DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Schedule of Restrictions on Retained Earnings [Line Items]
Consolidated total debt to total capital ratio (as a percentage)	0.65
Retained earnings subject to restrictions	$ 4,200.0
CL&P
Schedule of Restrictions on Retained Earnings [Line Items]
Retained earnings subject to restrictions	1,800.0
NSTAR Electric
Schedule of Restrictions on Retained Earnings [Line Items]
Retained earnings subject to restrictions	2,300.0
PSNH
Schedule of Restrictions on Retained Earnings [Line Items]
Retained earnings subject to restrictions	$ 490.3

A segregation of retained earnings which is available for dividend distribution. Earnings not paid out as dividends but instead reinvested in the core business or used to pay off debt. Unappropriated profit is part of shareholder equity. Also called cumulative distributions or earned surplus or accumulated earnings or unappropriated profit.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(23)(a)(4)(ii))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119400593&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(30)(a)(3)(ii))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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