UNITED ILLUMINATING CO
10-Q, 1997-11-13
ELECTRIC SERVICES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 10-Q

[ X ]    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

               FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1997

                                       OR

[   ]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

         For the transition period from              to
                                       --------------   ---------------


Commission file number 1-6788

                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

            CONNECTICUT                               06-0571640
(State or other jurisdiction of           (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)           

157 CHURCH STREET, NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT                          06506
(Address of principal executive offices)                         (Zip Code)

         REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: 203-499-2000


                                      NONE
        (Former name,  former address and former fiscal year, if changed
         since last report.)


   Indicate  by check mark  whether  the  registrant  (1) has filed all  reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                                                 YES  X  NO
                                                     ---    ---

     The  number of shares  outstanding  of the  issuer's  only  class of common
stock, as of September 30, 1997, was 14,101,291.


                                     - 1 -
<PAGE>


                                      INDEX

                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                                                                          PAGE
                                                                         NUMBER
                                                                         ------

Item 1.  Financial Statements.                                               3

         Consolidated Statement of Income for the three and nine
           months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996.                         3
         Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 1997 and
           December 31, 1996.                                                4
         Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three and nine
          months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996.                          6

         Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.                         7
           -   Statement of Accounting Policies                              7
           -   Capitalization                                                8
           -   Income Taxes                                                 10
           -   Short-term Credit Arrangements                               11
           -   Supplementary Information                                    12
           -   Fuel Financing Obligations and Other Lease Obligations       13
           -   Commitments and Contingencies                                13
               -  Capital Expenditure Program                               13
               -  Nuclear Insurance Contingencies                           13
               -  Other Commitments and Contingencies                       14
                  - Connecticut Yankee                                      14
                  - Hydro-Quebec                                            14
                  - Voluntary Early Retirement and Separation Programs      14
                  - Property Taxes                                          14
                  - Site Decontamination, Demolition and Remediation Costs  15
           -   Nuclear Fuel Disposal and Nuclear Plant Decommissioning      15

Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
          and Results of Operations.                                        17

           -   Major Influences on Financial Condition                      17
           -   Capital Expenditure Program                                  19
           -   Liquidity and Capital Resources                              20
           -   Subsidiary Operations                                        21
           -   Results of Operations                                        21
           -   Looking Forward                                              24

                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.                                                 30

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.                                  31

         SIGNATURES                                                         33



                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                          PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                          ITEM I: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                      (THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                   (UNAUDITED)

<CAPTION>
                                                                       Three Months Ended             Nine Months Ended
                                                                          September 30,                 September 30,
                                                                       1997           1996            1997          1996
                                                                       ----           ----            ----          ----
<S>                                                                    <C>            <C>             <C>           <C>     
OPERATING REVENUES (NOTE G)                                            $196,563       $209,167        $540,662      $548,817
                                                                   -------------  -------------   -------------  ------------
OPERATING EXPENSES
  Operation
     Fuel and energy                                                     44,024         48,825         137,965       114,220
     Capacity purchased                                                   8,359         11,851          30,198        33,799
     Early retirement program charges                                         -         14,946               -        23,033
     Other                                                               38,415         36,269         115,324       113,250
  Maintenance                                                            10,122          9,112          30,016        28,054
  Depreciation                                                           17,239         16,866          57,945        49,518
  Amortization of cancelled nuclear project and deferred return           3,440          3,440          10,319        10,319
  Income taxes (Note E)                                                  23,101         18,449          35,128        43,722
  Other taxes (Note G)                                                   13,512         14,943          40,574        43,523
                                                                   -------------  -------------   -------------  ------------
       Total                                                            158,212        174,701         457,469       459,438
                                                                   -------------  -------------   -------------  ------------
OPERATING INCOME                                                         38,351         34,466          83,193        89,379
                                                                   -------------  -------------   -------------  ------------
OTHER INCOME AND (DEDUCTIONS)
  Allowance for equity funds used during construction                       (12)           165             330           547
  Other-net (Note G)                                                         83            (89)          1,589          (555)
  Non-operating income taxes                                              1,981          1,669           4,920         4,487
                                                                   -------------  -------------   -------------  ------------
       Total                                                              2,052          1,745           6,839         4,479
                                                                   -------------  -------------   -------------  ------------
INCOME BEFORE INTEREST CHARGES                                           40,403         36,211          90,032        93,858
                                                                   -------------  -------------   -------------  ------------
INTEREST CHARGES
  Interest on long-term debt                                             16,233         16,270          48,481        49,063
  Interest on Seabrook obligation bonds owned by the company             (1,691)             -          (5,073)            -
  Other interest (Note G)                                                   872            483           2,490         1,761
  Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction                    (288)          (286)         (1,127)       (1,030)
                                                                   -------------  -------------   -------------  ------------
                                                                         15,126         16,467          44,771        49,794
  Amortization of debt expense and redemption premiums                      672            637           1,998         1,947
                                                                   -------------  -------------   -------------  ------------
       Net Interest Charges                                              15,798         17,104          46,769        51,741
                                                                   -------------  -------------   -------------  ------------

MINORITY INTEREST IN PREFERRED SECURITIES                                 1,203          1,203           3,609         3,609
                                                                   -------------  -------------   -------------  ------------

NET INCOME                                                               23,402         17,904          39,654        38,508
Discount on preferred stock redemptions                                     (29)           (14)            (48)       (1,840)
Dividends on preferred stock                                                 51             52             154           279
                                                                   -------------  -------------   -------------  ------------
INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK                                       $23,380        $17,866         $39,548       $40,069
                                                                   =============  =============   =============  ============

AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING                              13,887         14,101          14,029        14,101

EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK                                        $1.68          $1.27           $2.82         $2.84

CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK                         $0.72          $0.72           $2.16         $2.16
</TABLE>

                The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                    are an integral part of the financial statements.

                                        - 3 -

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

                                     ASSETS
                             (Thousands of Dollars)

<CAPTION>
                                                          September 30,        December 31,
                                                               1997               1996*
                                                               ----               ----
                                                           (Unaudited)
<S>                                                           <C>                 <C>
Utility Plant at Original Cost
  In service                                                  $1,863,176          $1,843,952
  Less, accumulated provision for depreciation                   634,488             585,646
                                                          ---------------     ---------------
                                                               1,228,688           1,258,306

Construction work in progress                                     33,231              40,998
Nuclear fuel                                                      27,073              23,010
                                                          ---------------     ---------------
     Net Utility Plant                                         1,288,992           1,322,314
                                                          ---------------     ---------------


Other Property and Investments                                    30,836              26,081
                                                          ---------------     ---------------

Current Assets
  Cash and temporary cash investments                             86,865               6,394
  Accounts receivable
   Customers, less allowance for doubtful
     accounts of $1,800 and $2,300                                64,138              63,722
   Other                                                          21,534              38,367
  Accrued utility revenues                                        23,630              29,139
  Fuel, materials and supplies, at average cost                   20,044              22,010
  Prepayments                                                      7,886               3,608
  Other                                                              159                 110
                                                          ---------------     ---------------
     Total                                                       224,256             163,350
                                                          ---------------     ---------------

Deferred Charges
  Unamortized debt issuance expenses                               6,781               6,580
  Other                                                            2,350               1,485
                                                          ---------------     ---------------
     Total                                                         9,131               8,065
                                                          ---------------     ---------------

Regulatory Assets (future amounts due from customers
                   through the ratemaking process)
  Income taxes due principally to book-tax differences           279,600             289,672
  Connecticut Yankee                                              56,830              64,851
  Deferred return - Seabrook Unit 1                               28,318              37,757
  Unamortized redemption costs                                    27,458              25,063
  Unamortized cancelled nuclear projects                          12,417              13,297
  Uranium enrichment decommissioning cost                          1,281               1,377
  Other                                                            6,626               9,068
                                                          ---------------     ---------------
     Total                                                       412,530             441,085
                                                          ---------------     ---------------

                                                              $1,965,745          $1,960,895
                                                          ===============     ===============
</TABLE>
*Derived from audited financial statements

                The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial
             Statements are an integral part of the financial statements.

                                        - 4 -

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

                         CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
                             (Thousands of Dollars)

<CAPTION>
                                                           September 30,        December 31,
                                                                1997               1996*
                                                           -------------        ------------
                                                            (Unaudited)
<S>                                                            <C>                 <C>
Capitalization (Note B)
  Common stock equity
    Common stock                                                 $284,579            $284,579
    Paid-in capital                                                   772                 772
    Capital stock expense                                          (2,182)             (2,182)
    Unearned employee stock ownership plan equity                 (10,390)                  -
    Retained earnings                                             166,140             156,847
                                                           ---------------     ---------------
                                                                  438,919             440,016
  Preferred stock                                                   4,351               4,461
  Minority interest in preferred securities                        50,000              50,000
  Long-term debt
    Long-term debt                                                795,459             826,527
    Investment in Seabrook obligation bonds                       (66,847)            (66,847)
                                                           ---------------     ---------------
      Net Long-term debt                                          728,612             759,680

          Total                                                 1,221,882           1,254,157
                                                           ---------------     ---------------

Noncurrent Liabilities
  Pensions accrued                                                 46,287              49,205
  Connecticut Yankee contract obligation                           45,731              54,752
  Obligations under capital leases                                 16,941              17,193
  Nuclear decommissioning obligation                               16,168              12,851
  Other                                                             5,294               4,815
                                                           ---------------     ---------------
          Total                                                   130,421             138,816
                                                           ---------------     ---------------

Current Liabilities
  Current portion of long-term debt                               112,135              69,900
  Notes payable                                                    43,995              10,965
  Accounts payable                                                 42,886              68,058
  Dividends payable                                                10,000              10,205
  Taxes accrued                                                    11,606                 503
  Interest accrued                                                 16,443              13,835
  Obligations under capital leases                                    333                 315
  Other accrued liabilities                                        33,771              36,091
                                                           ---------------     ---------------
          Total                                                   271,169             209,872
                                                           ---------------     ---------------

Customers' Advances for Construction                                1,874               1,888
                                                           ---------------     ---------------

Regulatory Liabilities (future amounts owed to customers
                        through the ratemaking process)
  Accumulated deferred investment tax credits                      16,576              17,147
  Other                                                             2,047               1,811
                                                           ---------------     ---------------
          Total                                                    18,623              18,958
                                                           ---------------     ---------------

Deferred Income Taxes (future tax liabilities owed                321,776             337,204
                       to taxing authorities)
Commitments and Contingencies (Note L)
                                                           ---------------     ---------------
                                                               $1,965,745          $1,960,895
                                                           ===============     ===============
</TABLE>

* Derived from audited financial statements

                   The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial
              Statements are an integral part of the financial statements.

                                        - 5 -

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                             (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
                                   (UNAUDITED)

<CAPTION>
                                                                      Three Months Ended         Nine  Months Ended
                                                                         September 30,              September 30,
                                                                      1997          1996         1997           1996
                                                                      ----          ----         ----           ----
<S>                                                                    <C>          <C>           <C>            <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  Net Income                                                           $23,402      $17,904       $39,654        $38,508
                                                                   ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------
  Adjustments  to  reconcile  net  income
   to net  cash  provided  by  operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization                                      18,405       17,915        61,460         52,734
     Deferred income taxes                                               5,609       (1,421)       (5,356)       (10,569)
     Deferred investment tax credits - net                                (190)        (190)         (571)          (571)
     Amortization of nuclear fuel                                        1,785        1,604         4,662          4,090
     Allowance for funds used during construction                         (276)        (451)       (1,457)        (1,577)
     Amortization of deferred return                                     3,146        3,146         9,439          9,439
     Early retirement costs accrued                                          -       14,946             -         23,033
     Changes in:
             Accounts receivable - net                                  (6,754)     (11,731)       16,417        (15,773)
             Fuel, materials and supplies                                1,007          815         1,966           (489)
             Prepayments                                                (3,687)      (4,006)       (4,278)        (5,291)
             Accounts payable                                             (517)        (539)      (25,172)        (9,652)
             Interest accrued                                           (6,529)      (8,090)        2,608          1,872
             Taxes accrued                                               9,202        6,444        11,103         11,675
             Other assets and liabilities                                  336       19,745        (1,998)        13,870
                                                                   ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------
     Total Adjustments                                                  21,537       38,187        68,823         72,791
                                                                   ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                               44,939       56,091       108,477        111,299
                                                                   ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
   Common stock                                                        (10,390)           -       (10,390)            40
   Long-term debt                                                       98,500            -        98,500          7,500
   Notes payable                                                         8,354      (35,000)       33,030              -
   Securities redeemed and retired:
     Preferred stock                                                       (70)         (33)         (110)        (6,078)
     Long-term debt                                                    (55,749)      (7,725)      (88,334)       (18,525)
   Discount on preferred stock redemption                                   29           14            48          1,840
   Expense of issue                                                     (1,500)        (275)       (1,500)          (275)
   Lease obligations                                                       (80)         (74)         (234)          (216)
   Dividends
     Preferred stock                                                       (51)         (52)         (155)          (358)
     Common stock                                                      (10,153)     (10,153)      (30,459)       (30,246)
                                                                   ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES                     28,890      (53,298)          396        (46,318)
                                                                   ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    Plant expenditures, including nuclear fuel                          (4,215)     (12,331)      (28,402)       (33,865)
                                                                   ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                   (4,215)     (12,331)      (28,402)       (33,865)
                                                                   ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------

CASH AND TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS:
NET CHANGE FOR THE PERIOD                                               69,614       (9,538)       80,471         31,116
BALANCE AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD                                          17,251       45,724         6,394          5,070
                                                                   ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------
BALANCE AT END OF PERIOD                                               $86,865      $36,186       $86,865        $36,186
                                                                   ============  ===========  ============  =============

CASH PAID DURING THE PERIOD FOR:
   Interest (net of amount capitalized)                                $19,819      $24,377       $40,578        $47,960
                                                                   ============  ===========  ============  =============
   Income taxes                                                         $9,000      $14,200       $26,773        $40,825
                                                                   ============  ===========  ============  =============
</TABLE>

                The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                    are an integral part of the financial statements.

                                        - 6 -

<PAGE>


                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                   (UNAUDITED)

     The consolidated  financial  statements of the Company and its wholly-owned
subsidiary, United Resources, Inc., have been prepared pursuant to the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange  Commission.  The statements  reflect
all  adjustments  that are, in the opinion of  management,  necessary  to a fair
statement of the results for the periods presented.  All such adjustments are of
a normal recurring nature. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally
included in financial  statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting  principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and
regulations.  The Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the
information  presented not misleading.  These consolidated  financial statements
should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the
notes to consolidated financial statements included in the annual report on Form
10-K for the year  ended  December  31,  1996.  Such notes are  supplemented  as
follows:

(A)  STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

ALLOWANCE FOR FUNDS USED DURING CONSTRUCTION (AFUDC)

     The weighted  average  AFUDC rates applied in the first nine months of 1997
and 1996 were 7.83% and 8.50%, respectively, on a before-tax basis.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     For cash flow  purposes,  the  Company  considers  all highly  liquid  debt
instruments  with a maturity of three  months or less at the date of purchase to
be cash equivalents.

NUCLEAR DECOMMISSIONING TRUSTS

     External  trust  funds  are   maintained  to  fund  the  estimated   future
decommissioning  costs of the nuclear  generating units in which the Company has
an  ownership  interest.  These  costs are  accrued as a charge to  depreciation
expense over the estimated service lives of the units and are recovered in rates
on a current basis.  The Company paid $1.9 million and $1.6 million in the first
nine months of 1997 and 1996, respectively, into the decommissioning trust funds
for Seabrook Unit 1 and Millstone  Unit 3. At September 30, 1997,  the Company's
shares of the trust fund balances,  which included  accumulated  earnings on the
funds,  were $11.4  million and $4.8 million for Seabrook  Unit 1 and  Millstone
Unit 3,  respectively.  These fund balances are included in "Other  Property and
Investments"  and  the  accrued   decommissioning   obligation  is  included  in
"Noncurrent Liabilities" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet.

INTEREST RATE AND FUEL PRICE MANAGEMENT

     The  Company   utilizes   interest  rate  and  fuel  oil  price  management
instruments to manage interest rate and fuel oil price risk.  Interest rate swap
agreements have been entered into that effectively convert the interest rates on
$225 million of variable  rate term loan  borrowings  to fixed rate  borrowings.
Amounts  receivable  or payable  under  these swap  agreements  are  accrued and
charged  to  interest  expense.  The  Company  enters  into basic fuel oil price
management instruments to help minimize fuel oil price risk by fixing the future
price for fuel oil used for  generation.  Amounts  receivable  or payable  under
these instruments are recognized in income when realized.

     At September  30, 1997,  the Company had entered into swap  agreements  for
400,000 barrels of fuel oil, for the period October 1 through December 31, 1997,
at a weighted average price of $15.82 per barrel and has call options for 99,999
barrels of fuel oil at $19.25 per barrel. The Company has entered into swap


                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

agreements for 275,000 barrels of fuel oil at a weighted average price of $16.74
and has call options for 240,000 barrels of fuel oil at a weighted average price
of $18.29 per barrel for the first three quarters of 1998.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

     In February 1997, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
128,  "Earnings  per Share".  This  statement,  which is effective for financial
statements issued for periods ending after December 15, 1997,  including interim
periods,  establishes simplified standards for computing and presenting earnings
per share (EPS).  It requires dual  presentation of basic and diluted EPS on the
face of the income  statement for entities with complex  capital  structures and
disclosure  of the  calculation  of  each  EPS  amount.  The  Company  does  not
anticipate  that  adoption of the  standard  will have a  significant  impact on
reported EPS.

(B)  CAPITALIZATION

     (A) COMMON STOCK

     The  Company  had  14,101,291  shares of its  common  stock,  no par value,
outstanding  at September  30, 1997, of which  307,700  shares were  unallocated
shares held by the  Company's  Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan ("ESOP") and not
recognized as outstanding for accounting purposes.

     In 1990, the Company's  Board of Directors and the  shareowners  approved a
stock  option plan for  officers  and key  employees  of the  Company.  The plan
provides  for the  awarding of options to  purchase up to 750,000  shares of the
Company's  common stock over periods from one to ten years  following  the dates
when the options are  granted.  The  Connecticut  Department  of Public  Utility
Control  (DPUC) has approved the issuance of 500,000 shares of stock pursuant to
this plan.  The  exercise  price of each  option  cannot be less than the market
value of the stock on the date of the grant.  Options to purchase  17,799 shares
of stock at an exercise  price of $30 per share,  188,200  shares of stock at an
exercise price of $30.75 per share,  600 shares of stock at an exercise price of
$31.1875 per share,  4,000  shares of stock at an exercise  price of $35.625 per
share,  34,332 shares of stock at an exercise  price of $39.5625 per share,  and
5,000  shares of stock at an  exercise  price of  $42.375  per  share  have been
granted by the Board of Directors  and  remained  outstanding  at September  30,
1997.

     The Company has entered into an arrangement  under which it will loan up to
$15 million to The United  Illuminating  Company ESOP.  The trustee for the ESOP
will use the funds to  purchase  shares of the  Company's  common  stock in open
market  transactions.  The shares will be allocated to employees' ESOP accounts,
as the loan is  repaid,  to  cover a  portion  of the  Company's  required  ESOP
contributions.  The loan will be repaid by the ESOP over a  twelve-year  period,
using the Company  contributions and dividends paid on the unallocated shares of
the stock held by the ESOP. As of September  30, 1997,  307,700  shares,  with a
fair market value of $11.2  million,  had been purchased by the ESOP and had not
been allocated to ESOP participants.

     (B) RETAINED EARNINGS RESTRICTION

     The indenture under which $200 million principal amount of Notes are issued
places  limitations  on the payment of cash dividends on common stock and on the
purchase  or  redemption  of common  stock.  Retained  earnings in the amount of
$107.2 million were free from such limitations at September 30, 1997.

     (C) PREFERRED STOCK

     In February 1997,  the Company  purchased at a discount on the open market,
and canceled,  403 shares of its $100 par value 4.35%, Series A preferred stock.
The shares, having a par value of $40,300, were purchased for $21,271,  creating
a net gain of $19,029.



                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>

                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

     In August 1997, the Company purchased at a discount on the open market, and
canceled,  500 shares of its $100 par value 4.72%,  Series B preferred stock and
200 shares of its $100 par value 4.64%,  Series C preferred stock. These shares,
having a par value of $70,000,  were purchased for $41,100,  creating a net gain
of $28,900.

     (D) LONG-TERM DEBT

     On December 30, 1996,  the Company  transferred  $51.3 million to a trustee
under an escrow  agreement.  The funds,  which were invested in Treasury  Notes,
were used to pay $50  million  principal  amount  of 7% Notes  that  matured  on
January 15, 1997 plus accrued interest.

     On February 15, 1997, the Company repaid $10.8 million  principal amount of
maturing 9.44% First  Mortgage  Bonds,  Series B, and redeemed,  at a premium of
$185,328,  the remaining  $21.6 million  outstanding  principal  amount of 9.44%
First  Mortgage  Bonds,  Series B,  issued by  Bridgeport  Electric  Company,  a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company that was merged with and into the Company
in September 1994.

     On July 30,  1997,  the Company  borrowed  $98.5  million from the Business
Finance Authority of the State of New Hampshire (BFA), representing the proceeds
from the issuance by the BFA of $98.5  million  principal  amount of  tax-exempt
Pollution Control  Refunding  Revenue Bonds (PCRRBs).  The Company is obligated,
under its borrowing  agreement with the BFA, to pay to a trustee for the PCRRBs'
bondholders  such  amounts  as will pay,  when  due,  the  principal  of and the
premium, if any, and interest on the PCRRBs. The PCRRBs will mature in 2027, and
their interest rate can be adjusted  periodically to reflect  prevailing  market
conditions.  The PCRRBs were issued at an initial interest rate of 3.75%,  which
is being  adjusted  weekly.  The  Company  has used the  proceeds  of this $98.5
million  borrowing  to cause the  redemption  and  repayment of $25 million of 9
3/8%, 1987 Series A, Pollution Control Revenue Bonds,  $43.5 million of 10 3/4%,
1987 Series B, Pollution  Control  Revenue Bonds,  and $30 million of Adjustable
Rate,  1990 Series A, Solid Waste  Disposal  Revenue  Bonds,  three  outstanding
series of tax-exempt bonds on which the Company also had a payment obligation to
a trustee  for the  bondholders.  Expenses  associated  with  this  transaction,
including   redemption  premiums  totaling  $2,055,000  and  other  expenses  of
approximately $1,500,000, are being borne by the Company.

