 2020, and various other items.
FERC ROE Complaints: As of December 31, 2021, Eversource has a reserve established for the second ROE complaint period in the pending
FERC ROE complaint proceedings, which was recorded as a regulatory liability and is reflected within Regulatory Tracker Mechanisms in the
table above. The cumulative pre-tax reserve (excluding interest) as of December 31, 2021 totaled $39.1 million for Eversource (including $21.4
million for CL&P, $14.6 million for NSTAR Electric and $3.1 million for PSNH). See Note 13E, "Commitments and Contingencies – FERC ROE
Complaints," for further information on developments in the pending ROE complaint proceedings.
3.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Utility property, plant and equipment is recorded at original cost. Original cost includes materials, labor, construction overheads and AFUDC for
regulated property. The cost of repairs and maintenance is charged to Operations and Maintenance expense as incurred.
$
2020
2021
As of December 31,
The following tables summarize property, plant and equipment by asset category:
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Distribution - Electric
Distribution - Natural Gas
Transmission - Electric
Distribution - Water
Solar
Utility
Other (1)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
Less: Accumulated Depreciation
17,679.1 $
6,694.8
12,882.4
1,900.9
200.9
39,358.1
1,469.5
40,827.6
16,703.2
6,111.2
11,954.0
1,743.1
201.5
36,713.0
1,269.0
37,982.0
(8,885.2)
(580.1)
(9,465.3)
31,362.3
2,015.4
33,377.7 $
(8,476.3)
(477.6)
(8,953.9)
29,028.1
1,854.4
30,882.5
Utility
Other
Total Accumulated Depreciation
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Construction Work in Progress
Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
(Millions of Dollars)
Distribution - Electric
Transmission - Electric
Solar
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
Less: Accumulated Depreciation
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Construction Work in Progress
Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
$
$
$
CL&P
7,117.6 $
5,859.0
—
12,976.6
(2,572.1)
10,404.5
399.0
10,803.5 $
2021
NSTAR
Electric
8,105.5 $
5,090.5
200.9
13,396.9
(3,227.3)
10,169.6
707.0
10,876.6 $
As of December 31,
PSNH
2,496.2 $
1,934.6
—
4,430.8
(908.4)
3,522.4
134.1
3,656.5 $
CL&P
6,820.7 $
5,512.0
—
12,332.7
(2,475.4)
9,857.3
377.3
10,234.6 $
2020
NSTAR
Electric
7,544.4 $
4,701.3
201.5
12,447.2
(3,074.1)
9,373.1
750.0
10,123.1 $
PSNH
2,378.4
1,742.4
—
4,120.8
(848.9)
3,271.9
102.4
3,374.3
(1) These assets are primarily comprised of computer software, hardware and equipment at Eversource Service and buildings at The Rocky River
Realty Company.
On October 9, 2020, Eversource completed the CMA asset acquisition. EGMA’s net plant assets of $1.2 billion are reflected in the natural gas
distribution asset category.
On July 31, 2020, Eversource sold its water system and treatment plant that supplies water to the towns of Hingham, Hull and North Cohasset to
the town of Hingham, Massachusetts. Net property, plant and equipment of $63.9 million and goodwill of $23.6 million were included in
determining the gain on sale. Proceeds from the sale were $110.5 million, with a pre-tax gain of $16.0 million (after-tax gain of $3.5 million)
recognized within Operations and Maintenance Expense on the statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2020. The assets and
liabilities associated with the sale of the business were previously reflected in the Water Distribution segment and reporting unit.
Depreciation: Depreciation of utility assets is calculated on a straight-line basis using composite rates based on the estimated remaining useful
lives of the various classes of property (estimated useful life for PSNH distribution and the water utilities). The composite rates, which are subject
to approval by the appropriate state regulatory agency, include a cost of removal component, which is collected from customers over the lives of
the plant assets and is recognized as a regulatory liability. Depreciation rates are applied to property from the time it is placed in service.
Upon retirement from service, the cost of the utility asset is charged to the accumulated provision for depreciation. The actual incurred removal
costs are applied against the related regulatory liability.
59
The depreciation rates for the various classes of utility property, plant and equipment aggregate to composite rates as follows:
(Percent)
Eversource
CL&P
NSTAR Electric
PSNH
3.0 %
2.8 %
2.8 %
2.8 %
3.1 %
2.8 %
2.8 %
3.1 %
3.0 %
2.8 %
2.8 %
2.8 %
2019
2020
2021
The following table summarizes average remaining useful lives of depreciable assets:
(Years)
Distribution - Electric
Distribution - Natural Gas
Transmission - Electric
Distribution - Water
Solar
Other (1)
Eversource
33.4
39.5
40.2
38.5
24.2
11.2
As of December 31, 2021
CL&P
NSTAR Electric
35.3
—
36.5
—
—
—
33.1
—
45.1
—
24.2
—
PSNH
29.7
—
40.8
—
—
—
(1) The estimated useful life of computer software, hardware and equipment primarily ranges from 5 to 15 years and of buildings is 40 years.
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.
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:
Fair
Value
Hierarchy
Commodity Supply
and Price Risk
Management
2021
Netting (1)
As of December 31,
Net Amount
Recorded as
a Derivative
Commodity Supply
and Price Risk
Management
2020
Netting (1)
Net Amount
Recorded as
a Derivative
(Millions of Dollars)
Current Derivative Assets:
CL&P
Long-Term Derivative Assets:
CL&P
Current Derivative Liabilities:
CL&P
Other
Long-Term Derivative Liabilities:
CL&P
Level 3 $
14.7 $
(1.0) $
13.7 $
13.7 $
Level 3
Level 3
Level 2
Level 3
46.9
(73.5)
—
(235.4)
(0.9)
—
—
—
46.0
(73.5)
—
58.7
(68.8)
(3.3)
(235.4)
(294.5)
(0.4) $
(1.8)
—
0.1
—
13.3
56.9
(68.8)
(3.2)
(294.5)
(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.
The business activities that result in the recognition of derivative assets also create exposure to various counterparties. As of December 31, 2021,
CL&P's derivative assets were exposed to counterparty credit risk and contracted with investment grade entities.
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 capacities of these contracts as of both December 31, 2021 and 2020 were 675 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.
As of December 31, 2020, Eversource had New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) financial contracts for natural gas futures in order to reduce
variability associated with the price of 8.9 million MMBtu of natural gas. These contracts were classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
NSTAR Gas terminated its financial contracts swap program in April 2021.
For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, there were losses of $7.1 million, $21.2 million and $20.7 million, respectively, deferred
as regulatory costs, which reflect the change in fair value associated with Eversource's derivative contracts.
60
Fair Value Measurements of Derivative Instruments
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-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-related
products, and accounting requirements. The future 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 Level 3 derivative contracts and the range of the significant unobservable inputs utilized in the valuations over the
duration of the contracts:
2021
As of December 31,
2020
Weighted
Average (1)
CL&P
Capacity Prices
$
Forward Reserve $ 0.50 — $1.15 $
Period
Covered
2025 - 2026 $ 4.30 — $5.30 $
2.61 per kW-Month
0.82 per kW-Month 2022 - 2024 $ 0.54 — $0.90 $
Range
$2.61
Range
Weighted
Average (1)
4.63 per kW-Month
0.72 per kW-Month
Period
Covered
2024 - 2026
2021 - 2024
(1) Unobservable inputs were weighted by the relative future capacity and forward reserve prices and contractual MWs over the periods
covered.
Exit price premiums of 5.0 percent through 9.3 percent, or a weighted average of 8.2 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. The risk
premium was weighted by the relative fair value of the net derivative instruments.
Significant increases or decreases in future capacity or forward reserve 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.
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
(Millions of Dollars)
Derivatives, Net:
Fair Value as of Beginning of Period
Net Realized/Unrealized Losses Included in Regulatory Assets
Settlements
Fair Value as of End of Period
5.
MARKETABLE SECURITIES
For the Years Ended December 31,
2021
2020
$
$
(293.1) $
(8.5)
52.4
(249.2) $
(329.2)
(17.9)
54.0
(293.1)
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 and available-for-sale
debt marketable securities are recorded at fair value, with the current portion recorded in Prepayments and Other Current Assets and the long-term
portion recorded in Marketable Securities on the balance sheets.
Equity Securities: Unrealized gains and losses on equity securities held in Eversource's non-qualified executive benefit trust are recorded in Other
Income, Net on the statements of income. The fair value of these equity securities as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $40.2 million and $40.9
million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were unrealized gains of $4.4 million and $3.7 million recorded in
Other Income, Net related to these equity securities, respectively.
Eversource's equity securities also include CYAPC's and YAEC's marketable securities held in spent nuclear fuel trusts, which had fair values of
$214.0 million and $205.1 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Unrealized gains and losses for these spent nuclear fuel trusts
are subject to regulatory accounting treatment and are recorded in Marketable Securities with the corresponding offset to 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:
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Debt Securities
Amortized
Cost
Pre-Tax
Unrealized
Gains
Pre-Tax
Unrealized
Losses
$
214.5 $
5.1 $
(0.2) $
Fair Value Amortized
Cost
219.4 $
213.1 $
2020
Pre-Tax
Unrealized
Gains
Pre-Tax
Unrealized
Losses
11.2 $
(0.1) $
224.2
Fair Value
2021
As of December 31,
Eversource's debt securities include CYAPC's and YAEC's marketable securities held in spent nuclear fuel trusts in the amounts of $189.9 million
and $192.5 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, 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, excluding amounts related to credit losses or losses on securities intended to be sold, which are recorded in Other Income,
Net. There have been no significant unrealized losses and no credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, and no allowance for
credit losses as of December 31, 2021. Factors considered in determining whether a credit loss exists include adverse conditions specifically
61
affecting the issuer, the payment history, ratings and rating changes of the security, and the severity of the impairment. For asset-backed debt
securities, underlying collateral and expected future cash flows are also evaluated. Debt securities included in Eversource's non-qualified benefit
trust portfolio are investment-grade bonds with a lower default risk based on their credit quality.
As of December 31, 2021, the contractual maturities of available-for-sale debt securities were as follows:
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Less than one year (1)
One to five years
Six to ten years
Greater than ten years
Total Debt Securities
Amortized
Cost
32.2 $
60.5
35.7
86.1
214.5 $
$
$
Fair
Value
32.2
61.4
36.8
89.0
219.4
(1) Amounts in the Less than one year category include securities in the CYAPC and YAEC spent nuclear fuel 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 benefit trust and are offset in 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 spent nuclear fuel 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)
Level 1:
Mutual Funds and Equities
Money Market Funds
Total Level 1
Level 2:
U.S. Government Issued Debt Securities (Agency and Treasury)
Corporate Debt Securities
Asset-Backed Debt Securities
Municipal Bonds
Other Fixed Income Securities
Total Level 2
Total Marketable Securities
As of December 31,
2021
2020
254.2 $
31.3
285.5 $
81.3 $
65.3
12.6
12.3
16.6
188.1 $
473.6 $
246.0
41.2
287.2
72.9
63.8
11.9
24.0
10.4
183.0
470.2
$
$
$
$
$
U.S. government issued debt securities are valued using market approaches that incorporate transactions for the same or similar bonds and
adjustments for yields and maturity dates. Corporate debt securities are valued using a market approach, utilizing recent trades of the same or
similar 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.
INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES
Investments in entities that are not consolidated are included in long-term assets on the balance sheets and earnings impacts from these equity
investments are included in Other Income, Net on the statements of income. Eversource's investments included the following:
Investment Balance as of December 31,
(Millions of Dollars)
Offshore Wind Business - North East Offshore
Natural Gas Pipeline - Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC
Renewable Energy Investment Fund
Other
Total Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates
Ownership Interest
2021
2020
50 % $
15 %
90 %
various
$
1,213.6 $
121.9
76.5
24.3
1,436.3 $
887.1
125.2
71.6
23.2
1,107.1
For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, Eversource had equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates of $14.2 million, $14.2
million, and $42.2 million, respectively. Eversource received dividends from its equity method investees of $21.6 million, $21.8 million, and
$48.9 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.
Investments in affiliates where Eversource has the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over an investee are initially recognized
as an equity method investment at cost. Any differences between the cost of an investment and the amount of underlying equity in net assets of an
investee are considered basis differences, and are determined based upon the estimated fair values of the investee's identifiable assets and
liabilities. The carrying amount of Eversource’s offshore wind investments exceeded its share of underlying equity in net assets by $300.4 million
and $264.1 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. As of December 31, 2021, these basis differences are primarily comprised of
$168.9 million of equity method goodwill that is not being amortized, intangible assets for PPAs, and capitalized interest.
62
Offshore Wind Business: Eversource's offshore wind business includes a 50 percent ownership interest in North East Offshore, which holds PPAs
and contracts for the Revolution Wind, South Fork Wind and Sunrise Wind projects, as well as offshore leases issued by BOEM. Eversource's
offshore wind projects are being developed and constructed through a joint and equal partnership with Ørsted. This equity investment includes
capital expenditures for the three projects, as well as capitalized costs related to future development, acquisition costs of offshore lease areas, and
capitalized interest.
NSTAR Electric: As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, NSTAR Electric's investments included a 14.5 percent ownership interest in two companies
that transmit hydro-electricity imported from the Hydro-Quebec system in Canada of $9.0 million and $8.6 million, respectively.
Impairment of Equity Method Investments: Equity method investments are assessed for impairment when conditions exist that indicate that the fair
value of the investment is less than book value. If the decline in value is considered to be other-than-temporary, the investment is written down to
its estimated fair value, which establishes a new cost basis in the investment. Impairment evaluations involve a significant degree of judgment and
estimation, including identifying circumstances that indicate an impairment may exist and developing undiscounted future cash flows.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, Eversource recorded an other-than-temporary impairment of $2.8 million within Other Income, Net on
the statement of income, related to a write-off of an investment within a renewable energy fund.
7.
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
Eversource, including CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, recognizes a liability for the fair value of an ARO on the obligation date if the liability's
fair value can be reasonably estimated, even if it is conditional on a future event. Settlement dates and future costs are reasonably estimated when
sufficient information becomes available. Management has identified various categories of AROs, primarily CYAPC's and YAEC's obligation to
dispose of spent nuclear fuel and high level waste, and also certain assets containing asbestos and hazardous contamination. Management has
performed fair value calculations reflecting expected probabilities for settlement scenarios.
The fair value of an ARO is recorded as a long-term liability with a corresponding amount included in Property, Plant and Equipment, Net on the
balance sheets. The ARO assets are depreciated, and the ARO liabilities are accreted over the estimated life of the obligation and the
corresponding credits are recorded as accumulated depreciation and ARO liabilities, respectively. As the electric and natural gas companies are
rate-regulated on a cost-of-service basis, these companies apply regulatory accounting guidance and both the depreciation and accretion costs
associated with these companies' AROs are recorded as increases to Regulatory Assets on the balance sheets.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending carrying amounts of ARO liabilities is as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
Balance as of Beginning of Year
Liability Assumed Upon CMA Asset
Acquisition
Liabilities Incurred During the Year
Liabilities Settled During the Year
Accretion
Revisions in Estimated Cash Flows
Balance as of End of Year
Eversource
$
2021
CL&P
33.4 $
—
—
(0.6)
2.2
—
35.0 $
NSTAR
Electric
91.8 $
—
—
—
4.0
1.7
97.5 $
499.7 $
—
—
(23.9)
29.4
(5.1)
500.1 $
$
As of December 31,
PSNH
Eversource
4.4 $
—
—
—
0.3
—
4.7 $
489.5 $
20.1
2.1
(21.8)
28.9
(19.1)
499.7 $
2020
CL&P
32.0 $
—
—
(0.7)
2.1
—
33.4 $
NSTAR
Electric
97.5 $
—
2.1
(1.0)
4.3
(11.1)
91.8 $
PSNH
4.2
—
—
—
0.2
—
4.4
Eversource's amounts include CYAPC and YAEC's AROs of $325.9 million and $330.3 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The fair value of the ARO for CYAPC and YAEC includes uncertainties of the fuel off-load dates related to the DOE's timing of performance
regarding its obligation to dispose of the spent nuclear fuel and high level waste and other assumptions, including discount rates. The incremental
asset recorded as an offset to the ARO liability was fully depreciated since the plants have no remaining useful life. Any changes in the ARO
liability are recorded with a corresponding offset to the related regulatory asset. The assets held in the CYAPC and YAEC spent nuclear fuel trusts
are restricted for settling the ARO and all other nuclear fuel storage obligations. For further information on the assets held in the spent nuclear fuel
trusts, see Note 5, "Marketable Securities," to the financial statements.
8.
SHORT-TERM DEBT
Short-Term Debt - Borrowing Limits: The amount of short-term borrowings that may be incurred by CL&P and NSTAR Electric is subject to
periodic approval by the FERC. Because the NHPUC has jurisdiction over PSNH's short-term debt, PSNH is not currently required to obtain
FERC approval for its short-term borrowings. On December 3, 2021, the FERC granted authorization that allows CL&P to issue total short-term
borrowings in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $600 million outstanding at any one time, through December 31, 2023. On December
3, 2021, the FERC granted authorization that allows NSTAR Electric to issue total short-term borrowings in an aggregate principal amount not to
exceed $655 million outstanding at any one time, through December 31, 2023.
PSNH is authorized by regulation of the NHPUC to incur short-term borrowings up to 10 percent of net fixed plant plus an additional $60 million
until further ordered by the NHPUC. As of December 31, 2021, PSNH's short-term debt authorization under the 10 percent of net fixed plant test
plus $60 million totaled $408 million.
CL&P's certificate of incorporation contains preferred stock provisions restricting the amount of unsecured debt that CL&P may incur, including
limiting unsecured indebtedness with a maturity of less than 10 years to 10 percent of total capitalization. As of December 31, 2021, CL&P had
$963.6 million of unsecured debt capacity available under this authorization.
Yankee Gas, NSTAR Gas and EGMA are not required to obtain approval from any state or federal authority to incur short-term debt.
Short-Term Debt - Commercial Paper Programs and Credit Agreements: Eversource parent has a $2.00 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, Yankee Gas,
EGMA and Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut are parties to a five-year $2.00 billion revolving credit facility, which terminates on
October 15, 2026. This revolving credit facility serves to backstop Eversource parent's $2.00 billion commercial paper program.
63
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, which terminates on October 15, 2026. The revolving credit
facility serves to backstop NSTAR Electric's $650 million commercial paper program.
The amount of borrowings outstanding and available under the commercial paper programs were as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
Eversource Parent Commercial Paper Program
NSTAR Electric Commercial Paper Program
$
Borrowings Outstanding
as of December 31,
2020
2021
1,054.3 $
1,343.0 $
195.0
162.5
Available Borrowing Capacity
as of December 31,
2020
2021
Weighted-Average Interest Rate
as of December 31,
2020
2021
657.0 $
487.5
945.7
455.0
0.31 %
0.14 %
0.25 %
0.16 %
There were no borrowings outstanding on the revolving credit facilities as of December 31, 2021 or 2020.
CL&P and PSNH have uncommitted line of credit agreements totaling $450 million and $300 million, respectively, which will expire on May 12,
2022. There are no borrowings outstanding on either the CL&P or PSNH uncommitted line of credit agreements as of December 31, 2021.
Amounts outstanding under the commercial paper programs are included in Notes Payable and classified in current liabilities on the Eversource
and NSTAR Electric balance sheets, as all borrowings are outstanding for no more than 364 days at one time.
Under the credit facilities described above, Eversource and its subsidiaries, including CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH, NSTAR Gas, EGMA,
Yankee Gas, and Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut, must comply with certain financial and non-financial covenants, including a
consolidated debt to total capitalization ratio. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, Eversource and its subsidiaries were in compliance with these
covenants. If Eversource or its subsidiaries were not in compliance with these covenants, an event of default would occur requiring all outstanding
borrowings by such borrower to be repaid, and additional borrowings by such borrower would not be permitted under its respective credit facility.
The Company expects the future operating cash flows of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, along with existing borrowing
availability and access to both debt and equity markets, will be sufficient to meet any working capital and future operating requirements, and
capital investment forecasted opportunities.
Intercompany Borrowings: Eversource parent uses its available capital resources to provide loans to its subsidiaries to assist in meeting their short-
term borrowing needs. Eversource parent records intercompany interest income from its loans to subsidiaries, which is eliminated in
consolidation. Intercompany loans from Eversource parent to its subsidiaries are eliminated in consolidation on Eversource's balance sheets. As of
December 31, 2021, there were intercompany loans from Eversource parent to PSNH of $110.6 million. As of December 31, 2020, there were
intercompany loans from Eversource parent to PSNH of $46.3 million, and to a subsidiary of NSTAR Electric of $21.3 million. Intercompany
loans from Eversource parent are included in Notes Payable to Eversource Parent and classified in current liabilities on the respective subsidiary's
balance sheets.
9.
