EXHIBIT (24) POWER OF ATTORNEY ----------------- Each of the undersigned directors of New England Power Company (the "Company"), individually as a director of the Company, hereby constitutes and appoints John G. Cochrane, Kirk L. Ramsauer, and Geraldine M. Zipser, individually, as attorney- in-fact to execute on behalf of the undersigned the Company's transition report on Form 10-K for the period ended March 31, 2000 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to execute any appropriate amendment or amendments thereto as may be required by law. Dated this 20th day of June, 2000. s/L. Joseph Callan s/Peter G. Flynn _________________________ _________________________ L. Joseph Callan Peter G. Flynn s/Michael E. Jesanis s/Cheryl A. LaFleur _________________________ _________________________ Michael E. Jesanis Cheryl A. LaFleur s/Robert G. Powderly s/Terry L. Schwennesen _________________________ _________________________ Robert G. Powderly Terry L. Schwennesen s/Richard P. Sergel s/Philip R. Sharp _________________________ _________________________ Richard P. Sergel Philip R. Sharp