     On November 12, 1997, the Company  refinanced the secured lease  obligation
bonds that were issued in 1990 in connection  with the sale and leaseback by the
Company  of a portion  of its  ownership  share in  Seabrook  Unit 1. All of the
outstanding  $69,593,000  principal  amount of 9.76% Series 2006 Seabrook  Lease
Obligation Bonds (the "9.76% Bonds") and $129,055,000 principal amount of 10.24%
Series 2020 Seabrook Lease  Obligation Bonds (the "10.24% Bonds") were redeemed.
The  redemption  premiums  paid on the 9.76%  Bonds and the  10.24%  Bonds  were
$1,884,549  and  $8,589,901,  respectively.  The Bonds  were  refunded  with the
proceeds from the issuance of  $203,088,000  principal  amount of 7.83% Seabrook
Lease  Obligation Bonds due January 2, 2019 (the "7.83% Bonds") the principal of
which will be payable from time to time in  installments.  Transaction  expenses
totaling  $1,530,022 and redemption  premiums totaling $8,139,978 were paid from
the  proceeds  of the 7.83%  Bonds  and will be repaid as part of the  Company's
Lease  payments  over the  remaining  term of the Lease.  The  remainder  of the
redemption  premiums  ($2,334,472)  and  transaction  expenses  were paid by the
Company  and will be  amortized  over  the  remainder  of the  Lease  term.  The
transaction  reduces the interest  rate on the leaseback  arrangement,  which is
treated as long-term  debt on the Company's  Consolidated  Balance  Sheet,  from
8.45% to 7.56%.  The Company  owned  $16,997,000  principal  amount of the 9.76%
Bonds and $49,850,000 principal amount of the 10.24% Bonds. The Company used the
proceeds from the redemption of these bonds ($70,662,688,  including  redemption
premiums totaling $3,815,688),  plus available funds and short-term  borrowings,
to  purchase  $101,388,000  principal  amount of the 7.83%  Bonds.  The  Company
intends to hold the 7.83% Bonds until maturity and has recognized the investment
as an offset to long-term debt on its Consolidated Balance Sheet.


                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)


<CAPTION>
                                                            Three Months Ended             Nine Months Ended
(E) INCOME  TAXES                                              September 30,                 September 30,
                                                            1997          1996            1997          1996
                                                            ----          ----            ----          ----
Income tax expense consists of:                                   (000's)                       (000's)

Income tax provisions:
  Current
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>    
             Federal                                         $11,899       $13,887         $27,346       $37,932
             State                                             3,802         4,504           8,789        12,443
                                                         ------------  ------------    ------------  ------------
                Total current                                 15,701        18,391          36,135        50,375
                                                         ------------  ------------    ------------  ------------
  Deferred
             Federal                                           4,602          (585)         (3,397)       (6,265)
             State                                             1,007          (836)         (1,959)       (4,304)
                                                         ------------  ------------    ------------  ------------
                Total deferred                                 5,609        (1,421)         (5,356)      (10,569)
                                                         ------------  ------------    ------------  ------------

  Investment tax credits                                        (190)         (190)           (571)         (571)
                                                         ------------  ------------    ------------  ------------

     Total income tax expense                                $21,120       $16,780         $30,208       $39,235
                                                         ============  ============    ============  ============

Income tax components charged as follows:
  Operating expenses                                         $23,101       $18,449         $35,128       $43,722
  Other income and deductions - net                           (1,981)       (1,669)         (4,920)       (4,487)
                                                         ------------  ------------    ------------  ------------

     Total income tax expense                                $21,120       $16,780         $30,208       $39,235
                                                         ============  ============    ============  ============


The following table details the components of the
 deferred income taxes:
     Fossil fuel decommissioning reserve                       ($142)            -         ($7,144)            -
     Conservation and load management                           (931)         (464)         (5,022)         (954)
     Accelerated depreciation                                  1,459         1,374           4,378         4,122
     Tax depreciation on unrecoverable plant investment        1,232         1,244           3,695         3,732
     Seabrook sale/leaseback transaction                       1,486         1,575          (3,686)       (3,669)
     Pension benefits                                          1,983        (5,298)          2,092        (9,302)
     Unit overhaul and replacement power costs                  (287)         (641)          1,099        (2,651)
     Deferred fossil fuel costs                                    -          (263)           (686)          402
     Postretirement benefits                                     187           126            (105)         (671)
     Other - net                                                 622           926              23        (1,578)
                                                         ------------  ------------    ------------  ------------

Deferred income taxes - net                                   $5,609       ($1,421)        ($5,356)     ($10,569)
                                                         ============  ============    ============  ============
</TABLE>
                                        - 10 -

<PAGE>
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(F)  SHORT-TERM CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS

     The  Company has a revolving  credit  agreement  with a group of banks that
currently  extends to December 10, 1997. The borrowing limit of this facility is
$75 million.  The facility  permits the Company to borrow funds at a fluctuating
interest  rate  determined  by the prime  lending  market in New York,  and also
permits the Company to borrow money for fixed  periods of time  specified by the
Company at fixed interest rates determined by the Eurodollar interbank market in
London, or by bidding,  at the Company's option. If a material adverse change in
the business, operations,  affairs, assets or condition, financial or otherwise,
or  prospects  of the Company and its  subsidiaries,  on a  consolidated  basis,
should  occur,  the banks may  decline to lend  additional  money to the Company
under this revolving credit agreement,  although  borrowings  outstanding at the
time of such  an  occurrence  would  not  then  become  due and  payable.  As of
September  30,  1997,  the  Company  had $40  million of  short-term  borrowings
outstanding under this facility.


                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(G)  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION


<CAPTION>
                                                                Three Months Ended                Nine Months Ended
                                                                   September 30,                    September 30,
                                                               1997            1996             1997             1996
                                                               ----            ----             ----             ----
                                                                      (000's)                          (000's)

<S>                                                            <C>             <C>              <C>              <C>    
Operating Revenues
- ------------------
     Retail                                                     $177,323        $184,450         $473,848         $497,973
     Wholesale - capacity                                          2,483           1,784            7,265            5,286
               - energy                                           15,510          22,097           56,783           43,355
     Other                                                         1,247             836            2,766            2,203
                                                           --------------  --------------   --------------   --------------
          Total Operating Revenues                              $196,563        $209,167         $540,662         $548,817
                                                           ==============  ==============   ==============   ==============

Sales by Class(MWH's)
- ---------------------
    Retail
     Residential                                                 505,070         490,460        1,415,844        1,432,544
     Commercial                                                  613,924         609,643        1,697,625        1,719,858
     Industrial                                                  305,492         304,451          867,082          858,926
     Other                                                        12,008          11,931           36,256           35,897
                                                           --------------  --------------   --------------   --------------
                                                               1,436,494       1,416,485        4,016,807        4,047,225
    Wholesale                                                    608,754         759,416        2,104,892        1,608,917
                                                           --------------  --------------   --------------   --------------
          Total Sales by Class                                 2,045,248       2,175,901        6,121,699        5,656,142
                                                           ==============  ==============   ==============   ==============

Other Taxes

    Charged to:
     Operating:
        State gross earnings                                      $6,777          $7,608          $18,005          $20,507
        Local real estate and personal property                    5,451           6,106           17,742           18,637
        Payroll taxes                                              1,284           1,229            4,827            4,379
                                                           --------------  --------------   --------------   --------------
                                                                  13,512          14,943           40,574           43,523
     Nonoperating and other accounts                                 111              78              343              474
                                                           --------------  --------------   --------------   --------------
          Total Other Taxes                                      $13,623         $15,021          $40,917          $43,997
                                                           ==============  ==============   ==============   ==============

Other Income and (Deductions) - net
- -----------------------------------
     Interest and dividend income                                   $458            $283           $1,384             $924
     Equity earnings from Connecticut Yankee                         312             331            1,000            1,080
     Loss from subsidiary companies                                  (75)           (579)            (970)          (2,134)
     Miscellaneous other income and (deductions) - net              (612)           (124)             175             (425)
                                                           --------------  --------------   --------------   --------------
          Total Other Income and (Deductions) - net                  $83            ($89)          $1,589            ($555)
                                                           ==============  ==============   ==============   ==============

Other Interest Charges
- ----------------------
     Notes Payable                                                  $749            $167           $1,949             $882
     Other                                                           123             316              541              879
                                                           --------------  --------------   --------------   --------------
          Total Other Interest Charges                              $872            $483           $2,490           $1,761
                                                           ==============  ==============   ==============   ==============
</TABLE>

                                        - 12 -

<PAGE>
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(K)  FUEL FINANCING OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER LEASE OBLIGATIONS

     The Company has a Fossil Fuel Supply Agreement with a financial institution
providing for financing up to $37.5 million of fossil fuel purchases. Under this
agreement,  the financing  entity may acquire and/or store natural gas, coal and
fuel oil for sale to the  Company,  and the Company may  purchase  these  fossil
fuels from the financing entity at a price for each type of fuel that reimburses
the  financing  entity for the direct  costs it has incurred in  purchasing  and
storing  the  fuel,  plus a charge  for  maintaining  an  inventory  of the fuel
determined  by  reference  to  the  fluctuating  interest  rate  on  thirty-day,
dealer-placed  commercial  paper in New York. The Company is obligated to insure
the  fuel  inventories  and  to  indemnify  the  financing  entity  against  all
liabilities,  taxes and other  expenses  incurred as a result of its  ownership,
storage and sale of fossil fuel to the Company. This agreement currently extends
to November 1998. At September 30, 1997,  approximately  $21.5 million of fossil
fuel purchases were being financed under this agreement.

(L)  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROGRAM

     The Company's continuing capital expenditure program is presently estimated
at approximately $196.0 million, excluding AFUDC, for 1997 through 2001.

NUCLEAR INSURANCE CONTINGENCIES

     The  Price-Anderson  Act, currently extended through August 1, 2002, limits
public liability  resulting from a single incident at a nuclear power plant. The
first $200 million of liability  coverage is provided by purchasing  the maximum
amount of commercially  available insurance.  Additional liability coverage will
be provided by an assessment of up to $75.5 million per incident, levied on each
of the  nuclear  units  licensed to operate in the United  States,  subject to a
maximum  assessment of $10 million per incident per nuclear unit in any year. In
addition,  if the sum of all public  liability  claims and legal costs resulting
from any nuclear  incident  exceeds the maximum amount of financial  protection,
each reactor  operator can be assessed an  additional  5% of $75.5  million,  or
$3.775 million.  The maximum assessment is adjusted at least every five years to
reflect  the impact of  inflation.  With  respect  to each of the three  nuclear
generating  units in which the Company  has an  interest,  the  Company  will be
obligated  to  pay  its  ownership  and/or  leasehold  share  of  any  statutory
assessment  resulting from a nuclear  incident at any nuclear  generating  unit.
Based on its interests in these nuclear  generating units, the Company estimates
its  maximum  liability  would be  $23.2  million  per  incident.  However,  any
assessment would be limited to $3.1 million per incident per year.

     The NRC requires each nuclear  generating unit to obtain property insurance
coverage  in a minimum  amount of $1.06  billion  and to  establish  a system of
prioritized  use of the insurance  proceeds in the event of a nuclear  incident.
The system  requires that the first $1.06 billion of insurance  proceeds be used
to  stabilize  the  nuclear  reactor to prevent any  significant  risk to public
health and safety and then for  decontamination  and  cleanup  operations.  Only
following completion of these tasks would the balance, if any, of the segregated
insurance  proceeds become available to the unit's owners. For each of the three
nuclear  generating  units in which the Company has an interest,  the Company is
required to pay its ownership  and/or  leasehold share of the cost of purchasing
such  insurance.  Although  each of these units has  purchased  $2.75 billion of
property  insurance  coverage,  representing  the limits of  coverage  currently
available  from  conventional  nuclear  insurance  pools,  the cost of a nuclear
incident could exceed  available  insurance  proceeds.  In addition,  two of the
nuclear  insurance  pools  that  provide  portions  of this  coverage  may  levy
assessments  against  the insured  owner  companies  if pool  losses  exceed the
accumulated  funds  available  to the pool.  The maximum  potential  assessments
against the Company with respect to losses occurring during current policy years
are approximately $7.5 million.



                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>
                        THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

OTHER COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

                               CONNECTICUT YANKEE

     On December  4, 1996,  the Board of  Directors  of the  Connecticut  Yankee
Atomic  Power  Company  (Connecticut  Yankee)  voted  unanimously  to retire the
Connecticut  Yankee nuclear plant (the Connecticut  Yankee Unit) from commercial
operation.  The Company has a 9.5% stock ownership  share in Connecticut  Yankee
and  relied  on the  Connecticut  Yankee  Unit  for  approximately  3.7%  of the
Company's 1995 total  generating  resources.  The power purchase  contract under
which the Company has purchased its 9.5%  entitlement to the Connecticut  Yankee
Unit's power  output  permits  Connecticut  Yankee to recover 9.5% of all of its
costs  from UI.  Connecticut  Yankee  has  filed  revised  decommissioning  cost
estimates and amendments to the power contracts with its owners with the Federal
Energy Regulatory  Commission (FERC). The preliminary  estimate of the amount of
future payments for the closing,  decommissioning  and recovery of the remaining
investment in the Connecticut Yankee Unit is approximately  $763 million.  Based
on regulatory precedent, Connecticut Yankee believes it will continue to collect
from its owners its  decommissioning  costs,  the unrecovered  investment in the
Connecticut  Yankee Unit and other costs associated with the permanent  shutdown
of the  Connecticut  Yankee Unit. UI expects that it will continue to be allowed
to recover all FERC-approved  costs from its customers through retail rates. The
Company's  estimate of its remaining  share of costs,  less return of investment
(approximately  $10  million)  and  return  on  investment  (approximately  $7.6
million) at September 30, 1997, is approximately  $45.7 million.  This estimate,
which is subject  to  ongoing  review and  revision,  has been  recorded  by the
Company as a regulatory  asset and an  obligation  on the  Consolidated  Balance
Sheet.

                                  HYDRO-QUEBEC

     The Company is a  participant  in the  Hydro-Quebec  transmission  intertie
facility linking New England and Quebec,  Canada. Phase II of this facility,  in
which UI has a 5.45%  participating  share,  increased the capacity value of the
intertie from 690  megawatts to a maximum of 2000  megawatts in 1991. A ten-year
Firm Energy  Contract,  which provides for the sale of 7 million  megawatt-hours
per  year by  Hydro-Quebec  to the New  England  participants  in the  Phase  II
facility,  became effective on July 1, 1991. The Company is obligated to furnish
a guarantee for its  participating  share of the debt financing for the Phase II
facility.  As of September 30, 1997, the Company's  guarantee liability for this
debt was approximately $7.6 million.

               VOLUNTARY EARLY RETIREMENT AND SEPARATION PROGRAMS

     In July 1996, the Company offered a Voluntary  Early  Retirement Plan and a
Voluntary  Separation  Plan to virtually  all of its  employees.  A total of 163
employees  accepted  one or the other of these  plans.  In the third  quarter of
1996,  the  Company  recognized  a charge to  earnings  of $14.9  million  ($8.7
million,  after-tax) to reflect the cost of these plans. The employees accepting
the offer will terminate employment on or before December 30, 1997.

                                 PROPERTY TAXES

     On November 2, 1993, the Company received  "updated"  personal property tax
bills  from  the  City of New  Haven  (the  City)  for the tax  year  1991-1992,
aggregating $6.6 million,  based on an audit by the City's tax assessor.  On May
7, 1994,  the Company  received a  "Certificate  of  Correction....to  correct a
clerical  omission  or  mistake"  from the City's tax  assessor  relative to the
assessed value of the Company's  personal  property for the tax year  1994-1995,
which certificate  purports to increase said assessed value by approximately 53%
above the tax assessor's  valuation at February 28, 1994,  generating tax claims
of approximately $3.5 million. On March 1, 1995, the Company received notices of
assessment  changes  relative to the assessed  value of the  Company's  personal
property for the tax year  1995-1996,  which  notices  purport to increase  said
assessed value by approximately 48%


                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>
                        THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

over  the  valuation   declared  by  the  Company,   generating  tax  claims  of
approximately  $3.5 million.  On May 11, 1995, the Company  received  notices of
assessment  changes  relative to the assessed  values of the Company's  personal
property for the tax years  1992-1993 and  1993-1994,  which notices  purport to
increase said assessed values by approximately 45% and 49%,  respectively,  over
the valuations  declared by the Company,  generating tax claims of approximately
$4.1  million  and $3.5  million,  respectively.  On March 8, 1996,  the Company
received  notices of assessment  changes  relative to the assessed  value of the
Company's personal property for the tax year 1996-1997, which notices purport to
increase said assessed value by approximately  57% over the valuations  declared
by the Company and are  expected to generate  tax claims of  approximately  $3.8
million.  On March 7, 1997, the Company received  notices of assessment  changes
relative to the assessed  value of the Company's  personal  property for the tax
year  1997-1998,  which  notices  purport to  increase  said  assessed  value by
approximately  54% over the valuations  declared by the Company and are expected
to generate tax claims of approximately $3.7 million.  The Company is vigorously
contesting  each of these actions by the City's tax  assessor.  In January 1996,
the Connecticut Superior Court granted the Company's motion for summary judgment
against the City relative to the earliest tax year at issue,  1991-1992,  ruling
that,  after  January 31, 1992,  the tax assessor had no statutory  authority to
revalue  personal  property  listed and valued on the Company's tax list for the
tax year  1991-1992.  This Superior Court  decision,  which would also have been
applicable  to and  defeated  the  assessor's  valuation  increases  for the two
subsequent  tax years,  1992-1993  and  1993-1994,  was appealed by the City. On
April 11, 1997,  the  Connecticut  Supreme Court  reversed the Superior  Court's
decisions  in this and two other  companion  cases  involving  other  taxpayers,
ruling  that the tax  assessor  had a  three-year  period  in which to audit and
revalue  personal  property  listed and valued on the Company's tax list for the
tax year 1991-1992.  It is currently  anticipated  that all of the pending cases
for all of the tax  years in  dispute  will now be  scheduled  for  trial in the
Superior Court relative to the Company's claim that the tax assessor's increases
in personal  property tax assessments for the three earliest years were unlawful
for other reasons and relative to the vigorously contested issue, for all of the
tax years, as to the reasonableness of the tax assessor's valuation method, both
as to amount and methodology.  It is the present opinion of the Company that the
ultimate  outcome  of this  dispute  will not have a  significant  impact on the
long-term financial position of the Company.

             SITE DECONTAMINATION, DEMOLITION AND REMEDIATION COSTS

     The  Company  has  estimated  that the total  cost of  decontaminating  and
demolishing its decommissioned and demolished Steel Point Station and completing
requisite  environmental  remediation  of the site will be  approximately  $11.3
million,  of which  approximately $7.9 million had been incurred as of September
30, 1997,  and that the value of the  property  following  remediation  will not
exceed $6.0  million.  As a result of a 1992  Connecticut  Department  of Public
Utility Control retail rate decision, beginning January 1, 1993, the Company has
been recovering through retail rates $1.075 million of the remediation costs per
year. The remediation costs,  property value and recovery from customers will be
subject to true-up in the Company's next retail rate proceeding  based on actual
remediation costs and actual gain on the Company's disposition of the property.

(M)  NUCLEAR FUEL DISPOSAL AND NUCLEAR PLANT DECOMMISSIONING

     New   Hampshire   has   enacted  a  law   requiring   the   creation  of  a
government-managed  fund to finance the  decommissioning  of nuclear  generating
units  in  that  state.  The New  Hampshire  Nuclear  Decommissioning  Financing
Committee  (NDFC)  has  established  $451  million  (in  1997  dollars)  as  the
decommissioning  cost estimate for Seabrook Unit 1, of which the Company's share
would be approximately $79 million. This estimate assumes the prompt removal and
dismantling  of the unit at the end of its estimated  36-year  energy  producing
life.  Monthly  decommissioning  payments  are being  made to the  state-managed
decommissioning  trust fund.  UI's share of the  decommissioning  payments  made
during the first nine months of 1997 was  $1,563,000.  UI's share of the fund at
September 30, 1997 was approximately $11.4 million.



                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>
                        THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

     Connecticut has enacted a law requiring the operators of nuclear generating
units  to file  periodically  with  the  DPUC  their  plans  for  financing  the
decommissioning  of the units in that state.  The current  decommissioning  cost
estimate for Millstone  Unit 3 is $463 million (in 1997  dollars),  of which the
Company's share would be  approximately  $17 million.  This estimate assumes the
prompt removal and  dismantling of the unit at the end of its estimated  40-year
energy producing life.  Monthly  decommissioning  payments,  based on these cost
estimates,  are being made to a decommissioning  trust fund managed by Northeast
Utilities (NU). UI's share of the Millstone Unit 3 decommissioning payments made
during the first  nine  months of 1997 was  $365,000.  UI's share of the fund at
September 30, 1997 was approximately  $4.8 million.  The  decommissioning  trust
fund for the  Connecticut  Yankee Unit is also managed by NU. For the  Company's
9.5% equity ownership in Connecticut Yankee, decommissioning costs of $1,533,000
were  funded by UI during the first nine  months of 1997,  and UI's share of the
fund at September 30, 1997 was $23.8 million.  The current  decommissioning cost
estimate  for the  Connecticut  Yankee  Unit,  assuming  the prompt  removal and
dismantling of the unit commencing in 1997, is $436 million, of which UI's share
would be $41 million.


                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS.

                     MAJOR INFLUENCES ON FINANCIAL CONDITION

     The  Company's  financial  condition  will  continue to be dependent on the
level of its retail and  wholesale  sales and the  Company's  ability to control
expenses.  The two  primary  factors  that  affect  sales  volume  are  economic
conditions  and  weather.  Annual  growth  in total  operation  and  maintenance
expense,  excluding  one-time items and  cogeneration  capacity  purchases,  has
averaged  less than 1.5% during the past 5 years.  The Company hopes to continue
to restrict this average to less than the rate of inflation in future years (see
"Looking Forward").

     The Company's financial status and financing capability will continue to be
sensitive to many other factors, including conditions in the securities markets,
economic conditions,  interest rates, the level of the Company's income and cash
flow,  and  legislative  and  regulatory  developments,  including  the  cost of
compliance with increasingly stringent environmental legislation and regulations
and competition within the electric utility industry.

     A major factor  affecting  the  Company's  earnings  prospects  will be the
success of the Company's  efforts to implement the regulatory  framework ordered
by the DPUC at the end of 1996.  On  December  31,  1996,  the DPUC  completed a
financial  and  operational  review  of the  Company  and  ordered  a  five-year
incentive  regulation plan for the years 1997-2001.  The DPUC did not change the
retail base rates charged to customers.  Its order increased amortization of the
Company's conservation and load management program investments during 1997-1998,
accelerated  the recovery of  unspecified  regulatory  assets during  1999-2001,
reduced the level of conservation  adjustment revenues in retail rates, provided
a reduction  in  customer  bills  through a  surcredit  in each of the five plan
years, and accepted the Company's proposal to modify the operation of its fossil
fuel cost rate adjustment  mechanism.  The Company's authorized return on common
equity was  reduced  from 12.4% to 11.5%.  Earnings  above  11.5%,  on an annual
basis, are to be utilized  one-third for customer bill reductions,  one-third to
increase  amortization  of  regulatory  assets,  and  one-third for retention as
earnings.  The DPUC did not  order  accelerated  depreciation  of the  Company's
Seabrook   Unit  1  plant   investment   costs  and  the   establishment   of  a
performance-based regulation mechanism measured by customer satisfaction surveys
and reliability of service indices,  which the Company had proposed. As a result
of the DPUC's order,  customer bills are expected to be reduced on average by 3%
in  1997-1999,  4% in the year 2000,  and 5% in the year 2001 (all  compared  to
1996).  Also,  earnings from utility  operations will be reduced from the levels
requested by the Company, such that it appears unlikely that the Company will be
able to achieve its 4% growth goal going forward.

