Northeast Utilities Announces Leon J. Olivier Appointed Chief Operating Officer

		Northeast Utilities (NYSE: NU) is a Fortune 500 energy company based in Connecticut which operates New England's largest energy delivery system. NU is committed to safety, reliability and expanding energy options for its more than 2 million electricity and natural gas customers. For more information on Northeast Utilities and our subsidiaries, visit the NU family of Web sites at www.nu.com. (PRNewsFoto/NORTHEAST UTILITIES) BERLIN, CT UNITED STATES

BERLIN, Conn., May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Northeast Utilities (NYSE: NU) today announced that Leon J. Olivier was appointed executive vice president - chief operating officer (COO) by the Board of Trustees. The title of COO recognizes Olivier's role in leading the gas and electric utility businesses within the NU system, along with all aspects of NU's three-state transmission business. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060728/NORTHEASTUTILOGO ) "This change acknowledges Lee's current responsibilities, as well as the significant contribution he makes to the success of the company," said Charles W. Shivery, chairman, president and chief executive officer of NU. Prior to his appointment as executive vice president - operations in 2007, Olivier, age 59, held a series of leadership roles within NU including president of NU Transmission, president and chief operating officer of The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) and senior vice president and chief nuclear officer of the Northeast Nuclear Energy Company. He joined NU in 1998 with 29 years of experience at Boston Edison, where he was the senior vice president - Nuclear. Olivier received an MBA from Northeastern University and an honorary doctorate degree in Public Service from Bridgewater State College. Northeast Utilities (NYSE: NU), a Fortune 500 energy company based in Connecticut, operates New England's largest energy delivery system. NU is committed to safety, reliability, environmental leadership and stewardship, and expanding energy options for its more than 2 million electricity and natural gas customers. For more information on Northeast Utilities and our subsidiaries, visit the NU family of Web sites at http://www.nu.com.