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Payne to lead Northeast Utilities Foundation

HARTFORD, Connecticut, January 25, 2011 - The Board of Directors of the Northeast Utilities (NU) Foundation has elected Shirley M. Payne as the Foundation’s new president and executive director.

Payne is NU’s Vice President – Shared Services, with oversight of the Information Technology, Environmental, Real Estate, Facilities and Purchasing operations of Northeast Utilities. She is also the Board President of the Greater Hartford Arts Council, the largest independent arts organization in New England. She will continue in these roles in addition to her new responsibilities in leading the Foundation.

Payne joined NU in 2007 as Vice President – Accounting and Controller. She previously was Vice President, Corporate Accounting, Chief Tax Officer and Chief Accounting Officer for TECO Energy, Inc., in Tampa, Florida. Payne first joined TECO’s tax group in 1990 and assumed roles of increasing responsibility during her tenure there. Prior to joining TECO, she was a consultant for KPMG LLP.

Payne serves on Edison Electric Institute’s technology advisory committee and has been an active participant in its accounting and tax committees. She also previously chaired the University of South Florida’s School of Accountancy Advisory Council and the Board of Directors of the Center for Women in Tampa, Florida.

A native of North Carolina, Payne holds a Masters of Accountancy and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of South Florida. She resides in South Glastonbury, Connecticut, with her husband, Gary. The couple has four sons.

The Northeast Utilities Foundation, established by NU in 1998 and supported by Northeast Utilities' operating companies (Connecticut Light & Power Co., Yankee Gas Services Co., Western Massachusetts Electric Co. and Public Service of New Hampshire), has benefited charitable partners in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire with total donations of more than $12 million. The Foundation's focus areas are education for workforce development, environmental stewardship and economic development.

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