EX-13.2 13 f2007wmecoannualreportedgar.htm WMECO 2007 Annual Report

Exhibit 13.2


2007 Annual Report
Western Massachusetts Electric Company

Company Report


The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in this Annual Report.  References in this exhibit to "WMECO" or "the company" are to Western Massachusetts Electric Company, and the terms "we," "us" and "our" refer to WMECO.


Overview

We are a wholly owned subsidiary of Northeast Utilities (NU).  NU’s other regulated electric subsidiaries include The Connecticut Light and Power Company and Public Service Company of New Hampshire.  


We earned $23.6 million in 2007, compared with $15.6 million in 2006 and $15.1 million in 2005.  Included in earnings were transmission segment earnings of $5.1 million, $4.6 million and $4 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and distribution segment earnings of $18.5 million, $11 million and $11.1 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  


Our distribution segment earnings in 2007 were $7.5 million higher than in 2006 primarily due to the impacts of a rate settlement that became effective on January 1, 2007.  The settlement included, among other things, a $1 million annualized rate increase and the implementation of several cost tracking mechanisms.  The 2007 earnings also did not include certain charges that negatively impacted us in 2006.  Higher earnings were partially offset by higher depreciation expense.  Our distribution segment regulatory return on equity (Regulatory ROE) was approximately 9.7 percent in 2007 and 9.6 percent in 2006.  We expect our distribution segment Regulatory ROE to be towards the low end of a 9 percent to 10 percent range at approximately 9 percent in 2008.  


The increase in transmission segment earnings in 2007 was due to a higher level of investment in our transmission infrastructure.  


For the distribution segment, a summary of changes in our retail electric kilowatt-hour (KWH) sales for 2007 as compared to 2006 on an actual and weather normalized basis (using a 30-year average) is as follows:


 

 



Percentage
Increase/
(Decrease)

 

Weather
Normalized
Percentage
Increase/
(Decrease)

Residential

 

1.9 %

 

(0.3)% 

Commercial

 

1.0 %

 

0.5 % 

Industrial

 

(2.3)%

 

(2.4)% 

Total

 

0.6 %

 

(0.4)% 


Our electric sales per customer, adjusted for weather impacts, have been negatively affected by retail rate increases driven by the energy component of customer bills that began in early 2006.  Although the longer-term trend in customer usage in our service territory when energy prices were stable had reflected a generally increasing use per customer, customers have responded to higher energy prices in recent years by using less electricity.  Even though generation costs stabilized in 2007, residential use per customer on a weather normalized basis is lower than 2006 levels, reflecting continued conservation efforts.  We cannot determine at this time whether these trends will continue or the effect they may have on our distribution segment earnings.


Liquidity

Net cash flows from operations increased by $21.2 million from $16.3 million in 2006 to $37.5 million in 2007.  The increase in operating cash flows was primarily due to an increase in recoveries from ratepayers due in part to retail rate adjustments that were effective in January of 2007.  In 2006, amortization of regulatory liabilities and regulatory overrecoveries represented a combined cash outflow of approximately $17 million due primarily to a decrease in the transition charge as overrecoveries were refunded to customers.  In 2007, amortization of regulatory assets and regulatory overrecoveries represented a combined cash inflow of approximately $43 million due to retail transmission recoveries and other recoveries on tracked items.  2007 operating cash flows compared to 2006 also improved due to an approximately $9 million decrease in payments to the Yankee Companies for decommissioning costs.  This increase was partially offset by the payment of $65.6 million in federal and state income taxes in 2007.  We accrued the majority of our portion of this tax obligation in 2000 upon the sale of these generation assets to another NU subsidiary, but due to the intercompany nature of the sales, the federal and state income tax payments were deferred at that time.  It was not until NU ultimately sold these generation assets to an unaffiliated third party in November of 2006 that we were required to pay this deferred tax obligation.  




1


We, along with other NU subsidiaries, are a party to a five-year unsecured revolving credit facility which expires on November 6, 2010.  We can borrow up to $100 million on a short-term basis, or subject to regulatory approvals, on a long-term basis.  At December 31, 2007 and 2006, we had no borrowings outstanding under this facility.  


In August of 2007, we issued $40 million of 30-year senior unsecured notes with a coupon rate of 6.7 percent and a maturity date of August 15, 2037.  The proceeds were used to refinance our short term borrowings, which were previously incurred to fund transmission segment and distribution segment capital expenditures.


Our senior unsecured debt is rated Baa2, BBB and BBB+ with a stable outlook, by Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, respectively.  To ensure the consistency of these ratings, which aid in the achievement of competitive market rates for our debt issuances, we seek to maintain certain credit metrics satisfactory to the rating agencies, which include a target capitalization structure of approximately 55 percent debt and 45 percent equity.  The three agencies each may include in the debt component of capitalization additional factors, such as the net present value of remaining operating leases and postretirement benefit obligations.  Before the application of such adjustments, our ratio of consolidated total debt to total capitalization was approximately 52 percent as of December 31, 2007.  We seek to maintain our target structure over the long term through a proper balance of capital infusions from NU parent and new debt issuances or borrowings.


In 2007 and 2006, NU contributed equity to us of $13.6 million and $31.9 million, respectively.  In general, we pay approximately 60 percent of our cash earnings to NU in the form of common dividends.  In 2007 and 2006, we paid common dividends to NU of $12.8 million and $7.9 million, respectively.  


Capital expenditures described herein are cash capital expenditures and do not include amounts incurred but not paid, cost of removal, the allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC) related to equity funds, and the capitalized portion of pension expense or income.  Our cash capital expenditures totaled $47.3 million in 2007, compared with $42.8 million in 2006 and $44.7 million in 2005.  


Capital expenditures are expected to increase significantly over the next several years with the 115 kilovolt (KV) Springfield Underground Cables transmission project and our portion of the New England East-West 345 KV and 115 KV Overhead transmission projects. We project our capital expenditures to total approximately $825 million from 2008 to 2012, of which $648 million relates to our transmission segment.  In order to finance this five-year capital program, we expect further debt issuances and equity infusions from NU parent as needed.


Regulatory Issue

On December 14, 2006, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (formerly the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy) (DPU) approved a rate case settlement agreement that included distribution rate increases of $1 million beginning on January 1, 2007 and an additional $3 million increase beginning on January 1, 2008.  On January 1, 2008, WMECO adjusted its rates to include the distribution increase, new basic service contracts, and changes in several tracking mechanisms.  The net impact of this rate adjustment is an average 6.2 percent increase in customers' total bills.  



2


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


The components of significant income statement variances for the past two years are provided in the table below.  


Income Statement Variances

2007 over/(under) 2006

 

 

2006 over/(under) 2005

 

(Millions of Dollars)

Amount

 

Percent

 

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Operating Revenues

$

33 

 

%

 

$

22 

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operation -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Fuel, purchased and net interchange power

 

(44)

 

(16)

 

 

 

34 

 

14 

 

   Other operation

 

17 

 

21 

 

 

 

10 

 

15 

 

Maintenance

 

 

18 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

21 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of regulatory assets/(liabilities), net

 

38 

 

(a)

 

 

 

(24)

 

(a)

 

Amortization of rate reduction bonds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taxes other than income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

19 

 

 

 

 

22 

 

 

Operating Income

 

14 

 

35 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income, net

 

 

66 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income tax expense

 

15 

 

63 

 

 

 

(1)

 

(4)

 

Income tax expense

 

 

88 

 

 

 

(2)

 

(16)

 

Net income

$

 

51 

%

 

$

 

%


(a) Percent greater than 100.


Comparison of the Year 2007 to the Year 2006


Operating Revenues

Operating revenues increased $33 million compared to the same period in 2006 due to higher distribution segment revenue ($31 million) and higher transmission segment revenue ($3 million).  


The distribution segment revenue increase of $31 million is primarily due to the components of revenues which are included in regulatory commission approved tracking mechanisms that track the recovery of certain incurred costs ($27 million).  See also amortization of regulatory assets/(liabilities), net below.  The distribution revenue tracking components increase of $27 million is primarily due to higher retail transmission revenues ($25 million) and higher transition cost recoveries ($15 million), higher pension tracker and default service true-up revenues ($8 million) resulting from the distribution rate settlement that took effect January 1, 2007 and higher wholesale revenues ($3 million), partially offset by the pass through of lower energy supply costs ($25 million).  The tracking mechanisms allow for rates to be changed periodically with over collections refunded to customers or under collections collected from customers in future periods.


The distribution component of revenues which impacts earnings increased $4 million primarily due to the distribution rate increase effective January 1, 2007 and higher retail sales.  Retail sales increased 0.6 percent compared to the same period of 2006.  


Transmission segment revenues increased $3 million primarily due to a higher transmission investment base and higher operating expenses, which are recovered under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)-approved transmission tariffs.  


Fuel, Purchased and Net Interchange Power

Fuel, purchased and net interchange power expense decreased $44 million primarily due to lower default service supply costs ($33 million) and lower purchased power costs ($10 million), which are included in a regulatory commission approved tracking mechanism.  The default service supply costs are the contractual amounts we must pay to various suppliers that supply default service load after winning a competitive solicitation process.  The decrease in these costs is primarily the result of decreased load levels resulting from customers migrating from default service to a third party energy supplier during 2007 as compared to 2006.  Lower purchased power costs of $10 million are the result of lower capacity costs for the Yankee companies' contractual obligations as some of these companies complete decommissioning.


Other Operation

Other operation expenses increased $17 million primarily due to an increase in retail transmission expenses ($8 million), higher administrative expenses ($6 million) and higher uncollectible account expenses ($2 million).  The increase in retail transmission expenses is mainly due to the deferral, resulting from the regulatory tracking mechanism as a result of the increase in retail transmission revenue rates.




3


Maintenance

Maintenance expense increased $3 million primarily due to higher tree trimming and maintenance of station equipment and structures expenses.


Depreciation

Depreciation expense increased $4 million primarily due to revised depreciation rates effective January 1, 2007 from the distribution rate settlement and higher utility plant balances.


Amortization of Regulatory Assets/(Liabilities), Net

Amortization of regulatory assets/(liabilities), net increased $38 million primarily due to the deferral of transition costs as a result of a higher transition charge rate and lower power contract net costs and the 2006 $18 million credit associated with the deferral of retail transmission costs.


Amortization of Rate Reduction Bonds

Amortization of rate reduction bonds increased $1 million.  The higher portion of principal within the rate reduction bond’s payment results in a corresponding increase in the amortization of regulatory assets.


Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net increased $1 million primarily due to higher interest on long-term debt as a result of the issuance of the sale of $40 million of unsecured notes in August 2007, partially offset by lower rate reduction bond interest resulting from lower principal balances outstanding.


Other Income, Net

Other income, net increased $2 million primarily due to higher investment income and higher equity of earnings as a result of regional nuclear generating companies.  


Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense increased $7 million due to higher pre-tax earnings and a decrease in favorable tax adjustments.  


Comparison of the Year 2006 to the Year 2005


Operating Revenues

Operating revenues increased $22 million compared to the same period in 2005, primarily due to higher distribution segment revenue ($20 million) and higher transmission segment revenue ($2 million).  


The distribution segment revenue increase of $20 million is primarily due to the components of revenues which are included in regulatory commission approved tracking mechanisms that track the recovery of certain incurred costs ($20 million).  The distribution revenue tracking components increase of $20 million is primarily due to the pass through of higher energy supply costs ($28 million), partially offset by lower retail transmission revenues ($5 million) and lower wholesale revenues ($1 million).  The tracking mechanisms allow for rates to be changed periodically with over collections refunded to customers or under collections collected from customers in future periods.  


The distribution component of retail revenue which impacts earnings was flat as a result of the $3 million distribution rate increase that took affect January 1, 2006 being offset by a 4.2 percent decrease in sales.


Transmission segment revenues increased $2 million primarily due to a higher rate base and higher operating expenses which are recovered under the FERC-approved transmission tariffs.


Fuel, Purchased and Net Interchange Power

Fuel, purchased and net interchange power expense increased $34 million primarily due to higher default service supply costs, which are included in a regulatory commission approved tracking mechanism.  These default service supply costs are the contractual amounts we must pay to various suppliers that have earned the right to supply default service load through a competitive solicitation process.  The increase in these costs is primarily the result of increases in the market price of electricity at the time of each solicitation.


Other Operation

Other operation expenses increased $10 million primarily due to higher reliability must run (RMR) costs ($14 million), which are included in a retail transmission regulatory rate tracking mechanism, and will be recovered from customers in future years, partially offset by lower pension and other benefit costs ($2 million) and lower conservation and load management expenses ($1 million).


Depreciation

Depreciation expense increased $1 million primarily due to higher utility plant balances.




4


Amortization of Regulatory Assets/(Liabilities), Net

Amortization of regulatory assets/(liabilities), net decreased $24 million primarily due to the deferral of retail transmission costs ($18 million), mainly as a result of higher RMR costs, and the deferral of higher transition costs ($5 million).  


Amortization of Rate Reduction Bonds

Amortization of rate reduction bonds increased $1 million.  The higher portion of principal within the rate reduction bond’s payment results in a corresponding increase in the amortization of regulatory assets.


Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net increased $1 million primarily due to higher long-term debt levels as a result of the issuance of $50 million of ten-year senior notes in August of 2005 ($2 million), partially offset by lower rate reduction bond interest resulting from lower principal balances outstanding ($1 million).


Income Taxes

Income tax expense decreased $2 million due to lower pre-tax earnings and a decrease in the effective tax rate from 38.1 to 33.2 percent.  The effective tax rate decrease primarily results from a deferred tax adjustment related to generation plants sold to an affiliate.




5


Company Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting


Management is responsible for the preparation, integrity, and fair presentation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Western Massachusetts Electric Company and subsidiary (WMECO or the Company) and of other sections of this annual report.  


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 generally accepted accounting principles.  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 management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, WMECO conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  Based on this evaluation under the framework in COSO, management concluded that our internal controls over financial reporting were effective as of December 31, 2007.


February 28, 2008


 



6


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm



To the Board of Directors of
Western Massachusetts Electric Company:


We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Western Massachusetts Electric Company and subsidiary (a Massachusetts corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Northeast Utilities) (the "Company") as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related statements of income, comprehensive income, common stockholder’s equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.


We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting.  Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such opinion.  An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.


In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Western Massachusetts Electric Company and subsidiary as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.


As discussed in Note 1.G., the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, as of January 1, 2007.



/s/

Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

Deloitte & Touche LLP



Hartford, Connecticut

February 28, 2008




7



WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31,

2007

 

2006

 

(Thousands of Dollars)

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

  Cash

 

$            1,110 

 

 

$            1,336 

  Receivables, less provision for uncollectible

 

 

 

 

 

    accounts of $5,699 in 2007 and $5,073 in 2006

 

49,578 

 

 

43,182 

  Accounts receivable from affiliated companies

 

258 

 

 

5,628 

  Unbilled revenues

 

17,990 

 

 

15,940 

  Taxes receivable

 

3,382 

 

 

  Materials and supplies

 

2,353 

 

 

1,875 

  Marketable securities - current

 

31,286 

 

 

28,054 

  Prepayments and other

 

2,661 

 

 

1,080 

 

 

108,618 

 

 

97,095 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

  Electric utility

 

728,712 

 

 

703,723 

     Less: Accumulated depreciation

 

205,743 

 

 

201,099 

 

 

522,969 

 

 

502,624 

  Construction work in progress

 

36,388 

 

 

23,470 

 

 

559,357 

 

 

526,094 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Debits and Other Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

  Regulatory assets

 

193,921 

 

 

252,346 

  Prepaid pension

 

90,015 

 

 

69,933 

  Marketable securities - long-term

 

25,078 

 

 

25,964 

  Other

 

14,099 

 

 

17,261 

 

 

323,113 

 

 

365,504 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$        991,088 

 

 

$        988,693 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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




8



WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31,

2007

 

2006

 

(Thousands of Dollars)

LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

  Notes payable to affiliated companies

 

$          14,900 

 

 

$          30,800 

  Accounts payable

 

30,636 

 

 

28,008 

  Accounts payable to affiliated companies

 

7,480 

 

 

4,184 

  Accrued taxes

 

633 

 

 

27,615 

  Accrued interest

 

5,498 

 

 

4,546 

  Other

 

9,856 

 

 

9,273 

 

 

69,003 

 

 

104,426 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rate Reduction Bonds

 

86,731 

 

 

99,428 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

  Accumulated deferred income taxes

 

187,139 

 

 

197,881 

  Accumulated deferred investment tax credits

 

2,015 

 

 

2,319 

  Deferred contractual obligations

 

41,958 

 

 

50,711 

  Regulatory liabilities

 

39,437 

 

 

26,756 

  Accrued postretirement benefits

 

12,668 

 

 

14,293 

  Other

 

5,015 

 

 

12,136 

 

 

288,232 

 

 

304,096 

Capitalization:

 

 

 

 

 

  Long-Term Debt

 

303,872 

 

 

261,777 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Common Stockholder's Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

    Common stock, $25 par value - authorized

 

 

 

 

 

     1,072,471 shares; 434,653 shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

     in 2007 and 2006

 

10,866 

 

 

10,866 

    Capital surplus, paid in

 

128,228 

 

 

114,544 

    Retained earnings

 

103,925 

 

 

92,663 

    Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

231 

 

 

893 

  Common Stockholder's Equity

 

243,250 

 

 

218,966 

Total Capitalization

 

547,122 

 

 

480,743 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Capitalization

 

$        991,088 

 

 

$        988,693 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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




9



WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Revenues

 

$     464,745 

 

$     431,509 

 

$     409,393 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Operation -

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Fuel, purchased and net interchange power

 

236,582 

 

280,158 

 

245,763 

     Other

 

98,837 

 

81,969 

 

71,449 

  Maintenance

 

18,618 

 

15,821 

 

16,271 

  Depreciation

 

20,868 

 

17,204 

 

16,273 

  Amortization of regulatory assets/(liabilities), net

 

10,601 

 

 (27,516)

 

 (3,518)

  Amortization of rate reduction bonds

 

12,766 

 

11,968 

 

11,220 

  Taxes other than income taxes

 

12,322 

 

11,932 

 

11,661 

        Total operating expenses

 

410,594 

 

391,536 

 

369,119 

Operating Income

 

54,151 

 

39,973 

 

40,274 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Interest on long-term debt

 

11,577 

 

10,671 

 

9,535 

  Interest on rate reduction bonds

 

5,839 

 

6,723 

 

7,570 

  Other interest

 

2,430 

 

1,507 

 

1,041 

     Interest expense, net

 

19,846 

 

18,901 

 

18,146 

Other Income, Net

 

3,885 

 

2,338 

 

2,251 

Income Before Income Tax Expense

 

38,190 

 

23,410 

 

24,379 

Income Tax Expense

 

14,586 

 

7,766 

 

9,294 

Net Income

 

$       23,604 

 

$       15,644 

 

$       15,085 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$       23,604 

 

$       15,644 

 

$       15,085 

Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Qualified cash flow hedging instruments

 

(704)

 

 (99)

 

951 

  Unrealized gains/(losses) on securities

 

42 

 

226 

 

 (244)

  Minimum SERP liability

 

 

72 

 

49 

     Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax

 

 (662)

 

199 

 

756 

Comprehensive Income

 

$       22,942 

 

$       15,843 

 

$       15,841 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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




10



WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Capital
Surplus
Paid In

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss)/Income

 

Total

Shares

 

Amount

 

 

(Thousands of Dollars, except share information)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2005

 

434,653 

 

$         10,866 

 

$         76,103 

 

$         77,565 

 

$                  (62)

 

$164,472 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Net income for 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,085 

 

 

 

15,085 

    Dividends on common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,685)

 

 

 

(7,685)

    Allocation of benefits - ESOP

 

 

 

 

 

(93)

 

 

 

 

 

(93)

    Tax deduction for stock options exercised and Employee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Stock Purchase Plan disqualifying dispositions

 

 

 

 

 

28 

 

 

 

 

 

28 

    Capital contribution from NU parent

 

 

 

 

 

6,773 

 

 

 

 

 

6,773 

    Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

756 

 

756 

Balance at December 31, 2005

 

434,653 

 

10,866 

 

82,811 

 

84,965 

 

694 

 

179,336 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Net income for 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,644 

 

 

 

15,644 

    Dividends on common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,946)

 

 

 

(7,946)

    Allocation of benefits - ESOP

 

 

 

 

 

(29)

 

 

 

 

 

(29)

    Tax deduction for stock options exercised and Employee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Stock Purchase Plan disqualifying dispositions

 

 

 

 

 

(183)

 

 

 

 

 

(183)

    Capital contribution from NU parent

 

 

 

 

 

31,945 

 

 

 

 

 

31,945 

    Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

199 

 

199 

Balance at December 31, 2006

 

434,653 

 

10,866 

 

114,544 

 

92,663 

 

893 

 

218,966 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Adoption of  FIN48 - accounting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      for uncertainty of income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

437 

 

 

 

437 

    Net income for 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,604 

 

 

 

23,604 

    Dividends on common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12,779)

 

 

 

(12,779)

    Allocation of benefits - ESOP

 

 

 

 

 

77 

 

 

 

 

 

77 

    Capital contribution from NU parent

 

 

 

 

 

13,607 

 

 

 

 

 

13,607 

    Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(662)

 

(662)

Balance at December 31, 2007

 

434,653 

 

$         10,866 

 

$       128,228 

 

$       103,925 

 

$                  231 

 

$243,250 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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




11



WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$           23,604 

 

$           15,644 

 

$           15,085 

Adjustments to reconcile to net cash flows

 

 

 

 

 

  provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Bad debt expense

6,922 

 

5,503 

 

3,857 

Depreciation

20,868 

 

17,204 

 

16,273 

Deferred income taxes

 (15,332)

 

 (17,192)

 

 (1,884)

Amortization of regulatory assets/(liabilities), net

10,601 

 

 (27,516)

 

 (3,518)

Amortization of rate reduction bonds

12,766 

 

11,968 

 

11,220 

Pension income, net of capitalized portion

 (3,066)

 

 (803)

 

 (647)

Regulatory overrecoveries

32,129 

 

10,327 

 

5,360 

Deferred contractual obligations

 (7,568)

 

 (16,807)

 

 (16,557)

Other non-cash adjustments

 (283)

 

1,384 

 

1,955 

Other sources of cash

1,504 

 

3,364 

 

Other uses of cash

 (1,010)

 

 (122)

 

 (6,029)

Changes in current assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables and unbilled revenues, net

 (9,749)

 

 (4,600)

 

 (5,269)

Materials and supplies

 (478)

 

 (461)

 

74 

Other current assets

 (1,300)

 

 (183)

 

130 

Accounts payable

1,417 

 

 (7,544)

 

5,231 

Taxes (receivable)/accrued

 (35,014)

 

25,995 

 

5,900 

Other current liabilities

1,537 

 

176 

 

 (1,150)

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

37,548 

 

16,337 

 

30,031 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in property and plant

 (47,315)

 

 (42,818)

 

 (44,739)

Proceeds from sales of investment securities

196,865 

 

123,148 

 

82,937 

Purchases of investment securities

 (199,803)

 

 (125,782)

 

 (84,939)

Net proceeds from sale of property

 

 

1,599 

Other investing activities

929 

 

2,637 

 

1,504 

Net cash flows used in investing activities

 (49,324)

 

 (42,815)

 

 (43,638)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of long-term debt

40,000 

 

 

50,000 

Retirement of rate reduction bonds

 (12,697)

 

 (11,903)

 

 (11,158)

Decrease in short-term debt

 

 

 (25,000)

(Decrease)/increase in NU Money Pool borrowings

 (15,900)

 

15,900 

 

 (1,000)

Capital contributions from NU parent

13,607 

 

31,945 

 

6,773 

Cash dividends on common stock

 (12,779)

 

 (7,946)

 

 (7,685)

Other financing activities

 (681)

 

 (183)

 

Net cash flows provided by financing activities

11,550 

 

27,813 

 

11,930 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash

 (226)

 

1,335 

 

 (1,677)

Cash - beginning of year

1,336 

 

 

1,678 

Cash - end of year

$             1,110 

 

$             1,336 

 

$                    1 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid/(received) during the year for:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest, net of amounts capitalized

$           20,259 

 

$           20,140 

 

$           17,900 

Income taxes

$           65,595 

 

$               (677)

 

$             5,084 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

   Capital expenditures incurred but not paid

$             6,593 

 

$             2,019 

 

$             2,865 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 


 



12


Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements


1.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies


A.

About Western Massachusetts Electric Company

Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO or the company) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northeast Utilities (NU).  WMECO is a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Until February 8, 2006, NU was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a holding company under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA).  On February 8, 2006, PUHCA was repealed.  NU is now registered with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as a public utility holding company under the PUHCA of 2005.  Arrangements among WMECO, other NU companies, outside agencies, and other utilities covering interconnections, interchange of electric power and sales of utility property, are subject to regulation by the FERC.  WMECO is subject to further regulation for rates, accounting and other matters by the FERC and the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (formerly the Department of Telecommunications and Energy) (DPU).  WMECO furnishes franchised retail electric service in Massachusetts.  WMECO’s results include the operations of its distribution and transmission segments.


Several wholly-owned subsidiaries of NU provide support services for NU’s companies, including WMECO.  Northeast Utilities Service Company (NUSCO) provides centralized accounting, administrative, engineering, financial, information technology, legal, operational, planning, purchasing, and other services to NU’s companies.  Three other subsidiaries construct, acquire, or lease some of the property and facilities used by WMECO.  


At December 31, 2007 and 2006, WMECO had a long-term receivable from NUSCO in the amount of $5.5 million that is included in deferred debits and other assets - other on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets related to the funding of investments held by NUSCO in connection with certain postretirement benefits for WMECO employees.  


Included in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2007 are accounts receivable from affiliated companies and accounts payable to affiliated companies totaling $0.3 million and $7.5 million, respectively, relating to transactions between WMECO and other subsidiaries that are wholly owned by NU.  At December 31, 2006, these amounts totaled $5.6 million and $4.2 million, respectively.


Total WMECO purchases from Select Energy, Inc. (Select Energy), another NU subsidiary, were $0.9 million and $36.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  There were no such purchases in 2007.


In 2007, WMECO made a discretionary contribution of $0.1 million to the NU Foundation, Inc. (Foundation), an independent not-for-profit charitable entity designed to invest in projects that emphasize economic development, workforce training and education, and a clean and healthy environment.  The board of directors of the Foundation consists of certain NU officers.  Any donations made to the Foundation negatively impact the earnings of WMECO.


B.

Presentation

The consolidated financial statements of WMECO include the accounts of its subsidiary WMECO Funding LLC.  Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.


The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.


C.

Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted

Fair Value Measurements:  On September 15, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements," which establishes a framework for identifying and measuring fair value and is required to be implemented in the first quarter of 2008.  The statement defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  SFAS No. 157 provides a fair value hierarchy, giving the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets, and is applicable to fair value measurements of derivative contracts that are subject to mark-to-market accounting and to other assets and liabilities that are reported at fair value or subject to fair value measurements.  Management does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 157 to have a material impact on WMECO's consolidated financial statements.  


The Fair Value Option:  On February 15, 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - including an amendment of FAS 115."  SFAS No. 159 allows entities to choose, at specified election dates, to measure at fair value eligible financial assets and liabilities that are not otherwise required to be measured at fair value.  SFAS No. 159 is effective in the first quarter of 2008, with the effect of application to eligible items as of January 1, 2008 required to be reflected as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings.  If a company elects the fair value option for an eligible item, changes in that item's fair value at subsequent reporting dates must be recognized in earnings.  Management is currently evaluating whether or not to elect the fair value option for WMECO’s securities held in trust as of January 1, 2008.  Implementation of SFAS No. 159 for WMECO's securities held in trust is not expected to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.




13


D.

Revenues

WMECO's retail revenues are based on rates approved by the DPU.  In general, rates can only be changed through formal proceedings with the DPU.  However, WMECO utilizes regulatory commission-approved tracking mechanisms to track the recovery of certain incurred costs.  These tracking mechanisms allow for rates to be changed periodically, with overcollections refunded to customers or undercollections collected from customers in future periods.