     Federal  legislation  has fostered  competition  in the wholesale  electric
power market, as has a FERC rulemaking  requiring  electric utilities to furnish
transmission  service  to all  buyers and  sellers  in the  marketplace.  In its
rulemaking, the FERC stated that state regulatory commissions should address the
issue of  recovery  by electric  utilities  of the costs of existing  facilities
that,  on account of "retail  access",  become  unrecoverable  by the  utilities
through the regulated rates charged to their service  territory  customers.  The
legislatures and regulatory commissions in several states have considered or are
considering  "retail access".  This, in general terms, means the transmission by
an  electric  utility of energy  produced by another  entity over the  utility's
transmission and  distribution  system to a retail customer in the utility's own
service  territory.  A retail  access  requirement  has the effect of permitting
retail customers to purchase  electric  capacity and energy,  at the election of
such customers, from the electric utility in whose service area they are located
or from  any  other  electric  utility,  independent  power  producer  or  power
marketer.  The costs of existing  facilities  that become  unrecoverable  by the
service area electric utility on account of the loss of sales to these customers
are  said  to  be  "stranded  costs".  In  1995,  the  Connecticut   Legislature
established a task force to review these issues and to make  recommendations  on
electric industry restructuring within Connecticut. The task force concluded its
work in December 1996, and issued a report and related  recommendations.  In its
1997 session,  the  Connecticut  legislature  drafted,  but failed to bring to a
vote,  comprehensive  legislation  that would have  introduced  retail access in
Connecticut  over a period of several years,  with provision for the recovery of
stranded costs by service area utilities.



                                     - 17 -
<PAGE>

     Although the Company is unable to predict the future effects of competitive
forces in the electric utility industry, competition could result in a change in
the regulatory structure of the industry, and costs that have traditionally been
recoverable through the ratemaking process may not be recoverable in the future.
This  effect  could have a material  impact on the  financial  condition  and/or
results of operations of the Company.

     Currently,  the Company's  electric service rates are subject to regulation
and are based on the Company's costs. Therefore, the Company, and most regulated
utilities,  are subject to certain accounting  standards (Statement of Financial
Accounting  Standards  No. 71,  "Accounting  for the Effects of Certain Types of
Regulation"  (SFAS  No.  71)) that are not  applicable  to other  businesses  in
general. These accounting rules allow regulated utilities, where appropriate, to
defer the income  statement  impact of certain  costs  that are  expected  to be
recovered in future regulated  service rates and to establish  regulatory assets
on balance sheets for such costs.  The effects of competition or a change in the
cost-based  regulatory structure could cause the operations of the Company, or a
portion  of its  assets  or  operations,  to  cease  meeting  the  criteria  for
application of these accounting rules.  While the Company expects to continue to
meet these criteria in the foreseeable  future, if the Company,  or a portion of
its assets or  operations,  were to cease  meeting  these  criteria,  accounting
standards  for  businesses  in general  would become  applicable  and  immediate
recognition of any previously  deferred  costs,  or a portion of deferred costs,
would be required in the year in which the  criteria  are no longer met, if such
deferred  costs  are  not  recoverable  in that  portion  of the  business  that
continues  to meet the  criteria  for the  application  of SFAS No.  71. If this
change in accounting were to occur,  it would have a material  adverse effect on
the  Company's  earnings  and  retained  earnings  in that year and could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's ongoing financial condition as well.


                                     - 18 -
<PAGE>


                           CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROGRAM

The Company's  1997-2001 capital  expenditure  program,  excluding allowance for
funds used during construction (AFUDC) and its effect on certain capital related
items, is presently budgeted as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            1997         1998        1999         2000        2001         TOTAL
                                            ----         ----        ----         ----        ----         -----
                                                                         (000's)
<S>                                     <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>         <C>    
Production                                  $9,498      $14,153     $24,332      $10,752     $17,741      $76,476
Distribution                                13,060       12,588      13,041       13,298      13,059       65,046
Transmission                                   626        1,118       2,425        3,752       1,300        9,221
Other                                        6,939        3,219       1,196          997         949       13,301
                                        ----------   ----------  ----------   ----------  ----------   ----------
SUBTOTAL                                    30,123       31,078      40,994       28,799      33,049      164,044

Nuclear Fuel                                 7,612       11,208         965       11,924         221       31,930
                                        ----------   ----------  ----------   ----------  ----------   ----------

 TOTAL EXPENDITURES                        $37,735      $42,286     $41,959      $40,723     $33,270     $195,974
                                          ========     ========    ========     ========    ========     ========

Rate Base and Other Selected Data
AFUDC (Pre-tax)                              2,051        2,228       1,624        1,886       1,161
Depreciation
  Book Plant                                53,239       56,497      57,722       57,959      57,862
  Conservation                              10,223       10,223       8,906        6,312       4,332
  Decommissioning                            2,235        2,328       2,435        2,547       2,660
Additional Required
  Amortization (pre-tax) (1)
    Conservation Assets                      6,400       13,000      (3,517)      (6,312)     (4,332)
    Other Regulatory Assets                      0            0      20,300       49,500      54,500
Amortization of Deferred
  Return on Seabrook Unit 1
  Phase-In (after tax)                      12,586       12,586      12,586            0           0

Estimated Rate Base
  (end of period)                        1,183,674    1,132,169   1,067,561    1,026,295     958,657
</TABLE>

(1)   Additional   amortization  of  pre-1997   conservation   costs  and  other
      unspecified  regulatory assets, as ordered by the DPUC in its December 31,
      1996 Order,  provided  that  common  equity  return on utility  investment
      exceeds 10.5% after recording the additional amortization.

Note:  Capital  Expenditures  and their effect on certain  capital related items
       are estimates  subject to change due to future events and conditions that
       may  be  substantially  different  than  those  used  in  developing  the
       projections.



                                     - 19 -
<PAGE>

                         LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     At September 30, 1997,  the Company had $86.9 million of cash and temporary
cash investments,  an increase of $80.5 million from the balance at December 31,
1996. The components of this  increase,  which are detailed in the  Consolidated
Statement of Cash Flows, are summarized as follows:

                                                                     (Millions)

       Balance, December 31, 1996                                       $ 6.4
                                                                        -----

       Net cash provided by operating activities                        108.5

       Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities:
       -   Financing activities, excluding dividend payments             31.0
       -   Dividend payments                                            (30.6)

       Cash invested in plant, including nuclear fuel                   (28.4)
                                                                        -----

             Net increase                                                80.5
                                                                        -----

       Balance,  September 30, 1997                                     $86.9
                                                                        =====


     The Company's capital requirements are presently projected as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           1997       1998       1999       2000       2001
                                                           ----       ----       ----       ----       ----
                                                                              (millions)
<S>                                                        <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>         <C>   
Cash on Hand - Beginning of Year                           $ 6.4     $ 24.2    $  -       $  -       $  -
Internally Generated Funds less Dividends                   87.9      111.0     110.9      113.5      105.9
                                                           -----      -----     -----      -----      -----
         Subtotal                                           94.3      135.2     110.9      113.5      105.9

Less:
Capital Expenditures                                        37.7       42.3      41.9       40.7       33.3
                                                           -----      -----     -----      -----      -----

Cash Available to pay Debt Maturities and Redemptions       56.6       92.9      69.0       72.8       72.6

Less:
Maturities and Mandatory Redemptions                        10.8      104.6     105.0      155.5       81.0
Optional Redemptions                                        21.6        -          -          -          -
                                                           -----      -----     -----      -----      -----

External Financing Requirements                           $(24.2)     $11.7     $36.0      $82.7       $8.4
                                                           =====      =====     =====      =====      =====
</TABLE>

Note:  Internally  Generated  Funds less  Dividends,  Capital  Expenditures  and
       External  Financing  Requirements are estimates based on current earnings
       and cash flow  projections and are subject to change due to future events
       and  conditions  that may be  substantially  different from those used in
       developing the projections.

     All of the Company's  capital  requirements that exceed available cash will
have  to be  provided  by  external  financing.  Although  the  Company  has  no
commitment to provide such financing from any source of funds,  other than a $75
million  revolving credit agreement with a group of banks,  described below, the
Company  expects to be able to satisfy its external  financing  needs by issuing
additional  short-term  and long-term  debt, and by issuing  preferred  stock or
common stock,  if  necessary.  The  continued  availability  of these methods of
financing  will  be


                                     - 20 -
<PAGE>

dependent on many  factors,  including  conditions  in the  securities  markets,
economic conditions, and the level of the Company's income and cash flow.

     The Company has a revolving credit  agreement with a group of banks,  which
currently  extends to December 10, 1997. The borrowing limit of this facility is
$75 million.  The facility  permits the Company to borrow funds at a fluctuating
interest  rate  determined  by the prime  lending  market in New York,  and also
permits the Company to borrow money for fixed  periods of time  specified by the
Company at fixed interest rates determined by the Eurodollar interbank market in
London, or by bidding,  at the Company's option. If a material adverse change in
the business, operations,  affairs, assets or condition, financial or otherwise,
or  prospects  of the Company and its  subsidiaries,  on a  consolidated  basis,
should  occur,  the banks may  decline to lend  additional  money to the Company
under this revolving credit agreement,  although  borrowings  outstanding at the
time of such  an  occurrence  would  not  then  become  due and  payable.  As of
September  30,  1997,  the  Company  had $40  million of  short-term  borrowings
outstanding under this facility.

                              SUBSIDIARY OPERATIONS

     UI has one wholly-owned  subsidiary,  United  Resources,  Inc. (URI),  that
serves as the parent  corporation for several  unregulated  businesses,  each of
which is incorporated  separately to participate in business  ventures that will
complement and enhance UI's electric utility business and serve the interests of
the Company and its shareholders and customers.

     URI  has  four  wholly-owned  subsidiaries.  The  largest  URI  subsidiary,
American  Payment  Systems,  Inc.,  manages a national network of agents for the
processing  of bill  payments  made by  customers  of other  utilities.  Another
subsidiary of URI, Thermal  Energies,  Inc., is participating in the development
of district  heating  and cooling  facilities  in the  downtown  New Haven area,
including  the energy  center  for an office  tower and  participation  as a 62%
partner in the energy center for a city hall and office tower  complex.  A third
URI subsidiary,  Precision Power,  Inc.,  provides  power-related  equipment and
services to the owners of commercial buildings and industrial facilities.  URI's
fourth  subsidiary,  United  Bridgeport  Energy,  Inc.,  is  participating  in a
merchant  wholesale  electric  generating  facility  being  constructed  on land
proposed to be leased from UI at its Bridgeport Harbor Station generating plant.

     The Board of Directors of the Company has  authorized  the  investment of a
maximum of $27  million,  in the  aggregate,  of the  Company's  assets into its
unregulated  subsidiary  ventures,  and, at September 30, 1997,  $27 million had
been so invested.

                              RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

THIRD QUARTER OF 1997 VS. THIRD QUARTER OF 1996
- -----------------------------------------------

     Earnings  for the third  quarter of 1997 were $23.4  million,  or $1.68 per
share,  up $5.5  million,  or $.41 per  share,  from the third  quarter of 1996.
Earnings  from  operations,  which  exclude  one-time  items,  decreased by $3.9
million,  or $.25 per share,  in the third quarter of 1997 compared to the third
quarter of 1996.  The one-time  item recorded in the third quarter of 1996 was a
charge of $8.7 million (after-tax), or $.61 per share, from early retirement and
voluntary severance programs. The one-time gain recorded in the third quarter of
1997 was $.05 per share related to subleasing office space.

     Retail  operating  revenues  decreased  by about $7.1  million in the third
quarter of 1997 compared to the third quarter of 1996:

  .   A  retail  kilowatt-hour  sales  increase  of 1.4%  from  the  prior  year
     increased  retail  revenues by $2.6 million and sales margin  (revenue less
     fuel expense and revenue-based  taxes) by $2.0 million.  The third quarters
     of both 1997 and 1996  experienced  roughly  the same  milder  than  normal
     temperatures.  This would


                                     - 21 -
<PAGE>

     indicate  that  "real"  (i.e.  not   attributable   to  abnormal   weather)
     kilowatt-hour  sales increased by about 1.0 percent in the third quarter of
     1997  compared to the third  quarter of 1996.  Normal  weather in the third
     quarter of 1997 would have added  about $2.3  million to sales  margin,  or
     about $.10 per share.

  .   Reductions in customer  bills, as agreed to by the Company and the DPUC in
     December 1996,  decreased retail revenues by about $7.1 million,  including
     suspension  of the fossil  fuel  adjustment  clause  (FAC)  mechanism  that
     reduced  revenues by $2.3 million.  This was consistent  with the Company's
     expectations,  as  previously  reported in the Company's  Quarterly  Report
     (Form 10-Q) for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 1997. Other reductions in
     customer bills, due to rate mix,  contract  pricing and other  pass-through
     reductions, amounted to $2.6 million.

     Wholesale  "capacity"  revenues increased $0.7 million in the third quarter
of 1997  compared to the third  quarter of 1996.  Wholesale  "energy"  revenues,
which  decreased  during the third quarter of 1997 compared to the third quarter
of 1996,  are a direct offset to wholesale  energy expense and do not contribute
to sales margin.

     Retail  fuel and energy  expenses  increased  by $1.8  million in the third
quarter of 1997 compared to the third quarter of 1996. These expenses  increased
by $1.1  million due to the need to purchase  more  expensive  energy to replace
generation by the Connecticut  Yankee nuclear  generating  unit, which was taken
out of service on July 23, 1996,  to replace some  generation  from the Seabrook
nuclear  generating  unit,  which ran at virtually  100 percent  capacity in the
third quarter of 1996 but at 98 percent in the third  quarter of 1997,  and from
the write-off of some fuel  assemblies  related to the Seabrook  unit  refueling
outage in the second quarter of 1997. For more on the status of the  Connecticut
Yankee and Millstone Unit 3 nuclear  generating  units,  see the LOOKING FORWARD
section.  Retail fuel and energy expenses also increased in the third quarter of
1997 compared to the third quarter of 1996 by about $0.5 million,  due to higher
sales.

     Operating  expenses for  operations,  maintenance  and  purchased  capacity
charges  increased by $1.0 million in the third  quarter of 1997 compared to the
third quarter of 1996:

  .   Purchased capacity expense decreased $3.5 million,  due to declining costs
     from the retired  Connecticut  Yankee nuclear  generating  unit,  more than
     offsetting the impact on margin from the loss of its generation.

  .   Operation and maintenance expense increased by $4.5 million. Some expenses
     associated  with  the  second  quarter  Seabrook  nuclear  generating  unit
     refueling outage were booked in the third quarter,  and increased  expenses
     by $0.8 million.  Millstone 3 nuclear generating unit expenses increased by
     $1.1  million.  Other power  supply  expenses  increased  by $1.2  million.
     Expenses associated with the Company's  re-engineering efforts increased by
     a net $2.0 million.  Other expenses,  including  conservation programs that
     are expensed in 1997 compared to being  capitalized  in 1996,  increased by
     $1.4  million.  These  increases  were  partly  offset  by a  $2.0  million
     reduction in pension expense,  due to changes in actuarial  assumptions and
     methodologies and an increase in the expected return on plan assets to 10%.

     Depreciation  expense,   exclusive  of  any  accelerated   amortization  of
conservation and load management program costs, increased by $0.4 million in the
third  quarter of 1997  compared  to the third  quarter of 1996.  Income  taxes,
exclusive of the effects of one-time items,  changed based on changes in taxable
income and tax rates.

     Other net income  increased  slightly in the third quarter of 1997 compared
to the third  quarter  of 1996,  due to a small  improvement  in  earnings  from
unregulated subsidiaries. The Company's largest unregulated subsidiary, American
Payment Systems (APS), earned about $229,000 (after-tax) in the third quarter of
1997, an  improvement  of $568,000  over third quarter 1996 losses,  marking the
first positive  earnings  quarter in its history.  Similar  positive results are
expected going forward,  and APS is currently expected to "break even" for 1997,
compared to a $2.2 million  operating  loss  (after-tax  and excluding  one-time
charges) in 1996.



                                     - 22 -
<PAGE>

     Interest charges continued their downward trend, decreasing by $1.3 million
in the third  quarter of 1997  compared to the third quarter of 1996 as a result
of the Company's refinancing program and strong cash flow.


NINE MONTHS OF 1997 VS. NINE MONTHS OF 1996
- -------------------------------------------

     Earnings for the first nine months of 1997 were $39.5 million, or $2.82 per
share, down $0.5 million, or $.02 per share, from the first nine months of 1996.
Earnings  from   operations,   which  exclude  one-time  items  and  accelerated
amortization  of  costs  attributable  to  one-time  items,  decreased  by $16.2
million,  or $1.14 per share,  in the first nine months of 1997  compared to the
first nine months of 1996.  The one-time items recorded in the first nine months
of 1997 were: a gain from an income tax expense  reduction of $6.7  million,  or
$.48 per share,  which makes provision for the cumulative  deferred tax benefits
associated with the future decommissioning of fossil fuel generating plants, and
a $.05 per share gain related to  subleasing  office space.  The one-time  items
recorded in the first nine months of 1996, which amounted to a net loss of $0.88
per share, were: charges of $23 million ($13.4 million  after-tax),  or $.95 per
share, from early retirement and voluntary severance programs,  a charge of $1.4
million ($0.8 million after-tax),  or $.06 per share, for the cumulative loss on
an office space sublease,  and a gain of $1.8 million  (after-tax),  or $.13 per
share, from the repurchase of preferred stock at a discount to par value.

     In an order by the Connecticut  Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC)
issued on December  31,  1996,  the Company was  instructed  to  accelerate  the
amortization  of regulatory  assets by as much as $4.1 million  (after-tax),  or
$.29 per share, in 1997, provided that the return on utility common stock equity
exceeded 10.5 percent for the year. The Company  currently  projects that,  with
the  one-time  tax  benefit   mentioned   above,  the  full  $4.1  million  1997
amortization  amount can be charged and the 1997 return on utility  common stock
equity will still equal or exceed 10.5  percent.  The full amount was charged in
the second quarter of 1997.  Absent one-time gains,  the Company does not expect
to achieve a 10.5  percent  level of return on utility  common stock equity from
earnings from  operations for the year. See the LOOKING FORWARD section for more
information.

     Retail  operating  revenues  decreased by about $24.1  million in the first
nine months of 1997 compared to the first nine months of 1996:

  .   A  retail  kilowatt-hour  sales  decrease  of 0.8%  from  the  prior  year
     decreased  retail  revenues by $3.4 million and sales margin  (revenue less
     fuel expense and  revenue-based  taxes) by $2.7  million.  Sales  decreased
     about  0.8%  from  milder  weather  during  the first  nine  months of 1997
     compared to the mild,  but less so,  weather  experienced  during the first
     nine months of 1996, and about 0.4% due to the leap year day in 1996. There
     appears  to be a small,  about  0.5%,  "real"  (i.e.  not  attributable  to
     abnormal weather or leap year)  kilowatt-hour  sales increase in the first
     nine months of 1997 compared to the first nine months of 1996.

  .   Reductions in customer  bills, as agreed to by the Company and the DPUC in
     December 1996, decreased retail revenues by about $15.1 million,  including
     suspension  of the fossil  fuel  adjustment  clause  (FAC)  mechanism  that
     reduced  revenues by $3.6 million.  This was consistent  with the Company's
     expectations,  as  previously  reported in the Company's  Quarterly  Report
     (Form 10-Q) for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 1997. Other reductions in
     customer bills, due to rate mix,  contract  pricing and other  pass-through
     reductions, decreased retail revenues by about $5.6 million.

     Wholesale  "capacity"  revenues  increased  $2.0  million in the first nine
months of 1997  compared  to the first nine months of 1996.  Wholesale  "energy"
revenues,  which increased  during the first nine months of 1997 compared to the
first nine months of 1996 as a result of nuclear  generating unit outages in the
region, are a direct offset to wholesale energy expense and do not contribute to
sales margin.

     Retail fuel and energy  expenses  increased  by $10.3  million in the first
nine months of 1997  compared to the first nine months of 1996.  These  expenses
increased by $8.8 million due to the need to purchase more  expensive


                                     - 23 -
<PAGE>

energy to replace  generation by nuclear  generating  units: for the Connecticut
Yankee  unit,  which ran at nearly full  capacity in the first six and  one-half
months of 1996,  for Millstone  Unit 3, which ran at nearly full capacity in the
first quarter of 1996,  and for an unplanned  eight-day  extension of a Seabrook
nuclear  generating  unit  refueling  outage in the second  quarter of 1997 that
increased the Company's  replacement  generation cost by about $0.7 million. The
Seabrook  unit was  returned to service on June 28, 1997.  Millstone  Unit 3 was
taken out of service on March 30, 1996 and  Connecticut  Yankee was taken out of
service on July 23, 1996. For more on the status of the  Connecticut  Yankee and
Millstone Unit 3 units, see the LOOKING FORWARD section.  Retail fuel and energy
expenses  increased in the first nine months of 1997  compared to the first nine
months of 1996 by about $1.8 million, due primarily to higher fossil fuel prices
over the nine-month period. Under current DPUC regulations,  these costs are not
passed on to customers through the FAC.

     Operating  expenses for  operations,  maintenance  and  purchased  capacity
charges  increased by $3.1 million in the first nine months of 1997  compared to
the first nine months of 1996:

  .   Purchased capacity expense decreased $3.6 million,  due to declining costs
     from the retired  Connecticut  Yankee nuclear generating unit, and also due
     to slightly lower cogeneration costs.

  .   Operation  and  maintenance  expense  increased by $6.7  million.  General
     expenses at the Seabrook and Millstone 3 nuclear generating units increased
     by $1.7 million and $3.5 million respectively,  and a refueling outage cost
     overrun at the  Seabrook  unit  increased  expenses by about $0.8  million.
     Expenses associated with the Company's  re-engineering efforts increased by
     a net $1.7 million. Other general expenses increased by about $1.0 million.
     The  increase at  Millstone  Unit 3 was partly  offset by the reversal of a
     portion  of a 1996  provision  in "Other  income  (deductions)";  and other
     expense increases were partly offset by a $2.0 million reduction in pension
     expense,  due to changes in actuarial  assumptions and methodologies and an
     increase in the expected return on plan assets to 10%.

     Depreciation  expense,   exclusive  of  any  accelerated   amortization  of
conservation and load management program costs, increased by $2.1 million in the
first nine  months of 1997  compared  to the first nine  months of 1996.  Income
taxes,  exclusive of the effects of one-time items,  changed based on changes in
taxable income and tax rates.

     Other net income increased by $1.5 million in the first nine months of 1997
compared to the first nine  months of 1996,  due to an  improvement  in earnings
(reduction  in losses) from  unregulated  subsidiaries.  The  Company's  largest
unregulated  subsidiary,  American  Payment  Systems,  had  losses  of  $197,000
(after-tax)  in the first nine months of 1997, an  improvement  of $954,000 over
losses in the first nine months of 1996 of about $1,151,000.

     Interest charges  continued their significant  decline,  decreasing by $4.9
million,  or 9 percent,  in the first nine months of 1997  compared to the first
nine months of 1996 as a result of the Company's  refinancing program and strong
cash flow. Also, total preferred  dividends  (net-of-tax)  decreased slightly in
the first nine  months of 1997  compared  to the first nine  months of 1996 as a
result of purchases of preferred stock by the Company in 1996.

                                 LOOKING FORWARD

(THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH ARE SUBJECT
TO UNCERTAINTIES THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE
CURRENTLY  EXPECTED.  READERS ARE CAUTIONED  THAT THE COMPANY  REGARDS  SPECIFIC
NUMBERS AS ONLY THE "MOST LIKELY" TO OCCUR WITHIN A RANGE OF POSSIBLE VALUES.)

