SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 15

Certification and Notice of Termination of Registration under Section 12(g) 
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Suspension of Duty to File Reports 
Under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

                     Commission File Number:   0-1857-3

                          THE BERKSHIRE GAS COMPANY

           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                              115 Cheshire Road
                    Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201-1879
                                413-442-1511

   (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                 of registrant's principal executive offices)

                   Common Stock, par value $2.50 per share

          (Title of each class of securities covered by this Form)

                                    None

      (Titles of all other classes of securities for which a duty to file
                reports under section 13(a) or 15(d) remains)

      Please place an X in the box(es) to designate the appropriate rule 
provision(s) relied upon to terminate or suspend the duty to file reports:

      Rule 12g-4(a)(1)(i)    [X]         Rule 12h-3(b)(1)(ii)   [ ]
      Rule 12g-4(a)(1)(ii)   [ ]         Rule 12h-3(b)(2)(i)    [ ]
      Rule 12g-4(a)(2)(i)    [ ]         Rule 12h-3(b)(2)(ii)   [ ]
      Rule 12g-4(a)(2)(ii)   [ ]         Rule 15d-6             [ ]
      Rule 12h-3(b)(1)(i)    [X]

      Approximate number of holders of record as of the certification or 
notice date: One

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 
The Berkshire Gas Company has caused this certification/notice to be signed 
on its behalf by the undersigned duly authorized person.


DATE:  December 31, 1998                   BY: /s/ Michael J. Marrone
                                               -----------------------------
                                               Michael J. Marrone
                                               Vice President, Treasurer and
                                               Chief Financial Officer