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Pension Benefits and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Schedule Of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]
 Pension and SERP
  For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
        NSTAR      
(Millions of Dollars)NU  CL&P Electric PSNH WMECO
Service Cost$ 79.9 $ 20.2 $ 13.6 $ 9.7 $ 3.5
Interest Cost  225.7   50.5   41.3   23.8   10.3
Expected Return on Plan Assets  (310.8)   (75.4)   (63.0)   (38.1)   (17.9)
Actuarial Loss  128.4   33.7   23.5   11.6   6.9
Prior Service Cost  4.4   1.8   -   0.7   0.4
Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense$ 127.6 $ 30.8 $ 15.4 $ 7.7 $ 3.2
Intercompany Allocations N/A $ 26.7 $ 10.4 $ 7.6 $ 5.1
Capitalized Pension Expense$ 35.2 $ 17.6 $ 7.9 $ 3.0 $ 2.4
                
 Pension and SERP
  For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
        NSTAR      
(Millions of Dollars)NU CL&P Electric (1) PSNH WMECO
Service Cost$ 102.3 $ 24.9 $ 33.1 $ 13.1 $ 4.7
Interest Cost  206.7   48.3   58.0   23.6   10.0
Expected Return on Plan Assets  (278.1)   (73.8)   (84.4)   (35.4)   (17.4)
Actuarial Loss  210.5   55.9   58.1   21.6   11.8
Prior Service Cost/(Credit)  4.0   1.8   (0.3)   0.7   0.4
Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense$ 245.4 $ 57.1 $ 64.5 $ 23.6 $ 9.5
Intercompany Allocations N/A $ 44.9 $ (8.4) $ 10.5 $ 8.0
Capitalized Pension Expense$ 73.2 $ 28.0 $ 28.9 $ 7.3 $ 5.2
                
  Pension and SERP
  For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
        NSTAR      
(Millions of Dollars)NU (2) CL&P Electric (1) PSNH WMECO
Service Cost$ 84.3 $ 21.8 $ 30.3 $ 11.8 $ 4.1
Interest Cost  198.3   51.2   58.9   24.4   10.5
Expected Return on Plan Assets  (220.9)   (70.6)   (65.6)   (28.2)   (16.4)
Actuarial Loss  172.4   49.6   63.1   16.2   10.7
Prior Service Cost/(Credit)  7.9   3.6   (0.6)   1.5   0.8
Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense$ 242.0 $ 55.6 $ 86.1 $ 25.7 $ 9.7
Curtailments and Settlements$ 2.2 $ - $ - $ - $ -
Intercompany Allocations N/A $ 42.8 $ (12.3) $ 10.1 $ 8.1
Capitalized Pension Expense$70.6 $26.8 $30.7 $7.9 $5.1

  PBOP
  For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
        NSTAR      
(Millions of Dollars)NU CL&P Electric PSNH WMECO
Service Cost$ 12.5 $ 2.2 $ 3.1 $ 1.3 $ 0.4
Interest Cost  49.5   8.1   19.4   4.3   1.7
Expected Return on Plan Assets  (63.3)   (10.5)   (25.9)   (5.4)   (2.3)
Actuarial Loss/(Gain)  12.2   4.2   (0.5)   2.2   0.5
Prior Service Credit  (2.8)   -   (1.9)   -   -
Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense/(Income)$ 8.1 $ 4.0 $ (5.8) $ 2.4 $ 0.3
Intercompany Allocations  N/A $ 3.8 $ 0.8 $ 1.0 $ 0.7
Capitalized PBOP Expense/(Income)$ 1.4 $ 1.8 $ (2.3) $ 0.8 $ 0.2
                
 PBOP   
  For the Year Ended December 31, 2013   
(Millions of Dollars)NU CL&P PSNH WMECO   
Service Cost$ 16.9 $ 3.4 $ 2.3 $ 0.7   
Interest Cost  47.2   7.9   4.0   1.7   
Expected Return on Plan Assets  (55.4)   (10.1)   (5.2)   (2.3)   
Actuarial Loss  26.0   7.4   3.6   1.1   
Prior Service Credit  (2.1)   -   -   -   
Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense$ 32.6 $ 8.6 $ 4.7 $ 1.2   
Intercompany Allocations  N/A $ 7.1 $ 1.6 $ 1.3   
Capitalized PBOP Expense$ 8.8 $ 3.9 $ 1.3 $ 0.6   
                