Five-year rate plan
- -------------------

     On December 31, 1996, the DPUC issued an order (the Order) that implemented
a 5-year  rate plan that would  reduce  rates and  accelerate  the  recovery  of
certain  "regulatory"  assets  beginning with deferred  conservation  costs. The
Order's schedule of rate reductions and accelerated amortizations was based on a
DPUC pro forma  financial


                                     - 24 -
<PAGE>

analysis that  anticipated  the Company  would earn an allowed  return on common
stock  equity  invested  in utility  rate base of 11.5% over the period  1997 to
2001. The Order established a set formula to share income that produces a return
above the 11.5% level: one-third applied to customer bill reductions,  one-third
applied to more rapid  amortization of regulatory assets, and one-third retained
by  shareowners.  If the Company were to achieve an 11.5% return on common stock
equity from its utility investment,  then earnings from utility operations would
be in the $3.30-$3.40 range for 1997 and succeeding years as well.

     It should be noted that,  although the Order was for the  five-year  period
1997-2001 and the Company agreed that it would begin to implement the multi-year
plan, it did not agree to commit to the five-year period. In addition, the DPUC,
in the Order, acknowledged that the Order could be revisited in the light of any
new  legislation.  The Connecticut  legislature did not pass an electric utility
restructuring  bill in the 1997  legislative  session,  but it is expected  such
legislation will be reintroduced in 1998.

1997
- ----

     There is no  assurance  that the Company  will  achieve the 11.5% return on
common  stock  equity  from its  utility  investment  allowed by the DPUC in the
Order. Utility income is greatly affected by weather-related  sales, fossil fuel
prices,  nuclear  generating unit availability,  and interest  rates...all items
over which the  Company  has little  control,  although  the Company is actively
engaged in hedging its exposure to fluctuating fuel costs and interest rates.

     Absent the  one-time  gains  recorded  in the second and third  quarters of
1997, the Company does not  anticipate,  at this time,  achieving a 10.5 percent
return on  utility  common  stock  equity for the year.  Even with the  one-time
gains, achievement of an 11.5% return, or roughly $3.30-$3.40 per share, may not
be  possible.  Consistently  milder  than  normal  weather  for the first  three
quarters of 1997 has reduced sales margin by about $4.0-$6.0  million,  or about
$.17-$.25 per share.  Unanticipated  retail revenue  reductions due to rate mix,
possibly caused by milder weather sales  patterns,  have reduced sales margin by
an additional $1.4 million,  or $.06 per share, with the most significant impact
in the summer months.

     It is unlikely that the Company's  aggressive cost control measures will be
able to  overcome  these  impacts  in the fourth  quarter,  where  earnings  are
expected to be in the $.45-$.55 per share range (assuming normal weather). Based
on these  assumptions,  earnings from  operations  for the year should be in the
neighborhood  of  $3.05-$3.10  per share,  while total  earnings would be higher
based on the level of any net one-time gains for the year.

     As a result of the Order,  it is anticipated  that retail revenues for 1997
will decrease from 1996 levels.  A reduction of about $15 million will be due to
reductions  in  customer  bills  as  agreed  to by the  Company  and the DPUC in
December 1996. (These reductions will be partially offset by about $3 million in
conservation  spending  reductions.  New  conservation  spending  is  no  longer
capitalized,  and changes in conservation  expense,  relative to the assumptions
used by the DPUC in the Order,  will be reflected  in retail  rates  through the
operation of the Conservation Adjustment Mechanism.)  Year-to-date,  the Company
has  experienced  $11.5 million of the anticipated  decline,  with the remainder
expected to occur in the fourth quarter.

     Also, as part of the Order,  the  operation of the Company's  long-standing
fossil fuel adjustment  clause (FAC) mechanism,  that allowed recovery in retail
rates of changes in fossil fuel  costs,  was  suspended  within a broad range of
fuel prices.  Revenues will decline by about $6 million in 1997 compared to 1996
due to this  suspension of the FAC.  While the Company  stands to benefit if the
prices  that the  Company  pays for its oil  purchases  fall  below  about $15 a
barrel, current prices are above that level. Although the Company cannot predict
the  direction  that fossil fuel prices will take in 1997 or 1998 and whether it
can  mitigate  entirely  this loss of FAC  revenue,  it is  actively  engaged in
hedging transactions to limit the Company's exposure to increases in fossil fuel
prices.

     The Company's revenues are also dependent on the level of retail sales. The
two primary factors that affect retail sales volume are economic  conditions and
weather.  Overall, 1996 weather was milder than normal;


                                     - 25 -
<PAGE>

however,  1996 also had a leap year day.  These two factors were  offsetting  in
their  impact  on  retail  sales,  and  actual  retail  sales  for 1996 of 5,340
gigawatt-hours should be considered about "normal" for that year. On this basis,
the Company experienced about 1% of "real" sales growth in 1996 (i.e.  exclusive
of weather and leap year factors)  over "normal" 1995 sales.  A similar level of
growth in 1997 from all  customer  groups  would have added  about $6 million to
sales margin (revenue less fuel expense and revenue-based  taxes).  Year-to-date
net  retail  sales  for 1997  are 0.8  percent  less  than  those  in 1996,  due
principally to weather-related  factors. If "normal" retail sales for the fourth
quarter of 1997 are  realized,  and  assuming 0.5 percent real growth from 1996,
total 1997 retail  gigawatt-hour  sales would be 5,322  gigawatt-hours,  or 0.3%
below the total 1996 sales level. On a weather-corrected basis, 1997 sales would
be 5,366 gigawatt-hours, or 0.5% above 1996 sales.

     No significant  change in wholesale  capacity sales revenue was anticipated
for 1997.  However,  wholesale  capacity  price has  strengthened  in short-term
markets, due to regional outages of nuclear generating plants and changes in the
New  England  Power  Pool  capability   responsibility   requirements   for  its
participants.  The Company has increased revenue by $2.1 million from such sales
in the  first  nine  months  of 1997.  The  strength  of these  markets  for the
remainder  of the year and into 1998 will  depend on the timing of the return to
service of the  nuclear  units at  Millstone  Station and how the  capacity  and
energy markets  perform under the new New England Power Pool bidding system when
it is implemented. Implementation of the bidding system is currently expected in
mid-1998.

     The Company has dealt with the  potential  loss of customers as a result of
self-generation,  relocation or  discontinuation  of operations by  successfully
negotiating 60 multi-year contracts with major customers,  including its largest
customer,  Yale University,  which is constructing a cogeneration unit that will
produce  approximately  one  half of this  customer's  electricity  requirements
(about  1% of the  Company's  total  1997  estimated  retail  sales)  commencing
sometime in early 1998.  Additional  multi-year customer contracts may be signed
in the future.  While providing cost reduction and price stability for customers
and helping the Company  maintain  its  customer  base for the long term,  these
contracts are expected to cause  reductions in retail revenue that have averaged
$2-$3  million  per  year,  incrementally,  in  the  recent  past.  Year-to-date
reductions of $3-$4 million have been experienced in 1997 compared to 1996.

     The Company  expects that  generating  output from its ownership  shares in
nuclear  generating  units  (Seabrook Unit 1, Millstone Unit 3, and  Connecticut
Yankee)  will be  significantly  less in 1997  than  in  1996.  Seabrook  Unit 1
operated  at a nearly  97%  capacity  factor in 1996,  well  above  the  assumed
"normal" 90% level between  refueling  outages.  A more normal level of Seabrook
Unit 1 operation in 1997, and the downtime for a 50-day  refueling outage in the
second  quarter of 1997,  will cause the Company to purchase or generate  energy
using higher cost fuels,  leading to about a $3 million increase in fuel expense
for the year, net of a replacement  fuel  provision  accrued  between  scheduled
refueling  outages.  The Company's total operation and maintenance  expenses for
Seabrook Unit 1, including costs of the refueling  outage,  will also contribute
to an expected $7 million increase in operations and maintenance expense in 1997
over 1996 levels,  which will be partly  offset by a decrease of $1.2 million in
provisions for routine plant outage costs.

     Millstone  Unit 3 was taken out of  service  on March  30,  1996,  and will
remain shut down pending a comprehensive  Nuclear  Regulatory  Commission  (NRC)
inquiry into the conformity of the unit and its  operations  with all applicable
NRC  regulations  and standards.  Relative to 1996, the loss of low-cost  energy
from this unit for all of 1997  should add about $1.5  million to the  Company's
fuel  expense.  It is not  likely  that  Unit 3 will  return to  service  before
year-end 1997, but when it does commence generating,  the Company's sales margin
will improve from a fuel expense  decline of about  $500,000,  partly  offset by
replacement  fuel  provision  of about  $100,000,  for  every  month  of  normal
operation.  The Company's total operation and maintenance expenses for Millstone
Unit 3 are  now  estimated  to be $12  million  for  1997,  which  includes  the
increased costs of correcting deficiencies resulting from the NRC's inquiry. The
Company  anticipates  that,  once NRC  deficiencies  are corrected and Unit 3 is
returned to service,  operating costs should ramp down to more normal levels for
an efficient and safe nuclear unit of this class. On August 7, 1997, the Company
and the other nine  minority,  non-operating  joint owners of  Millstone  Unit 3
filed lawsuits against Northeast  Utilities (NU) and its trustees,  as well as a
demand for  arbitration


                                     - 26 -
<PAGE>

against  The  Connecticut  Light and Power  Company  and  Western  Massachusetts
Electric  Company,  the  subsidiaries of NU who are the majority joint owners of
the unit and who have  contracted  with the minority joint owners to operate it.
The nine  non-operating  joint owners, who together own about 19.5% of the unit,
claim that NU and its subsidiaries failed to comply with NRC regulations, failed
to operate Millstone Station in accordance with good utility operating  practice
and concealed  their failures from the  non-operating  joint owners and the NRC.
The  arbitration  and lawsuits seek to recover  costs of purchasing  replacement
power and increased  operation and maintenance costs resulting from the shutdown
of Millstone Unit 3.

     The Connecticut  Yankee unit was taken out of service on July 23, 1996 and,
by decision of the Board of Directors  of that company in December of 1996,  has
been retired.  Relative to 1996,  the loss of low cost energy from this unit for
all of 1997 (it operated at virtually 100% output in 1996 before  shutting down)
should add about $4.5 million to the Company's fuel expense. This increased fuel
expense is  expected  to be more than  offset by a ramping  down of  Connecticut
Yankee's  operating  expenses,  which are now expected to DECREASE by about $5.8
million for the entire year 1997 ( from $18.3  million in 1996 to $12.5  million
in 1997).  These  expenses  are  expected to continue to decline by  substantial
amounts  before  leveling  out at about $6  million  per year  after  1999 until
decommissioning is complete.  However, the ability of the Company to recover its
ownership  share  of  future  costs   associated  with  the  retirement  of  the
Connecticut Yankee unit will be dependent upon the outcome of pending regulatory
proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

     To  summarize,  the total  incremental  impact of nuclear  generating  unit
outages on the Company's expense levels anticipated for 1997 relative to 1996 is
currently  estimated as an increase of about $9 million in fuel expense and $4.5
million in  operation  and  purchased  capacity  expense.  This amount  would be
equivalent to about $.55 per share of the Company's common stock.

     Another major factor affecting the Company's earnings prospects will be the
Company's ability to control operating  expenses.  The Company offered voluntary
early retirement programs and a voluntary  severance program to union,  nonunion
and management  employees in 1996. The cost of these programs resulted in a 1996
pre-tax  charge of $23 million and should lead to a 1997  employee  reduction of
230 employees (by year-end)  from a level of  approximately  1,300  employees at
year-end  1995. A portion of the resulting  personnel  cost savings  occurred in
1996, but the majority of the savings will be realized as the Company's  process
re-engineering  efforts are completed over the next several  years.  Incremental
savings from personnel  reductions of $4 million in 1997 ($2.4 million  realized
in the first nine  months) and another $6 million in 1998 are  estimated.  Other
unquantified process re-engineering savings are anticipated over this time frame
as well.

     Anticipated  depreciation  expense should  increase by $2-3 million in 1997
from 1996  levels,  a slower rate of increase  than in prior years  because 1996
capital spending of $45 million (excluding nuclear fuel) was at its lowest level
in over 15 years,  and also  because  new  conservation  program  spending is no
longer capitalized and depreciated.

     The Company  expects  continued  reductions in annual  interest  expense of
about $7-8 million to a 1997 level of $62-63 million, at current interest rates.
This reduction is due to refinancings of some Company debt in 1996 and 1997, and
to a  significant  repayment  of debt in 1996  and  1997  made  possible  by the
Company's excellent cash flow position. In fact, although the Company had no net
change in  retained  earnings in 1996,  it was able to improve its equity  ratio
from 31.7% to 33.2% as a result of debt reduction. The anticipated 1997 interest
expense  level is about  45% below the 1989  level  and  would  mark the  eighth
consecutive year of net interest expense decline.

     In the fall of 1996,  using  proceeds  of a lower cost bank term loan,  the
Company was  successful  in  purchasing  $67 million of the  approximately  $200
million principal amount of outstanding Seabrook Secured Lease Obligation Bonds,
for its own account.  The interest income that the Company receives from its $67
million investment in these bonds appears on the income statement as a credit to
interest  expense,  partially  offsetting the interest  expense  incurred on the
Seabrook Secured Lease Obligation Bonds.



                                     - 27 -
<PAGE>

     The Company  expects an improvement in unregulated  subsidiary  earnings in
1997 compared to the results of 1996, due partly to  non-recurrence  of one-time
pre-tax  charges   incurred  in  1996  totaling  $4.3  million  and,  also,  the
achievement of a near  "break-even"  level in earnings from its American Payment
Systems,  Inc.  subsidiary  operations,  which  improvement  would  result in an
increase in the Company's pre-tax income of $3-$4 million. In the near term, the
Company's  investments  in  these  subsidiaries  are  unlikely  to  have a major
positive  effect on  earnings,  but the Company  continues to believe that these
investments will contribute to future earnings growth.

     As announced in a press release dated July 1, 1997,  the Company has agreed
to lend  up to $15  million  to the  Company's  Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan
("ESOP") for the purpose of purchasing  shares of the Company's  common stock in
open-market  transactions.  As of October 22, 1997, approximately 314,000 shares
had been purchased by the ESOP.  Based on this number of shares  purchased,  the
net effect will be to increase  earnings  per share by about $.02 in 1997 and by
an  additional  $.04 per share in 1998 over 1997.  The earnings per share impact
will gradually  reverse,  to no net change at the end of the 12-year period,  as
the shares are allocated to employees' ESOP accounts and the loan is repaid.

     The Company  expects that 1997  quarterly  earnings  from  operations  will
follow  a  pattern  similar  to  that  of  1996,  with  third  quarter  earnings
contributing  over half of the annual total.  Summer  seasonal  retail sales and
summer pricing are the predominant factors contributing to this pattern.

1998 and on
- -----------

     Looking  forward to 1998,  the  Company is  expecting  significant  expense
declines  from a number of sources.  From the nuclear  generating  units,  it is
expected that operation and maintenance expenses associated with Seabrook Unit 1
and  Connecticut  Yankee should decline by a total of about $8 million (about $2
million  less of a decrease  than  previously  estimated,  due to recent  budget
changes);  if Millstone Unit 3 returns to service,  the expense  associated with
that unit  should  decline as well.  Seabrook  Unit 1 should  have no  refueling
outage in 1998 and,  if it  operates at normal 90%  availability,  fuel  expense
should  decline by about $1.4 million,  net of the  replacement  fuel  provision
accrual  between  scheduled  refueling  outages;  if Millstone Unit 3 returns to
service,  fuel expense  should decline by $400,000 for every month of operation,
net of the replacement  fuel provision  accrual of $100,000 per month...up to $4
million for the year if full power is reached by April 1, 1998.  As noted above,
personnel  costs should  decline by about $6 million  from the full  benefits of
voluntary  separation  programs.  Interest  costs are  expected  to  continue to
decline by about $10 million from  reductions in interest rates and repayment of
debt, reaching a level (about $51 million) last experienced in 1984.

     To  summarize,  the  potential  for 1998 expense  reduction  from the items
identified  above is $27 to $31  million.  While  there  will  probably  be some
decline in 1997 retail  revenues due to bill  reductions (no net sales growth is
anticipated,   as  Yale  University  begins  to  cogenerate  a  portion  of  its
electricity requirements), and while other factors may increase costs (e.g. wage
increases,  depreciation),  the substantial expense reductions  identified above
should allow earnings from operations to increase into the above-11.5% return on
common stock equity "sharing" range of the DPUC Order and well above a $3.40 per
share level.

     On  June  30,  1997,  the  Company's  unionized  employees  accepted  a new
five-year  agreement,  amending and  extending the existing  agreement  that was
scheduled to remain in effect through May 15, 1998.  The new agreement  provides
for,  among other things,  2% annual wage  increases  beginning in May 1998, and
annual  lump  sum  bonuses  of 2.5% of base  annual  straight  time  wages  (not
cumulative).  These  provisions  will  restrict  the  growth  of  the  Company's
bargaining unit base wage expense to about $500,000 per year. The agreement also
provides for job security for longer term bargaining  unit  employees,  and will
allow the Company some  flexibility  in adjusting  work methods,  as part of its
ongoing process re-engineering efforts.

     Although the $2.88  indicated  annual common stock  dividend level for 1996
represented a payout of 100% of total 1996  earnings,  the  Company's  cash flow
remains,  and is expected to remain, very strong. Net cash provided by operating
activities  was  $144.8  million  in 1996,  nearly  3.6 times the  common  stock
dividend  payout,  one of the 


                                     - 28 -
<PAGE>

highest  such  "coverage"  levels in the utility  industry.  The DPUC Order will
limit earnings from utility  operations such that further dividend increases may
have to be delayed  for  several  years.  However,  the Order  should  allow the
Company to recover some of its regulatory  assets more rapidly,  help it prepare
for  competition in the electric  utility  industry,  and help maintain its cash
flow at its  excellent  current  level  through  the end of the  decade.  If the
Company is able to grow income and earnings into the Order's  "sharing" range in
1998, the common stock dividend payout ratio at the current  indicated  dividend
rate would be close to 80%.


                                     - 29 -
<PAGE>

                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

     On November 2, 1993, the Company received  "updated"  personal property tax
bills  from  the  City of New  Haven  (the  City)  for the tax  year  1991-1992,
aggregating $6.6 million,  based on an audit by the City's tax assessor.  On May
7, 1994,  the Company  received a  "Certificate  of  Correction....to  correct a
clerical  omission  or  mistake"  from the City's tax  assessor  relative to the
assessed value of the Company's  personal  property for the tax year  1994-1995,
which certificate  purports to increase said assessed value by approximately 53%
above the tax assessor's  valuation at February 28, 1994,  generating tax claims
of approximately $3.5 million. On March 1, 1995, the Company received notices of
assessment  changes  relative to the assessed  value of the  Company's  personal
property for the tax year  1995-1996,  which  notices  purport to increase  said
assessed value by approximately 48% over the valuation  declared by the Company,
generating  tax claims of  approximately  $3.5  million.  On May 11,  1995,  the
Company received  notices of assessment  changes relative to the assessed values
of the Company's  personal  property for the tax years  1992-1993 and 1993-1994,
which notices purport to increase said assessed values by approximately  45% and
49%, respectively,  over the valuations declared by the Company,  generating tax
claims of approximately $4.1 million and $3.5 million, respectively. On March 8,
1996,  the  Company  received  notices of  assessment  changes  relative  to the
assessed value of the Company's  personal  property for the tax year  1996-1997,
which notices purport to increase said assessed value by approximately  57% over
the  valuations  declared by the Company and are expected to generate tax claims
of approximately $3.8 million. On March 7, 1997, the Company received notices of
assessment  changes  relative to the assessed  value of the  Company's  personal
property for the tax year  1997-1998,  which  notices  purport to increase  said
assessed value by approximately 54% over the valuations  declared by the Company
and are  expected to generate  tax claims of  approximately  $3.7  million.  The
Company  is  vigorously  contesting  each of these  actions  by the  City's  tax
assessor.  In January 1996, the Connecticut Superior Court granted the Company's
motion for summary  judgment  against the City relative to the earliest tax year
at issue,  1991-1992,  ruling that, after January 31, 1992, the tax assessor had
no statutory  authority to revalue  personal  property  listed and valued on the
Company's tax list for the tax year  1991-1992.  This Superior  Court  decision,
which would also have been  applicable to and defeated the assessor's  valuation
increases  for the two  subsequent  tax  years,  1992-1993  and  1993-1994,  was
appealed by the City. On April 11, 1997, the Connecticut  Supreme Court reversed
the Superior  Court's  decisions in this and two other companion cases involving
other taxpayers,  ruling that the tax assessor had a three-year  period in which
to audit and revalue  personal  property  listed and valued on the Company's tax
list for the tax year  1991-1992.  It is currently  anticipated  that all of the
pending  cases for all of the tax years in  dispute  will now be  scheduled  for
trial  in the  Superior  Court  relative  to the  Company's  claim  that the tax
assessor's increases in personal property tax assessments for the three earliest
years were unlawful for other reasons and relative to the  vigorously  contested
issue, for all of the tax years, as to the  reasonableness of the tax assessor's
valuation method,  both as to amount and methodology.  It is the present opinion
of the  Company  that  the  ultimate  outcome  of this  dispute  will not have a
significant impact on the long-term financial position of the Company.


                                     - 30 -
<PAGE>

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

     (a) Exhibits.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           Exhibit
          Table Item            Exhibit
           Number               Number                                   Description
          ----------            -------                                  -----------

            <S>                  <C>          <C>                                                                 
            (10)                 10.22        Copy of Amended and Restated Employment  Agreement,  effective as
                                              of March 1,  1997,  between The United  Illuminating  Company and
                                              Richard  J.  Grossi,  amending  and  replacing  Exhibits 10.14a*,
                                              10.14b** and 10.14c***.

            (10)                 10.23        Copy of Amended and Restated Employment  Agreement,  effective as
                                              of March 1,  1997,  between The United  Illuminating  Company and
                                              Robert  L.  Fiscus,  amending  and  replacing   Exhibits 10.15a*,
                                              10.15b** and 10.15c***.

            (10)                 10.24        Copy of Amended and Restated Employment  Agreement,  effective as
                                              of March 1,  1997,  between The United  Illuminating  Company and
                                              James  F.  Crowe,   amending  and   replacing   Exhibits 10.16a*,
                                              10.16b** and 10.16c***.

            (10)                 10.25        Copy of Employment Agreement,  dated as of March 1, 1997, between
                                              The United Illuminating Company and Albert N. Henricksen.

            (10)                 10.26        Copy of Employment Agreement,  dated as of March 1, 1997, between
                                              The United Illuminating Company and Anthony J. Vallillo.

            (10)                 10.27        Copy of Employment Agreement,  dated as of March 1, 1997, between
                                              The United Illuminating Company and Rita L. Bowlby.

            (10)                 10.28        Copy of Employment Agreement,  dated as of March 1, 1997, between
                                              The United Illuminating Company and Stephen F. Goldschmidt.

            (10)                 10.29        Copy of Employment Agreement,  dated as of March 1, 1997, between
                                              The United Illuminating Company and James L. Benjamin.

            (10)                 10.30        Copy of Employment Agreement,  dated as of March 1, 1997, between
                                              The United Illuminating Company and Kurt D. Mohlman.

