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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000072741-03-000032.txt : 20030317
<SEC-HEADER>0000072741-03-000032.hdr.sgml : 20030317
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030317135119
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000072741-03-000032
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030315
ITEM INFORMATION:		Regulation FD Disclosure
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030317

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NORTHEAST UTILITIES SYSTEM
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000072741
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911]
		IRS NUMBER:				042147929
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05324
		FILM NUMBER:		03605547

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		174 BRUSH HILL AVE
		CITY:			WEST SPRINGFIELD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01090-0010
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4137855871

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		107 SELDEN ST
		CITY:			BERLIN
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06037-1616
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>nu8kcover031703.txt
<DESCRIPTION>NU 8-K CONED 031503
<TEXT>
               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)
                         March 15, 2003
                       -------------------
                  Commission File Number 1-5324
                             ------


                       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
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
(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 9.  Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure

     The material attached hereto as Exhibit 99, which is
incorporated in this Item 9 by reference thereto, is furnished
pursuant to Regulation FD.  The material consists of a News
Release of Northeast Utilities, dated March 15, 2003, entitled,
"Federal Court grants NU partial summary judgment in merger
breakup with Consolidated Edison."

    Note:  The text of the full decision concerning the
summary judgment may be found at NU's website at
http://www.nu.com/investors/default.asp.

                            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/  Randy A. Shoop
`                                 Name:  Randy A. Shoop
                                  Title: Assistant Treasurer - Finance

Date: March 17, 2003

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>nuexh99031503.txt
<DESCRIPTION>PRESS RELEASE DATED 031503
<TEXT>
EXHIBIT 99

News Release


CONTACT:             Al Lara
Office:             (860) 665-5527
Media after hours:  (800) 286-2000



        Federal court grants NU partial summary judgment
           in merger breakup with Consolidated Edison


     BERLIN, Connecticut, March 15, 2003 - Northeast Utilities
(NU) announced today that the federal district court in Manhattan
has denied, in its entirety, Consolidated Edison's motion for
summary judgment dismissing NU's lawsuit seeking to recover
damages for Con Ed's repudiation of the parties' October 1999
merger agreement.  At the same time, the court also granted NU's
motion for summary judgment dismissing Con Ed's claims for fraud
and negligent misrepresentation.

     An NU spokesperson stated, "We are gratified that the court
has left intact our claim to recover the $1.2 billion merger
premium (plus interest) for the benefit of our shareholders as
well as dismissing Con Ed's claims of fraud and negligent
misrepresentation.  We are looking forward to the opportunity to
prove our case at trial."

Northeast Utilities (NYSE: NU) is a Fortune 500 diversified
energy company located in Connecticut with operations throughout
the Northeast.  Through its competitive and regulated
subsidiaries, NU provides energy for a changing world with a full
range of products and services to millions of residential and
business customers from Maine to Maryland.  From delivering
electricity and natural gas, to marketing energy commodities, to
operating and maintaining power plant facilities, NU is committed
to safety, reliability and expanding consumers' energy options.
For more information on Northeast Utilities and its subsidiaries,
visit the NU family of Web sites at www.nu.com.

                        # # #

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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