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) December 31, 2006

--------------------

Commission File No. 04-2147929

------------

NORTHEAST UTILITIES

--------------------

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

MASSACHUSETTS	1-5324	04-2147929
------------------------	--------	------------
(State or other jurisdiction of organization)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

ONE FEDERAL STREET, BUILDING 111-4, SPRINGFIELD

MASSACHUSETTS                                           01105

-----------------------------------------------------------------

(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)

(413) 785-5871

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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:

[  ]

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 5 - CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Item 5.02

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

(b)

Lawrence E. De Simone, President – Competitive Group of Northeast Utilities (NU), a named executive officer for 2006, retired from his position, effective at the end of the day on December 31, 2006.

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant

has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly

authorized.

NORTHEAST UTILITIES

(Registrant)

By:  /s/ Kerry J. Kuhlman

       Name: Kerry J. Kuhlman

       Title:  Vice President and Secretary

Date: January 4, 2007