LONG-TERM DEBT
Details of long-term debt outstanding are as follows:
CL&P
(Millions of Dollars)
First Mortgage Bonds:
7.875% 1994 Series D due 2024
5.750% 2004 Series B due 2034
5.625% 2005 Series B due 2035
6.350% 2006 Series A due 2036
5.750% 2007 Series B due 2037
6.375% 2007 Series D due 2037
2.500% 2013 Series A due 2023
4.300% 2014 Series A due 2044
4.150% 2015 Series A due 2045
3.200% 2017 Series A due 2027
4.000% 2018 Series A due 2048
0.750% 2020 Series A due 2025
2.050% 2021 Series A due 2031
Total First Mortgage Bonds
Pollution Control Revenue Bonds:
4.375% Fixed Rate Tax Exempt due 2028
Unamortized Premiums and Discounts, Net
Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs
CL&P Long-Term Debt
As of December 31,
2021
2020
139.8 $
130.0
100.0
250.0
150.0
100.0
400.0
475.0
350.0
500.0
800.0
400.0
425.0
4,219.8
—
23.1
(27.5)
4,215.4 $
139.8
130.0
100.0
250.0
150.0
100.0
400.0
475.0
350.0
500.0
800.0
400.0
—
3,794.8
120.5
25.9
(26.4)
3,914.8
$
$
64
200.0
300.0
400.0
300.0
250.0
250.0
700.0
400.0
400.0
—
—
3,200.0
50.0
40.0
250.0
80.0
50.0
470.0
(250.0)
(6.8)
(20.0)
3,393.2
As of December 31,
2021
2020
200.0 $
300.0
400.0
300.0
250.0
250.0
700.0
400.0
400.0
300.0
300.0
3,800.0
50.0
40.0
—
80.0
50.0
220.0
(400.0)
(11.2)
(23.4)
3,585.4 $
As of December 31,
2021
2020
50.0 $
—
—
325.0
300.0
150.0
350.0
1,175.0
—
(2.6)
(8.6)
1,163.8 $
50.0
122.0
160.0
325.0
300.0
150.0
—
1,107.0
(282.0)
(1.5)
(6.4)
817.1
NSTAR Electric
(Millions of Dollars)
Debentures:
5.750% due 2036
5.500% due 2040
2.375% due 2022
4.400% due 2044
3.250% due 2025
2.700% due 2026
3.200% due 2027
3.250% due 2029
3.950% due 2030
3.100% due 2051
1.950% due 2031
Total Debentures
Notes:
5.900% Senior Notes Series B due 2034
6.700% Senior Notes Series D due 2037
3.500% Senior Notes Series F due 2021
3.880% Senior Notes Series G due 2023
2.750% Senior Notes Series H due 2026
Total Notes
Less Amounts due Within One Year
Unamortized Premiums and Discounts, Net
Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs
NSTAR Electric Long-Term Debt
PSNH
(Millions of Dollars)
First Mortgage Bonds:
5.600% Series M due 2035
4.050% Series Q due 2021
3.200% Series R due 2021
3.500% Series S due 2023
3.600% Series T due 2049
2.400% Series U due 2050
2.200% Series V due 2031
Total First Mortgage Bonds
Less Amounts due Within One Year
Unamortized Premiums and Discounts, Net
Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs
PSNH Long-Term Debt
$
$
$
$
65
OTHER
(Millions of Dollars)
Yankee Gas - First Mortgage Bonds: 1.380% - 8.480% due 2022 - 2051
NSTAR Gas - First Mortgage Bonds: 2.250% - 7.110% due 2025 - 2051
EGMA - First Mortgage Bonds: 2.110% - 2.920% due 2031 - 2051
Aquarion - Senior Notes 4.000% due 2024
Aquarion - Unsecured Notes 0% - 6.430% due 2023 - 2051
Aquarion - Secured Debt 1.296% - 9.290% due 2022 - 2044
Eversource Parent - Senior Notes 0.300% - 4.250% due 2022 - 2050
Pre-1983 Spent Nuclear Fuel Obligation (CYAPC)
Fair Value Adjustment (1)
Less Fair Value Adjustment - Current Portion (1)
Less Amounts due in One Year
Unamortized Premiums and Discounts, Net
Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs
Total Other Long-Term Debt
Total Eversource Long-Term Debt
$
$
$
As of December 31,
2021
2020
765.0 $
580.0
550.0
360.0
394.9
39.6
6,100.0
11.7
43.8
(17.7)
(775.4)
43.4
(36.3)
8,059.0 $
640.0
500.0
—
360.0
335.2
35.9
5,550.0
11.7
74.7
(31.0)
(490.2)
46.5
(32.0)
7,000.8
17,023.6 $
15,125.9
(1) The fair value adjustment amount is the purchase price adjustments, net of amortization, required to record long-term debt at fair value on the
dates of the 2012 merger with NSTAR and the 2017 acquisition of Aquarion.
Availability under Long-Term Debt Issuance Authorizations: On March 31, 2021, the DPU approved NSTAR Electric's request for authorization
to issue up to $1.60 billion in long-term debt through December 31, 2023. On September 10, 2021, the DPU approved EGMA’s request for
authorization to issue up to $725.0 million in long-term debt through December 31, 2023. The remaining Eversource operating companies,
including CL&P and PSNH, have utilized the long-term debt authorizations in place with the respective regulatory commissions.
Long-Term Debt Issuances and Repayments: The following table summarizes long-term debt issuances and repayments:
(Millions of Dollars)
CL&P:
2.05% Series A First Mortgage Bonds
4.38% Series A PCRB
NSTAR Electric:
3.10% 2021 Debentures
3.50% Series F Senior Notes
1.95% 2021 Debentures
PSNH:
4.05% Series Q First Mortgage Bonds
3.20% Series R First Mortgage Bonds
2.20% Series V First Mortgage Bonds
Other:
Eversource Parent 2.50% Series I Senior Notes
Eversource Parent 2.55% Series S Senior Notes
Eversource Parent 1.40% Series U Senior Notes
Eversource Parent Variable Rate Series T Senior Notes (1)
Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut 3.31%
Senior Notes
Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut 5.50% Notes
Yankee Gas 1.38% Series S First Mortgage Bonds
Yankee Gas 2.88% Series T First Mortgage Bonds
EGMA 2.11% Series A First Mortgage Bonds
EGMA 2.92% Series B First Mortgage Bonds
NSTAR Gas 2.25% Series T First Mortgage Bonds
NSTAR Gas 3.03% Series U First Mortgage Bonds
Issuance/(Re
payment)
Issue Date or
Repayment Date
Maturity Date
Use of Proceeds for Issuance/
Repayment Information
$
425.0
(120.5)
June 2021
September 2021
July 2031
September 2028
Repaid short-term debt, paid capital
expenditures and working capital
Paid on par call date in advance of maturity
300.0
(250.0)
May 2021
June 2021
June 2051
September 2021
300.0
August 2021
August 2031
Refinanced investments in eligible green
expenditures, which were previously
financed in 2019 and 2020
Paid on par call date in advance of maturity
Repaid short-term debt, paid capital
expenditures and working capital
(122.0)
(160.0)
March 2021
June 2021
350.0
June 2021
June 2021
Paid on par call date in advance of maturity
September 2021 Paid on par call date in advance of maturity
Repaid short-term debt, including short-term
debt used to redeem Series R First Mortgage
Bonds, paid capital expenditures and working
capital
June 2031
(450.0)
February 2021
March 2021
350.0
300.0
350.0
100.0
(40.0)
90.0
35.0
310.0
240.0
40.0
40.0
March 2021
August 2021
August 2021
March 2031
August 2026
August 2023
April 2051
April 2021
April 2021
April 2021
August 2026
August 2021
August 2051
August 2021
September 2021 October 2031
September 2021 October 2051
November 2031
October 2021
November 2051
October 2021
66
Paid on par call date in advance of maturity
Repaid short-term debt, including short-term
debt used to redeem Series I Senior Notes
Repaid short-term debt
Repaid short-term debt
Repaid 5.50% Notes, repaid short-term debt,
paid capital expenditures and working capital
Paid at maturity
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(1) On August 13, 2021, Eversource Parent issued $350 million of floating rate Series T Senior Notes with a maturity date of August 15, 2023.
The notes have a coupon rate based on Compounded SOFR plus 0.25%. The notes had an interest rate of 0.30% as of December 31, 2021.
(2) The use of proceeds from these various issuances refinanced existing indebtedness, funded capital expenditures and were for general
corporate purposes. The EGMA indebtedness that was refinanced included $309.4 million of long-term debt.
Long-Term Debt Provisions: The utility plant of CL&P, PSNH, Yankee Gas, NSTAR Gas, EGMA and a portion of Aquarion is subject to the lien
of each company's respective first mortgage bond indenture. The Eversource parent, NSTAR Electric and a portion of Aquarion debt is unsecured.
Additionally, the long-term debt agreements provide that Eversource and certain of its subsidiaries must comply with certain covenants as are
customarily included in such agreements, including equity requirements for NSTAR Electric, NSTAR Gas and Aquarion. Under the equity
requirements, NSTAR Electric's and Aquarion's senior notes must maintain a certain consolidated indebtedness to capitalization ratio as of the end
of any fiscal quarter and NSTAR Gas' outstanding long-term debt must not exceed equity.
Certain secured and unsecured long-term debt securities are callable at redemption price or are subject to make-whole provisions.
No long-term debt defaults have occurred as of December 31, 2021.
CYAPC's Pre-1983 Spent Nuclear Fuel Obligation: Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the DOE is responsible for the selection and
development of repositories for, and the disposal of, spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. CYAPC is obligated to pay the DOE for
the costs to dispose of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste generated prior to April 7, 1983 (pre-1983 Spent Nuclear Fuel). CYAPC
has partially paid this obligation and recorded an accrual for its remaining liability to the DOE. This liability accrues interest costs at the 3-month
Treasury bill yield rate. For nuclear fuel used to generate electricity prior to April 7, 1983, payment may be made any time prior to the first
delivery of spent fuel to the DOE. As of both December 31, 2021 and 2020, as a result of consolidating CYAPC, Eversource has consolidated
$11.7 million, in pre-1983 spent nuclear fuel obligations to the DOE. The obligation includes accumulated interest costs of $8.7 million as of both
December 31, 2021 and 2020. CYAPC maintains a trust to fund amounts due to the DOE for the disposal of pre-1983 spent nuclear fuel. For
further information, see Note 5, "Marketable Securities," to the financial statements. Fees for disposal of nuclear fuel burned on or after April 7,
1983 were billed to member companies and paid to the DOE.
$
Eversource
Long-Term Debt Maturities: Long-term debt maturities on debt outstanding for the years 2022 through 2026 and thereafter are shown below.
These amounts exclude PSNH rate reduction bonds, CYAPC pre-1983 spent nuclear fuel obligation, net unamortized premiums, discounts and
debt issuance costs, and other fair value adjustments as of December 31, 2021:
(Millions of Dollars)
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Thereafter
Total
1,175.4 $
2,008.4
1,050.1
1,400.2
940.2
11,630.0
18,204.3 $
— $
400.0
139.8
400.0
—
3,280.0
4,219.8 $
400.0 $
80.0
—
250.0
300.0
2,990.0
4,020.0 $
—
325.0
—
—
—
850.0
1,175.0
NSTAR Electric
CL&P
PSNH
$
10.
RATE REDUCTION BONDS AND VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
Rate Reduction Bonds: In May 2018, PSNH Funding, a wholly-owned subsidiary of 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 be
repaid by February 1, 2033. RRB payments consist of principal and interest and are paid semi-annually, beginning on February 1, 2019. The
RRBs were issued pursuant to a finance order issued by the NHPUC in January 2018 to recover remaining costs resulting from the divestiture of
PSNH’s generation assets.
The proceeds were used by PSNH Funding 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 are used to pay principal, interest
and other costs in connection with the RRBs. The RRBs are secured by the stranded cost asset-recovery property. 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 was formed solely to issue RRBs to finance PSNH's unrecovered remaining costs associated with the divestiture of its generation
assets. PSNH Funding is considered a 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 sheets and income statements:
(Millions of Dollars)
PSNH Balance Sheets:
As of December 31,
2021
2020
Restricted Cash - Current Portion (included in Current Assets)
Restricted Cash - Long-Term Portion (included in Other Long-Term Assets)
Securitized Stranded Cost (included in Regulatory Assets)
Other Regulatory Liabilities (included in Regulatory Liabilities)
Accrued Interest (included in Other Current Liabilities)
Rate Reduction Bonds - Current Portion
Rate Reduction Bonds - Long-Term Portion
$
67
31.1 $
3.2
478.9
5.4
7.5
43.2
453.7
36.8
2.1
522.1
9.1
8.0
43.2
496.9
(Millions of Dollars)
PSNH Income Statements:
Amortization of RRB Principal (included in Amortization of Regulatory Assets, Net)
Interest Expense on RRB Principal (included in Interest Expense)
2021
$
43.2 $
18.4
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
43.2 $
19.7
2019
43.0
21.1
Estimated principal and interest payments on RRBs as of December 31, 2021, is summarized annually through 2026 and thereafter as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
Total
Eversource
Thereafter
280.9 $
43.2 $
43.2 $
43.2 $
43.2 $
43.2 $
2022
2023
2024
2026
2025
$
496.9
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.
11.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Pension Benefits and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension
A.
Eversource provides defined benefit retirement plans (Pension Plans) that cover eligible employees and are subject to the provisions of ERISA, as
amended by the Pension Protection Act of 2006. Eversource's policy is to annually fund the Pension Plans in an amount at least equal to an amount
that will satisfy all federal funding requirements. 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 (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 meet certain age and service eligibility requirements. The benefits provided under the PBOP Plans are not vested, and the Company has the
right to modify any benefit provision subject to applicable laws at that time. Eversource annually funds postretirement costs through tax
deductible contributions to external trusts.
The Pension, SERP and PBOP Plans cover eligible employees, including, among others, employees of the regulated companies. Because the
regulated companies recover retiree benefit costs from customers through rates, regulatory assets are recorded in lieu of recording an adjustment to
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) as an offset to the funded status of the Pension, SERP and PBOP Plans. Regulatory accounting
is also applied to the portions of the Eversource Service retiree benefit costs that support the regulated companies, as these costs are also recovered
from customers. Adjustments to the Pension, SERP and PBOP Plans' funded status for the unregulated companies are recorded on an after-tax
basis to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss). For further information, see Note 2, "Regulatory Accounting," and Note 16,
"Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)," to the financial statements.
Funded Status: The Pension, SERP and PBOP Plans are accounted for under the multiple-employer approach, with each operating company's
balance sheet reflecting its share of the funded status of the plans. Although Eversource maintains marketable securities in a benefit trust, the
SERP Plans do not contain any assets. For further information, see Note 5, "Marketable Securities," to the financial statements. The following
tables provide information on the plan benefit obligations, fair values of plan assets, and funded status:
68
(Millions of Dollars)
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit Obligation as of Beginning of Year
Service Cost
Interest Cost
Actuarial Gain/(Loss)
Benefits Paid - Pension
Benefits Paid - Lump Sum
Benefits Paid - SERP
Employee Transfers
Increase due to acquisition of CMA
Benefit Obligation as of End of Year
Change in Pension Plan Assets:
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets as of
Beginning of Year
Employer Contributions
Actual Return on Pension Plan Assets
Benefits Paid - Pension
Benefits Paid - Lump Sum
Employee Transfers
Increase due to acquisition of CMA
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets as of End of Year
Funded Status as of December 31st
Eversource
CL&P
2021
NSTAR
Electric
Pension and SERP
As of December 31,
PSNH
Eversource
CL&P
2020
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
$ (7,045.3) $ (1,477.3) $ (1,517.9) $
(15.8)
(26.8)
20.8
68.7
15.6
0.2
6.8
—
$ (6,729.7) $ (1,330.9) $ (1,448.4) $
(85.8)
(130.0)
177.1
309.5
34.7
10.1
—
—
(23.0)
(27.3)
127.8
64.6
—
0.3
4.0
—
180.0
1,250.5
(309.5)
(34.7)
—
—
$ 5,409.2 $ 1,043.1 $ 1,345.1 $
30.0
312.0
(68.7)
(15.6)
(6.8)
—
$ 6,495.5 $ 1,323.8 $ 1,596.0 $
147.6 $
$
98.9
250.4
(64.6)
—
(4.0)
—
(234.2) $
(7.1) $
(748.7) $ (6,321.7) $ (1,331.3) $ (1,397.3) $
(15.4)
(38.6)
(139.5)
59.4
13.1
0.2
0.2
—
(721.0) $ (7,045.3) $ (1,477.3) $ (1,517.9) $
(21.8)
(37.3)
(152.3)
63.6
—
0.3
1.5
—
(76.2)
(177.8)
(658.2)
279.3
23.4
7.3
—
(121.4)
(8.9)
(14.5)
14.7
34.7
—
0.4
1.3
—
$ 4,968.6 $
109.6
512.3
(279.3)
(23.4)
—
121.4
593.7
—
136.9
(34.7)
—
(1.3)
—
694.6
(26.4) $ (1,636.1) $
986.2 $ 1,288.8 $
23.2
0.7
128.3
98.8
(59.4)
(63.6)
(13.1)
—
(0.2)
(1.5)
—
—
$ 5,409.2 $ 1,043.1 $ 1,345.1 $
(172.8) $
(434.2) $
(692.6)
(8.2)
(19.4)
(62.1)
33.5
—
0.4
(0.3)
—
(748.7)
551.6
19.5
55.8
(33.5)
—
0.3
—
593.7
(155.0)
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the decrease in Eversource's pension liability was primarily attributable to an increase in the return on
pension assets. While all pension asset classes performed well, the driver of the increase came from higher valuations of Eversource’s private
equity investments.
Actuarial Gains and Losses: For the year ended December 31, 2021, the decrease in the benefit obligation due to actuarial gains was primarily
attributable to an increase in the discount rate, which resulted in a decrease to Eversource's pension liability of $286.8 million. The decrease in the
benefit obligation was partially offset by changes in the mortality assumption. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the increase in the benefit
obligation due to actuarial losses was primarily attributable to a decrease in the discount rate, which resulted in an increase to Eversource's pension
liability of $603.0 million, which was partially offset by changes in the mortality assumption.
The pension and SERP Plans' funded status includes the current portion of the SERP liability totaling $9.7 million and $6.8 million as of
December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, which is included in Other Current Liabilities on the balance sheets.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the accumulated benefit obligation for the Pension and SERP Plans is as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
2021
2020
1,376.1 $
1,449.4
1,241.1 $
1,356.4
6,337.3 $
6,669.4
NSTAR Electric
670.3
707.2
Eversource
CL&P
PSNH
$
69
(Millions of Dollars)
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit Obligation as of Beginning of Year
Service Cost
Interest Cost
Actuarial Gain/(Loss)
Benefits Paid
Employee Transfers
Impact of Acquisition of CMA
Benefit Obligation as of End of Year
Change in Plan Assets:
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of Beginning of Year
Actual Return on Plan Assets
Employer Contributions
Benefits Paid
Employee Transfers
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of End of Year
Funded Status as of December 31st
Eversource
CL&P
2021
NSTAR
Electric
PBOP
As of December 31,
PSNH
Eversource
CL&P
2020
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
$
$
(993.9) $
(13.5)
(17.4)
81.4
51.7
—
7.4
(884.3) $
$ 1,004.1 $
183.2
2.3
(51.3)
—
$ 1,138.3 $
254.0 $
$
(178.6) $
(2.3)
(3.2)
5.8
10.9
1.9
—
(165.5) $
134.1 $
24.1
—
(10.9)
(1.6)
145.7 $
(19.8) $
(260.5) $
(2.4)
(4.4)
11.5
16.3
1.1
—
(238.4) $
(109.5) $
(1.2)
(1.8)
14.6
5.6
—
—
(92.3) $
(899.0) $
(10.2)
(24.6)
(82.8)
50.2
—
(27.5)
(993.9) $
464.6 $
84.2
—
(16.3)
(2.5)
530.0 $
291.6 $
79.4
14.2
—
(5.6)
—
88.0
(4.3)
$
935.9 $
116.5
1.9
(50.2)
—
$ 1,004.1 $
10.2 $
$
(172.7) $
(1.7)
(4.4)
(8.6)
10.1
(1.3)
—
(178.6) $
126.3 $
15.7
—
(10.1)
2.2
134.1 $
(44.5) $
(258.3) $
(2.1)
(6.6)
(7.4)
14.9
(1.0)
—
(260.5) $
(93.0)
(0.9)
(2.8)
(19.0)
6.1
0.1
—
(109.5)
424.4 $
53.3
—
(14.9)
1.8
464.6 $
204.1 $
76.0
9.3
—
(6.1)
0.2
79.4
(30.1)
The Eversource PBOP funded status includes prepaid assets of $272 million and $34.7 million recorded in Other Long-Term Assets and liabilities
of $18.0 million and $24.5 million included in Accrued Pension, SERP and PBOP on the balance sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020,
respectively.
Actuarial Gains and Losses: For the year ended December 31, 2021, the decrease in the benefit obligation due to actuarial gains was primarily
attributable to an increase in the discount rate, which resulted in a decrease to the Eversource PBOP liability of $29.8 million, and by changes in
our retirement assumptions. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the increase in the benefit obligation due to actuarial losses was primarily
attributable to a decrease in the discount rate, which resulted in an increase to the Eversource PBOP liability of $68.3 million, and by changes in
our retirement assumptions.
The following actuarial assumptions were used in calculating the Pension, SERP and PBOP Plans' year end funded status:
Discount Rate
Compensation/Progression Rate
2021
2.8% — 3.0%
3.5% — 4.0%
2020
2.4% — 2.7%
3.5% — 4.0%
2021
2.91% — 2.92%
2020
2.5% — 2.6%
N/A
Pension and SERP
As of December 31,
PBOP
As of December 31,
For the Eversource Service PBOP Plan, the health care cost trend rate is not applicable. For the Aquarion PBOP Plan, the health care cost trend
rate for pre-65 retirees is 6.5 percent, with an ultimate rate of 5 percent in 2028, and for post-65 retirees, the health care trend rate and ultimate rate
is 3.5 percent.
Expense: Eversource charges net periodic benefit plan expense/(income) for the Pension, SERP and PBOP Plans to its subsidiaries based on the
actual participant demographic data for each subsidiary's participants. The actual investment return in the trust is allocated to each of the
subsidiaries annually in proportion to the investment return expected to be earned during the year. The Company utilizes the spot rate
methodology to estimate the discount rate for the service and interest cost components of benefit expense, which provides a relatively precise
measurement by matching projected cash flows to the corresponding spot rates on the yield curve.
The components of net periodic benefit plan expense/(income) for the Pension, SERP and PBOP Plans, prior to amounts capitalized as Property,
Plant and Equipment or deferred as regulatory assets/(liabilities) for future recovery or refund, are shown below. The service cost component of
net periodic benefit plan expense/(income), less the capitalized portion, is included in Operations and Maintenance expense on the statements of
income. The remaining components of net periodic benefit plan expense/(income), less the deferred portion, are included in Other Income, Net on
the statements of income. Pension, SERP and PBOP expense reflected in the statements of cash flows for CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH does
not include intercompany allocations of net periodic benefit plan expense/(income), as these amounts are cash settled on a short-term basis.
