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Pension Benefits and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Schedule Of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]
  For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
 Pension and SERP PBOP
(Millions of Dollars)NU CL&P PSNH WMECO NU CL&P PSNH WMECO
Service Cost$ 55.4 $ 19.5 $ 10.6 $ 3.9 $ 9.2 $ 2.9 $ 1.9 $ 0.6
Interest Cost  153.3   51.9   24.4   10.7   25.7   10.0   4.8   2.2
Expected Return on Plan Assets  (170.8)   (76.6)   (19.8)   (17.7)   (21.6)   (8.7)   (4.3)   (2.0)
Actuarial Loss  84.2   33.4   10.7   7.1   19.0   7.2   3.2   1.1
Prior Service Cost/(Credit)  9.7   4.2   1.8   0.9   (0.3)   -   -   1.3
Net Transition Obligation Cost  -   -   -   -  11.6  6.2  2.5   
Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense$ 131.8 $ 32.4 $ 27.7 $ 4.9 $ 43.6 $ 17.6 $ 8.1 $ 3.2
Related Intercompany                       
 Allocations N/A $ 34.1 $ 7.6 $ 6.2  N/A $ 8.2 $ 2.0 $ 1.5
Capitalized Pension Expense$ 29.7 $ 16.6 $ 7.6 $ 2.7            

  For the Year Ended December 31, 2010
  Pension and SERP PBOP
(Millions of Dollars)NU CL&P PSNH WMECO NU CL&P PSNH WMECO
Service Cost$ 51.0 $ 17.6 $ 10.0 $ 3.5 $ 8.5 $ 2.7 $ 1.8 $ 0.6
Interest Cost  152.6   52.2   24.1   10.7   26.8   10.5   5.0   2.3
Expected Return on Plan Assets  (182.6)   (85.8)   (14.7)   (19.5)   (21.7)   (8.7)   (4.3)   (2.1)
Actuarial Loss  53.5   20.7   7.2   4.3   16.7   6.3   2.7   0.9
Prior Service Cost/(Credit)  9.9   4.2   1.8   0.9   (0.3)   -   -   -
Net Transition Obligation Cost  -   -   -   -   11.6   6.1   2.5   1.3
Total Net Periodic Benefit                       
 Expense/(Income)$ 84.4 $ 8.9 $ 28.4 $ (0.1) $ 41.6 $ 16.9 $ 7.7 $ 3.0
Related Intercompany                       
 Allocations N/A $ 25.2 $ 6.0 $ 4.5  N/A $ 7.9 $ 2.0 $ 1.4
Capitalized Pension Expense$ 16.9 $ 3.8 $ 6.9 $ -            

  For the Year Ended December 31, 2009
  Pension and SERP PBOP
(Millions of Dollars)NU CL&P PSNH WMECO NU CL&P PSNH WMECO
Service Cost$ 45.8 $ 16.0 $ 8.9 $ 3.3 $ 7.2 $ 2.2 $ 1.5 $ 0.5
Interest Cost  155.7   54.5   24.4   11.1   29.1   11.5   5.4   2.5
Expected Return on Plan Assets  (189.4)   (89.0)   (15.0)   (20.0)   (20.9)   (8.3)   (4.1)   (2.0)
Actuarial Loss  21.0   8.9   3.2   1.8   10.5   4.0   1.7   0.4
Prior Service Cost/(Credit)  9.9   4.2   1.8   0.9   (0.3)   -   -   -
Net Transition Obligation Cost  0.3   -   0.3   -   11.6   6.1   2.5   1.3
Total Net Periodic Benefit                        
 Expense/(Income)$ 43.3 $ (5.4) $ 23.6 $ (2.9) $ 37.2 $ 15.5 $ 7.0 $ 2.7
Related Intercompany                       
 Allocations N/A $ 16.3 $ 3.6 $ 2.7  N/A $ 7.3 $ 1.7 $ 1.1
Capitalized Pension Expense$ 6.2 $ (2.6) $ 6.0 $ (1.2)            
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]
The accumulated benefit obligation for the Pension Plan as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:
        
  Pension and SERP Benefits 
(Millions of Dollars)2011 2010 
NU$ 2,810.6 $ 2,551.1 
CL&P  938.4   868.3 
PSNH  444.8   397.9 
WMECO  195.5   177.4 
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]
The following is a summary of the changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in Regulatory Assets and OCI as well as amounts in Regulatory Assets and OCI reclassified as net periodic benefit (expense)/income during the years presented:
                  
  Amount Reclassified To/From      
  Regulatory Assets  OCI      
                  
  For the Years Ended December 31,      
(Millions of Dollars) 2011  2010  2011  2010      
Pension and SERP                 
Actuarial Losses Reclassified as Net Periodic Benefit Expense$ (79.4) $ (51.0) $ (4.8) $ (2.7)      
Actuarial Losses Arising During the Year 334.8   45.3   23.0   3.7      
Prior Service Cost Reclassified as Net Periodic Benefit Expense (9.4)   (9.5)   (0.3)   (0.3)      
                 
