|
|
 | | | |
- close
- close
- close
- close
NSTAR 10-Q 2010 Table of Contents
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010 Or
For the transition period from to Commission File Number: 001-14768
NSTAR (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(617) 424-2000 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x Yes ¨ No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). ¨ Yes ¨ No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ¨ Yes x No The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s class of common stock was 106,808,376 Common Shares, par value $1 per share, as of April 30, 2010.
Table of ContentsForm 10-Q Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2010 Table of Contents
Important Shareholder Information NSTAR files its Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. You may access materials free of charge. NSTAR has filed with the SEC on NSTAR’s website at: www.nstar.com: Select “Investor Relations” and “Financial Information” or on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of NSTAR’s SEC filings may also be obtained free of charge by writing to NSTAR’s Investor Relations Department at the address on the cover of this Form 10-Q or by calling 781-441-8338. In addition, NSTAR’s Board of Trustees has several committees, including an Audit, Finance and Risk Management Committee, an Executive Personnel Committee and a Board Governance and Nominating Committee. The Board of Trustees also has a standing Executive Committee. The Board of Trustees has adopted the NSTAR Board of Trustees Guidelines on Significant Corporate Governance Issues, a Code of Ethics for the Principal Executive Officer, General Counsel, and Senior Financial Officers pursuant to Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct for Trustees, Officers and Employees (“Code of Conduct”). NSTAR intends to disclose any amendment to, and any waiver from, a provision of the Code of Ethics that applies to the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer or any other executive officer and that relates to any element of the Code of Ethics definition enumerated in Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K, in a press release, on our website or on Form 8-K, within four business days following the date of such amendment or waiver. NSTAR’s Corporate Governance documents, including charters, guidelines and codes, and any amendments to such charters, guidelines and codes that are applicable to NSTAR’s executive officers, senior financial officers or trustees can be accessed free of charge on NSTAR’s website at: www.nstar.com: Select “Investor Relations” and “Company Information.” The certifications of NSTAR’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as Exhibits 31.1, 31.2, 32.1, and 32.2.
1
Table of ContentsGlossary of Terms The following is a glossary of abbreviated names or acronyms frequently used throughout this report. NSTAR Companies
Regulatory and Other Authorities
Other
2
Table of ContentsCautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements that are considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements may also be contained in other filings with the SEC, in press releases, and oral statements. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. These statements are based on the current expectations, estimates or projections of management and are not guarantees of future performance. Some or all of these forward-looking statements may not turn out to be what NSTAR expected. Actual results could differ materially from these statements. Therefore, no assurance can be given that the outcomes stated in such forward-looking statements and estimates will be achieved. Examples of some important factors that could cause our actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this filing and NSTAR undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult all further disclosures NSTAR makes in its filings to the SEC. Other factors in addition to those listed here could also adversely affect NSTAR. This Quarterly Report also describes material contingencies and critical accounting policies and estimates in the accompanying Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and in the accompanying Part 1, Item1, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and NSTAR encourages a review of these items.
3
Table of ContentsPart I. Financial Information
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (in thousands, except per share amounts)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
4
Table of ContentsConsolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (in thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. Consolidated Statements of Retained Earnings (Unaudited) (in thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
5
Table of ContentsConsolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (in thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
6
Table of ContentsNSTAR Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (in thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
7
Table of ContentsConsolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (in thousands)
8
Table of ContentsNSTAR Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (in thousands) (continued)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
9
Table of ContentsNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) The accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in NSTAR’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Note A. Business Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 1. About NSTAR NSTAR (or the Company) is a holding company engaged through its subsidiaries in the energy delivery business serving approximately 1.4 million customers in Massachusetts, including approximately 1.1 million electric distribution customers in 81 communities and approximately 300,000 natural gas distribution customers in 51 communities. NSTAR’s retail electric and natural gas transmission and distribution utility subsidiaries are NSTAR Electric and NSTAR Gas, respectively. Reference in this report to “NSTAR” shall mean the registrant NSTAR or NSTAR and its subsidiaries as the context requires. NSTAR also has ownership and is engaged in unregulated business operations. 2. Basis of Consolidation and Accounting The accompanying consolidated financial information presented as of March 31, 2010 and for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, has been prepared from NSTAR’s books and records without audit by an independent registered public accounting firm. However, NSTAR’s independent registered public accounting firm has performed a review of these interim financial statements in accordance with standards established by the PCAOB. The review report is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 10-Q. Financial information as of December 31, 2009 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of NSTAR, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. In the opinion of NSTAR’s management, all adjustments (which are of a normal recurring nature) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information for the periods indicated, have been included. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain immaterial reclassifications have been made to the accompanying prior period Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow amounts to conform to the current period’s presentation. NSTAR’s utility subsidiaries follow accounting policies prescribed by the FERC and the DPU. In addition, NSTAR and its subsidiaries are subject to the accounting and reporting requirements of the SEC. NSTAR’s utility subsidiaries are subject to the application of ASC 980, Regulated Operations that considers the effects of regulation resulting from differences in the timing of their recognition of certain revenues and expenses from those of other businesses and industries. The distribution and transmission businesses are subject to rate-regulation that is based on cost recovery and meets the criteria for application of ASC 980. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management of NSTAR and its subsidiaries to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The results of operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 are not indicative of the results that may be expected for an entire year. The demand for electricity and natural gas is affected by weather conditions, economic conditions, and consumer conservation behavior. Electric energy sales and revenues are typically higher in the winter and summer months than in the spring and fall months. Natural gas energy sales and revenues are typically higher in the winter months than during other periods of the year.
10
Table of ContentsNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued) (Unaudited)
3. Pension and Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions (PBOP) Plans NSTAR’s net periodic Pension Plan and PBOP Plan benefit costs for the first quarter are based on the latest available participant census data. An annual actuarial valuation will be completed during the second quarter, and cost estimates will be adjusted based on the actual actuarial study results. NSTAR’s Pension Plan and PBOP Plan assets, which partially consist of equity investments, are affected by the overall global equity markets. Fluctuations in the fair value of the Pension Plan and PBOP Plan assets impact the funded status, accounting costs, and cash funding requirements of these Plans. The earnings impact of increased Pension and PBOP costs is substantially mitigated by NSTAR’s DPU-approved Pension and PBOP rate adjustment mechanism (PAM). Pension NSTAR provides a defined benefit retirement plan, the NSTAR Pension Plan (the Plan), that covers substantially all employees. During the three months ended March 31, 2010, NSTAR did not contribute to the Plan. A contribution of $6.3 million was made in April 2010. NSTAR currently anticipates making additional contributions of approximately $18.7 million to the Plan during the remainder of 2010. The actual level of funding may be different from this estimate. Components of net periodic pension benefit cost were as follows:
Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions NSTAR also provides health care and other benefits to retired employees who meet certain age and years of service eligibility requirements. Under certain circumstances, eligible retirees are required to contribute to the costs of postretirement benefits. During the three months ended March 31, 2010, NSTAR contributed approximately $6.8 million to this plan and anticipates contributing approximately $23.2 million for the remainder of 2010 toward these benefits. NSTAR is in the process of evaluating the impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (HCERA) on its accumulated PBOP obligation. Postretirement benefit costs related to employees of the discontinued operations of MATEP are not included in the following table. Components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost were as follows:
11
Table of ContentsNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued) (Unaudited)
4. Noncontrolling Interest – Cumulative Non-Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock of Subsidiary NSTAR Electric has two outstanding series of non-mandatory redeemable preferred stock. Both series are part of a class of NSTAR Electric’s Cumulative Preferred Stock. Upon any liquidation of NSTAR Electric, holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock are entitled to receive the liquidation preference for their shares before any distribution to the holder of the common stock. The liquidation preference for each outstanding series of Cumulative Preferred Stock is equal to the par value plus accrued and unpaid dividends. NSTAR is required to reflect the Cumulative Preferred Stock as noncontrolling interest of a subsidiary in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets outside of permanent equity. Each of the two preferred stock series contains provisions relating to non-payment of preferred dividends that could potentially result in the preferred shareholders being granted the majority control of the Board of Directors of NSTAR Electric until all preferred dividends are paid. As a result, the preferred stock has not been classified within permanent equity. During the year ended December 31, 2009 and during the three months ended March 31, 2010, there were no changes in the noncontrolling interest of NSTAR Electric. Non-mandatory redeemable series: Par value $100 per share, 2,890,000 shares authorized and 430,000 shares issued and outstanding:
5. Interest Income and Other, net Major components of interest income and other, net were as follows:
6. Variable Interest Entities Amended consolidation guidance applicable to variable interest entities became effective for NSTAR on January 1, 2010. This amended guidance did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements. NSTAR Electric has certain long-term purchase power agreements with energy facilities where it purchases substantially all of the output from a specified facility for a specified period. NSTAR has evaluated these arrangements under the variable interest accounting guidance and has determined that these agreements represent variable interests. NSTAR Electric is not considered the primary beneficiary of these entities and does not consolidate the entities because it does not control the activities most relevant to the operating results of these entities and does not hold any equity interests in the entities. NSTAR Electric’s exposure to risks and financial support commitments with respect to these entities is limited to the purchase of the power generated at the prices defined under the contractual agreements. NSTAR Electric’s involvement with these variable interest entities has no material impact on NSTAR’s financial position, financial performance, or cash flows.
