Exhibit 99(a)

Contact:  Tom Dorsey
Director, Investor Relations
203) 639-4643
dorseyt@yankeegas.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


YANKEE ENERGY SHAREHOLDERS APPROVE MERGER WITH NORTHEAST
UTILITIES

MERIDEN, Conn., October 12, 1999 (NYSE:YES) - The Board of
Directors of Yankee Energy System, Inc. (YES) announced
today that Yankee's proposed merger with Northeast Utilities
(NYSE:NU) has been overwhelmingly approved by YES
shareholders. The vote was announced at a special meeting of
shareholders held in Meriden, Conn. today.  The merger still
requires regulatory approvals,which are expected to be
completed by early 2000.

	"This vote represents the beginning of a bright future
for Yankee," said Charles E. Gooley, president and chief
executive officer of YES.  "Clearly, shareholders share our
vision for the future and have seized this opportunity to
join Northeast Utilities. We believe that as part of the NU
family, we will be better positioned to provide value to our
customers, our shareholders and our employees in today's
highly competitive energy industry.  I am confident
regulators will agree with this positioning."

	Approximately 75% of YES' shareholder base participated
in the special shareholder meeting, with approximately 70%
of those shares voting in favor of the merger.

	Under terms of the agreement, Yankee will retain its
corporate name and will become a wholly owned subsidiary of
Northeast Utilities.  Yankee Energy System (YES) is the
parent of Yankee Gas Services Company, Connecticut's largest
natural gas distribution company serving 185,000 customers
in 69 cities and towns.  Other YES subsidiaries include R.
M. Services, Inc., Yankee Energy Services Company (YESCo),
and Yankee Financial.


	More information can be found about Yankee Energy
System or Northeast Utilities by visiting their web sites
at:  www.yankeeenergy.com or www.nu.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements
within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.  The forward-looking statements are subject to
various risks and uncertainties.  Discussion of factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from
management's projections, forecasts, estimates and
expectations may include factors that are beyond the
company's ability to control or estimate precisely,
such as estimates of future market conditions, the ability
to realize cost savings and the terms associated with
obtaining regulatory approvals.  Other factors include, but
are not limited to, weather conditions, economic conditions
in the company's service territory, fluctuations in energy-
related commodity prices, marketing efforts and other
uncertainties.  Other risk factors are detailed from time to
time in the two companies' SEC reports.

Yankee Energy System, Inc., is the parent of Yankee Gas
Services Company, the largest natural gas distribution
company in Connecticut serving approximately 185,000
customers in 69 cities and towns throughout the state.
Yankee Energy is also the parent of Yankee Energy Services
Company, which provides a full range of energy-related
services for its customers including comprehensive building
automation and HVAC equipment services; R.M. Services, Inc.,
which offers collection services; and Yankee Energy
Financial Services Company, which provides a full range of
residential and commercial equipment financing options.
Further information about Yankee Energy can be obtained from
its web site: www.yankeeenergy.com