<PAGE>
Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 33-56537
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ +
+INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS SUBJECT TO +
+ COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 11, 1995
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO PROSPECTUS DATED JANUARY 10, 1995
PREFERRED SECURITIES
CL&P CAPITAL
% CUMULATIVE MONTHLY INCOME PREFERRED SECURITIES (MIPS*), SERIES A
(LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE $25 PER PREFERRED SECURITY)
GUARANTEED TO THE EXTENT THE ISSUER HAS FUNDS LEGALLY AVAILABLE THEREFOR, AS
SET FORTH HEREIN, BY
THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
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The % Cumulative Monthly Income Preferred Securities, Series A (the "Series
A Preferred Securities"), representing the limited partner interests offered
hereby, are being issued by CL&P Capital, L.P., a limited partnership formed
under the laws of the State of Delaware ("CL&P Capital"). The sole general
partner of CL&P Capital is The Connecticut Light and Power Company ("CL&P" or
the "General Partner"). CL&P Capital exists for the sole purpose of issuing
partner interests and lending the proceeds thereof to CL&P. The Series A
Preferred Securities are the initial series of preferred securities
representing limited partner interests in CL&P Capital ("Preferred Securities")
and will rank pari passu with all other series of Preferred Securities which
may be issued by CL&P Capital. The Preferred Securities, including the Series A
Preferred Securities, will have a preference with respect to cash distributions
and amounts payable on redemption or liquidation over the General Partner's
interest in CL&P Capital.
Holders of the Series A Preferred Securities will be entitled to receive, to
the extent funds are available, cumulative preferential cash distributions
("Dividends"), at an annual rate of % of the stated liquidation preference of
$25 per Series A Preferred Security, accruing from the date of original
issuance and payable monthly in arrears on the last day of each calendar month
of each year, commencing , 1995. The payment of Dividends and payments in
liquidation or redemption with respect to the Series A Preferred Securities, in
each case out of funds on hand legally available therefor held by CL&P Capital,
are guaranteed by CL&P to the extent described herein and in the accompanying
Prospectus (the "Guaranty"). See "Description of the Guaranty" in the
accompanying Prospectus. If CL&P fails to make interest payments on its %
Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures, Series A (the "Series A
Subordinated Debentures") to be purchased by CL&P Capital with the proceeds of
the Series A Preferred Securities and the General Partner's related capital
contribution to CL&P Capital, CL&P Capital will not have sufficient funds to
pay Dividends on the Series A Preferred Securities. The Guaranty does not cover
payment of Dividends when CL&P Capital does not have sufficient funds to pay
such Dividends. In such event the remedy of a holder of Series A Preferred
Securities is to enforce the rights of CL&P Capital under the Series A
Subordinated Debentures. See "Description of the Subordinated Debentures--
Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of Preferred Securities" and
"Description of the Guaranty" in the accompanying Prospectus.
The obligations of CL&P under the Guaranty are subordinate and junior in
right of payment to all general liabilities of CL&P and the obligations of CL&P
under the Series A Subordinated Debentures are subordinate and junior in right
of payment to all present and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined herein) of
CL&P, which aggregated approximately $2.1 billion at September 30, 1994. Under
the Indenture (as defined herein), CL&P has the right to extend the interest
payment period from time to time for the Series A Subordinated Debentures to a
period not exceeding 60 consecutive months, and, as a consequence, Dividends on
the Series A Preferred Securities will be deferred by CL&P Capital during any
such extended interest payment period. In the event CL&P exercises its right to
extend the interest payment periods on the Series A Subordinated Debentures,
CL&P may not declare or pay dividends on, or redeem, purchase or acquire, any
shares of its capital stock during such extension period. CL&P Capital and CL&P
currently believe that the extension of an interest payment period is unlikely.
See "Description of the Preferred Securities--Voting Rights" and "Description
of the Subordinated Debentures--Option to Extend Interest Payment Period" in
the accompanying Prospectus.
The Series A Preferred Securities are subject to redemption at the option of
the General Partner in whole or in part, from time to time, on or after ,
2000, at $25 per Series A Preferred Security plus accumulated and unpaid
Dividends to the date fixed for redemption (the "Redemption Price"). The Series
A Preferred Securities shall be redeemed at the Redemption Price from the
proceeds of any redemption or payment at maturity of the Series A Subordinated
Debentures. See "Certain Terms of the Series A Preferred Securities--Optional
Redemption" and "--Mandatory Redemption" herein. In addition, upon the
occurrence of certain special events (i) the Series A Preferred Securities will
be subject to redemption and (ii) the Subordinated Debentures may be
distributed to holders of the Preferred Securities in liquidation of CL&P
Capital. See "Certain Terms of the Series A Preferred Securities--Investment
Company Act Event Redemption or Distribution" and "--Tax Event Redemption or
Distribution" herein.
In the event of the liquidation of CL&P Capital, holders of the Series A
Preferred Securities will be entitled to receive, for each Series A Preferred
Security, a liquidation preference of $25 plus accumulated and unpaid Dividends
to the date of payment unless, in connection with such liquidation, the Series
A Subordinated Debentures are distributed to the holders of Series A Preferred
Securities. See "Description of the Preferred Securities--Liquidation
Distribution" in the accompanying Prospectus.
The Series A Preferred Securities have been approved for listing on the New
York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance, under the symbol
"CPMpra".
SEE "CERTAIN INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS" FOR CERTAIN INFORMATION RELEVANT TO
AN INVESTMENT IN THE SERIES A PREFERRED SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE PERIOD DURING
WHICH AND CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS ON THE SERIES A
PREFERRED SECURITIES MAY BE DEFERRED AND THE RELATED UNITED STATES FEDERAL
INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES.
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS TO WHICH
IT RELATES. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
----------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INITIAL PUBLIC UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO CL&P
OFFERING PRICE COMMISSIONS(1) CAPITAL(2)(3)
-------------- -------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Per Series A Preferred
Security................ $ (2) $
Total................... $ (2) $
</TABLE>
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(1) CL&P Capital and CL&P have agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended. See "Underwriting."
(2) As the proceeds of the sale of the Series A Preferred Securities will be
loaned to CL&P, under the Underwriting Agreement CL&P has agreed to pay to the
Underwriters $ per Series A Preferred Security (or $ in the aggregate);
provided that such compensation will be $ per Series A Preferred Security
sold to certain institutions. Therefore, to the extent that Series A Preferred
Securities are sold to such institutions, the actual amount of Underwriters'
compensation will be less than the amount specified above. See "Underwriting."
(3) Expenses of the offering, excluding underwriting commissions, which are
payable by CL&P are estimated to be $ .
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The Series A Preferred Securities offered hereby are offered severally by the
Underwriters, as specified herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them
and subject to their right to reject any order in whole or in part. It is
expected that delivery of the Series A Preferred Securities will be made only
in book-entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company on or
about , 1995.
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* An application has been filed by Goldman, Sachs & Co. with the United
States Patent and Trademark Office for the registration of the MIPS
servicemark.
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. SALOMON BROTHERS INC
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
INCORPORATED
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED
SMITH BARNEY INC.
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The date of this Prospectus Supplement is , 1995.
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IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE SERIES A
PREFERRED SECURITIES AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN
THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK
EXCHANGE, IN THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF
COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with
the information contained in the accompanying Prospectus. Each of the
capitalized terms used in this Prospectus Supplement has the meaning set forth
in this Prospectus Supplement or in the accompanying Prospectus.
CERTAIN INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS
Prospective purchasers of the Series A Preferred Securities should carefully
review the information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus Supplement and
in the accompanying Prospectus and should particularly consider the following
matters:
SUBORDINATE OBLIGATIONS OF CL&P UNDER THE GUARANTY AND THE SERIES A
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
CL&P's obligations under the Guaranty are subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all general liabilities of CL&P, and its obligations under the
Series A Subordinated Debentures are subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all present and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the
accompanying Prospectus) of CL&P. At September 30, 1994, the Senior
Indebtedness of CL&P aggregated approximately $2.1 billion. There are no terms
in the Series A Preferred Securities, the Series A Subordinated Debentures or
the Guaranty that limit CL&P's ability to incur additional indebtedness,
including indebtedness that ranks senior to the Series A Subordinated
Debentures and the Guaranty.
The Guaranty guarantees payment to the holders of the Series A Preferred
Securities of accumulated and unpaid monthly Dividends, amounts payable on
redemption, and amounts payable on liquidation of CL&P Capital, in each case,
however, only to the extent that CL&P Capital has funds on hand legally
available therefor. If CL&P were to default in its obligation to pay interest
or amounts payable on redemption or maturity of the Series A Subordinated
Debentures, CL&P Capital would lack legally available funds for the payment of
Dividends or amounts payable on redemption or maturity of the Series A
Preferred Securities, and in such event holders of the Series A Preferred
Securities would not be able to rely upon the Guaranty for payment of such
amounts. Instead, holders of the Series A Preferred Securities would be
required to seek enforcement of CL&P Capital's rights against CL&P pursuant to
the terms of the Indenture (as defined below). See "Description of the
Guaranty--Status of the Guaranty" and "Description of the Subordinated
Debentures--Subordination" in the accompanying Prospectus.
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD FOR SERIES A SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES;
RESULTING DEFERRAL OF DIVIDENDS ON THE SERIES A PREFERRED SECURITIES; TAX
CONSEQUENCES
Under the Indenture, CL&P has the right from time to time, so long as no
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to extend the interest
payment period for the Series A Subordinated Debentures for up to 60
consecutive months. In the event that CL&P exercises such right, Dividends on
the Series A Preferred Securities would be deferred by CL&P Capital for the
length of the extended interest payment period. Dividends in arrears on the
Series A Preferred Securities after the monthly payment date therefor as a
result of any such deferral will, to the extent permitted by law, accumulate
additional distributions thereon at the distribution rate per annum for the
Series A Preferred Securities. The term "Dividends" as used herein includes,
as applicable, monthly distributions and distributions on monthly
distributions in arrears. In the event CL&P exercises its right to extend the
interest payment period on the Series A Subordinated Debentures, CL&P may not
declare or pay dividends on, or redeem, purchase or acquire, any shares of its
capital stock during such extension period. CL&P Capital and CL&P currently
believe that the extension of
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an interest payment period is unlikely. See "Description of Preferred
Securities--Voting Rights" and "Description of the Subordinated Debentures--
Option to Extend Interest Payment Period" in the accompanying Prospectus.
Should an extended interest payment period, and the resulting deferral of
Dividends on the Series A Preferred Securities, occur, CL&P Capital will
continue to accrue income for United States federal income tax purposes, which
will be allocated, but not distributed, to holders of the Series A Preferred
Securities. As a result, a holder will include such interest in gross income
for United States federal income tax purposes in advance of the receipt of
cash, and will not receive the cash related to such income from CL&P Capital if
the holder disposes of the Series A Preferred Securities prior to the record
date for payment of Dividends. See "United States Taxation--Potential Extension
of Interest Payment Period."
CL&P CAPITAL
CL&P Capital is a limited partnership formed under the Delaware Revised
Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the "Partnership Act") on November 16, 1994.
All of its general partner interests are owned by CL&P, which, as General
Partner, shall maintain a capital account balance equal to at least 3% of the
total positive capital account balances for CL&P Capital. In order to satisfy
this requirement, it is expected that the General Partner will make an
additional capital contribution to CL&P Capital in connection with the issuance
of each series of the Preferred Securities. As a limited partnership, all of
the business and affairs of CL&P Capital will be managed by the General
Partner. CL&P Capital has been created solely for the purpose of issuing the
Preferred Securities and lending the proceeds thereof, plus the General
Partner's capital contributions, to CL&P. Such loans will be evidenced by the
Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures (the "Subordinated
Debentures") issued by CL&P under an Indenture dated as of , 1995 (the
"Indenture") between CL&P and Bankers Trust Company, as trustee (the
"Trustee"), including the Series A Subordinated Debentures to be issued
concurrently with the issuance of the Series A Preferred Securities. The
Subordinated Debentures will be the only assets of CL&P Capital and the only
revenues of CL&P Capital will be the interest on the Subordinated Debentures.
Assuming a holder of Preferred Securities acts in conformity with the Amended
and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of CL&P Capital (the "Limited
Partnership Agreement"), such holder (other than the General Partner) will not
be liable for the debts, obligations and liabilities of CL&P Capital, whether
arising in contract, tort or otherwise, solely by reason of being a limited
partner of CL&P Capital, subject to the obligation of a limited partner to
repay any funds erroneously distributed to it.