12
Table of ContentsNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued) (Unaudited)
7. Subsequent Events Management has reviewed subsequent events and concluded that no material subsequent events have occurred that are not accounted for in the accompanying financial statements or disclosed in the accompanying notes. Note B. Discontinued Operations On December 21, 2009, NSTAR announced the execution of an agreement to sell its wholly-owned subsidiary, Medical Area Total Energy Plant, Inc. (MATEP). MATEP provides steam, chilled water service, and electricity under long-term contracts to several hospitals, medical research and biotechnology centers, and teaching institutions in the Longwood Medical Area of Boston. The sale, at a price of approximately $320 million in cash, is subject to federal and local regulatory approvals. The final sale price is subject to certain closing adjustments related to changes in working capital, interest, and other adjustments. In connection with the sale, NSTAR will retire MATEP’s debt. NSTAR has received two of the three necessary regulatory approvals and anticipates completing the sale of MATEP during May, 2010. MATEP’s principal asset is a cogeneration plant that produces electricity, steam and chilled water, and a distribution system that delivers these products to its customers. MATEP has approximately 85 employees. The operating results of MATEP have been separately classified and reported as discontinued operations on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. A summary of discontinued operations is as follows:
Effective December 21, 2009, NSTAR ceased recording depreciation and amortization expense on MATEP in accordance with MATEP’s classification as a discontinued operation held for sale. Had NSTAR continued to record depreciation and amortization expense, an additional charge of $2.1 million would have been recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2010.
13
Table of ContentsNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued) (Unaudited)
A condensed presentation of the components of assets and liabilities held for sale is as follows:
The total assets and liabilities of MATEP have been classified as current assets and current liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009. Note C. Derivative Instruments Energy Contracts NSTAR Electric has determined that the majority of its electricity supply contracts qualify for, and NSTAR Electric has elected, the normal purchases and sales exception. As a result, these agreements are not reflected on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. NSTAR Electric has a long-term renewable energy contract that does not qualify for the normal purchases and sales exception and is valued at an estimated $3.8 million as of March 31, 2010. The value represents the difference between the cost of this contract and projected market energy costs over the life of the contract and NSTAR Electric has recorded a long-term derivative asset and a corresponding long-term regulatory liability for the value of this contract. Changes in the value of the contract have no impact on earnings. NSTAR Gas has only one significant natural gas supply contract. This contract is an all-requirements portfolio asset management contract that expires in October 2011. This contract contains market-based pricing terms and therefore no financial statement adjustments are required. Natural gas supply costs incurred related to this contract were approximately $83 million and $93 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and have been recorded to Cost of gas sold on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. Refer to the accompanying Part 1, Item 3, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks,” for a further discussion.
14
Table of ContentsNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued) (Unaudited)
Gas Hedging Agreements In accordance with a DPU order, NSTAR Gas purchases financial contracts based upon NYMEX natural gas futures in order to reduce cash flow variability associated with the purchase price for approximately one-third of its natural gas purchases. This practice attempts to minimize the impact of fluctuations in prices to NSTAR’s firm gas customers. These financial contracts do not procure natural gas supply, and qualify as derivative financial instruments. The fair value of these instruments is recognized on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as an asset or liability representing amounts due from or payable to the counter parties of NSTAR Gas, as if such contracts were settled as of the balance sheet date. All actual costs incurred or benefits realized are included in the CGAC of NSTAR Gas. NSTAR Gas records a regulatory asset or liability for the market price changes, in lieu of recording an adjustment to Other Comprehensive Income. These derivative contracts extend through April 2011. During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, $3.1 million and $31.4 million, respectively, of these financial contracts were settled and were recognized as additional charges to Cost of gas sold on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. As of March 31, 2010, these gas hedging agreements, representing twelve individual contracts, hedged approximately 4,700 BBtu. The settlement of these contracts may have a short-term cash flow impact. Over the long-term, any such effects are mitigated by a regulatory recovery mechanism for those costs. Potential counterparty credit risk is minimized by collateral requirements as specified in credit support agreements to the contracts that are based on the credit rating of the counterparty and the fair value exposure under each contract’s term. In the event of a downgrade in the credit rating of either party, these agreements may require that party to immediately collateralize, by either cash payment, letter of credit, or other qualifying security instrument, any exposure that exists for obligations in excess of specified threshold amounts. NSTAR Gas is also subject to this credit risk-related contingent feature. Based on market conditions at the time of a downgrade, NSTAR Gas could be required to post collateral in an amount that could be equal to or less than the fair value of the liability at the time of the downgrade. As of March 31, 2010, NSTAR Gas has an A+ Standard & Poors Credit Issuer rating. Collateral obligations are required in the event of a downgrade below an A rating by Standard & Poors and/or if the fair value of the contract exceeds established credit thresholds. Based on NSTAR Gas’ liability position with its gas hedge contract counterparties as of March 31, 2010, should NSTAR Gas’ credit rating be downgraded the collateral obligations described below would result. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities The following disclosures summarize the fair value of NSTAR Gas’ hedging agreements and renewable energy contracts deemed to be derivatives, the asset and liability positions of these agreements and the related settlements of hedging agreements:
15
Table of ContentsNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued) (Unaudited)
In addition, these agreements contain cross-default provisions that would allow NSTAR Gas and its counterparties to terminate and liquidate a gas hedge contract if either party is in default on other swap agreements with that same counterparty, or another unrelated agreement with that same counterparty in excess of stipulated threshold amounts. Note D. Income Taxes Health Care Reform In March 2010, the President signed the PPACA and the HCERA into law. These laws change the tax treatment for retiree prescription drug expenses by eliminating the tax deduction available to the extent that those expenses are reimbursed under Medicare Part D, beginning in 2013. Because the tax benefits associated with these future deductions were reflected as deferred income tax assets in the consolidated financial statements, the elimination of the tax deductions resulted in a reduction in deferred tax assets of $17.4 million. As a result of its rate recovery mechanism, NSTAR established a regulatory asset for this amount to reflect the anticipated future collection from customers due to the law change. NSTAR also established an additional regulatory asset of $11.2 million and a related increase in deferred tax liabilities to reflect a tax gross-up for revenue requirement purposes. The tax law change had no material impact to NSTAR’s reported earnings.
