EXHIBIT (24) POWER OF ATTORNEY ----------------- Each of the undersigned directors of The Narragansett Electric Company (the "Company"), individually as a director of the Company, hereby constitutes and appoints John G. Cochrane, Maureen L. Fountain, and Geraldine M. Zipser, individually, as attorney-in-fact to execute on behalf of the undersigned the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, 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 26th day of March, 1996. s/Joan T. Bok s/Robert L. McCabe _________________________ _________________________ Joan T. Bok Robert L. McCabe s/Stephen A. Cardi s/John W. Rowe _________________________ _________________________ Stephen A. Cardi John W. Rowe _________________________ _________________________ Frances H. Gammell Richard P. Sergel s/John J. Kirby s/William E. Trueheart _________________________ _________________________ John J. Kirby William E. Trueheart _________________________ John A. Wilson, Jr.