Unbilled Revenues:  Unbilled revenues represent an estimate of electricity delivered to customers for which the customers have not yet been billed.  Unbilled revenues are included in revenue on the statement of income and are assets on the balance sheet that are reclassified to accounts receivable in the following month as customers are billed.  Such estimates are subject to adjustment when actual meter readings become available or under other circumstances.


WMECO estimates unbilled revenues monthly using the daily load cycle (DLC) method.  The DLC method allocates billed sales to the current calendar month based on the daily load for each billing cycle.  The billed sales are subtracted from total calendar month sales to estimate unbilled sales.  Unbilled revenues are estimated by first allocating sales to the respective rate classes, then applying an average rate to the estimate of unbilled sales.  


Transmission Revenues - Wholesale Rates:   Wholesale transmission revenues are based on formula rates that are approved by the FERC.  Most of NU’s wholesale transmission revenues are collected under the New England Independent System Operator (ISO-NE) FERC Electric Tariff No. 3, Transmission, Markets and Services Tariff (Tariff No. 3).  Tariff No. 3 includes Regional Network Service (RNS) and Local Network Service (LNS) rate schedules to recover transmission and other services.  The RNS rate, administered by ISO-NE and billed to all New England transmission users including WMECO's transmission business, is reset on June 1st of each year and recovers the revenue requirements associated with transmission facilities that benefit the New England region.  The LNS rate, administered by NU, is reset on January 1st and June 1st of each year and recovers the revenue requirements for local transmission facilities and other transmission costs not recovered under the RNS rate.  The LNS rate calculation recovers total transmission revenue requirements net of revenues received from other sources (i.e., RNS, rentals, etc.), thereby ensuring that NU recovers all regional and local revenue requirements as prescribed in Tariff No. 3.  Both the RNS and LNS rates provide for annual true-ups to actual costs.  The financial impacts of differences between actual and projected costs are deferred for future recovery from or refund to retail customers.  At December 31, 2007, the LNS rates for WMECO's transmission segment were in an underrecovery position of approximately $2 million, which will be recovered from LNS customers in mid-2008.  WMECO believes that these rates will provide it with timely recovery of transmission costs, including costs of its major transmission projects.  


Transmission Revenues - Retail Rates:  A significant portion of the NU transmission segment revenue comes from ISO-NE charges to the distribution segments of WMECO and other NU companies, which recover these costs through rates charged to their retail customers.  WMECO has a retail transmission cost tracking mechanism as part of its rates.  This tracking mechanism allows WMECO to charge its retail customers for transmission charges on a timely basis.  At December 31, 2007, WMECO had retail transmission overcollections of $5.8 million.  At December 31, 2006, WMECO had retail transmission undercollections of $9.8 million, which reflected the netting of the $17.5 million transition charge overrecovery from WMECO's 2006 rate case settlement.


E.

Derivative Accounting

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.  WMECO has energy contracts that qualify for the normal purchases and sales exception.  Derivatives under the exception and non-derivative contracts are recorded under accrual accounting, and related revenues or costs are recorded at the time of delivery or settlement.


The judgment applied in the election of the normal purchases and sales exception (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 and that the quantities will be used or sold by the business over a reasonable period in the normal course of business.  If facts and circumstances change and management can no longer support this conclusion, then the normal exception and accrual accounting is terminated and fair value accounting is applied.  

 

F.

Regulatory Accounting

The accounting policies of WMECO conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America applicable to rate-regulated enterprises and historically reflect the effects of the rate-making process in accordance with SFAS No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation."


The transmission and distribution segments of WMECO continue to be cost-of-service, rate regulated.  Management believes that the application of SFAS No. 71 to those segments continues to be appropriate.  Management also believes it is probable that WMECO will recover its investments in long-lived assets, including regulatory assets.  Excluding the securitized regulatory asset amount, a substantial portion of the regulatory assets earn an equity return.  Amortization and deferrals of regulatory assets/(liabilities) are included on a net basis in amortization expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of income.  




14


Regulatory Assets:  The components of WMECO’s regulatory assets are as follows:


 

 

At December 31,

(Millions of Dollars)

 

2007

 

2006

Securitized assets

 

$

85.6 

 

$

98.3 

Unrecovered contractual obligations

 

 

42.0 

 

 

50.7 

Income taxes, net

 

 

38.2 

 

 

41.3 

Recoverable nuclear costs

 

 

9.3 

 

 

13.7 

Deferred benefit costs

 

 

8.2 

 

 

25.8 

Other regulatory assets

 

 

10.6 

 

 

22.5 

Totals

 

$

193.9 

 

$

252.3 


Securitized Assets:  In May 2001, WMECO issued $155 million in rate reduction certificates and used the majority of the proceeds from that issuance to buyout an Independent Power Producer (IPP) contract.  The unamortized WMECO securitized asset balance was $85.6 million and $98.3 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.


Securitized regulatory assets, which are not earning an equity return, are being recovered over the amortization period of their associated rate reduction certificates.  All outstanding rate reduction certificates of WMECO are scheduled to fully amortize by June 1, 2013.


Unrecovered Contractual Obligations:  Under the terms of contracts with the Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company (CYAPC), Yankee Atomic Electric Company (YAEC), and Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company (MYAPC) (Yankee Companies), WMECO is responsible for its proportionate share of the remaining costs of the units, including decommissioning.  Unrecovered contractual obligations of $42 million and $50.7 million were recorded at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  WMECO amounts are being recovered along with other stranded costs.  


Income Taxes, Net:  The tax effect of temporary 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 DPU, SFAS No. 109 and FASB Interpretation No. (FIN) 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109."  Differences in income taxes between SFAS No. 109, FIN 48 and the rate-making treatment of the DPU are recorded as regulatory assets which totaled $38.2 million and $41.3 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  For further information regarding income taxes, see Note 1G, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Income Taxes," to the consolidated financial statements.


Recoverable Nuclear Costs:  Included in recoverable nuclear costs at December 31, 2007 and 2006 are $9.3 million and $13.7 million, respectively, of costs primarily related to Millstone 1 recoverable nuclear costs for the undepreciated plant and related assets at the time Millstone 1 was shutdown.  


Deferred Benefit Costs:  On December 31, 2006, the company implemented SFAS No. 158, "Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans."  SFAS No. 158 applies to NU’s Pension Plan, Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP), and postretirement benefits other than pension (PBOP) Plan, of which each includes eligible employees of WMECO, and requires an additional benefit liability to be recorded with an offset to accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity, which is remeasured annually.  However, because WMECO is a cost-of-service, rate regulated entity under SFAS No. 71, offsets were recorded as a regulatory asset of $8.2 million at December 31, 2007 and $25.8 million at December 31, 2006 as these amounts have been and continue to be recoverable in cost-of-service, regulated rates.  Regulatory accounting was also applied to the portions of the NUSCO costs that support WMECO, as these amounts were also recoverable.  The deferred benefit costs are included in rate base.  


Other Regulatory Assets:  Included in other regulatory assets are the regulatory assets associated with the implementation of FIN 47, "Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143," totaling $2.7 million and $2.3 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  As part of WMECO's rate case settlement, the DPU approved accounting requirements setting forth the recognition of its asset retirement obligations and a corresponding regulatory asset.  Management believes that these regulatory assets are probable of recovery.


At December 31, 2007 and 2006, other regulatory assets also included $0.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively, related to losses on reacquired debt, $9.8 million at December 31, 2006 related to the undercollections of the retail transmission tracker, $2.6 million and $4.3 million, respectively, related to C&LM deferral, $1.3 million and $1.9 million, respectively, related to recoverable energy costs and $3.5 million and $3.6 million, respectively, related to various other items.




15


Regulatory Liabilities:  The components of regulatory liabilities are as follows:


 

 

At December 31,

(Millions of Dollars)

 

2007

 

2006

Cost of removal 

 

21.5 

 

23.6 

Transmission refunds

 

 

5.8 

 

 

Pension/PBOP tracker

 

 

4.6 

 

 

Default service overcollections

 

 

3.9 

 

 

2.4 

Other regulatory liabilities 

 

 

3.6 

 

 

0.8 

Totals 

 

$

39.4 

 

$

26.8 


Cost of Removal:  WMECO currently recovers amounts in rates for future costs of removal of plant assets.  These amounts, which totaled $21.5 million and $23.6 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, are classified as regulatory liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  These liabilities are included in rate base.


Transmission Refunds:  Transmission refunds relate to the retail transmission tracker costs that WMECO incurred on behalf of its customers in the delivery of customer energy services and collected these costs in rates.  At December 31, 2007, WMECO had overcollections of $5.8 million related to these transmission costs.  At December 31, 2006, WMECO had undercollections of $9.8 million discussed in other regulatory assets above.  


Pension/PBOP Tracker:  In 2006, the DPU approved a cost tracking mechanism for WMECO’s pension and PBOP plan costs effective on January 1, 2007.  The approved tracking mechanism also allows WMECO to earn a return on its pension and PBOP assets and liabilities at its weighted average cost of capital, including the future pension and PBOP benefit obligations deferred under SFAS No. 158.  At December 31, 2007, WMECO had overcollections of $4.6 million.  


Default Service Overcollections:  The default service rate allows WMECO to recover the costs of the procurement of energy for basic service, which includes forward capacity market charges.  At December 31, 2007 and 2006, default service overcollections totaled $3.9 million and $2.4 million, respectively.


G.

Income Taxes

The tax effect of temporary differences is accounted for in accordance with the rate-making treatment of the DPU, SFAS No. 109 and FIN 48.  Details of income tax expense are as follows:


 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(Millions of Dollars)

The components of the federal and state income tax provisions are: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current income taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Federal

 

$

26.4 

 

$

25.5 

 

$

10.1 

  State

 

 

3.8 

 

 

(0.2)

 

 

1.1 

     Total current

 

 

30.2 

 

 

25.3 

 

 

11.2 

Deferred income taxes, net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Federal

 

 

(12.9) 

 

 

(21.2)

 

 

(2.0)

  State

 

 

(2.4) 

 

 

4.0 

 

 

0.4 

    Total deferred

 

 

(15.3) 

 

 

(17.2)

 

 

(1.6)

Investment tax credits, net

 

 

(0.3) 

 

 

(0.3)

 

 

(0.3)

Income tax expense

 

$

14.6  

 

$

7.8 

 

$

9.3 




16


A reconciliation between income tax expense and the expected tax expense at the statutory rate is as follows:


 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(Millions of Dollars, except percentages)

Income before income tax expense

 

$

38.2 

 

$

23.4 

 

$

24.4 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expected federal income tax expense 

 

 

13.4 

 

 

8.2 

 

 

8.5 

 

Tax effect of differences: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Depreciation 

 

 

0.5 

 

 

(0.3)

 

 

0.4 

 

  Investment tax credit amortization 

 

 

(0.3)

 

 

(0.3)

 

 

(0.3)

 

  Deferred tax adjustment - sale to affiliate

 

 

-  

 

 

(1.6)

 

 

 

  State income taxes, net of federal impact

 

 

0.9 

 

 

2.1 

 

 

1.0 

 

  Medicare subsidy 

 

 

                 (0.4)

 

 

(0.5)

 

 

(0.5)

 

  Other, net 

 

 

0.5 

 

 

0.2 

 

 

0.2 

 

Income tax expense 

 

14.6 

 

7.8 

 

9.3 

 

Effective tax rate

 

 

38.2 

%

 

33.3 

%

 

38.1 

%


NU and its subsidiaries, including WMECO, file a consolidated federal income tax return and file 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.  


The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the current and long-term net accumulated deferred tax obligations are as follows:


 

 

At December 31,

(Millions of Dollars)

 

2007

 

2006

Deferred tax liabilities - current:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Property tax accruals and other

 

$

2.3 

 

$

2.2 

Total deferred tax liabilities - current

 

 

2.3 

 

 

2.2 

Deferred tax assets - current:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Allowance for uncollectible accounts

 

 

2.2 

 

 

2.0 

Total deferred tax assets - current

 

 

2.2 

 

 

2.0 

Net deferred tax liabilities - current

 

 

0.1 

 

 

0.2 

Deferred tax liabilities - long-term:

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Accelerated depreciation and other plant-related differences

 

 

113.4 

 

 

113.1 

    Employee benefits

 

 

33.5 

 

 

27.0 

    Securitized costs

 

 

32.7 

 

 

37.5 

    Income tax gross-up

 

 

17.8 

 

 

19.7 

    Other

 

 

19.8 

 

 

24.0 

Total deferred tax liabilities - long-term

 

 

217.2 

 

 

221.3 

Deferred tax assets - long-term:

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Regulatory deferrals

 

 

16.9 

 

 

6.8 

   Employee benefits

 

 

7.1 

 

 

8.0 

   Income tax gross-up

 

 

2.8 

 

 

3.4 

   ARO accounting

 

 

1.5 

 

 

1.6 

   Other

 

 

1.8 

 

 

3.6 

Total deferred tax assets - long-term

 

 

30.1 

 

 

23.4 

Net deferred tax liabilities - long-term

 

 

187.1 

 

 

197.9 

Net deferred tax liabilities

 

$

187.2 

 

$

198.1 


Effective on January 1, 2007, WMECO implemented FIN 48.  FIN 48 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 the balance sheets.  FIN 48 addresses the methodology to be used prospectively in recognizing, measuring and classifying the amounts associated with income tax positions that are deemed to be uncertain, including related interest and penalties.  Previously, WMECO recorded estimates for uncertain tax positions in accordance with SFAS No. 5, "Accounting for Contingencies."


As a result of implementing FIN 48, WMECO recognized a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle of $0.4 million as an increase to the January 1, 2007 balance of retained earnings.




17


Interest and Penalties:  Effective on January 1, 2007, WMECO’s accounting policy for the classification of interest and penalties related to FIN 48 is as follows:


·

Interest on uncertain tax positions is recorded and classified as a component of other income, net.  WMECO recorded accrued interest income of $0.9 million, which is included in the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, as of January 1, 2007.  For the year ended December 31, 2007, WMECO recorded interest income of $1.4 million.  At December 31, 2007, $2.3 million of accrued interest income was recognized on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.