 PBOP   
  For the Year Ended December 31, 2012   
(Millions of Dollars)NU (1) CL&P PSNH WMECO   
Service Cost$ 15.7 $ 3.0 $ 2.0 $ 0.6   
Interest Cost  49.0   9.2   4.6   2.0   
Expected Return on Plan Assets  (39.2)   (9.1)   (4.6)   (2.1)   
Actuarial Loss  36.0   7.5   3.6   1.2   
Prior Service Credit  (1.4)   -   -   -   
Net Transition Obligation Cost  12.2   6.1   2.5   1.3   
Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense$ 72.3 $ 16.7 $ 8.1 $ 3.0   
Intercompany Allocations  N/A $ 7.9 $ 2.0 $ 1.5   
Capitalized PBOP Expense$ 26.6 $ 8.2 $ 2.3 $ 1.6   
                
(1) NSTAR amounts were included in NU beginning April 10, 2012.  
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]
The accumulated benefit obligation for the Pension and SERP Plans is as follows:
                 
(Millions of Dollars)NU CL&P NSTAR Electric (1) PSNH WMECO 
2014$ 5,000.1 $ 1,101.4 $ 910.4 $ 524.5 $ 226.4 
2013  4,538.8   1,058.0   1,280.6   520.1   220.6 
                 
(1)NSTAR Electric amounts do not include the accumulated benefit obligation for the SERP Plan as of December 31, 2013.
                 
The following actuarial assumptions were used in calculating the Pension and SERP Plans' year end funded status:
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 Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) as well as amounts in Regulatory Assets and OCI reclassified as net periodic benefit expense during the years presented:
                   
 Amounts Reclassified To/From      
 Regulatory Assets OCI      
  For the Years Ended December 31,      
(Millions of Dollars)2014 2013 2014 2013      
Actuarial (Gains)/Losses Arising During the Year$ 797.3 $ (635.2) $ 55.9 $ (28.9)      
Actuarial Losses Reclassified as Net Periodic Benefit Expense  (122.8)   (201.2)   (5.6)   (9.4)      
Prior Service Cost Reclassified as Net Periodic Benefit Expense (4.2)   (3.8)   (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, 2014 and 2013, and the amounts that are expected to be recognized as components in 2015:
                   
  Regulatory Assets as of  Expected  AOCI as of Expected
  December 31,   2015 December 31,  2015
(Millions of Dollars)2014 2013 Expense 2014 2013 Expense
Actuarial Loss$ 1,811.9 $ 1,137.4 $ 149.1 $ 93.5 $ 43.2 $ 6.4
Prior Service Cost  13.2   17.4   3.5   0.8   1.0   0.2

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:
                  
  Amounts Reclassified To/From      
 Regulatory Assets OCI      
 For the Years Ended December 31,      
(Millions of Dollars)2014 2013 2014 2013      
Actuarial Losses/(Gains) Arising During the Year$ 115.1 $(262.0) $ 0.4 $ (1.9)      
Actuarial Losses Reclassified as Net Periodic Benefit Expense  (11.6)   (24.9)   (0.6)   (1.1)      
Prior Service Credit Reclassified as Net Periodic Benefit Income  2.8   2.1   -   -      
                  
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, 2014 and 2013, and the amounts that are expected to be recognized as components in 2015:
                  
  Regulatory Assets as of Expected  AOCI as of Expected
 December 31,  2015  December 31,  2015
(Millions of Dollars)2014 2013 Expense 2014 2013 Expense
Actuarial Loss$ 192.7 $ 89.2 $6.9 $ 6.0 $ 6.2 $ 0.3
Prior Service Credit  (1.8)   (4.6)   (0.5)   -   -   -
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]
  Pension and SERP    
  As of December 31,     
 2014  2013    
Discount Rate 4.20%  4.85%- 5.03%    
Compensation/Progression Rate 3.50%  3.50%- 4.00%    

The following actuarial assumptions were used to calculate Pension and SERP expense amounts: 
                   
  Pension and SERP
  For the Years Ended December 31,
 2014 2013  2012
Discount Rate 4.85%- 5.03%  4.13%- 4.24%  4.52%- 5.03%
Expected Long-Term Rate of Return8.25 % 8.25 %  7.30%- 8.25%
Compensation/Progression Rate 3.50%- 4.00%  3.50%- 4.00%  3.50%- 4.00%