            (10)                 10.31        Copy of Employment Agreement,  dated as of March 1, 1997, between
                                              The United Illuminating Company and Charles J. Pepe.
</TABLE>


                                     - 31 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           Exhibit
          Table Item            Exhibit
           Number               Number                                   Description
          ----------            -------                                  -----------

            <S>                  <C>          <C>                                                                           
            (12), (99)           12           Statement  Showing  Computation  of Ratios of  Earnings  to Fixed
                                              Charges  and Ratios of Earnings  to  Combined  Fixed  Charges and
                                              Preferred  Stock  Dividend   Requirements  (Twelve  Months  Ended
                                              September 30,  1997 and Twelve  Months Ended  December 31,  1996,
                                              1995, 1994, 1993 and 1992).

            (27)                 27           Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>

    * Filed with Annual  Report  (Form 10-K) for fiscal year ended  December 31,
      1992.
   ** Filed with Annual Report (Form 10-K) for fiscal year ended  December 31,
      1995.
  *** Filed with Quarterly  Report (Form 10-Q) for fiscal quarter ended June 30,
      1995.


     (b) Reports on Form 8-K.

          None


                                     - 32 -
<PAGE>




                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY




Date      ll/13/97                 Signature       /s/ Robert L.Fiscus
    -----------------                       ----------------------------------
                                                       Robert L. Fiscus
                                                       President and
                                                       Chief Financial Officer



                                     - 33 -
<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Exhibit
      Table Item    Exhibit
        Number      Number                                      Description                                   Page No.
      ----------    -------                                     -----------                                   --------

          <S>        <C>          <C>                                                                       
          (10)       10.22        Copy of Amended and  Restated  Employment  Agreement,  effective  as of
                                  March 1,  1997, between The United Illuminating  Company and Richard J.
                                  Grossi,   amending  and   replacing   Exhibits 10.14a*,   10.14b**  and
                                  10.14c***.

          (10)      10.23         Copy of Amended and  Restated  Employment  Agreement,  effective  as of
                                  March 1,  1997, between The United  Illuminating  Company and Robert L.
                                  Fiscus,   amending  and   replacing   Exhibits 10.15a*,   10.15b**  and
                                  10.15c***.

          (10)      10.24         Copy of Amended and  Restated  Employment  Agreement,  effective  as of
                                  March 1,  1997,  between The United  Illuminating  Company and James F.
                                  Crowe, amending and replacing Exhibits 10.16a*, 10.16b** and 10.16c***.

          (10)      10.25         Copy of Employment  Agreement,  dated as of March 1,  1997, between The
                                  United Illuminating Company and Albert N. Henricksen.

          (10)      10.26         Copy of Employment  Agreement,  dated as of March 1,  1997, between The
                                  United Illuminating Company and Anthony J. Vallillo.

          (10)      10.27         Copy of Employment  Agreement,  dated as of March 1,  1997, between The
                                  United Illuminating Company and Rita L. Bowlby.

          (10)      10.28         Copy of Employment  Agreement,  dated as of March 1,  1997, between The
                                  United Illuminating Company and Stephen F. Goldschmidt.

          (10)      10.29         Copy of Employment  Agreement,  dated as of March 1,  1997, between The
                                  United Illuminating Company and James L. Benjamin.

          (10)      10.30         Copy of Employment  Agreement,  dated as of March 1,  1997, between The
                                  United Illuminating Company and Kurt D. Mohlman.

          (10)      10.31         Copy of Employment  Agreement,  dated as of March 1,  1997, between The
                                  United Illuminating Company and Charles J. Pepe.

        (12), (99)  12            Statement  Showing  Computation  of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
                                  and Ratios of Earnings to Combined  Fixed Charges and  Preferred  Stock
                                  Dividend  Requirements  (Twelve  Months  Ended  September 30,  1997 and
                                  Twelve Months Ended December 31, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993 and 1992).

          (27)      27            Financial Data Schedule

</TABLE>

                                                            EXHIBIT 10.22

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the 1st day of January, 1988, and amended as
of  July  23,  1990,  June 1,  1995  and  March  1,  1997,  between  THE  UNITED
ILLUMINATING  COMPANY,  a Connecticut  corporation  (the Company) and RICHARD J.
GROSSI, an individual (the Executive),

                                 WITNESSETH THAT

         WHEREAS,  the  Executive  has  been  in the  employ  of the  Company
for a substantial period of time; and

         WHEREAS,  the Company  desires to continue to employ the  Executive  as
Chairman  of the  Board  of  Directors  and  Chief  Executive  Officer,  and the
Executive  desires to continue to be employed by the Company as its  Chairman of
the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer; and

         WHEREAS,  the Company and the Executive  desire to enter into a written
agreement  confirming certain of the rights and benefits which the Executive has
heretofore enjoyed and certain of the duties and obligations which the Executive
has heretofore  assumed,  and conferring  upon the Executive  certain rights and
benefits  which he has not  heretofore  enjoyed and imposing  upon the Executive
certain duties and obligations to which he has not heretofore been subject,

         NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the foregoing and the respective
covenants  and  agreements  of the parties  herein  contained,  and the services
heretofore  rendered by the  Executive  to the Company and to be rendered to the
Company pursuant hereto  hereafter,  and in order to provide an incentive to the
Executive to remain in the employ of the Company  hereafter  and, in particular,
in the event of any  Change in  Control  (as  herein  defined)  of the  Company,
thereby establishing and preserving continuity of management, the Parties hereby
agree as follows:

         (1) EMPLOYMENT

                  (a) The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive, and the
Executive  hereby agrees to serve the Company all upon the terms and  conditions
set forth herein.

                  (b) Unless and until  terminated  pursuant to Section  (5)(a),
Section (5)(b)(i) or Section  (5)(c)(i) hereof,  the employment of the Executive
by the Company shall be for a term expiring on the date specified in a Notice of
Termination pursuant to Section (5)(d) hereof.

         (2)      POSITION AND DUTIES

         The Executive shall be employed by the Company as Chairman 

<PAGE>


of the  Board  of  Directors  and  Chief  Executive  Officer,  or in such  other
equivalent executive position as the Company's Board of Directors may determine,
without   diminishment  in  his  officership   status,   privileges  or  working
conditions.  The Executive  shall accept such  employment  and shall perform and
discharge,  faithfully,  diligently and to the best of his abilities, the duties
and  obligations of his office and such other duties as may from time to time be
assigned to him by the Chief Executive Officer, or by the Board of Directors, of
the Company,  and shall devote substantially all his working time and efforts to
the business and affairs of the Company;  provided,  however, that, to an extent
consistent  with the needs of the Company,  the  Executive  shall be entitled to
expend a reasonable amount of time on civic and philanthropic activities and the
management  of his own and his family's  business  investments  and  activities.
Although a Change in Control of the Company shall not affect the  obligations of
the Company and the  Executive as set forth in the two preceding  sentences,  at
and after the date of any  Change in Control  the  Company's  employment  of the
Executive shall also be without diminishment in his management responsibilities,
duties or powers.

         (3)      PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

         In his employment by the Company,  the Executive  shall be based at the
executive offices of the Company situated within the Company's statutory service
area.

         (4)      COMPENSATION

                  (a) Base Salary.  During the term of his employment hereunder,
the  Executive  shall  receive a base salary (Base  Salary) at an annual rate of
Three Hundred Eighteen Thousand Dollars ($318,000).  The Executive's Base Salary
rate   shall  be   reviewed   by  the  Board  of   Directors   of  the   Company
contemporaneously  with each review of the salary rates of the  Company's  other
officers by said Board of Directors,  and may be revised  upwards as a result of
any such review.  The Executive's  Base Salary may be revised  downwards by said
Board of Directors  contemporaneously  with any general  reduction of the salary
rates of the Company's other officers.

                    (b) Incentive  Compensation.  During the term of his
employment  hereunder,  the Executive  shall be entitled to  participate in each
incentive compensation program established for officers of the Company.

                  For purposes of this Agreement,  Total Compensation is defined
as the sum of the  Executive's  Base  Salary  and  any  amount  paid or  payable
pursuant to this Section (4)(b).

                  (c)  Business  Expenses.  During  the  term of his  employment
hereunder,  the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt  reimbursement for
all reasonable  expenses  incurred by him


                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>

(in  accordance  with the policies and  procedures  established  by the Board of
Directors of the Company from time to time for the  Company's  senior  executive
officers) in performing services hereunder, provided that the Executive properly
accounts therefor.

                  (d)  Fringe  Benefits.  During  the  term  of  his  employment
hereunder,  the Executive  shall be entitled to  participate in and receive full
benefits  under  all of the  Company's  employee  benefit  plans,  programs  and
arrangements for its officers,  including, without limitation, its Pension Plan.
Nothing  paid to the  Executive  under any such  plan,  program  or  arrangement
presently  in effect or made  available  by the  Company in the future  shall be
deemed to be in lieu of compensation to the Executive under any other Section of
this Agreement.

                  (e) Vacations.  During the term of his  employment  hereunder,
the  Executive  shall be  entitled to the number of paid  vacation  days in each
calendar  year  determined by the Board of Directors of the Company from time to
time for the Company's senior executive officers,  and shall also be entitled to
all paid holidays given by the Company to its employees.

                  (f)   Supplemental   Retirement.   Upon   termination  of  the
Executive's  employment,  a supplemental  retirement benefit shall be payable to
him or his beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of this Section (4)(f).
The annual supplemental  retirement  benefit,  expressed in the form of a single
life annuity beginning at the Executive's  Normal Retirement Date (as defined in
the Company's Pension Plan), shall be the excess, if any, of (A) less (B), where
(A)  is  2.2%  (.022)  of  the  Executive's  highest  three-year  average  Total
Compensation  times the number of years at termination (not to exceed thirty) of
the  Executive's  service  deemed as an employee of the Company,  and (B) is the
benefit payable under the Company's  Pension Plan.  Payment of the  supplemental
retirement benefit shall begin at the same time as the Executive's  Pension Plan
benefit  payments  and  shall  be  subject  to the  same  reductions  for  early
commencement,  except  that the  reductions  shall  be based on the  Executive's
service  deemed as an  employee  of the  Company.  The  supplemental  retirement
benefit may be paid in any form available  under the Pension Plan, as elected by
the Executive  prior to benefit  payment  commencement.  The conversion  factors
between  forms of benefits  used for  purposes of the Pension Plan shall be used
for purposes of the supplemental  retirement benefit. The form of payment of the
supplemental  retirement  benefit may be the same or different  from the form of
payment of the  Executive's  benefits  under the  Pension  Plan.  If the form of
payment  provides  for a death  benefit,  such  benefit  shall be payable to the
Executive's  estate,  unless  another  beneficiary  has been  designated  by the
Executive.  If the Executive dies prior to the commencement of benefit payments,
the death benefit provisions of the Pension Plan shall apply,  mutatis mutandis,
to the supplemental retirement benefit payable pursuant to this Section (4)(f).



                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>


        (5) TERMINATION

                  (a) The Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate upon
his death.

                  (b) Termination by the Company.

                           (i) The Company may terminate the Executive's
employment  hereunder for Cause.  Prior to the date of a Change in Control,  the
Company  shall be deemed to have Cause to terminate the  Executive's  employment
hereunder  only upon the  Executive's  (A)  continued  failure  to  perform  and
discharge the duties or obligations  of his office,  or such other duties as may
from time to time be  assigned to him by the Chief  Executive  Officer or by the
Board of Directors, faithfully, diligently, to the best of his abilities, and in
accordance  with  standards  accepted in the electric  utility  industry,  after
written  notice by the Board of Directors of the Company  specifying the alleged
failure in reasonably detailed terms and including in said notice the opinion of
a majority of the entire  membership  of said Board of Directors  that there has
been such failure, or (B) willful misconduct that is materially and demonstrably
injurious to the Company,  or (C) conviction of a felony  involving the personal
dishonesty  or moral  turpitude  of the  Executive  (unless such  conviction  is
reversed in any final appeal therefrom),  or (D) total and permanent physical or
mental  disability,  or (E)  absence  from  work on a  full-time  basis,  due to
physical or mental illness,  for an uninterrupted  365-day period.  On and after
the date of a Change in Control,  the  Company  shall be deemed to have Cause to
terminate the  Executive's  employment  hereunder only upon the  Executive's (F)
conviction of a felony  involving the personal  dishonesty or moral turpitude of
the  Executive   (unless  such  conviction  is  reversed  in  any  final  appeal
therefrom),  or (G) total and permanent  physical or mental  disability,  or (H)
absence from work on a full-time basis,  due to physical or mental illness,  for
an uninterrupted  365-day period.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the Executive
shall not be deemed to have been  terminated  for Cause  unless and until  there
shall have been  delivered to the  Executive  (I) a copy of a  resolution,  duly
adopted  by the  affirmative  vote of not less  than a  majority  of the  entire
membership of the Board of Directors of the Company,  at a meeting of said Board
of Directors  called and held for the purpose  (after  reasonable  notice to the
Executive and an  opportunity  for him,  together with his counsel,  to be heard
before said Board of Directors), finding that, in the good faith opinion of such
majority  of said  Board of  Directors,  the  Executive  was  guilty of  conduct
described in an applicable clause of this Section (5)(b)(i),  and specifying the
particulars  thereof,  or that the events  described in an applicable  clause of
this Section (5)(b)(i) have occurred,  and (II) an affidavit of the Secretary or
an Assistant  Secretary of the Company  stating that such resolution was in fact
adopted  by the  affirmative  vote of not less  than a  majority  of the  entire
membership  of the Board of Directors of the  Company;  and (III)  delivery of a
Notice of

                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>

Termination pursuant to Section (5)(d) hereof.

                           (ii) Without Cause.  The Company may terminate the 
Executive's  employment without Cause,  effective upon at least three (3) years'
prior  Notice of  Termination  delivered  to the  Executive  pursuant to Section
(5)(d) hereof.

                  (c) Termination by the Executive.

                           (i) Upon Breach by the Company.  The Executive may 
terminate  his  employment  hereunder,  upon thirty  (30) days' prior  Notice of
Termination  delivered to the Company  pursuant to Section  (5)(d)  hereof,  for
failure of the Company to observe  and  perform  one or more of its  obligations
under  Sections  (1),  (2), (3) and/or (4) hereof (a Breach by the Company) at a
time  when the  Executive  is not in  default  of any of his  obligations  under
Sections (1) and/or (2) hereof.

                           (ii) Absent Breach by the Company.  The Executive may
terminate  his  employment  hereunder in the absence of a Breach by the Company,
effective upon at least six (6) months' prior Notice of Termination delivered to
the Company pursuant to Section (5)(d) hereof.

                  (d) Notice of Termination.  Any termination of employment,  by
the Company or by the Executive,  shall be communicated by delivery of a written
Notice of Termination to the other party.

                  (e) Date of Termination.  For purposes of this Agreement,  the
Date  of  Termination  is  defined  as the  earlier  of  (i) if the  Executive's
employment  is  terminated  pursuant  to  Section  (5)(b)(ii)  hereof,  the date
specified in the Notice of Termination, or (ii) if the Executive's employment is
terminated  (A) by his death,  the date of his death,  (B)  pursuant  to Section
(5)(b)(i)  or  Section  (5)(c)  hereof,  the date  specified  in the  Notice  of
Termination,  or  (C) in any  other  event,  the  date  on  which  a  Notice  of
Termination is delivered.

         (6) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION

                  (a) If  the  Executive's  employment  terminates  pursuant  to
Section  (5)(a)  hereof,  the Company  shall pay to the personal  representative
and/or spouse of the Executive his Total  Compensation  earned prior to the Date
of Termination,  any amounts payable pursuant to Sections (4)(c), (4)(d), (4)(e)
and  (4)(f)  hereof  and any  benefits  or amounts  payable  under any  deferred
compensation plan in which the Executive had been a participant, and the Company
shall have no further obligation under this Agreement.

                  (b) If  the  Executive's  employment  terminates  pursuant  to
Section  (5)(b)(ii) or Section  (5)(c)(ii)  hereof, the Company shall pay to the
Executive and/or his personal representative
                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>

and/or spouse his Total  Compensation  earned prior to the Date of  Termination,
any  amounts  payable  pursuant to Sections  (4)(c),  (4)(d),  (4)(e) and (4)(f)
hereof and any benefits or amounts payable under any deferred  compensation plan
in which the  Executive  had been a  participant,  and the Company shall have no
further  obligation to the Executive and/or his personal  representative  and/or
spouse under this Agreement or on account of, or arising out of, the termination
of the Executive's employment. The Executive may petition the Board of Directors
of the Company for an immediate lump sum payment, in lieu of any amounts payable
pursuant to Section (4)(f) hereof on account of the  Executive's  termination of
employment  pursuant to Section  (5)(b)(ii) or Section  (5)(c)(ii) hereof, in an
amount  equal  to the  actuarial  present  value  of a  supplemental  retirement
benefit, expressed in the form of a single life annuity beginning at Executive's
termination  of employment  equal to the excess if any of (A) less (B) where (A)
is 2.2% (.022) of the Executive's  highest three-year average Total Compensation
times  the  number  of  years  at  termination  (not to  exceed  thirty)  of the
Executive's service deemed as an employee of the Company, and (B) is the benefit
payable  under the  Company's  Pension Plan at the  Executive's  termination  of
employment.  The actuarial present value of such supplemental retirement benefit
shall be  calculated  on the basis of the  annual  yield on  thirty-year  United
States  Treasury  bonds on the  final  business  day of he month  preceding  the
termination of his  employment  and the 1983 Group Annuity  table.  The Board of
Directors of the Company may grant or deny any such petition by the Executive in
its sole discretion.

                  (c) If the  Executive's  employment is terminated  pursuant to
Section (5)(b)(i)  hereof, or if the Executive  terminates his employment in the
absence of a Breach by the Company and not in accordance with Section (5)(c)(ii)
hereof, the Company shall pay to the Executive his full Base Salary earned prior
to the Date of  Termination,  any amounts payable  pursuant to Sections  (4)(c),
(4)(d), and (4)(e) hereof and any benefits or amounts payable under any deferred
compensation  plan in which the Executive had been a participant,  and, provided
that the  Company  is not in default of any of its  obligations  hereunder,  the
Company shall have no further  obligation to the Executive  under this Agreement
or on  account  of,  or  arising  out of,  the  termination  of the  Executive's
employment.

                  (d) If the  Executive's  employment is terminated  pursuant to
Section  (5)(c)(i)  hereof,  or  if  the  Company   terminates  the  Executive's
employment without Cause and not in accordance with Section (5)(b)(ii) hereof:

                           (i) The Company shall pay to the Executive his Total
Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any  amounts  payable
pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c),  (4)(d) and (4)(e)  hereof and any  benefits  or
amounts payable under any deferred  compensation plan in which the Executive had
been a  participant;  and if the Notice of  Termination is delivered on or after
the


                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

date of, and in connection  with, a Change in Control,  the Company shall afford
the Executive the severance benefits set forth on Schedule C attached hereto.
 
                          (ii) In lieu of any amounts payable pursuant to
Section (4)(f) hereof on account of the  Executive's  termination of employment,
the Company shall pay to the Executive an immediate lump sum amount equal to the
actuarial present value of a supplemental  retirement benefit,  expressed in the
form  of  a  single  life  annuity  beginning  at  Executive's   termination  of
employment, equal to the excess if any of (A) less (B), where (A) is 2.2% (.022)
of the  Executive's  highest  three-year  average Total  Compensation  times the
number of years at termination (not to exceed thirty) of the Executive's service
deemed as an employee of the Company,  and (B) is the benefit  payable under the
Company's  Pension  Plan  at the  Executive's  termination  of  employment.  The
actuarial  present  value  of such  supplemental  retirement  benefit  shall  be
calculated  on the  basis of the  annual  yield  on  thirty-year  United  States
Treasury bonds on the final business day of the month  preceding the termination
of his employment and the 1983 Group Annuity table.

                           (iii) The Company shall maintain in full force and 
effect,  for the continued benefit of the Executive for the period ending on the
third  anniversary of the Date of  Termination,  all employee  benefit plans and
programs in which the Executive was entitled to participate immediately prior to
the Date of Termination,  provided that the Executive's continued  participation
is possible  under the general terms and  provisions of such plans and programs.
If the  Executive's  participation  in any such plan or  program  is barred as a
result of such  termination,  the Company shall arrange to provide the Executive
with  benefits  substantially  similar on an after-tax  basis to those which the
Executive was entitled to receive under such plan or program.

                           (iv) The Company shall pay to the Executive and/or
his personal  representative his full Base Salary,  during the period commencing
on the  date  following  the  Date  of  Termination  and  ending  on  the  third
anniversary  of the Date of  Termination,  at the rate in effect at the time the
Notice of Termination  is delivered;  provided,  however,  that if the Notice of
Termination  is  delivered  on or after the date of, and in  connection  with, a
Change  in  Control  the  Company  shall  pay to the  Executive,  in lieu of the
payments  prescribed by the foregoing clause, an immediate lump sum amount equal
to the aggregate sum of all of said payments.

                           (v) The Executive shall not be required to mitigate
the  amount of any  payment  provided  for in this  Section  (6)(d)  by  seeking
employment or otherwise.  The benefits  payable under this Section  (6)(d) shall
not be reduced by reason of the Executive's securing other employment or for any
other reason, unless the Notice of Termination is delivered on or after, and in


                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

connection  with,  a Change in  Control,  in which event the  provisions  of the
following three sentences shall apply. If, prior to the third anniversary of the
Date of  Termination,  the Executive  obtains  employment,  the Executive  shall
refund to the Company a portion of the lump sum payment  provided for in Section
(6)(d)(iv)  equal to the amounts  earned by the  Executive  from his  subsequent
employer prior to said anniversary date, but in no event more than the amount of
said  lump sum  payment  prorated  over  the  number  of  months  in the  period
commencing on the date following his Date of Termination and ending on the third
anniversary  of the Date of  Termination,  multiplied  by the  number  of months
remaining  between the  Executive's  date-of-hire  in his new employment and the
third anniversary of his Date of Termination.  The Executive shall refund to the
Company any amount  required by the  preceding  sentence  within one hundred and
eighty (180) days after the  date-of-hire  in his new  employment.  The employee
benefit  plans and  programs to be  provided by the Company  pursuant to Section
(6)(d)(iii)  shall be  reduced  as and to the  extent  that  such  benefits  are
provided to the Executive by a subsequent  employer during the period covered by
said Section (6)(d)(iii).

                           (vi) The payment to, and acceptance by, the Executive
of any sum of money or benefit  prescribed  in this Section  (6)(d) shall effect
and  evidence  a release by the  Executive  of any and all  claims  against  the
Company on account of, or arising  out of, the  termination  of the  Executive's
employment, except as prescribed in this Section (6)(d).

         (7) CHANGE IN CONTROL

         For purposes of this Agreement, Change in Control shall mean any of the
following events:

                  (a) any  merger  or  consolidation  of the  Company  with  any
corporate  shareholder or group of corporate  shareholders  holding  twenty-five
percent  (.25) or more of the  Common  Stock of the  Company  or with any  other
corporation  or  group  of  corporations  which  is,  or after  such  merger  or
consolidation  would be, or be affiliated  with, a  shareholder  owning at least
twenty-five percent (.25) of the Common Stock of the Company; or

                  (b) any sale, lease, exchange,  mortgage,  pledge, transfer or
other  disposition to or with any shareholder or group of  shareholders  holding
twenty-five  percent  (.25) or more of the Common Stock of the  Company,  or any
affiliate of such  shareholder  or group of  shareholders,  of any assets of the
Company having an aggregate fair market value of $50 million or more; or

                  (c) the issuance or sale by the Company of any  securities  of
the Company to any  shareholder  or group of  shareholders  holding  twenty-five
percent (.25) or more of the Common Stock of the Company, or to any affiliate of
such shareholder or group of shareholders,  in exchange for cash,


                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>

securities or other  consideration  having an aggregate fair market value of $50
million or more; or

                  (d)  the  implementation  of any  plan  or  proposal  for  the
liquidation  or  dissolution  of the  Company  proposed  by or on  behalf of any
shareholder or group of shareholders  owning at least twenty-five  percent (.25)
of the Common Stock of the Company,  or any  affiliate  of such  shareholder  or
group of shareholders; or

                  (e) any  reclassification  of securities  (including a reverse
stock split), or  recapitalization of the Company or any other transaction which
has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of
outstanding shares of any class of equity securities,  or securities convertible
into any equity  securities,  of the  Company,  which is directly or  indirectly
owned by a  shareholder  or group of  shareholders  owning at least  twenty-five
percent  (.25) of the Common  Stock of the  Company,  or any  affiliate  of such
shareholder or group of shareholders.

         The Board of Directors of the Company  may,  from time to time,  by the
affirmative  vote of not less than a majority of the entire  membership  of said
Board of Directors,  at a meeting of said Board of Directors called and held for
the purpose, modify the phrase "twenty-five percent (.25)" in one or more of the
foregoing  Sections  (7)(a),  (7)(b),  (7)(c),  (7)(d) and/or (7)(e) to a lesser
percentage, but not less than twenty percent (.20).

         (8) ADDITIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL

                  (a) In the event that a Change in Control has been approved by
all  necessary  shareholder,  creditor and  regulatory  actions,  the earning of
Performance  Shares by the  Executive  under the Company's  Long-Term  Incentive
Program  will be  accelerated  to the day  prior  to the date of the  Change  in
Control,  and the Executive  will be deemed to have earned all of the Contingent
Performance  Shares  outstanding with respect to him, payable to him on said day
prior to the  date of the  Change  in  Control,  at his  option,  either  (i) in
authorized but unissued  shares of the Company's  Common Stock, or (ii) in cash,
based  upon the market  value of the  Company's  Common  Stock at the end of the
business day next preceding said day prior to the date of the Change in Control.

                  (b) In the event that a Change in Control has been approved by
all necessary  shareholder,  creditor and regulatory actions,  the Company will,
not later  than the day prior to the date of the Change in  Control,  pay to the
Trustee of The United Illuminating Company Supplemental Retirement Benefit Trust
established  pursuant  to the  Agreement,  made as of the 1st day of June,  1995
between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee, cash in
an amount equal to: (A) In the event that the  Executive's  employment  has been
terminated or will be


                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>

terminated prior to the date of the Change in Control, a sum,  calculated by the
Company's independent certified public accountants, reasonably sufficient to pay
and discharge the Company's future obligations,  if any, to the Executive and/or
his personal  representative and/or spouse, under Section (6)(a), Section (6)(b)
or Section (6)(d) hereof; or (B) in the event that the Executive  employment has
not been  terminated and will not be terminated  prior to the date of the Change
in Control,  a sum,  calculated by the Company's  independent  certified  public
accountants,   reasonably   sufficient   to  pay  and  discharge  the  Company's
obligations to the Executive under Section (6)(d) hereof assuming,  for purposes
of such  calculation,  that the Executive's  employment is terminated under said
Section (6)(d) by a Notice of Termination delivered on the date of the Change in
Control and specifying an immediate Date of Termination.

                  (c) On and  after  the  date of the  Change  in  Control,  the
Executive's  Base  Salary  may not be reduced  by the Board of  Directors  to an
annual rate less than the rate fixed by the Board of Directors of the Company as
a result of its most recent review of salary rates,  pursuant to Section  (4)(a)
hereof, prior to the date of the Change in Control.

         (9) TAX SAVINGS PROVISION

         If any portion of the  payments  which the  Executive  has the right to
receive from the Company,  or any affiliated entity,  hereunder would constitute
"excess parachute  payments" (as defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue
Code,  and not governed by the terms defined in this  Agreement)  subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the  Internal  Revenue  Code,  such excess
parachute payments shall be reduced to the largest amount that will result in no
portion  of such  excess  parachute  payments  being  subject  to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.

         (10) SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT

                  (a) The Company shall pay to the Executive and/or his personal
representative  and/or  spouse all legal fees and expenses  and court costs,  if
any,  incurred by the  Executive  and/or such  representative  and/or  spouse in
successful litigation to enforce his rights under this Agreement.

                  (b) The Company will require any successor  (whether direct or
indirect,   by  purchase,   merger,   consolidation  or  otherwise)  to  all  or
substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, by agreement in form
and substance reasonably  satisfactory to the Executive, to expressly assume and
agree to perform  this  Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that
the  Company  would be required  to perform it if no such  succession  had taken
place.  Failure of the Company to obtain such agreement by the  effectiveness of
any such  succession  shall be a breach of this  Agreement and shall entitle the
Executive to


                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>

compensation  from the  Company in the same amount and upon the same terms as he
would be entitled to hereunder if he terminated  his  employment  upon Breach by
the Company,  except that, for purposes of implementing the foregoing,  the date
on which any such  succession  becomes  effective  shall be  deemed  the Date of
Termination. As used in this Agreement, the term "the Company" shall include The
United  Illuminating  Company,  any parent and any  successor to the business or
assets of either as aforesaid which executes and delivers the agreement provided
for in this Section (10) or which  otherwise  becomes bound by all the terms and
provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.

                  (c) This  Agreement and all rights of the Executive  hereunder
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's  personal or
legal   representatives,    executors,   administrators,    successors,   heirs,
distributees,  devisees  and  legatees.  If the  Executive  should die while any
amounts would still be payable to him hereunder if he had continued to live, all
such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with
the  terms  of this  Agreement  to the  Executive's  devisee,  legatee  or other
designee or, if there be no such designee, to the Executive's estate.

         (11) NOTICE

         For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications
to either party hereunder  provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be  deemed  to have been duly  given  when  delivered  or mailed by United
States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,  postage prepaid,
addressed,  in the case of the Company, to The United Illuminating  Company, 157
Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut,  Attention: Secretary, or, in the case of
the Executive,  to him at 157 Church Street, New Haven  Connecticut,  or to such
other address as either party shall  designate by giving  written notice of such
change to the other party.

         (12) MISCELLANEOUS

                  (a) No provision of this Agreement may be modified,  waived or
discharged  unless such  waiver,  modification  or  discharge is approved by the
Board of  Directors  of the  Company  and  agreed to in a writing  signed by the
Executive  and such officer as may be  specifically  authorized  by the Board of
Directors  of the  Company.  No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any
breach by the other  party  hereto of, or  compliance  with,  any  condition  or
provision of this  Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed
a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any
prior or subsequent time. No agreements or  representations,  oral or otherwise,
express or implied,  with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by
either party which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.  The validity,
interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement


                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>

shall be governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut.

                  (b) Exhibits A-1 and A-2 attached hereto, showing calculations
of supplemental retirement benefits under Section (4)(f), and Exhibit B attached
hereto,  showing a calculation  of a lump sum payment under Section  (6)(d)(ii),
are  incorporated  herein by reference and set forth,  by example,  the parties'
intended interpretation and application of such Sections.

         (13) VALIDITY

         The validity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

         (14) SURVIVAL

         The provisions of this Agreement  shall not survive the  termination of
this  Agreement  or of  employment  hereunder,  except  that the  provisions  of
Sections  (4),  (6),  (8),  (9),  (10),  and  (11)  hereof  shall  survive  such
termination and shall be binding upon the Company's successors and assigns.

         (15) COUNTERPARTS

         This  Agreement  may be executed in one or more  counterparts,  each of
which  shall  be  deemed  to be an  original  but  all of  which  together  will
constitute one and the same instrument.


                                        - 12 -
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on
the date and year first above written.

Attest:                    THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY


  /s/ Kurt Mohlman         By:        /s/ Robert L. Fiscus
- ---------------------         ----------------------------------
Secretary                       President and Chief Financial
                                Officer



                                     /s/ Richard J. Grossi
                              ----------------------------------
                                         Richard J. Grossi




                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>




                                   EXHIBIT A-1

                                       TO
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                     BETWEEN
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                       AND
                              MR. RICHARD J. GROSSI
                              ---------------------

Sample calculation of supplemental retirement benefits under Section (4)(f).
Assume the Executive  retires at the Expiration of the Agreement and immediately
commences his Pension Plan benefits under the following facts:

(1) Retirement Age                            55 (September 1,1990)
                                              ---------------------
(2) Actual Service with the Company           33 years 3 months (9/1/90)
                                              --------------------------
(3) Deemed Service with the Company           33 years 3 months (9/1/90)
                                              --------------------------
(4) Average Total Compensation                See Calculations Below
                                              ----------------------

Total Compensation at age 54    $185,000
Total Compensation at age 53    $180,000
Total Compensation at age 52    $175,000 (3 year average = $180,000
                                         deemed to be 3 highest years'
                                         compensation, for  purposes of this
                                         example)

(A)      Target Benefit at Age 55

1.  2.2% of 3 year average Total Compensation times
      Deemed Service (up to 30 years)
      (.022) x ($180,000) x (30)                                       $118,800
2.  Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Deemed Service)            .561
                                                                       --------
3.  Target Benefit at Age 55: 1 times 2                                  66,647

(B)      Pension Benefit at Age 55

1.  Quantity A (estimated)                                            $  10,000
2.  Quantity B                                                          170,000
3.  Quantity C (average of 3 highest years' compensation)               180,000
4.  1% of Quantity A plus 2% of Quantity B:                               3,500
5.  Actual Service with the Company (up to 25 years)                         25
6.  4 times 5                                                            87,500
7.  1/2% of Quantity C (up to $25,000, effective with
      1995 Union Contract)                                                1,250
8.  Actual Service with the Company in excess of 25 years                  8.25
9.  7 times 8                                                             1,031
10. Pension unreduced at age 55: 6 plus 9                                88,531
11. Early Retirement Reduction Factor
      (based on actual service)                                            .561
12. Pension payable at age 55: 10 times 11                               49,666
13. Supplemental Pension:  A3 - B12                                      16,981


<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT A-2

                                       TO
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                     BETWEEN
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                       AND
                              MR. RICHARD J. GROSSI
                              ---------------------

Sample calculation of supplemental retirement benefits under Section (4)(f).
Assume  the  Agreement  terminates  at an  Expiration  Date  but  the  Executive
continues to be employed by the Company for 2 years after the  expiration of the
Agreement  before  retiring and  commencing  his Pension Plan benefits under the
following facts:

(1) Retirement Age                                   57 (September 1, 1992)
                                                     ----------------------
(2) Actual Service with the Company
    (a) Before Expiration of Agreement
    (b) After Expiration of Agreement
    (c) Total                                        35 years 3 months (9/1/92)
                                                     --------------------------

(3) Deemed Service with the Company
    (a) Before Expiration of Agreement
    (b) After Expiration of Agreement
    (c) Total                                        35 years 3 months (9/1/92)
                                                     --------------------------

(4) Average Total Compensation                       See Calculations Below
                                                     ----------------------

Total Compensation at age 56      $185,000
Total Compensation at age 55      $180,000
Total Compensation at age 54      $175,000 (3 year average = $180,000
                                           deemed to be 3 highest years'
                                           compensation, for purposes of
                                           this example)

(A)      Target Benefit at Age 57

1.  2.2% of 3 year average Total Compensation times
      Deemed Service (up to 30 years)
      (.022) x ($180,000) x (30)                                       $118,800
2.  Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Deemed Service)            .655
                                                                       --------
3.  Target Benefit at Age 57: 1 times 2                                  77,814

(B)      Pension Benefit at Age 57

1.  Quantity A (estimated)                                            $  10,000
2.  Quantity B                                                          170,000
3.  Quantity C (average of 3 highest years' compensation)               180,000
4.  1% of Quantity A plus 2% of Quantity B:                               3,500
5.  Actual Service with the Company (up to 25 years)                         25
6.  4 times 5                                                            87,500
7.  1/2% of Quantity C (up to $25,000 effective with
      1995 Union Contract)                                                  125
8.  Actual Service with the Company in excess of 25 years                 10.25
9.  7 times 8                                                             1,281
10. Pension unreduced at age 57: 6 plus 9                                88,781
11. Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on actual service)            .655
12. Pension payable at age 57: 10 times 11                               58,151
13. Supplemental Pension:  A3 - B12                                      19,663



<PAGE>




                                    EXHIBIT B

                                       TO
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                     BETWEEN
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                       AND
                              MR. RICHARD J. GROSSI
                              ---------------------

Sample  calculation  of  lump-sum  payment  in lieu of  supplemental  retirement
benefits under Section (6)(d)(iii). Assume the Executive's employment terminates
and Section (6)(d) applies under the following facts:

(1) Age of Executive at Termination           53 (May 31, 1988)
                                              -----------------
(2) Actual Service with the Company           31 years (5/31/88)
                                              ------------------
(3) Deemed Service with the Company           31 years (5/31/88)
                                              ------------------
(4) Average Total Compensation                See Calculations Below
                                              ----------------------

Total Compensation at age 53      $185,000
Total Compensation at age 52      $180,000
Total Compensation at age 51      $175,000 (3 year average = $180,000
                                           deemed to be 3 highest years'
                                           compensation, for purposes of
                                           this example)

(A)      Target Benefit at Age 53

1.  2.2% of 3 year average Total Compensation times
      Deemed Service (up to 30 years)
      (.022) x ($180,000) x (23.917)                                   $118,800
2.  Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Deemed Service)           1.000
                                                                       --------
3.  Target Benefit at Age 53: 1 times 2                                 118,800

(B)      Pension Benefit at Age 55

1.  Quantity A (estimated)                                            $  10,000
2.  Quantity B                                                          170,000
3.  Quantity C (average of 3 highest years' compensation)               180,000
4.  1% of Quantity A plus 2% of Quantity B:                               3,500
5.  Actual Service with the Company (up to 25 years)                         25
6.  4 times 5                                                            87,500
7.  1/2% of Quantity C (up to $25,000, effective with
      1995 Union Contract)                                                  125
8.  Actual Service with the Company in excess of 25 years                     6
9.  7 times 8                                                               750
10. Pension unreduced at age 55: 6 plus 9                                88,250
11. Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on actual service)            .561
12. Pension payable at age 55: 10 times 11                               49,508
13. Supplemental Pension:  A3 - B12                                      69,292
14. Annuity Factor for determining Lump-Sum Value at age 55             10.3880
                                                         --
15. Lump-Sum Value at age 55: 13 times 14                               719,805
                          --           --
16. Interest discount factor from age 55 to age 53 (based on 7-1/2%)      .8653
                                      --        --
17. Lump-Sum Value at age 55 discounted to age 53: 15 times 16          622,848
                          --                   --


<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE C


                               Severance Benefits
                               ------------------

At the option of the Officer,  exercised by written  notice to the Company,  the
benefits of either (A) or (B) below will be afforded the Officer:

(A)      a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the product of (X)  multiplied
         by (Y), where:

               (X)  is the sum of  one-twelfth  of the  Officer's  annual salary
                    rate  approved by the Board of  Directors  of the Company at
                    the time of its most  recent  review of the salary  rates of
                    all of the Company's officers,  plus one-twelfth of the cash
                    award(s)  that the Officer  would earn under the  short-term
                    incentive compensation  program(s) in which the Officer is a
                    participant on the date of the  termination of the Officer's
                    employment, assuming that all of the Officer's program goals
                    for the performance period are achieved at the target level;
                    and
               (Y)  is the  number of whole and  partial  years  (not to be less
                    than 12 nor more than 24) of the Officer's service deemed as
                    an employee of the Company on the date of termination of the
                    Officer's employment.

(B)      The Officer's  choice of the addition of six years of age, or six years
         of service  deemed as an employee of the  Company,  or any  combination
         (not to  exceed  6) of whole  and  partial  years of age and  whole and
         partial years of service  deemed as an employee of the Company,  in the
         calculation of the benefits  payable to the Officer under the Company's
         retiree  medical benefit plan(s) and in the calculation of the benefits
         payable to the Officer as a supplemental  retirement  benefit under his
         Employment Agreement.




                                                            EXHIBIT 10.23

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the 1st day of January, 1988, and amended as
of  July  23,  1990,  June 1,  1995  and  March  1,  1997,  between  THE  UNITED
ILLUMINATING COMPANY, a Connecticut corporation (the Company) and ROBERT L.
FISCUS, an individual (the Executive),

                                 WITNESSETH THAT

         WHEREAS, the Executive has been in the employ of the Company for a
 substantial period of time; and

         WHEREAS,  the Company  desires to continue to employ the  Executive  as
President and Chief Financial Officer,  and the Executive desires to continue to
be employed by the Company as its President and Chief Financial Officer; and

         WHEREAS,  the Company and the Executive  desire to enter into a written
agreement  confirming certain of the rights and benefits which the Executive has
heretofore enjoyed and certain of the duties and obligations which the Executive
has heretofore  assumed,  and conferring  upon the Executive  certain rights and
benefits  which he has not  heretofore  enjoyed and imposing  upon the Executive
certain duties and obligations to which he has not heretofore been subject,

         NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the foregoing and the respective
covenants  and  agreements  of the parties  herein  contained,  and the services
heretofore  rendered by the  Executive  to the Company and to be rendered to the
Company pursuant hereto  hereafter,  and in order to provide an incentive to the
Executive to remain in the employ of the Company  hereafter  and, in particular,
in the event of any  Change in  Control  (as  herein  defined)  of the  Company,
thereby establishing and preserving continuity of management, the Parties hereby
agree as follows:

         (1) EMPLOYMENT

                  (a) The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive, and the
Executive  hereby agrees to serve the Company all upon the terms and  conditions
set forth herein.

                  (b) Unless and until  terminated  pursuant to Section  (5)(a),
Section (5)(b)(i) or Section  (5)(c)(i) hereof,  the employment of the Executive
by the Company shall be for a term expiring on the date specified in a Notice of
Termination pursuant to Section (5)(d) hereof.

         (2)      POSITION AND DUTIES

         The  Executive  shall be employed by the Company as President and Chief
Financial  Officer,  or in such  other  equivalent  or



<PAGE>

higher  senior  executive  position  as the  Company's  Board of  Directors  may
determine, without diminishment in his officership status, privileges or working
conditions.  The Executive  shall accept such  employment  and shall perform and
discharge,  faithfully,  diligently and to the best of his abilities, the duties
and  obligations of his office and such other duties as may from time to time be
assigned to him by the Chief Executive Officer, or by the Board of Directors, of
the Company,  and shall devote substantially all his working time and efforts to
the business and affairs of the Company;  provided,  however, that, to an extent
consistent  with the needs of the Company,  the  Executive  shall be entitled to
expend a reasonable amount of time on civic and philanthropic activities and the
management  of his own and his family's  business  investments  and  activities.
Although a Change in Control of the Company shall not affect the  obligations of
the Company and the  Executive as set forth in the two preceding  sentences,  at
and after the date of any  Change in Control  the  Company's  employment  of the
Executive shall also be without diminishment in his management responsibilities,
duties or powers.

         (3)      PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

         In his employment by the Company,  the Executive  shall be based at the
executive offices of the Company situated within the Company's statutory service
area.

         (4)      COMPENSATION

                  (a) Base Salary.  During the term of his employment hereunder,
the Executive shall receive a base salary (Base Salary) at an annual rate of Two
Hundred Eighteen Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($218,400).  The Executive's Base
Salary  rate  shall  be  reviewed  by the  Board  of  Directors  of the  Company
contemporaneously  with each review of the salary rates of the  Company's  other
officers by said Board of Directors,  and may be revised  upwards as a result of
any such review.  The Executive's  Base Salary may be revised  downwards by said
Board of Directors  contemporaneously  with any general  reduction of the salary
rates of the Company's other officers.

                  (b) Incentive Compensation.  During the term of his employment
hereunder,  the Executive  shall be entitled to  participate  in each  incentive
compensation program established for officers of the Company.

                  For purposes of this Agreement,  Total Compensation is defined
as the sum of the  Executive's  Base  Salary  and  any  amount  paid or  payable
pursuant to this Section (4)(b).

                  (c)  Business  Expenses.  During  the  term of his  employment
hereunder,  the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt  reimbursement for
all reasonable  expenses  incurred by him (in  accordance  with the policies and
procedures  established  by


                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>

the Board of Directors of the Company from time to time for the Company's senior
executive  officers)  in  performing  services  hereunder,   provided  that  the
Executive properly accounts therefor.

                  (d)  Fringe  Benefits.  During  the  term  of  his  employment
hereunder,  the Executive  shall be entitled to  participate in and receive full
benefits  under  all of the  Company's  employee  benefit  plans,  programs  and
arrangements for its officers,  including, without limitation, its Pension Plan.
Nothing  paid to the  Executive  under any such  plan,  program  or  arrangement
presently  in effect or made  available  by the  Company in the future  shall be
deemed to be in lieu of compensation to the Executive under any other Section of
this Agreement.

                  (e) Vacations.  During the term of his  employment  hereunder,
the  Executive  shall be  entitled to the number of paid  vacation  days in each
calendar  year  determined by the Board of Directors of the Company from time to
time for the Company's senior executive officers,  and shall also be entitled to
all paid holidays given by the Company to its employees.

                  (f)   Supplemental   Retirement.   Upon   termination  of  the
Executive's  employment,  a supplemental  retirement benefit shall be payable to
him or his beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of this Section (4)(f).
The annual supplemental  retirement  benefit,  expressed in the form of a single
life annuity beginning at the Executive's  Normal Retirement Date (as defined in
the Company's Pension Plan), shall be the excess, if any, of (A) less (B), where
(A)  is  2.2%  (.022)  of  the  Executive's  highest  three-year  average  Total
Compensation  times the number of years at termination (not to exceed thirty) of
the  Executive's  service  deemed as an employee of the Company,  and (B) is the
benefit  payable  under  the  Company's  Pension  Plan.  For  purposes  of  this
Agreement,  the  Executive's  service  deemed  as an  employee  of  the  Company
commenced on July 1, 1959. Payment of the supplemental  retirement benefit shall
begin at the same time as the  Executive's  Pension  Plan  benefit  payments and
shall be subject to the same reductions for early commencement,  except that the
reductions  shall be based on the  Executive's  service deemed as an employee of
the  Company.  The  supplemental  retirement  benefit  may be paid  in any  form
available  under the Pension Plan, as elected by the Executive  prior to benefit
payment commencement.  The conversion factors between forms of benefits used for
purposes of the  Pension  Plan shall be used for  purposes  of the  supplemental
retirement benefit.  The form of payment of the supplemental  retirement benefit
may be the  same or  different  from  the  form of  payment  of the  Executive's
benefits  under the Pension  Plan.  If the form of payment  provides for a death
benefit, such benefit shall be payable to the Executive's estate, unless another
beneficiary has been designated by the Executive. If the Executive dies prior to
the  commencement  of benefit  payments,  the death  benefit  provisions  of the
Pension Plan shall apply,  mutatis  mutandis,  to the  supplemental


                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>

retirement benefit payable pursuant to this Section (4)(f).

         (5) TERMINATION

                  (a) The Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate upon
his death.

                  (b) Termination by the Company.

