Exhibit 23.1






              CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS




We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the
Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-78285, 333-85559
and 333-87272) and in the Registration Statement on Form S-3
(No. 333-78285), of NSTAR of our report dated January 22, 2003
relating to the financial statements and the financial
statement schedule which appears in this Form 10-K.




January 22, 2003