Pension and SERP
For the Year Ended December 31, 2021
PBOP
For the Year Ended December 31, 2021
(Millions of Dollars)
Service Cost
Interest Cost
Expected Return on Plan Assets
Actuarial Loss
Prior Service Cost/(Credit)
Total Net Periodic Benefit Plan Expense/(Income) $
Intercompany Expense/(Income) Allocations
Eversource
$
85.8 $
130.0
(437.5)
243.9
1.4
23.6 $
N/A $
CL&P
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
Eversource
CL&P
NSTAR
Electric
23.0 $
27.3
(86.8)
45.5
—
9.0 $
8.0 $
15.8 $
26.8
(108.1)
61.6
0.3
(3.6) $
8.8 $
8.9 $
14.5
(47.5)
20.7
—
(3.4) $
2.7
13.5 $
17.4
(79.1)
8.9
(21.2)
(60.5) $
N/A $
2.3 $
3.2
(10.3)
1.8
1.1
(1.9) $
(1.6) $
PSNH
1.2
1.8
(6.1)
0.7
0.4
(2.0)
(0.6)
2.4 $
4.4
(36.9)
2.4
(17.0)
(44.7) $
(1.9) $
70
Pension and SERP
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
PBOP
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
(Millions of Dollars)
Service Cost
Interest Cost
Expected Return on Plan Assets
Actuarial Loss
Prior Service Cost/(Credit)
Total Net Periodic Benefit Plan Expense/(Income) $
Intercompany Expense/(Income) Allocations
Eversource
$
CL&P
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
Eversource
CL&P
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
76.2 $
177.8
(400.3)
202.0
1.2
56.9 $
N/A $
21.8 $
37.3
(79.2)
39.2
—
19.1 $
9.1 $
Pension and SERP
For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
15.4 $
38.6
(103.0)
55.2
0.3
6.5 $
8.9 $
8.2 $
19.4
(44.7)
15.6
—
(1.5) $
2.9
10.2 $
24.6
(73.6)
8.4
(21.2)
(51.6) $
N/A $
1.7 $
4.4
(9.9)
1.1
1.1
(1.6) $
(1.1) $
PBOP
For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
2.1 $
6.6
(34.0)
2.5
(17.0)
(39.8) $
(1.4) $
0.9
2.8
(5.7)
0.8
0.4
(0.8)
(0.5)
(Millions of Dollars)
Service Cost
Interest Cost
Expected Return on Plan Assets
Actuarial Loss
Prior Service Cost/(Credit)
Total Net Periodic Benefit Plan Expense/(Income) $
Intercompany Expense/(Income) Allocations
Eversource
$
67.7 $
219.0
(367.1)
143.2
0.9
63.7 $
N/A $
CL&P
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
Eversource
CL&P
NSTAR
Electric
18.0 $
45.7
(73.2)
26.9
—
17.4 $
8.5 $
14.6 $
49.0
(97.1)
44.7
0.3
11.5 $
8.0 $
7.1 $
24.0
(40.7)
10.6
—
1.0 $
2.3
7.8 $
32.7
(66.8)
8.3
(23.5)
(41.5) $
N/A $
1.4 $
6.3
(9.2)
1.3
1.1
0.9 $
(0.9) $
PSNH
0.7
3.4
(5.4)
0.3
0.4
(0.6)
(0.4)
1.7 $
9.5
(30.2)
3.3
(16.9)
(32.6) $
(1.2) $
The following actuarial assumptions were used to calculate Pension, SERP and PBOP expense amounts:
Pension and SERP
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2021
2019
Discount Rate
Expected Long-Term Rate of Return
Compensation/Progression Rate
1.5% — 3.0% 2.6% — 3.5% 2.7% — 3.6% 1.8% — 3.1%
8.25%
8.25%
3.5% — 4.0% 3.5% — 4.0% 3.5% — 4.0%
8.25%
PBOP
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2.7% —3.6%
8.25%
N/A
2021
8.25%
N/A
2019
3.9% —4.6%
8.25%
N/A
For the Aquarion Pension and PBOP Plans, the expected long-term rate of return was 7 percent for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
For the Aquarion PBOP Plan, the health care cost trend rate was a range of 3.5 percent to 6.2 percent for the year ended December 31, 2021 and
3.5 percent to 6.5 percent for the year ended December 31, 2020.
The following is a summary of the changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in Regulatory Assets and Other Comprehensive
Income (OCI) as well as amounts in Regulatory Assets and OCI that were reclassified as net periodic benefit expense during the years presented:
(Millions of Dollars)
Actuarial (Gains)/Losses Arising During the Year
$
Actuarial Losses Reclassified as Net Periodic Benefit Expense
Prior Service Cost Arising During the Year
Prior Service (Cost)/Credit Reclassified as Net Periodic
Benefit (Expense)/Income
Pension and SERP
Regulatory Assets
OCI
For the Years Ended December 31,
2021
(961.7) $
(231.2)
—
2020 (1)
553.1 $
(194.3)
2.0
2021
(28.4) $
(12.7)
—
PBOP
Regulatory Assets
OCI
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 (1)
2021
2020
2020
2021
(181.5) $
(8.5)
—
24.3 $
(7.7)
—
39.1 $
(8.0)
—
(4.0) $
(0.4)
—
1.3
(0.4)
—
(1.3)
(1.0)
(0.1)
(0.2)
21.1
21.3
0.1
(0.1)
(1) Amounts include the impact of the CMA asset acquisition beginning October 9, 2020.
The following is a summary of the remaining Regulatory Assets and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income amounts that have not been
recognized as components of net periodic benefit expense as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:
Regulatory Assets as of December 31,
2021
2020
AOCI as of December 31,
2020
2021
(Millions of Dollars)
Pension and SERP
Actuarial Loss
Prior Service Cost
PBOP
Actuarial Loss
Prior Service (Credit)/Cost
$
$
1,427.3 $
5.3
45.0 $
(130.1)
2,620.2 $
6.6
235.0 $
(151.2)
66.3 $
0.6
3.5 $
1.0
107.4
0.7
7.9
0.9
The difference between the actual return and calculated expected return on plan assets for the Pension and PBOP Plans, as well as changes in
actuarial assumptions impacting the projected benefit obligation, are recorded as unamortized actuarial gains or losses arising during the year in
Regulatory Assets or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss). Unamortized actuarial gains or losses are amortized as a component of
pension and PBOP expense over the estimated average future employee service period.
71
Estimated Future Benefit Payments: The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, are expected to be paid by the
Pension, SERP and PBOP Plans:
(Millions of Dollars)
Pension and SERP
PBOP
405.0 $
55.9
381.2 $
55.3
384.3 $
54.3
367.4 $
56.2
359.6 $
56.4
2027 - 2031
2023
2022
2026
2024
2025
1,918.2
254.6
$
Eversource Contributions: Based on the current status of the Pension Plans and federal pension funding requirements, there is no minimum
funding requirement for our Pension Plans for 2022. Eversource currently expects to make contributions between $100 million to $175 million in
2022, most of which will be contributed by Eversource Service, however the planned contribution is discretionary and subject to change.
Eversource currently estimates contributing $2.4 million to the PBOP Plans in 2022.
Fair Value of Pension and PBOP Plan Assets: Pension and PBOP funds are held in external trusts. Trust assets, including accumulated earnings,
must be used exclusively for Pension and PBOP payments. Eversource's investment strategy for its Pension and PBOP Plans is to maximize the
long-term rates of return on these plans' assets within an acceptable level of risk. The investment strategy for each asset category includes a
diversification of asset types, fund strategies and fund managers and it establishes target asset allocations that are routinely reviewed and
periodically rebalanced. PBOP assets are comprised of assets held in the PBOP Plan trust, as well as specific assets within the Pension Plan trust
(401(h) assets). The investment policy and strategy of the 401(h) assets is consistent with that of the defined benefit pension plan. Eversource's
expected long-term rates of return on Pension and PBOP Plan assets are based on target asset allocation assumptions and related expected long-
term rates of return. In developing its expected long-term rate of return assumptions for the Pension and PBOP Plans, Eversource evaluated input
from consultants, as well as long-term inflation assumptions and historical returns. Management has assumed long-term rates of return of 8.25
percent for the Eversource Service Pension and PBOP Plan assets and a 7 percent long-term rate of return for the Aquarion Plans to estimate its
2022 Pension and PBOP costs.
These long-term rates of return are based on the assumed rates of return for the target asset allocations as follows:
Equity Securities:
United States
Global
Non-United States
Emerging Markets
Debt Securities:
Fixed Income
Public High Yield Fixed Income
Private Debt
Private Equity
Real Assets
As of December 31,
2021
Eversource Pension Plan and PBOP Plan
2020
Eversource Pension Plan and PBOP Plan
Target Asset
Allocation
Assumed Rate of
Return
Target Asset
Allocation
Assumed Rate of
Return
15.0 %
10.0 %
8.0 %
4.0 %
13.0 %
4.0 %
13.0 %
18.0 %
15.0 %
8.5 %
8.75 %
8.5 %
10.0 %
4.0 %
6.5 %
9.0 %
12.0 %
7.5 %
15.0 %
10.0 %
8.0 %
4.0 %
13.0 %
4.0 %
15.0 %
15.0 %
16.0 %
8.5 %
8.75 %
8.5 %
10.0 %
4.0 %
6.5 %
9.0 %
12.0 %
7.5 %
The following table presents, by asset category, the Pension and PBOP Plan assets recorded at fair value on a recurring basis by the level in which
they are classified within the fair value hierarchy:
Level 2
Uncategorized
Total
(Millions of Dollars)
Asset Category:
Equity Securities
Fixed Income
Private Equity
Real Assets
Total
Less: 401(h) PBOP Assets (1)
Total Pension Assets
Level 1
722.5 $
139.6
—
218.3
1,080.4 $
$
$
2021
— $
233.8
—
—
233.8 $
(Millions of Dollars)
Asset Category:
Equity Securities
Fixed Income
Private Equity
Real Assets
Total
Add: 401(h) PBOP Assets (1)
Total PBOP Assets
Level 1
191.4 $
49.7
—
90.0
331.1 $
$
$
2021
— $
45.2
—
—
45.2 $
Pension Plan
Fair Value Measurements as of December 31,
1,385.2 $ 2,107.7 $
1,689.1 2,062.5
1,702.7 1,702.7
921.1
702.8
5,479.8 $ 6,794.0 $
(298.5)
$ 6,495.5
2020
Uncategorized
Level 2
Level 1
630.8 $
113.6
22.3
158.4
925.1 $
— $
265.6
—
—
265.6 $
1,321.7 $
1,402.5
1,175.4
580.8
4,480.4 $
$
PBOP Plan
Fair Value Measurements as of December 31,
248.3 $
125.5
58.7
31.0
463.5 $
Total
439.7 $
220.4
58.7
121.0
839.8 $
298.5
$ 1,138.3
Level 1
176.5 $
16.0
—
82.1
274.6 $
2020
— $
43.2
—
—
43.2 $
217.8 $
152.9
31.5
22.2
424.4 $
$
Total
1,952.5
1,781.7
1,197.7
739.2
5,671.1
(261.9)
5,409.2
Total
394.3
212.1
31.5
104.3
742.2
261.9
1,004.1
72
Level 2
Uncategorized
Level 2
Uncategorized
(1)
The assets of the Pension Plan include a 401(h) account that has been allocated to provide health and welfare postretirement benefits under
the PBOP Plan.
The Company values assets based on observable inputs when available. Equity securities, exchange traded funds and futures contracts classified
as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy are priced based on the closing price on the primary exchange as of the balance sheet date.
Fixed income securities, such as government issued securities and corporate bonds, are included in Level 2 and are valued using pricing models,
quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or discounted cash flows. The pricing models utilize observable inputs such as recent trades
for the same or similar instruments, yield curves, discount margins and bond structures. Swaps are valued using pricing models that incorporate
interest rates and equity and fixed income index closing prices to determine a net present value of the cash flows.
Certain investments, such as commingled funds, private equity investments, fixed income funds, real asset funds and hedge funds are valued using
the net asset value (NAV) as a practical expedient. Assets valued at NAV are uncategorized in the fair value hierarchy. These investments are
structured as investment companies offering shares or units to multiple investors for the purpose of providing a return. Commingled funds are
recorded at NAV provided by the asset manager, which is based on the market prices of the underlying equity securities. Private Equity
investments, Fixed Income partnership funds and Real Assets are valued using the NAV provided by the partnerships, which are based on
discounted cash flows of the underlying investments, real estate appraisals or public market comparables of the underlying investments, or the
NAV of underlying assets held in hedge funds. Equity Securities investments in United States, Global, Non-United States and Emerging Markets
that are uncategorized include investments in commingled funds and hedge funds that are overlaid with equity index swaps and futures contracts.
Fixed Income investments that are uncategorized include investments in commingled funds, fixed income funds that invest in a variety of
opportunistic and fixed income strategies, and hedge funds that are overlaid with fixed income futures.
Defined Contribution Plans
B.
Eversource maintains defined contribution plans on behalf of eligible participants. The Eversource 401k Plan provides for employee and employer
contributions up to statutory limits. For eligible employees, the Eversource 401k Plan provides employer matching contributions of either 100
percent up to a maximum of three percent of eligible compensation or 50 percent up to a maximum of eight percent of eligible compensation. The
Eversource 401k Plan also contains a K-Vantage feature for the benefit of eligible participants, which provides an additional annual employer
contribution based on age and years of service. K-Vantage participants are not eligible to actively participate in the Eversource Pension Plan.
The total Eversource 401k Plan employer matching contributions, including the K-Vantage contributions, were as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
2021
2020
2019
12.2 $
11.8
10.3
55.5 $
49.4
41.6
NSTAR Electric
7.0 $
6.6
5.5
4.3
4.1
3.5
Eversource
CL&P
PSNH
$
Share-Based Payments
C.
Share-based compensation awards are recorded using a fair-value based method at the date of grant. Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and
PSNH record compensation expense related to these awards, as applicable, for shares issued to their respective employees and officers, as well as
for the allocation of costs associated with shares issued to Eversource's service company employees and officers that support CL&P, NSTAR
Electric and PSNH.
Eversource Incentive Plans: Eversource maintains long-term equity-based incentive plans in which Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and
PSNH employees, officers and board members are eligible to participate. The incentive plans authorize Eversource to grant up to 6,700,000 new
shares for various types of awards, including RSUs and performance shares, to eligible employees, officers, and board members. As of
December 31, 2021 and 2020, Eversource had 2,430,716 and 2,876,601 common shares, respectively, available for issuance under these plans.
Eversource accounts for its various share-based plans as follows:
•
•
RSUs - Eversource records compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period
based upon the fair value of Eversource's common shares at the date of grant. The par value of RSUs is reclassified to Common Stock
from Capital Surplus, Paid In as RSUs become issued as common shares.
Performance Shares - Eversource records compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the requisite
service period. Performance shares vest based upon the extent to which Company goals are achieved. Vesting of outstanding
performance shares is based upon both the Company's EPS growth over the requisite service period and the total shareholder return as
compared to the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Index during the requisite service period. The fair value of performance shares is
determined at the date of grant using a lattice model.
RSUs: Eversource granted RSUs under the annual long-term incentive programs that are subject to three-year graded vesting schedules for
employees, and one-year graded vesting schedules, or immediate vesting, for board members. RSUs are paid in shares, reduced by amounts
sufficient to satisfy withholdings for income taxes, subsequent to vesting. A summary of RSU transactions is as follows:
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020
Granted
Shares Issued
Forfeited
Outstanding as of December 31, 2021
RSUs
(Units)
Weighted Average
Grant-Date Fair Value
63.42
81.89
69.03
83.86
65.70
674,218 $
165,930 $
(223,484) $
(22,041) $
594,623 $
The weighted average grant-date fair value of RSUs granted for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $81.89, $88.23 and
$67.91, respectively. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the number and weighted average grant-date fair value of unvested RSUs was 297,270
and $83.39 per share, and 379,258 and $77.13 per share, respectively. During 2021, there were 219,560 RSUs at a weighted average grant-date
fair value of $72.37 per share that vested during the year and were either paid or deferred. As of December 31, 2021, 297,353 RSUs were fully
vested and deferred and an additional 282,407 are expected to vest.
73
Performance Shares: Eversource granted performance shares under the annual long-term incentive programs that vest based upon the extent to
which Company goals are achieved at the end of three-year performance measurement periods. Performance shares are paid in shares, after the
performance measurement period. A summary of performance share transactions is as follows:
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020
Granted
Shares Issued
Forfeited
Outstanding as of December 31, 2021
Performance Shares
(Units)
Weighted Average
Grant-Date Fair Value
69.93
76.08
56.88
84.28
80.54
447,805 $
286,645 $
(256,914) $
(13,029) $
464,507 $
The weighted average grant-date fair value of performance shares granted for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $76.08,
$75.36 and $68.33, respectively. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the number and weighted average grant-date fair value of unvested
performance shares was 436,957 and $81.41 per share, and 404,698 and $70.85 per share, respectively. During 2021, there were 241,949
performance shares at a weighted average grant-date fair value of $57.23 per share that vested during the year and were either paid or deferred. As
of December 31, 2021, 27,550 performance shares were fully vested and deferred.
Compensation Expense: The total compensation expense and associated future income tax benefits recognized by Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR
Electric and PSNH for share-based compensation awards were as follows:
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Compensation Expense
Future Income Tax Benefit
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
33.9 $
8.9
28.2 $
7.3
27.3
7.0
2021
2019
$
(Millions of Dollars)
Compensation Expense
Future Income Tax Benefit
$
CL&P
8.8 $
2.3
2021
NSTAR
Electric
9.0 $
2.3
PSNH
3.0 $
0.8
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
CL&P
10.9 $
2.9
11.3 $
3.0
3.6 $
1.0
2019
NSTAR
Electric
9.7 $
2.5
PSNH
3.3
0.8
CL&P
9.8 $
2.5
As of December 31, 2021, there was $17.8 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested share-based awards for
Eversource, including $3.2 million for CL&P, $5.0 million for NSTAR Electric, and $1.1 million for PSNH. This cost is expected to be recognized
ratably over a weighted-average period of 1.72 years for Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH.
An income tax rate of 26 percent was used to estimate the tax effect on total share-based payments determined under the fair-value based method
for all awards. Beginning in 2019, the Company began issuing treasury shares to settle fully vested RSUs and performance shares under the
Company's incentive plans.
For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, excess tax benefits associated with the distribution of stock compensation awards reduced
income tax expense by $4.0 million, $6.6 million, and $1.5 million, respectively, which increased cash flows from operating activities on the
statements of cash flows.
Other Retirement Benefits
D.
Eversource provides retirement and other benefits for certain current and past company officers. These benefits are accounted for on an accrual
basis and expensed over a period equal to the service lives of the employees. The actuarially-determined liability for these benefits is included in
Other Current and Long-Term Liabilities on the balance sheets. The related expense, which includes the allocation of expense associated with
Eversource's service company officers that support CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, is included in Operations and Maintenance Expense on the
income statements. The liability and expense amounts are as follows:
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Actuarially-Determined Liability
Other Retirement Benefits Expense
$
As of and For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2021
2019
42.8 $
2.2
45.7 $
3.3
52.0
2.7
(Millions of Dollars)
Actuarially-Determined Liability
Other Retirement Benefits Expense
2021
CL&P NSTAR
Electric
0.2 $
$
0.7
0.1 $
0.7
As of and For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
CL&P NSTAR
Electric
0.2 $
1.2
0.1 $
1.1
1.7 $
0.5
PSNH
1.5 $
0.3
PSNH
2019
CL&P NSTAR
Electric
0.2 $
1.0
0.1 $
0.9
PSNH
1.7
0.4
74
12.
INCOME TAXES
The components of income tax expense are as follows:
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2021
2019
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Current Income Taxes:
Federal
State
Total Current
Deferred Income Taxes, Net:
Federal
State
Total Deferred
Investment Tax Credits, Net
Income Tax Expense
(Millions of Dollars)
Current Income Taxes:
Federal
State
Total Current
Deferred Income Taxes, Net:
Federal
State
Total Deferred
Investment Tax Credits, Net
Income Tax Expense
$
$
21.5 $
(21.6)
(0.1)
199.7
147.4
347.1
(2.8)
344.2 $
73.6 $
19.1
92.7
173.5
83.7
257.2
(3.7)
346.2 $
56.9
10.5
67.4
138.4
71.4
209.8
(3.7)
273.5
2021
NSTAR
Electric
CL&P
PSNH
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
CL&P
2019
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
CL&P
$
$
15.0 $
(7.0)
8.0
76.3
47.6
123.9
(0.6)
131.3 $
52.3 $
6.2
58.5
16.3
41.2
57.5
(1.7)
114.3 $
43.1 $
10.8
53.9
(14.9)
0.4
(14.5)
—
39.4 $
12.0 $
(6.1)
5.9
101.1
43.4
144.5
(0.7)
149.7 $
53.9 $
6.9
60.8
33.8
38.8
72.6
(2.6)
130.8 $
20.6 $
3.8
24.4
(1.3)
8.6
7.3
—
31.7 $
68.4 $
15.4
83.8
35.2
18.8
54.0
(0.8)
137.0 $
82.6 $
18.2
100.8
0.1
27.0
27.1
(2.6)
125.3 $
22.9
2.2
25.1
5.8
10.1
15.9
—
41.0
A reconciliation between income tax expense and the expected tax expense at the statutory rate is as follows:
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars, except percentages)
Income Before Income Tax Expense
Statutory Federal Income Tax Expense at 21%
Tax Effect of Differences:
Depreciation
Investment Tax Credit Amortization
State Income Taxes, Net of Federal Impact
Dividends on ESOP
Tax Asset Valuation Allowance/Reserve Adjustments
Excess Stock Benefit
EDIT Amortization
Other, Net
Income Tax Expense
Effective Tax Rate
$
$
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
1,558.9
$
$
2021
1,572.3
2019
1,190.1
330.2
327.4
249.9
(18.1)
(2.8)
54.4
(5.1)
44.6
(4.0)
(69.1)
14.1
$
344.2
21.9 %
(11.1)
(3.7)
44.9
(5.1)
33.4
(6.6)
(48.7)
15.7
$
346.2
22.2 %
1.9
(3.7)
24.6
(5.1)
40.1
(1.5)
(37.4)
4.7
273.5
23.0 %
75
(Millions of Dollars, except percentages)
Income Before Income Tax Expense
2021
NSTAR
Electric
$ 590.9
PSNH
$ 189.8
CL&P
$ 533.0
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
NSTAR
Electric
$ 575.8
PSNH
$ 179.0
CL&P
$ 607.6
2019
NSTAR
Electric
$ 557.3
PSNH
$ 175.0
CL&P
$ 547.8
Statutory Federal Income Tax Expense at 21% 111.9
Tax Effect of Differences:
124.1
39.9
127.6
120.9
37.6
115.0
117.0
36.8
Depreciation
Investment Tax Credit Amortization
State Income Taxes, Net of Federal Impact
Tax Asset Valuation
Allowance/Reserve Adjustments
Excess Stock Benefit
EDIT Amortization
Other, Net
Income Tax Expense
Effective Tax Rate
(6.4)
(0.6)
(4.6)
(0.2)
(3.4)
(1.7) —
8.9
37.5
0.4
(0.7)
(1.2)
(1.4)
(3.7)
(2.6) —
9.8
36.0
(0.2)
(0.8)
2.5
(0.8)
(3.0)
(2.6) —
9.8
35.7
36.7
(1.5)
(9.8)
5.6
—
—
(1.4)
(43.2)
2.4
$ 114.3
(0.5)
(10.5)
1.8
$ 39.4
30.7
(2.3)
(9.0)
4.2
$ 149.7
—
—
(2.3)
(20.4)
2.9
$ 130.8
(0.8)
(15.4)
1.9
$ 31.7
—
24.5
(0.5)
(5.8)
2.3
$ 137.0
(0.5)
(22.9)
1.6
$ 125.3
$ 131.3
(0.2)
(4.0)
(0.6)
$ 41.0
—
24.6 %
19.3 %
20.8 %
24.6 %
22.7 %
17.7 %
25.0 %
22.5 %
23.4 %
Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH file a consolidated federal income tax return and unitary, combined and separate state income tax
returns. These entities are also parties to a tax allocation agreement under which taxable subsidiaries do not pay any more taxes than they would
have otherwise paid had they filed a separate company tax return, and subsidiaries generating tax losses, if any, are paid for their losses when
utilized.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis
of assets and liabilities. The tax effect of temporary differences is accounted for in accordance with the rate-making treatment of the applicable
regulatory commissions and relevant accounting authoritative literature. The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the net
accumulated deferred income tax obligations are as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
Deferred Tax Assets:
Employee Benefits
Derivative Liabilities
Regulatory Deferrals - Liabilities
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts
Tax Effect - Tax Regulatory Liabilities
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards
Purchase Accounting Adjustment
Other
Total Deferred Tax Assets
Less: Valuation Allowance
Net Deferred Tax Assets
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Accelerated Depreciation and Other
Plant-Related Differences
Property Tax Accruals
Regulatory Amounts:
Regulatory Deferrals - Assets
Tax Effect - Tax Regulatory Assets
Goodwill Regulatory Asset - 1999 Merger
Derivative Assets
Other
Total Deferred Tax Liabilities
Eversource
CL&P
2021
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
Eversource
CL&P
2020
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
As of December 31,
$
270.8 $
76.8
390.7
104.1
783.4
7.5
67.2
196.6
1,897.1
61.5
$ 1,835.6 $
23.9 $
76.8
90.9
48.8
328.2
—
—
103.9
672.5
44.5
628.0 $
40.3 $
—
215.4
21.5
254.3
—
—
21.7
553.2
—
553.2 $
14.1 $
—
24.3
6.2
100.9
—
—
22.9
168.4
—
602.4 $
92.6
259.8
87.5
810.9
12.7
54.5
200.3
2,120.7
48.3
168.4 $ 2,072.4 $
144.5 $
91.8
30.2
42.3
331.4
—
—
100.9
741.1
33.7
707.4 $
79.8 $
—
161.8
20.9
271.8
—
—
14.3
548.6
—
548.6 $
$ 4,426.0 $ 1,509.5 $ 1,553.7 $
33.7
40.5
88.1
482.9 $ 4,153.6 $ 1,438.1 $ 1,489.4 $
37.0
39.0
88.7
6.3
1,260.3
257.8
81.4
14.9
304.2
337.6
10.9
69.9
—
126.9
$ 6,432.7 $ 2,190.1 $ 2,132.7 $
438.3
181.4
—
14.9
5.5
198.4
324.4
8.3
11.3
—
73.8
—
—
72.6
10.5
706.4 $ 6,167.7 $ 2,115.7 $ 2,008.5 $
1,376.7
244.6
86.0
17.8
200.3
444.8
174.4
—
17.8
1.6
56.6
—
13.4
4.6
105.2
—
—
19.8
199.6
—
199.6
453.8
5.8
263.4
8.6
—
—
5.6
737.2
2021 Federal Legislation: On November 5, 2021, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Act provided spending of
more than $500 billion on roads, highways, bridges, public transit, and utilities. For water and sewer utilities, the Act restored the exclusion from a
corporation’s income for contributions in aid of construction where the corporation is a water or sewer utility eliminated by the Tax Cuts and Jobs
Act of 2017. Under the Act, a regulated public utility that provides water or sewage disposal services can treat money or property received from
any person as a tax-free contribution to capital if it meets certain criteria for contributions made after 2020. The Act did not have a material impact
on Eversource in 2021.
