EXHIBIT 24 POWER OF ATTORNEY We the undersigned officers and Trustees of Eastern Enterprises hereby generally constitute J. Atwood Ives, Richard R. Clayton, Walter J. Flaherty and L. William Law, Jr. and each of them singly our true and lawful attorneys with full power to them, and each of them singly, to sign for us in our names in the capacity or capacities indicated below any and all amendments to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the issue and sale of shares of Common Stock of Eastern Enterprises, and generally to do all such things in our names in our capacities as officers and Trustees as will enable Eastern Enterprises to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Signature Title /s/ J. Atwood Ives Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Trustee - -------------------------- J. Atwood Ives /s/ Richard R. Clayton President and Chief Operating Officer; Trustee - -------------------------- Richard R. Clayton /s/ Walter J. Flaherty Senior Vice President - -------------------------- and Chief Financial Officer Walter J. Flaherty /s/ James J. Harper Vice President and Controller - -------------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer) James J. Harper /s/ Samuel Frankenheim /s/ Leonard R. Jaskol - -------------------------- ----------------------------- Samuel Frankenheim, Trustee Leonard R. Jaskol, Trustee /s/ Dean W. Freed /s/ Thomas W. Jones - -------------------------- ----------------------------- Dean W. Freed, Trustee Thomas W. Jones, Trustee /s/ Robert P. Henderson /s/ Rina K. Spence - -------------------------- ----------------------------- Robert P. Henderson, Trustee Rina K. Spence, Trustee 12