Exhibit 23.1


               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-85559) of NSTAR of
our report dated January 31, 2002, except as to Note D(2) for
which the date is March 22, 2002, relating to the financial
statements and the financial statement schedule, which appear in
this Form 10-K.



/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

January 31, 2002