2020 Federal Legislation: On March 27, 2020, former President Trump signed the $2.2 trillion bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security (CARES) Act. Among other provisions, the CARES Act provides for loans and other benefits to small and large businesses, expanded
76
unemployment insurance, direct payments to those with wages middle-income and below, new appropriations funding for health care and other
priorities, and tax changes like deferrals of employer payroll tax liabilities coupled with an employee retention tax credit and rollbacks of Tax Cuts
and Jobs Act of 2017 limitations on net operating losses and certain business interest limitation. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020,
we recorded a tax liability of $19.6 million and $39 million, respectively, related to the deferral of employer payroll tax liability provision. Fifty
percent of the 2020 deferral of employer payroll tax liability was paid by December 31, 2021 and the remaining amount must be paid by December
31, 2022. Other than the cash flow benefit described, the CARES Act did not have a material impact.
On December 27, 2020, former President Trump signed into law H.R. 133, the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.” The House of
Representatives and Senate previously passed the bill with overwhelming support. The legislation included the extension of the Investment Tax
Credit (ITC) for solar at 26 percent for facilities the construction of which begins through the end of 2022, at 22 percent for facilities the
construction of which begins in 2023, and postponement of the date after which solar facilities placed in service receive only a 10 percent ITC to
December 31, 2025, the extension of the ITC at 30 percent (with no phase-down) to offshore wind if construction begins by December 31, 2025
(qualifying offshore wind includes facilities located in the inland navigable waters or in the coastal waters of the U.S.), and the extension and
expansion of the CARES Act employee retention tax credit for the period from January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021, including increasing the
credit rate from 50 percent to 70 percent of qualified wages, and increasing the per-employee creditable wages limit from $10,000 per year to
$10,000 for each quarter. These credits provide the opportunity to generate additional tax credits in the Company’s renewable energy projects when
the projects become operational. The tax credit provision had no impact to Eversource in 2021 and the credits will be evaluated for significant
positive developments for the Company in 2022 and forward.
Carryforwards: The following table provides the amounts and expiration dates of state tax credit and loss carryforwards and federal tax credit and
net operating loss carryforwards:
As of December 31,
2021
Eversource CL&P NSTAR
Electric
(Millions of Dollars)
State Net Operating Loss
State Tax Credit
State Charitable Contribution
$
138.3 $
197.7
23.7
— $
137.0
—
PSNH
Expiration
Range
— 2021 - 2040 $
— 2021 - 2026
— 2021 - 2025
— $
—
—
2020
Eversource CL&P NSTAR
Electric
183.4 $
186.6
10.2
— $
133.4
—
PSNH
Expiration
Range
— 2021 - 2040
— 2020 - 2025
— 2020 - 2024
— $
—
—
In 2021, the Company increased its valuation allowance reserve for state credits by $13.0 million ($10.8 million for CL&P), net of tax, to reflect
an update for expiring tax credits. In 2020, the Company increased its valuation allowance reserve for state credits by $10.3 million ($8.8 million
for CL&P), net of tax, to reflect an update for expiring tax credits.
For 2021 and 2020, state credit and state loss carryforwards have been partially reserved by a valuation allowance of $61.5 million and $48.3
million (net of tax), respectively.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits: A reconciliation of the activity in unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would impact the effective tax rate if
recognized, is as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
Balance as of January 1, 2019
Eversource
CL&P
$
Gross Increases - Current Year
Gross Increases - Prior Year
Lapse of Statute of Limitations
Balance as of December 31, 2019
Gross Increases - Current Year
Gross Increases - Prior Year
Lapse of Statute of Limitations
Balance as of December 31, 2020
Gross Increases - Current Year
Gross Decreases - Prior Year
Lapse of Statute of Limitations
Balance as of December 31, 2021
$
45.9 $
12.1
3.4
(6.4)
55.0
11.9
1.4
(6.5)
61.8
11.3
(0.3)
(7.0)
65.8 $
18.2
4.0
3.3
(2.4)
23.1
4.6
0.7
(2.6)
25.8
3.8
(0.6)
(2.8)
26.2
Interest and Penalties: Interest on uncertain tax positions is recorded and generally classified as a component of Other Interest Expense on the
statements of income. However, when resolution of uncertainties results in the Company receiving interest income, any related interest benefit is
recorded in Other Income, Net on the statements of income. No penalties have been recorded. There has been no interest expense or income
recognized on uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 or 2019. The accrued interest payable was $0.1 million as of
both December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Tax Positions: During 2021 and 2020, Eversource did not resolve any of its uncertain tax positions.
Open Tax Years: The following table summarizes Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, and PSNH's tax years that remain subject to examination
by major tax jurisdictions as of December 31, 2021:
Description
Federal
Connecticut
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Tax Years
2021
2018 - 2021
2018 - 2021
2018 - 2021
Eversource does not estimate to have an earnings impact related to unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months.
77
13.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Environmental Matters
A.
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.
Environmental reserves are accrued when assessments indicate it is probable that a liability has been incurred and an amount can be reasonably
estimated. The approach used estimates the liability based on the most likely action plan from a variety of available remediation options, including
no action required or several different remedies ranging from establishing institutional controls to full site remediation and monitoring. These
liabilities are estimated on an undiscounted basis and do not assume that the amounts are recoverable from insurance companies or other third
parties. The environmental reserves include sites at different stages of discovery and remediation and do not include any unasserted claims.
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 required environmental remediation. As this
information becomes available, management will continue to assess the potential exposure and adjust the reserves accordingly.
The amounts recorded as environmental reserves are included in Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities on the balance sheets
and represent management's best estimate of the liability for environmental costs, and take into consideration site assessment, remediation and
long-term monitoring costs. The environmental reserves also take into account recurring costs of managing hazardous substances and pollutants,
mandated expenditures to remediate contaminated sites and any other infrequent and non-recurring clean-up costs. A reconciliation of the activity
in the environmental reserves is as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
Balance as of January 1, 2020
Increase Due to CMA Asset Acquisition
Additions
Payments/Reductions
Balance as of December 31, 2020
Additions
Payments/Reductions
Balance as of December 31, 2021
81.0 $
22.9
8.4
(9.9)
102.4
23.4
(10.4)
115.4 $
11.4 $
—
4.2
(3.3)
12.3
4.4
(2.8)
13.9 $
8.0 $
—
0.7
(4.0)
4.7
—
(1.4)
3.3 $
7.5
—
—
(0.4)
7.1
—
(0.8)
6.3
NSTAR Electric
Eversource
CL&P
PSNH
$
$
The number of environmental sites for which remediation or long-term monitoring, preliminary site work or site assessment is being performed are
as follows:
2021
2020
Eversource
CL&P
NSTAR Electric
11
12
14
15
61
63
PSNH
9
9
The increase in the reserve balance was due primarily to a change in cost estimates at an NSTAR Gas MGP site under investigation, which we now
know will require additional remediation.
Included in the number of sites and reserve amounts above are former MGP sites that were operated several decades ago and manufactured natural
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
$105.6 million and $92.2 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and related primarily to the natural gas business segment.
As of December 31, 2021, for 7 environmental sites (2 for CL&P) that are included in the Company's reserve for environmental costs, the
information known and the nature of the remediation options allow for the Company to estimate the range of losses for environmental costs. As of
December 31, 2021, $25.9 million (including $3.2 million for CL&P) has been accrued as a liability for these sites, which represents the low end
of the range of the liabilities for environmental costs. Management believes that additional losses of up to approximately $10 million ($0.6 million
at CL&P) may be incurred in executing current remediation plans for these sites.
As of December 31, 2021, for 13 environmental sites (7 for CL&P and 2 for NSTAR Electric) that are included in the Company's reserve for
environmental costs, management cannot reasonably estimate the exposure to loss in excess of the reserve, or range of loss, as these sites are under
investigation and/or there is significant uncertainty as to what remedial actions, if any, the Company may be required to undertake. As of
December 31, 2021, $16.1 million (including $3.9 million for CL&P and $0.2 million for NSTAR Electric) had been accrued as a liability for these
sites. As of December 31, 2021, for the remaining 41 environmental sites (including 5 for CL&P, 9 for NSTAR Electric and 9 for PSNH) that are
included in the Company's reserve for environmental costs, the $73.4 million accrual (including $6.8 million for CL&P, $3.1 million for NSTAR
Electric and $6.3 million for PSNH) represents management's best estimate of the probable liability and no additional loss is estimable at this time.
PSNH, NSTAR Gas, EGMA and Yankee Gas have rate recovery mechanisms for MGP related environmental costs, therefore, changes in their
respective environmental reserves do not impact Net Income. CL&P is allowed to defer certain environmental costs for future recovery. NSTAR
Electric does not have a separate environmental cost recovery regulatory mechanism.
78
$
$
$
2022
2022
2023
2026
2025
2023
2024
Total
Thereafter
Long-Term Contractual Arrangements
7,156.9
3,005.1
337.6
234.3
122.0
10,855.9
714.3 $
250.4
2.9
29.9
22.6
1,020.1 $
696.4 $
270.5
86.7
39.4
20.6
1,113.6 $
755.4 $
377.9
76.0
26.1
16.0
1,251.4 $
3,571.4 $
1,517.2
9.8
63.3
22.6
5,184.3 $
718.7 $
265.5
75.1
36.7
22.4
1,118.4 $
700.7 $
323.6
87.1
38.9
17.8
1,168.1 $
B.
Estimated Future Annual Costs: The estimated future annual costs of significant executed, non-cancelable, long-term contractual arrangements in
effect as of December 31, 2021 are as follows:
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Renewable Energy
Natural Gas Procurement
Purchased Power and Capacity
Peaker CfDs
Transmission Support Commitments
Total
CL&P
(Millions of Dollars)
Renewable Energy
Purchased Power and Capacity
Peaker CfDs
Transmission Support Commitments
Total
NSTAR Electric
(Millions of Dollars)
Renewable Energy
Purchased Power and Capacity
Transmission Support Commitments
Total
PSNH
(Millions of Dollars)
Renewable Energy
Purchased Power and Capacity
Transmission Support Commitments
Total
2,752.2 $
—
63.3
8.9
2,824.4 $
593.9 $
72.3
36.7
8.8
711.7 $
592.1 $
83.4
38.9
7.0
721.4 $
592.0 $
83.8
39.4
8.1
723.3 $
591.9 $
0.1
29.9
8.9
630.8 $
586.2 $
72.1
26.1
6.3
690.7 $
5,708.3
311.7
234.3
48.0
6,302.3
492.3 $
9.8
8.9
511.0 $
102.9 $
3.0
6.3
112.2 $
326.9 $
—
4.8
331.7 $
78.3 $
2.9
7.0
88.2 $
76.1 $
2.8
8.9
87.8 $
30.3 $
0.8
3.8
34.9 $
48.7 $
—
4.7
53.4 $
75.7 $
2.9
8.1
86.7 $
76.4 $
2.8
8.9
88.1 $
66.3 $
0.9
3.4
70.6 $
46.0 $
—
4.8
50.8 $
28.7 $
—
4.4
33.1 $
546.9
1.7
25.9
574.5
Thereafter
Thereafter
Thereafter
Total
Total
Total
2024
2026
2024
2023
2022
2025
2025
2026
2024
2026
2022
2023
2025
$
$
$
$
$
901.7
24.2
48.1
974.0
Renewable Energy: Renewable energy contracts include non-cancellable commitments under contracts of CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH for
the purchase of energy and capacity from renewable energy facilities. Such contracts extend through 2042 for CL&P, 2041 for NSTAR Electric
and 2033 for PSNH.
As required by 2018 regulation, CL&P and UI each entered into PURA-approved ten-year contracts in 2019 to purchase a combined total of
approximately 9 million MWh annually from the Millstone Nuclear Power Station generation facility, which represents a combined amount of
approximately 50 percent of the facility's output (approximately 40 percent by CL&P). The Millstone Nuclear Power Station has a 2,112 MW
nameplate capacity. Energy deliveries and payments under these contracts began in 2019. Also as required by 2018 regulation, CL&P and UI each
entered into PURA-approved eight-year contracts in 2019 to purchase a combined amount of approximately 18 percent of the Seabrook Nuclear
Power Plant’s output (approximately 15 percent by CL&P) beginning January 1, 2022. The Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant has an approximate
1,250 MW nameplate capacity. The total estimated remaining future cost of the Millstone Nuclear Power Station and Seabrook Nuclear Power
Plant energy purchase contracts are $3.3 billion and are reflected in the table above. CL&P sells the energy purchased under these contracts into
the market and uses the proceeds from these energy sales to offset the contract costs. As the net costs under these contracts are recovered from
customers in future rates, the contracts do not have an impact on the net income of CL&P. These contracts do not meet the definition of a
derivative, and accordingly, the costs of these contracts are being accounted for as incurred.
Excluded from the table above are long-term commitments of NSTAR Electric pertaining to the Massachusetts Clean Energy 83D contract, for
which construction was suspended prior to December 31, 2021. Should the project attain feasibility and construction recommence, the estimated
costs under the contract may potentially begin in 2023 and range between $150 million and $415 million per year under a 20-year contract, totaling
approximately $6.7 billion.
The contractual obligations table above does not include long-term commitments signed by CL&P and NSTAR Electric, as required by the PURA
and DPU, respectively, for the purchase of renewable energy and related products that are contingent on the future construction of energy facilities.
Natural Gas Procurement: Eversource's natural gas distribution businesses have long-term contracts for the purchase, transportation and storage
of natural gas as part of its portfolio of supplies, which extend through 2045.
Purchased Power and Capacity: These contracts include capacity CfDs of CL&P through 2026, and various IPP contracts or purchase obligations
for electricity which extend through 2024 for CL&P, 2031 for NSTAR Electric and 2023 for PSNH.
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
capacities of these contracts as of both December 31, 2021 and 2020 were 675 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. CL&P's portion of the costs and benefits of these contracts will be
paid by, or refunded to, CL&P's customers.
79
The contractual obligations table above does not include CL&P's, NSTAR Electric's or PSNH's standard/basic service contracts for the purchase of
energy supply, the amounts of which vary with customers' energy needs.
Peaker CfDs: CL&P, along with UI, has three peaker CfDs for a total of approximately 500 MW of peaking capacity through 2042. CL&P has a
sharing agreement with UI, whereby CL&P is responsible for 80 percent and UI for 20 percent of the net costs or benefits of these CfDs. The
Peaker CfDs pay the generation facility owner the difference between capacity, forward reserve and energy market revenues and a cost-of-service
payment stream for 30 years. The ultimate cost or benefit to CL&P under these contracts will depend on the costs of plant operation and the prices
that the projects receive for capacity and other products in the ISO-NE markets. CL&P's portion of the amounts paid or received under the Peaker
CfDs are recovered from, or refunded to, CL&P's customers.
Transmission Support Commitments: Along with other New England utilities, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH entered into a series of
agreements in the 1980’s to support the costs of, and receive rights to use, transmission and terminal facilities that were built to import electricity
from the Hydro-Québec system in Canada. CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH were obligated to pay, over a 30-year period that ended in 2020,
their proportionate shares of the annual operation and maintenance expenses and capital costs of those facilities. On December 18, 2020, the
parties to these agreements submitted to FERC an offer of settlement and amendments to these agreements implementing the terms of an extension
for an additional 20-year period ending in 2040. On May 20, 2021, FERC approved this settlement, effective January 1, 2021.
The total costs incurred under these agreements were as follows:
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Renewable Energy
Natural Gas Procurement
Purchased Power and Capacity
Peaker CfDs
Transmission Support Commitments
609.2 $
712.7
56.4
24.3
15.4
2021
$
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
584.2 $
453.4
62.7
22.7
22.1
2019
320.8
448.5
62.1
13.0
21.8
2021
NSTAR
Electric
CL&P
(Millions of Dollars)
Renewable Energy
Purchased Power and Capacity
Peaker CfDs
Transmission Support Commitments
$
457.1 $
53.1
24.3
6.1
PSNH
67.4 $
0.3
—
3.3
84.7 $
3.0
—
6.0
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
CL&P
426.3 $
59.3
22.7
8.7
88.8 $
3.1
—
8.7
2019
NSTAR
Electric
CL&P
69.1 $
0.3
—
4.7
160.6 $
50.4
13.0
8.6
PSNH
70.3
6.6
—
4.6
89.9 $
5.1
—
8.6
Spent Nuclear Fuel Obligations - Yankee Companies
C.
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 power facilities and are now engaged in the long-term storage of their spent fuel. The
Yankee Companies fund these costs through litigation proceeds received from the DOE and, to the extent necessary, through wholesale, FERC-
approved rates charged under power purchase agreements with several New England utilities, including CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH.
CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, in turn recover these costs from their customers through state regulatory commission-approved retail rates.
The Yankee Companies collect 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 accept delivery of, and 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 previously awarded the Yankee Companies damages for
Phases I, II, III and IV of litigation resulting from the DOE's failure to meet its contractual obligations. These Phases covered damages incurred in
the years 1998 through 2016, 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 a fourth set of lawsuits against the DOE in the Court of Federal
Claims. The Yankee Companies sought monetary damages totaling $104.4 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). On February 21, 2019, the
Yankee Companies received a partial summary judgment and partial final judgment in their favor for the undisputed amount of monetary damages
of $103.2 million. The court awarded CYAPC, YAEC and MYAPC damages of $40.7 million, $28.1 million and $34.4 million, respectively. The
DOE did not appeal the court's judgment and the decision became final on April 23, 2019. On June 12, 2019, each of the Yankee Companies
received the damages proceeds. On June 12, 2019, the court accepted an offer of judgment in the amount of $0.5 million to settle the disputed
amount of approximately $1 million in Phase IV contested damages. The Yankee Companies received the $0.5 million payment in July 2019.
In September 2019, the Yankee Companies made a required informational filing with FERC as to the use of proceeds, for which approval was
received in the fourth quarter of 2019. In December 2019, YAEC and MYAPC returned proceeds of $5.4 million and $21.0 million, respectively,
to its member companies, of which the Eversource utilities (CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH) received a total of $2.8 million from YAEC and
$5.0 million from MYAPC. The Eversource utilities refund these amounts received to their utility customers. Also, in December 2019, CYAPC
paid $29.0 million to the DOE to partially settle its pre-1983 spent nuclear fuel obligation.
DOE Phase V Damages - On March 25, 2021, each of the Yankee Companies filed a fifth set of lawsuits against the DOE in the Court of Federal
Claims. The Yankee Companies filed claims seeking monetary damages totaling $120.4 million for CYAPC, YAEC and MYAPC, resulting from
the DOE's failure to begin accepting spent nuclear fuel for disposal covering the years from 2017 to 2020 (DOE Phase V). The DOE Phase V trial
is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2023.
80
Guarantees and Indemnifications
D.
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. Management does not anticipate a material impact to net income or cash flows as a result of these various
guarantees and indemnifications.
Guarantees issued on behalf of unconsolidated entities, including equity method offshore wind investments, for which Eversource parent is the
guarantor, are recorded at fair value as a liability on the balance sheet at the inception of the guarantee. Eversource regularly reviews performance
risk under these guarantee arrangements, and in the event it becomes probable that Eversource parent will be required to perform under the
guarantee, the amount of probable payment will be recorded. The fair value of guarantees issued on behalf of unconsolidated entities are recorded
within Other Long-Term Liabilities on the balance sheet, and was $7.3 million as of December 31, 2021.