The following actuarial assumptions were used in calculating the PBOP Plans' year end funded status:
           
  PBOP 
  As of December 31,  
 2014 2013 
Discount Rate 4.22%  4.78%- 5.10% 
Health Care Cost Trend Rate 6.50% 7.00 % 

The following actuarial assumptions were used to calculate PBOP expense amounts: 
                   
  PBOP
  For the Years Ended December 31,
 2014  2013  2012
Discount Rate 4.78%- 5.10%  4.04%- 4.35%  4.58%- 4.84%
Expected Long-Term Rate of Return8.25 % 8.25 %  7.30%- 8.25%
Schedule of Effect of One-Percentage-Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Table Text Block]
 One Percentage One Percentage
(Millions of Dollars)Point Increase Point Decrease
Effect on PBOP Obligation$ 111.2 $ (88.4)
Effect on Total Service and Interest Cost Components  5.3   (4.4)
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 by the Pension, SERP and PBOP Plans:
                   
(Millions of Dollars)2015 2016  20172018 2019 2020-2024 
Pension and SERP$ 244.5 $ 253.6 $ 268.9 $ 273.4 $ 285.4 $ 1,591.1 
PBOP  58.7   59.7   60.6   61.3   62.0   318.8 
Schedule of Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]
  Pension and SERP
NUAs of December 31,
(Millions of Dollars)2014 2013
Change in Benefit Obligation     
Benefit Obligation as of Beginning of Year$ (4,676.5) $ (5,022.8)
Service Cost  (79.9)   (102.3)
Interest Cost  (225.7)   (206.7)
Actuarial Gain/(Loss)  (739.6)   433.6
Benefits Paid - Pension  230.3   216.6
Benefits Paid - SERP  5.2   5.1
Benefit Obligation as of End of Year$ (5,486.2) $ (4,676.5)
Change in Pension Plan Assets     
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of Beginning of Year$ 3,985.9 $ 3,411.3
Employer Contributions  171.6   284.7
Actual Return on Plan Assets  199.3   506.5
Benefits Paid   (230.3)   (216.6)
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of End of Year$ 4,126.5 $ 3,985.9
Funded Status as of December 31st$ (1,359.7) $ (690.6)

  Pension and SERP
  As of December 31, 2014 As of December 31, 2013
     NSTAR          NSTAR      
(Millions of Dollars)CL&P Electric  PSNH WMECO CL&P Electric (1) PSNH WMECO
Change in Benefit Obligation                       
Benefit Obligation as of Beginning of Year$ (1,083.4) $ (1,353.3) $ (529.0) $ (223.9) $ (1,178.0) $ (1,430.0) $ (576.0) $ (243.1)
Decrease due to transfer of employees  26.4   479.9   32.2   6.2   -   -   -   -
Service Cost  (20.2)   (13.6)   (9.7)   (3.5)   (24.9)   (33.1)   (13.1)   (4.7)
Interest Cost  (50.5)   (41.3)   (23.8)   (10.3)   (48.3)   (58.0)   (23.6)   (10.0)
Actuarial Gain/(Loss)  (161.0)   (107.0)   (73.3)   (29.8)   110.7   96.6   62.4   22.4
Benefits Paid - Pension  58.3   52.4   22.8   11.9   56.6   71.2   21.1   11.5
Benefits Paid - SERP  0.3   0.3   0.1   -   0.5   -   0.2   -
Benefit Obligation as of End of Year$ (1,230.1) $ (982.6) $ (580.7) $ (249.4) $ (1,083.4) $ (1,353.3) $ (529.0) $ (223.9)
Change in Pension Plan Assets                       
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of Beginning of Year$ 1,016.3 $ 1,235.3 $ 528.6 $ 240.4 $ 937.6 $ 1,069.1 $ 386.6 $ 218.5
Decrease due to transfer of employees  (26.4)   (441.4)   (32.2)   (6.2)   -   -   -   -
Employer Contributions  -   101.0   -   -   -   82.0   108.3   -
Actual Return on Plan Assets  49.2   36.5   24.8   11.7   135.3   155.4   54.8   33.4
Benefits Paid   (58.3)   (52.4)   (22.8)   (11.9)   (56.6)   (71.2)   (21.1)   (11.5)
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of End of Year$ 980.8 $ 879.0 $ 498.4 $ 234.0 $ 1,016.3 $ 1,235.3 $ 528.6 $ 240.4
Funded Status as of December 31st$ (249.3) $ (103.6) $ (82.3) $ (15.4) $ (67.1) $ (118.0) $ (0.4) $ 16.5

