SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (NU, CL&P) On October 14, 2011, NU and NSTAR extended the termination date of the merger agreement from October 16, 2011 to April 16, 2012. On October 24, 2011, CL&P issued $120.5 million of PCRBs carrying a coupon of 4.375 percent that will mature on September 1, 2028 and $125 million of PCRBs carrying a coupon of 1.25 percent that mature on September 1, 2028 and are subject to mandatory tender on September 3, 2013. The proceeds of CL&P's issuances were used to refund $245.5 million of PCRBs that carried a coupon of 5.85 percent and had a maturity date of September 1, 2028. On October 29, 2011, a snowstorm delivered high winds and heavy snowfall across the NU service territory, causing significant damage to NU's distribution and transmission systems. For further information on the October 29, 2011 snowstorm, see Note 2, "Regulatory Accounting," to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract]

16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (NU, CL&P)

On October 14, 2011, NU and NSTAR extended the termination date of the merger agreement from October 16, 2011 to April 16, 2012.

On October 24, 2011, CL&P issued $120.5 million of PCRBs carrying a coupon of 4.375 percent that will mature on September 1, 2028 and $125 million of PCRBs carrying a coupon of 1.25 percent that mature on September 1, 2028 and are subject to mandatory tender on September 3, 2013. The proceeds of CL&P's issuances were used to refund $245.5 million of PCRBs that carried a coupon of 5.85 percent and had a maturity date of September 1, 2028.

On October 29, 2011, a snowstorm delivered high winds and heavy snowfall across the NU service territory, causing significant damage to NU's distribution and transmission systems. For further information on the October 29, 2011 snowstorm, see Note 2, "Regulatory Accounting," to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.