The place of business of CL&P Capital is the principal executive offices of
the General Partner at Selden Street, Berlin, Connecticut 06037 and its
telephone number is (203) 665-5000.
CL&P
CL&P is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northeast Utilities ("NU"). The four
wholly-owned operating subsidiaries of NU--CL&P, Public Service Company of New
Hampshire, Western Massachusetts Electric Company ("WMECO") and Holyoke Water
Power Company--furnish electric service in portions of Connecticut and New
Hampshire and in western Massachusetts. CL&P is a Connecticut corporation,
organized in 1907, and is qualified as a foreign corporation in Massachusetts
and New Hampshire. CL&P is the largest electric utility in Connecticut and is
engaged principally in the production, purchase, transmission, distribution and
sale of electricity at retail for residential, commercial, industrial and
municipal purposes within Connecticut.
The principal executive offices of CL&P are located at Selden Street, Berlin,
Connecticut 06037 (telephone 203-665-5000).
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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS--NUCLEAR OPERATIONS
Overall capacity factors for the five nuclear power plants operated by
subsidiaries of NU in 1994 fell to 67.5%, compared to 80.8% in 1993. The lower
1994 composite capacity factor was primarily the result of extended refueling
and maintenance outages at Millstone Unit 1, Millstone Unit 2 and Seabrook
nuclear power plants.
On October 1, 1994, Millstone 2 began a planned refueling and maintenance
outage that was originally scheduled for 63 days. Millstone 2 is 100% owned by
CL&P and WMECO. The outage has encountered several unexpected difficulties
which have lengthened the duration of the outage. The magnitude of the schedule
impact is currently under review, but the outage is presently expected to last
through at least early March. CL&P expects that replacement power costs in the
range of $5 million per month will be attributable to the extension of the
outage. Recovery of these costs will be subject to scrutiny by the Connecticut
Department of Public Utility Control.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (the "NRC") latest Systematic Assessment
of Licensee Performance report for the Millstone Station, issued August 26,
1994, noted significant weaknesses in Millstone 2's operations and maintenance,
in particular, but also observed that the unit had been operated in a safe
manner. In a recent public statement, a senior NRC official expressed
disappointment with the continued weaknesses in Millstone 2's performance.
Management believes that the primary cause of the NRC's disappointment with
Millstone 2's performance is that, despite its recognition that there has been
significant management attention and action over a period of years, the NRC
does not believe it has seen enough objective evidence of improvement in
reducing procedural non-compliances and other human errors.
Management has acknowledged the basis for the NRC's concern with Millstone 2
and has been devoting increased attention to resolving these issues. If the NRC
continues to have these or heightened concerns, CL&P and WMECO could be
required to expend additional monies to remedy such problems, in amounts not
now determinable but which could be significant.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The proceeds to be received by CL&P Capital from the sale of the Series A
Preferred Securities offered hereby will be loaned to CL&P and will be applied
by CL&P to the redemption, reacquisition or payment at maturity of all or a
portion of CL&P's 1989 Series, 9% Preferred Stock, par value $25 per share, of
which 3,000,000 shares are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof, and
1989 Dutch Auction Rate Transferable Securities, par value $25 per share, of
which 2,000,000 shares are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof.
CERTAIN TERMS OF THE SERIES A PREFERRED SECURITIES
GENERAL
All of the general partner interests in CL&P Capital are owned by CL&P. The
Limited Partnership Agreement authorizes the General Partner to cause CL&P
Capital to issue one or more series of Preferred Securities. The Series A
Preferred Securities are the first series so issued. All series of the
Preferred Securities will rank equally, and will have a preference over the
general partner interests in CL&P Capital, with respect to Dividends and
amounts payable on redemption or liquidation. The Limited Partnership Agreement
does not permit the incurrence of any indebtedness by CL&P Capital. The summary
of certain material terms and provisions of the Series A Preferred Securities
set forth below does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and
qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Limited Partnership Agreement
which has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus form a part, and the
Partnership Act. The following information should be read in conjunction with
the statements under "Description of the Preferred Securities" in the
accompanying Prospectus.
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DIVIDENDS
The Series A Preferred Securities will be entitled to Dividends out of funds
on hand legally available therefor held by CL&P Capital at the annual rate of
% of the stated liquidation preference of $25 per Series A Preferred
Security, payable monthly in arrears on the last day of each calendar month.
The General Partner may cause CL&P Capital to make distributions on the general
partner interests of CL&P Capital only after payment in full of all Dividends
accrued on the Series A Preferred Securities and any other outstanding
Preferred Securities of CL&P Capital. The first Dividend payment date for the
Series A Preferred Securities will be , 1995, and such Dividends will be
cumulative from the date of original issue. The amount of Dividends payable for
any period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months, and for any period shorter than a full monthly distribution period,
Dividends will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed on
such period.
The Series A Preferred Securities will rank pari passu with all other series
of Preferred Securities which may be issued by CL&P Capital and senior to all
general partner interests. No other series of Preferred Securities have been
issued by CL&P Capital as of the date hereof.
Under the Indenture, CL&P has the right from time to time, so long as no
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to extend the interest payment
period for the Series A Subordinated Debentures for up to 60 consecutive months
(an "Extension Period"); provided that no Extension Period shall extend beyond
the stated maturity, or acceleration thereof, or any date of redemption, of the
Series A Subordinated Debentures. If such right is exercised, Dividends on the
Series A Preferred Securities would be deferred (but would continue to
accumulate in arrears with additional Dividends accumulating thereon after the
monthly payment date therefor) by CL&P Capital during any Extension Period. In
the event that CL&P exercises its right to extend the interest payment period
on the Series A Subordinated Debentures, CL&P may not declare or pay dividends
on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect
to, any of its capital stock during the Extension Period. CL&P Capital and CL&P
currently believe that the extension of an interest payment period is unlikely.
Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, CL&P may shorten or further
extend the interest payment period, provided that such Extension Period,
together with all such previous and further extensions thereof, may not exceed
60 consecutive months. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the
payment of all amounts then due on the Series A Subordinated Debentures, CL&P
may elect to extend the interest payment period again, subject to the above
requirements. See "Description of the Subordinated Debentures--Option to Extend
Interest Payment Period" in the accompanying Prospectus and "United States
Taxation--Potential Extension of Interest Payment Period" herein. Payments
received by CL&P Capital with respect to the Series A Subordinated Debentures
and other series of CL&P's Subordinated Debentures will not be segregated by
CL&P Capital for the benefit of the holders of the Series A Preferred
Securities or holders of any other particular series of Preferred Securities.
It is anticipated that CL&P Capital's earnings available for distribution to
the holders of the Series A Preferred Securities will be limited to payments
under the Series A Subordinated Debentures in which CL&P Capital will invest
the proceeds from the issuance and sale of the Series A Preferred Securities.
See "Certain Terms of the Series A Subordinated Debentures" in the accompanying
Prospectus. If CL&P does not make interest payments on the Series A
Subordinated Debentures, it is expected that CL&P Capital will not pay
Dividends on the Series A Preferred Securities. Under the Limited Partnership
Agreement, if and to the extent CL&P does make interest payments on the Series
A Subordinated Debentures, CL&P Capital is obligated, to the extent funds are
legally available therefor, to pay Dividends on the Series A Preferred
Securities. The payment of Dividends is guaranteed by CL&P as, and to the
extent, set forth under "Description of the Guaranty" in the accompanying
Prospectus.
Dividends on the Series A Preferred Securities will be payable to the holders
thereof as they appear on the books and records of CL&P Capital on the relevant
record dates, which, as long as the Series A Preferred Securities remain in
book-entry-only form, will be one Business Day (as defined below) prior to the
relevant payment dates. Subject to any applicable laws and regulations and the
provisions of the Limited Partnership Agreement, each such payment will be made
as described under "Book-Entry-Only Issuance--The
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Depositary Trust Company" in the accompanying Prospectus. In the event the
Series A Preferred Securities shall not continue to remain in book-entry-only
form, the General Partner shall have the right to change such record dates. In
the event that any date on which Dividends are payable on the Series A
Preferred Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the Dividends
payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a
Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such
delay) except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar
year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in
each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date. A "Business
Day" shall mean any day other than a day on which banking institutions in The
City of New York, the State of Connecticut or the State of Delaware are
authorized or required by law to close.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
The Series A Preferred Securities are subject to redemption, at the option of
the General Partner, in whole or in part, from time to time, on or after ,
2000, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at $25 per Series A
Preferred Security, plus accumulated and unpaid Dividends, if any, to the date
fixed for redemption (the "Redemption Price"). Any such notice may state that
it is subject to the receipt by CL&P Capital of redemption monies on or before
such date fixed for redemption, which notice shall be of no effect unless such
monies are so received prior to such date. See "Description of the Preferred
Securities--Redemption Provisions" in the accompanying Prospectus. The Series A
Preferred Securities will also be subject to redemption at the Redemption Price
in certain circumstances described under "--Investment Company Act Event
Redemption or Distribution" and "--Tax Event Redemption or Distribution."
MANDATORY REDEMPTION
If at any time CL&P redeems the Series A Subordinated Debentures or pays the
Series A Subordinated Debentures at maturity as described under "Description of
the Subordinated Debentures" in the accompanying Prospectus, the Series A
Preferred Securities will be subject to mandatory redemption at the Redemption
Price.
The Series A Preferred Securities will not be entitled to any sinking fund.
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT EVENT REDEMPTION OR DISTRIBUTION
If an Investment Company Act Event (as defined below) shall occur and be
continuing, the General Partner will be required to (i) cause CL&P Capital to
redeem in whole the Series A Preferred Securities at the Redemption Price
within 90 days following the occurrence of such Investment Company Act Event,
or (ii) dissolve CL&P Capital and cause CL&P Capital to distribute the Series A
Debentures to holders of Series A Preferred Securities in liquidation of CL&P
Capital within 90 days following the occurrence of such Investment Company Act
Event; provided, however, that in the case of clause (ii) above CL&P Capital
shall have received an opinion of counsel (which may be regular tax counsel to
CL&P Capital or an affiliate, but not an employee thereof) to the effect that
the holders of Series A Preferred Securities will not recognize any gain or
loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such
distribution. See "United States Taxation--Receipt of Series A Subordinated
Debentures Upon Liquidation of CL&P Capital."
"Investment Company Act Event" means the occurrence of a change in law or
regulation or a change in official interpretation of law or regulation by any
legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority (a "Change
in 1940 Act Law") to the effect that CL&P Capital is or will be considered an
"investment company" which is required to be registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), which Change in 1940 Act Law
becomes effective on or after the date of issuance of the Series A Preferred
Securities; provided, that no Investment Company Act Event shall be deemed to
have occurred if CL&P Capital has, within 45 days after such Change in 1940 Act
Law, received an opinion of counsel (which may be regular counsel to CL&P
Capital or an affiliate but not an employee thereof) experienced in such
matters, to the effect that CL&P Capital and/or CL&P has taken reasonable
measures,
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in its discretion, to avoid such Change in 1940 Act Law so that,
notwithstanding such Change in 1940 Act Law, CL&P Capital is not required to be
registered as an "investment company" within the meaning of the 1940 Act.
TAX EVENT REDEMPTION OR DISTRIBUTION
If a Tax Event (as defined below) shall occur and be continuing, the General
Partner may (i) cause CL&P Capital to redeem the Series A Preferred Securities
at the Redemption Price, within 90 days following the occurrence of such Tax
Event, or (ii) dissolve CL&P Capital and cause CL&P Capital to distribute the
Series A Debentures to holders of Series A Preferred Securities in liquidation
of their interests in CL&P Capital within 90 days following the occurrence of
such Tax Event; provided, however, that in the case of clause (ii) above CL&P
Capital shall have received an opinion of counsel (which may be regular tax
counsel to CL&P Capital or an affiliate, but not an employee thereof) to the
effect that the holders of Series A Preferred Securities will not recognize any
gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such
distribution. See "United States Taxation--Receipt of Series A Subordinated
Debentures Upon Liquidation of CL&P Capital." If the General Partner does not
elect to cause a redemption as permitted by clause (i) above or a distribution
as permitted by clause (ii) above, then the Series A Preferred Securities will
remain outstanding and Additional Interest (as defined in the accompanying
Prospectus) will be payable on the Series A Subordinated Debentures. See
"Description of the Subordinated Debentures--Additional Interest" in the
accompanying Prospectus.