PBOP                 
Actuarial Losses Reclassified as Net Periodic Benefit Expense$(18.1) $(15.9) $ (0.9) $ (0.8)      
Actuarial Losses Arising During the Year50.2  4.2   4.0   0.7      
Prior Service Credit Reclassified as Net Periodic Benefit Income0.3  0.3   -   -      
Transition Obligation Reclassified as Net Periodic Benefit Expense (11.3)  (11.3)  (0.2)  (0.2)      
                  
The following is a summary of the remaining Regulatory Assets and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss amounts that have not been recognized as components of net periodic benefit expense as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the amounts that are expected to be recognized as components in 2012:
                  
  Regulatory Assets as of     AOCI as of   
  December 31,   Expected  December 31,   Expected
        2012        2012
(Millions of Dollars) 2011  2010  Expense  2011  2010  Expense
Pension and SERP                 
Actuarial Loss$ 1,126.1 $ 871.2 $113.4 $ 70.2 $51.9 $ 7.0
Prior Service Cost  29.3   38.8  8.1   1.4  1.7   0.3
                  
PBOP                 
Actuarial Loss$ 196.3 $ 164.2 $20.6 $ 12.1 $9.0 $ 1.2
Prior Service Credit  (2.4)   (2.7)   (0.3)   -   -   -
Transition Obligation  11.4   22.7  11.3   0.2  0.5   0.2
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]
The following actuarial assumptions were used in calculating the plans' year end funded status:
             
  As of December 31,
  Pension and SERP Benefits PBOP Benefits
 2011 2010 2011 2010
Discount Rate 5.03%  5.57%  4.84%  5.28%
Compensation/Progression Rate 3.50%  3.50% N/A  N/A 
Health Care Cost Trend RateN/A  N/A   7.00%  7.00%

The following assumptions were used to calculate Pension and PBOP expense and income amounts:
                   
  For the Years Ended December 31,  
  Pension and SERP  PBOP 
 2011  2010  2009  2011  2010  2009 
Discount Rate 5.57%  5.98%  6.89%  5.28%  5.73%  6.90%
Expected Long-Term Rate of Return 8.25%  8.75%  8.75% N/A  N/A  N/A 
Compensation/Progression Rate 3.50%  4.00%  4.00% N/A  N/A  N/A 
Expected Long-Term Rate of Return -                  
 Health Assets, TaxableN/A  N/A  N/A   6.45%  6.85%  6.85%
 Life Assets and Non-Taxable Health AssetsN/A  N/A  N/A   8.25%  8.75%  8.75%

For 2011 through 2013, the health care cost trend assumption is 7 percent, subsequently decreasing 50 basis points per year to an ultimate rate of 5 percent in 2017.

 

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 for the year ended December 31, 2011 would have the following effects:
Schedule of Effect of One-Percentage-Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Table Text Block]
(Millions of Dollars)One Percentage One Percentage
NUPoint Increase Point Decrease
Effect on Postretirement Benefit Obligation$ 16.2 $ (13.5)
Effect on Total Service and Interest Cost Components  1.2   (1.0)
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]
Estimated Future Benefit Payments: The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, are expected to be
paid/(received) by the Pension, SERP and PBOP Plans:
          