                           (i) The Company may terminate the Executive's
employment  hereunder for Cause.  Prior to the date of a Change in Control,  the
Company  shall be deemed to have Cause to terminate the  Executive's  employment
hereunder  only upon the  Executive's  (A)  continued  failure  to  perform  and
discharge the duties or obligations  of his office,  or such other duties as may
from time to time be  assigned to him by the Chief  Executive  Officer or by the
Board of Directors, faithfully, diligently, to the best of his abilities, and in
accordance  with  standards  accepted in the electric  utility  industry,  after
written  notice by the Board of Directors of the Company  specifying the alleged
failure in reasonably detailed terms and including in said notice the opinion of
a majority of the entire  membership  of said Board of Directors  that there has
been such failure, or (B) willful misconduct that is materially and demonstrably
injurious to the Company,  or (C) conviction of a felony  involving the personal
dishonesty  or moral  turpitude  of the  Executive  (unless such  conviction  is
reversed in any final appeal therefrom),  or (D) total and permanent physical or
mental  disability,  or (E)  absence  from  work on a  full-time  basis,  due to
physical or mental illness,  for an uninterrupted  365-day period.  On and after
the date of a Change in Control,  the  Company  shall be deemed to have Cause to
terminate the  Executive's  employment  hereunder only upon the  Executive's (F)
conviction of a felony  involving the personal  dishonesty or moral turpitude of
the  Executive   (unless  such  conviction  is  reversed  in  any  final  appeal
therefrom),  or (G) total and permanent  physical or mental  disability,  or (H)
absence from work on a full-time basis,  due to physical or mental illness,  for
an uninterrupted  365-day period.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the Executive
shall not be deemed to have been  terminated  for Cause  unless and until  there
shall have been  delivered to the  Executive  (I) a copy of a  resolution,  duly
adopted  by the  affirmative  vote of not less  than a  majority  of the  entire
membership of the Board of Directors of the Company,  at a meeting of said Board
of Directors  called and held for the purpose  (after  reasonable  notice to the
Executive and an  opportunity  for him,  together with his counsel,  to be heard
before said Board of Directors), finding that, in the good faith opinion of such
majority  of said  Board of  Directors,  the  Executive  was  guilty of  conduct
described in an applicable clause of this Section (5)(b)(i),  and specifying the
particulars  thereof,  or that the events  described in an applicable  clause of
this Section (5)(b)(i) have occurred,  and (II) an affidavit of the Secretary or
an Assistant  Secretary of the Company  stating that such resolution was in fact
adopted by the affirmative vote


                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>

of not less than a majority of the entire  membership  of the Board of Directors
of the  Company;  and (III)  delivery  of a Notice of  Termination  pursuant  to
Section (5)(d) hereof.

                           (ii) Without Cause.  The Company may terminate the
Executive's  employment without Cause,  effective upon at least three (3) years'
prior  Notice of  Termination  delivered  to the  Executive  pursuant to Section
(5)(d) hereof.

                  (c) Termination by the Executive.

                           (i) Upon Breach by the Company.  The Executive may
terminate  his  employment  hereunder,  upon thirty  (30) days' prior  Notice of
Termination  delivered to the Company  pursuant to Section  (5)(d)  hereof,  for
failure of the Company to observe  and  perform  one or more of its  obligations
under  Sections  (1),  (2), (3) and/or (4) hereof (a Breach by the Company) at a
time  when the  Executive  is not in  default  of any of his  obligations  under
Sections (1) and/or (2) hereof.

                           (ii) Absent Breach by the Company.  The Executive may
terminate  his  employment  hereunder in the absence of a Breach by the Company,
effective upon at least six (6) months' prior Notice of Termination delivered to
the Company pursuant to Section (5)(d) hereof.

                  (d) Notice of Termination.  Any termination of employment,  by
the Company or by the Executive,  shall be communicated by delivery of a written
Notice of Termination to the other party.

                  (e) Date of Termination.  For purposes of this Agreement,  the
Date  of  Termination  is  defined  as the  earlier  of  (i) if the  Executive's
employment  is  terminated  pursuant  to  Section  (5)(b)(ii)  hereof,  the date
specified in the Notice of Termination, or (ii) if the Executive's employment is
terminated  (A) by his death,  the date of his death,  (B)  pursuant  to Section
(5)(b)(i)  or  Section  (5)(c)  hereof,  the date  specified  in the  Notice  of
Termination,  or  (C) in any  other  event,  the  date  on  which  a  Notice  of
Termination is delivered.

         (6) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION

                  (a) If  the  Executive's  employment  terminates  pursuant  to
Section  (5)(a)  hereof,  the Company  shall pay to the personal  representative
and/or spouse of the Executive his Total  Compensation  earned prior to the Date
of Termination,  any amounts payable pursuant to Sections (4)(c), (4)(d), (4)(e)
and  (4)(f)  hereof  and any  benefits  or amounts  payable  under any  deferred
compensation plan in which the Executive had been a participant, and the Company
shall have no further obligation under this Agreement.



                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>

                  (b) If  the  Executive's  employment  terminates  pursuant  to
Section  (5)(b)(ii) or Section  (5)(c)(ii)  hereof, the Company shall pay to the
Executive   and/or  his  personal   representative   and/or   spouse  his  Total
Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any  amounts  payable
pursuant to Sections (4)(c),  (4)(d),  (4)(e) and (4)(f) hereof and any benefits
or amounts payable under any deferred  compensation  plan in which the Executive
had been a participant,  and the Company shall have no further obligation to the
Executive and/or his personal  representative and/or spouse under this Agreement
or on  account  of,  or  arising  out of,  the  termination  of the  Executive's
employment. The Executive may petition the Board of Directors of the Company for
an  immediate  lump sum  payment,  in lieu of any  amounts  payable  pursuant to
Section  (4)(f) hereof on account of the  Executive's  termination of employment
pursuant to Section  (5)(b)(ii) or Section (5)(c)(ii) hereof, in an amount equal
to the actuarial present value of a supplemental  retirement benefit,  expressed
in the form of a single life annuity  beginning at  Executive's  termination  of
employment  equal to the excess if any of (A) less (B) where (A) is 2.2%  (.022)
of the  Executive's  highest  three-year  average Total  Compensation  times the
number of years at termination (not to exceed thirty) of the Executive's service
deemed as an employee of the Company,  and (B) is the benefit  payable under the
Company's  Pension  Plan  at the  Executive's  termination  of  employment.  The
actuarial  present  value  of such  supplemental  retirement  benefit  shall  be
calculated  on the  basis of the  annual  yield  on  thirty-year  United  States
Treasury bonds on the final business day of he month  preceding the  termination
of his employment  and the 1983 Group Annuity  table.  The Board of Directors of
the Company may grant or deny any such  petition  by the  Executive  in its sole
discretion.

                  (c) If the  Executive's  employment is terminated  pursuant to
Section (5)(b)(i)  hereof, or if the Executive  terminates his employment in the
absence of a Breach by the Company and not in accordance with Section (5)(c)(ii)
hereof, the Company shall pay to the Executive his full Base Salary earned prior
to the Date of  Termination,  any amounts payable  pursuant to Sections  (4)(c),
(4)(d), and (4)(e) hereof and any benefits or amounts payable under any deferred
compensation  plan in which the Executive had been a participant,  and, provided
that the  Company  is not in default of any of its  obligations  hereunder,  the
Company shall have no further  obligation to the Executive  under this Agreement
or on  account  of,  or  arising  out of,  the  termination  of the  Executive's
employment.

                  (d) If the  Executive's  employment is terminated  pursuant to
Section  (5)(c)(i)  hereof,  or  if  the  Company   terminates  the  Executive's
employment without Cause and not in accordance with Section (5)(b)(ii) hereof:

                           (i) The Company shall pay to the Executive his Total
Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any  amounts  payable
pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c),  (4)(d) and (4)(e)  hereof and any  benefits  or
amounts payable under any deferred


                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

compensation  plan in which the  Executive  had been a  participant;  and if the
Notice of  Termination  is delivered on or after the date of, and in  connection
with, a Change in Control,  the Company shall afford the Executive the severance
benefits set forth on Schedule C attached hereto.

                           (ii) In lieu of any amounts payable pursuant to
Section (4)(f) hereof on account of the  Executive's  termination of employment,
the Company shall pay to the Executive an immediate lump sum amount equal to the
actuarial present value of a supplemental  retirement benefit,  expressed in the
form  of  a  single  life  annuity  beginning  at  Executive's   termination  of
employment, equal to the excess if any of (A) less (B), where (A) is 2.2% (.022)
of the  Executive's  highest  three-year  average Total  Compensation  times the
number of years at termination (not to exceed thirty) of the Executive's service
deemed as an employee of the Company,  and (B) is the benefit  payable under the
Company's  Pension  Plan  at the  Executive's  termination  of  employment.  The
actuarial  present  value  of such  supplemental  retirement  benefit  shall  be
calculated  on the  basis of the  annual  yield  on  thirty-year  United  States
Treasury bonds on the final business day of the month  preceding the termination
of his employment and the 1983 Group Annuity table.

                           (iii) The Company shall maintain in full force and
effect,  for the continued benefit of the Executive for the period ending on the
third  anniversary of the Date of  Termination,  all employee  benefit plans and
programs in which the Executive was entitled to participate immediately prior to
the Date of Termination,  provided that the Executive's continued  participation
is possible  under the general terms and  provisions of such plans and programs.
If the  Executive's  participation  in any such plan or  program  is barred as a
result of such  termination,  the Company shall arrange to provide the Executive
with  benefits  substantially  similar on an after-tax  basis to those which the
Executive was entitled to receive under such plan or program.

                           (iv) The Company shall pay to the Executive and/or
his personal  representative his full Base Salary,  during the period commencing
on the  date  following  the  Date  of  Termination  and  ending  on  the  third
anniversary  of the Date of  Termination,  at the rate in effect at the time the
Notice of Termination  is delivered;  provided,  however,  that if the Notice of
Termination  is  delivered  on or after the date of, and in  connection  with, a
Change  in  Control  the  Company  shall  pay to the  Executive,  in lieu of the
payments  prescribed by the foregoing clause, an immediate lump sum amount equal
to the aggregate sum of all of said payments.

                           (v) The Executive shall not be required to mitigate
the  amount of any  payment  provided  for in this  Section  (6)(d)  by  seeking
employment or otherwise.  The benefits  payable under this Section  (6)(d) shall
not be reduced by reason of the


                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

Executive's securing other employment or for any other reason, unless the Notice
of  Termination  is delivered on or after,  and in connection  with, a Change in
Control,  in which event the provisions of the following  three  sentences shall
apply.  If,  prior to the  third  anniversary  of the Date of  Termination,  the
Executive  obtains  employment,  the  Executive  shall  refund to the  Company a
portion of the lump sum payment provided for in Section  (6)(d)(iv) equal to the
amounts  earned by the  Executive  from his  subsequent  employer  prior to said
anniversary  date, but in no event more than the amount of said lump sum payment
prorated  over  the  number  of  months  in the  period  commencing  on the date
following his Date of  Termination  and ending on the third  anniversary  of the
Date of Termination,  multiplied by the number of months  remaining  between the
Executive's  date-of-hire in his new employment and the third anniversary of his
Date of  Termination.  The  Executive  shall  refund to the  Company  any amount
required by the  preceding  sentence  within one  hundred and eighty  (180) days
after the  date-of-hire  in his new employment.  The employee  benefit plans and
programs to be provided by the Company pursuant to Section  (6)(d)(iii) shall be
reduced as and to the extent that such benefits are provided to the Executive by
a subsequent employer during the period covered by said Section (6)(d)(iii).

                           (vi) The payment to, and acceptance by, the Executive
of any sum of money or benefit  prescribed  in this Section  (6)(d) shall effect
and  evidence  a release by the  Executive  of any and all  claims  against  the
Company on account of, or arising  out of, the  termination  of the  Executive's
employment, except as prescribed in this Section (6)(d).

         (7) CHANGE IN CONTROL

         For purposes of this Agreement, Change in Control shall mean any of the
following events:

                  (a) any  merger  or  consolidation  of the  Company  with  any
corporate  shareholder or group of corporate  shareholders  holding  twenty-five
percent  (.25) or more of the  Common  Stock of the  Company  or with any  other
corporation  or  group  of  corporations  which  is,  or after  such  merger  or
consolidation  would be, or be affiliated  with, a  shareholder  owning at least
twenty-five percent (.25) of the Common Stock of the Company; or

                  (b) any sale, lease, exchange,  mortgage,  pledge, transfer or
other  disposition to or with any shareholder or group of  shareholders  holding
twenty-five  percent  (.25) or more of the Common Stock of the  Company,  or any
affiliate of such  shareholder  or group of  shareholders,  of any assets of the
Company having an aggregate fair market value of $50 million or more; or

                  (c) the issuance or sale by the Company of any  securities  of
the Company to any  shareholder  or group of  shareholders  holding  twenty-five
percent (.25) or more of the


                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>

Common Stock of the Company, or to any affiliate of such shareholder or group of
shareholders,  in exchange for cash, securities or other consideration having an
aggregate fair market value of $50 million or more; or

                  (d)  the  implementation  of any  plan  or  proposal  for  the
liquidation  or  dissolution  of the  Company  proposed  by or on  behalf of any
shareholder or group of shareholders  owning at least twenty-five  percent (.25)
of the Common Stock of the Company,  or any  affiliate  of such  shareholder  or
group of shareholders; or

                  (e) any  reclassification  of securities  (including a reverse
stock split), or  recapitalization of the Company or any other transaction which
has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of
outstanding shares of any class of equity securities,  or securities convertible
into any equity  securities,  of the  Company,  which is directly or  indirectly
owned by a  shareholder  or group of  shareholders  owning at least  twenty-five
percent  (.25) of the Common  Stock of the  Company,  or any  affiliate  of such
shareholder or group of shareholders.

         The Board of Directors of the Company  may,  from time to time,  by the
affirmative  vote of not less than a majority of the entire  membership  of said
Board of Directors,  at a meeting of said Board of Directors called and held for
the purpose, modify the phrase "twenty-five percent (.25)" in one or more of the
foregoing  Sections  (7)(a),  (7)(b),  (7)(c),  (7)(d) and/or (7)(e) to a lesser
percentage, but not less than twenty percent (.20).

         (8) ADDITIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL

                  (a) In the event that a Change in Control has been approved by
all  necessary  shareholder,  creditor and  regulatory  actions,  the earning of
Performance  Shares by the  Executive  under the Company's  Long-Term  Incentive
Program  will be  accelerated  to the day  prior  to the date of the  Change  in
Control,  and the Executive  will be deemed to have earned all of the Contingent
Performance  Shares  outstanding with respect to him, payable to him on said day
prior to the  date of the  Change  in  Control,  at his  option,  either  (i) in
authorized but unissued  shares of the Company's  Common Stock, or (ii) in cash,
based  upon the market  value of the  Company's  Common  Stock at the end of the
business day next preceding said day prior to the date of the Change in Control.

                  (b) In the event that a Change in Control has been approved by
all necessary  shareholder,  creditor and regulatory actions,  the Company will,
not later  than the day prior to the date of the Change in  Control,  pay to the
Trustee of The United Illuminating Company Supplemental Retirement Benefit Trust
established  pursuant  to the  Agreement,  made as of the 1st day of June,  1995
between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust

                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>

Company,  as  Trustee,  cash in an amount  equal to:  (A) In the event  that the
Executive's  employment has been  terminated or will be terminated  prior to the
date of the Change in Control,  a sum,  calculated by the Company's  independent
certified  public  accountants,  reasonably  sufficient to pay and discharge the
Company's  future  obligations,  if any, to the  Executive  and/or his  personal
representative  and/or spouse,  under Section (6)(a),  Section (6)(b) or Section
(6)(d)  hereof;  or (B) in the event that the Executive  employment has not been
terminated  and  will not be  terminated  prior  to the  date of the  Change  in
Control,  a  sum,  calculated  by the  Company's  independent  certified  public
accountants,   reasonably   sufficient   to  pay  and  discharge  the  Company's
obligations to the Executive under Section (6)(d) hereof assuming,  for purposes
of such  calculation,  that the Executive's  employment is terminated under said
Section (6)(d) by a Notice of Termination delivered on the date of the Change in
Control and specifying an immediate Date of Termination.

                  (c) On and  after  the  date of the  Change  in  Control,  the
Executive's  Base  Salary  may not be reduced  by the Board of  Directors  to an
annual rate less than the rate fixed by the Board of Directors of the Company as
a result of its most recent review of salary rates,  pursuant to Section  (4)(a)
hereof, prior to the date of the Change in Control.

         (9) TAX SAVINGS PROVISION

         If any portion of the  payments  which the  Executive  has the right to
receive from the Company,  or any affiliated entity,  hereunder would constitute
"excess parachute  payments" (as defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue
Code,  and not governed by the terms defined in this  Agreement)  subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the  Internal  Revenue  Code,  such excess
parachute payments shall be reduced to the largest amount that will result in no
portion  of such  excess  parachute  payments  being  subject  to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.

         (10) SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT

                  (a) The Company shall pay to the Executive and/or his personal
representative  and/or  spouse all legal fees and expenses  and court costs,  if
any,  incurred by the  Executive  and/or such  representative  and/or  spouse in
successful litigation to enforce his rights under this Agreement.

                  (b) The Company will require any successor  (whether direct or
indirect,   by  purchase,   merger,   consolidation  or  otherwise)  to  all  or
substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, by agreement in form
and substance reasonably  satisfactory to the Executive, to expressly assume and
agree to perform  this  Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that
the  Company  would be required  to perform it if no such  succession  had taken
place.  Failure of the Company to obtain


                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>

such agreement by the  effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach of
this Agreement and shall entitle the Executive to compensation  from the Company
in the same amount and upon the same terms as he would be entitled to  hereunder
if he terminated  his  employment  upon Breach by the Company,  except that, for
purposes of  implementing  the foregoing,  the date on which any such succession
becomes  effective  shall be  deemed  the Date of  Termination.  As used in this
Agreement, the term "the Company" shall include The United Illuminating Company,
any parent and any  successor  to the  business or assets of either as aforesaid
which  executes and delivers the agreement  provided for in this Section (10) or
which otherwise  becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement
by operation of law.

                  (c) This  Agreement and all rights of the Executive  hereunder
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's  personal or
legal   representatives,    executors,   administrators,    successors,   heirs,
distributees,  devisees  and  legatees.  If the  Executive  should die while any
amounts would still be payable to him hereunder if he had continued to live, all
such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with
the  terms  of this  Agreement  to the  Executive's  devisee,  legatee  or other
designee or, if there be no such designee, to the Executive's estate.

         (11) NOTICE

         For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications
to either party hereunder  provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be  deemed  to have been duly  given  when  delivered  or mailed by United
States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,  postage prepaid,
addressed,  in the case of the Company, to The United Illuminating  Company, 157
Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut,  Attention: Secretary, or, in the case of
the Executive,  to him at 157 Church Street, New Haven  Connecticut,  or to such
other address as either party shall  designate by giving  written notice of such
change to the other party.

         (12) MISCELLANEOUS

                  (a) No provision of this Agreement may be modified,  waived or
discharged  unless such  waiver,  modification  or  discharge is approved by the
Board of  Directors  of the  Company  and  agreed to in a writing  signed by the
Executive  and such officer as may be  specifically  authorized  by the Board of
Directors  of the  Company.  No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any
breach by the other  party  hereto of, or  compliance  with,  any  condition  or
provision of this  Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed
a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any
prior or subsequent time. No agreements or  representations,  oral or otherwise,
express or implied,  with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by
either party which are

                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>

not  set  forth  expressly  in this  Agreement.  The  validity,  interpretation,
construction  and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of
the State of Connecticut.

                  (b) Exhibits A-1 and A-2 attached hereto, showing calculations
of supplemental retirement benefits under Section (4)(f), and Exhibit B attached
hereto,  showing a calculation  of a lump sum payment under Section  (6)(d)(ii),
are  incorporated  herein by reference and set forth,  by example,  the parties'
intended interpretation and application of such Sections.

         (13) VALIDITY

         The validity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

         (14) SURVIVAL

         The provisions of this Agreement  shall not survive the  termination of
this  Agreement  or of  employment  hereunder,  except  that the  provisions  of
Sections  (4),  (6),  (8),  (9),  (10),  and  (11)  hereof  shall  survive  such
termination and shall be binding upon the Company's successors and assigns.

         (15) COUNTERPARTS

         This  Agreement  may be executed in one or more  counterparts,  each of
which  shall  be  deemed  to be an  original  but  all of  which  together  will
constitute one and the same instrument.

                                   - 12 -
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on
the date and year first above written.