"Tax Event" means that CL&P Capital shall have received an opinion of counsel
(which may be regular tax counsel to CL&P Capital or an affiliate but not an
employee thereof) experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result
of any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in,
the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political
subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein affecting taxation, or as a
result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is
effective or such pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date
of issuance of the Series A Preferred Securities, there is more than an
insubstantial risk that (i) CL&P Capital is subject to United States federal
income tax with respect to interest received on the Series A Subordinated
Debentures, (ii) interest payable by CL&P on the Series A Subordinated
Debentures will not be deductible for United States federal income tax purposes
or the Partnership will otherwise not be taxed as a partnership or (iii) CL&P
Capital is subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or
other governmental charges.
LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary dissolution and winding up of
CL&P Capital, other than in connection with the distribution of the
Subordinated Debentures of any series upon the occurrence of an Investment
Company Act Event or a Tax Event (see "--Investment Company Act Redemption or
Distribution" and "--Tax Event Redemption or Distribution"), the holders of the
Preferred Securities at the time outstanding will be entitled to receive out of
the assets of CL&P Capital after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors as
required by Delaware law and before any distribution of assets is made to
holders of its general partner interests, the aggregate of the stated
liquidation preference, which shall be $25 per Preferred Security plus all
accumulated and unpaid Dividends to the date of payment (the "Liquidation
Distribution"). If, upon such dissolution and winding up, CL&P Capital has
insufficient assets available to pay the Liquidation Distribution in full, then
the amounts payable on each series of Preferred Securities shall be paid on a
pro rata basis, in proportion to the full Liquidation Distribution to which
each series of Preferred Securities would be entitled.
CERTAIN TERMS OF THE SERIES A SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
The following information should be read in conjunction with the statements
under "Description of the Subordinated Debentures" in the accompanying
Prospectus.
S-7
<PAGE>
In exchange for, and to evidence the loan of, the proceeds of the sale of the
Series A Preferred Securities, plus the General Partner's related capital
contribution, CL&P will issue the Series A Subordinated Debentures to CL&P
Capital in the principal amount of $ and with interest payment and redemption
provisions which correspond to the Dividend and redemption provisions of the
Series A Preferred Securities. The Series A Subordinated Debentures will mature
on , 2044.
The Series A Subordinated Debentures will rank junior and be subordinate in
right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness of CL&P. See "Description of the
Subordinated Debentures--Subordination" in the accompanying Prospectus.
The Series A Debentures are subject to redemption prior to maturity at the
option of CL&P at the price of 100% of the principal amount thereof plus
accrued interest to the redemption date in whole or in part (i) from time to
time on or after , 2000, (ii) from time to time upon or after the
dissolution of CL&P Capital, or (iii) from time to time if CL&P shall be
required to pay Additional Interest thereon. See "Description of the
Subordinated Debentures--Additional Interest" in the accompanying Prospectus.
The Series A Debentures are subject to mandatory redemption prior to maturity
at the price of 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest to
the redemption date in whole or in part upon a redemption of the Series A
Preferred Securities, but if in part, in an aggregate principal amount equal to
the aggregate stated liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred
Securities redeemed.
UNITED STATES TAXATION
INTRODUCTION
Set forth following this Introduction is a summary of certain United States
federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to prospective
purchasers of Series A Preferred Securities and represents the opinion of Day,
Berry & Howard, counsel to CL&P and CL&P Capital, insofar as it relates to
matters of law and legal conclusions. The summary is based upon current
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
existing and proposed regulations thereunder and current administrative rulings
and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Subsequent changes may
cause tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described
below.
No attempt has been made in the following summary to comment on all United
States federal income tax matters affecting purchasers of Series A Preferred
Securities. Moreover, the summary focuses on holders of Series A Preferred
Securities who are individual citizens or residents of the United States that
hold Series A Preferred Securities as a capital asset and has only limited
application to corporations, estates, trusts or non-resident aliens.
Accordingly, each prospective purchaser of Series A Preferred Securities should
consult, and should depend on, his or her own tax adviser in analyzing the
federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of the purchase, ownership
or disposition of Series A Preferred Securities.
In April 1994, the IRS issued certain notices generally addressing the
characteristics which distinguish debt from equity for various purposes under
United States federal income tax laws. In these notices, the IRS indicated that
transactions involving securities that, like the Series A Preferred Securities,
have both debt and equity characteristics would be reviewed with scrutiny to
determine how they would be treated for tax purposes. In particular, the IRS
announced that it will carefully scrutinize any transaction designed to produce
interest deductions with respect to a related stock issuance. CL&P believes
that interest on the Series A Subordinated Debentures will be deductible by
CL&P under the tests referred to in these notices. If, however, there is a
change in applicable tax laws or regulations, or the IRS should subsequently
issue a further official administrative pronouncement, or should there be a
judicial decision, pursuant to which there is more than an insubstantial risk
that interest on the Series A Subordinated Debentures would not be deductible
(or any other Tax Event shall occur and be continuing), the Series A Preferred
Securities would be subject to redemption at the option of CL&P Capital, as
described under "Certain Terms of the Series A Preferred Securities--Tax Event
Redemption or Distribution."
S-8
<PAGE>
INCOME FROM SERIES A PREFERRED SECURITIES
In the opinion of Day, Berry & Howard, CL&P Capital will be treated as a
partnership for United States federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, each
holder of Series A Preferred Securities will be required to include in gross
income such holder's distributive share of the net income of CL&P Capital. Such
income will not exceed distributions received on such Series A Preferred
Securities, except in limited circumstances as described below under "Potential
Extension of Interest Payment Period." No portion of such income will be
eligible for the dividends received deduction.
DISPOSITION OF SERIES A PREFERRED SECURITIES
Gain or loss will be recognized on a sale, exchange or other disposition,
including a redemption for cash, of Series A Preferred Securities in an amount
equal to the difference between the amount realized and the holder's tax basis
in such Series A Preferred Securities. Gain or loss recognized by a holder of
the Series A Preferred Security on the sale or exchange of a Series A Preferred
Security held for more than one year will generally be taxable as long-term
capital gain or loss.
RECEIPT OF SERIES A SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES UPON LIQUIDATION OF CL&P CAPITAL
Under certain circumstances, as described under the captions "Certain Terms
of the Series A Preferred Securities--Investment Company Act Event Redemption
or Distribution" and "--Tax Event Redemption or Distribution," Series A
Subordinated Debentures may be distributed to the holders of the Series A
Preferred Securities in liquidation of CL&P Capital. Under current United
States federal income tax law, such a distribution would be treated as a non-
taxable exchange to each holder of Series A Preferred Securities and would
result in the holder of Series A Preferred Securities receiving an aggregate
tax basis in the Series A Subordinated Debentures equal to such holder's
aggregate tax basis in its Series A Preferred Securities. A holder's holding
period in the Series A Subordinated Debentures so received in liquidation of
CL&P Capital would include the period for which the Series A Preferred
Securities were held by such holder. As a condition to the dissolution of CL&P
Capital and such a distribution, CL&P Capital will be required to obtain an
opinion of counsel (which may be regular tax counsel to CL&P Capital or an
affiliate, but not an employee thereof) to the effect that the holders of the
Series A Preferred Securities will not recognize any gain or loss for United
States federal income tax purposes as a result of such dissolution and
distribution of Series A Subordinated Debentures.
CL&P CAPITAL INFORMATION RETURNS AND AUDIT PROCEDURES
The General Partner will furnish each holder of a Series A Preferred Security
with a Schedule K-1 each year setting forth such holder's allocable share of
income for the prior calendar year. The General Partner is required to furnish
such schedules as soon as practicable following the end of the year, but in any
event prior to March 31.
Any person who holds Series A Preferred Securities as a nominee for another
person is required to furnish to CL&P Capital (a) the name, address and
taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner and the nominee; (b)
information as to whether the beneficial owners is (i) a person that is not a
United States person, (ii) a foreign government, an international organization
or any wholly owned agency or instrumentality of either of the foregoing, or
(iii) a tax-exempt entity; (c) the amount and description of Series A Preferred
Securities held, acquired or transferred for the beneficial owner; and (d)
certain information including the dates of acquisitions and transfers, means of
acquisitions and transfers, and acquisition cost for purchases, as well as the
amount of net proceeds from sales. Brokers and financial institutions are
required to furnish additional information, including whether they are United
States persons, and certain information on Series A Preferred Securities they
acquire, hold or transfer for their own accounts. A penalty of $50 per failure
(up to a maximum of $100,000 per calendar year) is imposed by the Code for
failure to report such information to CL&P Capital. The nominee is required to
supply the beneficial owners of the Series A Preferred Securities with the
information furnished to CL&P Capital.
S-9
<PAGE>
POTENTIAL EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
Under the terms of the Indenture, CL&P will be permitted to extend the
interest payment period for the Series A Subordinated Debentures for up to 60
consecutive months (an "Extension Period"). Because the interest payment period
is extendable by CL&P, the interest on the Series A Subordinated Debentures
will be treated as "original issue discount" pursuant to Code sections 1271 et
seq. and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. CL&P Capital will
therefore be required, during any Extension Period, to include in gross income
the interest on the Series A Subordinated Debentures as it accrues in
accordance with a constant yield method (notwithstanding that no cash payments
will be made during an Extension Period). Likewise, regardless of its regular
method of accounting for tax purposes, each holder of Series A Subordinated
Debentures (after a dissolution of CL&P Capital) will be required, during any
Extension Period, to include in income the interest on the Series A
Subordinated Debentures as it accrues in accordance with such method.
Accrued income of CL&P Capital will be allocated, but not distributed, to
holders of record on the Business Day preceding the last day of each calendar
month. As a result, holders of Series A Preferred Securities during an
Extension Period will be required to include interest in gross income in
advance of the receipt of cash, and any such persons who dispose of Series A
Preferred Securities prior to the record date for the payment of Dividends
following such Extension Period will include interest in gross income but will
not receive any cash related thereto. A holder's tax basis in a Series A
Preferred Security will be increased by the amount of any interest that is
included in income without a receipt of cash, and will be decreased when and if
such cash is subsequently received from CL&P Capital. The subsequent receipt of
such cash will not be included in gross income.
UNITED STATES ALIEN HOLDERS
For purposes of this discussion, a "United States Alien Holder" is any holder
or beneficial owner who or which is (i) a nonresident alien individual, (ii) a
foreign corporation or partnership or (iii) an estate or trust that has a
foreign fiduciary, in each case not subject to United States federal income tax
on a net income basis in respect of a Series A Preferred Security.
Under present United States federal income tax law, subject to the discussion
below with respect to backup withholding:
(i) payments in respect of a Series A Preferred Security by CL&P Capital
or any of its paying agents to a United States Alien Holder will not be
subject to United States federal withholding tax provided that (a) the
beneficial owner of the Series A Preferred Security does not actually or
constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock of CL&P entitled to vote, (b) the beneficial owner of the
Series A Preferred Security is not a controlled foreign corporation that is
related to CL&P through stock ownership, and (c) the beneficial owner
provides the correct certification of United States Alien Holder status,
which may generally be satisfied by providing an IRS Form W-8 certifying
that the beneficial owner is a United States Alien Holder and providing the
name and address of the beneficial owner; and
(ii) a United States Alien Holder of a Series A Preferred Security will
generally not be subject to United States federal income or withholding tax
on any gain realized on the sale or exchange of a Series A Preferred
Security. Under certain conditions, a United States Alien Holder may be
subject to United States federal income tax on gain or income received with
respect to the sale or exchange of a Series A Preferred Security. Such
income taxation may occur, for example, if the United States Alien Holder
(a) is engaged in a trade or business in the United States and gain or
income is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business
or (b) is an individual present in the United States for 183 days or more
during the taxable year, and certain conditions are met. Such taxation is
beyond the scope of this summary and should be discussed with a tax
adviser. If income is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
business in the United States by a United States Alien Holder, withholding
of United States federal income tax may be required unless the United
States Alien Holder files with CL&P Capital or its paying agent an IRS form
to the effect that the income is so effectively connected.
S-10
<PAGE>
If the Series A Subordinated Debentures were not treated as debt, or if CL&P
Capital were not treated as a partnership, for United States federal income tax
purposes, United States Alien Holders could experience tax consequences
different from those described above, including consequences related to
withholding on Dividends and United States estate tax consequences.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments to non-
corporate United States holders of the proceeds of the sale of Series A
Preferred Securities within the United States and "backup withholding" at a
rate of 31% will apply to such payments if the seller fails to provide a
correct taxpayer identification number.
In general, information reporting requirements will also apply to payments of
principal and interest on a Series A Subordinated Debenture distributed to a
holder of Series A Preferred Securities, and the proceeds of the sale of a
Series A Subordinated Debenture prior to maturity within the United States,
with respect to non-corporate United States holders, and "backup withholding"
at a rate of 31% will apply to such payments if the United States holder fails
to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number or to report all interest
and dividends required to be shown on its United States federal income tax
returns.
Information reporting and backup withholding will not apply to payments of
principal and interest made by CL&P or a paying agent to a United States Alien
Holder on a Series A Subordinated Debenture distributed to a holder of Series A
Preferred Securities if the certification described in clause (i)(c) under
"United States Alien Holders" above is received, provided that the payor does
not have actual knowledge that the holder is a United States holder.
Payments of the proceeds from the sale by a United States Alien Holder of
Series A Preferred Securities or Series A Subordinated Debentures distributed
to such holder made to or through a foreign office of a broker generally will
not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding, except that, if
the broker is a United States person, a controlled foreign corporation for
United States tax purposes or a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross
income is effectively connected with a United States trade or business for a
specified three-year period, information reporting may apply to such payments.
Payments of the proceeds from the sale of Series A Preferred Securities or
Series A Subordinated Debentures distributed to a holder of Series A Preferred
Securities to or through the United States office of a broker is subject to
information reporting and backup withholding unless the holder or beneficial
owner certifies as to its non-United States status or otherwise establishes an
exemption from information reporting and backup withholding.
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement among CL&P
Capital, CL&P and the underwriters named below (the "Underwriters"), for whom
Goldman, Sachs & Co., Salomon Brothers Inc, Merrill Lynch & Co., Morgan Stanley
& Co. Incorporated, Prudential Securities Incorporated and Smith Barney Inc.
are acting as Representatives, CL&P Capital has agreed to sell to each of the
Underwriters and each of the Underwriters has severally agreed to purchase from
CL&P Capital the respective number of Series A Preferred Securities set forth
opposite its name below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SERIES A
UNDERWRITER PREFERRED SECURITIES
----------- --------------------
<S> <C>
Goldman, Sachs & Co. ...................................
Salomon Brothers Inc....................................
Merrill Lynch & Co......................................
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.......................
Prudential Securities Incorporated......................
Smith Barney Inc........................................
---
Total.................................................
===
</TABLE>
S-11
<PAGE>
Under the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Underwriters are committed to take and pay for all such Series A Preferred
Securities offered hereby, if any are taken.
The Underwriters propose to offer the Series A Preferred Securities in part
directly to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus Supplement, and in part to certain securities
dealers at such price less a concession of $ per Series A Preferred Security.
The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in
excess of $ per Series A Preferred Security to certain brokers and dealers.
After the Series A Preferred Securities are released for sale to the public,
the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by
the Representatives.
In view of the fact that the proceeds from the sale of the Series A Preferred
Securities will be loaned to CL&P, under the Underwriting Agreement, CL&P has
agreed to pay to the Underwriters $ per Series A Preferred Security ($ per
Series A Preferred Security sold to certain institutions) for the accounts of
the several Underwriters.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Series A
Preferred Securities. The Series A Preferred Securities have been approved for
listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance,
under the symbol "CPMpra". In order to meet one of the requirements for listing
the Series A Preferred Securities on the New York Stock Exchange, the
Underwriters have undertaken to sell the Series A Preferred Securities to a
minimum of 400 beneficial holders. Trading of the Series A Preferred Securities
on the New York Stock Exchange is expected to commence within the seven-day
period after the initial delivery of the Series A Preferred Securities. The
Representatives have advised CL&P that they intend to make a market in the
Series A Preferred Securities prior to commencement of trading on the New York
Stock Exchange, but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any such
market at any time without notice. If the Series A Subordinated Debentures are
distributed to the holders of the Series A Preferred Securities as described
above under "Certain Terms of the Series A Preferred Securities--Investment
Company Act Event Redemption or Distribution" and "--Tax Event Redemption or
Distribution," CL&P will use its best efforts to have the Series A Subordinated
Debentures listed on the New York Stock Exchange or on such other exchange as
the Series A Preferred Securities are then listed.
The Underwriters do not intend to confirm sales to any discretionary account
unless the customer's prior written consent is obtained.
CL&P and CL&P Capital have agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended.
CL&P and CL&P Capital have agreed, during the period beginning on the date of
the Underwriting Agreement and continuing to and including the earlier of (i)
the date, after the closing date, on which the distribution of the Series A
Preferred Securities ceases, as determined by Goldman, Sachs & Co., or (ii) 90
days after the closing date, not to offer, sell, contract to sell, or otherwise
dispose of any Series A Preferred Securities, any limited partner interests of
CL&P Capital, or any preferred stock or any other securities of CL&P Capital or
CL&P which are substantially similar to the Series A Preferred Securities,
including the related Guaranty, or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable for Series A Preferred Securities, limited partner interests,
preferred stock or other substantially similar securities of either CL&P
Capital or CL&P, without the prior written consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
S-12
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
CL&P CAPITAL
CUMULATIVE MONTHLY INCOME PREFERRED SECURITIES (MIPS*)
GUARANTEED TO THE EXTENT THE ISSUER HAS FUNDS LEGALLY AVAILABLE THEREFOR, AS
SET FORTH HEREIN, BY
THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
--------------
CL&P Capital, L.P. ("CL&P Capital"), a Delaware special purpose limited
partnership of which The Connecticut Light and Power Company ("CL&P" or the
"General Partner") is the general partner, may offer from time to time, in one
or more series, its monthly income preferred securities representing limited
partner interests ("Preferred Securities"). The payment of periodic cash
distributions ("Dividends") with respect to the Preferred Securities of each
series and payments on liquidation or redemption with respect to such
Preferred Securities, in each case out of funds on hand legally available
therefor held by CL&P Capital, are guaranteed by CL&P pursuant to a Payment
and Guaranty Agreement (the "Guaranty") to the extent described below. See
"Description of the Guaranty." The obligations of CL&P under the Guaranty will
be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all general liabilities of
CL&P. Concurrently with the issuance of each series of Preferred Securities,
CL&P Capital will lend the proceeds from the sale thereof, and the General
Partner's related capital contribution, to CL&P and to evidence such loan CL&P
will issue and deliver to CL&P Capital a series of CL&P's Junior Subordinated
Deferrable Interest Debentures (the "Subordinated Debentures") with terms
corresponding to that series of Preferred Securities. The Subordinated
Debentures will be unsecured and subordinate and junior in right of payment to
all present and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined herein) of CL&P. The
Subordinated Debentures will be the sole asset of CL&P Capital and the
interest on the Subordinated Debentures will be the only revenue of CL&P
Capital.
The Preferred Securities may be offered in amounts, at prices and on terms
to be determined at the time of offering, provided, however, that the
aggregate initial public offering price of all Preferred Securities issued
under the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part shall
not exceed $125,000,000. Certain specific terms of the particular series of
Preferred Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered
will be set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement (the "Prospectus
Supplement"), including where applicable and to the extent not set forth
herein, the specific title, the aggregate amount, the Dividend rate (or the
method for determining the rate), the stated liquidation preference,
redemption provisions, other rights, the initial public offering price, and
any other special terms, as well as any planned listing of the Preferred
Securities on a securities exchange.
The Preferred Securities may be sold for public offering to or through
underwriters or dealers designated from time to time. See "Plan of
Distribution." The names of any such underwriters or dealers involved in the
sale of the Preferred Securities of the particular series in respect of which
this Prospectus is being delivered, the number of Preferred Securities to be
purchased by any such underwriters or dealers and any applicable commissions
or discounts will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement. The net proceeds
to CL&P Capital will also be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement.
The Prospectus Supplement will contain information concerning United States
federal income tax considerations and the Preferred Securities offered.
-----------
*An application has been filed by Goldman, Sachs & Co. with the United
States Patent and Trademark Office for the registration of the MIPS
servicemark.
--------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
--------------
The date of this Prospectus is January 10, 1995.
<PAGE>
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED, OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE, IN THIS PROSPECTUS
IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND IF GIVEN OR MADE,
SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE
SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS
UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION.
NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL,
UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE
IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
---------------
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
CL&P is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act") and, in accordance therewith, files reports and
other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").
Such reports and other information can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the SEC at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549; 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661-2511 and Seven World Trade Center, New York, New York 10007.
Copies of such material can also be obtained at prescribed rates from the
Public Reference Section of the SEC at its principal office at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
CL&P's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, its
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1994, June 30,
1994 and September 30, 1994 and its Current Report on Form 8-K dated January
10, 1995 (File No. 0-404) have been filed with the SEC pursuant to the 1934
Act and are hereby incorporated in this Prospectus by reference.
All documents filed by CL&P pursuant to Sections 13(a) and (c), 14 or 15(d)
of the 1934 Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination
of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such documents. Any
statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of
this Prospectus and any amendment or supplement hereto to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document, which
also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not
be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement.
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUMMARIZES, IS BASED UPON,
OR REFERS TO, INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN ONE OR MORE
INCORPORATED DOCUMENTS; ACCORDINGLY, SUCH INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH DOCUMENTS AND SHOULD BE READ IN
CONJUNCTION THEREWITH.
CL&P WILL PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM A COPY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS HAS BEEN DELIVERED, INCLUDING ANY BENEFICIAL OWNER, ON THE REQUEST
OF ANY SUCH PERSON, A COPY OF ANY OR ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO ABOVE
WHICH HAVE BEEN OR MAY BE INCORPORATED IN THIS PROSPECTUS BY REFERENCE, OTHER
THAN EXHIBITS TO SUCH DOCUMENTS. WRITTEN REQUESTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE
CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY, P.O. BOX 270, HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT
06141-0270, ATTENTION: INVESTOR RELATIONS. TELEPHONE REQUESTS SHOULD BE MADE
TO (203) 665-5000, ATTENTION: INVESTOR RELATIONS.
---------------
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY FIRM COMMITMENT OFFERING MADE PURSUANT TO THIS
PROSPECTUS, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH
STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY AT A
LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH
STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
2
<PAGE>
CL&P CAPITAL
CL&P Capital is a limited partnership formed under the Delaware Revised
Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the "Partnership Act") on November 16, 1994.
All of its general partner interests are owned by CL&P, which, as the General
Partner, shall maintain a capital account balance equal to at least 3% of the
total positive capital account balances for CL&P Capital. In order to satisfy
this requirement, it is expected that the General Partner will make an
additional capital contribution to CL&P Capital in connection with the
issuance of each series of the Preferred Securities. As a limited partnership,
all of the business and affairs of CL&P Capital will be managed by the General
Partner. CL&P Capital has been created solely for the purpose of issuing the
Preferred Securities and lending the proceeds thereof, plus the General
Partner's capital contributions, to CL&P. Such loans will be evidenced by the
Subordinated Debentures issued by CL&P under an Indenture dated as of ,
1995 (the "Indenture") between CL&P and Bankers Trust Company, as trustee (the
"Trustee"). The Subordinated Debentures will be the only assets of CL&P
Capital and the only revenues of CL&P Capital will be the interest on the
Subordinated Debentures. The General Partner will pay all of CL&P Capital's
operating expenses and will have general liability for all of CL&P Capital's
obligations.
Assuming a holder of Preferred Securities acts in conformity with the
Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of CL&P Capital (the
"Limited Partnership Agreement"), such holder (other than the General Partner)
will not be liable for the debts, obligations and liabilities of CL&P Capital,
whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, solely by reason of being a
limited partner of CL&P Capital, subject to the obligation of a limited
partner to repay any funds wrongfully distributed to it.
The place of business of CL&P Capital is the principal executive offices of
the General Partner at Selden Street, Berlin, Connecticut 06037 and its
telephone number is (203) 665-5000.
CL&P
CL&P is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northeast Utilities ("NU"). The four
wholly-owned operating subsidiaries of NU--CL&P, Public Service Company of New
Hampshire, Western Massachusetts Electric Company and Holyoke Water Power
Company--furnish electric service in portions of Connecticut and New Hampshire
and in western Massachusetts. CL&P is a Connecticut corporation, organized in
1907, and is qualified as a foreign corporation in Massachusetts and New
Hampshire. CL&P is the largest electric utility in Connecticut and is engaged
principally in the production, purchase, transmission, distribution and sale
of electricity at retail for residential, commercial, industrial and municipal
purposes within Connecticut.
