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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 19, 2026
Commission
File Number |
Registrant; State of Incorporation
Address; and Telephone Number |
I.R.S. Employer
Identification No. |
| |
|
|
| 001-05324 |
EVERSOURCE
ENERGY
(a Massachusetts
voluntary association)
300
Cadwell Drive
Springfield,
Massachusetts 01104
Telephone: (800)
286-5000 |
04-2147929 |
| |
|
|
| 000-00404 |
THE
CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
(a Connecticut
corporation)
107
Selden Street
Berlin,
Connecticut
06037-1616
Telephone: (800)
286-5000
|
06-0303850 |
| |
|
|
| 001-02301 |
NSTAR
ELECTRIC COMPANY
(a Massachusetts
corporation)
800
Boylston Street
Boston,
Massachusetts
02199
Telephone: (800)
286-5000 |
04-1278810 |
| |
|
|
| 001-06392 |
PUBLIC
SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
(a New
Hampshire corporation)
Energy
Park
780
North Commercial Street
Manchester,
New
Hampshire 03101-1134
Telephone: (800)
286-5000
|
02-0181050 |
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since
last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended
to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction
A.2. below):
| ¨ | Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ¨ | Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
|
| Registrant |
Title of each class |
Trading
Symbol(s) |
Name of
each exchange on
which registered |
| Eversource Energy |
Common
Shares, $5.00 par value per share
|
ES |
New
York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth
company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).
| |
Emerging
growth
company |
| Eversource Energy |
¨ |
| The Connecticut Light and Power Company |
¨ |
| NSTAR Electric Company |
¨ |
| Public Service Company of New Hampshire |
¨ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant
has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant
to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
| Eversource Energy |
¨ |
| The Connecticut Light and Power Company |
¨ |
| NSTAR Electric Company |
¨ |
| Public Service Company of New Hampshire |
¨ |
| Document Type |
8-K |
| Document Period End Date |
2026-03-19 |
| Amendment Flag |
false |
| CIK |
0000023426 |
| THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT_Written communications |
¨ |
| THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT_Soliciting material pursuant to |
¨ |
| THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT_Pre-commencement communications pursuant |
¨ |
| THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT_Pre-commencement communications pursuant |
¨ |
| Document Type |
8-K |
| Document Period End Date |
2026-03-19 |
| Amendment Flag |
false |
| CIK |
0000013372 |
| NSTAR ELECTRIC_Written communications |
¨ |
| NSTAR ELECTRIC_Soliciting material pursuant to |
¨ |
| NSTAR ELECTRIC_Pre-commencement communications pursuant |
¨ |
| NSTAR ELECTRIC_Pre-commencement communications pursuant |
¨ |
| CIK |
0000315256 |
| Public Service Company_Written communications |
¨ |
| Document Type |
8-K |
| Document Period End Date |
2026-03-19 |
| Amendment Flag |
false |
| Public Service Company_Soliciting material pursuant to |
¨ |
| Public Service Company_Pre-commencement communications pursuant |
¨ |
| Public Service Company_Pre-commencement communications pursuant |
¨ |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| Section 7 |
– |
Regulation FD |
| |
|
|
| Item 7.01 |
– |
Regulation FD Disclosure. |
The recent decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
to arbitrarily reduce the return on equity (ROE) for New England transmission owners after more than a decade of uncertainty and inaction
will have significant negative impacts for both transmission owners and customers across the region. Following this decision, which we
believe is inconsistent with the statutory limitations imposed by the Federal Power Act (FPA), Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES) (the “Company”)
is taking legal action to prevent the damaging financial repercussions that would occur from retroactive refunds, including filing a motion
for stay of the order.
The Company, along with other New England transmission owners, is also
evaluating a Section 205 filing with FERC, which is a formal request under the FPA to change rates. FERC used outdated,
decade-old data to set the ROE, despite the fact that transmission owners are entitled to earn a just and reasonable rate of return based
on current economic conditions.
New England urgently needs expanded transmission capacity and modernized
infrastructure to support reliability and the integration of additional energy supply, which is essential to addressing energy affordability
challenges in the region. This decision would have a devastating impact on those efforts by eroding investor confidence, raising the cost
of capital required for vital infrastructure improvements, and risking cascading negative consequences for customers both now and in the
decades ahead. Eversource’s ongoing infrastructure investments in the transmission system over the years have delivered significant
benefits to customers, including eliminating significant congestion costs that have provided customers with billions of dollars in savings.
For more than a decade, FERC’s inaction has created regulatory uncertainty that makes it harder for transmission owners to attract capital and plan
necessary long-term investment, putting regional reliability, affordability, and economic growth at risk. If FERC’s retroactive
refund order beyond the 15-month statutory limit is upheld, it would signal that rates can be adjusted using decade old data, increasing
regulatory risk, raising borrowing costs caused by the likelihood of credit downgrades, and making future transmission projects more expensive—costs
ultimately borne by customers.