·

No penalties have been recorded under FIN 48.  If penalties are recorded in the future, then the estimated penalties would be classified as a component of other income/(loss), net.  


Unrecognized Tax Benefits:  WMECO did not have any unrecognized tax benefits upon the adoption of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007.  As of December 31, 2007, WMECO’s unrecognized tax benefit totaled $2.9 million, of which none would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized.


A reconciliation of the activity in unrecognized tax benefits from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007 is as follows:


(Millions of Dollars)

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

Gross increases - prior year

 

 

2.9 

Balance at end of year

 

$

2.9 


Tax Positions:  NU is currently working to resolve all open tax years.  It is reasonably possible that one or more of these open tax years could be resolved within the next twelve months.  Management estimates that potential resolutions could result in a zero to $2 million decrease in unrecognized tax benefits by WMECO.  This estimated change is related to the timing of deducting expenses for book versus tax purposes, which is not expected to have a material impact on earnings.


Tax Years:  The following table summarizes WMECO's tax years that remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions at December 31, 2007:  


Description

 

Tax Years

Federal (NU consolidated)

 

2002 - 2007

Massachusetts

 

2004 - 2007


H.

Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation

The following table summarizes WMECO’s investments in utility plant at December 31, 2007and 2006 and the average depreciable life at December 31, 2007:  


 

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

Average
Depreciable Life

 


2007

 


2006

 

 

(Years)

(Millions of Dollars)

Distribution

 

 

32.3

 

$

596.3 

 

$

580.6 

Transmission

 

 

52.3

 

 

132.4 

 

 

123.1 

Total property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

728.7 

 

 

703.7 

Less:  Accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

(205.7)

 

 

(201.1)

Net property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

523.0 

 

 

502.6 

Construction work in progress

 

 

 

 

 

36.4 

 

 

23.5 

Total property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

 

 

$

559.4 

 

$

526.1 


The provision for depreciation on utility assets is calculated using the straight-line method based on estimated remaining useful lives of depreciable plant in-service, adjusted for salvage value and removal costs, as approved by the DPU.  Depreciation rates are applied to plant-in-service from the time it is placed in service.  When a plant is retired from service, the original cost of the plant is charged to the accumulated provision for depreciation which includes cost of removal less salvage.  Cost of removal is classified as a regulatory liability.  The depreciation rates for the several classes of utility plant-in-service are equivalent to a composite rate of 2.9 percent for 2007, and 2.5 percent for both 2006 and 2005.


I.

Equity Method Investments

At December 31, 2007, WMECO owned common stock in three regional nuclear companies (Yankee Companies).  Each of the Yankee Companies owned a single nuclear generating plant which has been decommissioned.  WMECO’s ownership interests in the Yankee Companies at December 31, 2007, which are accounted for on the equity method, were 9.5 percent of CYAPC, 7 percent of the YAEC, and 3 percent of the MYAPC.  The total carrying value of WMECO’s ownership interests in CYAPC, MYAPC and YAEC, which is included in deferred debits and other assets - other on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the distribution reportable segment, totaled $1.3 million and $1.8 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Earnings related to these equity investments are included in other income, net on the accompanying consolidated statements of income.  For further information, see Note 1M, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Other Income, Net," to the consolidated financial statements.  




18


For further information, see Note 4E, "Commitments and Contingencies - Deferred Contractual Obligations," to the consolidated financial statements.


J.

Allowance for Funds Used During Construction

The allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC) is included in the cost of WMECO's utility plant and represents the cost of borrowed and equity funds used to finance construction.  The portion of AFUDC attributable to borrowed funds is recorded as a reduction of other interest expense, and the AFUDC related to equity funds is recorded as other income on the accompanying consolidated statements of income.


 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

(Millions of Dollars, except percentages)

 

2007

 

 

2006

 

 

2005

 

AFUDC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowed funds

 

$

1.0 

 

 

$

0.9 

 

 

$

0.5 

 

Equity funds

 

 

0.2 

 

 

 

0.2 

 

 

 

0.2 

 

Totals

 

$

1.2 

 

 

$

1.1 

 

 

$

0.7 

 

Average AFUDC rate

 

 

6.1 

%

 

 

6.8 

%

 

 

5.4 

%


The average AFUDC rate is based on a FERC-prescribed formula that develops an average rate using the cost of the company's short-term financings as well as the company's capitalization (long-term debt and common equity).  The average rate is applied to eligible construction work in progress (CWIP) amounts to calculate AFUDC.  


K.

Asset Retirement Obligations

WMECO implemented FIN 47 on December 31, 2005.  FIN 47 requires an entity to recognize a liability for the fair value of an asset retirement obligation (ARO) on the obligation date if the liability’s fair value can be reasonably estimated and is conditional on a future event.  FIN 47 provides that settlement dates and future costs should be reasonably estimated when sufficient information becomes available and provides guidance on the definition and timing of sufficient information in determining expected cash flows and fair values.  Management has identified various categories of AROs, primarily certain assets containing asbestos and hazardous contamination.  A fair value calculation, reflecting expected probabilities for settlement scenarios, has been performed.  


Because it is a cost-of-service, rate regulated entity, WMECO applies regulatory accounting in accordance with SFAS No. 71, and the costs associated with WMECO's AROs were included in other regulatory assets at December 31, 2007 and 2006.  


The fair value of the AROs was recorded as a liability in deferred credits and other liabilities - other with an offset included in property, plant and equipment on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  The ARO assets are depreciated, and the ARO liabilities are accreted over the estimated life of the obligation with corresponding credits recorded as accumulated depreciation and ARO liabilities, respectively.  Both the depreciation and accretion were recorded as increases to regulatory assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2007 and 2006.  


The following tables present the ARO asset, the related accumulated depreciation, the regulatory asset, and the ARO liabilities at December 31, 2007 and 2006:


 

 

At December 31, 2007



(Millions of Dollars)

 


ARO Asset

 

Accumulated
Depreciation of
ARO Asset

 


Regulatory
Asset

 


ARO
Liabilities

Asbestos

 

$

0.2 

 

$

(0.1)

 

$

1.5 

 

$

(1.6)

Hazardous contamination

 

 

0.5 

 

 

(0.1)

 

 

0.8 

 

 

(1.2)

Other AROs

 

 

0.8 

 

 

(0.3)

 

 

0.4 

 

 

(0.9)

   Total WMECO AROs

 

$

1.5 

 

$

(0.5)

 

$

2.7 

 

$

(3.7)


 

 

At December 31, 2006



(Millions of Dollars)

 


ARO Asset

 

Accumulated
Depreciation of
ARO Asset

 


Regulatory
Asset

 


ARO
Liabilities

Asbestos

 

$

0.3 

 

$

(0.2)

 

$

1.4 

 

$

(1.5)

Hazardous contamination

 

 

0.7 

 

 

 (0.1)

 

 

0.9 

 

 

(1.5)

Other AROs

 

 

1.0 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.0)

   Total WMECO AROs

 

$

2.0 

 

$

(0.3)

 

$

2.3 

 

$

(4.0)




19


A reconciliation of the beginning and ending carrying amounts of WMECO’s AROs is as follows:


(Millions of Dollars)

2007

 

2006

Balance at beginning of year

$

(4.0)

 

$

(3.2)

Liabilities incurred during the year

 

 

 

(1.0)

Liabilities settled during the year

 

0.2 

 

 

Accretion

 

(0.1)

 

 

(0.1)

Change in estimates

 

0.5 

 

 

0.4 

Revisions in estimated cash flows

 

(0.3)

 

 

(0.1)

Balance at end of year

$

(3.7)

 

$

(4.0)


Changes in estimates and revisions in estimated cash flows supporting the carrying amounts of AROs include changes in estimated quantities and removal costs, discount rates and inflation rates.  


L.

Materials and Supplies

Materials and supplies include materials purchased primarily for construction, operation and maintenance (O&M) purposes.  Materials and supplies are valued at the lower of average cost or market.


M.

Other Income, Net

The pre-tax components of WMECO’s other income/(loss) items are as follows:


 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

(Millions of Dollars)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

Other Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Investment income

 

$

2.7 

 

$

1.4 

 

$

0.7 

  AFUDC - equity funds

 

 

0.2 

 

 

0.2 

 

 

0.2 

  Equity in earnings of regional nuclear generating companies

 

 

0.5 

 

 

(0.2)

 

 

0.3 

  Conservation and load management incentive

 

 

0.5 

 

 

0.9 

 

 

0.9 

  Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.2 

Total Other Income, Net

 

$

3.9 

 

$

2.3 

 

$

2.3 


Equity in earnings of regional nuclear generating companies relates to WMECO’s investment in the Yankee Companies.


N.

Marketable Securities

WMECO currently maintains a trust that holds marketable securities.  The trust is used to fund WMECO’s prior period spent nuclear fuel liability.  In addition, WMECO owns marketable securities which are held to fund NU’s SERP.  WMECO’s marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale, as defined by SFAS No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments and Debt and Equity Securities."  At December 31, 2007, changes in the fair value of securities in the SERP trust relating to unrealized losses are considered other than temporary in nature and have been recorded as a pre-tax loss.  Changes related to unrealized gains are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.  Realized gains and losses and unrealized losses related to the SERP assets are included in other income, net on the consolidated statements of income.  Realized gains, net of realized and unrealized losses, associated with the WMECO spent nuclear fuel trust are recorded as an offset to the spent nuclear fuel trust obligation.


For information regarding marketable securities, see Note 6, "Marketable Securities," to the consolidated financial statements.


O.

Provision for Uncollectible Accounts

WMECO maintains a provision for uncollectible accounts to record its receivables at an estimated net realizable value.  This provision is determined based upon a variety of factors, including applying an estimated uncollectible account percentage to each receivable aging category, historical collection and write-off experience and management's assessment of collectibility from individual customers.  Management reviews at least quarterly the collectibility of the receivables, and if circumstances change, collectibility estimates are adjusted accordingly.  Receivable balances are written-off against the provision for uncollectible accounts when these balances are deemed to be uncollectible.  


P.

Special Deposits

WMECO had amounts on deposit related to WMECO Funding LLC, a special purpose entity used to facilitate the issuance of rate reduction certificates.  These amounts, which totaled $4.8 million and $4.7 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, are included in deferred debits and other assets - other on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.


2.

Short-Term Debt

Limits:  The amount of short-term borrowings that may be incurred by WMECO is subject to periodic approval by either the FERC or the DPU.  On December 12, 2007, the FERC granted authorization to allow WMECO to incur total short-term borrowings up to a maximum of $200 million effective from December 31, 2007 through December 31, 2009.  


Credit Agreement:  WMECO, along with other NU subsidiaries, is a party to a five-year unsecured revolving credit facility which expires on November 6, 2010.  WMECO is able to draw up to $100 million on a short-term basis, or subject to regulatory approvals, on a long-term basis.  At December 31, 2007 and 2006, WMECO had no borrowings outstanding under this facility.   



20



Pool:  WMECO is a member of the NU Money Pool (Pool).  The Pool provides an efficient use of cash resources at NU and reduces outside short-term borrowings.  NUSCO administers the Pool as agent for the member companies.  Short-term borrowing needs of the member companies are first met with available funds of other member companies, including funds borrowed by NU.  NU may lend to the Pool but may not borrow.  Funds may be withdrawn from or repaid to the Pool at any time without prior notice.  Investing and borrowing subsidiaries receive or pay interest based on the average daily federal funds rate.  Borrowings based on external loans by NU, however, bear interest at NU's cost and must be repaid based upon the terms of NU's original borrowing.  At December 31, 2007 and 2006, WMECO had borrowings of $14.9 million and $30.8 million from the Pool, respectively.  The weighted average interest rate on borrowings from the Pool for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was 5.16 percent and 5.01 percent, respectively.  


3.

Employee Benefits


A.

Pension Benefits and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

On December 31, 2006, WMECO implemented SFAS No. 158, which applies to NU’s Pension Plan, SERP, and PBOP Plan and required WMECO to record the funded status of these plans based on the projected benefit obligation for the Pension Plan and accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) for the PBOP Plan on the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2007 and 2006.  SFAS No. 158 requires the additional liability to be recorded with an offset to accumulated other comprehensive income in common stockholders’ equity.  This amount is remeasured annually, or as circumstances dictate.  However, because WMECO is a cost-of-service, rate regulated entity under SFAS No. 71, regulatory assets were recorded in the amount of $8.2 million and $25.8 million, respectively, as these benefits expense amounts have been and continue to be recoverable in cost-of-service, regulated rates.  Regulatory accounting was also applied to the portions of the NUSCO costs that support WMECO, as these amounts are also recoverable.  


Pension Benefits:  WMECO participates in a uniform non-contributory defined benefit retirement plan (Pension Plan) covering substantially all regular WMECO employees.  Benefits are based on years of service and the employees’ highest eligible compensation during 60 consecutive months of employment.  WMECO uses a December 31st measurement date for the Pension Plan.  Pension income affecting earnings is as follows:


 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

(Millions of Dollars)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

Total pension income

 

$

(5.0)

 

$

(1.3)

 

$

(0.9)

Income capitalized as utility plant

 

 

1.9 

 

 

0.5 

 

 

0.3 

Total pension income, net of amounts capitalized

 

$

(3.1)

 

$

(0.8)

 

$

(0.6)


Total pension income above includes pension curtailments and termination benefits of $0.4 million in 2006, and an expense of $0.7 million in 2005.  There were no pension curtailments or termination benefits in 2007.


Pension Curtailments and Termination Benefits:  In December of 2005, a new program was approved allowing then current employees to elect to receive retirement benefits under a new 401(k) benefit rather than under the Pension Plan.  The approval of the new plan resulted in recording an estimated pre-capitalization, pre-tax curtailment expense of $0.2 million in 2005, as a certain number of employees were expected to elect the new 401(k) benefit, resulting in a reduction in aggregate estimated future years of service under the Pension Plan.  Because the predicted level of elections of the new benefit did not occur, WMECO recorded a pre-capitalization, pre-tax reduction in the curtailment expense of $0.1 million in 2006.


As a result of its corporate reorganization in 2005, WMECO recorded a combined pre-capitalization, pre-tax curtailment expense and related termination benefits for the Pension Plan totaling $0.5 million.  Based on a revised estimate of expected head count reductions in 2006, WMECO recorded an adjustment to the curtailment and related termination benefits.  This adjustment resulted in a pre-capitalization, pre-tax reduction in the curtailment expense and termination benefits of $0.3 million.  


Pension Plan Cost of Living Adjustment:  On May 4, 2007, NU's Board of Trustees approved a cost of living adjustment (COLA) that increased retiree pension benefits for certain participants in the Pension Plan.  The COLA was announced on May 8, 2007 at the annual meeting of NU's shareholders, which resulted in a plan amendment in 2007 and a remeasurement of the Pension Plan's benefit obligation as of May 8, 2007.  


The COLA increased the Pension Plan's benefit obligation by $3.6 million and was reflected as a prior service cost and as a decrease in the funded status of the Pension Plan.  This amount will be amortized over a 12-year period representing average remaining service lives of employees.  


Market-Related Value of Pension Plan Assets:  WMECO bases the actuarial determination of pension plan income or expense on a market-related valuation of assets, which reduces year-to-year volatility.  This market-related valuation calculation recognizes investment gains or losses over a four-year period from the year in which they occur.  Investment gains or losses for this purpose are the difference between the expected return calculated using the market-related value of assets and the actual return based on the fair value of assets and are included in actuarial gains and losses.  Since the market-related valuation calculation recognizes gains or losses over a four-year period, the future value of the market-related assets will be impacted as previously deferred gains or losses are recognized.




21


SERP:  NU has maintained a SERP since 1987.  The SERP provides its eligible participants, some of which are officers of WMECO, with benefits that would have been provided to them under NU's retirement plan if certain Internal Revenue Code and other limitations were not imposed.  


PBOP:  WMECO provides certain health care benefits, primarily medical and dental, and life insurance benefits through a PBOP Plan.  These benefits are available for employees retiring from WMECO who have met specified service requirements.  For current employees and certain retirees, the total benefit is limited to two times the 1993 per retiree health care cost.  These costs are charged to expense over the estimated work life of the employee.  WMECO uses a December 31st measurement date for the PBOP Plan.  


WMECO annually funds postretirement costs through external trusts with amounts that have been and will continue to be recovered in rates and that are tax deductible.  Currently, there are no pending regulatory actions regarding postretirement benefit costs.


PBOP Curtailments and Termination Benefits:   WMECO recorded an estimated $0.6 million pre-tax curtailment expense at December 31, 2005 relating to its corporate reorganization.  WMECO also accrued a $0.1 million pre-tax termination benefit expense at December 31, 2005 relating to certain benefits provided under the terms of the PBOP Plan.  Based on refinements to its estimates, WMECO recorded an adjustment to the curtailment and related termination benefits in 2006.  This adjustment resulted in a pre-capitalization, pre-tax reduction in the curtailment expense of $0.3 million in 2006.  There were no curtailments or termination benefits in 2007.


The following table represents information on the plans’ benefit obligations, fair values of plan assets, and funded status:


 

 

At December 31,

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

SERP Benefits

 

Postretirement Benefits

(Millions of Dollars)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

Change in benefit obligation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

 

$

(172.9)

 

$

(171.7)

 

$

(0.6)

 

$

(0.6)

 

$

(40.7)

 

$

(42.9)

Service cost

 

 

(3.2)

 

 

(3.4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.5)

 

 

(0.6)

Interest cost

 

 

(9.8)

 

 

(9.6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.2)

 

 

(2.4)

Prior service cost

 

 

(3.6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actuarial gain

 

 

16.4 

 

 

4.2 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.0 

Transfers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.5 

Federal subsidy on benefits paid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.3)

 

 

(0.3)

Benefits paid - excluding lump sum payments

 

 

9.6 

 

 

9.0 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.8 

 

 

3.1 

Curtailment/impact of plan changes

 

 

 

 

(1.6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1)

Termination benefits

 

 

 

 

0.2 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at end of year

 

$

(163.5)

 

$

(172.9)

 

$

(0.6)

 

$

(0.6)

 

$

(39.9)

 

$

(40.7)

Change in plan assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

 

$

242.8 

 

$

216.2 

 

 

N/A 

 

 

N/A 

 

$

26.4 

 

$

22.2 

Actual return on plan assets

 

 

20.3 

 

 

35.6 

 

 

N/A 

 

 

N/A 

 

 

1.5 

 

 

3.3 

Employer contribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/A 

 

 

N/A 

 

 

3.1 

 

 

4.3 

Transfers

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/A 

 

 

N/A 

 

 

 

 

(0.3)

Benefits paid - excluding lump sum payments

 

 

(9.6)

 

 

(9.0)

 

 

N/A 

 

 

N/A 

 

 

(3.8)

 

 

(3.1)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

 

$

253.5 

 

$

242.8 

 

 

N/A 

 

 

N/A 

 

$

27.2 

 

$

26.4 

Funded status at December 31st

 

$

90.0 

 

$

69.9 

 

$

(0.6)

 

$

(0.6)

 

$

(12.7)

 

$

(14.3)


The amounts recognized on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets for the funded status above at December 31, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:


 

 

At December 31,

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

SERP Benefits

 

Postretirement Benefits

(Millions of Dollars)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

Prepaid pension

 

$

90.0 

 

$

69.9 

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

Other deferred credits and other liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.6)

 

 

(0.6)

 

 

 

 

Accrued postretirement benefits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12.7)

 

 

(14.3)


In 2005, as a result of the expected transition of employees into the new 401(k) benefit and the company's corporate reorganization, NU reduced WMECO's share of the Pension Plan’s obligation via a curtailment benefit related to the reduction in the future years of service expected to be rendered by plan participants.  This overall reduction in plan obligation served to reduce the previously unrecognized actuarial losses.  In 2006, $1.6 million of this curtailment was reversed because actual levels of elections of the new 401(k) benefit were much lower than expected and is reflected above as an increase to the obligation.


For the Pension Plan, the company amortizes its transition obligation over the remaining service lives of its employees as calculated for WMECO on an individual subsidiary basis and amortizes the prior service cost and unrecognized net actuarial loss over the remaining service lives of its employees as calculated on an NU consolidated basis.  For the PBOP Plan, the company amortizes its transition obligation, prior service cost, and unrecognized net actuarial loss over the remaining service lives of its employees as calculated for WMECO on an individual subsidiary basis.


Although the SERP does not have any plan assets, benefit payments are supported by earnings on marketable securities held by NU.




22


The accumulated benefit obligation for the Pension Plan was $145.3 million and $155.3 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $0.6 million for the SERP at December 31, 2007 and 2006.


The following is a summary of amounts recorded as regulatory assets as a result of SFAS No. 158 at December 31, 2007 and 2006 and the changes in those amounts recorded during the years (millions of dollars):  


 

 

At December 31,

 

 

Pension

 

SERP

 

PBOP

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

Transition obligation at beginning of year

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

8.1 

 

$

Amounts recorded upon adoption of SFAS No. 158

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.1 

Amounts reclassified as net periodic benefit expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.4)

 

 

Transition obligation at end of year

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

6.7 

 

$

8.1 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service cost at beginning of year

 

$

3.5 

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

Amounts reclassified as net periodic benefit expense

 

 

(0.9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service cost arising during the year (1)

 

 

    3.6 

 

 

3.5 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service cost at end of year

 

$

6.2 

 

$

3.5 

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net actuarial losses at beginning of year

 

$

8.5 

 

$

 

$

0.2 

 

$

 

$

5.5 

 

$

Amounts reclassified as net periodic benefit expense

 

 

(1.1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.7)

 

 

Actuarial (gains)/losses arising during the year (1)

 

 

(16.7)

 

 

8.5 

 

 

(0.1)

 

 

0.2 

 

 

(0.3)

 

 

5.5 

Actuarial (gains)/losses at end of year

 

$

(9.3)

 

$

8.5 

 

$

0.1 

 

$

0.2 

 

$

4.5 

 

$

5.5 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total deferred benefit costs as regulatory assets

 

$

(3.1)

 

$

12.0 

 

$

0.1 

 

$

0.2 

 

$

11.2  

 

$

13.6 


(1)

Amounts arising for prior service cost and actuarial (gains)/losses in 2006 relate to the initial adoption of SFAS No. 158.


The estimates of the above amounts that are expected to be recognized as portions of net periodic benefit expense in 2008 are as follows (millions of dollars):  


 

 

Estimated Expense in 2008

 

 

Pension

 

SERP

 

PBOP

Transition obligation

 

$

 

$

 

$

1.3 

Prior service cost

 

 

0.9 

 

 

 

 

Net actuarial loss

 

 

0.1 

 

 

 

 

0.6 

Total

 

$

1.0 

 

$

 

$

1.9 


The following actuarial assumptions were used in calculating the plans’ year end funded status:


 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 

Pension Benefits and SERP

 

 

Postretirement Benefits

 

Balance Sheets

 

2007 

 

 

2006 

 

 

2007 

 

 

2006 

 

Discount rate

 

6.6 

%

 

5.90 

%

 

6.35 

%

 

5.80 

%

Compensation/progression rate

 

4.0 

%

 

4.00 

%

 

N/A 

 

 

N/A 

 

Health care cost trend rate

 

N/A 

 

 

N/A 

 

 

8.50 

%

 

9.00 

%




23


The components of net periodic benefit expense are as follows:


 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

SERP Benefits

 

Postretirement Benefits

(Millions of Dollars)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

2005

Service cost

 

$

3.2 

 

$

3.4 

 

$

3.4 

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

0.5 

 

$

0.6 

 

$

0.6 

Interest cost

 

 

9.8 

 

 

9.6 

 

 

9.3 

 

 

0.1 

 

 

0.1 

 

 

0.1 

 

 

2.2 

 

 

2.4 

 

 

2.2 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(20.0)

 

 

(17.8)

 

 

(17.4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.8)

 

 

(1.4)

 

 

(1.3)

Net transition obligation cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.4 

 

 

1.3 

 

 

1.4 

Prior service cost

 

 

0.9 

 

 

0.7 

 

 

0.7 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actuarial loss

 

 

1.1 

 

 

3.2 

 

 

2.4 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.7 

 

 

1.5 

 

 

Other amortization, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.3 

Net periodic (income)/expense - before
 curtailments and termination benefits

 

 


(5.0)

 

 


(0.9)

 

 


(1.6)

 

 


0.1 

 

 


0.1 

 

 


0.1 

 

 


3.0 

 

 


4.4 

 

 


4.2 

Curtailment (benefits)/expense

 

 

 

 

(0.2)

 

 

0.4 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.3)

 

 

0.6 

Termination (benefits)/expense

 

 

 

 

(0.2)

 

 

0.3 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1 

Total curtailments and
  termination (benefits)/expense

 

 


 

 


(0.4)

 

 


0.7 

 

 


 

 


 

 




 


 

 


(0.3)

 

 


0.7 

Total - net periodic (income)/expense

 

$

(5.0)

 

$

(1.3)

 

$

(0.9)

 

$

0.1 

 

$

0.1 

 

$

0.1 

 

$

3.0 

 

$

4.1 

 

$

4.9 


Not included in the pension (income)/expense amount above are pension related intercompany allocations totaling $1.6 million, $1.9 million, and $1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, including curtailment and termination benefits income of $0.2 million, and expense of $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  Excluded from postretirement benefits expense are related intercompany allocations of  $1.2 million, $1.2 million, and $1.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, including curtailments and termination benefits income of $0.1 million and expense of $0.1 million, for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  Excluded from SERP expense are related intercompany allocations of $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005.  These amounts are included in other operating expenses on the accompanying consolidated statements of income.  


The following assumptions were used to calculate pension and postretirement benefit expense and income amounts:


 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

Statements of Income

 

Pension Benefits and SERP

 

 

Postretirement Benefits

 

 

 

2007

 

 

2006

 

 

2005

 

 

2007

 

 

2006

 

 

2005

 

Discount rate

 

5.95 

%

(1)

5.80 

%

 

6.00 

%

 

5.80 

%

 

5.65 

%

 

5.50 

%

Expected long-term rate of return

 

8.75 

%

 

8.75 

%

 

8.75 

%

 

N/A 

 

 

N/A 

 

 

N/A 

 

Compensation/progression rate

 

4.00 

%

 

4.00 

%

 

4.00 

%

 

N/A 

 

 

N/A 

 

 

N/A 

 

Expected long-term rate of return -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Health assets, net of tax

 

N/A 

 

 

N/A 

 

 

N/A 

 

 

6.85 

%

 

6.85 

%

 

6.85 

%

  Life assets and non-taxable health assets

 

N/A 

 

 

N/A 

 

 

N/A 

 

 

8.75 

%

 

8.75 

%

 

8.75 

%


(1) The 2007 discount rate for the SERP was 5.9 percent.


The following table represents the PBOP assumed health care cost trend rate for the next year and the assumed ultimate trend rate:


 

 

Year Following December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

 

2006

 

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year

 

8.50 

%

 

9.00 

%

Rate to which health care cost trend rate is assumed
  to decline (the ultimate trend rate)

 


5.00 

%

 


5.00 

%

Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate

 

2015 

 

 

2011 

 


At December 31, 2007, the health care cost trend assumption was reset for 2008 at 8.5 percent, decreasing one half percentage point per year to an ultimate rate of 5 percent in 2015.  


Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans.  The effect of changing the assumed health care cost trend rate by one percentage point in each year would have the following effects:



(Millions of Dollars)

 

One Percentage
Point Increase

 

One Percentage
Point Decrease

Effect on total service and interest cost components

 

$

0.1 

 

$

(0.1) 

Effect on postretirement benefit obligation

 

$

1.3 

 

$

(1.1) 


NU’s investment strategy for its Pension Plan and PBOP Plan is to maximize the long-term rate of return on those plans’ assets within an acceptable level of risk.  The investment strategy establishes target allocations, which are routinely reviewed and periodically rebalanced.  NU’s expected long-term rates of return on Pension Plan assets and PBOP Plan assets are based on these 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 Plan and the PBOP Plan, NU also evaluated input from actuaries and consultants, as well as long-term inflation



24


assumptions and NU’s historical 25-year compounded return of approximately 11.8 percent.  The Pension Plan’s and PBOP Plan’s target asset allocation assumptions and expected long-term rate of return assumptions by asset category are as follows:  


 

 

At December 31,

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Postretirement Benefits

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007 and 2006

 

 

Target
Asset
Allocation

 

Assumed
Rate
of Return

 

Target
Asset
Allocation

 

Assumed
Rate
of Return

 

Target
Asset
Allocation

 

Assumed
Rate
of Return

Equity Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  United States  

 

40%

 

9.25%

 

45% 

 

9.25% 

 

55% 

 

9.25% 

  Non-United States

 

17%

 

9.25%

 

14% 

 

9.25% 

 

11% 

 

9.25% 

  Emerging markets

 

5%

 

10.25%

 

3% 

 

10.25% 

 

2% 

 

10.25% 

  Private

 

8%

 

14.25%

 

8% 

 

14.25% 

 

-   

 

-   

Debt Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Fixed income

 

25%

 

5.50%

 

20% 

 

5.50% 

 

27% 

 

5.50% 

  High yield fixed income

 

 

 

5% 

 

7.50% 

 

5% 

 

7.50% 

Real Estate

 

5%

 

7.50%

 

5% 

 

7.50% 

 

-   

 

-    


The actual asset allocations at December 31, 2007 and 2006 approximated these target asset allocations.  The plans’ actual weighted-average asset allocations by asset category are as follows:  


 

 

At December 31,

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Postretirement Benefits

Asset Category

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

Equity Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  United States  

 

40% 

 

46% 

 

55% 

 

54% 

  Non-United States

 

17% 

 

16% 

 

14% 

 

14% 

  Emerging markets

 

5% 

 

4% 

 

1% 

 

1% 

  Private

 

7% 

 

5% 

 

-     

 

-    

Debt Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Fixed income

 

26% 

 

19% 

 

29% 

 

29% 

  High yield fixed income

 

-    

 

5% 

 

1% 

 

2% 

Real Estate

 

5% 

 

5% 

 

-     

 

-    

Totals

 

100% 

 

100% 

 

100% 

 

100% 


Estimated Future Benefit Payments:  The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, are expected to be paid/(received) for the Pension and PBOP plans:


(Millions of Dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Year

 

Pension
Benefits

 

SERP
Benefits

 

Postretirement
Benefits

 

Government
Benefits

2008

 

$

9.9 

 

$

 

$

4.1 

 

$

(0.4)

2009

 

 

10.5 

 

 

 

 

4.1 

 

 

(0.4)

2010

 

 

10.8 

 

 

 

 

4.1 

 

 

(0.4)

2011

 

 

11.1 

 

 

 

 

4.2 

 

 

(0.4)

2012

 

 

11.5 

 

 

 

 

4.1 

 

 

(0.4)

2013-2017

 

 

64.0 

 

 

0.3 

 

 

19.8 

 

 

(2.5)


The government benefits represent amounts expected to be received from the federal government for the new Medicare prescription drug benefit under the PBOP Plan related to the corresponding year’s benefit payments.


Contributions:  Currently, WMECO’s policy is to annually fund the Pension Plan in an amount at least equal to that which will satisfy the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and Internal Revenue Code.  WMECO does not expect to make any contributions to the Pension Plan in 2008.  For the PBOP Plan, it is currently WMECO's policy to annually fund an amount equal to the PBOP Plan’s postretirement benefit cost, excluding curtailment and termination benefits.  WMECO contributed $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to fund the PBOP Plan and expects to make $2.9 million in contributions to the PBOP Plan in 2008.  Beginning in 2007, NU made an additional contribution to the PBOP Plan for the amounts received from the federal Medicare subsidy.  This amount was $0.2 million in 2007 and is estimated to be $0.4 million in 2008.


B.

Defined Contribution Plans

NU maintains a 401(k) Savings Plan for substantially all WMECO employees.  This savings plan provides for employee contributions up to specified limits.  NU matches employee contributions up to a maximum of three percent of eligible compensation with one percent in cash and two percent in NU common shares.  The 401(k) matching contributions of cash and NU common shares made by NU to WMECO employees were $0.7 million in both 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  


Effective on January 1, 2006, all newly hired, non-bargaining unit employees of WMECO participate in a new defined contribution savings plan called the K-Vantage benefit.  These employees are not eligible to participate in the existing defined benefit Pension



25


Plan.  In addition, participants in the Pension Plan at January 1, 2006 were given the opportunity to choose to become a participant in the K-Vantage benefit beginning in 2007, in which case their benefit under the Pension Plan would be frozen.  NU makes contributions to the K-Vantage benefit based on a percentage of participants' eligible compensation, as defined by the benefit document.  The contributions made by NU to WMECO employees were $9 thousand and $2 thousand in 2007 and 2006, respectively.


C.

Share-Based Payments

NU maintains an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) and other long-term equity-based incentive plans under the Northeast Utilities Incentive Plan (Incentive Plan) in which WMECO employees and officers are entitled to participate.  WMECO records compensation cost related to these plans, as applicable, for shares issued or sold to WMECO employees and officers, as well as the allocation of costs associated with shares issued or sold to NUSCO employees and officers that support WMECO.  In the first quarter of 2006, NU adopted SFAS No. 123(R), "Share-Based Payments," under the modified prospective method.  Adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) had an immaterial effect on WMECO's net income.


SFAS No. 123(R) requires that share-based payments be recorded using the fair value-based method based on the fair value at the date of grant and applies to share-based compensation awards granted on or after January 1, 2006 or to awards for which the requisite service period has not been completed.  For prior periods, as permitted by SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," and related guidance, NU used the intrinsic value method and disclosed the pro forma effects as if NU recorded equity-based compensation under the fair value-based method.  


Under SFAS No. 123(R), NU accounts for its various share-based plans as follows:


·

For grants of restricted shares and restricted share units (RSUs), NU records compensation expense over the vesting period based upon the fair value of NU's common shares at the date of grant but records this expense net of estimated forfeitures.  


·

Dividend equivalents on RSUs are charged to retained earnings, net of estimated forfeitures.  


·

NU has not granted any stock options to WMECO employees or officers since 2002, and no compensation expense has been recorded.  All options were fully vested prior to January 1, 2006.


·

For shares sold under the ESPP, an immaterial amount of compensation expense was recorded in the first quarter of 2006, and no compensation expense will be recorded in future periods as a result of a plan amendment that was effective on February 1, 2006.  


Incentive Plan:  Under the Incentive Plan in which WMECO participates, NU is authorized to grant up to 4.5 million new shares for various types of awards, including restricted shares, RSUs, performance units and stock options to eligible employees and board members.  At December 31, 2007 and 2006, NU had 3,055,083 and 570,494 of common shares, respectively, available for issuance under the Incentive Plan.  


Restricted Shares and RSUs:  NU has granted restricted shares under the 2002 through 2004 incentive programs that are subject to three-year and four-year graded vesting schedules.  NU has granted RSUs under the 2004 through 2007 incentive programs that are subject to three-year and four-year graded vesting schedules.  RSUs are paid in shares, including amounts sufficient to satisfy withholdings, subsequent to vesting.  A summary of total NU restricted share and RSU transactions for the year ended December 31, 2007 is as follows:






Restricted Shares

 

Restricted
Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Grant - Date
Fair Value

 

Total
Grant - Date
Fair Value
(Millions)

 

Remaining
Compensation
Cost
(Millions)

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Period
(Years)

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

 

65,674  

 

$15.00 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested

 

(59,424) 

 

$14.14 

 

$0.8 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2007

 

6,250  

 

$18.65 

 

$0.1 

 

$   - 

 

0.2 


The per share and total weighted average grant date fair value for restricted shares vested was $14.52 and $1.1 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2006 and $14.60 and $1.4 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2005.  




26


The total compensation cost recognized by WMECO for its portion of the restricted shares above was approximately $6 thousand, net of taxes of approximately $4 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2007, approximately $55 thousand, net of taxes of approximately $37 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2006 and approximately $63 thousand, net of taxes of approximately $42 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2005.






RSUs

 

RSUs
(Units)

 

Weighted
Average
Grant - Date
Fair Value

 

Total
Grant - Date
Fair Value
(Millions)

 

Remaining

Compensation
Cost
(Millions)

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Period
(Years)

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

 

715,299 

 

$19.41

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

330,785 

 

$28.83

 

$  9.5 

 

 

 

 

Issued

 

(161,137)

 

$19.77

 

$  3.2 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(53,947)

 

$20.16

 

$  1.1 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2007

 

831,000 

 

$22.99

 

 $19.1 

 

$7.7 

 

1.8 


The per share and total weighted average grant date fair value for RSUs granted was $19.87 and $7.4 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2006 and $18.89 and $5.8 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2005.  The weighted average grant date fair value per share for RSUs issued was $18.50 and $19.06 for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  The total weighted average fair value of RSUs issued was $2.2 million and $1.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  


The compensation cost recognized by WMECO for its portion of the RSUs above was approximately $387 thousand, net of taxes of approximately $258 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2007, approximately $271 thousand, net of taxes of approximately $181 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2006, and approximately $152 thousand, net of taxes of approximately $102 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2005.  


Stock Options:  Prior to 2003, NU granted stock options to certain WMECO employees.  These options were fully vested as of December 31, 2005, and no compensation expense was recorded as a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R).  The fair value of each stock option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  


4.

Commitments and Contingencies


A.

Regulatory Development

Transition Cost Reconciliations:  WMECO filed its 2005 transition cost reconciliation with the DPU on March 31, 2006 and filed its 2006 transition cost reconciliation with the DPU on March 31, 2007.  The DPU opened a proceeding for these filings, and evidentiary hearings were held on August 29, 2007.  The briefing process was completed during October of 2007.  The timing of the decision in this docket is uncertain.  Management does not expect the outcome of the DPU's review of these filings to have a material adverse impact on WMECO's net income, financial position or cash flows.


B.

Environmental Matters

General:  WMECO is 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.  As such, WMECO has an active environmental auditing and training program and believes that it is substantially in compliance with all enacted laws and regulations.


Environmental reserves are accrued when assessments indicate that 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 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 WMECO's responsibility or the extent of remediation required, recently enacted laws and regulations or a change in cost estimates due to certain economic factors.


The amounts recorded as environmental liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets represent management’s best estimate of the liability for environmental costs, if reasonably estimable, and take into consideration site assessment and remediation costs.  Based on currently available information for estimated site assessment and remediation costs at December 31, 2007 and 2006, WMECO had $0.3 million for both years recorded as environmental reserves.  A reconciliation of the activity in these reserves at December 31, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:



27



 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

(Millions of Dollars)

 

2007

 

2006

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

0.3 

 

$

0.4 

Additions and adjustments

 

 

0.3 

 

 

0.3 

Payments and adjustments

 

 

(0.3)

 

 

(0.4)

Balance at end of year

 

$

0.3 

 

$

0.3 


Of the nine sites WMECO has currently included in the environmental reserve, seven sites are in the remediation or long-term monitoring phase, one site has had some level of site assessments completed, and the remaining site is in the preliminary stages of site assessment.


These liabilities are estimated on an undiscounted basis and do not assume that any amounts are recoverable from insurance companies or other third parties.  The environmental reserve includes sites at different stages of discovery and remediation and does not include any unasserted claims.


At December 31, 2007, in addition to the nine sites, there is one site for which there are unasserted claims; however, any related site assessment or remediation costs are not probable or estimable at this time.  WMECO’s environmental liability also takes into account recurring costs of managing hazardous substances and pollutants, mandated expenditures to remediate previously contaminated sites and any other infrequent and non-recurring clean up costs.


MGP Sites:  Manufactured gas plant (MGP) sites comprise the largest portion of WMECO’s environmental liability.  MGPs are sites that manufactured gas from coal which produced certain byproducts that may pose a risk to human health and the environment.  At both December 31, 2007 and 2006, $0.2 million represents amounts for the site assessment and remediation of MGPs.  WMECO currently has three MGP sites included in its environmental liability.  


For one MGP site that is included in the company’s liability for environmental costs, the information known and nature of the remediation options at that site allow the company to estimate the range of losses for environmental costs.  At both December 31, 2007 and 2006, $0.1 million had been accrued as a liability for this site, which represents management’s best estimate of the liability for environmental costs.  This amount differs from an estimated range of loss from zero to $8.9 million.  For the eight remaining sites included in the environmental reserve, determining an estimated range of loss is not possible at this time.


CERCLA Matters:  The federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and its amendments or state equivalents impose joint and several strict liabilities, regardless of fault, upon generators of hazardous substances resulting in removal and remediation costs and environmental damages.  Liabilities under these laws can be material and in some instances may be imposed without regard to fault or for past acts that may have been lawful at the time they occurred.  Of the nine sites, one is a superfund site under CERCLA for which WMECO has been notified that it is a potentially responsible party (PRP) but for which the site assessment and remediation are not being managed by WMECO.  At December 31, 2007, a liability of approximately $30 thousand accrued on this site represents WMECO's estimate of its potential remediation costs with respect to this one superfund site.


It is possible that new information or future developments could require a reassessment of the potential exposure to related environmental matters.  As this information becomes available, management will continue to assess the potential exposure and adjust the reserves accordingly.  


Environmental Rate Recovery:  WMECO does not have a separate regulatory mechanism to recover environmental costs from its customers, and changes in WMECO’s environmental reserves impact WMECO’s earnings.  


C.

Spent Nuclear Fuel Disposal Costs

Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (the Act), WMECO must pay the United States Department of Energy (DOE) for the costs of disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste for the period prior to the sale of its ownership in the Millstone nuclear power station.  


The DOE is responsible for the selection and development of repositories for, and the disposal of, spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.  For nuclear fuel used to generate electricity prior to April 7, 1983 (Prior Period Spent Nuclear Fuel), WMECO has recorded an accrual for the full liability, and payment must be made by WMECO to the DOE prior to the first delivery of spent fuel to the DOE.  After the sale of Millstone, WMECO remained responsible for its share of the disposal costs associated with the Prior Period Spent Nuclear Fuel.  Until such payment to the DOE is made, the outstanding liability will continue to accrue interest at the 3-month treasury bill yield rate.  At December 31, 2007 and 2006, fees due to the DOE for the disposal of Prior Period Spent Nuclear Fuel, net of $0.4 million in interest income earned on the WMECO prior spent nuclear fuel trust for the year ended December 31, 2007, are included in long-term debt and were $55.6 million and $53.4 million, respectively, including accumulated interest costs of $40.4 million and $37.8 million, respectively.    


During 2004, WMECO established a trust, which holds marketable securities to fund amounts due to the DOE for the disposal of WMECO's Prior Period Spent Nuclear Fuel.  For further information on this trust, see Note 6, "Marketable Securities," to the consolidated financial statements.




28


D.

Long-Term Contractual Arrangements

Estimated Future Annual Costs:  The estimated future annual costs of WMECO’s significant long-term contractual arrangements are as follows:


(Millions of Dollars)

 

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

2011

 

2012

 

Thereafter

 

Totals

VYNPC

 

$

4.4 

 

$

4.7 

 

$

4.6 

 

$

4.7 

 

$

1.1 

 

$

 

$

19.5 

Electricity procurement contracts

 

 

2.3 

 

 

2.3 

 

 

2.3 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.9 

Transmission segment project
  commitments

 

 


11.2 

 

 


0.1 

 

 


0.1 

 

 


0.1 

 

 


 

 


 

 


11.5 

Hydro-Quebec

 

 

2.5 

 

 

2.5 

 

 

2.5 

 

 

2.5 

 

 

2.5 

 

 

19.9 

 

 

32.4 

Yankee Companies billings

 

 

6.2 

 

 

5.3 

 

 

5.6 

 

 

5.1 

 

 

5.1 

 

 

14.7 

 

 

42.0 

Totals

 

$

26.6 

 

$

14.9 

 

$

15.1 

 

$

12.4 

 

$

8.7 

 

$

34.6 

 

$

112.3 


VYNPC:  WMECO has a commitment to buy approximately 2.5 percent of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation (VYNPC) plant's output through March of 2012 at a range of fixed prices.  The total cost of purchases under contracts with VYNPC amounted to $4 million in 2007, $5 million in 2006 and $4 million in 2005.  


Electricity Procurement Contracts:  WMECO has entered into various IPP contracts that extend through 2010 for the purchase of electricity.  The total cost of purchases under these contracts amounted to $2.6 million in 2007, $2.1 million in 2006 and $2 million in 2005.  These amounts do not include contractual commitments related to WMECO's basic service.


Transmission Segment Project Commitments:  These amounts primarily represent commitments for various services and materials associated with WMECO’s 115 KV Springfield Underground Cables project and other transmission projects.


Hydro-Quebec:  Along with other New England utilities, WMECO has entered into an agreement to support transmission and terminal facilities which were built to import electricity from the Hydro-Quebec system in Canada.  WMECO is obligated to pay, over a 30-year period ending in 2020, its proportionate share of the annual O&M expenses and capital costs of those facilities.  The total cost of this agreement amounted to $2.2 million in 2007, $2.4 million in 2006 and $2.5 million in 2005.


Yankee Companies Billings:  WMECO has significant decommissioning and plant closure cost obligations to the Yankee Companies.  Each Yankee Company has completed the physical decommissioning of its facility and is now engaged in the long-term storage of its spent fuel.  The Yankee Companies collect decommissioning and closure costs through wholesale, FERC-approved rates charged under power purchase agreements with several New England utilities, including WMECO.  WMECO in turn recovers these costs from its customers through DPU-approved retail rates.  The table of estimated future annual costs includes the estimated decommissioning and closure costs for MYAPC, CYAPC and YAEC.


See Note 4E, "Commitments and Contingencies - Deferred Contractual Obligations," to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding the collection of the Yankee Companies' decommissioning costs.  


E.

Deferred Contractual Obligations

WMECO has significant decommissioning and plant closure cost obligations to the Yankee Companies, which have completed the physical decommissioning of all three of their facilities and are now engaged in the long-term storage of their spent fuel.  The Yankee Companies collect decommissioning and closure costs through wholesale, FERC-approved rates charged under power purchase agreements with several New England utilities, including WMECO.  WMECO in turn recovers these costs through DPU-approved retail rates.  WMECO’s ownership interest in the Yankee Companies at December 31, 2007 is 9.5 percent of CYAPC, 7 percent of YAEC and 3 percent of MYAPC.  


WMECO’s percentage share of the obligation to support the Yankee Companies under FERC-approved rate tariffs is the same as the ownership percentages above.  


CYAPC:  Under the terms of the settlement agreement between CYAPC, the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC), the Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel, and Maine regulators, the parties agreed to a revised decommissioning estimate of $642.9 million (in 2006 dollars).  Annual collections began in January of 2007, and were reduced from the $93 million originally requested for years 2007 through 2010 to lower levels ranging from $37 million in 2007 rising to $46 million in 2015.  The reduction to annual collections was achieved by extending the collection period by 5 years through 2015 by reflecting the proceeds from a settlement agreement with Bechtel Power Corporation, by reducing collections in 2007, 2008 and 2009 by $5 million per year, and making other adjustments.  WMECO believes it will recover its share of this obligation from its customers.


YAEC:  On July 31, 2006, the FERC approved a settlement agreement with the DPUC, the Massachusetts Attorney General and the Vermont Department of Public Service previously filed by YAEC.  This settlement agreement did not materially affect the level of 2006 charges.  Under the settlement agreement, YAEC agreed to reduce its November 2005 decommissioning cost increase from $85 million to $79 million.  Other terms of the settlement agreement include extending the collection period for charges through December 2014, reconciling and adjusting future charges based on actual decontamination and decommissioning expenses and the decommissioning trust fund's actual investment earnings.  WMECO believes that its $5.5 million share of the increase in decommissioning costs will ultimately be recovered from its customers.




29


MYAPC:  MYAPC is collecting revenues from WMECO and other owners that are adequate to recover the remaining cost of decommissioning its plant, and WMECO expects to recover its share of such costs from its customers.  


Spent Nuclear Fuel Litigation:  In 1998, CYAPC, YAEC and MYAPC filed separate complaints against the United States Department of Energy (DOE) in the Court of Federal Claims seeking monetary damages resulting from the DOE's failure to begin accepting spent nuclear fuel for disposal by January 31, 1998 pursuant to the terms of the 1983 spent fuel and high level waste disposal contracts between the Yankee Companies and the DOE.  In a ruling released on October 4, 2006, the Court of Federal Claims held that the DOE was liable for damages to CYAPC for $34.2 million through 2001, YAEC for $32.9 million through 2001 and MYAPC for $75.8 million through 2002.  The Yankee Companies had claimed actual damages for the same periods as follows:  CYAPC:  $37.7 million; YAEC:  $60.8 million; and MYAPC:  $78.1 million.  Most of the reduction in the claimed actual damages related to disallowed spent nuclear fuel pool operating expenses.  


The Court of Federal Claims, following precedent set in another case, did not award the Yankee Companies future damages covering the period beyond the 2001/2002 damages award dates.  In December of 2007, the Yankee Companies filed lawsuits against the DOE seeking recovery of actual damages incurred in the years following 2001/2002.  


In December of 2006, the DOE appealed the ruling, and the Yankee Companies filed a cross-appeal.  The refund to WMECO of any damages that may be recovered from the DOE will be realized through the Yankee Companies' FERC-approved rate settlement agreements, subject to final determination of the FERC.  The appeal is expected to be argued in 2008 with a decision from the Court of Appeals to follow.  


WMECO's aggregate share of these damages is $7.9 million.  WMECO cannot at this time determine the timing or amount of any ultimate recovery from the DOE, through the Yankee Companies, on this matter.  However, WMECO does believe that any net settlement proceeds it receives would be incorporated into FERC-approved recoveries, which would be passed on to its customers, through reduced charges.  


F.

Guarantees

NU provides credit assurances on behalf of subsidiaries, including WMECO, in the form of guarantees and letters of credit (LOCs) in the normal course of business.  At December 31, 2007, the maximum level of exposure in accordance with FIN 45, "Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others," under guarantees by NU on behalf of WMECO totaled $2.5 million.  A majority of these guarantees do not have established expiration dates, and some guarantees have unlimited exposure to commodity price movements.  WMECO has no guarantees of the performance of third parties.


Many of the underlying contracts that NU guarantees, as well as certain surety bonds, contain credit ratings triggers that would require NU to post collateral in the event that NU’s credit ratings are downgraded below investment grade.


G.

Transmission Rate Matters and FERC Regulatory Issues

As a result of an order issued by the FERC on October 31, 2006 relating to incentives on new transmission facilities in New England (FERC ROE decision), WMECO recorded an estimated regulatory liability for refunds of $2.7 million as of December 31, 2006.  In 2007, WMECO completed the customer refunds that were calculated in accordance with the compliance filing required by the FERC ROE decision and refunded approximately $2.5 million to regional, local and localized transmission customers.  The $0.2 million positive pre-tax difference ($0.1 million after-tax) between the estimated regulatory liability recorded and the actual amount refunded was recognized in earnings in 2007.


Pursuant to the October 31, 2006 FERC ROE decision, the New England transmission owners submitted a compliance filing that calculated the refund amounts for transmission customers for the February 1, 2005 to October 31, 2006 time period.  Subsequently, on July 26, 2007, the FERC disagreed with the ROEs the transmission owners used in their refund calculations for the 15-month period between June 3, 2005 and September 3, 2006, rejected a portion of the compliance filing, and required another compliance filing within 30 days.  On August 27, 2007, NU, on behalf of WMECO, and the other New England transmission owners submitted a revised compliance filing, which outlined the regional refund process to comply with the FERC’s July 26, 2007 order.  In addition, the transmission owners filed a request for rehearing claiming that the FERC improperly set the floor for refunds based on the lower rates that the FERC approved in its October 31, 2006 order, rather than the last approved rates, for the period from June 3, 2005 to September 3, 2006.  The FERC denied this request on January 17, 2008, and the transmission owners have until March 17, 2008 to appeal, if they so choose.


WMECO’s transmission segment refunded approximately $0.2 million of revenues and interest related to the July 26, 2007 order (approximately $0.1 million after-tax), which was recorded in 2007.


H.

Other Litigation and Legal Proceedings

WMECO is involved in other legal, tax and regulatory proceedings regarding matters arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which involve management’s best estimate of probable loss as defined by SFAS No. 5, "Accounting for Contingencies."  The company records and discloses losses when these losses are probable and reasonably estimable in accordance with SFAS No. 5, discloses matters when losses are probable but not estimable, and expenses legal costs related to the defense of loss contingencies as incurred.  




30


5.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

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


Prior Spent Nuclear Fuel Trust:  During 2004, WMECO established a trust to fund the amounts due to the DOE for its prior spent nuclear fuel obligation.  These investments having a cost basis of $55.6 million and $53.4 million for 2007 and 2006, respectively, were recorded at their fair market value of $55.7 million and $53.4 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  For further information regarding these investments, see Note 6, "Marketable Securities," to the consolidated financial statements.


Long-Term Debt and Rate Reduction Bonds:  The fair value of WMECO’s fixed-rate securities is based upon quoted market prices for those issues or similar issues.  Adjustable rate securities are assumed to have a fair value equal to their carrying value.  The carrying amounts of WMECO’s financial instruments and their estimated fair values are as follows:


 

 

At December 31, 2007

(Millions of Dollars)

 

Carrying Amount

 

Fair Value

Long-term debt -

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Other long-term debt

 

$

304.4 

 

$

298.1 

   Rate reduction bonds

 

 

86.7 

 

 

91.7 


 

 

At December 31, 2006

(Millions of Dollars)

 

Carrying Amount

 

Fair Value

Long-term debt -

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Other long-term debt

 

$

262.2 

 

$

260.0 

   Rate reduction bonds

 

 

99.4 

 

 

104.2 


Other long-term debt includes $55.6 million and $53.4 million of fees and interest due for spent nuclear fuel disposal costs at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.


Other Financial Instruments:  The carrying value of other financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities approximates their fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.  


6.

Marketable Securities

The following is a summary of WMECO's prior spent nuclear fuel trust assets, which are recorded at their fair values and are included in current and long-term marketable securities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  Not included in the amounts below are SERP securities totaling $0.7 million and $0.6 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, which are also included in current and long-term marketable securities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.


 

 

At December 31,

(Millions of Dollars)

 

2007

 

2006

WMECO prior spent nuclear fuel trust

 

$

55.7  

 

$

53.4 


At December 31, 2007 and 2006, these marketable securities are comprised of the following:  




(Millions of Dollars)
At December 31, 2007

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Pre-Tax
Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Pre-Tax
Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Estimated
Fair Value

Fixed income securities

 

$

55.6 

 

$

0.1 

 

$

 

$

55.7  




(Millions of Dollars)
At December 31, 2006

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Pre-Tax
Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Pre-Tax
Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Estimated
Fair Value

Fixed income securities

 

$

53.4 

 

$

0.1 

 

$

(0.1)

 

$

53.4 


For the year ended December 31, 2007, WMECO recorded a $0.6 million offset to the spent nuclear fuel trust obligation in long-term debt related to the unrealized losses on securities in the spent nuclear fuel trust.  For the year ended December 31, 2006, unrealized losses of $0.1 million were recorded on these securities, the entire amount of which was in a loss position for greater than twelve months.


For information related to the change in net unrealized holding gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income, see Note 9, "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)," to the consolidated financial statements.


WMECO utilizes the average cost basis method for the WMECO spent nuclear fuel trust to compute the realized gains and losses on the sale of available-for-sale securities.




31


For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, realized gains and losses recognized on the sale of available-for-sale securities are as follows:



(Millions of Dollars)

 

Realized
Gains

 

Realized
Losses

 

Net Realized
Gains/(Losses)

2007

 

$

0.1 

 

$

(0.1)

 

$

-  

2006

 

 

 

 

(0.3)

 

 

(0.3)

2005

 

 

 

 

(0.4)

 

 

(0.4)


These amounts offset the spent nuclear fuel trust obligation in long-term debt.

