Exhibit 18



COOPERS & LYBRAND                       Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
                                        One Post Office Square
                                        Boston, MA 02109






                                 April 5, 1995



New England Electric System
25 Research Drive
Westborough, MA 01582

    We are providing this letter to you for inclusion as an exhibit
to Form 10-QA, which amends the New England Electric System and
Subsidiaries (the Company) Form 10-Q filing for the quarter ended
September 30, 1994.  The filing is pursuant to Item 601 of
Regulation S-K.

    We have read management's description of the change in
accounting from the as-meters-are-read method of revenue
recognition to the accrual of revenues for electricity delivered
but not yet billed by the Company contained in the Company's Form
10-Q filing for the quarter ended September 30, 1994.  This change
was made in accordance with a July, 1994 rate offer and settlement
agreement approved by the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission. 
Based on our reading of the data and discussions with Company
officials of the business judgment and business planning factors
relating to the change, we believe management's justification for
the change to be reasonable.  Accordingly, we concur that the newly
adopted accounting principle described above is preferable in the
Company's circumstances to the method previously applied.



                                 s/Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

                                 Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.