16
Table of ContentsNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued) (Unaudited)
Effective Tax Rate The following table reconciles the statutory federal income tax rate to the annual estimated effective income tax rate for 2010 and the actual effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2009:
Uncertain Tax Positions As of March 31, 2010, the 2001 through 2007 federal and state tax years remain open. NSTAR is negotiating with IRS Appeals in an attempt to settle all issues relating to years 2001 through 2007. To date, NSTAR has reached agreement on the SSCM issue with a closing agreement expected to be signed in the second quarter of 2010. Upon approval of the settlement by the U.S. Congress Joint Committee on Taxation, NSTAR expects receipt of the $129 million of its refundable income tax receivable, plus interest, in the second half of 2010. Potential settlement discussions related to the RCN matter are continuing; however, the timing of any final settlement is uncertain as well as whether an agreement can be reached at an amount that would be acceptable to NSTAR. If an agreement is reached, it is reasonably possible that a charge could be recognized. Such agreement would also require Joint Committee approval. In the event that NSTAR is unsuccessful in reaching a reasonable settlement agreement with the IRS Appeals, it will continue the current plan to litigate the RCN tax matter. This action would delay resolution of this tax matter beyond 2010. The following is a reconciliation of the unrecognized tax benefits that have been recognized as uncertain tax position liabilities on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets included in Deferred credits and other liabilities: Other:
As of March 31, 2010 and 2009, there were no unrecognized tax benefits of a permanent tax nature that if recognized would have an impact on the Company’s effective tax rate. Interest on Tax Positions NSTAR recognizes interest accrued related to uncertain tax positions in Interest charges: Interest income and other, net and related penalties, if applicable, in Other deductions, on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. This accounting policy is consistent with the recognition of these items prior to the adoption of the accounting standard for uncertain tax positions. For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, the amount of interest income recognized on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income was $0.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively, and the total amount of accrued interest receivable on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets was $25 million and $24.6 million at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. No penalties were recognized during the period. In addition to its uncertain tax position liability, NSTAR has unrecognized benefits associated with interest on construction-related uncertain tax positions. These unrecognized benefits were $4 million as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. As a result of the settlement agreement reached with IRS Appeals on SSCM, it is unlikely that additional benefits will be recognized on this issue. The agreement reached with the IRS is subject to approval by the Joint Committee.
17
Table of ContentsNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued) (Unaudited)
Note E. Earnings Per Common Share Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income attributable to common shareholders, which includes a deduction for preferred dividends of a subsidiary, by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the respective period. Diluted EPS is similar to the computation of basic EPS except that the weighted average common shares are increased to include the impact of potential (nonvested) shares and stock options granted (stock-based compensation) in accordance with NSTAR’s Long Term Incentive Plan. The following table summarizes basic and diluted EPS:
Note F. Segment and Related Information For the purpose of providing segment information, NSTAR’s principal operating segments are its traditional core businesses of electric and natural gas retail transmission and distribution utilities that provide energy delivery services in 107 cities and towns in Massachusetts. The unregulated operating segment engages in business activities that include telecommunications and a liquefied natural gas service. Amounts related to discontinued operations have been excluded from the data presented. Amounts shown on the following table for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 include the allocation of NSTAR’s (Holding Company) results of operations and assets to each business segment, net of inter-company transactions that primarily consist of interest charges and investment assets, respectively. The allocation of Holding Company charges is based on an indirect allocation of the Holding Company’s investment relating to these various business segments.
18
Table of ContentsNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued) (Unaudited)
Financial data for the segments of continuing operations were as follows:
Note G. Fair Value Measurements NSTAR discloses fair value measurement pursuant to a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP. NSTAR follows a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to determine fair value and requires the Company to classify assets and liabilities carried at fair value based on the observability of these inputs. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are: Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Financial assets utilizing Level 1 inputs include active exchange-traded equity securities. Level 2 – Quoted prices available in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are directly observable, and inputs derived principally from market data. Level 3 – Unobservable inputs from objective sources. These inputs may be based on entity-specific inputs. Level 3 inputs include all inputs that do not meet the requirements of Level 1 or Level 2. The renewable energy contract was valued based on the difference between the contracted price and the estimated fair value of remaining contracted supply to be purchased. Inputs used to develop the estimate included on-line regional generation and forecasted demand. The following represents the fair value hierarchy of NSTAR’s financial assets and liabilities that were recognized at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009. Financial assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Recurring Fair Value Measures:
19
Table of ContentsNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued) (Unaudited)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, net accounts receivable, other current assets, certain current liabilities, and notes payable as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these securities. The fair values of long-term indebtedness (excluding notes payable, including current maturities) are based on the quoted market prices of similar issues. Carrying amounts and fair values as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were as follows:
Note H. Long-Term Debt Issuances and Retirement On January 28, 2010, NSTAR Gas issued $125 million of its 4.46% fixed rate 10-year First Mortgage Bonds, Series N. The proceeds from this sale were used to retire NSTAR Gas’ short-term debt to NSTAR. In mid-February 2010, NSTAR retired its $500 million, 8% Notes. On March 15, 2010, NSTAR Electric’s subsidiary, BEC Funding LLC, retired its final series of outstanding Transition Property Securitization Certificates. On March 16, 2010, NSTAR Electric issued, at a discount, $300 million of 5.50% Debentures due 2040. The proceeds from this sale were used to retire NSTAR Electric’s short-term debt and for other corporate purposes. Note I. Commitments and Contingencies 1. Service Quality Indicators SQI are established performance benchmarks for certain identified measures of service quality relating to customer service and billing performance, safety and reliability and DPU Consumer Division statistics
20
Table of ContentsNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued) (Unaudited)
performance for all Massachusetts utilities. NSTAR Electric and NSTAR Gas are required to report annually to the DPU concerning their performance as to each measure and are subject to maximum penalties of up to two and one-half percent of total transmission and distribution revenues should performance fail to meet the applicable benchmarks. NSTAR monitors its service quality continuously to determine if a liability has been triggered. If it is probable that a liability has been incurred and is estimable, a liability is accrued. Annually, each NSTAR utility subsidiary makes a service quality performance filing with the DPU. Any settlement or rate order that would result in a different liability level from what has been accrued would be adjusted in the period that the DPU issues an order determining the amount of any such liability. NSTAR Electric and NSTAR Gas service quality performance levels for 2009 were not in a penalty situation and the final performance reports were filed with the DPU on March 1, 2010. 2. Environmental Matters NSTAR subsidiaries face possible liabilities as a result of involvement in several multi-party disposal sites, state-regulated sites or third party claims associated with contamination remediation. NSTAR generally expects to have only a small percentage of the total potential liability for the majority of these sites. As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, NSTAR had liabilities of approximately $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively, for these environmental sites. This estimated recorded liability is based on an evaluation of all currently available facts with respect to these sites. NSTAR Gas is participating in the assessment or remediation of certain former MGP sites and alleged MGP waste disposal sites to determine if and to what extent such sites have been contaminated and whether NSTAR Gas may be responsible to undertake remedial action. The DPU permits recovery of costs associated with MGP sites over a 7-year period, without carrying costs. As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, NSTAR had a liability of approximately $16 million and $14 million, respectively, as an estimate for site cleanup costs for several MGP sites for which NSTAR Gas was identified as a potentially responsible party. A corresponding regulatory asset was recorded that reflects the future rate recovery for these costs. Estimates related to environmental remediation costs are reviewed and adjusted as further investigation and assignment of responsibility occurs and as either additional sites are identified or NSTAR’s responsibilities for such sites evolve or are resolved. NSTAR’s ultimate liability for future environmental remediation costs may vary from these estimates. Based on NSTAR’s current assessment of its environmental responsibilities, existing legal requirements, and regulatory policies, NSTAR does not believe that these environmental remediation costs will have a material adverse effect on NSTAR’s consolidated results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. DPU Safety and Reliability Programs (CPSL) As part of the Rate Settlement Agreement, NSTAR Electric is allowed to recover incremental costs related to the double pole inspection, replacement/restoration and transfer program and the underground electric safety program, which includes stray-voltage remediation and manhole inspections, repairs, and upgrades. Recovery of these Capital Program Scheduling List (CPSL) costs is subject to DPU review and approval. NSTAR Electric incurred incremental costs of $11 million, $13 million, $15 million and $16 million in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. During 2010, approximately $4.8 million has been incurred. This includes incremental operations and maintenance and revenue requirements on capital investments. NSTAR is awaiting the results of the 2006 and 2007 filings from the DPU prior to submitting the final 2008 and 2009 CPSL cost recovery reconciliations with the DPU. NSTAR cannot predict the timing of a DPU order related to these pending filings. Should an adverse decision be issued that disallows a significant portion of CPSL cost recovery, it could have a material adverse impact to NSTAR’s results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.
