-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, TFqov0fxPT5EWti+EoLk4nJCJ2bDV4EwrqfvBKDNiWsWWqtEboj+DdDm49q6Ccbh LhDlsjWXcu8eXz1P7QmEmw== 0000072741-00-000053.txt : 20000317 0000072741-00-000053.hdr.sgml : 20000317 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000072741-00-000053 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: DEFA14A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 FILED AS OF DATE: 20000316 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NORTHEAST UTILITIES SYSTEM CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000072741 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911] IRS NUMBER: 042147929 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: DEFA14A SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-05324 FILM NUMBER: 571257 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 174 BRUSH HILL AVE CITY: WEST SPRINGFIELD STATE: MA ZIP: 01090-0010 BUSINESS PHONE: 4137855871 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 107 SELDON ST CITY: BERLIN STATE: CT ZIP: 06037-1616 DEFA14A 1 ADDITIONAL MATERIALS SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ) Filed by the Registrant [X] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ] Check the appropriate box: [ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a- 6(e)(2)) [ ] Definitive Proxy Statement [X] Definitive Additional Materials [ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12 NORTHEAST UTILITIES (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): [X] No fee required. [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4)and 0-11. 1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: 2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): 4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: 5) Total fee paid: [ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0- 11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. 1) Amount Previously Paid: 2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: 3) Filing Party: 4) Date Filed: EX-99.1 2 ADDITIONAL MATERIALS The following is Michael G. Morris' Proxy letter to Northeast Utilities' Shareholders which will be mailed on March 20, 2000: March 20, 2000 Dear Shareholder: As you know, on October 13, 1999, NU and Consolidated Edison, Inc. of New York (Con Edison) announced a merger that valued NU at more than three times the level at which our shares traded three years ago. I wanted to share with you my thoughts on this event. As a shareholder, I'm sure you're asking yourself questions such as: "Is this a good deal?" "Is this merger the right thing to do?" A wise person once said that "context is everything," so let's put this in context. First, the original deal was designed to provide a per share value to NU shareholders of approximately $25, assuming a Con Edison share price of at least $36 at closing. Today, the price of Con Edison shares is lower, and at its current share price, NU shareholders would receive a somewhat smaller return at closing. However, NU's current share price already reflects the announced merger, and we believe that absent the merger, our share price would be quite a bit lower than it is today, when we see it trading around $19 a share. Therefore, we believe the value of your investment in NU is worth more today because of our pending merger with Con Edison. Members of the investment banking community remain convinced that our merger with Con Edison is in the best interests of NU shareholders, customers and employees. The companies have estimated that the combined company will have revenues on a pro forma basis of approximately $11.9 billion and total assets of $27.3 billion, as of December 31, 1999. This footing provides the financial resources that we anticipate will be needed to grow and prosper in the future. This should help increase the efficiency of our operations, enhance our ability to deploy advanced technologies, further strengthen our infrastructure and customer service, and increase shareholder value through growth in earnings. In short, we believe this combination presents greater prospects for a bright future. All the details about our forthcoming merger are contained in the Joint Proxy Statement recently mailed to you. Please read it carefully and be sure to call our Shareholder Services Department toll free at 1-800-794-1104 if you have any questions. - - more - On April 14, we'll be holding a special NU shareholder meeting at the Hartford Civic Center to vote on two proposals: 1. Approval of amendments to the Northeast Declaration of Trust to authorize NU to merge, and 2. Approval of the merger with Con Edison. Your vote on these proposals is very important, so please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card you receive right away. In order to be tabulated, your vote must be received by the date stated on your proxy card(s). If you miss the deadline, your vote will not count. As shareholders, we have come to that proverbial "fork in the road." Market forces tell us that we need to be bigger to survive and flourish. I urge you to vote "YES" for the Con Edison/NU merger and launch a new era of expanded options and opportunities for what I believe will be a solid investment for shareholders in one of the leading energy companies in the entire nation. Sincerely, Michael G. Morris Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Enclosures: Merger Guidebook Proxy voting card & return envelope EX-99.2 3 ADDITIONAL MATERIALS The following information will be included as a "paycheck stuffer" to all employees of Northeast Utilities on March 23, 2000: Copy for Paycheck Stuffer (on bright color paper) (side one) _ VOTE "FOR" THE CON EDISON/NU MERGER We share the same vision -- to build a reliable and safe regulated electric and gas business and to grow our energy marketing and generation business in the Northeast We will grow - to the size and scale necessary to be successful in a restructured and increasingly competitive energy market We will be substantially stronger financially -- our merged company is expected to have a much higher dividend than NU has currently We value people - our employees will have a work place that allows them to reach their full potential If you have questions about the Con Edison/NU merger, call 1-800-558-5947 and leave a voice mail message or send an e-mail to Employee Communications (emcom@nu.com). over (side two) _ VOTE ALL THE PROXIES YOU RECEIVE BY APRIL 14 These include proxies for: 401(k) shares and PAYSOP/TRAESOP shares; Fidelity Investments, the administrator of NU's 401(k) plan, will send you this proxy shares owned through the Employee Shareholder Purchase Program (ESPP); Salomon Smith Barney will send you this proxy shares owned through your broker; your broker will send you this proxy shares registered with NU; the company will send you this proxy If you have questions about the proxy vote, call NU shareholder services at 1-800-794-1104. over EX-99.3 4 ADDITIONAL MATERIALS The following message, beginning on March 13, 2000, will be recorded on The Con Edison/NU Merger Information Line at 1-800-558-5947: #800 Update - week of March 13, 2000 As you may know, the Securities and Exchange Commission declared the Con Edison/NU joint proxy statement effective on March 1. The proxy statement, including the proxy card, is in the mail to all Con Edison and NU shareholders and all shareholders can expect to receive it momentarily. In addition, the joint proxy statement is available online at www.nu.com under the Investor's Corner. Your vote on these proposals is very important, so please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card you receive right away. In order to be tabulated, your vote must be received by the date stated on your proxy card(s). If you miss the deadline, your vote will not count. Market forces tell us that size matters in the new, competitive energy business environment, and we urge you to vote FOR the Con Edison/NU merger. The combined company will have the financial resources that we anticipate will be needed to grow and prosper in the future. This should help increase the efficiency of our operations, enhance our ability to deploy advanced technologies, further strengthen our infrastructure and customer service, and increase shareholder value through growth in earnings. In short, we believe this combination presents greater prospects for a bright future for employees, a solid investment for our shareholders, and a sound business choice for our customers. The next step involves shareholder approval, and a Special Annual Meeting is scheduled for April 14th. NU shareholders will be voting on two items: 1. To allow NU to amend its declaration of trust to allow a merger with another company. This item must pass for the second to pass. 2. To merge with Con Edison. Con Edison shareholders will be voting to approve the merger with Northeast Utilities. Please be sure to complete and return all proxy cards you receive by the due date indicated on the card(s). Every proxy card must be voted for your shares to be represented. Not voting is counted as a "no" vote, so please be sure to vote every proxy you receive. You will receive a separate proxy for shares you own in your 401k plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or through your private holdings. -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----