 Pension       
NUand SERP PBOP Government 
(Millions of Dollars)Benefits Benefits Subsidy 
2012$ 145.4 $ 41.4 $ (4.7) 
2013  152.8   42.0   (5.0) 
2014  159.5   42.4   (5.4) 
2015  166.3   42.7   (5.7) 
2016  173.7   42.9   (6.0) 
2017-2021  983.9   215.7   (34.9) 
Schedule of Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]
  Pension and SERP Benefits
  As of December 31, 2011 As of December 31, 2010
(Millions of Dollars)NU CL&P PSNH WMECO NU CL&P PSNH WMECO
Change in Benefit Obligation                       
Benefit Obligation as of Beginning of Year$ (2,820.9) $ (964.3) $ (448.7) $ (196.6) $ (2,610.3) $ (899.2) $ (412.1) $ (184.3)
Service Cost  (55.4)   (19.5)   (10.6)   (3.9)   (51.0)   (17.6)   (10.0)   (3.5)
Interest Cost  (153.3)   (51.9)   (24.4)   (10.7)   (152.6)   (52.2)   (24.1)   (10.7)
Actuarial Loss  (206.1)   (64.0)   (33.2)   (15.4)   (140.6)   (49.7)   (20.7)   (8.4)
Benefits Paid - Excluding Lump Sum Payments  134.4   55.6   18.9   10.8   130.2   54.1   18.1   10.3
Benefits Paid - SERP  2.4   0.3   0.1   -   2.5   0.3   0.1   -
Benefits Paid - Lump Sum Payments  -   -   -   -   0.9   -   -   -
Benefit Obligation as of End of Year$ (3,098.9) $ (1,043.8) $ (497.9) $ (215.8) $ (2,820.9) $ (964.3) $ (448.7) $ (196.6)
Change in Pension Plan Assets                       
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of Beginning of Year$ 1,977.6 $ 918.4 $ 185.4 $ 209.8 $ 1,789.6 $ 844.5 $ 137.1 $ 190.8
Actual Return on Plan Assets  19.1   6.8   0.6   3.0   274.1   128.0   21.4   29.3
Employer Contribution  143.6   -   112.6   -   45.0   -   45.0   -
Benefits Paid - Excluding Lump Sum Payments  (134.4)   (55.6)   (18.9)   (10.8)   (130.2)   (54.1)   (18.1)   (10.3)
Benefits Paid - Lump Sum Payments  -   -   -   -   (0.9)   -   -   -
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of End of Year$ 2,005.9 $ 869.6 $ 279.7 $ 202.0 $ 1,977.6 $ 918.4 $ 185.4 $ 209.8
Funded Status as of December 31st$ (1,093.0) $ (174.2) $ (218.2) $ (13.8) $ (843.3) $ (45.9) $ (263.3) $ 13.2
                         
  PBOP Benefits
  As of December 31, 2011 As of December 31, 2010
(Millions of Dollars)NU CL&P PSNH WMECO NU CL&P PSNH WMECO
Change in Benefit Obligation                       
Benefit Obligation as of Beginning of Year$ (489.9) $ (190.2) $ (89.9) $ (41.7) $ (475.7) $ (188.1) $ (87.5) $ (41.0)
Service Cost  (9.2)   (2.9)   (1.9)   (0.6)   (8.5)   (2.7)   (1.8)   (0.6)
Interest Cost  (25.7)   (10.0)   (4.8)   (2.2)   (26.8)   (10.5)   (5.0)   (2.3)
Actuarial Loss  (30.1)   (8.5)   (8.4)   (1.0)   (17.5)   (4.3)   (1.5)   (1.0)
Federal Subsidy on Benefits Paid  (4.1)   (1.8)   (0.7)   (0.4)   (3.7)   (1.6)   (0.6)   (0.3)
Benefits Paid  38.1   14.5   6.5   3.0   42.3   17.0   6.5   3.5
Benefit Obligation as of End of Year$ (520.9) $ (198.9) $ (99.2) $ (42.9) $ (489.9) $ (190.2) $ (89.9) $ (41.7)
Change in Plan Assets                       
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of Beginning of Year$ 278.5 $ 108.6 $ 56.9 $ 26.7 $ 240.3 $ 93.2 $ 47.7 $ 23.6
Actual Return on Plan Assets  (2.5)   (1.2)   (0.4)   (0.1)   34.9   13.8   7.0   3.4
Employer Contribution  47.5   19.3   8.7   3.5   45.6   18.6   8.7   3.2
Benefits Paid  (38.1)   (14.5)   (6.5)   (3.0)   (42.3)   (17.0)   (6.5)   (3.5)
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of End of Year$ 285.4 $ 112.2 $ 58.7 $ 27.1 $ 278.5 $ 108.6 $ 56.9 $ 26.7
Funded Status as of December 31st$ (235.5) $ (86.7) $ (40.5) $ (15.8) $ (211.4) $ (81.6) $ (33.0) $ (15.0)
                         
                         
Pension and SERP benefits funded status includes the current portion of the SERP liability, which is included in Other Current Liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Schedule of Effect of Significant Unobservable Inputs, Changes in Plan Assets [Table Text Block]
  Pension Plan
  United     Real Estate    
  States Private Fixed and Other Hedge  
(Millions of Dollars)Equity Equity Income Assets Funds Total
Balance as of January 1, 2010$ 252.1 $ 193.8 $ 174.0 $ 38.5 $ 231.2 $ 889.6
Actual Return on Plan Assets:                 
 Relating to Assets Still Held as of Year End  13.9   10.9   21.0   0.5   15.9   62.2
 Relating to Assets Distributed During the Year  -   -   -   0.5   -   0.5
Purchases, Sales and Settlements  -   24.8   52.6   4.2   -   81.6
Balance as of December 31, 2010$ 266.0 $ 229.5 $ 247.6 $ 43.7 $ 247.1 $ 1,033.9
Actual Return on Plan Assets:                 
 Relating to Assets Still Held as of Year End  (6.6)   20.0   (1.5)   1.6   (7.1)   6.4
 Relating to Assets Distributed During the Year  -   19.5   (2.8)   0.3   -   17.0
Purchases, Sales and Settlements  -   (13.9)   32.9   26.2   -   45.2
Balance as of December 31, 2011$ 259.4 $ 255.1 $ 276.2 $ 71.8 $ 240.0 $ 1,102.5
                   
                   
                   
                   
  PBOP Plan
  United       Real Estate      
  States Private Fixed and Other  Hedge   
(Millions of Dollars)Equity Equity Income Assets  Funds  Total
Balance as of January 1, 2010$ - $ - $ 24.6 $ - $ - $ 24.6
Actual Return/(Loss) on Plan Assets:                 
 Relating to Assets Still Held as of Year End  0.5   -   3.2   -  0.4   4.1
Purchases, Sales and Settlements  9.6   0.3   (4.4)   -  16.0   21.5
Balance as of December 31, 2010$ 10.1 $ 0.3 $ 23.4 $ - $ 16.4 $ 50.2
Actual Return/(Loss) on Plan Assets:                 
 Relating to Assets Still Held as of Year End  0.6   0.6   0.2   (0.1)   (0.3)   1.0
Purchases, Sales and Settlements  -   4.2   2.4   2.6      9.2
Balance as of December 31, 2011$ 10.7 $ 5.1 $ 26.0 $ 2.5 $ 16.1 $ 60.4
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]
  As of December 31,
      Pension and PBOP PBOP
  Pension and PBOP Life and Non-Taxable Health Taxable Health
  2011 2010 2010
  Target Assumed Target Assumed Target Assumed
  Asset Rate Asset Rate Asset Rate
  Allocation of Return Allocation of Return Allocation of Return
Equity Securities:           
 United States24% 9% 24% 9% 55% 9%
 International13% 9% 13% 9% 15% 9%
 Emerging Markets3% 10% 3% 10% - -
 Private Equity12% 13% 12% 13% - -
Debt Securities:           
 Fixed Income20% 5% 20% 5% 30% 5%
 High Yield Fixed Income3.5% 7.5% 3.5% 7.5% - -
 Emerging Markets Debt3.5% 7.5% 3.5% 7.5% - -
Real Estate and Other Assets8% 7.5% 8% 7.5% - -
Hedge Funds13% 7% 13% 7% - -

  Pension Plan
  Fair Value Measurements as of December 31,
(Millions of Dollars)2011 2010
Asset Category:Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Equity Securities:                       
 United States (1)$ 218.7 $ 14.8 $ 259.4 $ 492.9 $ 256.3 $ 46.9 $ 266.0 $ 569.2
 International (1)  20.0   221.9   -   241.9   6.4   250.9   -   257.3
 Emerging Markets (1)  -   66.6   -   66.6   -   81.1   -   81.1
 Private Equity   11.3   -   255.1   266.4   6.9   -   229.5   236.4
Fixed Income(2)  17.8   268.7   276.2   562.7   7.6   261.6   247.6   516.8
Real Estate and           -            
 Other Assets  24.8   57.8   71.8   154.4   -   26.0   43.7   69.7
Hedge Funds  -   -   240.0   240.0   -   -   247.1   247.1
Total Master Trust Assets$ 292.6 $ 629.8 $ 1,102.5 $ 2,024.9 $ 277.2 $ 666.5 $ 1,033.9 $ 1,977.6
 Less: 401(h) PBOP Assets           (19.0)            -
Total Pension Assets         $ 2,005.9          $ 1,977.6
                         
  PBOP Plan
  Fair Value Measurements as of December 31,
(Millions of Dollars)2011 2010
Asset Category:Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Cash and Cash                       
 Equivalents$ 5.9 $ - $ - $ 5.9 $ 4.4 $ - $ - $ 4.4
Equity Securities:                       
 United States  116.9   -   10.7   127.6   132.1   -   10.1   142.2
 International  29.6   -   -   29.6   34.8   -   -   34.8
 Emerging Markets  4.6   -   -   4.6   7.7   -   -   7.7
Debt Securities:                       
 Fixed Income (2)  -   34.9   26.0   60.9   -   35.3   23.4   58.7
 High Yield Fixed                       
  Income  -   4.5   -   4.5   -  4.4   -   4.4
Emerging Market Debt  -   4.9   -   4.9   -   4.8   -   4.8
Hedge Funds  -      16.1   16.1   -   -   16.4   16.4
Private Equity  -   -   5.1   5.1   -   -   0.3   0.3
Real Estate and Other                        
 Assets  -   4.7   2.5   7.2   -   4.8   -   4.8
Total$ 157.0 $ 49.0 $ 60.4 $ 266.4 $ 179.0 $ 49.3 $ 50.2 $ 278.5
 Add: 401(h) PBOP Assets           19.0            -
Total PBOP Assets         $ 285.4          $ 278.5

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