Northeast Utilities										Exhibit 12
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(Thousands of Dollars)
	For the Years Ended December 31,
		2010		2009		2008		2007		2006
Earnings, as defined:
Net income from continuing operations
before cumulative effect of accounting change	$	394,107	$	335,592	$	266,387	$	251,455	$	138,495
Income tax expense/(benefit)		210,409		179,947		105,661		109,420		(76,326)
Equity in earnings of regional nuclear
generating and transmission companies		(1,429)		(1,762)		(1,637)		(3,983)		(334)
Dividends received from regional equity investees		1,488		3,794		1,017		4,542		2,145
Fixed charges, as below		263,393		296,764		304,374		275,611		267,243
Less: Interest capitalized (including AFUDC)		(10,165)		(5,929)		(17,797)		(17,568)		(14,482)
Preferred dividend security requirements of
consolidated subsidiaries		(10,170)		(9,265)		(9,265)		(9,265)		(9,265)
Total earnings, as defined	$	847,633	$	799,141	$	648,740	$	610,212	$	307,476
Fixed charges, as defined:
Interest on long-term debt (a)	$	231,089	$	224,712	$	193,883	$	162,841	$	141,579
Interest on rate reduction bonds		20,573		36,524		50,231		61,580		74,242
Other interest (b)		(14,371)		12,401		25,031		15,824		22,375
Rental interest factor		5,767		7,933		8,167		8,533		5,300
Preferred dividend security requirements of
consolidated subsidiaries		10,170		9,265		9,265		9,265		9,265
Interest capitalized (including AFUDC)		10,165		5,929		17,797		17,568		14,482
Total fixed charges, as defined	$	263,393	$	296,764	$	304,374	$	275,611	$	267,243
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges		3.22		2.69		2.13		2.21		1.15
(a) Interest on long-term debt amounts include amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness.
(b) For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007, other interest includes interest related to accounting for uncertain tax positions.