Exhibit 12 MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (SEC Coverage) (Unaudited) 12 Months Ended March 31, 1997 Years Ended December 31, Actual ------------------------------------------------------------- (Unaudited) 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 -------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- (In Thousands) Net Income $ 40,829 $37,926 $29,101 $34,726 $23,779 $34,905 - ---------- Add income taxes and fixed charges - ---------------------------------- Current federal income taxes 25,840 25,867 9,437 (6,762) 5,606 3,977 Deferred federal income taxes (4,464) (6,052) 6,156 24,932 3,430 13,451 Investment tax credits - net (1,115) (1,118) (1,132) (1,228) (1,228) (1,228) Massachusetts franchise tax 4,794 4,479 3,935 4,681 3,348 3,858 Interest on long-term debt 27,447 27,089 25,901 20,967 23,403 21,910 Interest on short-term debt and other6,828 6,473 6,784 6,366 3,638 3,657 -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Net earnings available for fixed charges $100,159 $94,664 $80,182 $83,682 $61,976 $80,530 -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Fixed charges: Interest on long-term debt $ 27,447 $27,089 $25,901 $20,967 $23,403 $21,910 Interest on short-term debt and other6,828 6,473 6,784 6,366 3,638 3,657 -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total fixed charges $ 34,275 $33,562 $32,685 $27,333 $27,041 $25,567 ======== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 2.92 2.82 2.45 3.06 2.29 3.15 - ----------------------------------