The principal executive offices of CL&P are located at Selden Street,
Berlin, Connecticut 06037 (telephone 203-665-5000).
COVERAGE RATIOS
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
Below are set forth CL&P's ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of
the years in the period 1989 through 1993 and for the twelve months ended
September 30, 1994. The ratios have been restated to reflect only the revenues
and income from CL&P's continuing electric business. CL&P divested its gas
business on June 30, 1989.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TWELVE-MONTH
PERIOD ENDED RATIO
------------ -----
<S> <C>
December 31, 1989................................................ 2.32
December 31, 1990................................................ 2.53
December 31, 1991................................................ 3.02
December 31, 1992................................................ 2.96
December 31, 1993................................................ 2.71
September 30, 1994 (unaudited)................................... 3.63
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE>
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS
Below are set forth CL&P's ratios of earnings to fixed charges and preferred
dividends for each of the years in the period 1989 through 1993 and for the
twelve months ended September 30, 1994. The ratios have been restated to
reflect only the revenues and income from CL&P's continuing electric business.
CL&P divested its gas business on June 30, 1989.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TWELVE-MONTH
PERIOD ENDED RATIO
------------ -----
<S> <C>
December 31, 1989................................................ 1.95
December 31, 1990................................................ 2.03
December 31, 1991................................................ 2.34
December 31, 1992................................................ 2.27
December 31, 1993................................................ 2.01
September 30, 1994 (unaudited)................................... 2.74
</TABLE>
USE OF PROCEEDS
The proceeds to be received by CL&P Capital from the sale of the Preferred
Securities offered hereby will be loaned to CL&P and will be applied by CL&P
to the redemption, reacquisition or payment at maturity of outstanding
securities as may more specifically be set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES
The following is a summary of certain terms and provisions of the Preferred
Securities and the Limited Partnership Agreement. The summary is subject to,
and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Limited Partnership
Agreement and the Partnership Act. The Limited Partnership Agreement is filed
as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a
part.
GENERAL
Under the Limited Partnership Agreement, CL&P Capital is authorized to issue
limited partner interests, including the Preferred Securities offered hereby,
and general partner interests. All of the general partner interests of CL&P
Capital are owned by CL&P. All of the Preferred Securities will be of equal
rank in participation in the right to receive Dividends and the right to
receive payments out of the assets of CL&P Capital upon voluntary or
involuntary dissolution and winding up of CL&P Capital. Subject to the
foregoing, the Limited Partnership Agreement authorizes the General Partner to
establish series of Preferred Securities having such designations, rights,
privileges, restrictions and other terms and provisions as CL&P, as general
partner, may determine. Dividends on all series of Preferred Securities must
be paid, or set aside for payment, in full before any distribution is paid, or
set aside for payment, on the general partner interests. Under the Limited
Partnership Agreement, CL&P Capital is not permitted to issue any limited
partner interests ranking senior to the Preferred Securities with respect to
the right to receive distributions or the right to receive payments out of the
assets of CL&P Capital upon voluntary or involuntary dissolution and winding
up of CL&P Capital.
Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Preferred
Securities of a particular series for specific terms, including (i) the
distinctive designation of such series which shall distinguish it from other
series; (ii) the number of Preferred Securities included in such series; (iii)
the Dividend rate or rates per annum for (or method of determining such rate
or rates) for Preferred Securities of such series and the date or dates upon
which such Dividends shall be payable (subject to the requirement that
Dividends on any series of Preferred Securities shall be payable on a monthly
basis to holders of such series of Preferred Securities as of a record date in
each calendar month during which the Preferred Securities of such series are
outstanding); (iv) the amount or amounts which shall be paid out of the assets
of CL&P Capital to the
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<PAGE>
holders of Preferred Securities of such series upon voluntary or involuntary
dissolution or winding up of CL&P Capital; (v) the price or prices at which,
the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which the
Preferred Securities of such series may be redeemed or purchased, in whole or
in part, at the option of CL&P Capital; (vi) the obligation, if any, of CL&P
Capital to purchase or redeem Preferred Securities of such series pursuant to
any sinking fund or otherwise and the price or prices at which, the period or
periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Preferred
Securities of such series shall be redeemed, in whole or in part, pursuant to
such obligation; (vii) the period or periods within which and the terms and
conditions, if any (including the price or prices or the rate or rates of
conversion or exchange and the terms and conditions of any adjustments
thereof), upon which the Preferred Securities of such series shall be
convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof, or CL&P
Capital, into any other interests or securities or other property or cash or
into any other series of Preferred Securities; (viii) the voting rights, if
any, of Preferred Securities of such series in addition to those required by
law, and any requirement for the approval by the holders of Preferred
Securities, or of Preferred Securities of one or more series, or of both, as a
condition to specified action of the General Partner or amendments to the
Limited Partnership Agreement; and (ix) any other relative rights,
preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions of Preferred Securities
of the series not inconsistent with the Limited Partnership Agreement or with
applicable law. All Preferred Securities offered hereby will be guaranteed by
CL&P to the extent set forth below under "Description of the Guaranty." Any
United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the offering of
any series of Preferred Securities will be described in the Prospectus
Supplement relating thereto.
DIVIDENDS
Dividends on each series of Preferred Securities will be cumulative, will
accrue from the date of issuance and will be payable on a monthly basis to the
holders of the Preferred Securities as of a record date in each calendar month
during which the Preferred Securities are outstanding, as set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, except as otherwise described below. The
Dividends payable on a series of Preferred Securities offered hereby will be
specified in a Prospectus Supplement related thereto. The amount of Dividends
payable for any period will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year
consisting of twelve months of 30 days each, and for any period shorter than a
full monthly distribution period, Dividends will be computed on the basis of
the actual number of days elapsed in such period.
Under the Indenture, CL&P has the right from time to time, so long as no
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to extend the interest
payment period for one or more series of the Subordinated Debentures for up to
60 consecutive months (an "Extension Period"); provided that no Extension
Period shall extend beyond the stated maturity, or acceleration thereof, or
any date of redemption, of any series of Subordinated Debentures. If such
right is exercised, Dividends on the Preferred Securities would be deferred
(but would continue to accumulate in arrears with additional Dividends
accumulating thereon after the monthly payment date therefor) by CL&P Capital
during any Extension Period. The term "Dividends" as used herein includes, as
applicable, monthly distributions and distributions on monthly distributions
in arrears. In the event that CL&P exercises this right, neither CL&P nor any
majority-owned subsidiary of CL&P may declare or pay dividends on or redeem,
purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its
capital stock (other than dividends by a wholly-owned subsidiary) during any
Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, CL&P may
shorten or further extend the interest payment period, provided that such
Extension Period, together with all such previous and further extensions
thereof, may not exceed 60 consecutive months. Upon the termination of any
Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, CL&P may elect to
extend the interest payment period again, subject to the above requirements.
See "Description of the Subordinated Debentures--Option to Extend Interest
Payment Period."
Dividends on the Preferred Securities must be paid by CL&P Capital in any
calendar year or portion thereof to the extent CL&P Capital has funds on hand
legally available therefor. It is anticipated that CL&P Capital's earnings
will be limited to interest payments on the Subordinated Debentures issued by
CL&P to CL&P Capital. See "Description of the Subordinated Debentures."
5
<PAGE>
Dividends on the Preferred Securities will be payable to the holders thereof
as they appear on the books and records of CL&P Capital on the relevant record
dates set forth in the Prospectus Supplement with respect to any series of the
Preferred Securities. Subject to any applicable laws and regulations and the
provisions of the Limited Partnership Agreement, each such payment will be
made as described under "Book-Entry-Only Issuance--The Depository Trust
Company" below. In the event that any date on which Dividends are payable on
the Preferred Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the Dividends
payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a
Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such
delay) except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar
year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in
each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date. A "Business
Day" shall mean any day other than a day on which banking institutions in The
City of New York, the State of Connecticut or the State of Delaware are
authorized or required by law to close.
CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON CL&P CAPITAL
If Dividends have not been paid in full on any series of Preferred
Securities, CL&P Capital shall not:
(i) pay, or set aside for payment, any Dividends on any other series of
the Preferred Securities, unless the amount of any Dividends paid, or set
aside for payment, on any Preferred Securities is paid on all Preferred
Securities then outstanding on a pro rata basis in proportion to the full
Dividends to which each series of Preferred Securities would be entitled if
paid in full;
(ii) pay, or set aside for payment, any distribution on general partner
interests; or
(iii) redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any Preferred Securities or
general partner interests;
until, in each case, such time as all accumulated and unpaid Dividends on all
series of Preferred Securities shall have been paid in full for all prior
distribution periods. As of the date of this Prospectus, there are no
Preferred Securities outstanding.
REDEMPTION PROVISIONS
The redemption provisions with respect to each series of the Preferred
Securities offered hereby will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
related thereto.
CL&P Capital may not redeem any Preferred Securities unless all accumulated
and unpaid Dividends have been paid on all Preferred Securities for all
monthly distribution periods terminating on or prior to the date of
redemption. If a partial redemption would result in a delisting of such series
of Preferred Securities from any national securities exchange on which such
series of Preferred Securities is then listed, CL&P Capital may only redeem
such series of Preferred Securities in whole.
Notice of any redemption of the Preferred Securities will be given not less
than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption
thereof to the record holders thereof. The notice may state that it is subject
to the receipt by CL&P Capital of redemption monies on or before such date
fixed for redemption, which notice shall be of no effect unless such monies
are so received prior to such date. No defect in the notice of redemption or
in the mailing or distribution thereof or publication of its contents shall
affect the validity of the redemption proceedings. In the event that any date
fixed for redemption of Preferred Securities is not a Business Day, then
payment of the Redemption Price payable on such date will be made on the next
succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other
payment in respect of any such delay), except that if such Business Day falls
in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment will be made on the
immediately preceding Business Day (in each case with the same force and
effect as if made on such day).
Subject to applicable law, CL&P or its subsidiaries may at any time and from
time to time purchase outstanding Preferred Securities by tender, in the open
market or by private agreement. In the event that
6
<PAGE>
CL&P surrenders any Preferred Securities to CL&P Capital, CL&P Capital will
distribute, to or upon the order of CL&P, Subordinated Debentures of the
corresponding series in aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate
liquidation preference of the Preferred Securities so surrendered.
DISSOLUTION
Pursuant to the Limited Partnership Agreement, CL&P Capital shall be
dissolved and its affairs shall be wound up upon the occurrence of any of the
following events: (i) the expiration of the term of CL&P Capital, which is 99
years, (ii) the withdrawal, removal or bankruptcy of the General Partner or
the occurrence of any other event that under applicable law causes CL&P to
cease to be the General Partner, except for a transfer to a permitted
successor of the General Partner as set forth in the Limited Partnership
Agreement, (iii) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution, (iv) the
written consent of the General Partner and all of the holders of the Preferred
Securities or (v) if an Investment Company Act Event or a Tax Event has
occurred, pursuant to an Action of the General Partner so providing. See
"Certain Terms of the Series A Preferred Securities--Investment Company Act
Event Redemption or Distribution," "--Tax Event Redemption or Distribution,"
and "--Liquidation Distribution" in the Prospectus Supplement.