21
Table of ContentsNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued) (Unaudited)
Basic Service Bad Debt Adder On July 1, 2005, in response to a generic DPU order that required electric utilities in Massachusetts to recover the energy-related portion of bad debt costs in their Basic Service rates, NSTAR Electric increased its Basic Service rates and reduced its distribution rates for those bad debt costs. In furtherance of this generic DPU order, NSTAR Electric included a bad debt cost recovery mechanism as a component of its Rate Settlement Agreement. This recovery mechanism (bad debt adder) allows NSTAR Electric to recover its Basic Service bad debt costs on a fully reconciling basis. These rates were implemented, effective January 1, 2006, as part of NSTAR Electric’s Rate Settlement Agreement. On February 7, 2007, NSTAR Electric filed its 2006 Basic Service reconciliation with the DPU proposing an adjustment related to the increase of its Basic Service bad debt charge-offs. This proposed rate adjustment was anticipated to be implemented effective July 1, 2007. On June 28, 2007, the DPU issued an order approving the implementation of a revised Basic Service rate. However, the DPU instructed NSTAR Electric to reduce distribution rates by the increase in its Basic Service bad debt charge-offs. Such action would result in a further reduction to distribution rates from the adjustment NSTAR Electric made when it implemented the Settlement Agreement. This adjustment to NSTAR Electric’s distribution rates would eliminate the fully reconciling nature of the Basic Service bad debt adder. NSTAR Electric has not implemented the directives of the June 28, 2007 DPU order. Implementation of this order would require NSTAR Electric to write-off a previously recorded regulatory asset related to its Basic Service bad debt costs. NSTAR Electric filed a Motion for Reconsideration of the DPU’s order on July 18, 2007. On December 14, 2007, the Motion for Reconsideration was granted and the DPU reopened the case to hear additional evidence. NSTAR Electric filed additional testimony in April 2008, an evidentiary hearing was held, and briefs were filed in June and early July 2008. NSTAR Electric believes its position is appropriate and that it is probable that it will ultimately prevail. However, in the event the DPU does not rule in its favor, NSTAR Electric intends to pursue all legal options. As of March 31, 2010, the potential impact to earnings of eliminating the bad debt adder would be approximately $21.5 million, pre-tax. NSTAR cannot predict the timing of this proceeding. Other In the fourth quarter of each year, NSTAR Electric files proposed distribution rate adjustments for effect on the following January 1. These rate adjustments include a SIP rate factor and several other fully reconciling cost recovery items. Consistent with previous filings, the 2009 filings include a combination of actual and forecasted data for 2009 that NSTAR Electric will update during 2010 with year-end data to allow a final investigation and reconciliation. There are several case years that remain outstanding at the DPU. These cases are pending decisions at the DPU and NSTAR cannot predict the timing or the ultimate outcome of these filings. 3. Yankee Companies Spent Fuel Litigation In October 2006, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims issued a judgment in a spent nuclear fuel litigation in the amounts of $34.2 million, $32.9 million, and $75.8 million for Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company (CY), Yankee Atomic Electric Company (YA), and Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company (MY), respectively. This judgment in favor of the Yankee Companies relates to the alleged failure of the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide for a permanent facility to store spent nuclear fuel for years prior to 2001 for CY and YA, and prior to 2002 for MY (DOE Phase I Damages). NSTAR Electric’s portion of the Phase I judgments amounts to $4.8 million, $4.6 million, and $3 million, respectively. On July 1, 2009, the Yankee Companies filed for additional damages related to the alleged failure of the DOE to provide for a permanent facility to store spent nuclear fuel for the years from January 2002 through December 2008 for CY and YA, and from January 2003 through December 2008 for MY (DOE Phase II Damages). This phase of the spent nuclear fuel litigation specifies damages in the amounts of $135.4 million, $86.1 million, and $43 million for CY, YA, and MY, respectively. Claim amounts applicable to NSTAR Electric are $19 million, $12 million, and $1.7 million, respectively.
22
Table of ContentsNSTAR cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these pending decisions for trial, appeal or the potential subsequent complaints. However, should the Yankee Companies ultimately prevail, NSTAR Electric’s share of the proceeds received would be refunded to its customers. 4. Legal Matters In the normal course of its business, NSTAR and its subsidiaries are involved in certain legal matters, including civil litigation. Management is unable to fully determine a range of reasonably possible court-ordered damages, settlement amounts, and related litigation costs (“legal liabilities”) that would be in excess of amounts accrued and amounts covered by insurance. Based on the information currently available, NSTAR does not believe that it is probable that any such legal liabilities will have a material impact on its consolidated financial position. However, it is reasonably possible that additional legal liabilities that may result from changes in circumstances could have a material impact on its results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.
The accompanying MD&A focuses on factors that had a material effect on the financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of NSTAR during the periods presented and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes, and with the MD&A in NSTAR’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Discontinued Operations On December 21, 2009, NSTAR announced the execution of an agreement to sell its wholly-owned subsidiary, Medical Area Total Energy Plant, Inc. (MATEP). MATEP provides steam, chilled water service, and electricity under long-term contracts to several hospitals, medical research and biotechnology centers, and teaching institutions in the Longwood Medical Area of Boston. The sale, at a price of approximately $320 million in cash, is subject to certain federal and local regulatory approvals. The final sale price is subject to certain closing adjustments related to changes in working capital, interest, and other adjustments. MATEP’s principal asset is a cogeneration plant that produces electricity, steam and chilled water, and a distribution system that delivers these products to its customers. MATEP has approximately 85 employees. NSTAR received two of three necessary regulatory approvals during the first and second quarters of 2010 and anticipates completing the sale of MATEP during May 2010. Business Overview NSTAR (or the Company) is a holding company engaged through its subsidiaries in the energy delivery business serving approximately 1.4 million customers in Massachusetts, including approximately 1.1 million electric distribution customers in 81 communities and approximately 300,000 natural gas distribution customers in 51 communities. NSTAR’s core business is a traditional “pipes and wires” company with a continuing focus on shareholder value and a continued commitment for safe and reliable energy delivery to customers. NSTAR also focuses on providing accurate information and other helpful assistance to its customers, thereby providing a superior customer experience. NSTAR’s strategy is to invest in transmission and distribution assets that will align with its core competencies. Electric utility operations. For the three-months ended March 31, 2010, NSTAR derived 76% of its operating revenues from the transmission and distribution of electric energy through NSTAR Electric. Gas operations. For the three-months ended March 31, 2010, NSTAR derived 23% of its operating revenues from the distribution of natural gas through NSTAR Gas.
