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BOSTON--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--NSTAR is helping Massachusetts get greener every day thanks to the energy innovations championed by Governor Deval Patrick. Changes brought about through the governoras leadership have allowed investor-owned utilities across the commonwealth to provide more programs and services to customers than ever before. Since 2008, expanded energy efficiency programs alone have helped NSTAR customers save over a billion dollars in energy costs.

"The leadership provided by Governor Patrick and the state legislature has helped to shape this role, beginning with the enactment of the Green Communities Act."

aAs an energy delivery company in Massachusetts, NSTAR plays an important role in promoting a cleaner environment,a said Penni Conner, Chief Customer Officer for Northeast Utilities, NSTARas parent company. aThe leadership provided by Governor Patrick and the state legislature has helped to shape this role, beginning with the enactment of the Green Communities Act.a

The Green Communities Act and the green legislation that followed have brought about landmark changes, enabling NSTAR to offer an expanded array of programs and services. From enhanced energy efficiency programs to increased support for renewable energy projects and electric vehicles, these changes have encourages utilities and their customers to explore new ways to save energy and money by becoming greener and more efficient.

For 2010 and 2011 combined, programs offered by NSTARElectric under the GCA are helping customers save over 8.5 billion kilowatt-hours over the life of the energy efficiency measures installed. This equates to approximately$1.2 billion in energy and other related benefits to consumers over the life of these measures. During the same time, efficiency programs offered by NSTARGas are helping customers savealmost 100 milliontherms of gas over the life of the measures installed. This equates to approximately$109 millionin energy and non-energy benefitsto consumers over the life of these measures.

Understanding how important a safe and reliable electric and natural gas delivery system is to local communities, NSTAR also continues to invest in the infrastructure that provides service to its customers. The company constantly monitors the performance of its systems for safety and reliability and remains committed to its mission of providing great service to customers and their communities.

NSTAR is the largest Massachusetts-based, investor-owned electric and gas utility. The company transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas to 1.4 million customers in Eastern and Central Massachusetts, including more than one million electric customers in 81 communities and 300,000 gas customers in 51 communities. NSTAR is a Northeast Utilities company (NYSE: NU). For more information, visit [ www.nstar.com ].