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, ETC. OF CL&P CAPITAL
CL&P Capital may not consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be
replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any corporation or other entity, except with
the approval of the General Partner and the holders of 66 2/3% in aggregate
stated liquidation preference of the outstanding Preferred Securities or as
otherwise described below. The General Partner may, without the consent of the
holders of the Preferred Securities, cause CL&P Capital to consolidate,
amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or
lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, a
corporation, a limited liability company or a limited partnership, a trust or
other entity organized as such under the laws of any state of the United
States of America or the District of Columbia, provided that (i) such
successor entity either (A) expressly assumes all of the obligations of CL&P
Capital under the Preferred Securities or (B) substitutes for the Preferred
Securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the
Preferred Securities (the "Successor Securities") so long as the Successor
Securities rank, as regards participation in the profits and assets of the
successor entity, at least as high as the Preferred Securities rank, as
regards participation in the profits and assets of CL&P Capital, (ii) CL&P
confirms its obligations under the Guaranty with regard to the Successors
Securities, if any, (iii) such consolidation, amalgamation, merger,
replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not cause any series of
Preferred Securities or Successor Securities to be delisted by any national
securities exchange on which such series of Preferred Securities is then
listed, (iv) such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease does not cause the Preferred Securities or
Successor Securities to be downgraded by any "nationally recognized
statistical rating organization," as that term is defined by the SEC for
purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, (v) such
consolidation, amalgamation, merger, replacement, conveyance, transfer or
lease does not adversely affect the powers, preferences and other special
rights of holders of Preferred Securities or Successor Securities in any
material respect, (vi) such successor entity has a purpose substantially
identical to that of CL&P Capital, and (vii) prior to such consolidation,
amalgamation, merger, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, CL&P has
received an opinion of counsel (which may be regular tax or other counsel to
CL&P or an affiliate, but not an employee thereof) to the effect that (A)
holders of outstanding Preferred Securities will not recognize any gain or
loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the
consolidation, amalgamation, merger, replacement, conveyance, transfer or
lease, (B) such successor entity will be treated as a partnership for United
States federal income tax purposes, (C) following such consolidation,
amalgamation, merger, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, CL&P and
such successor entity will be in compliance with the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the "1940 Act") without registering thereunder as an investment company,
and (D) such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, replacement, conveyance,
transfer or lease will not adversely affect the limited liability of holders
of Preferred Securities or Successor Securities.
7
<PAGE>
VOTING RIGHTS
Except as provided below, above under "Merger, Consolidation, etc. of CL&P
Capital" and below under "Description of the Guaranty--Amendments," and as
otherwise required by law and the Limited Partnership Agreement, the holders
of the Preferred Securities will have no voting rights.
If (i) CL&P Capital fails to pay Dividends in full on the Preferred
Securities for 18 consecutive months, (ii) an Event of Default (as defined in
the Indenture) occurs and is continuing, or (iii) CL&P is in default on any of
its payment or other obligations under the Guaranty, then the holders of all
series of the Preferred Securities, acting as a single class, will be
entitled, by a vote of the majority of the aggregate stated liquidation
preference of the Preferred Securities then outstanding to appoint a special
representative (the "Special Representative") to enforce CL&P Capital's
creditors' rights against CL&P under the Subordinated Debentures and the
Indenture and the obligations undertaken by CL&P under the Guaranty,
including, after failure to pay Dividends for 60 consecutive monthly
distribution periods on the Preferred Securities, the declaration and payment
of Dividends on the Preferred Securities. Notwithstanding the failure of CL&P
Capital to pay Dividends in full as described in clause (i) above, and the
election of a Special Representative of the General Partner on account
thereof, such Special Representative will not be able to compel CL&P to make
interest payments on the Subordinated Debentures of any such series during
such period of time as CL&P has exercised its right to defer interest payments
on such Subordinated Debentures. As described under "Description of the
Subordinated Debentures--Option to Extend Interest Payment Period," interest
on the Subordinated Debentures of any series may be deferred at the option of
CL&P for up to 60 consecutive months, and CL&P will be permitted to exercise
such right without regard to whether the holders of Preferred Securities have
appointed a Special Representative. The Special Representative shall not be
admitted as a partner of CL&P Capital or otherwise be deemed a partner of CL&P
Capital and shall have no liability for the debts, obligations or liabilities
of CL&P Capital, except to the extent otherwise required by applicable law in
order for such Special Representative to enforce the rights of CL&P Capital
and the holders of Preferred Securities under the Subordinated Debentures and
the Indenture and fulfill its other duties under the Limited Partnership
Agreement.
For purposes of determining whether CL&P Capital has failed to pay Dividends
in full for 18 consecutive monthly distribution periods, Dividends shall be
deemed to remain in arrears, notwithstanding any payments in respect thereof,
until full cumulative Dividends on all Preferred Securities have been or
contemporaneously are declared and paid with respect to all monthly
distribution periods terminating on or prior to the date of payment of such
full cumulative Dividends. Subject to the requirements of applicable law, not
later than 30 days after such right to appoint the Special Representative, the
General Partner will convene a general meeting for the above purpose. If the
General Partner fails to convene such meeting within such 30 day period, the
holders of 10% of the aggregate stated liquidation preference of the
outstanding Preferred Securities will be entitled to convene such meeting. The
provisions of the Limited Partnership Agreement relating to the convening and
conduct of the general meetings of security holders will apply with respect to
any such meeting. Any Special Representative so appointed shall cease to act
in such capacity immediately if CL&P Capital (or CL&P pursuant to the
Guaranty) shall have paid in full all accumulated and unpaid Distributions on
the Preferred Securities or such default or breach, as the case may be, shall
have been cured. Notwithstanding the appointment of any such Special
Representative, CL&P retains all rights under the Indenture, including the
right to extend the interest payment period as provided under "Description of
the Subordinated Debentures--Option to Extend Interest Payment Period."
If any proposed amendment to the Limited Partnership Agreement provides for,
or the General Partner otherwise proposes to effect, any action which would
materially adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of any
series of the Preferred Securities then outstanding, whether by way of
amendment to the Limited Partnership Agreement or otherwise, then the holders
of such series of Preferred Securities will be entitled to vote on such
amendment or action of the General Partner (but not on any other amendment or
action) and, in the case of an amendment or action which would equally
adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of any other series
of the Preferred Securities, all holders of such series of the Preferred
Securities shall vote together as a class on such amendment or action of the
General Partner (but not on any other amendment or action), and such amendment
or action shall not be effective except with
8
<PAGE>
the approval of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the aggregate stated
liquidation preference of such series of Preferred Securities. Except in
certain circumstances described under "Liquidation Distribution" or as
required by the Partnership Act, CL&P Capital will be dissolved and wound up
only with the consent of the holders of all Preferred Securities then
outstanding.
The powers, preferences or special rights attached to any Preferred
Securities will be deemed not to be adversely affected by the creation or
issue of, and no vote will be required for the creation or issue of, any
additional series of Preferred Securities or additional general partner
interests. Holders of Preferred Securities have no preemptive rights.
So long as any series of the Subordinated Debentures are held by CL&P
Capital, the General Partner, unless so directed by the Special
Representative, shall not (i) direct the time, method and place of conducting
any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or executing any trust
or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to such series, (ii) waive any
past default which is available under the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right
to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all of a series of the
Subordinated Debentures shall be due and payable or (iv) consent to any
amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture, or to a supplemental
indenture under the Indenture, where such consent shall be required, without,
in each case, obtaining the prior approval of the holders of at least 66 2/3%
in aggregate stated liquidation preference of all series of Preferred
Securities affected thereby, acting as a single class; provided, however, that
where a consent under the Indenture would require the consent of each holder
affected thereby, no such consent shall be given by the General Partner
without the prior consent of each holder of all series of Preferred Securities
affected thereby. The General Partner shall not revoke any action previously
authorized or approved by a vote of any series of Preferred Securities. The
General Partner shall notify all holders of the Preferred Securities of any
notice of default received from the Trustee with respect to the Subordinated
Debentures.
No vote or consent of the holders of the Preferred Securities will be
required for CL&P Capital to redeem and cancel Preferred Securities in
accordance with the Limited Partnership Agreement.
Notwithstanding that holders of Preferred Securities are entitled to vote or
consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Preferred
Securities that are owned by CL&P or any entity owned more than 50% by CL&P,
either directly or indirectly, shall not be entitled to vote or consent and
shall, for the purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if they were
not outstanding.
The holders of the Preferred Securities will have no rights to remove or
replace the General Partner.
BOOK-ENTRY-ONLY ISSUANCE--THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY
On original issuance, The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") will act as
securities depository for the Preferred Securities offered hereby. The
Preferred Securities offered hereby will initially be registered on the books
and records of CL&P Capital in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC's nominee). One or
more fully-registered global Preferred Security certificates will be issued,
representing in the aggregate the total number of Preferred Securities of each
series, and will be deposited with DTC and no purchaser of a Preferred
Security will receive a definitive certificate representing such purchaser's
interest in CL&P Capital.
DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking
Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law,
a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC
holds securities that its participants ("Participants") deposit with DTC. DTC
also facilitates the settlement among Participants of securities transactions,
such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic
computerized book-entry changes in Participants' accounts, thereby eliminating
the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants
include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations, and certain other organizations ("Direct Participants"). DTC is
owned by
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<PAGE>
a number of its Direct Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.,
the American Stock Exchange, Inc., and the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, such as
securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through
or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either
directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). The rules applicable to DTC
and its Participants are on file with the SEC.
Purchases of Preferred Securities under the DTC system must be made by or
through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the Preferred
Securities on DTC's records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser
of each Preferred Security ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on
the Direct and Indirect Participants' records. Beneficial Owners will not
receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases, but Beneficial
Owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the
transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the
Direct or Indirect Participants through which Beneficial Owners purchased
Preferred Securities. Transfers of ownership interests in the Preferred
Securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Participants
acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive
certificates representing their ownership interests in Preferred Securities,
except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the Preferred
Securities is discontinued.
DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the Preferred
Securities. DTC's records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants
to whose accounts such Preferred Securities are credited, which may or may not
be the Beneficial Owners. Participants will remain responsible for keeping
account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct
Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct
Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed
by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory
requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
Redemption notices shall be sent to Cede & Co. If less than all of a series
of Preferred Securities are being redeemed, DTC's practice is to determine by
lot the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant in such series to be
redeemed.
Although voting with respect to the Preferred Securities is limited, in
those cases where a vote is required, neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will consent
or vote with respect to Preferred Securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC
would mail an omnibus proxy to CL&P Capital as soon as possible after the
record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting
rights to those Direct Participants to whose accounts the Preferred Securities
are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the
omnibus proxy).
Payments on the Preferred Securities will be made to DTC. DTC's practice is
to credit Direct Participants' accounts on the relevant payment date in
accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC's records, unless DTC
has reason to believe that it will not receive payments on such payment date.
Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing
instructions and customer practices and will be the responsibility of such
Participant and not of DTC, CL&P Capital, the General Partner or CL&P, subject
to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to
time. Payment of Dividends to DTC is the responsibility of CL&P Capital,
disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants is the responsibility of
DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners is the
responsibility of Direct and Indirect Participants.
The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system
has been obtained from DTC. CL&P and CL&P Capital believe such information to
be reliable, but neither CL&P nor CL&P Capital takes responsibility for the
accuracy thereof.
DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depository with
respect to any series of the Preferred Securities at any time by giving
reasonable notice to CL&P Capital. Under such circumstances, in
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<PAGE>
the event that a successor securities depository is not obtained, Preferred
Security certificates are required to be printed and delivered. Additionally,
the General Partner may decide to select another securities depository for the
Preferred Securities or to discontinue use of the system of book-entry
transfers through DTC (or a successor depository), including for the purpose
of effectuating a partial redemption of a series of Preferred Securities in
which only the Preferred Securities of certain holders will be redeemed.
In the event that the book entry only system is discontinued, the General
Partner will appoint a registrar, transfer agent and paying agent for the
Preferred Securities and Preferred Security certificates will be printed and
delivered. Registration of transfers of Preferred Securities will be effected
without charge by or on behalf of CL&P Capital, but upon payment of any tax or
other governmental charges which may be imposed in relation to it. CL&P
Capital will not be required to register or cause to be registered the
transfer of Preferred Securities after such Preferred Securities have been
called for redemption.
MISCELLANEOUS
CL&P, in its capacity as general partner, is authorized and directed to use
its best efforts to manage the affairs of CL&P Capital in such a way that CL&P
Capital would not be deemed to be an "investment company" required to be
registered under the 1940 Act or taxed as a corporation for United States
federal income tax purposes and so that the Subordinated Debentures will be
treated as indebtedness of CL&P for United States federal income tax purposes.
In this connection, CL&P is authorized to take any action not inconsistent
with applicable law, the Certificate of Limited Partnership of CL&P Capital or
the Limited Partnership Agreement, and that does not materially adversely
affect the interests of holders of Preferred Securities, that CL&P determines
in its discretion to be necessary or desirable for such purposes.
CL&P Capital may not borrow money or issue debt or mortgage or pledge any of
its assets.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
The following is a summary of certain terms and provisions of the
Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture. The summary is subject to, and is
qualified by reference to the Indenture, which is filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.