23
Table of ContentsUnregulated operations. For the three-months ended March 31, 2010, NSTAR derived 1% of its operating revenues from a non-utility, unregulated operating subsidiary involved in telecommunications operations. Earnings. NSTAR’s earnings are impacted by its customers’ requirements for energy in the form of unit sales of electricity and natural gas, which directly determine the levels of electric retail distribution and transmission revenues and natural gas firm and transportation revenues recognized. In accordance with the regulatory rate structures in which NSTAR operates, its recovery of energy and energy-related costs are fully reconciled with the level of energy revenues currently recorded and, therefore, do not have an impact on earnings. Net income attributable to common shareholders for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010, was $59.7 million or $0.56 diluted earnings per share, as compared to $61 million, or $0.57 diluted earnings per share for the same period in 2009, as further explained below. Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates For a complete discussion of critical accounting policies, refer to “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in Item 7 of NSTAR’s 2009 Form 10-K. There have been no substantive changes to those policies and estimates. Rate Structure a. Rate Settlement Agreement NSTAR Electric is currently operating under a DPU-approved seven-year Rate Settlement Agreement (“Rate Settlement Agreement”) that expires December 31, 2012. From 2007 through 2012, the Rate Settlement Agreement establishes for NSTAR Electric, among other things, annual inflation-adjusted distribution rates that are generally offset by an equal and corresponding reduction in transition rates. The increase adjustment is 1.32% effective January 1, 2010; and corresponding adjustments were 1.74%, 2.68%, and 2.64% effective January 1, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively. Uncollected transition charges as a result of the reductions in transition rates are deferred and collected through future rates with a carrying charge. b. Electric Rates Retail electric delivery rates are established by the DPU and are comprised of:
24
Table of Contents
c. Gas Rates NSTAR Gas generates revenues primarily through the sale and/or transportation of natural gas. Gas sales and transportation services are divided into two categories: firm, whereby NSTAR Gas must supply gas and/or transportation services to customers on demand; and interruptible, whereby NSTAR Gas may, generally during colder months, temporarily discontinue service to high volume commercial and industrial customers. Sales and transportation of gas to interruptible customers have no impact on NSTAR Gas’ operating income because a substantial portion of the margin for such service is returned to its firm customers as rate reductions. Retail natural gas delivery and supply rates are established by the DPU and are comprised of:
NSTAR Gas purchases financial contracts based on NYMEX natural gas futures in order to reduce cash flow variability associated with the purchase price for approximately one-third of its natural gas purchases. This practice attempts to minimize the impact of fluctuations in prices to NSTAR’s firm gas customers. These financial contracts do not procure natural gas supply. All costs incurred or benefits realized when these contracts are settled are included in the CGAC. d. Regulatory Matters DPU Safety and Reliability Programs (CPSL) As part of the Rate Settlement Agreement, NSTAR Electric is allowed to recover incremental spending for the double pole inspection, replacement/restoration and transfer program and the underground electric safety program, which includes stray-voltage remediation and manhole inspections, repairs, and upgrades. Recovery of these CPSL costs is subject to DPU review and approval. NSTAR Electric incurred incremental costs of $11 million, $13 million, $15 million and $16 million in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. During 2010, approximately $4.8 million has been incurred. This includes
25
Table of Contentsincremental operations and maintenance and revenue requirements on capital investments. NSTAR is awaiting the results of the 2006 and 2007 filings from the DPU prior to submitting the final 2008 and 2009 CPSL cost recovery reconciliations with the DPU. NSTAR cannot predict the timing of a DPU order related to these pending filings. Should an adverse decision be issued that disallows a significant portion of CPSL cost recovery, it could have a material adverse impact to NSTAR’s results of operations, financial position, and cash flows. Basic Service Bad Debt Adder On July 1, 2005, in response to a generic DPU order that required electric utilities in Massachusetts to recover the energy-related portion of bad debt costs in their Basic Service rates, NSTAR Electric increased its Basic Service rates and reduced its distribution rates for those bad debt costs. In furtherance of this generic DPU order, NSTAR Electric included a bad debt cost recovery mechanism as a component of its Rate Settlement Agreement. This recovery mechanism (bad debt adder) allows NSTAR Electric to recover its Basic Service bad debt costs on a fully reconciling basis. These rates were implemented, effective January 1, 2006, as part of NSTAR Electric’s Rate Settlement Agreement. On February 7, 2007, NSTAR Electric filed its 2006 Basic Service reconciliation with the DPU proposing an adjustment related to the increase of its Basic Service bad debt charge-offs. This proposed rate adjustment was anticipated to be implemented effective July 1, 2007. On June 28, 2007, the DPU issued an order approving the implementation of a revised Basic Service rate. However, the DPU instructed NSTAR Electric to reduce distribution rates by the increase in its Basic Service bad debt charge-offs. Such action would result in a further reduction to distribution rates from the adjustment NSTAR Electric made when it implemented the Settlement Agreement. This adjustment to NSTAR Electric’s distribution rates would eliminate the fully reconciling nature of the Basic Service bad debt adder. NSTAR Electric has not implemented the directives of the June 28, 2007 DPU order. Implementation of this order would require NSTAR Electric to write-off a previously recorded regulatory asset related to its Basic Service bad debt costs. NSTAR Electric filed a Motion for Reconsideration of the DPU’s order on July 18, 2007. On December 14, 2007, the Motion for Reconsideration was granted and the DPU reopened the case to hear additional evidence. NSTAR Electric filed additional testimony in April 2008, an evidentiary hearing was held, and briefs were filed in June and early July 2008. NSTAR Electric believes its position is appropriate and that it is probable that it will ultimately prevail. However, in the event the DPU does not rule in its favor, NSTAR Electric intends to pursue all legal options. As of March 31, 2010, the potential impact to earnings of eliminating the bad debt adder would be approximately $21.5 million, pre-tax. NSTAR cannot predict the timing of this proceeding. FERC Transmission ROE NSTAR earns an 11.14% ROE on local transmission facility investments. The ROE on NSTAR’s regional transmission facilities is 11.64%. Additional incentive adders are determined on a case-by-case basis according to FERC’s national transmission incentive rules. The FERC may grant a variety of financial incentives, including ROE basis point incentive adders for qualified investments made in new regional transmission facilities that can bring the ROE for NSTAR up to 13.1% for certain qualified regional investments. Other a. Energy Efficiency Plans - NSTAR Electric and NSTAR Gas NSTAR Electric and NSTAR Gas are required to administer energy efficiency programs. The Massachusetts Green Communities Act (GCA) required electric and natural gas distribution companies to develop three-year energy efficiency plans. The first three-year plan effective in 2010 is expected to lead to a significant expansion of energy efficiency activity in Massachusetts. Like the historical programs, the new three-year plan includes financial incentives based on energy efficiency program performance. In
26
Table of Contentsaddition, the DPU has stated that it will permit distribution companies that do not yet have rate decoupling mechanisms in place to implement lost base revenue rate adjustment mechanisms that will partially offset reduced distribution rate revenues as a result of successful energy efficiency programs. NSTAR Electric has filed its 2010 Energy Efficiency Plan and anticipates that the program will amount to about $122 million in spending. NSTAR Gas has filed its 2010 Energy Efficiency Plan and anticipates that the program will amount to about $14.5 million in spending. These 2010 plans were approved by DPU on January 28, 2010. b. Proposed Transmission Investment On May 22, 2009, FERC issued a declaratory judgment that ruled favorably on the proposed structure of a transmission arrangement for a new participant-funded transmission line between New England and Quebec. Under this arrangement, firm transmission service is expected to be provided to Hydro-Quebec by a venture between NSTAR Electric and Northeast Utilities (NU). NSTAR, NU and Hydro-Quebec have agreed to develop this project, and are currently negotiating long-term transmission service and purchase power agreements. NSTAR Electric and NU anticipate filing the transmission service agreement with the FERC and the project design with ISO-New England by mid-2010, and NSTAR Electric anticipates filing a power purchase agreement with DPU by the end of 2010. Results of Continuing Operations The following section of MD&A compares the results of continuing operations for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report. Earnings Outlook NSTAR reaffirms its 2010 earnings guidance and expects to report earnings for the year in the $2.45 to $2.55 per share range. This range excludes the anticipated gain on the MATEP sale. Common Share Dividends NSTAR’s current quarterly cash dividend rate is $0.40 per share or $1.60 per share on an annualized basis. On March 25, 2010, NSTAR’s Board of Trustees declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share to shareholders of record on April 9, 2010, payable May 1, 2010. Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 Executive Summary of Quarterly Results Earnings per common share were as follows:
Net income attributable to common shareholders was $59.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 compared to $61 million for the same period in 2009. Major factors on an after-tax basis that contributed to the $1.3 million, or 2.1%, decrease include:
27
Table of Contents
These decreases in earnings factors were partially offset by:
Significant cash flow events during the quarter include the following:
Energy sales The following is a summary of retail electric and firm gas energy sales for the periods indicated: Retail Electric Sales - MWh
Firm Gas Sales and Transportation - BBtu
NSTAR’s electric energy sales in the three months ended March 31, 2010 declined 2.1% compared to 2009 primarily due to unfavorable weather conditions resulting from a warmer winter during 2010 as compared to 2009. Heating degree-days in NSTAR’s service area for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were down 7.3% from the same period in 2009. The 5.4% decrease in firm gas and transportation sales is due to the warmer winter weather. Primarily weather, but also to a lesser extent fluctuations in fuel costs, conservation measures, and economic conditions affect sales to NSTAR’s residential and small commercial customers. Economic conditions, fluctuations in fuel costs, and conservation measures affect NSTAR’s large commercial and industrial customers. In terms of customer sector characteristics, industrial sales are less sensitive to weather than residential and commercial sales, which are influenced by temperature variations. Refer to the “Electric Revenues” and “Gas Revenues” sections below for more detailed discussions.
28
Table of ContentsWeather conditions NSTAR forecasts its electric and natural gas sales based on normal weather conditions. Actual results may vary from those projected due to actual weather conditions, energy conservation, and other factors. Refer to the “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information” section preceding Part 1 “Financial Information” of this Form 10-Q. The demand for electricity and natural gas is affected by weather. Weather impacts electric sales primarily during the summer and, to a greater extent, natural gas sales during the winter season in NSTAR’s service area. Customer heating or cooling usage may not directly correlate with historical levels or with the level of degree-days that occur (as further discussed below), particularly when weather patterns experienced are consistently colder or warmer. Also, NSTAR’s electric and natural gas businesses are sensitive to variations in daily weather, are highly influenced by New England’s seasonal weather variations, and are susceptible to severe storm-related incidents that could adversely affect the Company’s ability to provide energy. Degree-days measure changes in daily mean temperature levels. A degree-day is a unit measuring how many degrees the outdoor daily mean temperature falls below (in the case of heating) or rises above (in the case of cooling) a base of 65 degrees. The comparative information below relates to heating degree-days for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and the number of heating degree-days in a “normal” year as presented by a 30-year average. NSTAR uses the “normal 30-year average” degree-days data to compare current temperature readings to a baseline or “normal” period, that is recalculated every ten years for the preceding 30 years (currently 1980-2009), as collected at the Worcester, Massachusetts airport for heating degree-day data. As shown in the table below, weather conditions during the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 measured by heating degree-days were 7.3% lower/warmer for 2010 as compared to 2009, unfavorably impacting gas revenues. Refer to the “Electric Revenues” and “Gas Revenues” sections below for more detailed discussions.
Operating revenues Operating revenues for the first quarter of 2010 decreased $142 million, or 15.6%, from the same period in 2009 as follows:
29
Table of ContentsElectric revenues NSTAR’s largest earnings sources are the revenues derived from distribution and transmission rates approved by the DPU and the FERC. Electric retail distribution revenues primarily represent charges to customers for recovery of the Company’s capital investment, including a return component, and operation and maintenance costs related to its electric distribution infrastructure. The transmission revenue component represents charges to customers for the recovery of similar costs to move the electricity over high voltage lines from the generator to the Company’s distribution substations. The increase of $16.2 million, or 6.8%, in retail distribution and transmission revenues primarily reflects:
These increases were partially offset by:
Energy, transition, and other revenues primarily represent charges to customers for the recovery of costs incurred by the Company in order to acquire the energy supply on behalf of its customers and a transition charge for recovery of the Company’s prior investments in generating plants and the costs related to long-term power contracts. The energy revenues relate to customers being provided energy supply under Basic Service. These revenues are fully reconciled to the costs incurred and have no impact on NSTAR’s consolidated net income. Energy, transition, and other revenues also reflect revenues related to the Company’s ability to effectively reduce stranded costs (incentive entitlements), rental revenue from electric property, and annual cost reconciliation true-up adjustments. The $109 million decrease in energy, transition, and other revenues is primarily attributable to lower energy costs. Uncollected transition costs as a result of the reductions in transition rates are deferred and collected through future rates with a carrying charge. Gas Revenues Firm and transportation gas revenues primarily represent charges to customers for the Company’s recovery of costs of its capital investment in gas infrastructure, including a return component, and for the recovery of costs for the ongoing operation and maintenance of that infrastructure. The transportation revenue component represents charges to customers for the recovery of costs to move the natural gas over pipelines from gas suppliers to take stations located within the Company’s service area. Firm and transportation revenues decreased $1.8 million primarily due to customers reducing usage as a result of milder winter weather, which resulted in a decrease in sales volumes of 5.4% ($2.9 million). Energy supply and other gas revenues primarily represent charges to customers for the recovery of costs to the Company in order to acquire the natural gas in the marketplace and a charge for recovery of the Company’s gas supplier service costs. The energy supply and other revenues decrease of $47.7 million primarily reflects a decrease in the cost of gas supply. These revenues are fully reconciled with the costs currently recognized by the Company and, as a result, do not have an effect on NSTAR’s consolidated net income. Unregulated Operations Revenues Unregulated operating revenues are derived from NSTAR’s telecommunications operations. Unregulated revenues were $4.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 compared to $4 million in 2009, an increase of $0.3 million, or 7.5%. The increase in unregulated revenues is primarily the result of new contracts added over the past year.
