SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM DEBT	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure	6. SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEBT Limits: The amount of short-term borrowings that may be incurred by CL&P and WMECO is subject to periodic approval by the FERC. On July 31, 2013, the FERC approved the short-term debt application of CL&P and WMECO for issuances in the amounts of $600 million and $300 million, respectively, effective January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015. Credit Agreements and Commercial Paper Programs: On September 6, 2013, NU parent, CL&P, NSTAR LLC, NSTAR Gas, PSNH, WMECO and Yankee Gas amended their joint five-year $1.15 billion revolving credit facility dated July 25, 2012, by increasing the aggregate principal amount available thereunder by $300 million to $1.45 billion, extending the expiration date from July 25, 2017 to September 6, 2018, and increasing CL&P's borrowing sublimit from $300 million to $600 million. At the same time, effective September 6, 2013, the CL&P $300 million revolving credit facility was terminated. On September 6, 2013, NSTAR Electric amended its five-year $450 million revolving credit facility dated July 25, 2012 by extending the expiration date from July 25, 2017 to September 6, 2018. On September 6, 2013, the NU parent $1.15 billion commercial paper program was increased by $300 million to $1.45 billion. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, NU had approximately $1.2 billion and $1.15 billion, respectively, in short-term borrowings outstanding under the NU parent commercial paper program, which provides $263 million of available borrowing capacity as of September 30, 2013. The weighted-average interest rate on these borrowings as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was 0.268 percent and 0.46 percent, respectively, which is generally based on money market rates. As of September 30, 2013, there were intercompany loans from NU of $342.9 million to CL&P, $228.5 million to PSNH and $79.8 million to WMECO. As of December 31, 2012, there were intercompany loans from NU of $405.1 million to CL&P, $63.3 million to PSNH, and $31.9 million to WMECO. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, NSTAR Electric had $156 million and $276 million, respectively, in short-term borrowings outstanding under its commercial paper program, leaving $294 million and $174 million, respectively, of available borrowing capacity. The weighted-average interest rate on these borrowings as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was 0.134 percent and 0.31 percent, respectively, which is generally based on money market rates. Amounts outstanding under the commercial paper programs are included in Notes Payable for NU and NSTAR Electric and classified in current liabilities on the balance sheets as all borrowings are outstanding for no more than 364 days at one time. Intercompany loans from NU to CL&P, PSNH and WMECO are included in Notes Payable to Affiliated Companies and classified in current liabilities on the balance sheets. Long-Term Debt: On January 15, 2013, CL&P issued $400 million of Series A First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds with a coupon rate of 2.5 percent and a maturity date of January 15, 2023. The proceeds, net of issuance costs, were used to pay short-term borrowings outstanding under the CL&P credit agreement and the NU parent commercial paper program. Therefore, as of December 31, 2012, CL&P's credit agreement borrowings of $89 million and intercompany loans related to the commercial paper program of $305.8 million were classified as Long-Term Debt on the balance sheet. On May 1, 2013, PSNH redeemed at par approximately $109 million of the 2001 Series C PCRBs that were due to mature in 2021 using short-term debt. On May 13, 2013, NU parent issued $750 million of Senior Notes, consisting of $300 million of Series E Senior Notes at a coupon rate of 1.45 percent that will mature on May 1, 2018 and $450 million of Series F Senior Notes at a coupon rate of 2.80 percent that will mature on May 1, 2023. Part of the proceeds, net of issuance costs, was used to repay the NU parent $250 million Series C Senior Notes at a coupon rate of 5.65 percent that matured on June 1, 2013 and the NU parent $300 million floating rate Series D Senior Notes that matured on September 20, 2013. The remaining net proceeds were used to repay commercial paper borrowings and for other general corporate purposes. On May 17, 2013, NSTAR Electric issued $200 million of three-year floating rate debentures due to mature on May 17, 2016. The proceeds, net of issuance costs, were used to repay commercial paper borrowings and for general corporate purposes. The debentures have a coupon rate reset quarterly based on 3-month LIBOR plus a credit spread of 0.24 percent. The interest rate as of September 30, 2013 was 0.5032 percent. On September 1, 2013, WMECO repaid at maturity, $55 million of 5.00 percent Series A Senior Notes using short-term debt. On September 3, 2013, CL&P redeemed at par $125 million of 1.25 percent Series B 2011 PCRBs that were subject to mandatory tender for purchase using short-term debt. On September 20, 2013, NU parent repaid at maturity, $300 million of Floating Rate Series D Senior Notes with proceeds from NU parent's issuance on May 13, 2013 of $750 million of Series E and Series F Senior Notes. On August 29, 2013, NSTAR Electric filed an application with the DPU requesting authorization to issue up to $800 million in long-term debt for the two-year period ending December 31, 2015. On September 26, 2013, the NHPUC issued an order, effective October 8, 2013, approving PSNH's request to issue up to $315 million in long-term debt through December 31, 2014, and to refinance $89.3 million 2001 Series B PCRBs through its existing maturity of May 2021. Working Capital: NU, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO use their available capital resources to fund their respective construction expenditures, meet debt requirements, pay operating costs, including storm-related costs, pay dividends and fund other corporate obligations, such as pension contributions. The current growth in NU's transmission construction expenditures utilizes a significant amount of cash for projects that have a long-term return on investment and recovery period. In addition, NU's Regulated companies operate in an environment where recovery of its electric and natural gas distribution construction expenditures takes place over an extended period of time. This impacts the timing of the revenue stream designed to fully recover the total investment plus a return on the equity portion of the cost and related financing costs. These factors have resulted in current liabilities exceeding current assets by approximately $1.4 billion, $392 million, $315 million, $114 million and $11 million at NU, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO, respectively, as of September 30, 2013. As of September 30, 2013, approximately $577 million of NU's current liabilities related to long-term debt that will be paid in the next 12 months, primarily consisting of $150 million for CL&P, $302 million for NSTAR Electric and $50 million for PSNH. NU, with its strong credit ratings, has several options available in the financial markets to repay or refinance these maturities with the issuance of new long-term debt. NU, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO will reduce their short-term borrowings with cash received from operating cash flows and/or with the issuance of new long-term debt, as deemed appropriate given capital requirements and maintenance of NU's credit rating and profile. Management expects the future operating cash flows of NU, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO along with the access to financial markets, will be sufficient to meet any future operating requirements and forecasted capital investment opportunities.

SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM DEBT

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract]

6. SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEBT

Limits: The amount of short-term borrowings that may be incurred by CL&P and WMECO is subject to periodic approval by the FERC. On July 31, 2013, the FERC approved the short-term debt application of CL&P and WMECO for issuances in the amounts of $600 million and $300 million, respectively, effective January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015.

Credit Agreements and Commercial Paper Programs: On September 6, 2013, NU parent, CL&P, NSTAR LLC, NSTAR Gas, PSNH, WMECO and Yankee Gas amended their joint five-year $1.15 billion revolving credit facility dated July 25, 2012, by increasing the aggregate principal amount available thereunder by $300 million to $1.45 billion, extending the expiration date from July 25, 2017 to September 6, 2018, and increasing CL&P's borrowing sublimit from $300 million to $600 million. At the same time, effective September 6, 2013, the CL&P $300 million revolving credit facility was terminated.

On September 6, 2013, NSTAR Electric amended its five-year $450 million revolving credit facility dated July 25, 2012 by extending the expiration date from July 25, 2017 to September 6, 2018.

On September 6, 2013, the NU parent $1.15 billion commercial paper program was increased by $300 million to $1.45 billion.

As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, NU had approximately $1.2 billion and $1.15 billion, respectively, in short-term borrowings outstanding under the NU parent commercial paper program, which provides $263 million of available borrowing capacity as of September 30, 2013. The weighted-average interest rate on these borrowings as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was 0.268 percent and 0.46 percent, respectively, which is generally based on money market rates. As of September 30, 2013, there were intercompany loans from NU of $342.9 million to CL&P, $228.5 million to PSNH and $79.8 million to WMECO. As of December 31, 2012, there were intercompany loans from NU of $405.1 million to CL&P, $63.3 million to PSNH, and $31.9 million to WMECO. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, NSTAR Electric had $156 million and $276 million, respectively, in short-term borrowings outstanding under its commercial paper program, leaving $294 million and $174 million, respectively, of available borrowing capacity. The weighted-average interest rate on these borrowings as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was 0.134 percent and 0.31 percent, respectively, which is generally based on money market rates.

Amounts outstanding under the commercial paper programs are included in Notes Payable for NU and NSTAR Electric and classified in current liabilities on the balance sheets as all borrowings are outstanding for no more than 364 days at one time. Intercompany loans from NU to CL&P, PSNH and WMECO are included in Notes Payable to Affiliated Companies and classified in current liabilities on the balance sheets.