GENERAL
Concurrently with the issuance of each series of the Preferred Securities,
CL&P Capital will lend the proceeds from the sale thereof, plus the General
Partner's related capital contribution, to CL&P. For each series of Preferred
Securities, the loan will be evidenced by a separate series of Subordinated
Debentures issued by CL&P to CL&P Capital. The Subordinated Debentures will be
unsecured subordinated obligations of CL&P issued under the Indenture and,
except in the case of the Series A Subordinated Debentures, a supplemental
indenture. Each series of Subordinated Debentures will be in the principal
amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation preference of the related
series of Preferred Securities plus the General Partner's related capital
contribution, and will bear interest at a rate equal to the Dividend rate on
such series of Preferred Securities accruing from the date Dividends accrue on
the related series of Preferred Securities, payable as to interest on or
before the dates on which Dividends are payable on the related series of
Preferred Securities to the holder or holders of record on the record dates
for such series of Subordinated Debentures. Reference is made to the
Prospectus Supplement which will accompany this Prospectus for the following
terms of the Subordinated Debentures offered thereby: (i) designation; (ii)
date or dates of maturity, which may be serial; (iii) interest rate or method
of determination of the interest rate and whether Additional Interest will be
payable; (iv) interest payment dates and the record dates therefor; (v) issue
date; (vi) authorized denominations; (vii) the place or places for the payment
of principal (and premium, if any) and for the payment of interest; (viii)
limitation upon the aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Debentures of
the series which may be issued; (ix) the optional and mandatory redemption
provisions, if any; and (x) provisions, if any, for any sinking or analogous
fund with respect to the Subordinated Debentures of such series.
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OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
Under the Indenture, CL&P has the right from time to time, so long as no
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to extend the interest
payment period for one or more series of the Subordinated Debentures for up to
60 consecutive months (an "Extension Period"); provided that no Extension
Period shall extend beyond the stated maturity, or acceleration thereof, or
any date of redemption, of any series of Subordinated Debentures. At the end
of the Extension Period, CL&P shall pay all interest, including Additional
Interest, if any, then accrued and unpaid (together with interest thereon
compounded monthly at the rate specified for the applicable series to the
extent permitted by applicable law). During any such Extension Period, neither
CL&P nor any majority-owned subsidiary of CL&P shall declare or pay any
dividend on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with
respect to, any of its capital stock (other than dividends paid by wholly-
owned subsidiaries). Prior to the termination of an Extension Period, CL&P may
shorten or further extend the interest payment period, provided that such
Extension Period together with all such further extensions thereof may not
exceed 60 consecutive months. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and
the payment of all amounts then due, CL&P may select a new Extension Period
subject to the above requirements. CL&P shall give the Trustee notice of its
selection of such extended or shortened interest payment period on or prior to
the earliest of (i) one Business Day prior to the date on which the related
Dividend by CL&P Capital on the Preferred Securities would otherwise be
payable, (ii) one Business Day prior to the date CL&P Capital is required to
give notice of the record or payment date of such related Dividend to any
national securities exchange on which the Preferred Securities are then listed
or other applicable self-regulatory organization, and (iii) two Business Days
prior to such record date. CL&P shall give or cause the Trustee to give such
notice of its selection of such extended interest payment period to the
holders of the Subordinated Debentures.
ADDITIONAL INTEREST
If CL&P Capital would be required to pay any taxes, duties, assessments or
governmental charges of whatever nature (other than withholding taxes) imposed
by the United States, or any other taxing authority, then, in any such case,
CL&P will pay as interest ("Additional Interest") such amounts as shall be
required so that the net amounts received and retained by CL&P Capital after
paying any such taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges will not be
less than the amounts CL&P Capital would have received had no such taxes,
duties, assessments or governmental charges been imposed.
SUBORDINATION
The Indenture provides that all payments by CL&P in respect of the
Subordinated Debentures shall be subordinated to the prior payment in full of
all amounts payable on present and future Senior Indebtedness. The term
"Senior Indebtedness" means (i) the principal of and premium in respect of (A)
indebtedness of CL&P for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by
securities, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments issued by CL&P;
(ii) all capital lease obligations of CL&P; (iii) all obligations of CL&P
issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional
sale obligations of CL&P and all obligations of CL&P under any title retention
agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course
of business); (iv) certain obligations of CL&P for the reimbursement of any
obligor on any letter of credit, banker's acceptance, security purchase
facility or similar credit transaction entered into in the ordinary course of
business of CL&P; (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i)
through (iv) of other persons and all dividends of other persons (other than
Preferred Securities) for the payment of which, in either case, CL&P is
responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise; and (vi) all
obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of other
persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of CL&P (whether or not
such obligation is assumed by CL&P), except for (1) any such indebtedness that
is by its terms subordinated to or pari passu with the Subordinated
Debentures, (2) any indebtedness between or among CL&P and its affiliates and
(3) endorsements of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary
course of business.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities of CL&P, upon any
dissolution or winding up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of
CL&P, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy,
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insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all amounts payable on, under
or in connection with Senior Indebtedness (including any interest accruing on
such Senior Indebtedness subsequent to the commencement of a bankruptcy,
insolvency or similar proceeding) shall first be paid in full in cash, or
payment provided for in cash or cash equivalents, before the holders of the
Subordinated Debentures, or the Trustee on behalf of such holders, shall be
entitled to receive from CL&P any payment of principal of or interest on or
any other amounts in respect of the Subordinated Debentures.
No direct or indirect payment by or on behalf of CL&P of principal of or
interest on the Subordinated Debentures, whether pursuant to the terms of the
Subordinated Debentures or upon acceleration or otherwise, shall be made if,
at the time of such payment, there exists (i) a default in the payment of all
or any portion of any Senior Indebtedness or (ii) any other default affecting
Senior Indebtedness permitting its acceleration and as a result of which the
maturity of Senior Indebtedness has been accelerated and, in either case,
requisite notice has been given to the Trustee and such default shall not have
been cured or waived by or on behalf of the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness.
If the Trustee, CL&P Capital, as holder of the Subordinated Debentures, or
any other holder of the Preferred Securities, shall have received any payment
on account of the principal of or interest on the Subordinated Debentures when
such payment is prohibited and before all amounts payable on, under, or in
connection with Senior Indebtedness are paid in full in cash, or payment
provided for in cash or cash equivalents, then such payment shall be received
and held in trust for the holders of Senior Indebtedness and shall be paid
over or delivered first to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness remaining
unpaid to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full.
Nothing in the Indenture shall limit the right of the Trustee, the Special
Representative or any holder of the Subordinated Debentures to exercise all
remedies permitted under applicable laws, subject to the above rights of the
holders of Senior Indebtedness.
Upon the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, CL&P Capital (and any
Special Representative appointed by such holders) shall be subrogated to the
rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or
distributions of assets of CL&P made on such Senior Indebtedness until all
accrued interest on and principal of the Subordinated Debentures shall be paid
in full.
The Indenture does not limit the aggregate amount of Senior Indebtedness
which CL&P may issue.
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF CL&P
CL&P will covenant that neither it nor any majority-owned subsidiary will
declare or pay any dividend on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock (other than
dividends by a wholly-owned subsidiary) (i) during an Extension Period, (ii)
if there shall have occurred any Event of Default or event that, after the
giving of notice or the passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of
Default under the Indenture or (iii) if CL&P shall be in default with respect
to its payment obligations under the Guaranty. CL&P will also covenant (i) to
maintain, directly or indirectly, 100% ownership of the General Partner's
interest in CL&P Capital, (ii) to cause the General Partner to maintain a
capital account balance equal to at least 3% of the total positive capital
account balances for CL&P Capital and, if necessary, to make additional
capital contributions to meet this requirement, (iii) to timely perform or
cause the General Partner to timely perform all of its duties as general
partner of CL&P Capital (including the duty to pay Dividends on the Preferred
Securities), and (iv) to use its reasonable efforts to cause CL&P Capital to
remain a limited partnership and otherwise continue to be treated as a
partnership for United States federal income tax purposes.
The Special Representative or the holders of 66 2/3% in aggregate principal
amount of the Subordinated Debentures at the time outstanding, by notice to
the Trustee, CL&P and CL&P Capital, may waive any Event of Default, or any
event that, after the giving of notice or the passage of time, or both, would
constitute an Event of Default, under the Indenture; however, under the
Limited Partnership Agreement, so long as the
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Subordinated Debentures are held by CL&P Capital, CL&P, as General Partner,
may not waive any default under the Indenture unless so directed by the
Special Representative.
ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY HOLDERS OF PREFERRED SECURITIES
In the case of Subordinated Debentures corresponding to Preferred Securities
of any series, the holders of the Preferred Securities of such series will
have the rights referred to under "Description of the Preferred Securities--
Voting Rights," including the right under certain circumstances to appoint a
Special Representative, which Special Representative shall be authorized to
exercise CL&P Capital's and such holders' other rights under such Subordinated
Debentures and the Indenture.
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
The Indenture contains provisions permitting CL&P and the Trustee, with the
written consent of the Special Representative or the holders of not less than
66 2/3% of the aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures at
the time outstanding which are affected by the amendment or waiver, to amend
the Indenture or the Subordinated Debentures issued under the Indenture or
waive future compliance by CL&P with any provision of the Indenture or such
Subordinated Debentures; provided that without the consent of each holder of a
Subordinated Debenture affected no such modification may (a) reduce the
principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures the holders of which must
consent to an amendment of the Indenture or a waiver; (b) change the stated
maturity of the principal of, or the interest or rate of interest on, the
Subordinated Debentures, change adversely to the holders of the Subordinated
Debentures the redemption provisions, or impair the right to institute suit
for the enforcement of any such payment or make any Subordinated Debenture
payable in money or securities other than that stated in the Subordinated
Debenture; (c) make any change in the subordination provisions that adversely
affects the rights of the holders of the Subordinated Debentures or change any
other provision that adversely affects the rights of the holders of the
Subordinated Debentures under the subordination provisions; (d) waive a
default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on,
any Subordinated Debenture; or (e) modify the right of any holder of a
Subordinated Debenture to receive payment of principal or interest on or after
the respective due dates or any mandatory redemption date, or to bring suit
for the enforcement thereof.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
The following are Events of Default under the Indenture: (i) default in the
payment when due and payable of any interest (including Additional Interest)
on the Subordinated Debentures (other than the payment of interest during an
Extension Period), whether or not payment is prohibited by the subordination
provisions or otherwise, and the default continues for a period of 10 days;
(ii) default in payment when due and payable at maturity, acceleration or a
Redemption Date for a mandatory redemption of the Subordinated Debentures of
principal of (or premium, if any, on) the Subordinated Debentures, whether or
not payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions or otherwise; (iii)
default in the performance of, or failure to comply with, any other covenant
or agreement in the Indenture or the Subordinated Debentures and such failure
or default continues for 60 days after receipt of proper notice thereof, or
(iv) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of CL&P. In
case an Event of Default under the Indenture shall occur and be continuing
other than an Event of Default relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization of CL&P, in which case principal and interest on all of the
Subordinated Debentures shall become immediately due and payable, the Trustee,
the holders of not less than 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the
Subordinated Debenture then outstanding, or the Special Representative may
declare the principal of all the Subordinated Debentures to be due and
payable. Under certain circumstances, any declaration of acceleration with
respect to Subordinated Debentures may be rescinded by the Special
Representative or by holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Subordinated Debentures at the time outstanding if past defaults (except a
default in the payment of principal of or interest on the Subordinated
Debentures that has become due solely because of acceleration) have been cured
or waived.
CL&P is required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement as to the
performance by CL&P of its obligations under the Indenture and as to any
default in such performance.
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CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, ETC. OF CL&P
The Indenture provides that CL&P may not consolidate with or merge with or
into or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its assets
unless (i) the successor, if other than CL&P, shall be organized and existing
under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of
Columbia, and shall expressly assume by a supplemental indenture all of the
obligations of CL&P under the Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture, (ii)
immediately prior to and after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of
Default, and no event which, after notice or passage of time or both, would
become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing and (iii)
CL&P delivers to the Trustee an officer's certificate and an opinion of
counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance,
transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture comply with the Indenture.
DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE
Under the terms of the Indenture, and subject to the conditions set forth
therein, CL&P will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of
the Subordinated Debentures if CL&P deposits with the Trustee, or any Paying
Agent, in trust, (i) cash, or (ii) United States Government Obligations,
maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as
will ensure the availability of cash, or (iii) a combination thereof,
sufficient to pay all the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all
the then outstanding Subordinated Debentures.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
Subject to certain provisions of the Indenture relating to its duties, the
Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers
under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders or the
Special Representative thereunder, unless such holders or the Special
Representative shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security and
indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred
by it in compliance with such request or direction. Subject to certain
conditions and to such provision for indemnification, the holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures then
outstanding thereunder or the Special Representative will have the right to
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Trustee thereunder, or of exercising any trust or power
conferred on the Trustee.
Bankers Trust Company, the Trustee under the Indenture, has from time to
time engaged in transactions with, or performed services for, CL&P and its
affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
DESCRIPTION OF THE GUARANTY
The following is a summary of certain provisions of the Guaranty which will
be executed and delivered by CL&P for the benefit of the holders from time to
time of the Preferred Securities. The summary is subject to, and qualified by
reference to the Payment and Guaranty Agreement which is filed as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.
GENERAL
CL&P will agree to the extent set forth herein, to pay in full, to the
holders of the Preferred Securities, the Guaranty Payments (as defined below)
(except to the extent paid by CL&P Capital), as and when due, regardless of
any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which CL&P may have or assert.
The following payments, to the extent not paid by CL&P Capital (the "Guaranty
Payments"), will be subject to the Guaranty (without duplication): (i) any
accumulated and unpaid Dividends on the Preferred Securities to the extent
that CL&P Capital has funds on hand legally available therefor, (ii) the
redemption price with respect to any Preferred Securities called for
redemption to the extent that CL&P Capital has funds on hand legally available
therefor and (iii) upon a liquidation of CL&P Capital, the lesser of (a) the
Liquidation Distribution and (b) the amount of assets of CL&P Capital legally
available for distribution to holders of Preferred Securities in
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liquidation of CL&P Capital. CL&P's obligation to make a Guaranty Payment may
be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by CL&P to the holders
of Preferred Securities or by payment of such amounts by CL&P Capital to such
holders. In addition, the Limited Partnership Agreement restricts the transfer
of the General Partner's interest (other than to a directly or indirectly
wholly-owned subsidiary or to a permitted successor by consolidation, merger,
etc., as described in "--Consolidation, Merger, etc. of CL&P") without the
consent of all the holders of the Preferred Securities and requires the
General Partner to timely perform all its duties as such (including the duty
to pay Dividends on the Preferred Securities), which include, among other
things, the General Partner's duties to directly pay all costs and expenses of
CL&P Capital (thereby insuring that the amount of CL&P's payments on its
Subordinated Debentures will be sufficient to allow payment in full to the
holders of the Preferred Securities) and the covenant of the General Partner
to at all times maintain a "fair market value net worth" of at least 10% of
the total contributions (less redemptions) to CL&P Capital. While the assets
of the General Partner will not be available for making distributions on the
Preferred Securities, they will be available for payment of the expenses of
CL&P Capital. Accordingly, the Guaranty, together with the related covenants
contained in the Limited Partnership Agreement and CL&P's obligations under
the Subordinated Debentures, provide for CL&P's full and unconditional
guaranty of the Preferred Securities as set forth above.
STATUS OF THE GUARANTY
The Guaranty will constitute an unsecured obligation of CL&P and will rank
subordinate and junior in right of payment to all general liabilities of CL&P.
The Limited Partnership Agreement provides that each holder of Preferred
Securities by acceptance thereof agrees that (i) the Subordinated Debentures
are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all general liabilities of
CL&P and to the extent provided in the Indenture and (ii) the Guaranty is
subordinate and junior in right of payment to all general liabilities of CL&P.
The Guaranty will constitute a guaranty of payment and not of collection.
The Guaranty will be held for the benefit of the holders of the Preferred
Securities. In the event of the appointment of a Special Representative, the
Special Representative may enforce the Guaranty. If no Special Representative
has been appointed to enforce the Guaranty, the General Partner has the right
to enforce the Guaranty on behalf of the holders of the Preferred Securities.
The holders of not less than 10% in aggregate stated liquidation preference of
the Preferred Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place
of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available in respect of the
Guaranty, including the giving of directions to the General Partner or the
Special Representative, as the case may be. If the General Partner or the
Special Representative fails to enforce the Guaranty as above provided, any
holder of Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly
against CL&P to enforce its rights under the Guaranty without first
instituting a legal proceeding against CL&P Capital or any other person or
entity. The Guaranty will not be discharged except by payment of the Guaranty
Payments in full to the extent not paid by CL&P Capital.
EFFECT OF OBLIGATIONS UNDER SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND GUARANTY
As set forth in the Limited Partnership Agreement, the sole purpose of CL&P
Capital is to issue the Preferred Securities and lend the proceeds thereof,
plus the General Partner's capital contributions, to CL&P.
As long as payments of principal and interest are made when due on the
Subordinated Debentures corresponding to the Preferred Securities, such
payments will be sufficient to enable CL&P Capital to make all payments of
Dividends on the Preferred Securities, because (i) the aggregate principal
amount of such Subordinated Debentures will be equal to the sum of the
aggregate liquidation preference of the Preferred Securities plus the General
Partner's capital contributions to CL&P Capital; (ii) the interest rate and
interest and other payment dates of such Subordinated Debentures of each
series will correspond to the Dividend rate and Dividend and other payment
dates for the Preferred Securities of such series; (iii) the Limited
Partnership Agreement provides that the General Partner will pay for all costs
and expenses of CL&P Capital; and (iv) the Limited Partnership Agreement
further provides that the General Partner will not cause or permit CL&P
Capital, among other things, to engage in any activity that is not consistent
with the limited purposes of CL&P Capital.
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If CL&P Capital fails to pay Dividends in full on any series of the
Preferred Securities for 18 consecutive months or if a default under the
Indenture occurs and is continuing, the Limited Partnership Agreement provides
a mechanism whereby the holders of the Preferred Securities may elect a
Special Representative to enforce the rights of CL&P Capital on the
Subordinated Debentures and under the Indenture. Payments of Dividends on the
Preferred Securities out of monies held by CL&P Capital are guaranteed by CL&P
to the extent set forth under "--General" above. The Limited Partnership
Agreement also provides that, if CL&P is in default on any payment or other
obligation under the Guaranty, a Special Representative may be appointed; and
CL&P, under the Guaranty, acknowledges, that such Special Representative may
enforce the Guaranty on behalf of the holders of the Preferred Securities. In
addition, if CL&P, as the General Partner, or the Special Representative fails
to enforce the Guaranty, a holder of Preferred Securities may institute a
legal proceeding directly against CL&P to enforce such holder's rights under
the Guaranty without first instituting a legal proceeding against CL&P Capital
or any other person or entity.
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF CL&P
Under the Guaranty, CL&P will covenant that, so long as any Preferred
Securities remain outstanding, neither CL&P nor any majority-owned subsidiary
of CL&P shall declare or pay any dividend on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or
make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock (other
than dividends paid by a wholly-owned subsidiary) if at such time CL&P shall
be in default with respect to its payment obligations under the Guaranty or if
there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default or any event
that, with giving of notice or the passage of time, or both, would constitute
an Event of Default under the Indenture.
AMENDMENTS
The Guaranty may only be amended by a written instrument executed by CL&P;
however, if any Preferred Securities are outstanding, any changes which
adversely affect the rights of holders of Preferred Securities, any
termination of the Guaranty and any waiver of compliance with any covenant
under the Guaranty may be effected only with the prior approval of the holders
of not less than 66 2/3% of the aggregate liquidation preference of the
outstanding Preferred Securities.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, ETC. OF CL&P
So long as any Preferred Securities remain outstanding, CL&P will maintain
its corporate existence; provided that CL&P may consolidate with or merge with
or into, or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its
assets as an entirety to any person, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture association, joint stock company, trust, or
unincorporated association if the entity formed by or surviving such
consolidation or merger or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer, or lease
shall have been made, if other than CL&P, is organized and existing under the
laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia and
shall expressly assume all the obligations of CL&P under the Guaranty.
ASSIGNMENT
Except as provided in "--Consolidation, Merger, etc. of CL&P," CL&P may
assign its obligations under the Guaranty only with the prior approval of the
holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the aggregate stated liquidation
preference of all Preferred Securities then outstanding.
TERMINATION OF THE GUARANTY
The Guaranty will terminate and be of no further force and effect upon full
payment of the redemption price of all the Preferred Securities then
outstanding or upon full payment of the amounts payable to the holders of the
Preferred Securities upon liquidation of CL&P Capital; however, the Guaranty
will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at
any time any holder of Preferred Securities must restore payments of any sums
paid under the Preferred Securities or the Guaranty.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
CL&P Capital may offer or sell Preferred Securities offered hereby to one or
more underwriters for public offering and sale by them. CL&P Capital may sell
Preferred Securities as soon as practicable after effectiveness of the
Registration Statement. Any such underwriter involved in the offer and sale of
the Preferred Securities will be named in an applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Underwriters may offer and sell the Preferred Securities at a fixed price or
prices, which may be changed or from time to time at market prices prevailing
at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at
negotiated prices. In connection with the sale of Preferred Securities,
underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from CL&P and/or CL&P
Capital in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also
receive commissions. Underwriters may sell Preferred Securities to or through
dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts,
concessions or commissions from the underwriters.
Any underwriting compensation paid by CL&P and/or CL&P Capital to
underwriters in connection with the offering of Preferred Securities, and any
discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating
dealers, will be set forth in an applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Underwriters and dealers participating in the distribution of the Preferred
Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions
received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the Preferred
Securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions, under
the Securities Act. Underwriters and dealers may be entitled, under agreement
with CL&P and CL&P Capital, to indemnification against and contribution toward
certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and
to reimbursement by CL&P for certain expenses.
Underwriters and dealers may engage in transactions with, or perform
services for, CL&P and/or CL&P Capital and/or any of their affiliates in the
ordinary course of business.
Each series of Preferred Securities will be a new issue of securities and
will have no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom Preferred
Securities are sold by CL&P Capital for public offering and sale may make a
market in such Preferred Securities, but such underwriters will not be
obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without
notice. The Preferred Securities may or may not be listed on a national
securities exchange. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of or the
trading markets for any Preferred Securities.
LEGAL OPINIONS AND EXPERTS
Legal matters in connection with the validity of the Preferred Securities,
Subordinated Debentures and the Guaranty and certain tax matters in connection
with the Preferred Securities and Subordinated Debentures will be passed upon
for CL&P and CL&P Capital by Day, Berry & Howard, CityPlace I, Hartford,
Connecticut. Legality of the Preferred Securities will be passed upon for the
underwriters or other purchasers by Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts, One
Battery Park Plaza, New York, New York.
CL&P's audited financial statements and schedules related thereto,
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, have been audited by Arthur
Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their reports
with respect thereto, which have also been incorporated by reference herein,
in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing in giving said reports.
18
<PAGE>
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NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESEN-
TATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PRO-
SPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PRO-
SPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER TO
BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUP-
PLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER
TO BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITA-
TION IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUM-
STANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR
THEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE OF SUCH INFORMATION.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Certain Investment Considerations.......................................... S-2
CL&P Capital............................................................... S-3
CL&P....................................................................... S-3
Use of Proceeds............................................................ S-4
Certain Terms of the Series A Preferred Securities......................... S-4
Certain Terms of the Series A Subordinated Debentures...................... S-7
United States Taxation..................................................... S-8
Underwriting............................................................... S-11
PROSPECTUS
Available Information...................................................... 2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference............................ 2
CL&P Capital............................................................... 3
CL&P....................................................................... 3
Coverage Ratios............................................................ 3
Use of Proceeds............................................................ 4
Description of the Preferred Securities.................................... 4
Description of the Subordinated Debentures................................. 11
Description of the Guaranty................................................ 15
Plan of Distribution....................................................... 18
Legal Opinions and Experts................................................. 18
</TABLE>
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PREFERRED SECURITIES
CL&P CAPITAL
% CUMULATIVE
MONTHLY INCOME PREFERRED
SECURITIES, SERIES A
GUARANTEED TO THE EXTENT THE ISSUER HAS FUNDS
LEGALLY AVAILABLE THEREFOR, AS SET FORTH HEREIN, BY
THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT
AND POWER COMPANY
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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
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GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
SALOMON BROTHERS INC
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
INCORPORATED
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED
SMITH BARNEY INC.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNDERWRITERS
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