 

Proceeds from the sale of these securities, including proceeds from short-term investments, totaled $196.9 million, $123.1 million and $82.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.


At December 31, 2007, the contractual maturities of the available-for-sale securities are as follows:



(Millions of Dollars)

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Estimated
Fair Value

Less than one year

 

$

30.8 

 

$

30.9 

One to five years

 

 

22.5 

 

 

22.5 

Six to ten years

 

 

 

 

Greater than ten years

 

 

2.3 

 

 

2.3 

Total

 

$

55.6 

 

$

55.7 


Amounts above exclude an additional $0.4 million and $0.3 million of SERP securities that are classified as less than one year and one to greater than ten years, respectively, and are included on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2007.  


For further information regarding marketable securities, see Note 1N, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Marketable Securities" to the consolidated financial statements.


7.

Leases

WMECO has entered into lease agreements for the use of data processing and office equipment, vehicles, and office space.  In addition, WMECO incurs costs associated with leases entered into by NUSCO and The Rocky River Realty Company.  These costs are included below in operating lease payments charged to expense and amounts capitalized as well as future operating lease payments from 2008 through 2012 and thereafter.  The provisions of these lease agreements generally contain renewal options.  Certain lease agreements contain contingent lease payments.  The contingent lease payments are based on various factors, such as the commercial paper rate plus a credit spread or the consumer price index.


There were no capital leases, or interest related to these payments, charged to operating expense in 2007, 2006 and 2005.  Operating lease rental payments charged to expense were $4 million in 2007 and 2006 and $3.6 million in 2005.  The capitalized portion of operating lease payments was approximately $1.2 million, $1.1 million and $1.1 million for the years ended 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.


Future minimum rental payments excluding executory costs, such as property taxes, state use taxes, insurance, and maintenance, under long-term noncancelable operating leases, at December 31, 2007 are as follows:



(Millions of Dollars)

Operating
Leases

2008

$

5.0 

2009

 

4.8 

2010

 

4.5 

2011

 

4.1 

2012

 

3.6 

Thereafter

 

7.9 

Future minimum lease payments

$

29.9 


8.

Dividend Restrictions

The Federal Power Act limits the payment of dividends by WMECO to its retained earnings balance and certain state statutes may impose additional limitations on WMECO.  WMECO also has a revolving credit agreement that imposes a leverage restriction tied to its ratio of consolidated total debt to total capitalization.




32


9.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

The accumulated balance for each other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax, item is as follows:




(Millions of Dollars)

 

December 31,
2006

 

Current
Period
Change

 

December 31,
2007

Qualified cash flow hedging instruments

 

$

0.9 

 

$

(0.7) 

 

$

0.2 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

$

0.9 

 

$

(0.7) 

 

$

0.2 




(Millions of Dollars)

 

December 31,
2005

 

Current
Period
Change

 

December 31,
2006

Qualified cash flow hedging instruments

 

$

1.0 

 

$

(0.1)

 

$

0.9 

Unrealized losses on securities

 

 

(0.2)

 

 

0.2 

 

 

Minimum SERP liability

 

 

(0.1)

 

 

0.1 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income

 

$

0.7 

 

$

0.2 

 

$

0.9 


The changes in the components of other comprehensive loss are reported net of the following income tax effects:


(Millions of Dollars)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

Qualified cash flow hedging instruments

 

$

(0.5)

 

$

(0.1)

 

$

(0.6)

Unrealized losses on securities

 

 

 

 

0.2 

 

 

0.2 

Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)

 

$

(0.5)

 

$

0.1 

 

$

(0.4)


Fair value adjustments included in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) for WMECO's qualified cash flow hedging instruments are as follows:


 

 

At December 31,

(Millions of Dollars, Net of Tax)

 

2007

 

2006

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

0.9 

 

1.0 

Hedged transactions recognized into earnings

 

 

(0.1)

 

 

Cash flow transactions entered into for period

 

 

(0.6)

 

 

(0.1)

Net change associated with hedging transactions

 

 

(0.7)

 

 

(0.1)

Total fair value adjustments included in accumulated other comprehensive income

 

$

0.2 

 

$

0.9 


In July of 2007, WMECO entered into a forward interest rate swap agreement to hedge the interest rate associated with its $40 million, 30-year fixed rate long-term debt issuance.  Under the agreement, WMECO had a LIBOR swap rate of 5.882 percent based on the notional amount of $40 million in long-term debt that was issued in July of 2007.  On August 15, 2007, the hedge was settled and a net of tax charge of $0.6 million ($1 million pre-tax), was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income to be amortized into earnings over the term of the long-term debt.


It is estimated that a benefit of $0.1 million will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income as an increase to earnings over the next 12 months as a result of amortization of the interest rate swap agreements which have been settled.  




33


10.

Long-Term Debt

Details of long-term debt outstanding are as follows:


 

 

At December 31,

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

(Millions of Dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pollution Control Notes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Tax Exempt 1993 Series A, 5.85% due 2028

 

$

53.8 

 

$

53.8 

 Other:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Taxable Senior Series A, 5.00% due 2013

 

 

55.0 

 

 

55.0 

  Taxable Senior Series B, 5.90% due 2034

 

 

50.0 

 

 

50.0 

  Taxable Senior Series C, 5.24% due 2015

 

 

50.0 

 

 

50.0 

  Taxable Senior Series D, 6.70% due 2037

 

 

40.0 

 

 

Total Pollution Control Notes and Other

 

 

248.8 

 

 

208.8 

Fees and interest due for spent nuclear fuel
  disposal costs

 

 


55.6 

 

 


53.4 

Total pollution control notes and fees and interest
  for spent nuclear fuel disposal costs

 

 


304.4 

 

 


262.2 

Less amounts due within one year

 

 

 

 

Unamortized premium and discount, net

 

 

(0.5)

 

 

(0.4)

Long-term debt

 

$

303.9 

 

$

261.8 


There are no cash sinking fund requirements or debt maturities for the years 2008 through 2012.


On August 17, 2007, WMECO issued $40 million of 30-year Series D senior unsecured notes with a coupon rate of 6.7 percent and a maturity date of August 15, 2037.  The proceeds were used to refinance the company’s short term borrowings, which were previously incurred to fund transmission and distribution segment capital expenditures.


During 2004, WMECO established a trust with the issuance proceeds from the Taxable Senior Series B 5.9 percent note due 2034.  This trust holds marketable securities to fund amounts due upon demand to the DOE for the disposal of WMECO’s prior spent nuclear fuel.

  

For information regarding fees and interest due for spent nuclear fuel disposal costs, see Note 4C, "Commitments and Contingencies - Spent Nuclear Fuel Disposal Costs," to the consolidated financial statements.


11.

Segment Information

Segment information related to the distribution and transmission segments for WMECO for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 is as follows:  


 

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2007

(Millions of Dollars)

 

Distribution

 

Transmission

 

Totals

Operating revenues (1)

 

$

441.6 

 

$

23.1 

 

$

464.7 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(41.7)

 

 

(2.5)

 

 

(44.2)

Other operating expenses

 

 

(355.6)

 

 

(10.7)

 

 

(366.3)

Operating income

 

 

44.3 

 

 

9.9 

 

 

54.2 

Interest expense, net of AFUDC

 

 

(17.7)

 

 

(2.1)

 

 

(19.8)

Interest income

 

 

1.5 

 

 

0.7 

 

 

2.2 

Other income, net

 

 

1.6 

 

 

 

 

1.6 

Income tax benefit

 

 

(11.2)

 

 

(3.4)

 

 

(14.6)

Net income

 

$

18.5 

 

$

5.1 

 

$

23.6 

Total assets (2)

 

$

991.1 

 

 

$

991.1 

Cash flows for total investments in plant (3)

 

$

29.9 

 

$

17.4 

 

$

47.3 




34



 

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2006

 

 

Distribution

 

Transmission

 

Totals

Operating revenues (1)

 

$

410.9 

 

$

20.6 

 

$

431.5 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

0.7 

 

 

(2.4)

 

 

(1.7)

Other operating expenses

 

 

(380.0)

 

 

(9.8)

 

 

(389.8)

Operating income

 

 

31.6 

 

 

8.4 

 

 

40.0 

Interest expense, net of AFUDC

 

 

(17.1)

 

 

(1.8)

 

 

(18.9)

Interest income

 

 

0.7 

 

 

 

 

0.7 

Other income, net

 

 

1.4 

 

 

0.2 

 

 

1.6 

Income tax benefit

 

 

(5.6)

 

 

(2.2)

 

 

(7.8)

Net income

 

$

11.0 

 

$

4.6 

 

$

15.6 

Total assets (2)

 

$

988.7 

 

 

$

988.7 

Cash flows for total investments in plant (3)

 

$

29.7 

 

$

13.1 

 

$

42.8 


 

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2005

 

 

Distribution

 

Transmission

 

Totals

Operating revenues (1)

 

$

391.1 

 

$

18.3 

 

$

409.4 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(22.0)

 

 

 (2.0)

 

 

 (24.0)

Other operating expenses

 

 

(335.8)

 

 

(9.3)

 

 

(345.1)

Operating income

 

 

33.3 

 

 

7.0 

 

 

40.3 

Interest expense, net of AFUDC

 

 

(17.0)

 

 

 (1.1)

 

 

 (18.1)

Interest income

 

 

0.4 

 

 

 

 

0.4 

Other income, net

 

 

1.6 

 

 

0.2 

 

 

1.8 

Income tax benefit

 

 

(7.2)

 

 

(2.1)

 

 

(9.3)

Net income

 

$

11.1 

 

$

4.0 

 

$

15.1 

Cash flows for total investments in plant (3)

 

$

32.4 

 

$

12.3 

 

$

44.7 


(1)

WMECO revenues are primarily derived from residential, commercial and industrial customers and are not dependent on any single customer.


(2)

Information for segmenting total assets between distribution and transmission is not available at December 31, 2007 and 2006.  The distribution and transmission assets are disclosed in the distribution columns above.


(3)

Cash flows for total investment in plant included in the segment information above are cash capital expenditures that do not include amounts incurred but not paid, cost of removal, AFUDC, and the capitalized portion of pension expense or income.



35



Consolidated Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

 

 

Quarter Ended

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

March 31,

 

June 30,

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Revenues

 

$

129,558 

 

$

112,363 

 

113,500 

 

$

109,324 

Operating Income

 

 

15,435 

 

 

12,314 

 

 

13,562 

 

 

12,840 

Net Income

 

 

6,917 

 

 

4,590 

 

 

5,340 

 

 

6,757 


2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Revenues

 

$

129,040 

 

$

99,037 

 

$

104,959 

 

$

98,473 

Operating Income

 

 

12,176 

 

 

10,369 

 

 

10,611 

 

 

6,817 

Net Income

 

 

5,177 

 

 

2,629 

 

 

3,672 

 

 

4,166 


Selected Consolidated Financial Data (Unaudited)

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

Operating Revenues

 

464,745 

 

$

431,509 

 

$

409,393 

 

$

379,229 

 

$

391,178 

Net Income

 

 

23,604 

 

 

15,644 

 

 

15,085 

 

 

12,373 

 

 

16,212 

Cash Dividends on Common Stock

 

 

12,779 

 

 

7,946 

 

 

7,685 

 

 

6,485 

 

 

22,011 

Property, Plant and Equipment (a)

 

 

559,357 

 

 

526,094 

 

 

499,317 

 

 

468,884 

 

 

447,771 

Total Assets

 

 

991,088 

 

 

988,693 

 

 

945,996 

 

 

922,472 

 

 

872,077 

Rate Reduction Bonds

 

 

86,731 

 

 

99,428 

 

 

111,331 

 

 

122,489 

 

 

132,960 

Long-Term Debt (b)

 

 

303,872 

 

 

261,777 

 

 

259,487 

 

 

207,684 

 

 

157,202 

Obligations Under Capital Leases (b)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

57 


(a)

Amount includes construction work in progress.


(b)

Includes portions due within one year, but includes rate reduction bonds.



36



Selected Consolidated Sales Statistics (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

Revenues:  (Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

 

$

246,526 

 

$

232,197  

 

$

190,023  

 

$

167,275  

 

$

165,871  

Commercial

 

 

140,531 

 

 

132,336  

 

 

133,356  

 

 

128,425  

 

 

133,122  

Industrial

 

 

48,036 

 

 

43,131  

 

 

59,937  

 

 

62,347  

 

 

63,990  

Other Utilities

 

 

20,131 

 

 

17,421  

 

 

19,064  

 

 

8,646  

 

 

14,347  

Streetlighting and Railroads

 

 

4,492 

 

 

5,025  

 

 

5,030  

 

 

4,782  

 

 

4,817  

Miscellaneous

 

 

5,029 

 

 

1,399  

 

 

1,983  

 

 

7,754  

 

 

9,031  

Total

 

$

464,745 

 

$

431,509  

 

$

409,393  

 

$

379,229  

 

$

391,178  

Sales:  (KWH - Millions)

 

 

Residential

 

 

1,539 

 

 

1,511  

 

 

1,596  

 

 

1,546  

 

 

1,521  

Commercial

 

 

1,589 

 

 

1,574  

 

 

1,616  

 

 

1,583  

 

 

1,567  

Industrial

 

 

842 

 

 

862  

 

 

910  

 

 

935  

 

 

909  

Other Utilities

 

 

178 

 

 

189  

 

 

176  

 

 

169  

 

 

255  

Streetlighting and Railroads

 

 

25 

 

 

25  

 

 

25  

 

 

25  

 

 

26  

Total

 

 

4,173 

 

 

4,161  

 

 

4,323  

 

 

4,258  

 

 

4,278  

Customers:  (Average)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

 

 

187,854 

 

 

187,252  

 

 

186,882  

 

 

185,083  

 

 

185,202  

Commercial

 

 

17,096 

 

 

17,310  

 

 

19,174  

 

 

18,917  

 

 

18,838  

Industrial

 

 

777 

 

 

798  

 

 

894  

 

 

892  

 

 

897  

Other

 

 

703 

 

 

705  

 

 

714  

 

 

695  

 

 

693  

Total

 

 

206,430 

 

 

206,065  

 

 

207,664  

 

 

205,587  

 

 

205,630  




37