  PBOP
NUAs of December 31,
(Millions of Dollars)2014 2013
Change in Benefit Obligation     
Benefit Obligation as of Beginning of Year$ (1,038.0) $ (1,233.3)
Service Cost  (12.5)   (16.9)
Interest Cost  (49.5)   (47.2)
Actuarial Gain/(Loss)  (95.5)   200.9
Benefits Paid  47.6   58.5
Benefit Obligation as of End of Year$ (1,147.9) $ (1,038.0)
Change in PBOP Plan Assets     
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of Beginning of Year$ 826.5 $ 709.1
Actual Return on Plan Assets  43.7   118.3
Employer Contributions  40.0   57.6
Benefits Paid   (47.6)   (58.5)
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of End of Year$ 862.6 $ 826.5
Funded Status as of December 31st$ (285.3) $ (211.5)

  PBOP
  As of December 31,
  2014 2013
     NSTAR                 
(Millions of Dollars)CL&P Electric PSNH WMECO  CL&P PSNH WMECO
Change in Benefit Obligation                     
Benefit Obligation as of Beginning of Year$ (180.4) $ - $ (93.5) $ (38.7)  $ (196.8) $ (100.2) $ (42.5)
Decrease/(Increase) due to transfer of employees  3.7   (395.5)   4.3   1.0    -   -   -
Service Cost  (2.2)   (3.1)   (1.3)   (0.4)    (3.4)   (2.3)   (0.7)
Interest Cost  (8.1)   (19.4)   (4.3)   (1.7)    (7.9)   (4.0)   (1.7)
Actuarial Gain/(Loss)  3.5   (68.6)   (1.1)   1.3    13.3   7.2   3.3
Benefits Paid  9.6   17.9   4.1   1.9    14.4   5.8   2.9
Benefit Obligation as of End of Year$ (173.9) $ (468.7) $ (91.8) $ (36.6)  $ (180.4) $ (93.5) $ (38.7)
Change in PBOP Plan Assets                     
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of Beginning of Year$ 151.3 $ - $ 81.8 $ 35.3  $ 132.2 $ 69.5 $ 31.0
(Decrease)/Increase due to transfer of employees  (3.2)   316.7   (3.1)   (1.0)    -   -   -
Actual Return on Plan Assets  6.3   18.4   3.8   1.6    24.8   13.4   6.0
Employer Contributions  4.2   19.3   2.5   0.4    8.7   4.7   1.2
Benefits Paid  (9.6)   (17.9)   (4.1)   (1.9)    (14.4)   (5.8)   (2.9)
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of End of Year$ 149.0 $ 336.5 $ 80.9 $ 34.4  $ 151.3 $ 81.8 $ 35.3
Funded Status as of December 31st$ (24.9) $ (132.2) $ (10.9) $ (2.2)  $ (29.1) $ (11.7) $ (3.4)
Schedule of Effect of Significant Unobservable Inputs, Changes in Plan Assets [Table Text Block]
  NU Pension Plans
  Equity Private Fixed Real Estate and Hedge  
(Millions of Dollars)Securities Equity Income Other Assets Funds Total
Balance as of January 1, 2013$ 322.7 $ 267.9 $ 315.1 $ 235.4 $ 418.9 $ 1,560.0
Transfer Between Categories  -   -   32.5   -   (32.5)   -
Actual Return/(Loss) on Plan Assets:                 
 Relating to Assets Still Held as of Year End  20.6   15.4   55.3   12.9   33.4   137.6
 Relating to Assets Distributed During the Year  12.2   13.7   (1.0)   6.2   -   31.1
Purchases, Sales and Settlements  (100.0)   3.3   187.6   34.0   (2.9)   122.0
Balance as of December 31, 2013$ 255.5 $ 300.3 $ 589.5 $ 288.5 $ 416.9 $ 1,850.7
Actual Return/(Loss) on Plan Assets:                 
 Relating to Assets Still Held as of Year End  (2.3)   14.0   45.2   (3.6)   23.5   76.8
 Relating to Assets Distributed During the Year  -   13.9   (6.2)   28.3   (15.2)   20.8
Purchases, Sales and Settlements  39.0   39.7   93.5   (47.4)   49.8   174.6
Balance as of December 31, 2014$ 292.2 $ 367.9 $ 722.0 $ 265.8 $ 475.0 $ 2,122.9
                   
  NU PBOP Plans
  Equity Private Fixed Real Estate and Hedge  
(Millions of Dollars)Securities Equity Income Other Assets Funds Total
Balance as of January 1, 2013$ 36.3 $ 11.3 $ 32.1 $ 26.7 $ 39.6 $ 146.0
Actual Return/(Loss) on Plan Assets:                 
 Relating to Assets Still Held as of Year End  20.8   1.5   4.1   3.9   5.4   35.7
 Relating to Assets Distributed During the Year  -   0.2   -   (0.1)   -   0.1
Purchases, Sales and Settlements  12.0   4.9   15.3   3.4   12.0   47.6
Balance as of December 31, 2013$ 69.1 $ 17.9 $ 51.5 $ 33.9 $ 57.0 $ 229.4
Actual Return/(Loss) on Plan Assets:                 
 Relating to Assets Still Held as of Year End  6.0   1.3   1.9   (2.8)   1.4   7.8
 Relating to Assets Distributed During the Year  -   0.1   -   (2.2)   -   (2.1)
Purchases, Sales and Settlements  -   5.6   24.9   (13.9)   -   16.6
Balance as of December 31, 2014$ 75.1 $ 24.9 $ 78.3 $ 15.0 $ 58.4 $ 251.7
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]
  As of December 31, 2014 and 2013
   Pension and Tax-Exempt PBOP Plans
  Target Asset Allocation Assumed Rate of Return
Equity Securities:   
 United States24% 9%
 International10% 9%
 Emerging Markets6% 10%
 Private Equity10% 13%
Debt Securities:   
 Fixed Income15% 5%
 High Yield Fixed Income9% 7.5%
 Emerging Markets Debt6% 7.5%
Real Estate and Other Assets9% 7.5%
Hedge Funds11% 7%

  NU Pension Plans
  Fair Value Measurements as of December 31,
(Millions of Dollars)2014 2013
Asset Category:Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Equity Securities (1)$ 414.7 $ 1,035.0 $ 292.2 $ 1,741.9 $326.8 $ 1,172.1 $255.5 $ 1,754.4
Private Equity   18.8   -   367.9   386.7   96.4   -   300.3   396.7
Fixed Income (2)  10.2   561.4   722.0   1,293.6   11.6   605.1   589.5   1,206.2
Real Estate and Other Assets  -   132.0   265.8   397.8   -   88.2   288.5   376.7
Hedge Funds  -   20.0   475.0   495.0   -   -   416.9   416.9
Total Master Trust Assets$ 443.7 $ 1,748.4 $ 2,122.9 $ 4,315.0 $ 434.8 $ 1,865.4 $ 1,850.7 $ 4,150.9
 Less: 401(h) PBOP Assets (3)           (188.5)            (165.0)
Total Pension Assets         $ 4,126.5          $ 3,985.9
                         
  NU PBOP Plans
  Fair Value Measurements as of December 31,
(Millions of Dollars)2014 2013
Asset Category:Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Cash and Cash Equivalents$ - $ - $ - $ - $ 11.1 $ - $ - $ 11.1
Equity Securities (1)  104.1   172.8   75.1   352.0   110.3   176.8   69.1   356.2
Private Equity  -   -   24.9   24.9   -   -   17.9   17.9
Fixed Income (2)  16.1   110.0   78.3   204.4   -   119.7   51.5   171.2
Real Estate and Other Assets     19.4   15.0   34.4   -   14.2   33.9   48.1
Hedge Funds     -   58.4   58.4   -   -   57.0   57.0
Total$ 120.2 $ 302.2 $ 251.7 $ 674.1 $ 121.4 $ 310.7 $ 229.4 $ 661.5
 Add: 401(h) PBOP Assets (3)           188.5            165.0
Total PBOP Assets         $ 862.6          $ 826.5