Western Massachusetts Electric Company												Exhibit 12
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
		Nine Months
(In thousands)		Ended
		September 30, 2008		Year Ended December 31,
Earnings, as defined:		(unaudited)		2007		2006		2005		2004		2003
Net income	$	14,805	$	23,604	$	15,644	$	15,085	$	12,373	$	16,212
Income tax expense		8,133		14,586		7,766		9,294		7,187		11,687
Equity in (earnings)/losses of regional nuclear
generating companies		(78)		(526)		241		(311)		(149)		(473)
Dividends received from regional equity investees		-		701		372		103		687		1,715
Fixed charges, as below		16,430		22,162		21,087		19,801		17,156		14,920
Less: Interest capitalized (including AFUDC)		(722)		(983)		(853)		(455)		(220)		(68)
Total earnings, as defined	$	38,568	$	59,544	$	44,257	$	43,517	$	37,034	$	43,993
Fixed charges, as defined:
Interest on long-term debt (a)	$	9,964	$	11,577	$	10,671	$	9,535	$	6,655	$	3,860
Interest on rate reduction bonds		3,922		5,839		6,723		7,570		8,332		8,994
Other interest		822		2,430		1,507		1,041		782		965
Rental interest factor		1,000		1,333		1,333		1,200		1,167		1,033
Interest capitalized (including AFUDC)		722		983		853		455		220		68
Total fixed charges, as defined	$	16,430	$	22,162	$	21,087	$	19,801	$	17,156	$	14,920
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges		2.35		2.69		2.10		2.20		2.16		2.95
(a) Interest on long-term debt amounts include amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness.