EXHIBIT 99
NEWS RELEASE



CONTACT:   Frank J. Poirot, CL&P          Samantha Crowley, UI
PHONE:     (860) 665-3409                 (203) 499-3824


CONNECTICUT SITING COUNCIL APPROVES MIDDLETOWN TO NORWALK TRANSMISSION
          PROJECT THOROUGH PROCESS PROVIDES FAIR COMPROMISE


      BERLIN, CONN. AND NEW HAVEN, CONN. APRIL 7, 2005 - After 18 months
of review and more than 50 public meetings the Connecticut Siting
Council has approved the 69-mile, 345 kV Middletown to Norwalk
transmission project proposed by The Connecticut Light & Power Company
(CL&P) and The United Illuminating Company (UI).

      "The Council's final decision reflects the best thinking of all
parties.  It took a Herculean effort to balance the needs of the state
with those of local residents," said Lee Olivier, president CL&P
Transmission Group.

      "We want to thank everyone involved in the process for their
dedication to ensuring we have the best decision possible.  The process
has been fair, open and transparent to all parties in this application,"
he said.

      "We look forward to moving this vital infrastructure project ahead
as soon as possible and delivering the upgraded transmission system that
is so urgently needed by our customers," said Anthony J. Vallillo, UI
president and chief operating officer.

      The final decision includes compromises proposed by communities
and grassroots organizations which were directly involved in the review
process. Under the Council's decision the original overhead path of the
line will be moved in Woodbridge and Durham to avoid a school and a
neighborhood.  Local involvement will continue in the months ahead as
detailed design plans are developed for the line.

                                   - more -


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      The project which will improve Connecticut's electric reliability
and reduce federally mandated congestion charges will stretch from
Middletown to Norwalk, with 24 miles of under street construction
between Milford and Norwalk.  The lines will run overhead between
Milford and Middletown.  The project is expected to be completed by late
2009 at a cost of nearly $1 billion.


The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) has been part of
everyday life in Connecticut for more than 100 years, providing safe and
reliable electric service to homes, neighborhoods and businesses.  With
more than 1.1 million customers in 149 cities and towns, CL&P is an
active member in the communities it serves, offering programs in energy
conservation, economic development and environmental education. CL&P is
part of the Northeast Utilities System (NYSE:NU). For more information,
please visit www.cl-p.com.


UI, The United Illuminating Company, was formed in 1899 when the
Bridgeport Electric Company merged with the New Haven Electric Company.
UI is a regional distribution utility providing electricity and
energy-related services to more than 320,000 customers in the Greater
New Haven and Greater Bridgeport areas.

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