The following table summarizes Eversource parent's exposure to guarantees and indemnifications of its subsidiaries and affiliates to external
parties:
As of December 31, 2021
Company (Obligor)
North East Offshore LLC
Sunrise Wind LLC
Revolution Wind, LLC
South Fork Wind, LLC
Eversource Investment LLC
Sunrise Wind LLC
Bay State Wind LLC
South Fork Wind, LLC
Various
Eversource Service
Description
Construction-related purchase agreements with third-party contractors (1) $
Construction-related purchase agreements with third-party contractors (2)
Construction-related purchase agreements with third-party contractors (3)
Construction-related purchase agreements with third-party contractors (4)
Funding and indemnification obligations of North East Offshore LLC (5)
OREC capacity production (6)
Real estate purchase
Transmission interconnection
Surety bonds (7)
Lease payments for real estate
Expiration
Dates
(1)
Maximum Exposure
(in millions)
1,080.6
382.3
150.9
125.2 2023 - 2026
2026
2027
(5)
—
2.2
2.5
1.2
54.7 2022 - 2023
0.8
(6)
2022
—
2024
(1) Eversource parent issued guarantees on behalf of its 50 percent-owned affiliate, North East Offshore LLC (NEO), under which Eversource
parent agreed to guarantee 50 percent of NEO’s performance of obligations under certain purchase agreements with third-party contactors, in
an aggregate amount not to exceed $1.3 billion with an expiration date in 2025. Eversource parent also issued a separate guarantee to Ørsted
on behalf of NEO, under which Eversource parent agreed to guarantee 50 percent of NEO’s payment obligations under certain offshore wind
project construction-related agreements with Ørsted in an aggregate amount not to exceed $62.5 million and expiring upon full performance
of the guaranteed obligation. Any amounts paid under this guarantee to Ørsted will count toward, but not increase, the maximum amount of
the Funding Guarantee described in Note 5, below. The guarantee expires upon the full performance of the guaranteed obligations.
(2) Eversource parent issued a guaranty on behalf of its 50 percent-owned affiliate, Sunrise Wind LLC, whereby Eversource parent will guarantee
Sunrise Wind LLC's performance of certain obligations, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $420.6 million, in connection with a
construction-related purchase agreement. Eversource parent’s obligations under the guarantee expire upon the earlier of (i) April 2026 and (ii)
full performance of the guaranteed obligations.
(3) Eversource parent issued a guaranty on behalf of its 50 percent-owned affiliate, Revolution Wind, LLC, whereby Eversource parent will
guarantee Revolution Wind, LLC's performance of certain obligations, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $158.9 million, in connection
with a construction-related purchase agreement. Eversource parent’s obligations under the guarantee expire upon the earlier of (i) November
2027 and (ii) full performance of the guaranteed obligations.
(4) Eversource parent issued three guarantees on behalf of its 50 percent-owned affiliate, South Fork Wind, LLC, whereby Eversource parent will
guarantee South Fork Wind, LLC's performance of certain obligations in connection with three construction-related purchase agreements.
Under these guarantees, Eversource parent will guarantee South Fork Wind, LLC's performance of certain obligations, in a total aggregate
amount not to exceed $137.2 million. Eversource parent’s obligations under these guarantees expire upon the earlier of (i) dates ranging from
October 2023 and August 2026 and (ii) full performance of the guaranteed obligations.
(5) Eversource parent issued a guarantee (Funding Guarantee) on behalf of Eversource Investment LLC (EI), its wholly-owned subsidiary that
holds a 50 percent ownership interest in NEO, under which Eversource parent agreed to guarantee certain funding obligations and certain
indemnification payments of EI under the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of NEO, in an amount not
to exceed $910 million. The guaranteed obligations include payment of EI's funding obligations during the construction phase of NEO’s
underlying offshore wind projects and indemnification obligations associated with third party credit support for its investment in NEO.
Eversource parent’s obligations under the Funding Guarantee expire upon the full performance of the guaranteed obligations.
(6) Eversource parent issued a guarantee on behalf of its 50 percent-owned affiliate, Sunrise Wind LLC, whereby Eversource parent will
guarantee Sunrise Wind LLC's performance of certain obligations, in an amount not to exceed $15.4 million, under the Offshore Wind
Renewable Energy Certificate Purchase and Sale Agreement (the Agreement). The Agreement was executed on October 23, 2019, by and
between the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Sunrise Wind LLC. The guarantee expires upon
the full performance of the guaranteed obligations.
(7) 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.
Letter of Credit: On September 16, 2020, Eversource parent entered into a guarantee on behalf of EI, which holds Eversource's investments in
offshore wind-related equity method investments, under which Eversource parent would guarantee EI's obligations under a letter of credit facility
with a financial institution that EI may request in an aggregate amount of up to approximately $25 million. In January 2022, Eversource parent
issued two letters of credit on behalf of South Fork Wind, LLC related to future decommissioning obligations of certain on-shore transmission
assets totaling $4.3 million.
81
2022 Guarantees: In the first quarter of 2022, Eversource parent issued two additional guarantees on behalf of South Fork Wind, LLC totaling
$43.4 million, whereby Eversource parent will guarantee South Fork Wind, LLC's performance of certain PPA and other contractual obligations.
FERC ROE Complaints
E.
Four separate complaints were 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. In the fourth complaint, filed April 29, 2016, the Complainants challenged the NETOs' base ROE billed 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.
The ROE originally 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 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, which totaled $38.9 million (pre-tax and excluding interest) at
Eversource and reflected both the base ROE and incentive cap prescribed by the FERC order. The refund consisted of $22.4 million for CL&P,
$13.7 million for NSTAR Electric and $2.8 million for PSNH.
Eversource has recorded a reserve of $39.1 million (pre-tax and excluding interest) for the second complaint period as of both December 31, 2021
and 2020. 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
both December 31, 2021 and 2020.
On October 16, 2018, FERC issued an order on all four complaints describing how it intends to address the issues that were remanded by the
Court. FERC proposed a new framework to determine (1) whether an existing ROE is unjust and unreasonable and, if so, (2) how to calculate a
replacement ROE. Initial briefs were filed by the NETOs, Complainants and FERC Trial Staff on January 11, 2019 and reply briefs were filed on
March 8, 2019. The NETOs' brief was supportive of the overall ROE methodology determined in the October 16, 2018 order provided the FERC
does not change the proposed methodology or alter its implementation in a manner that has a material impact on the results.
The FERC order included illustrative calculations for the first complaint using FERC's proposed frameworks with financial data from that
complaint. Those illustrative calculations indicated that for the first complaint period, for the NETOs, which FERC concludes are of average
financial risk, the preliminary just and reasonable base ROE is 10.41 percent and the preliminary incentive cap on total ROE is 13.08 percent. If
the results of the illustrative calculations were included in a final FERC order for each of the complaint periods, then a 10.41 percent base ROE
and a 13.08 percent incentive cap would not have a significant impact on our financial statements for all of the complaint periods. These
preliminary calculations are not binding and do not represent what we believe to be the most likely outcome of a final FERC order.
On November 21, 2019, FERC issued Opinion No. 569 affecting the two pending transmission ROE complaints against the Midcontinent ISO
(MISO) transmission owners, in which FERC adopted a new methodology for determining base ROEs. Various parties sought rehearing. On
December 23, 2019, the NETOs filed supplementary materials in the NETOs' four pending cases to respond to this new methodology because of
the uncertainty of the applicability to the NETOs' cases.
On May 21, 2020, the FERC issued its order in Opinion No. 569-A on the rehearing of the MISO transmission owners' cases, in which FERC
again changed its methodology for determining the MISO transmission owners' base ROEs. On November 19, 2020, the FERC issued Opinion
No. 569-B denying rehearing of Opinion No. 569-A and reaffirmed the methodology previously adopted in Opinion No. 569-A. The new
methodology differs significantly from the methodology proposed by FERC in its October 16, 2018 order to determine the NETOs' base ROEs in
its four pending cases. FERC Opinion Nos. 569-A and 569-B are currently under appeal with the Court.
Given the significant uncertainty regarding the applicability of the FERC opinions in the MISO transmission owners' two complaint cases to the
NETOs' pending four complaint cases, Eversource concluded that there is no reasonable basis for a change to the reserve or recognized ROEs for
any of the complaint periods at this time. As well, Eversource cannot reasonably estimate a range of any gain or loss for any of the four complaint
proceedings at this time.
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.
A change of 10 basis points to the base ROE used to establish the reserves would impact Eversource’s after-tax earnings by an average of
approximately $3 million for each of the four 15-month complaint periods.
Eversource and NSTAR Electric Boston Harbor Civil Action
F.
In 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 against 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 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. Construction of the new distribution cable was completed in August 2019 and
removal of the portions of the existing cable was completed in January 2020. All issues surrounding the current permit from the United States
Army Corps of Engineers are expected to be resolved and remaining restoration efforts completed, at which time such litigation is expected to be
dismissed with prejudice.
CL&P Regulatory Matters
G.
CL&P Tropical Storm Isaias Response Investigation: In August 2020, PURA opened a docket to investigate the preparation for and response to
Tropical Storm Isaias by Connecticut utilities, including CL&P. On April 28, 2021, PURA issued a final decision on CL&P’s compliance with its
emergency response plan that concluded CL&P failed to comply with certain storm performance standards and was imprudent in certain instances.
Specifically, PURA concluded that CL&P did not satisfy the performance standards for managing its municipal liaison program, timely removing
electrical hazards from blocked roads, communicating critical information to its customers, or meeting its obligation to secure adequate external
contractor and mutual aid resources in a timely manner. Based on its findings, PURA ordered CL&P to adjust its future rates in a pending or future
82
rate proceeding to reflect a monetary penalty in the form of a downward adjustment of 90 basis points in its allowed rate of return on equity
(ROE), which is currently 9.25 percent. In its decision, PURA explained that additional monetary penalties and further enforcement orders
pursuant to Connecticut statute would be considered in a separate proceeding that was initiated on May 6, 2021.
On May 6, 2021, as part of the penalty proceeding, PURA issued a notice of violation that included an assessment of $30 million, consisting of a
$28.4 million civil penalty for non-compliance with storm performance standards to be provided as credits on customer bills and a $1.6 million
fine for violations of accident reporting requirements to be paid to the State of Connecticut’s general fund. On July 14, 2021, PURA issued a final
decision in this penalty proceeding that included an assessment of $28.6 million, maintaining the $28.4 million performance penalty and reducing
the $1.6 million fine for accident reporting to $0.2 million. The $28.4 million performance penalty is currently being credited to customers on
electric bills beginning on September 1, 2021 over a one-year period. The $28.4 million is the maximum statutory penalty amount under
applicable Connecticut law in effect at the time of Tropical Storm Isaias, which is 2.5 percent of CL&P’s annual distribution revenues. The
liability for the performance penalty was recorded as a current regulatory liability on CL&P’s balance sheet and as a reduction to Operating
Revenues on the year ended December 31, 2021 statement of income. The after-tax earnings impact of this charge was $0.07 per share.
CL&P Settlement Agreement: On October 1, 2021, CL&P entered into a settlement agreement with the DEEP, Office of Consumer Counsel
(OCC), Office of the Attorney General (AG) and the Connecticut Industrial Energy Consumers, resolving certain issues that arose in then-pending
regulatory proceedings initiated by the PURA. PURA approved the settlement agreement on October 27, 2021. In the settlement agreement,
CL&P agreed to provide a total of $65 million of customer credits, which were distributed based on customer sales over a two-month billing
period from December 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022. CL&P also agreed to irrevocably set aside $10 million to provide bill payment assistance to
certain existing non-hardship and hardship customers carrying arrearages, as approved by the PURA, with the objective of disbursing the funds
prior to April 30, 2022. CL&P recorded a current regulatory liability of $75 million on the balance sheet associated with the provisions of the
settlement agreement, with a $65 million pre-tax charge as a reduction to Operating Revenues associated with the customer credits and a
$10 million charge to Operations and Maintenance expense associated with the customer assistance fund on the year ended December 31, 2021
statement of income.
In exchange for the $75 million of customer credits and assistance, PURA’s interim rate reduction docket was resolved without findings. As a
result of the settlement agreement, neither the 90 basis point reduction to CL&P’s return on equity introduced in PURA’s storm-related decision
issued April 28, 2021, nor the 45 basis point reduction to CL&P’s return on equity included in PURA’s decision issued September 14, 2021 in the
interim rate reduction docket, will be implemented.
CL&P has also agreed to freeze its current base distribution rates, subject to the customer credits described above, until no earlier than January 1,
2024. The rate freeze applies only to base distribution rates (including storm costs) and not to other rate mechanisms such as the retail rate
components, rate reconciling mechanisms, formula rates and any other adjustment mechanisms. The rate freeze also does not apply to any cost
recovery mechanism outside of the base distribution rates with regard to grid-modernization initiatives or any other proceedings, either currently
pending or that may be initiated during the rate freeze period, that may place additional obligations on CL&P. The approval of the settlement
agreement satisfies the Connecticut statute of rate review requirements that requires electric utilities to file a distribution rate case within four years
of the last rate case.
As part of the settlement agreement, CL&P agreed to withdraw with prejudice its pending appeals of PURA’s decisions dated April 28, 2021 and
July 14, 2021 related to Storm Isaias and agreed to waive its right to file an appeal and seek a judicial stay of the September 14, 2021 decision in
the interim rate reduction docket. The settlement agreement assures that CL&P will have the opportunity to petition for and demonstrate the
prudency of the storm costs incurred to respond to customer outages associated with Storm Isaias in a future ratemaking proceeding.
The cumulative pre-tax impact of the settlement agreement and the Storm Isaias assessment imposed in PURA’s April 28, 2021 and July 14, 2021
decisions totaled $103.6 million, and the after-tax earnings impact was $86.1 million, or $0.25 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Litigation and Legal Proceedings
H.
Eversource, including CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, are involved in legal, tax and regulatory proceedings regarding matters arising in the
ordinary course of business, which involve management's assessment to determine the probability of whether a loss will occur and, if probable, its
best estimate of probable loss. The Company records and discloses losses when these losses are probable and reasonably estimable, and discloses
matters when losses are probable but not estimable or when losses are reasonably possible. Legal costs related to the defense of loss contingencies
are expensed as incurred.
14.
LEASES
Eversource, including CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, has entered into lease agreements as a lessee for the use of land, office space, service
centers, vehicles, information technology, and equipment. These lease agreements are classified as either finance or operating leases and the
liability and right-of-use asset are recognized on the balance sheet at lease commencement. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not
recorded on the balance sheet and are recognized as lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Eversource determines whether or not a contract contains a lease based on whether or not it provides Eversource with the use of a specifically
identified asset for a period of time, as well as both the right to direct the use of that asset and receive the significant economic benefits of the
asset. Eversource has elected the practical expedient to not separate non-lease components from lease components and instead to account for both
as a single lease component, with the exception of the information technology asset class where the lease and non-lease components are separated.
The provisions of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH lease agreements contain renewal options. The renewal options range from one
year to twenty years. The renewal period is included in the measurement of the lease liability if it is reasonably certain that Eversource will
exercise these renewal options.
For leases entered into or modified after the January 1, 2019 implementation date, the discount rate utilized for classification and measurement
purposes as of the inception date of the lease is based on each company's collateralized incremental interest rate to borrow over a comparable term
for an individual lease because the rate implicit in the lease is not determinable.
CL&P and PSNH entered into certain contracts for the purchase of energy that qualify as leases. These contracts do not have minimum lease
payments and therefore are not recognized as a lease liability on the balance sheet and are not reflected in the future minimum lease payments table
below. Expense related to these contracts is included as variable lease cost in the table below. The expense and long-term obligation for these
contracts are also included in Note 13B, "Commitments and Contingencies - Long-Term Contractual Arrangements," to the financial statements.
83
The components of lease cost, prior to amounts capitalized, are as follows:
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Finance Lease Cost:
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2021
Amortization of Right-of-use-Assets
Interest on Lease Liabilities
Total Finance Lease Cost
Operating Lease Cost
Variable Lease Cost
Total Lease Cost
$
$
4.6 $
3.9
8.5
12.2
61.0
81.7 $
2019
1.7
1.2
2.9
11.7
60.5
75.1
2.6 $
1.4
4.0
11.1
57.8
72.9 $
(Millions of Dollars)
Operating Leases:
Right-of-use-Assets, Net
Operating Lease Liabilities
Current Portion
Long-Term
Right-of-use-Assets, Net
Finance Lease Liabilities
Current Portion
Long-Term
(Millions of Dollars)
Finance Lease Cost:
Amortization of Right-of-
use-Assets
$
Interest on Lease Liabilities
Total Finance Lease Cost
Operating Lease Cost
Variable Lease Cost
Total Lease Cost
$
2021
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
CL&P
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
CL&P
2019
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
CL&P
0.5 $
0.1
0.6
0.3
16.2
17.1 $
0.2 $
0.6
0.8
2.3
—
3.1 $
0.1 $
—
0.1
0.1
44.8
45.0 $
0.7 $
0.3
1.0
0.6
12.2
13.8 $
0.2 $
0.6
0.8
2.1
—
2.9 $
0.1 $
—
0.1
0.1
45.6
45.8 $
0.7 $
0.6
1.3
0.5
13.3
15.1 $
0.2 $
0.6
0.8
3.4
—
4.2 $
0.1
—
0.1
0.1
47.2
47.4
Operating lease cost, net of the capitalized portion, is included in Operations and Maintenance (or Purchased Power, Fuel and Transmission
expense for transmission leases) on the statements of income. Amortization of finance lease assets is included in Depreciation on the statements of
income. Interest expense on finance leases is included in Interest Expense on the statements of income.
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows:
Balance Sheet
Classification
As of December 31, 2021
Eversource CL&P NSTAR
Electric
Eversource CL&P
As of December 31, 2020
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
PSNH
Other Long-Term Assets $
47.2 $
0.1 $
24.3 $
0.3 $
55.2 $
0.3 $
23.6 $
Other Current Liabilities $
Other Long-Term
Liabilities
10.0 $
37.2
47.2 $
0.1 $
—
0.1 $
1.1 $
— $
9.5 $
23.2
24.3 $
0.3
0.3 $
45.7
55.2 $
0.2 $
0.1
0.3 $
0.7 $
22.9
23.6 $
Property, Plant and
Equipment, Net
$
58.0 $
— $
3.3 $
0.7 $
60.5 $
0.7 $
3.5 $
Total Operating Lease Liabilities
Finance Leases:
$
Total Finance Lease Liabilities
$
Other Current Liabilities $
Other Long-Term
Liabilities
3.9 $
55.4
59.3 $
— $
—
— $
— $
4.9
4.9 $
0.1 $
0.6
0.7 $
5.0 $
57.6
62.6 $
1.4 $
—
1.4 $
— $
4.8
4.8 $
The finance lease payments that NSTAR Electric will make over the next twelve months are entirely interest-related, due to escalating payments.
As such, none of the finance lease payments over the next twelve months will reduce the finance lease liability.
Other information related to leases is as follows:
Eversource
CL&P
2021
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
Eversource
CL&P
2020
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
As of December 31,
Weighted-Average Remaining Lease Term (Years):
Operating Leases
Finance Leases
Weighted-Average Discount Rate (Percentage):
Operating Leases
Finance Leases
13
16
4.1 %
2.7 %
7
—
3.0 %
— %
18
20
4.0 %
2.9 %
7
7
3.7 %
3.5 %
10
17
3
1
4.0 %
2.9 %
2.4 %
10.5 %
19
21
4.1 %
2.9 %
8
8
3.7 %
3.5 %
84
0.3
—
0.3
0.3
0.8
0.1
0.7
0.8
(Millions of Dollars)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2021
Cash Paid for Amounts Included in the Measurement of Lease Liabilities:
Operating Cash Flows from Operating Leases
Operating Cash Flows from Finance Leases
Financing Cash Flows from Finance Leases
$
Supplemental Non-Cash Information on Lease Liabilities:
Right-of-use-Assets Obtained in Exchange for New Operating Lease Liabilities
Right-of-use-Assets Obtained in Exchange for New Finance Lease Liabilities
(Millions of Dollars)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Cash Paid for Amounts Included in the Measurement of Lease Liabilities:
Operating Cash Flows from Operating Leases
Operating Cash Flows from Finance Leases
Financing Cash Flows from Finance Leases
Supplemental Non-Cash Information on Lease Liabilities:
Right-of-use-Assets Obtained in Exchange for New Operating Lease Liabilities
Right-of-use-Assets Obtained in Exchange for New Finance Lease Liabilities
(Millions of Dollars)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Cash Paid for Amounts Included in the Measurement of Lease Liabilities:
Operating Cash Flows from Operating Leases
Operating Cash Flows from Finance Leases
Financing Cash Flows from Finance Leases
Supplemental Non-Cash Information on Lease Liabilities:
Right-of-use-Assets Obtained in Exchange for New Operating Lease Liabilities
Right-of-use-Assets Obtained in Exchange for New Finance Lease Liabilities
$
$
Eversource
CL&P
NSTAR Electric
PSNH
12.1 $
3.4
4.1
2.1
2.3
0.3 $
0.1
1.4
—
—
2.1 $
0.6
—
1.9
—
Eversource
CL&P
NSTAR Electric
PSNH
10.9 $
1.7
2.8
0.6
0.7
0.6 $
0.3
1.6
0.1
—
1.8 $
0.6
—
0.2
0.3
Eversource
CL&P
NSTAR Electric
PSNH
11.4 $
1.2
2.6
2.9
2.0
0.4 $
0.6
1.4
1.0
—
1.6 $
0.6
—
0.1
—
0.1
—
0.1
—
—
0.1
—
0.1
—
—
0.1
—
0.1
0.2
—
In 2020, Eversource also acquired $14.7 million of right-of-use assets in exchange for the assumption of new operating lease liabilities and
$54.2 million of right-of-use assets in exchange for the assumption of new finance lease liabilities as a result of the CMA asset acquisition.
Future minimum lease payments, excluding variable costs, under long-term leases, as of December 31, 2021 are as follows:
Finance Leases
Operating Leases
(Millions of Dollars)
Year Ending December 31,
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Thereafter
Future lease payments
Less amount representing interest
Present value of future minimum lease payments
Eversource
CL&P
NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
Eversource NSTAR
Electric
PSNH
$
$
11.1 $
7.6
6.1
3.2
2.5
27.8
58.3
11.1
47.2 $
0.1 $
—
—
—
—
—
0.1
—
0.1 $
2.1 $
2.1
2.1
1.7
1.7
25.3
35.0
10.7
24.3 $
0.1 $
0.1
—
—
—
0.1
0.3
—
0.3 $
6.0 $
5.2
5.3
5.2
4.7
56.0
82.4
23.1
59.3 $
0.6 $
0.7
0.7
0.6
0.6
12.4
15.6
10.7
4.9 $
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.3
0.8
0.1
0.7
85
15.