30
Table of ContentsOperating expenses Purchased power and transmission expense was $283.2 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $376.6 million in the same period of 2009, a decrease of $93.4 million, or 24.8%. The decrease in expense reflects NSTAR Electric’s lower energy sales of 2.1%, as well as lower Basic Service and other energy costs of $104.2 million. These decreases were partially offset by higher transmission costs of $10.8 million due to an increase in regional network support costs. NSTAR Electric adjusts its rates to collect the costs related to energy supply from customers on a fully reconciling basis. Due to this rate adjustment mechanism, changes in the amount of energy supply expense have no impact on consolidated net income. Cost of gas sold, representing NSTAR Gas’ supply expense, was $110.6 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $157.1 million in 2009, a decrease of $46.5 million, or 29.6%. The decrease in expense primarily reflects lower sales of 5.4% and a decrease in natural gas supply costs. NSTAR Gas maintains a flexible resource portfolio consisting of an all-requirements gas supply contract, transportation contracts on interstate pipelines, market area storage, and peaking services. NSTAR Gas adjusts its rates to collect costs related to gas supply from customers on a fully reconciling basis and therefore changes in the amount of energy supply expense have no impact on consolidated net income. Operations and maintenance expense was $110 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $104.3 million in the same period of 2009, an increase of $5.7 million, or 5.5%. The increase in expense reflects higher pension and PBOP related PAM amortization costs ($2.2 million). Fluctuations in PAM amortization do not have an earnings impact as these costs are fully recovered from customers. Also contributing to the higher expense were storm-related expenses ($1.5 million), assessed regulatory fees ($0.8 million), and costs associated with employee benefits ($1.5 million). Depreciation and amortization expense was $93.1 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $98.8 million in the same period of 2009, a decrease of $5.7 million or 5.8%. The decrease primarily reflects the completion of the 10-year amortization related to merger integration costs and lower amortization costs related to the pay-down of securitized debt, offset by higher depreciable distribution and transmission plant-in-service. Energy efficiency and renewable energy programs expense was $20.3 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $19.2 million in the same period of 2009, an increase of $1.1 million, or 5.7%, which is consistent with the collection of conservation and renewable energy revenues. These costs are in accordance with program guidelines established by the DPU and are collected from customers on a fully reconciling basis plus a performance incentive. NSTAR anticipates a further increase in Energy Efficiency spending during 2010 and in future years driven by requirements of the GCA. Those spending increases are expected to be funded partially through proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and through NSTAR’s participation in the Forward Capacity Market. Property and other taxes expense was $31.2 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $28.7 million in the same period of 2009, an increase of $2.5 million, or 8.7%, reflecting higher overall property investments and higher tax rates. Interest charges (income): Long-term debt and transition property securitization certificate interest charges were $37.2 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $38.1 million in the same period of 2009, a decrease of $0.9 million, or 2.4%. The decrease in interest charges reflects scheduled principal pay downs of transition property securitization debt and the retirement of NSTAR’s $500 million, 8% Notes in mid-February 2010.
31
Table of ContentsInterest income and other, net were $5.9 million of net interest income in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $4.7 million of net interest income in the same period of 2009, an increase of $1.2 million, or 25.5%, due to increased interest income of $1.6 million related to higher regulatory deferrals, partially offset by lower interest income on income tax matters of $0.4 million. Short-term debt interest charges were $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $0.7 million in the same period of 2009, a decrease of $0.5 million, or 71.4%, due to a reduction in the first quarter of 2010 weighted average borrowing rate and a lower average level of borrowed funds. Other income (deductions): Other income was approximately $1.8 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $1.4 million in the same period of 2009, an increase of $0.4 million. The increase relates primarily to higher cash surrender values of insurance policies. Income tax expense: Income tax expense was $33.3 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $33.8 million in the same period of 2009, a decrease of $0.5 million, or 1.5%, primarily reflecting a lower pre-tax operating income in 2010. Liquidity and Capital Resources Financial Market Impact Ongoing volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets may adversely impact the availability of credit and the cost of credit to NSTAR and its subsidiary companies. However, during 2009 and through the first quarter of 2010, NSTAR was able to successfully access capital markets to issue long-term debt and also to facilitate short-term financing for working capital needs. NSTAR and its subsidiaries utilize the commercial paper market to meet their short-term cash requirements. NSTAR and NSTAR Electric currently have Revolving Credit Agreements in place through December 2012. These Credit Agreements serve as a liquidity backup to the commercial paper program. Short-term commercial paper debt obligations are commonly refinanced to long-term obligations with fixed-rate bonds or notes as needed or when interest rates are considered favorable. Refer to Item 1A, Risk Factors, in NSTAR’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, for a further discussion. As a result of volatility in the financial markets and its impact on NSTAR’s Pension and PBOP Plan investments, NSTAR continues to evaluate the extent to which it may make additional cash contributions. Should NSTAR elect to increase its level of funding to these plans, NSTAR believes it has adequate access to capital resources to support its contributions. Working Capital NSTAR Electric has a $125 million note due in May 2010, which it anticipates paying through short-term borrowing capacity. Cash equivalents held by NSTAR at December 31, 2009 were used to pay, in part, the redemption price of the NSTAR $500 million, 8% Notes in February, 2010. NSTAR believes that it has adequate access to short-term credit markets to facilitate its working capital needs at favorable terms. Current Cash Flow Activity NSTAR’s primary uses of cash in the first quarter of 2010 included capital expenditures, dividend payments, and long-term and securitized debt redemptions. NSTAR’s primary sources of cash in the first quarter of 2010 included cash from electric and gas operations and issuance of $425 million in long-term debt.
32
Table of ContentsOperating Activities The net cash provided by continuing operating activities was $138.8 million in 2010, as compared to $231 million in 2009, a decrease of approximately $92.2 million primarily due to the timing of energy supply payments and their related recovery from customers. Investing Activities The net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations in 2010 was $83.3 million, compared to $106 million in 2009. The majority of these expenditures were for system reliability improvements and capacity improvements in the NSTAR service territory. The decrease in plant expenditures was primarily due to a lower level of major transmission projects. Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations in 2010 was $186.4 million compared to $121.1 million in 2009. Uses of cash primarily reflect long-term and securitized debt redemptions of $529 million in 2010 compared to $36.5 million in 2009. In addition, NSTAR’s short-term debt decreased by $16 million. Sources of cash during 2010 included proceeds from NSTAR Electric’s issuance of $300 million in long-term debt and NSTAR Gas’s issuance of $125 million in long-term debt. Income Tax Payments During the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, NSTAR made income tax payments of $11.4 million and $14.4 million, respectively. Refundable Income Tax The refundable income tax of $129.1 million related to the SSCM will be fully refunded to NSTAR including interest. Subject to timely completion of IRS appeals discussions, this amount is expected to be received in the second half of 2010. Sources of Additional Capital and Financial Covenant Requirements With the exception of bond indemnity agreements and gas hedging agreements, NSTAR has no financial guarantees, commitments, debt or lease agreements that would require a change in terms and conditions, such as acceleration of payment obligations, as a result of a change in its credit rating. However, in addition to the bond indemnity and gas hedging agreements, NSTAR’s subsidiaries could be required to provide additional security for energy supply contract performance obligations, such as a letter of credit for their pro-rata share of the remaining value of such contracts. NSTAR and NSTAR Electric have no financial covenant requirements under their respective long-term debt arrangements. Pursuant to a revolving credit agreement, NSTAR Electric must maintain a total debt to capitalization ratio no greater than 65% at all times, excluding Transition Property Securitization Certificates and excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) from common equity. NSTAR Gas must also maintain a total debt to capitalization ratio no greater than 65% at all times pursuant to its revolving credit agreement. NSTAR Gas was in compliance with its financial covenant requirements including a minimum equity requirement, under its long-term debt arrangements at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009. Under the minimum equity requirement, the outstanding long-term debt of NSTAR Gas must not exceed equity. NSTAR’s long-term debt other than its secured debt, issued by NSTAR Gas and MATEP, is unsecured. NSTAR (Holding Company) currently has a $175 million revolving credit agreement that expires December 31, 2012. At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, there were no amounts outstanding under the revolving credit agreement. This credit facility serves as a backup to NSTAR’s $175 million commercial paper program that, at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, had $165 million and zero
