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) February 20, 1997
                                                    -------------------
                      Commission File Number 1-5324
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                           NORTHEAST UTILITIES
                          --------------------
         (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                MASSACHUSETTS                 04-2147929
                -------------                 ----------

     (State or other jurisdiction of          (I.R.S. Employer
      incorporation or organization)         Identification No.)


    174 BRUSH HILL AVENUE, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 01090-0010
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           (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)

Item 5. Other Events

     On February 20, 1997, Bernard M. Fox announced his intention to retire
from the Company and its affiliates later this year.  The Northeast Utilities
Board of Trustees (the "Board") has begun the search for a successor and will
consider candidates both inside and outside the Company.  No specific date
for Mr. Fox's retirement has been set, but it is expected that the search for
a new Chief Executive Officer will be completed during the second half of the
year.  Mr. Fox has agreed to remain as an advisor to the Board and the new
Chief Executive Officer for two years after his retirement.



                                 SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities 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




Date  February 24, 1997         By /s/Robert P. Wax   
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                                   Robert P. Wax
                                   Senior Vice President, Secretary and
                                   General Counsel