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:
(Millions of Dollars)
As of December 31, 2021:
Preferred Stock Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption
Long-Term Debt
Rate Reduction Bonds
As of December 31, 2020:
Preferred Stock Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption
Long-Term Debt
Rate Reduction Bonds
Eversource
CL&P
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
NSTAR Electric
Fair
Value
Carrying
Amount
PSNH
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
$ 155.6 $ 166.3 $ 116.2 $ 122.3 $
—
18,216.7 19,636.3 4,215.4 4,848.9 3,985.4 4,453.5 1,163.8 1,220.6
—
543.3
543.3
496.9
44.0 $
43.0 $
496.9
— $
—
—
—
$ 155.6 $ 169.1 $ 116.2 $ 123.4 $
—
16,179.1 18,420.1 3,914.8 4,800.9 3,643.2 4,294.0 1,099.1 1,207.0
—
603.4
540.1
43.0 $
45.7 $
603.4
540.1
— $
—
—
—
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 1I, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Fair Value Measurements," for the fair value measurement policy and the fair value
hierarchy.
16.
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) by component, net of tax, are as follows:
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Balance as of January 1st
For the Year Ended December 31, 2021
Qualified
Cash Flow
Hedging
Instruments
$
(1.4) $
Unrealized
Gains/(Losses)
on Marketable
Securities
1.1 $
Defined
Benefit
Plans
(76.1) $
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Qualified
Cash Flow
Hedging
Instruments
Unrealized
Gains
on Marketable
Securities
Total
(76.4) $
(3.0) $
0.7 $
Defined
Benefit
Plans
(62.8) $
Total
(65.1)
OCI Before Reclassifications
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI
Net OCI
Balance as of December 31st
$
—
1.0
1.0
(0.4) $
(0.7)
—
(0.7)
0.4 $
24.1
9.7
33.8
(42.3) $
23.4
10.7
34.1
(42.3) $
—
1.6
1.6
(1.4) $
0.4
—
0.4
1.1 $
(19.6)
6.3
(13.3)
(76.1) $
(19.2)
7.9
(11.3)
(76.4)
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. The related tax effects of the
defined benefit plan OCI amounts before reclassifications recognized in AOCI were net deferred tax liabilities of $8.3 million in 2021 and deferred
tax assets of $6.0 million and $4.4 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The following table sets forth the amounts reclassified from AOCI by component and the impacted line item on the statements of income:
2021
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Qualified Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
Tax Effect
Qualified Cash Flow Hedging Instruments, Net of Tax
Defined Benefit Plan Costs:
Amortization of Actuarial Losses
Amortization of Prior Service Credit/(Cost)
Total Defined Benefit Plan Costs
Tax Effect
Defined Benefit Plan Costs, Net of Tax
Total Amounts Reclassified from AOCI, Net of Tax
$
$
$
$
$
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
(1.7) $
0.7
(1.0) $
(2.5) $
0.9
(1.6) $
(13.1) $
—
(13.1)
3.4
(9.7) $
(10.7) $
(8.1) $
(0.3)
(8.4)
2.1
(6.3) $
(7.9) $
Statements of Income
Line Item Impacted
Interest Expense
Income Tax Expense
Other Income, Net (1)
Other Income, Net (1)
Income Tax Expense
2019
(2.5)
1.1
(1.4)
(5.7)
(1.8)
(7.5)
1.9
(5.6)
(7.0)
(1) These amounts are included in the computation of net periodic Pension, SERP and PBOP costs. See Note 1M, "Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies – Other Income, Net" and Note 11A, "Employee Benefits – Pension Benefits and Postretirement Benefits Other Than
Pension," for further information.
As of December 31, 2021, it is estimated that a pre-tax amount of $0.1 million ($0.1 million for NSTAR Electric) will be reclassified from AOCI
as a decrease to Net Income over the next 12 months as a result of the amortization of the interest rate swap agreements which have been settled.
86
17.
DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS
Eversource parent's ability to pay dividends may be affected by certain state statutes, the ability of its subsidiaries to pay common dividends and
the leverage restriction tied to its consolidated total debt to total capitalization ratio requirement in its revolving credit agreements. Pursuant to the
joint revolving credit agreement of Eversource, CL&P, PSNH, NSTAR Gas, Yankee Gas, EGMA and Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut,
and to the NSTAR Electric revolving credit agreement, each company is required to maintain consolidated total indebtedness to total capitalization
ratio of no greater than 65 percent at the end of each fiscal quarter. As of December 31, 2021, all companies were in compliance with such
covenant and in compliance with all such provisions of the revolving credit agreements that may restrict the payment of dividends as of
December 31, 2021.
The Retained Earnings balances subject to dividend restrictions were $5.01 billion for Eversource, $2.23 billion for CL&P, $2.72 billion for
NSTAR Electric and $504.6 million for PSNH as of December 31, 2021.
CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH are subject to Section 305 of the Federal Power Act that makes it unlawful for a public utility to make or pay a
dividend from any funds "properly included in its capital account." Management believes that this Federal Power Act restriction, as applied to
CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, would not be construed or applied by the FERC to prohibit the payment of dividends from retained earnings
for lawful and legitimate business purposes. In addition, certain state statutes may impose additional limitations on such companies and on
NSTAR Gas, Yankee Gas, EGMA, Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut, Aquarion Water Company of Massachusetts and Aquarion Water
Company of New Hampshire. Such state law restrictions do not restrict the payment of dividends from retained earnings or net income.
18.
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:
Eversource
CL&P
NSTAR Electric
PSNH
Shares
Authorized as of
December 31, 2021
and 2020
380,000,000
24,500,000
100,000,000
100,000,000
5
10
1
1
Par Value
$
$
$
$
Issued as of December 31,
2020
2021
357,818,402
357,818,402
6,035,205
6,035,205
200
200
301
301
Common Share Issuances and 2019 Forward Sale Agreement: On June 15, 2020, Eversource completed an equity offering of 6,000,000 common
shares at a price per share of $86.26. Eversource used the net proceeds of this offering to fund a portion of the purchase of the assets of CMA that
closed on October 9, 2020. The issuance of these common shares resulted in proceeds of $509.2 million, net of issuance costs.
In June 2019, Eversource completed an equity offering consisting of 5,980,000 common shares issued directly by the Company and 11,960,000
common shares issuable pursuant to a forward sale agreement with an investment bank. Under the forward sale agreement, 11,960,000 common
shares were borrowed from third parties and sold by the underwriters. The forward sale agreement allowed Eversource, at its election and prior to
May 29, 2020, to physically settle the forward sale agreement by issuing common shares in exchange for net proceeds at the then-applicable
forward sale price specified by the agreement (initially, $71.48 per share) or, alternatively, to settle the forward sale agreement in whole or in part
through the delivery or receipt of shares or cash. The forward sale price was subject to adjustment daily based on a floating interest rate factor and
would decrease in respect of certain fixed amounts specified in the agreement, such as dividends.
Eversource issued 6,000,000 common shares under the forward sale agreement in December 2019. On March 23, 2020, Eversource physically
settled a portion of the forward sale agreement by delivering 1,500,000 common shares in exchange for net proceeds of $105.7 million.
Subsequently, on March 26, 2020, Eversource physically settled the remaining portion of the forward sale agreement by delivering 4,460,000
common shares in exchange for net proceeds of $314.1 million. The forward sale price used to determine the cash proceeds received by
Eversource was calculated based on the initial forward sale price, as adjusted in accordance with the forward sale agreement.
The March and June 2020 common share issuances of 5,960,000 and 6,000,000, respectively, resulted in total proceeds of $929.0 million, net of
issuance costs. The June and December 2019 common share issuances of 5,980,000 and 6,000,000, respectively, resulted in total proceeds of
$852.3 million. These issuances were reflected in shareholders’ equity and as financing activities on the statements of cash flows.
Issuances of shares under the forward sale agreement were classified as equity transactions. Accordingly, no amounts relating to the forward sale
agreement were recorded in the financial statements until settlements took place. Prior to any settlements, the only impact of the forward sale
agreement to the financial statements was the inclusion of incremental shares within the calculation of diluted EPS using the treasury stock
method. See Note 21, "Earnings Per Share," to the financial statements for information on the forward sale agreement’s impact on the calculation
of diluted EPS.
Eversource used the net proceeds received from the direct issuance of common shares and the net proceeds received from settlement of the forward
sale agreement to repay short-term debt under the commercial paper program, to partially fund the purchase of the assets of CMA, to fund capital
spending and clean energy initiatives, and for general corporate purposes.
Treasury Shares: As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were 13,415,206 and 14,864,379 Eversource common shares held as treasury shares,
respectively. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were 344,403,196 and 342,954,023 Eversource common shares outstanding, respectively.
On December 1, 2021, Aquarion acquired New England Service Company (NESC), pursuant to a definitive agreement entered into on April 8,
2021. The acquisition was structured as a stock-for-stock merger and Eversource issued 462,517 treasury shares at closing for a purchase price of
$38.1 million.
Eversource issues treasury shares to satisfy awards under the Company's incentive plans, shares issued under the dividend reinvestment and share
purchase plan, and matching contributions under the Eversource 401k Plan. The issuance of treasury shares represents a non-cash transaction, as
the treasury shares were used to fulfill Eversource's obligations that require the issuance of common shares.
87
19.
PREFERRED STOCK NOT SUBJECT TO MANDATORY REDEMPTION
The CL&P and NSTAR Electric preferred stock is not subject to mandatory redemption and is presented as a noncontrolling interest of a subsidiary
in Eversource's financial statements.
CL&P is authorized to issue up to 9,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $50 per share, and NSTAR Electric is authorized to issue
2,890,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $100 per share. Holders of preferred stock of CL&P and NSTAR Electric are entitled to receive
cumulative dividends in preference to any payment of dividends on the common stock. Upon liquidation, holders of preferred stock of CL&P and
NSTAR Electric are entitled to receive a liquidation preference before any distribution to holders of common stock in an amount equal to the par
value of the preferred stock plus accrued and unpaid dividends. If the net assets were to be insufficient to pay the liquidation preference in full,
then the net assets would be distributed ratably to all holders of preferred stock. The preferred stock of CL&P and NSTAR Electric is subject to
optional redemption by the CL&P and NSTAR Electric Boards of Directors at any time.
Details of preferred stock not subject to mandatory redemption are as follows (in millions, except in redemption price and shares):
Redemption Price
Per Share
Shares Outstanding as of December 31,
As of December 31,
2021
2020
2021
2020
Series
CL&P
$
Series of 1947
$
Series of 1947
$
Series of 1949
$
Series of 1949
$
Series of 1949
Series E of 1954 $
Series F of 1955 $
$
Series of 1956
$
Series of 1958
$
Series of 1963
$
Series of 1967
Series G of 1968 $
$
Series of 1968
$1.90
$2.00
$2.04
$2.20
3.90%
$2.06
$2.09
4.50%
4.96%
4.50%
5.28%
$3.24
6.56%
Total CL&P
NSTAR Electric
4.25%
4.78%
Total NSTAR Electric
Fair Value Adjustment due to Merger with NSTAR
Other
Series of 1956
Series of 1958
$
$
52.50
54.00
52.00
52.50
50.50
51.00
51.00
50.75
50.50
50.50
51.43
51.84
51.44
103.625
102.80
163,912
336,088
100,000
200,000
160,000
200,000
100,000
104,000
100,000
160,000
200,000
300,000
200,000
2,324,000
180,000
250,000
430,000
6.00%
$
Total Eversource - Noncontrolling Interest - Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries
Series of 1958
100.00
23
163,912 $
336,088
100,000
200,000
160,000
200,000
100,000
104,000
100,000
160,000
200,000
300,000
200,000
2,324,000 $
180,000 $
250,000
430,000 $
23 $
$
8.2 $
16.8
5.0
10.0
8.0
10.0
5.0
5.2
5.0
8.0
10.0
15.0
10.0
116.2 $
18.0 $
25.0
43.0 $
(3.6)
— $
155.6 $
8.2
16.8
5.0
10.0
8.0
10.0
5.0
5.2
5.0
8.0
10.0
15.0
10.0
116.2
18.0
25.0
43.0
(3.6)
—
155.6
20.
COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
Dividends on the preferred stock of CL&P and NSTAR Electric totaled $7.5 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and
2019. 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 December 31, 2021 and
2020. On the Eversource balance sheets, Common Shareholders' Equity was fully attributable to Eversource parent and Noncontrolling Interest –
Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries was fully attributable to the noncontrolling interest.
For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, there was no change in ownership of the common equity of CL&P and NSTAR Electric.
21.
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 and the equity forward sale agreement, as if they were converted into outstanding common shares. The dilutive effect of unvested RSU
and performance share awards, as well as the equity forward sale agreement, 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.
As described in Note 18, "Common Shares," earnings per share dilution related to the forward sale agreement was determined under the treasury
stock method until settlement of the forward sale agreement. Under this method, the number of Eversource common shares used in calculating
diluted EPS is deemed to be increased by the excess, if any, of the number of shares that would be issued upon physical settlement of the forward
sale agreement less the number of shares that would be purchased by Eversource in the market (based on the average market price during the same
reporting period) using the proceeds receivable upon settlement (based on the adjusted forward sale price at the end of that reporting period).
Share dilution occurs when the average market price of Eversource's common shares is higher than the adjusted forward sale price. Eversource
physically settled all remaining shares under the forward sale agreement as of March 26, 2020.
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2019, there were no antidilutive share awards excluded from the computation. For the year ended
December 31, 2020, 39,560 antidilutive share awards were excluded from the EPS computation, as their impact would have been antidilutive.
88
Antidilutive shares pertained to a purchase option extended to underwriters in connection with Eversource's common share issuance on June 15,
2020. See Note 18, "Common Shares," for further information.
The following table sets forth the components of basic and diluted EPS:
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars, except share information)
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic
Dilutive Effect of:
Share-Based Compensation Awards and Other
Equity Forward Sale Agreement
Total Dilutive Effect
Diluted
Basic EPS
Diluted EPS
22.
REVENUES
$
$
$
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2021
1,220.5 $
1,205.2 $
2019
909.1
343,972,926
338,836,147
321,416,086
658,130
—
658,130
344,631,056
3.55 $
3.54 $
738,994
271,921
1,010,915
339,847,062
3.56 $
3.55 $
762,215
763,335
1,525,550
322,941,636
2.83
2.81
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. A five-step model is used 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 tables present operating revenues disaggregated by revenue source:
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Revenues from Contracts with Customers
Retail Tariff Sales
Residential
Commercial
Industrial
Total Retail Tariff Sales Revenues
Wholesale Transmission Revenues
Wholesale Market Sales Revenues
Other Revenues from Contracts with Customers
Reserve for Revenues Subject to Refund
Total Revenues from Contracts with Customers
Alternative Revenue Programs
Other Revenues
Total Operating Revenues
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Revenues from Contracts with Customers
Retail Tariff Sales
Residential
Commercial
Industrial
Total Retail Tariff Sales Revenues
Wholesale Transmission Revenues
Wholesale Market Sales Revenues
Other Revenues from Contracts with Customers
Total Revenues from Contracts with Customers
Alternative Revenue Programs
Other Revenues
Total Operating Revenues
Distribution Natural Gas
Electric
Distribution
For the Year Ended December 31, 2021
Electric
Water
Distribution
Transmission
Other
Eliminations
Total
$
$
3,989.8 $
2,486.1
345.3
6,821.2
—
575.8
78.1
(71.1)
7,404.0
14.7
4.9
7,423.6 $
1,000.3 $
497.6
167.2
1,665.1
—
82.1
5.1
—
1,752.3
37.0
0.3
1,789.6 $
133.5 $
62.8
4.3
200.6
—
3.9
7.5
(2.6)
209.4
1.5
0.4
211.3 $
— $
—
—
—
1,751.3
—
13.6
(5.0)
1,759.9
(126.1)
0.8
1,634.6 $
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Electric
Water
Distribution
Transmission
— $
—
—
—
86.6
—
1,267.4
—
1,354.0
—
—
1,354.0 $
Other
— $
(5.1)
(17.1)
(22.2)
(1,384.7)
—
(1,257.7)
—
(2,664.6)
114.6
—
(2,550.0) $
5,123.6
3,041.4
499.7
8,664.7
453.2
661.8
114.0
(78.7)
9,815.0
41.7
6.4
9,863.1
Distribution Natural Gas
Electric
Distribution
Eliminations
Total
$
$
3,951.5 $
2,353.4
327.1
6,632.0
—
327.3
79.3
7,038.6
88.1
5.6
7,132.3 $
644.9 $
361.9
107.4
1,114.2
—
43.0
5.7
1,162.9
44.7
1.1
1,208.7 $
— $
—
—
—
1,557.3
—
13.3
1,570.6
(35.2)
0.7
1,536.1 $
145.1 $
62.4
4.8
212.3
—
3.8
3.5
219.6
(4.7)
0.5
215.4 $
— $
—
—
—
74.2
—
1,161.7
1,235.9
—
—
1,235.9 $
— $
(4.8)
(13.7)
(18.5)
(1,290.6)
—
(1,152.0)
(2,461.1)
37.1
—
(2,424.0) $
4,741.5
2,772.9
425.6
7,940.0
340.9
374.1
111.5
8,766.5
130.0
7.9
8,904.4
89
Distribution Natural Gas
Electric
Distribution
For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Electric
Water
Distribution
Transmission
Other
Eliminations
Total
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Revenues from Contracts with Customers
Retail Tariff Sales
Residential
Commercial
Industrial
Total Retail Tariff Sales Revenues
Wholesale Transmission Revenues
Wholesale Market Sales Revenues
Other Revenues from Contracts with Customers
Total Revenues from Contracts with Customers
Alternative Revenue Programs
Other Revenues
Total Operating Revenues
$
$
3,723.7 $
2,584.8
331.8
6,640.3
—
215.7
56.1
6,912.1
45.9
18.5
6,976.5 $
555.1 $
347.6
96.9
999.6
—
55.4
9.0
1,064.0
(4.9)
3.1
1,062.2 $
2021
NSTAR
Electric
CL&P
PSNH
— $
—
—
—
1,293.3
—
13.2
1,306.5
81.8
0.7
1,389.0 $
132.3 $
63.9
4.5
200.7
—
4.1
4.2
209.0
4.6
1.0
214.6 $
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
NSTAR
Electric
CL&P
PSNH
— $
—
—
—
61.3
—
967.2
1,028.5
—
—
1,028.5 $
— $
(4.3)
(11.6)
(15.9)
(1,085.2)
—
(969.0)
(2,070.1)
(74.2)
—
(2,144.3) $
4,411.1
2,992.0
421.6
7,824.7
269.4
275.2
80.7
8,450.0
53.2
23.3
8,526.5
2019
NSTAR
Electric
CL&P
PSNH
(Millions of Dollars)
Revenues from Contracts with Customers
Retail Tariff Sales
Residential
Commercial
Industrial
Total Retail Tariff Sales Revenues
Wholesale Transmission Revenues
Wholesale Market Sales Revenues
Other Revenues from Contracts
with Customers
(Reserve for)/Amortization of Revenues
Subject to Refund
$ 1,994.2 $ 1,375.8 $
890.6 1,265.0
119.1
131.4
619.8 $ 2,011.1 $ 1,365.8 $
878.3 1,176.8
332.2
106.4
137.5
94.8
3,016.2 2,759.9 1,046.8 3,026.9 2,649.0
576.5
58.4
271.7
57.8
754.8
230.1
616.3
109.2
863.3
408.8
574.6 $ 1,837.1 $ 1,322.1 $
922.9 1,349.4
299.9
83.2
115.8
138.3
957.7 2,898.3 2,787.3
517.3
587.1
226.0
73.1
105.1
38.8
26.7
56.2
11.3
32.9
43.6
14.2
36.4
18.7
(76.1)
—
—
—
—
4.6
—
—
564.5
314.6
77.7
956.8
188.9
37.5
15.6
1.3
Total Revenues from Contracts
with Customers
Alternative Revenue Programs
Other Revenues
Eliminations
Total Operating Revenues
4,238.9 3,541.6 1,387.6 4,044.7 3,327.5 1,241.3 3,626.9 3,396.4 1,200.1
8.6
1.9
(144.7)
$ 3,637.4 $ 3,056.4 $ 1,177.2 $ 3,547.5 $ 2,941.1 $ 1,079.1 $ 3,232.6 $ 3,044.6 $ 1,065.9
(17.4)
1.9
(194.9)
2.6
0.6
(165.4)
(15.1)
3.4
(473.5)
(78.9)
0.4
(523.0)
54.5
3.5
(444.4)
(4.2)
2.2
(495.2)
41.6
7.0
(400.4)
77.5
10.3
(482.1)
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 and the refund of any overcollection of costs.
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
90
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, under our FERC-approved tariff in effect in 2021, 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 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).
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. 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.
Wholesale transactions also include the sale of CL&P’s, NSTAR Electric’s and PSNH’s transmission rights associated with their proportionate
equity ownership share in the transmission lines of the Hydro-Québec system in Canada.
Other Revenues from Contracts with Customers: Other revenues from contracts with customers primarily include 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. Other
revenues also include revenues from Eversource's service company, which is eliminated in consolidation.
(Reserve for)/Amortization of Revenues Subject to Refund: A reserve is recorded as a reduction to revenues when future refunds to customers are
deemed probable. The reserve is reversed as refunds are provided to customers. Revenues subject to refund primarily relate to a PURA-approved
CL&P settlement agreement with the DEEP, OCC, AG and the Connecticut Industrial Energy Consumers, which resolved certain issues that arose
in then-pending regulatory proceedings initiated by the PURA. CL&P recorded a reduction to Operating Revenues of $65 million on the 2021
income statement for a reserve for customer credits associated with the provisions of the settlement agreement. The customer credits were
distributed based on customer sales over a two-month billing period from December 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022. Additionally, CL&P recorded a
$28.4 million reserve in 2021 for a civil penalty for non-compliance with storm performance standards that is currently being credited to customers
on electric bills beginning on September 1, 2021 over a one-year period. In total, the reserve for revenues subject to refund totaled $93.4 million
and was recorded as a current regulatory liability on CL&P’s balance sheet and as a reduction to Operating Revenues for the year ended December
31, 2021. The balance reflected in the table above primarily represents the remaining reserve that has not yet been issued as customer credits as of
December 31, 2021. See Note 13G, “Commitments and Contingencies - CL&P Regulatory Matters,” for further information.
The Connecticut water business continues to record a regulatory liability and reduction to revenues to reflect the difference between the 35 percent
federal corporate income tax rate included in base distribution rates charged to customers and the 21 percent federal corporate income tax rate
currently effective. This reserve will continue until base distribution rates are updated to reflect the lower federal 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, the annual reconciliation adjustment to transmission formula rates, and certain
capital tracker mechanisms. 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 that are not considered revenue from contracts with customers. Other
revenues also include lease revenues under lessor accounting guidance of $4.8 million ($0.8 million at CL&P and $3.1 million at NSTAR Electric),
$4.3 million ($0.8 million at CL&P and $2.7 million at NSTAR Electric), $4.4 million, ($1.0 million at CL&P and $2.7 million at NSTAR Electric)
for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
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.
91
Receivables: Receivables, Net on the balance sheet primarily includes trade receivables from retail customers and from customers related to
wholesale transmission contracts, wholesale market sales, 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: 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.
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.
23.
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Eversource is organized into 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 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.
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, 4) the results of other unregulated subsidiaries, which are not part of its core business, and 5) Eversource parent's
equity ownership interests that are not consolidated, which primarily include the offshore wind business, a natural gas pipeline owned by Enbridge,
Inc., and a renewable energy investment fund.
In the ordinary course of business, Yankee Gas, NSTAR Gas and EGMA purchase natural gas transmission services from the Enbridge, Inc. natural
gas pipeline project described above. These affiliate transaction costs total $77.7 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:
Distribution Natural Gas
Electric
Distribution
For the Year Ended December 31, 2021
Water
Electric
Distribution
Transmission
$
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Operating Revenues
7,423.6 $
(737.8)
Depreciation and Amortization
(5,970.0)
Other Operating Expenses
Operating Income
715.8
(236.4)
Interest Expense
20.7
Interest Income
78.1
Other Income, Net
(103.5)
Income Tax (Expense)/Benefit
Net Income
474.7
(4.6)
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
470.1 $
$
$ 25,411.2 $
Total Assets (as of)
1,053.3 $
Cash Flows Used for Investments in Plant
$
1,634.6 $
1,789.6 $
(300.3)
(142.3)
(496.2)
(1,345.4)
838.1
301.9
(133.2)
(58.6)
2.2
4.5
19.8
17.9
(179.4)
(60.9)
547.5
204.8
(2.9)
—
204.8 $
544.6 $
7,215.9 $ 12,377.8 $
1,024.1 $
721.1 $
Eliminations
211.3 $
(46.1)
(101.4)
63.8
(32.0)
—
3.3
1.7
36.8
—
36.8 $
Other
1,354.0 $
(113.1)
(1,170.4)
70.5
(168.8)
46.0
1,363.9
(2.1)
1,309.5
—
1,309.5 $
Total
9,863.1
(1,335.0)
(6,534.8)
1,993.3
(582.4)
25.6
135.7
(344.2)
1,228.0
(7.5)
1,220.5
2,551.1 $ 22,674.7 $ (21,738.6) $ 48,492.1
3,175.1
137.2 $
(2,550.0) $
4.6
2,548.6
3.2
46.6
(47.8)
(1,347.3)
—
(1,345.3)
—
(1,345.3) $
239.4 $
— $
92
Distribution Natural Gas
Electric
Distribution
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Electric
Water
Distribution
Transmission
Eliminations
$
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Operating Revenues
7,132.3 $
(657.0)
Depreciation and Amortization
(5,642.3)
Other Operating Expenses
Operating Income
833.0
(216.0)
Interest Expense
3.2
Interest Income
58.0
Other Income, Net
(129.6)
Income Tax (Expense)/Benefit
Net Income
548.6
(4.6)
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
544.0 $
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
$
$ 24,981.9 $
Total Assets (as of)
1,079.0 $
Cash Flows Used for Investments in Plant
$
1,536.1 $
1,208.7 $
(278.1)
(87.9)
(470.0)
(913.8)
788.0
207.0
(126.8)
(40.0)
4.7
0.9
23.3
3.1
(183.8)
(36.9)
505.4
134.1
(2.9)
—
134.1 $
502.5 $
6,450.5 $ 11,695.0 $
1,004.6 $
494.4 $
215.4 $
(44.2)
(86.6)
84.6
(32.9)
—
2.0
(12.5)
41.2
—
41.2 $
Other
1,235.9 $
(93.5)
(1,071.9)
70.5
(161.0)
37.8
1,382.9
16.6
1,346.8
—
1,346.8 $
2,375.2 $ 22,089.4 $
246.2 $
118.8 $
Total
8,904.4
(2,424.0) $
1.6
(1,159.1)
2,428.0
(5,756.6)
1,988.7
5.6
38.3
(538.4)
(41.8)
4.8
(1,365.5)
103.8
—
(346.2)
1,212.7
(1,363.4)
—
(7.5)
(1,363.4) $
1,205.2
(21,492.4) $ 46,099.6
2,943.0
— $
Distribution Natural Gas
Electric
Distribution
For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Electric
Water
Distribution
Transmission
Eliminations
$
Eversource
(Millions of Dollars)
Operating Revenues
Depreciation and Amortization
Impairment of Northern Pass Transmission
Other Operating Expenses
Operating Income
Interest Expense
Interest Income
Other Income, Net
Income Tax (Expense)/Benefit
Net Income
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
$
Cash Flows Used for Investments in Plant
$
6,976.5 $
(651.3)
—
(5,525.1)
800.1
(206.4)
13.3
46.8
(135.9)
517.9
(4.6)
513.3 $
1,104.2 $
1,062.2 $
(68.3)
—
(830.8)
163.1
(47.4)
0.1
1.6
(21.2)
96.2
—
96.2 $
460.2 $
1,389.0 $
(253.3)
(239.6)
(411.2)
484.9
(125.7)
1.5
29.2
(130.5)
259.4
(2.9)
256.5 $
987.0 $
214.6 $
(46.9)
—
(101.0)
66.7
(34.6)
—
0.4
2.4
34.9
—
34.9 $
118.0 $
Other
1,028.5 $
(63.2)
—
(891.3)
74.0
(170.3)
48.7
945.3
11.7
909.4
—
909.4 $
242.1 $
(2,144.3) $
2.3
—
2,143.7
1.7
51.2
(50.8)
(903.3)
—
(901.2)
—
(901.2) $
— $
Total
8,526.5
(1,080.7)
(239.6)
(5,615.7)
1,590.5
(533.2)
12.8
120.0
(273.5)
916.6
(7.5)
909.1
2,911.5
24.
ACQUISITION OF ASSETS OF COLUMBIA GAS OF MASSACHUSETTS
On October 9, 2020, Eversource acquired certain assets and liabilities that comprised the NiSource Inc. (NiSource) natural gas distribution
business in Massachusetts, which was previously doing business as CMA, pursuant to an asset purchase agreement (the Agreement) entered into
on February 26, 2020 between Eversource and NiSource. The cash purchase price was $1.1 billion, plus a working capital amount of
$68.6 million, as finalized in the first quarter of 2021. Eversource financed the acquisition through a combination of debt and equity issuances in a
ratio that was consistent with its consolidated capital structure. The natural gas distribution assets acquired from CMA were assigned to EGMA,
an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Eversource formed in 2020. The LNG assets acquired from CMA were assigned to Hopkinton LNG Corp.
The transaction required approval by the DPU, the Maine Public Utilities Commission, the FERC, and the Federal Communications Commission,
and review under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.
The liabilities assumed by Eversource under the Agreement specifically excluded any liabilities (past or future) arising out of, or related to, the
fires and explosions that occurred on September 13, 2018 in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, Massachusetts related to the delivery of
natural gas by CMA, including certain subsequent events, all as described and in the DPU's Order on Scope dated December 23, 2019 (D.P.U. 19-
141) (the Greater Lawrence Incident or GLI). The liabilities assumed also excluded any further emergency events prior to the closing of the
acquisition related to the restoration and reconstruction with respect to the GLI, including any losses arising out of, or related to, any litigation,
demand, cause of action, claim, suit, investigation, proceeding, indemnification agreements or rights. Eversource did not assume any of CMA's or
NiSource Inc.'s third party debt obligations or notes payable.
On October 7, 2020, the DPU approved a rate settlement agreement with Eversource, EGMA, NiSource, Bay State, the Massachusetts Attorney
General's Office, the DOER and the Low-Income Weatherization and Fuel Assistance Program Network, which requested approval of the February
26, 2020 Agreement, as well as a rate stabilization plan, among other items.
Purchase Price Allocation: The allocation of the total purchase price to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed has
been determined based on the accounting guidance for fair value measurements, which defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell
an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The final purchase price
allocation reflects measurement period adjustments recorded in 2021 to reduce the fair values of certain regulatory and plant assets and certain
liabilities acquired, resulting in a corresponding increase to Goodwill, based on new information received during the measurement period.
93
$
The allocation of the cash purchase price as of October 9, 2020 is as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
Current Assets
Restricted Cash
PP&E
Goodwill
Other Noncurrent Assets, excluding Goodwill
Other Current Liabilities
Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Cash Purchase Price
138
57
1,182
52
131
(81)
(310)
1,169
$
The fair values of CMA's assets and liabilities were determined based on significant estimates and assumptions, including Level 3 inputs, that are
judgmental in nature. The allocation of the total purchase price includes adjustments to reflect plant that will not earn a return and to reduce rate
base to the allowed $995 million as specified in the rate settlement agreement. Eversource also recorded a $6.7 million liability for the future
refund to customers for CMA's overcollection of the lower income tax rate beginning in 2018.
The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was recognized as goodwill. The
goodwill reflects the value paid by Eversource primarily for expanding its natural gas infrastructure. The goodwill resulting from the acquisition
has been assigned to the Natural Gas Distribution reporting unit.
Under the terms of the rate settlement agreement, a portion of the proceeds of the sale due to NiSource was withheld and used to establish an
Energy Relief Fund comprised of two components, an Arrearage Forgiveness Fund and a fund which is restricted for energy efficiency and clean
energy measures in the Merrimack Valley. As a result, Eversource funded restricted cash accounts and established a liability totaling $56.8 million
on the acquisition date. By December 31, 2020, $15.4 million of the Arrearage Forgiveness Fund was credited back to customers and the
remainder was paid back to NiSource. The purchase price included in investing cash outflows on the statement of cash flows of $1.11 billion
reflects the payment to NiSource, excluding the restricted cash funds.
Pro Forma Financial Information: The following unaudited pro forma financial information reflects the pro forma combined results of operations
of Eversource and the CMA business acquired and reflects the amortization of purchase price adjustments assuming the acquisition had taken place
on January 1, 2019. The unaudited pro forma financial information has been presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily
indicative of the consolidated results of operations that would have been achieved or the future consolidated results of operations of Eversource.
Pro forma net income excludes the impact of assets and liabilities not assumed by Eversource, such as amounts directly associated with the GLI
incident, and non-recurring costs associated with the transaction.
(Pro forma amounts in millions, except share amounts)
Operating Revenues
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
Basic EPS
Diluted EPS
$
For the Years Ended December 31,
2019
2020
9,273 $
1,265
3.73
3.72
9,103
909
2.83
2.82
Revenues and Net Income: The impact of CMA on Eversource's accompanying consolidated statement of income included operating revenues of
$154.8 million and net income attributable to common shareholders of $13.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Transactions recognized separately from the business combination: Eversource has entered into Transition Services Agreements (TSAs) with
NiSource, under which NiSource is providing certain administrative functions. Eversource has recorded $21.4 million in Operating Expenses on
the statement of income related to TSA costs for the year ended December 31, 2021 and $15.9 million of TSA and pre-TSA costs in Operating
Expenses in 2020. In addition, Eversource recorded $2.0 million in Energy Efficiency expense related to the implementation of new energy
efficiency programs as specified in the rate settlement agreement in the fourth quarter of 2020.
25.
GOODWILL
In a business combination, the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
is recognized as goodwill. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment at least annually and more frequently if indicators of impairment arise. In
accordance with the accounting standards, if the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value (including goodwill), the goodwill is
tested for impairment. Goodwill is not subject to amortization, however is subject to a fair value based assessment for impairment at least annually
and whenever facts or circumstances indicate that there may be an impairment. A resulting write-down, if any, would be charged to Operating
Expenses.
Eversource's reporting units for the purpose of testing goodwill are Electric Distribution, Electric Transmission, Natural Gas Distribution and
Water Distribution. These reporting units are consistent with the operating segments underlying the reportable segments identified in Note 23,
"Segment Information," to the financial statements.
Eversource completed the acquisition of NESC on December 1, 2021, resulting in the addition of $21.7 million of goodwill, all of which was
allocated to the Water Distribution reporting unit. Eversource completed the CMA asset acquisition on October 9, 2020, resulting in the addition
of $51.9 million of goodwill, which included measurement period adjustments in 2021 resulting in an additional $9.6 million of goodwill. The
goodwill was allocated to the Natural Gas Distribution reporting unit. On July 31, 2020, Eversource sold its water system and treatment plant that
supplies water to the towns of Hingham, Hull and North Cohasset to the town of Hingham, Massachusetts, resulting in a reduction to goodwill of
$23.6 million. This goodwill was previously reflected in the Water Distribution reporting unit.
In assessing goodwill for impairment, an entity is permitted to first assess qualitatively whether it is more likely than not that goodwill impairment
exists as of the annual impairment test date. A quantitative impairment test is required only if it is concluded that it is more likely than not that a
reporting unit’s fair value is less than it’s carrying amount. The annual goodwill assessment included a qualitative evaluation of multiple factors
94
that impact the fair value of the reporting units, including general, macroeconomic and market conditions, and entity-specific assumptions that
affect the future cash flows of the reporting units. Key considerations include discount rates, utility sector market performance and merger
transaction multiples, the Company's share price and credit ratings, analyst reports, financial performance, cost and risk factors, internal estimates
and projections of future cash flows and net income, long-term strategy, the timing and outcome of rate cases, and recent regulatory and legislative
proceedings.
Eversource completed its annual goodwill impairment test for the Electric Distribution, Electric Transmission, Natural Gas Distribution and Water
Distribution reporting units as of October 1, 2021 and determined that no impairment existed. There were no events subsequent to October 1, 2021
that indicated impairment of goodwill.
The following table presents goodwill by reportable segment:
(Millions of Dollars)
Balance as of January 1, 2020
Acquisition of CMA Assets
Sale of Hingham water system
Balance as of December 31, 2020
CMA Measurement Period Adjustments
Acquisition of NESC
Balance as of December 31, 2021
$
$
$
Electric
Distribution
2,544 $
—
—
2,544 $
—
—
2,544 $
Electric
Transmission
577 $
—
—
577 $
—
—
577 $
Natural Gas
Distribution
Water Distribution
399 $
42
—
441 $
10
—
451 $
907 $
—
(23)
884 $
—
21
905 $
Total
4,427
42
(23)
4,446
10
21
4,477
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
No events that would be described in response to this item have occurred with respect to Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric or PSNH.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Management, on behalf of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, is responsible for the preparation, integrity, and fair presentation of the
accompanying Financial Statements and other sections of this combined Annual Report on Form 10-K. Eversource's internal controls over
financial reporting were audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP.
Management, on behalf of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal
controls over financial reporting. The internal control framework and processes have been designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. There are inherent
limitations of internal controls over financial reporting that could allow material misstatements due to error or fraud to occur and not be prevented
or detected on a timely basis by employees during the normal course of business. Additionally, internal controls over financial reporting may
become inadequate in the future due to changes in the business environment. Under the supervision and with the participation of the principal
executive officer and principal financial officer, an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting was conducted based
on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (COSO). Based on this evaluation under the framework in COSO, management concluded that internal controls over financial
reporting at Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH were effective as of December 31, 2021.
Management, on behalf of Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH, evaluated the design and operation of the disclosure controls and
procedures as of December 31, 2021 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K. 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 December 31, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal controls over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
No information is required to be disclosed under this item as of December 31, 2021, as this information has been previously disclosed in applicable
reports on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of 2021.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information in Item 10 is provided as of February 16, 2022, except where otherwise indicated.
Certain information required by this Item 10 is omitted for NSTAR Electric and PSNH pursuant to Instruction I(2)(c) to Form 10-K, Omission of
Information by Certain Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.
95
Eversource Energy
In addition to the information provided below concerning the executive officers of Eversource Energy, incorporated herein by reference is the
information to be contained in the sections captioned “Election of Trustees,” “Governance of Eversource Energy” and the related subsection,
“Selection of Trustees,” of Eversource Energy’s definitive proxy statement for solicitation of proxies, expected to be filed with the SEC on or
about March 25, 2022.
Eversource Energy and CL&P
Each member of CL&P’s Board of Directors is an employee of Eversource Service. Directors are elected annually to serve for one year until their
successors are elected and qualified. CL&P is a wholly owned subsidiary of Eversource Energy.
Set forth below is certain information concerning CL&P’s directors as well as Eversource Energy’s and CL&P’s executive officers:
Name
James J. Judge
Joseph R. Nolan, Jr.
Philip J. Lembo
Gregory B. Butler
Christine M. Carmody
Penelope M. Conner
James W. Hunt, III
Werner J. Schweiger
Jay S. Buth
Age Title
66 Executive Chairman of the Board and a Trustee of Eversource Energy
57 President and Chief Executive Officer and a Trustee of Eversource Energy; Chairman and director of CL&P
66 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Eversource Energy and CL&P; director of CL&P
64 Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Eversource Energy and CL&P; director of CL&P
59 Executive Vice President-Human Resources and Information Technology of Eversource Energy
58 Executive Vice President-Customer Experience and Energy Strategy of Eversource Energy
50 Executive Vice President-Corporate Relations and Sustainability and Secretary of Eversource Energy
62
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Eversource Energy; Chief Executive Officer and
director of CL&P
52 Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of Eversource Energy and CL&P
James J. Judge. Mr. Judge has served as Executive Chairman of the Board of Eversource Energy since May 5, 2021 and as a Trustee of
Eversource Energy since May 4, 2016. Previously, Mr. Judge served as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Eversource Energy from May 3, 2017 until May 5, 2021, and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Eversource Energy from May 4, 2016
until May 3, 2017. Mr. Judge previously served as Chairman of CL&P from May 4, 2016 until May 5, 2021, and as a director of CL&P from April
10, 2012 until May 5, 2021. Based on his experience described above, Mr. Judge has the skills and qualifications necessary to serve as a Trustee of
Eversource Energy.
Joseph R. Nolan, Jr. Mr. Nolan has served as President and Chief Executive Officer and a Trustee of Eversource Energy and as Chairman and a
director of CL&P since May 5, 2021. Previously, Mr. Nolan served as Executive Vice President-Strategy, Customer and Corporate Relations of
Eversource Energy from February 5, 2020 until May 5, 2021, and as Executive Vice President-Customer and Corporate Relations of Eversource
Energy from August 8, 2016 to February 5, 2020. Based on his experience described above, Mr. Nolan has the skills and qualifications necessary
to serve as a Trustee of Eversource Energy and as a director of CL&P.
Philip J. Lembo. Mr. Lembo has served as Chief Financial Officer of Eversource Energy and CL&P since May 4, 2016. He previously served as
Treasurer of Eversource Energy from April 10, 2012 until May 3, 2017, and as Treasurer of CL&P from April 10, 2012 until March 31, 2017. Mr.
Lembo has served as Executive Vice President of Eversource Energy and CL&P since August 8, 2016. Mr. Lembo has served as a director of
CL&P since May 4, 2016. Based on his experience described above, Mr. Lembo has the skills and qualifications necessary to serve as a director of
CL&P.
Gregory B. Butler. Mr. Butler has served as General Counsel of Eversource Energy since May 1, 2001, and of CL&P since March 9, 2006. He has
served as Executive Vice President of Eversource Energy and CL&P since August 8, 2016. He has served as a director of CL&P since April 22,
2009. Based on his experience described above, Mr. Butler has the skills and qualifications necessary to serve as a director of CL&P.
Christine M. Carmody. Ms. Carmody has served as Executive Vice President-Human Resources and Information Technology of Eversource
Energy since August 8, 2016.
Penelope M. Conner. Ms. Conner has served as Executive Vice President-Customer Experience and Energy Strategy of Eversource Energy since
May 5, 2021. Previously, Ms. Conner served as Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer of Eversource Service from March 2, 2013 until
May 5, 2021.
James W. Hunt, III. Mr. Hunt has served as Executive Vice President-Corporate Relations and Sustainability of Eversource Energy since May 5,
2021 and as Secretary of Eversource Energy since July 9, 2021. Previously Mr. Hunt served as Senior Vice President-Communications, External
Affairs and Sustainability of Eversource Service from December 17, 2019 until May 5, 2021 and as Senior Vice President-Regulatory Affairs and
Chief Communications Officer of Eversource Service from October 3, 2016 until December 17, 2019.
Werner J. Schweiger. Mr. Schweiger has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Eversource Energy since September 2,
2014, and as Chief Executive Officer of CL&P since August 11, 2014. Mr. Schweiger has served as a director of CL&P since May 28, 2013.
Based on his experience described above, Mr. Schweiger has the skills and qualifications necessary to serve as a director of CL&P.
Jay S. Buth. Mr. Buth has served as Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of Eversource Energy and CL&P since April 10,
2012.
There are no family relationships between any director or executive officer and any other trustee, director or executive officer of Eversource
Energy or CL&P and none of the above executive officers or directors serves as an executive officer or director pursuant to any agreement or
understanding with any other person. Our executive officers hold the offices set forth opposite their names until the next annual meeting of the
Board of Trustees, in the case of Eversource Energy, and the Board of Directors, in the case of CL&P, and until their successors have been elected
and qualified.
96
CL&P
The information required by this Item 10 for CL&P has been omitted from this report but is set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K
for 2021 filed with the SEC on a combined basis with Eversource Energy on February 17, 2022. Such report is also available in the
Investors section at www.eversource.com.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Eversource Energy
The information required by this Item 11 for Eversource Energy is incorporated herein by reference to certain information contained in Eversource
Energy's definitive proxy statement for solicitation of proxies, which is expected to be filed with the SEC on or about March 25, 2022, under the
sections captioned “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” plus related subsections, and “Compensation Committee Report,” plus related
subsections following such Report.
NSTAR ELECTRIC and PSNH
Certain information required by this Item 11 has been omitted for NSTAR Electric and PSNH pursuant to Instruction I(2)(c) to Form 10-K,
Omission of Information by Certain Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.
CL&P
The information required by this Item 11 for CL&P has been omitted from this report but is set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K
for 2021 filed with the SEC on a combined basis with Eversource Energy on February 17, 2022. Such report is also available in the
Investors section at www.eversource.com.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Eversource Energy
In addition to the information below under "Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans," incorporated herein by
reference is the information contained in the sections "Common Share Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners" and "Common Share Ownership
of Trustees and Management" of Eversource Energy's definitive proxy statement for solicitation of proxies, expected to be filed with the SEC on or
about March 25, 2022.
NSTAR ELECTRIC and PSNH
Certain information required by this Item 12 has been omitted for NSTAR Electric and PSNH pursuant to Instruction I(2)(c) to Form 10-K,
Omission of Information by Certain Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.
CL&P
The information required by this Item 12 for CL&P has been omitted from this report but is set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K
for 2021 filed with the SEC on a combined basis with Eversource Energy on February 17, 2022. Such report is also available in the
Investors section at www.eversource.com.
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The following table sets forth the number of Eversource Energy common shares issuable under Eversource Energy equity compensation plans, as
well as their weighted exercise price, as of December 31, 2021, in accordance with the rules of the SEC:
Plan Category
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders (3)
Total
Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights (1)
1,059,130
—
1,059,130
Weighted-average exercise
price of outstanding
options, warrants and
rights (2)
$—
—
—
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (1))
2,430,716
—
2,430,716
(1) Includes 594,623 common shares for distribution in respect of restricted share units, and 464,507 performance shares issuable at target, all
pursuant to the terms of our Incentive Plan.
(2) The weighted-average exercise price does not take into account restricted share units or performance shares, which have no exercise price.
(3) Securities set forth in this table are authorized for issuance under compensation plans that have been approved by shareholders of Eversource
Energy or the former shareholders of NSTAR.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Eversource Energy
Incorporated herein by reference is the information contained in the sections captioned "Trustee Independence" and "Related Person Transactions"
of Eversource Energy's definitive proxy statement for solicitation of proxies, expected to be filed with the SEC on or about March 25, 2022.
97
NSTAR ELECTRIC and PSNH
Certain information required by this Item 13 has been omitted for NSTAR Electric and PSNH pursuant to Instruction I(2)(c) to Form 10-K,
Omission of Information by Certain Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.
CL&P
The information required by this Item 13 for CL&P has been omitted from this report but is set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K
for 2021 filed with the SEC on a combined basis with Eversource Energy on February 17, 2022. Such report is also available in the
Investors section at www.eversource.com.
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Eversource Energy
Incorporated herein by reference is the information contained in the section "Relationship with Independent Auditors" of Eversource Energy's
definitive proxy statement for solicitation of proxies, expected to be filed with the SEC on or about March 25, 2022.
CL&P, NSTAR ELECTRIC and PSNH
The information required by this Item 14 for CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH has been omitted from this report but is set forth in the
Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2021 filed with the SEC on a combined basis with Eversource Energy on February 17, 2022. Such report
is also available in the Investors section at www.eversource.com.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)
1. Financial Statements:
The financial statements filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are set forth under Item 8, "Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data."
2. Schedules
I.
Financial Information of Registrant:
Eversource Energy (Parent) Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020
Eversource Energy (Parent) Statements of Income for the Years Ended
December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Eversource Energy (Parent) Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended
December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Eversource Energy (Parent) Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves for Eversource, CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH
for 2021, 2020 and 2019
All other schedules of the companies for which inclusion is required in the applicable regulations of the SEC are
permitted to be omitted under the related instructions or are not applicable, and therefore have been omitted.
3.
Exhibit Index
*
*
*
*
*
E-1
*
The schedules have been omitted from this report because they are not required. They are set forth in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K for 2021 filed with the SEC on a combined basis with Eversource Energy on February 17, 2022. Such report is also
available in the Investors section at www.eversource.com.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Not applicable.
98
EXHIBIT INDEX
Each document described below is incorporated by reference by the registrant(s) listed to the files identified, unless designated with a (*), which
exhibits are filed herewith. Management contracts and compensation plans or arrangements are designated with a (+).
The portion of the Exhibit Index listing exhibits of CL&P, NSTAR Electric and PSNH has been omitted from this report but is set forth
in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2021 filed with the SEC on a combined basis with Eversource Energy on February 17, 2022.
Such report is also available in the Investors section at www.eversource.com.
Exhibit
Number
Description
3.
Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws
3.1
Declaration of Trust of Eversource Energy, as amended through May 3, 2017 (Exhibit 3.1, Eversource Form 10-Q
filed on May 5, 2017)
4.
Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures
4.1
Indenture between Eversource Energy and The Bank of New York as Trustee dated as of April 1, 2002 (Exhibit A-
3, Eversource Energy 35-CERT filed April 16, 2002, File No. 070-09535)
4.1.1
4.1.2
4.1.3
4.1.4
4.1.5
4.1.6
4.1.7
4.1.8
4.1.9
Fifth Supplemental Indenture between Eversource Energy and The Bank of New York Trust Company
N.A., as Trustee, dated as of May 1, 2013, relating to $450 million of Senior Notes, Series F, due 2023
(Exhibit 4.1, Eversource Energy Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 16, 2013, File No. 001-05324)
Sixth Supplemental Indenture between Eversource Energy and The Bank of New York Trust Company
N.A., as Trustee, dated as of January 1, 2015, relating to $300 million of Senior Notes, Series H, due
2025 (Exhibit 4.1, Eversource Energy Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 21, 2015, File No. 001-
05324)
Seventh Supplemental Indenture between Eversource Energy and The Bank of New York Trust
Company N.A., as Trustee, dated as of March 7, 2016, relating to $250 million of Senior Notes, Series J,
due 2026 (Exhibit 4.1, Eversource Energy Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 15, 2016, File No.
001-05324)
Eighth Supplemental Indenture between Eversource Energy and The Bank of New York Trust Company
N.A., as Trustee, dated as of March 10, 2017, relating to $300 million of Senior Notes, Series K, Due
2022 (Exhibit 4.1, Eversource Energy Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 16, 2017, File No. 001-
05324)
Ninth Supplemental Indenture between Eversource Energy and The Bank of New York Trust Company
N.A., as Trustee, dated as of October 1, 2017, relating to $450 million of Senior Notes, Series K, due
2022 and $450 million of Senior Notes, Series L, due 2024 (Exhibit 4.1, Eversource Energy Current
Report on Form 8-K filed October 12, 2017, File No. 001-05324)
Tenth Supplemental Indenture between Eversource Energy and The Bank of New York Trust Company
N.A., as Trustee, dated as of January 1, 2018, relating to $450 million of Senior Notes, Series M, Due
2028 (Exhibit 4.1, Eversource Energy Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 12, 2018, File No. 001-
05324)
Eleventh Supplemental Indenture between Eversource Energy and The Bank of New York Trust
Company N.A., as Trustee, dated as of December 1, 2018, relating to $400 million of Senior Notes,
Series N, Due 2023 and $500 million of Senior Notes, Series O, Due 2029 (Exhibit 4.1, Eversource
Energy Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 18, 2018, File No. 001-05324)
Twelfth Supplemental Indenture between Eversource Energy and The Bank of New York Trust
Company N.A., as Trustee, dated as of January 1, 2020, relating to $650 million of Senior Notes, Series
P, Due 2050 (Exhibit 4.1, Eversource Energy Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 16, 2020, File
No. 001-05324)
Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture between Eversource Energy and The Bank of New York Trust
Company N.A., as Trustee, dated as of August 1, 2020, relating to $300 million aggregate principal
amount of Senior Notes, Series Q, Due 2025 and $600 million aggregate principal amount of Senior
Notes, Series R, Due 2030 (Exhibit 4.1, Eversource Energy Current Report on Form 8-K filed August
20, 2020, File No. 001-05324)
4.1.10
Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture between Eversource Energy and The Bank of New York Trust
Company N.A., as Trustee, dated as of March 1, 2021, relating to $350 million aggregate principal
amount of Senior Notes, Series S, Due 2031 (Exhibit 4.1, Eversource Energy Current Report on
Form 8-K filed March 16, 2021, File No. 001-05324)
E-1
4.1.11
Fifteenth Supplemental Indenture between Eversource Energy and The Bank of New York Trust
Company N.A., as Trustee, dated as of August 1, 2021, relating to $350 million aggregate principal
amount of Floating Rate Senior Notes, Series T and $300 million aggregate principal amount of Senior
Notes, Series U, Due 2026 (Exhibit 4.1, Eversource Energy Current Report on Form 8-K filed August
13, 2021, File No. 001-05324)
4.2
Eversource Energy Description of Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (Exhibit 4.3, Eversource Energy Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 27, 2020, File No. 001-05324)
(F)
Eversource Energy, The Connecticut Light and Power Company and Public Service Company of New Hampshire
4.1
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated December 8, 2017, by and among Eversource Energy, CL&P,
NSTAR Gas, PSNH and Yankee Gas Services Company and the Banks named therein, pursuant to which Bank of
America, N.A. serves as Administrative Agent (Exhibit 4.1, 2017 Eversource Form 10-K filed on February 26,
2018)
10.
Material Contracts
10.1
Lease between The Rocky River Realty Company and Eversource Energy Service Company, dated as of July 1,
2008 (Exhibit 10.1, 2017 Eversource Form 10-K filed on February 26, 2018)
*+10.2 Eversource Energy Board of Trustees’ Compensation Arrangement Summary
+10.3
Eversource Supplemental Executive Retirement Program effective as of January 1, 2015 (Exhibit 10.5, 2015
Eversource Energy Form 10-K filed February 26, 2016, File No. 001-05324)
+10.4
Eversource Energy Deferred Compensation Plan for Executives effective as of January 1, 2014 (Exhibit 10.6,
2015 Eversource Energy Form 10-K filed February 26, 2016, File No. 001-05324)
+10.4.1 Amendment No 1 to the Eversource Deferred Compensation Plan effective February 7, 2018 (Exhibit
10.6.1, Eversource Energy Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 27, 2020, File No. 001-05324)
+10.5
NSTAR Excess Benefit Plan, effective August 25, 1999 (Exhibit 10.1 1999 NSTAR Form 10-K/A filed
September 29, 2000, File No. 001-14768)
+10.5.1 NSTAR Excess Benefit Plan, incorporating the NSTAR 409A Excess Benefit Plan, as amended and
restated effective January 1, 2008, dated December 24, 2008 (Exhibit 10.1.1 2008 NSTAR Form 10-K
filed February 9, 2009, File No. 001-14768)
Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement by and between James J. Judge and NSTAR, dated
November 15, 2007 (Exhibit 10.9, 2007 NSTAR Form 10-K filed February 11, 2008, File No. 001-14768)
Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement by and between Joseph R. Nolan, Jr. and NSTAR, dated
November 15, 2007 (Exhibit 10.13, 2007 NSTAR Form 10-K filed February 11, 2008, File No. 001-14768)
Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement by and between Werner J. Schweiger and NSTAR, dated
November 15, 2007 (Exhibit 10.14, 2007 NSTAR Form 10-K filed February 11, 2008, File No. 001-14768)
Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement by and between Senior Vice President and NSTAR, dated
November 15, 2007 (Exhibit 10.15, 2007 NSTAR Form 10-K filed February 11, 2008, File No. 001-14768)
Master Trust Agreement between NSTAR and State Street Bank and Trust Company (Rabbi Trust), effective
August 25, 1999 (Exhibit 10.5, NSTAR Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2000 filed November 14,
2000, File No. 001-14768)
+10.6
+10.7
+10.8
+10.9
+10.10
+10.11
Currently effective Change in Control Agreement between NSTAR’s Vice Presidents and NSTAR (in form)
(Exhibit 10.17, 2009 NSTAR Form 10-K filed February 25, 2010, File No. 001-14768)
*10.12 Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 15, 2021, by and among Eversource Energy
and the Banks named therein, pursuant to which Bank of America, N.A. serves as Administrative Agent and Swing
Line Lender
*10.13 Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 15, 2021, by and among NSTAR Electric
Company and the Banks named therein, pursuant to which Barclays Bank PLC serves as Administrative Agent and
Swing Line Lender
(B)
Eversource Energy, The Connecticut Light and Power Company, NSTAR Electric Company and Public Service Company of New
Hampshire
10.1
10.2
Amended and Restated Form of Service Contract between each of Eversource Energy, CL&P, NSTAR Electric
Company and Eversource Energy Service Company dated as of January 1, 2014. (Exhibit 10.1, Eversource Energy
Form 10-K filed on February 25, 2014, File No. 001-05324)
Transmission Operating Agreement between the Initial Participating Transmission Owners, Additional
Participating Transmission Owners and ISO New England, Inc. dated as of February 1, 2005 (Exhibit 10.29, 2004
Eversource Energy Form 10-K filed March 17, 2005, File No. 001-05324)
E-2
10.3
+10.4
+10.5
+10.6
10.2.1 Rate Design and Funds Disbursement Agreement among the Initial Participating Transmission Owners,
Additional Participating Transmission Owners and ISO New England, Inc., effective June 30, 2006
(Exhibit 10.22.1, 2006 Eversource Energy Form 10-K filed March 1, 2007, File No. 001-05324)
Eversource Energy's Third Amended and Restated Tax Allocation Agreement dated as of April 10, 2012, (Exhibit
10.1 Eversource Energy Form 10-Q for Quarter Ended June 30, 2012 filed August 7, 2012, File No. 001-05324)
Amended and Restated Incentive Plan Effective January 1, 2009 (Exhibit 10.3, Eversource Energy Form 10-Q for
the Quarter Ended September 30, 2008 filed November 10, 2008, File No. 001-05324)
2018 Eversource Energy Incentive Plan (Exhibit 99.2, Eversource Energy Current Report on Form 8-K dated May
3, 2018)
Trust under Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan dated May 2, 1994 (Exhibit 10.33, 2002 Eversource Energy
Form 10-K filed March 21, 2003, File No. 001-05324)
+10.6.1 First Amendment to Trust Under Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, effective as of December 10,
2002 (Exhibit 10 (B) 10.19.1, 2003 Eversource Energy Form 10-K filed March 12, 2004, File No. 001-
05324)
+10.6.2 Second Amendment to Trust Under Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, effective as of
November 12, 2008 (Exhibit 10.12.2, 2008 Eversource Energy Form 10-K filed February 27, 2009, File
No. 001-05324)
+10.7
Special Severance Program for Officers of Eversource Energy Companies as of January 1, 2009 (Exhibit 10.2
Eversource Energy Form 10-Q for Quarter Ended September 30, 2008 filed November 10, 2008, File No. 001-
05324)
+10.8
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Gregory B. Butler, effective January 1, 2009 (Exhibit 10.7,
2008 Eversource Energy 2010 Form 10-K filed February 27, 2009, File No. 001-05324)
(C)
Eversource Energy, The Connecticut Light and Power Company, Public Service Company of New Hampshire and NSTAR Electric
Company
10.1
Eversource Energy Service Company Transmission and Ancillary Service Wholesale Revenue Allocation
Methodology among The Connecticut Light and Power Company, NSTAR Electric Company, Public Service
Company of New Hampshire, Holyoke Water Power Company and Holyoke Power and Electric Company Trustee
dated as of January 1, 2008 (Exhibit 10.1, Eversource Energy Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2008
filed May 9, 2008, File No. 001-05324)
*21.
*23.
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
Consents of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
*31.
Rule 13a - 14(a)/15 d - 14(a) Certifications
31
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer of Eversource Energy pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002
31.1
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer of Eversource Energy pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002
*32
18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Certifications
32
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Eversource Energy pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section
1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
*101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags
are embedded within the inline XBRL document
*101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
*101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
*101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
*101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels
*101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation
*104
The cover page from the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, formatted in Inline XBRL
E-3
EVERSOURCE ENERGY
SIGNATURES
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.
February 16, 2022
EVERSOURCE ENERGY
By:
/s/
Jay S. Buth
Jay S. Buth
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on
behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gregory B. Butler, Philip J. Lembo and Jay S. Buth and each of
them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact
and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully
to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or
any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Signature
Title
/s/ Joseph R. Nolan, Jr.
Joseph R. Nolan, Jr.
/s/ Philip J. Lembo
Philip J. Lembo
/s/ Jay S. Buth
Jay S. Buth
/s/ James J. Judge
James J. Judge
/s/ Cotton M. Cleveland
Cotton M. Cleveland
/s/ James S. DiStasio
James S. DiStasio
/s/ Francis A. Doyle
Francis A. Doyle
/s/ Linda Dorcena Forry
Linda Dorcena Forry
/s/ Gregory M. Jones
Gregory M. Jones
/s/ John Y. Kim
John Y. Kim
/s/ Kenneth R. Leibler
Kenneth R. Leibler
/s/ David H. Long
David H. Long
/s/ William C. Van Faasen
William C. Van Faasen
/s/ Frederica M. Williams
Frederica M. Williams
President and Chief Executive Officer,
and a Trustee
(Principal Executive Officer)
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Vice President, Controller
and Chief Accounting Officer
Executive Chairman of the Board
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
E-4
Date
February 16, 2022
February 16, 2022
February 16, 2022
February 16, 2022
February 16, 2022
February 16, 2022
February 16, 2022
February 16, 2022
February 16, 2022
February 16, 2022
February 16, 2022
February 16, 2022
February 16, 2022
February 16, 2022
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 31
I, Joseph R. Nolan, Jr., certify that:
•
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Eversource Energy (the registrant);
•
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to
the period covered by this report;
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all
•
material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this
report;
•
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-
15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
o
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by
others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under
o
our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
o
the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's
o
most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably
likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial
•
reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
functions):
o
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
o
internal control over financial reporting.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's
Date: February 16, 2022
/s/
Joseph R. Nolan, Jr.
Joseph R. Nolan, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Philip J. Lembo, certify that:
•
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Eversource Energy (the registrant);
•
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to
the period covered by this report;
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all
•
material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this
report;
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
•
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-
15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
o
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by
others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under
o
our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
o
the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's
o
most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably
likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial
•
reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
functions):
o
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
o
internal control over financial reporting.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's
Date: February 16, 2022
/s/ Philip J. Lembo
Philip J. Lembo
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 32
In connection with this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Eversource Energy (the registrant) for the period ending December 31, 2021 as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Report), we, Joseph R. Nolan, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of the registrant,
and Philip J. Lembo, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the registrant, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1350, as
adopted pursuant to Sec. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
•
The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
•
the registrant.
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
/s/
Joseph R. Nolan, Jr.
Joseph R. Nolan, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Philip J. Lembo
Philip J. Lembo
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Date: February 16, 2022
Eversource Energy Trustees
Eversource Energy Executive Officers
James J. Judge
Executive Chairman of the Board
Joseph R. Nolan, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Gregory B. Butler
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Christine M. Carmody
Executive Vice President – Human Resources and
Information Technology
Penelope M. Conner
Executive Vice President – Customer Experience and
Energy Strategy
James W. Hunt, III
Executive Vice President – Corporate Relations and
Sustainability and Secretary
Philip J. Lembo
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Werner J. Schweiger
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
James J. Judge
Executive Chairman of the Board,
Eversource Energy
Cotton M. Cleveland
President, Mather Associates
James S. DiStasio
Retired Senior Vice Chairman and
Americas Chief Operating Officer,
Ernst & Young
Francis A. Doyle
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
Connell Limited Partnership
Linda Dorcena Forry
Vice President, Diversity, Inclusion & Community
Relations for the Northeast,
Suffolk Construction
Gregory M. Jones
Vice President, Community Health and Engagement,
Hartford Healthcare
John Y. Kim
Managing Partner, Brewer Lane Ventures, LLC
Kenneth R. Leibler
Chairman,
The Putnam Mutual Funds
David H. Long
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer,
Liberty Mutual Holding Company, Inc.
Joseph R. Nolan, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer,
Eversource Energy
William C. Van Faasen*
Chairman Emeritus,
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Inc.
Frederica M. Williams
President and Chief Executive Officer,
Whittier Street Health Center
*Lead Trustee
Diluted Earnings Per Share
(Non-GAAP)
(1)
Dividends Paid
Per Share
$3.86
$3.64
$3.45
$3.25
$3.11
$2.27
$2.14
$2.02
$1.90
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
(1) Diluted Earnings per Share for 2021 (Non-GAAP) was adjusted to exclude an after-tax charge of
$0.25 per share related to the settlement of multiple regulatory dockets concerning Eversource
Energy subsidiary, The Connecticut Light and Power Company, and after-tax transition-related
costs of $0.07 per share associated primarily with the acquisition of the natural gas assets of
Columbia Gas of Massachusetts. Diluted Earnings per Share (Non-GAAP) for 2020 was adjusted to
exclude after-tax acquisition-related costs of $0.09 per share associated with the aforementioned
acquisition. Diluted Earnings per Share (Non-GAAP) for 2019 was adjusted to exclude an after-tax
impairment charge of $0.64 per share related to the Northern Pass Transmission Project.
Total Shareholder Return
(Assumes $100 invested on December 31, 2011 with all dividends reinvested)
$500
$400
$300
$200
$100
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Eversource
EEI
S&P 500
Shareholder Information
$2.41
Shareholders
As of December 31, 2021, there were 31,079 common
shareholders of record of Eversource Energy holding an
aggregate of 344,403,196 common shares.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare Investor Services
P.O. Box 505005
Louisville, KY 40233-5005
1-800-999-7269
TDD for hearing impaired: 1-800-952-9245
Shareholder Account Access
We have partnered with Computershare to offer you
online access to your important shareowner
communications in a single secure place. You can
manage your account online via the Investor Center
website, Computershare's web-based tool for
shareholders, at www.computershare.com/investor.
Through free around-the-clock access to the Investor
Center website, you can view your account, access forms
and request a variety of account transactions.
Investor Relations
You may contact our Investor Relations Department:
Jeffrey Kotkin:
Melissa Cameron:
John Gavin:
www.eversource.com
860-665-5154
781-441-8862
781-441-8118
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
Eversource offers a dividend reinvestment and share
purchase plan. This plan is sponsored by the company and
not only offers the reinvestment of dividends but provides
both registered shareholders and interested first-time
investors an affordable alternative for buying and selling
Eversource common shares. To request an enrollment
package, please call 1-800-999-7269 or log into:
www.computershare.com/investor
Direct Deposit for Quarterly Dividends
Direct deposit provides the convenience of automatic and
immediate access to your funds, while eliminating the
possibility for mail delays and lost, stolen or destroyed
checks. This service is free of charge to you. Please call
1-800-999-7269 to request an enrollment form.
Common Share Dividend Payment Dates
Last business day of March, June, September
and December.
Common Share Information
The common shares of Eversource Energy are listed on the
New York Stock Exchange. The ticker symbol is "ES." The
high and low daily prices and dividends paid for the past
two years, by quarters, are shown in the table below.
Year
Quarter High
Low
2021
2020
First
Second
Third
Fourth
$92.21
$91.20
$92.66
$91.46
First
Second
Third
Fourth
$99.42
$93.50
$91.96
$96.66
$76.64
$78.44
$79.57
$81.60
$60.69
$73.61
$77.00
$82.17
Quarterly
Dividend
per Share
$0.6025
$0.6025
$0.6025
$0.6025
$0.5675
$0.5675
$0.5675
$0.5675
Corporate Governance
For information on Corporate Governance at Eversource, go
to our website, www.eversource.com, and select “About”
then “Investors” and scroll down to the link under
"Corporate Governance."
Included in Newsweek’s list of Most
Responsible Companies.
Included in the CNBC/Just Capital list of
JUST 100 Companies, a ranking of most
responsible publicly traded companies.
Recognized in Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality
Index for our commitment to transparency
in gender reporting and promoting
women’s equality in the workplace.
2021
Annual Report
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