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                                                            Exhibit 4

TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION:

  We, the undersigned officers and trustees of Commonwealth Energy System,
hereby authorize and direct James D. Rappoli and John A. Whalen, or either one
of them, as Attorney-in-Fact, to execute in the name and on behalf of each of
the undersigned persons and in the respective capacities indicated below, any
amendment or amendments to the registration statement on Form S-3 of
Commonwealth Energy System under the Securities Act of 1933 relating to a
proposed issue of additional Common Shares of Beneficial Interest of Common-
wealth Energy System under the Dividend Reinvestment and Common Share Purchase
Plan.

  This authorization has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

(i)   Principal Executive Officer:

     WILLIAM G. POIST                                   September 22, 1994
     William G. Poist,
President and Chief Executive Officer

(ii)  Principal Financial Officer:

     JAMES D. RAPPOLI                                   September 22, 1994
     James D. Rappoli,
Financial Vice President and Treasurer

(iii) Principal Accounting Officer:

     JOHN A. WHALEN                                     September 22, 1994
     John A. Whalen,
       Comptroller

(iv)  A Majority of the Board of Trustees:


     SINCLAIR WEEKS, JR.                                September 22, 1994
     Sinclair Weeks, Jr., Chairman of
       the Board


     SHELDON A. BUCKLER                                 September 22, 1994
     Sheldon A. Buckler, Trustee


     HENRY DORMITZER                                    September 22, 1994
     Henry Dormitzer, Trustee


     BETTY L. FRANCIS                                   September 22, 1994
     Betty L. Francis, Trustee


     FRANKLIN M. HUNDLEY                                September 22, 1994
     Franklin M. Hundley, Trustee

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                                   Continued



     WILLIAM J. O'BRIEN                                 September 22, 1994
     William J. O'Brien, Trustee


     WILLIAM G. POIST                                   September 22, 1994
     William G. Poist, Trustee


     G. L. WILSON                                       September 22, 1994
     Gerald L. Wilson, Trustee