EXHIBIT (24)
  
  
                      POWER OF ATTORNEY
                      -----------------
  
       Each of the undersigned directors of Massachusetts Electric Company
  (the "Company"), individually as a director of the Company, hereby
  constitutes and appoints John G. Cochrane, Robert K. Wulff, 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, 1998, 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 17th day of March, 1999.
  
  s/Cheryl A. LaFleur                s/Christopher E. Root
  _________________________          _________________________
  Cheryl A. LaFleur                  Christopher E. Root
  
  
  s/Robert L. McCabe                 s/Nancy H. Sala
  _________________________          _________________________
  Robert L. McCabe                   Nancy H. Sala
  
  
  s/Lydia M. Pastuszek               s/Richard P. Sergel
  _________________________          _________________________ 
  Lydia M. Pastuszek                 Richard P. Sergel
  
  
  s/Lawrence J. Reilly
  _________________________
  Lawrence J. Reilly