The change in the base ROE, and the related specific transmission
incentive adders, is expected to lower Eversource's future after-tax earnings in the aggregate by approximately $70 million for
2026. Taking into account the impacts of the prospective change to the transmission ROE, inclusive of the increased incentive cap as
well as the potential Aquarion sale, Eversource is adjusting its 2026 non-GAAP earnings guidance. The Company's revised 2026
non-GAAP guidance includes the impact of the elimination of Aquarion earnings should the sale close this year, which sale was
recently approved by PURA. This revised 2026 non-GAAP earnings guidance includes a $15 million negative impact should the Aquarion
transaction close, recognizing that approximately 70% of Aquarion's earnings occur in the second half of the year. The Company's
revised 2026 non-GAAP earnings guidance is now expected to be in the range of $4.57 per share and $4.72 per share. The Company also
expects that its cumulative long-term earnings per share growth rate would be within the range of 5 to 7 percent through 2030, using
the adjusted 2026 non-GAAP earnings guidance mid-point of $4.65 per share as the base year. The Company expects annual earnings
growth towards the upper half of its long-term guidance by 2028.
The information contained in this Item 7.01 shall not be deemed “filed”
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor incorporated by reference in any registration statement filed by the Company or any subsidiary
thereof under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless specified otherwise.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document includes statements concerning Eversource Energy’s
expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, assumptions of future events, future financial performance or growth and
other statements that are not historical facts, including leverage targets and earnings objectives and expectations about closing the
transaction and the timing thereof. These statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities
laws. Generally, readers can identify these forward-looking statements through the use of words or phrases such as “estimate,”
“expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “believe,”
“forecast,” “would,” “should,” “could” and other similar expressions. Forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations, estimates, assumptions or projections of management and
are not guarantees of future performance. These expectations, estimates, assumptions or projections may vary materially from actual results.
Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to, and are accompanied by, the following important factors
that may cause our actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those contained in our forward-looking statements, including,
but not limited to cyber events or breaches, including acts of war or terrorism, affecting our systems or the systems of third parties
on which we rely; unauthorized access to, and the misappropriation of, confidential and proprietary Company, customer, employee, financial
or system operating information; actions or inaction of local, state and federal regulatory, public policy and taxing bodies; changes
in laws, regulations, Presidential executive orders or regulatory policy, including compliance with laws and regulations, which may impact
the cost of compliance and strategic initiatives of the Company; adverse publicity, which can harm our reputation, influence legislative
and regulatory bodies, and result in unfavorable outcomes; variability in the costs and final investment returns of the Revolution Wind
and South Fork Wind offshore wind projects as it relates to the purchase price post-closing adjustment under the terms of the sale agreement
for these projects; the ability to qualify for investment tax credits; extreme weather, including severe storms, due to the impacts of
climate change, and fluctuations in weather patterns; adequacy, contamination of, or disruption in, our water supplies; physical attacks
or grid disturbances that may damage and disrupt our electric transmission and electric, natural gas, and water distribution systems;
ability or inability to commence and complete our major strategic development projects and opportunities; breakdown, failure of, or damage
to operating equipment, information technology systems, or processes of our transmission and distribution systems; changes in levels or
timing of capital expenditures, including unplanned expenditures and increased capital expenditure requirements; changes in business conditions,
which could include disruptive technology or development of alternative energy sources related to our current or future business model;
substandard performance of third-party suppliers and service providers, or counterparties not meeting their obligations; limits on our
access to, or increases in, the cost of capital, including disruptions in the capital markets or other events that make our access to
necessary capital more difficult or costly; changes in economic conditions, including impact on interest rates, tax policies, tariffs
and customer demand and payment ability; changes in accounting standards and financial reporting regulations; actions of rating agencies;
and other presently unknown or unforeseen factors.
Other risk factors are detailed in Eversource Energy’s reports
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). They are updated as necessary and available on Eversource Energy’s website
at www.eversource.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. All such factors are difficult to predict and contain uncertainties
that may materially affect Eversource Energy’s actual results, many of which are beyond our control. You should not place undue
reliance on the forward-looking statements, as each speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required
by federal securities laws, Eversource Energy undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect
events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
| Section 8 |
– |
Other |
| |
|
|
| Item 8.01 | |
Other. |
On March 19, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”)
issued an order establishing a base return on equity (“ROE”) of 9.57% for New England transmission owners and a maximum ROE
for transmission incentives of 12.09%.
Eversource Energy (the “Company”), together with other
New England transmission owners, is evaluating legal and regulatory responses to the order, including the filing of a request for rehearing
and a motion for stay. The Company and other transmission owners are also evaluating a potential filing under Section 205 of the Federal
Power Act to propose updated rates.
The FERC order also addresses the potential for refunds relating to
prior periods. Should such refunds be upheld, such required refunds to transmission customers would be issued over an 18 to 24-month period
in coordination with other New England transmission owners and ISO New England, and with FERC’s approval.
| Section 9 |
– |
Financial Statements and Exhibits |
| |
|
|
| Item 9.01 | |
Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
Exhibit
Number |
|
Description |
| 104 |
|
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| |
EVERSOURCE ENERGY
THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
(Registrants) |
| |
|
| March 31, 2026 |
By: |
/s/ Jay S. Buth |
| |
|
Jay S. Buth |
| |
|
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer |
