8-K

                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                    WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549-1004

                             FORM 8-K

                          CURRENT REPORT

              Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) November 17, 2004
                        -------------------

Commission     Registrant; State of Incorporation;    I.R.S. Employer
File Number      Address; and Telephone Number       Identification No.
- -----------    -----------------------------------    -----------------

1-5324           NORTHEAST UTILITIES                    04-2147929
                 -------------------
                (a Massachusetts voluntary association)
                One Federal Street, Building 111-4
                Springfield, Massachusetts 01105
                Telephone:  (413) 785-5871


0-7624         WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY   04-1961130
               --------------------------------------
               (a Massachusetts corporation)
               One Federal Street
               Springfield, Massachusetts 01105
               Telephone:  (413) 785-5871



                          Not Applicable
                       ---------------------
   (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended
to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant
under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction
A.2. below):

[  ]      Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the
          Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ]      Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the
          Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ]      Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-
          2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d- 2(b))

[  ]      Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c)
          under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e- 4(c))

Section 7   -  Regulation FD

Item 7.01      Regulation FD Disclosure

     On November 17, 2004, Western Massachusetts Electric Company
("WMECO") issued a news release announcing a two-year rate
settlement with the Attorney General of Massashusetts.  The news
release is incorporated herein.  The information contained in this
report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99, shall not be deemed
"filed" with the Securities and Exchange Commission nor
incorporated by reference in any registration statement filed by
Northeast Utilities or WMECO under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, unless specified otherwise.

Section 9    - Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01      Financial Statements and Exhibits

          (c)  Exhibits

               Exhibit        Description
               -------        -----------
               Exhibit 99     WMECO News Release dated November
                               17, 2004.


                    [SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]


                             SIGNATURE

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrants have duly caused this report
to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly
authorized.

                    NORTHEAST UTILITIES
                    WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY
                   (Registrants)


                    By:  /s/ Randy A. Shoop
                         Name:  Randy A. Shoop
                         Title: Assistant Treasurer - Finance
                         Northeast Utilities Service Company, as
                         Agent for each of the Registrants



Date:  November 18, 2004

EX-99

Exhibit 99

WMECO LOGO                   Western Massachusetts Electric Company
                                                     P.O. Box 2010
                                  West  Springfield, MA 01090-2010
                                   413) 787-9233 (Media Inquiries)
                                        413) 787-9216 (All Others)
                                                Fax (413) 787-9289
                                                    creednf@nu.com

                                                     www.wmeco.com


News Release

   WMECO Announces Agreement with Attorney General to Keep Rates
                    Stable Over Next Two Years

  Agreement will also expand services to low-income customers and
                   enhance company performance

CONTACT:  Dean C. Nash               nashdc@nu.com
Office:   General Inquiries:         Media Inquiries:
          (413) 787-9233             (413) 787-9285

     SPRINGFIELD, Mass., November 17, 2004,  (NYSE:NU) - Customers
of Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) will see stable
electric distribution charges and enhanced services over the next
two years as a result of an agreement reached by WMECO and
Attorney General Tom Reilly.

     The agreement was filed yesterday with the Department of
Telecommunications and Energy (DTE) and is awaiting final
approval.  If approved, these new distribution rates would
go into effect January 1, 2005.  Under the agreement, customers
will see a minimal increase in their distribution charge and a
minimal increase in the federally-mandated transmission charge.
However, these charges will be offset by a significant reduction
in the transition charge, resulting in stable distribution rates
through 2006.  "We have not been in for a distribution rate increase
since 1991 and have been able to effectively manage the inflationary
costs of doing business," said WMECO President and Chief Operating
Officer Kerry J. Kuhlman.  "However, these costs, including health
care costs, unemployment insurance and pension costs, have
skyrocketed over the last 13 years," she added.  "We are pleased that
this settlement enables us to successfully manage these escalating
costs while lessening the burden on our customers and not sacrificing
the safe and reliable delivery of electricity we provide to customers
each and every day."

     WMECO has also committed to spending $48 million over the
next two years on projects designed to improve reliability.
Kuhlman noted that the company will work closely with the Attorney
General's office to ensure performance remains at optimal levels
to exceed customer needs and expectations.  "We are committed to
providing our customers with the best service possible and we will
let our customers know, on annual basis, how we are doing in keeping
the flow of electricity running safely and reliably to their homes,"
she added.

     WMECO will also expand its low-income assistance program that
helps these customers make affordable payment arrangements, while
helping them to better manage their limited resources, conserve
energy and reducing their risk of disconnection for non-payment.
"We understand the pressure on people's pocketbooks from the
rising costs of oil and gas," said Kuhlman, "and this program will
help those who are struggling the most in today's economy."

     While the distribution rates will remain stable over the next two
years, Kuhlman cautioned customers about the rising oil and gas
prices impacting the cost of electricity.  "The energy marketplace
is extremely volatile right now and fuel prices are rising," said
Kuhlman. "While our competitive bid process enables us to secure the
lowest possible pricing of electricity for our customers, it is unclear
just yet how the cost for a kilowatt of electricity this year will
compare to the cost we were able to secure for our customers at
this time last year."  Since 1997, when the electric industry was
restructured in Massachusetts and WMECO was ordered to sell its
generation plants, WMECO has been purchasing electricity for its
customers through a competitive bidding process.

     Western Massachusetts Electric Company, part of the Northeast
Utilities System (NYSE:NU), serves approximately 200,000 customers
in 59 communities throughout western Massachusetts and is committed
to the environment, economic development and the health of the
communities it serves.   For more information about WMECO, please visit
our website at http://www.wmeco.com.  For more information, please
visit our Web site : http://www.nu.com

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