33
Table of Contentsamounts outstanding, respectively. Under the terms of the credit agreement, NSTAR is required to maintain a maximum total consolidated debt to total capitalization ratio of not greater than 65% at all times, excluding Transition Property Securitization Certificates, and excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) from common equity. Commitment fees must be paid on the total agreement amount. At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, NSTAR was in full compliance with the aforementioned covenant as the ratios were 58.8% and 59.8%, respectively. On April 6, 2009, the DPU approved NSTAR Electric’s new two-year financing plan to issue an additional $500 million in long-term debt securities. On October 9, 2009, in connection with this filing, NSTAR and NSTAR Electric filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC to issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series. On November 17, 2009, NSTAR issued, at a discount, $350 million of fixed rate (4.5%) Debentures due November 15, 2019. In mid-February 2010, NSTAR retired its $500 million, 8% Notes as scheduled. On March 16, 2010, NSTAR Electric sold $300 million of 5.50% Debentures due 2040. NSTAR or NSTAR Electric used the proceeds from the prospective issuance of these securities for the redemption or repayment of outstanding long-term debt and short-term debt balances and/or general working capital purposes. NSTAR Electric has approval from the FERC to issue short-term debt securities from time to time on or before October 22, 2010, with maturity dates no later than October 21, 2011, in amounts such that the aggregate principal does not exceed $655 million at any one time. On April 8, 2010, NSTAR Electric filed to extend this authorization until October 23, 2012. NSTAR Electric has a five-year, $450 million revolving credit agreement that expires December 31, 2012. However, unless NSTAR Electric receives necessary approvals from the DPU, the credit agreement will expire 364 days from the date of the first draw under the agreement. At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, there were no amounts outstanding under the revolving credit agreement. This credit facility serves as backup to NSTAR Electric’s $450 million commercial paper program that had $160 million and $341 million outstanding balances at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, NSTAR Electric was in full compliance with its covenants in connection with its short-term credit facilities, as the total debt to capitalization ratios were 48.7% and 46.5%, respectively. NSTAR Gas has a $100 million revolving credit facility. This facility is due to expire on December 10, 2010. NSTAR Gas anticipates that this facility will be renewed. As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, NSTAR Gas had no amounts outstanding. At March 31, 2010, NSTAR Gas was in full compliance with its covenant in connection with the facility, as the total debt to capitalization ratio was 48%. Historically, NSTAR and its subsidiaries have had a variety of external sources of financing available, as previously indicated, at favorable rates and terms to finance its external cash requirements. However, the availability of such financing at favorable rates and terms depends heavily upon prevailing market conditions and NSTAR’s or its subsidiaries’ financial condition and credit ratings. NSTAR’s goal is to maintain a capital structure that preserves an appropriate balance between debt and equity. As of March 31, 2010, NSTAR’s subsidiaries could declare and pay dividends of up to approximately $1.1 billion of their total common equity (approximately $2.3 billion) to NSTAR and remain in compliance with debt covenants. Based on NSTAR’s key cash resources available as previously discussed, management believes its liquidity and capital resources are sufficient to meet its current and projected cash requirements. Commitments and Contingencies NSTAR is exposed to certain matters as discussed in this section under the caption “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.”
34
Table of Contents
Risk Management NSTAR’s Energy Procurement Policy governs all energy-related procurement transactions of NSTAR Electric and NSTAR Gas. This Policy is reviewed annually and is administered by NSTAR’s Risk Committee. The Committee is chaired by NSTAR’s chief executive officer and includes other senior officers. Items covered by this Policy and approved by the Committee are all new energy supply transactions, authorization limits, energy related derivative and hedging transactions, and counter-party credit profiles. Commodity and Credit Risk Although NSTAR has material energy commodity purchase contracts, any potential market risk, including counter-party credit risk, should not have an adverse impact on NSTAR’s results of operations, cash flows, or financial position. NSTAR Electric and NSTAR Gas have rate-making mechanisms that allow for the recovery of energy supply costs from those customers who make commodity purchases from NSTAR’s electric and natural gas subsidiaries rather than from the competitive market supplier. All energy supply costs incurred by NSTAR Electric and NSTAR Gas in providing energy to their retail customers are recovered on a fully reconciling basis. In addition, NSTAR has minimal cash flow risk due to the short-term nature of these contracts and the rate-making mechanics that permit recovery of these costs in a timely manner. The majority of NSTAR’s electric and natural gas commodity purchase contracts range in term from three to twelve months. NSTAR Electric has the ability to seek cost recovery and adjust its rates as frequently as every three months for its large commercial and industrial customers and every six months for its residential customers. NSTAR Gas has the ability to seek cost recovery as required if costs exceed 5% of the current projected cost recovery level. Both NSTAR Electric and NSTAR Gas earn a carrying charge on under-collected commodity balances that would mitigate any incremental short-term borrowing costs. NSTAR believes it is unlikely that it would be exposed to a liquidity risk resulting from significant market price increases based on the recovery mechanisms currently in place. To mitigate the cash flow and cost variability related to the commodity price risk on approximately one-third of its natural gas purchases, NSTAR Gas purchases financial futures contracts on behalf of its customers. NSTAR Gas has a rate-making mechanism that provides for recovery of the actual settlement value of these contracts on a fully reconciling basis. Refer to the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note C, “Derivative Instruments, Gas Hedging Agreements” for a further discussion. Certain renewable energy requirements of the GCA may require NSTAR to enter into renewable energy supply contracts extending longer than twelve months, in order to satisfy renewable supply requirements. Interest Rate Risk NSTAR believes its interest risk primarily relates to short-term debt obligations and anticipated future long-term debt financing requirements to fund its capital programs. These short-term debt obligations are typically refinanced with fixed-rate long-term notes as needed and when market interest rates are favorable. The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates primarily based on levels of short-term commercial paper outstanding. The weighted average interest rates, including fees for short-term indebtedness, were 0.35% and 0.63% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. On a long-term basis, NSTAR mitigates its interest rate risk through the issuance of mostly fixed rate debt of various maturities.
NSTAR’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
35
Table of ContentsAs of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, NSTAR carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of NSTAR’s management, including NSTAR’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of NSTAR’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e). Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that NSTAR’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective (1) to timely alert them to material information relating to NSTAR’s information required to be disclosed by NSTAR in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and (2) to ensure that appropriate information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. There have been no changes in NSTAR’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during NSTAR’s most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, NSTAR’s internal control over financial reporting. Part II. Other Information
In the normal course of its business, NSTAR and its subsidiaries are involved in certain legal matters, including civil litigation. Management is unable to fully determine a range of reasonably possible court-ordered damages, settlement amounts, and related litigation costs (“legal liabilities”) that would be in excess of amounts accrued and amounts covered by insurance. Based on the information currently available, NSTAR does not believe that it is probable that any such legal liability will have a material impact on its consolidated financial position. However, it is reasonably possible that additional legal liabilities that may result from changes in estimates could have a material impact on its results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.
Shareholders or prospective investors should carefully consider the risk factors that were previously disclosed in NSTAR’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Common shares of NSTAR issued under the NSTAR Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Common Shares Purchase Plan, the NSTAR Long Term Incentive Plan and the NSTAR Savings Plan may consist of newly issued shares from the Company or shares purchased on the open market by the Company or an independent agent. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2010, all shares listed below were acquired in the open market.
36
Table of Contents
Exhibits filed herewith:
37
Table of ContentsSIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
38 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||
