EXHIBIT 5(b)



INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE                             DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
DISTRICT DIRECTOR
P.O. BOX 1680
BROOKLYN, NY  11202

                                              Employer Identification Number:
Date:  March 24, 1995                               15-0265555
                                              File Folder Number:
                                                    160006954
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION              Person to Contact:
300 ERIE BOULEVARD WEST                             MARIANNE VEZERIAN
SYRACUSE, NY 13202                            Contact Telephone Number:
                                                    (617) 565-7771
                                              Plan Name:
                                               NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
                                               NON-REPRESENTED EE'S SAVINGS FUND
                                              Plan Number:  003



Dear Applicant:

      We have made a favorable determination on your plan, identified above,
based on the information supplied. Please keep this letter in your permanent
records.

      Continued qualification of the plan under its present form will depend on
its effect in operation. (See section 1.401-1(b)(3) of the Income Tax
Regulations.) We will review the status of the plan in operation periodically.

      The enclosed document explains the significance of this favorable
determination letter, points out some features that may affect the qualified
status of your employee retirement plan, and provides information on the
reporting requirements for your plan. It also describes some events that
automatically nullify it. It is very important that your read the publication.

      This letter relates only to the status of your plan under the Internal
Revenue Code. It is not a determination regarding the effect of other federal or
local statutes.

      This determination is subject to your adoption of the proposed amendments
submitted in your letter dated January 11, 1995. The proposed amendments should
be adopted on or before the date prescribed by the regulations under Code
section 401(b).

      This determination letter is applicable for the amendment(s) adopted on
April 25, 1991.

      This determination letter is also applicable for the amendment(s) adopted
on December 17, 1993.

      This letter is issued under Rev. Proc. 93-39 and considers the amendments
required by the Tax Reform Act of 1986 except as otherwise specified in this
letter.







NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION


      This plan satisfies the nondiscriminatory current availability require-
ments of section 1.401(a)(4)-4(b) of the regulations with respect to those
benefits, rights, and features that are currently available to all employees in
the plan's coverage group. For this purpose, the plan's coverage group consists
of those employees treated as currently benefiting for purposes of demonstrating
that the plan satisfies the minimum coverage requirements of section 410(b) of
the Code.

      This plan qualifies for Extended Reliance described in the last paragraph
of Publication 794 under the caption "Limitations of a Favorable Determination
Letter".

      This letter may not be relied upon with respect to whether the plan
satisfies the qualification requirements as amended by the Uruguay Round
Agreements Act, Pub. L. 103-465.

      We have sent a copy of this letter to your representative as indicated in
the power of attorney.

      If you have questions concerning this matter, please contact the person
whose name and telephone number are shown above.

                                                      Sincerely yours,

                                                      /s/ Herbert J. Huff

                                                      Herbert J. Huff
                                                      District Director

Enclosures:
Publication 794
Reporting & Disclosure Guide
  for Employee Benefit Plans