Long-Term Debt: On January 15, 2013, CL&P issued $400 million of Series A First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds with a coupon rate of 2.5 percent and a maturity date of January 15, 2023. The proceeds, net of issuance costs, were used to pay short-term borrowings outstanding under the CL&P credit agreement and the NU parent commercial paper program. Therefore, as of December 31, 2012, CL&P's credit agreement borrowings of $89 million and intercompany loans related to the commercial paper program of $305.8 million were classified as Long-Term Debt on the balance sheet.

On May 1, 2013, PSNH redeemed at par approximately $109 million of the 2001 Series C PCRBs that were due to mature in 2021 using short-term debt.

On May 13, 2013, NU parent issued $750 million of Senior Notes, consisting of $300 million of Series E Senior Notes at a coupon rate of 1.45 percent that will mature on May 1, 2018 and $450 million of Series F Senior Notes at a coupon rate of 2.80 percent that will mature on May 1, 2023. Part of the proceeds, net of issuance costs, was used to repay the NU parent $250 million Series C Senior Notes at a coupon rate of 5.65 percent that matured on June 1, 2013 and the NU parent $300 million floating rate Series D Senior Notes that matured on September 20, 2013. The remaining net proceeds were used to repay commercial paper borrowings and for other general corporate purposes.

On May 17, 2013, NSTAR Electric issued $200 million of three-year floating rate debentures due to mature on May 17, 2016. The proceeds, net of issuance costs, were used to repay commercial paper borrowings and for general corporate purposes. The debentures have a coupon rate reset quarterly based on 3-month LIBOR plus a credit spread of 0.24 percent. The interest rate as of September 30, 2013 was 0.5032 percent.

On September 1, 2013, WMECO repaid at maturity, $55 million of 5.00 percent Series A Senior Notes using short-term debt.

On September 3, 2013, CL&P redeemed at par $125 million of 1.25 percent Series B 2011 PCRBs that were subject to mandatory tender for purchase using short-term debt.

On September 20, 2013, NU parent repaid at maturity, $300 million of Floating Rate Series D Senior Notes with proceeds from NU parent's issuance on May 13, 2013 of $750 million of Series E and Series F Senior Notes.

On August 29, 2013, NSTAR Electric filed an application with the DPU requesting authorization to issue up to $800 million in long-term debt for the two-year period ending December 31, 2015.

On September 26, 2013, the NHPUC issued an order, effective October 8, 2013, approving PSNH's request to issue up to $315 million in long-term debt through December 31, 2014, and to refinance $89.3 million 2001 Series B PCRBs through its existing maturity of May 2021.

Working Capital: NU, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO use their available capital resources to fund their respective construction expenditures, meet debt requirements, pay operating costs, including storm-related costs, pay dividends and fund other corporate obligations, such as pension contributions. The current growth in NU's transmission construction expenditures utilizes a significant amount of cash for projects that have a long-term return on investment and recovery period. In addition, NU's Regulated companies operate in an environment where recovery of its electric and natural gas distribution construction expenditures takes place over an extended period of time. This impacts the timing of the revenue stream designed to fully recover the total investment plus a return on the equity portion of the cost and related financing costs. These factors have resulted in current liabilities exceeding current assets by approximately $1.4 billion, $392 million, $315 million, $114 million and $11 million at NU, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO, respectively, as of September 30, 2013.

As of September 30, 2013, approximately $577 million of NU's current liabilities related to long-term debt that will be paid in the next 12 months, primarily consisting of $150 million for CL&P, $302 million for NSTAR Electric and $50 million for PSNH. NU, with its strong credit ratings, has several options available in the financial markets to repay or refinance these maturities with the issuance of new long-term debt. NU, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO will reduce their short-term borrowings with cash received from operating cash flows and/or with the issuance of new long-term debt, as deemed appropriate given capital requirements and maintenance of NU's credit rating and profile. Management expects the future operating cash flows of NU, CL&P, NSTAR Electric, PSNH and WMECO along with the access to financial markets, will be sufficient to meet any future operating requirements and forecasted capital investment opportunities.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for information about short-term and long-term debt arrangements, which includes amounts of borrowings under each line of credit, note payable, commercial paper issue, bonds indenture, debenture issue, own-share lending arrangements and any other contractual agreement to repay funds, and about the underlying arrangements, rationale for a classification as long-term, including repayment terms, interest rates, collateral provided, restrictions on use of assets and activities, whether or not in compliance with debt covenants, and other matters important to users of the financial statements, such as the effects of refinancing and noncompliance with debt covenants.

+ References+ Details