Attest:                    THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY


 /s/ Kurt Mohlman          By:       /s/ Richard J. Grossi
- -------------------           -----------------------------------
Secretary                     Chairman of the Board of
                              Directors and Chief Executive Officer


                                    /s/ Robert L. Fiscus
                              -----------------------------------
                              Robert L. Fiscus



                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>




                                   EXHIBIT A-1

                                       TO
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                     BETWEEN
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                       AND
                              MR. ROBERT L. FISCUS
                              --------------------

Sample calculation of supplemental retirement benefits under Section (4)(f).
Assume the Executive  retires at the Expiration of the Agreement and immediately
commences his Pension Plan benefits under the following facts:

(1) Retirement Age                            55 (July 1,1992)
                                              ---------------------------
(2) Actual Service with the Company           19 years 11 months (7/1/92)
                                              ---------------------------
(3) Deemed Service with the Company           33 years (7/1/92)
                                              ---------------------------
(4) Average Total Compensation                See Calculations Below
                                              ---------------------------

Total Compensation at age 54       $185,000
Total Compensation at age 53       $180,000
Total Compensation at age 52       $175,000  3 year average = $180,000
                                             deemed to be 3 highest years'
                                             compensation, for purposes of
                                             this example)

(A)      Target Benefit at Age 55

1.  2.2% of 3 year average Total Compensation times
      Deemed Service (up to 30 years)
      (.022) x ($180,000) x (30)                                       $118,800
2.  Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Deemed Service)            .561
                                                                        -------
3.  Target Benefit at Age 55: 1 times 2                                  66,647

(B)      Pension Benefit at Age 55

1.  Quantity A (estimated)                                            $  10,000
2.  Quantity B                                                          170,000
3.  Quantity C (average of 3 highest years' compensation)               180,000
4.  1% of Quantity A plus 2% of Quantity B:                               3,500
5.  Actual Service with the Company (up to 25 years)                     19.917
6.  4 times 5                                                            69,710
7.  1/2% of Quantity C (up to $25,000, effective
      with 1995 Union Contract)                                             125
8.  Actual Service with the Company in excess of 25 years                     0
9.  7 times 8                                                                 0
10. Pension unreduced at age 55: 6 plus 9                                69,710
11. Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on actual service)            .427
12. Pension payable at age 55: 10 times 11                               29,766
13. Supplemental Pension:  A3 - B12                                      36,881


<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT A-2

                                       TO
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                     BETWEEN
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                       AND
                              MR. ROBERT L. FISCUS
                              --------------------

Sample calculation of supplemental retirement benefits under Section (4)(f).
Assume  the  Agreement  terminates  at an  Expiration  Date  but  the  Executive
continues to be employed by the Company for 2 years after the  expiration of the
Agreement  before  retiring and  commencing  his Pension Plan benefits under the
following facts:

(1) Retirement Age                              57 (July 1, 1994)
                                                ---------------------------
(2) Actual Service with the Company
    (a)    Before Expiration of Agreement
    (b)    After Expiration of Agreement
    (c)    Total                                21 years 11 months (7/1/94)
                                                ---------------------------
(3) Deemed Service with the Company
    (a)    Before Expiration of Agreement
    (b)    After Expiration of Agreement
    (c)    Total                                35 years (7/1/94)
                                                ---------------------------
(4) Average Total Compensation                  See Calculations Below
                                                ---------------------------

Total Compensation at age 56        $185,000
Total Compensation at age 55        $180,000
Total Compensation at age 54        $175,000 (3 year average = $180,000
                                             deemed to be 3 highest years'
                                             compensation, for purposes of
                                             this example)

(A)      Target Benefit at Age 57

1.   2.2% of 3 year average Total Compensation times
       Deemed Service (up to 30 years)
       (.022) x ($180,000) x (30)                                      $118,800
2.   Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Deemed Service)           .655
                                                                        -------
3.   Target Benefit at Age 57: 1 times 2                                 77,814

(B)      Pension Benefit at Age 57

1.   Quantity A (estimated)                                           $  10,000
2.   Quantity B                                                         170,000
3.   Quantity C (average of 3 highest years' compensation)              180,000
4.   1% of Quantity A plus 2% of Quantity B:                              3,500
5.   Actual Service with the Company (up to 25 years)                    21.917
6.   4 times 5                                                           76,710
7.   1/2% of Quantity C (up to $25,000 effective with
       1995 Union Contract)                                                 125
8.   Actual Service with the Company in excess of 25 years                    0
9.   7 times 8                                                                0
10.  Pension unreduced at age 57: 6 plus 9                               76,710
11.  Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on actual service)           .498
12.  Pension payable at age 57: 10 times 11                              38,202
13.  Supplemental Pension:  A3 - B12                                     39,612




<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT B

                                       TO
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                     BETWEEN
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                       AND
                              MR. ROBERT L. FISCUS
                              --------------------

Sample  calculation  of  lump-sum  payment  in lieu of  supplemental  retirement
benefits under Section (6)(d)(iii). Assume the Executive's employment terminates
and Section (6)(d) applies under the following facts:

(1) Age of Executive at Termination          51  (May 31, 1988)
                                             ----------------------------
(2) Actual Service with the Company          15 years 10 months (5/31/88)
                                             ----------------------------
(3) Deemed Service with the Company          28 years 11 months (5/31/88)
                                             ----------------------------
(4) Average Total Compensation               See Calculations Below
                                             ----------------------------

Total Compensation at age 53   $185,000
Total Compensation at age 52   $180,000
Total Compensation at age 51   $175,000 (3 year average = $180,000
                                        deemed to be 3 highest years'
                                        compensation, for purposes of
                                        this example)

(A)      Target Benefit at Age 51

1.  2.2% of 3 year average Total Compensation times
      Deemed Service (up to 30 years)
      (.022) x ($180,000) x (28.917)                                   $114,511
2.  Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Deemed Service)           1.000
                                                                        -------
3.  Target Benefit at Age 51: 1 times 2                                 114,511

(B)      Pension Benefit at Age 55

1.  Quantity A (estimated)                                            $  10,000
2.  Quantity B                                                          170,000
3.  Quantity C (average of 3 highest years' compensation)               180,000
4.  1% of Quantity A plus 2% of Quantity B:                               3,500
5.  Actual Service with the Company (up to 25 years)                     15.833
6.  4 times 5                                                            55,416
7.  1/2% of Quantity C (up to $25,000, effective with
      1995 Union Contract)                                                  125
8.  Actual Service with the Company in excess of 25 years                     0
9.  7 times 8                                                                 0
10. Pension unreduced at age 55: 6 plus 9                                55,416
11. Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on actual service)            .427
12. Pension payable at age 55: 10 times 11                               23,663
13. Supplemental Pension:  A3 - B12                                      90,848
14. Annuity Factor for determining Lump-Sum Value at age 55             10.3880
                                                         --
15. Lump-Sum Value at age 55: 13 times 14                               943,729
                          --
16. Interest discount factor from age 55 to age 51 (based on 7-1/2%)      .7488
                                      --        --
17. Lump-Sum Value at age 55 discounted to age 51:  15 times 16         706,664
                          --                   --



<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE C




                               Severance Benefits
                               ------------------

At the option of the Officer,  exercised by written  notice to the Company,  the
benefits of either (A) or (B) below will be afforded the Officer:

(A)      a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the product of (X)  multiplied
         by (Y), where:
               (X)  is the sum of  one-twelfth  of the  Officer's  annual salary
                    rate  approved by the Board of  Directors  of the Company at
                    the time of its most  recent  review of the salary  rates of
                    all of the Company's officers,  plus one-twelfth of the cash
                    award(s)  that the Officer  would earn under the  short-term
                    incentive compensation  program(s) in which the Officer is a
                    participant on the date of the  termination of the Officer's
                    employment, assuming that all of the Officer's program goals
                    for the performance period are achieved at the target level;
                    and
               (Y)  is the  number of whole and  partial  years  (not to be less
                    than 12 nor more than 24) of the Officer's service deemed as
                    an employee of the Company on the date of termination of the
                    Officer's employment.

(B)      The Officer's  choice of the addition of six years of age, or six years
         of service  deemed as an employee of the  Company,  or any  combination
         (not to  exceed  6) of whole  and  partial  years of age and  whole and
         partial years of service  deemed as an employee of the Company,  in the
         calculation of the benefits  payable to the Officer under the Company's
         retiree  medical benefit plan(s) and in the calculation of the benefits
         payable to the Officer as a supplemental  retirement  benefit under his
         Employment Agreement.




                                                            EXHIBIT 10.24

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the 1st day of January, 1988, and amended as
of  July  23,  1990,  June 1,  1995  and  March  1,  1997,  between  THE  UNITED
ILLUMINATING COMPANY, a Connecticut corporation (the Company) and JAMES F.
CROWE, an individual (the Executive),

                                 WITNESSETH THAT

         WHEREAS, the Executive has been in the employ of the Company for a
substantial period of time; and

         WHEREAS,  the Company  desires to continue to employ the Executive as a
Group Vice  President,  and the Executive  desires to continue to be employed by
the Company as a Group Vice President; and

         WHEREAS,  the Company and the Executive  desire to enter into a written
agreement  confirming certain of the rights and benefits which the Executive has
heretofore enjoyed and certain of the duties and obligations which the Executive
has heretofore  assumed,  and conferring  upon the Executive  certain rights and
benefits  which he has not  heretofore  enjoyed and imposing  upon the Executive
certain duties and obligations to which he has not heretofore been subject,

         NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the foregoing and the respective
covenants  and  agreements  of the parties  herein  contained,  and the services
heretofore  rendered by the  Executive  to the Company and to be rendered to the
Company pursuant hereto  hereafter,  and in order to provide an incentive to the
Executive to remain in the employ of the Company  hereafter  and, in particular,
in the event of any  Change in  Control  (as  herein  defined)  of the  Company,
thereby establishing and preserving continuity of management, the Parties hereby
agree as follows:

         (1) EMPLOYMENT

                  (a) The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive, and the
Executive  hereby agrees to serve the Company all upon the terms and  conditions
set forth herein.

                  (b) Unless and until  terminated  pursuant to Section  (5)(a),
Section (5)(b)(i) or Section  (5)(c)(i) hereof,  the employment of the Executive
by the Company shall be for a term expiring on the date specified in a Notice of
Termination pursuant to Section (5)(d) hereof.

         (2)      POSITION AND DUTIES

         The  Executive  shall  be  employed  by the  Company  as a  Group  Vice
President,  or in such other equivalent or higher senior



<PAGE>

executive  position as the Company's  Board of Directors may determine,  without
diminishment in his officership status,  privileges or working  conditions.  The
Executive  shall  accept  such  employment  and  shall  perform  and  discharge,
faithfully,  diligently  and to  the  best  of his  abilities,  the  duties  and
obligations  of his  office  and such  other  duties as may from time to time be
assigned to him by the Chief Executive Officer, or by the Board of Directors, of
the Company,  and shall devote substantially all his working time and efforts to
the business and affairs of the Company;  provided,  however, that, to an extent
consistent  with the needs of the Company,  the  Executive  shall be entitled to
expend a reasonable amount of time on civic and philanthropic activities and the
management  of his own and his family's  business  investments  and  activities.
Although a Change in Control of the Company shall not affect the  obligations of
the Company and the  Executive as set forth in the two preceding  sentences,  at
and after the date of any  Change in Control  the  Company's  employment  of the
Executive shall also be without diminishment in his management responsibilities,
duties or powers.

         (3)      PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

         In his employment by the Company,  the Executive  shall be based at the
executive offices of the Company situated within the Company's statutory service
area.

         (4)      COMPENSATION

                  (a) Base Salary.  During the term of his employment hereunder,
the Executive shall receive a base salary (Base Salary) at an annual rate of One
Hundred  Seventy-Six  Thousand Six Hundred Dollars  ($176,600).  The Executive's
Base  Salary rate shall be  reviewed  by the Board of  Directors  of the Company
contemporaneously  with each review of the salary rates of the  Company's  other
officers by said Board of Directors,  and may be revised  upwards as a result of
any such review.  The Executive's  Base Salary may be revised  downwards by said
Board of Directors  contemporaneously  with any general  reduction of the salary
rates of the Company's other officers.

                  (b) Incentive Compensation.  During the term of his employment
hereunder,  the Executive  shall be entitled to  participate  in each  incentive
compensation program established for officers of the Company.

                  For purposes of this Agreement,  Total Compensation is defined
as the sum of the  Executive's  Base  Salary  and  any  amount  paid or  payable
pursuant to this Section (4)(b).

                  (c)  Business  Expenses.  During  the  term of his  employment
hereunder,  the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt  reimbursement for
all reasonable  expenses  incurred by him (in  accordance  with the policies and
procedures  established  by 


                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>

the Board of Directors of the Company from time to time for the Company's senior
executive  officers)  in  performing  services  hereunder,   provided  that  the
Executive properly accounts therefor.

                  (d)  Fringe  Benefits.  During  the  term  of  his  employment
hereunder,  the Executive  shall be entitled to  participate in and receive full
benefits  under  all of the  Company's  employee  benefit  plans,  programs  and
arrangements for its officers,  including, without limitation, its Pension Plan.
Nothing  paid to the  Executive  under any such  plan,  program  or  arrangement
presently  in effect or made  available  by the  Company in the future  shall be
deemed to be in lieu of compensation to the Executive under any other Section of
this Agreement.

                  (e) Vacations.  During the term of his  employment  hereunder,
the  Executive  shall be  entitled to the number of paid  vacation  days in each
calendar  year  determined by the Board of Directors of the Company from time to
time for the Company's senior executive officers,  and shall also be entitled to
all paid holidays given by the Company to its employees.

                  (f)   Supplemental   Retirement.   Upon   termination  of  the
Executive's  employment,  a supplemental  retirement benefit shall be payable to
him or his beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of this Section (4)(f).
The annual supplemental  retirement  benefit,  expressed in the form of a single
life annuity beginning at the Executive's  Normal Retirement Date (as defined in
the Company's Pension Plan), shall be the excess, if any, of (A) less (B), where
(A)  is  2.2%  (.022)  of  the  Executive's  highest  three-year  average  Total
Compensation  times the number of years at termination (not to exceed thirty) of
the  Executive's  service  deemed as an employee of the Company,  and (B) is the
benefit payable under the Company's  Pension Plan.  Payment of the  supplemental
retirement benefit shall begin at the same time as the Executive's  Pension Plan
benefit  payments  and  shall  be  subject  to the  same  reductions  for  early
commencement,  except  that the  reductions  shall  be based on the  Executive's
service  deemed as an  employee  of the  Company.  The  supplemental  retirement
benefit may be paid in any form available  under the Pension Plan, as elected by
the Executive  prior to benefit  payment  commencement.  The conversion  factors
between  forms of benefits  used for  purposes of the Pension Plan shall be used
for purposes of the supplemental  retirement benefit. The form of payment of the
supplemental  retirement  benefit may be the same or different  from the form of
payment of the  Executive's  benefits  under the  Pension  Plan.  If the form of
payment  provides  for a death  benefit,  such  benefit  shall be payable to the
Executive's  estate,  unless  another  beneficiary  has been  designated  by the
Executive.  If the Executive dies prior to the commencement of benefit payments,
the death benefit provisions of the Pension Plan shall apply,  mutatis mutandis,
to the supplemental retirement benefit payable pursuant to this Section (4)(f).



                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>

         (5) TERMINATION

                  (a) The Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate upon
his death.

                  (b) Termination by the Company.

                           (i) The Company may terminate the Executive's 
employment  hereunder for Cause.  Prior to the date of a Change in Control,  the
Company  shall be deemed to have Cause to terminate the  Executive's  employment
hereunder  only upon the  Executive's  (A)  continued  failure  to  perform  and
discharge the duties or obligations  of his office,  or such other duties as may
from time to time be  assigned to him by the Chief  Executive  Officer or by the
Board of Directors, faithfully, diligently, to the best of his abilities, and in
accordance  with  standards  accepted in the electric  utility  industry,  after
written  notice by the Board of Directors of the Company  specifying the alleged
failure in reasonably detailed terms and including in said notice the opinion of
a majority of the entire  membership  of said Board of Directors  that there has
been such failure, or (B) willful misconduct that is materially and demonstrably
injurious to the Company,  or (C) conviction of a felony  involving the personal
dishonesty  or moral  turpitude  of the  Executive  (unless such  conviction  is
reversed in any final appeal therefrom),  or (D) total and permanent physical or
mental  disability,  or (E)  absence  from  work on a  full-time  basis,  due to
physical or mental illness,  for an uninterrupted  365-day period.  On and after
the date of a Change in Control,  the  Company  shall be deemed to have Cause to
terminate the  Executive's  employment  hereunder only upon the  Executive's (F)
conviction of a felony  involving the personal  dishonesty or moral turpitude of
the  Executive   (unless  such  conviction  is  reversed  in  any  final  appeal
therefrom),  or (G) total and permanent  physical or mental  disability,  or (H)
absence from work on a full-time basis,  due to physical or mental illness,  for
an uninterrupted  365-day period.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the Executive
shall not be deemed to have been  terminated  for Cause  unless and until  there
shall have been  delivered to the  Executive  (I) a copy of a  resolution,  duly
adopted  by the  affirmative  vote of not less  than a  majority  of the  entire
membership of the Board of Directors of the Company,  at a meeting of said Board
of Directors  called and held for the purpose  (after  reasonable  notice to the
Executive and an  opportunity  for him,  together with his counsel,  to be heard
before said Board of Directors), finding that, in the good faith opinion of such
majority  of said  Board of  Directors,  the  Executive  was  guilty of  conduct
described in an applicable clause of this Section (5)(b)(i),  and specifying the
particulars  thereof,  or that the events  described in an applicable  clause of
this Section (5)(b)(i) have occurred,  and (II) an affidavit of the Secretary or
an Assistant  Secretary of the Company  stating that such resolution was in fact
adopted  by the  affirmative  vote of not less  than a  majority  of the  entire
membership  of the Board of  Directors  of the  Company;  and (III)  delivery of
a Notice of


                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>

Termination pursuant to Section (5)(d) hereof.

                          (ii) Without Cause.  The Company may terminate the
Executive's  employment without Cause,  effective upon at least three (3) years'
prior  Notice of  Termination  delivered  to the  Executive  pursuant to Section
(5)(d) hereof.
                  (c) Termination by the Executive.

                           (i) Upon Breach by the Company.  The Executive may
terminate  his  employment  hereunder,  upon thirty  (30) days' prior  Notice of
Termination  delivered to the Company  pursuant to Section  (5)(d)  hereof,  for
failure of the Company to observe  and  perform  one or more of its  obligations
under  Sections  (1),  (2), (3) and/or (4) hereof (a Breach by the Company) at a
time  when the  Executive  is not in  default  of any of his  obligations  under
Sections (1) and/or (2) hereof.

                           (ii) Absent Breach by the Company.  The Executive may
terminate  his  employment  hereunder in the absence of a Breach by the Company,
effective upon at least six (6) months' prior Notice of Termination delivered to
the Company pursuant to Section (5)(d) hereof.

                  (d) Notice of Termination.  Any termination of employment,  by
the Company or by the Executive,  shall be communicated by delivery of a written
Notice of Termination to the other party.

                  (e) Date of Termination.  For purposes of this Agreement,  the
Date  of  Termination  is  defined  as the  earlier  of  (i) if the  Executive's
employment  is  terminated  pursuant  to  Section  (5)(b)(ii)  hereof,  the date
specified in the Notice of Termination, or (ii) if the Executive's employment is
terminated  (A) by his death,  the date of his death,  (B)  pursuant  to Section
(5)(b)(i)  or  Section  (5)(c)  hereof,  the date  specified  in the  Notice  of
Termination,  or  (C) in any  other  event,  the  date  on  which  a  Notice  of
Termination is delivered.

         (6) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION

                  (a) If  the  Executive's  employment  terminates  pursuant  to
Section  (5)(a)  hereof,  the Company  shall pay to the personal  representative
and/or spouse of the Executive his Total  Compensation  earned prior to the Date
of Termination,  any amounts payable pursuant to Sections (4)(c), (4)(d), (4)(e)
and  (4)(f)  hereof  and any  benefits  or amounts  payable  under any  deferred
compensation plan in which the Executive had been a participant, and the Company
shall have no further obligation under this Agreement.

                  (b) If  the  Executive's  employment  terminates  pursuant  to
Section  (5)(b)(ii) or Section  (5)(c)(ii)  hereof, the Company shall pay to th
Executive and/or his personal  representative 


                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>

and/or spouse his Total  Compensation  earned prior to the Date of  Termination,
any  amounts  payable  pursuant to Sections  (4)(c),  (4)(d),  (4)(e) and (4)(f)
hereof and any benefits or amounts payable under any deferred  compensation plan
in which the  Executive  had been a  participant,  and the Company shall have no
further  obligation to the Executive and/or his personal  representative  and/or
spouse under this Agreement or on account of, or arising out of, the termination
of the Executive's employment. The Executive may petition the Board of Directors
of the Company for an immediate lump sum payment, in lieu of any amounts payable
pursuant to Section (4)(f) hereof on account of the  Executive's  termination of
employment  pursuant to Section  (5)(b)(ii) or Section  (5)(c)(ii) hereof, in an
amount  equal  to the  actuarial  present  value  of a  supplemental  retirement
benefit, expressed in the form of a single life annuity beginning at Executive's
termination  of employment  equal to the excess if any of (A) less (B) where (A)
is 2.2% (.022) of the Executive's  highest three-year average Total Compensation
times  the  number  of  years  at  termination  (not to  exceed  thirty)  of the
Executive's service deemed as an employee of the Company, and (B) is the benefit
payable  under the  Company's  Pension Plan at the  Executive's  termination  of
employment.  The actuarial present value of such supplemental retirement benefit
shall be  calculated  on the basis of the  annual  yield on  thirty-year  United
States  Treasury  bonds on the  final  business  day of he month  preceding  the
termination of his  employment  and the 1983 Group Annuity  table.  The Board of
Directors of the Company may grant or deny any such petition by the Executive in
its sole discretion.

                  (c) If the  Executive's  employment is terminated  pursuant to
Section (5)(b)(i)  hereof, or if the Executive  terminates his employment in the
absence of a Breach by the Company and not in accordance with Section (5)(c)(ii)
hereof, the Company shall pay to the Executive his full Base Salary earned prior
to the Date of  Termination,  any amounts payable  pursuant to Sections  (4)(c),
(4)(d), and (4)(e) hereof and any benefits or amounts payable under any deferred
compensation  plan in which the Executive had been a participant,  and, provided
that the  Company  is not in default of any of its  obligations  hereunder,  the
Company shall have no further  obligation to the Executive  under this Agreement
or on  account  of,  or  arising  out of,  the  termination  of the  Executive's
employment.

                  (d) If the  Executive's  employment is terminated  pursuant to
Section  (5)(c)(i)  hereof,  or  if  the  Company   terminates  the  Executive's
employment without Cause and not in accordance with Section (5)(b)(ii) hereof:

                           (i) The Company shall pay to the Executive his Total
Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any  amounts  payable
pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c),  (4)(d) and (4)(e)  hereof and any  benefits  or
amounts payable under any deferred  compensation plan in which the Executive had
been a  participant;  and if the Notice of  Termination is delivered on or after
the

                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

date of, and in connection  with, a Change in Control,  the Company shall afford
the Executive the severance benefits set forth on Schedule C attached hereto.

                           (ii) In lieu of any amounts payable pursuant to 
Section (4)(f) hereof on account of the  Executive's  termination of employment,
the Company shall pay to the Executive an immediate lump sum amount equal to the
actuarial present value of a supplemental  retirement benefit,  expressed in the
form  of  a  single  life  annuity  beginning  at  Executive's   termination  of
employment, equal to the excess if any of (A) less (B), where (A) is 2.2% (.022)
of the  Executive's  highest  three-year  average Total  Compensation  times the
number of years at termination (not to exceed thirty) of the Executive's service
deemed as an employee of the Company,  and (B) is the benefit  payable under the
Company's  Pension  Plan  at the  Executive's  termination  of  employment.  The
actuarial  present  value  of such  supplemental  retirement  benefit  shall  be
calculated  on the  basis of the  annual  yield  on  thirty-year  United  States
Treasury bonds on the final business day of the month  preceding the termination
of his employment and the 1983 Group Annuity table.

                           (iii) The Company shall maintain in full force and
effect,  for the continued benefit of the Executive for the period ending on the
third  anniversary of the Date of  Termination,  all employee  benefit plans and
programs in which the Executive was entitled to participate immediately prior to
the Date of Termination,  provided that the Executive's continued  participation
is possible  under the general terms and  provisions of such plans and programs.
If the  Executive's  participation  in any such plan or  program  is barred as a
result of such  termination,  the Company shall arrange to provide the Executive
with  benefits  substantially  similar on an after-tax  basis to those which the
Executive was entitled to receive under such plan or program.

                           (iv) The Company shall pay to the Executive and/or
his personal  representative his full Base Salary,  during the period commencing
on the  date  following  the  Date  of  Termination  and  ending  on  the  third
anniversary  of the Date of  Termination,  at the rate in effect at the time the
Notice of Termination  is delivered;  provided,  however,  that if the Notice of
Termination  is  delivered  on or after the date of, and in  connection  with, a
Change  in  Control  the  Company  shall  pay to the  Executive,  in lieu of the
payments  prescribed by the foregoing clause, an immediate lump sum amount equal
to the aggregate sum of all of said payments.

                           (v) The Executive shall not be required to mitigate
the  amount of any  payment  provided  for in this  Section  (6)(d)  by  seeking
employment or otherwise.  The benefits  payable under this Section  (6)(d) shall
not be reduced by reason of the Executive's securing other employment or for any
other reason, unless the Notice of  Termination  is delivered on or after,  and
in


                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

connection  with,  a Change in  Control,  in which event the  provisions  of the
following three sentences shall apply. If, prior to the third anniversary of the
Date of  Termination,  the Executive  obtains  employment,  the Executive  shall
refund to the Company a portion of the lump sum payment  provided for in Section
(6)(d)(iv)  equal to the amounts  earned by the  Executive  from his  subsequent
employer prior to said anniversary date, but in no event more than the amount of
said  lump sum  payment  prorated  over  the  number  of  months  in the  period
commencing on the date following his Date of Termination and ending on the third
anniversary  of the Date of  Termination,  multiplied  by the  number  of months
remaining  between the  Executive's  date-of-hire  in his new employment and the
third anniversary of his Date of Termination.  The Executive shall refund to the
Company any amount  required by the  preceding  sentence  within one hundred and
eighty (180) days after the  date-of-hire  in his new  employment.  The employee
benefit  plans and  programs to be  provided by the Company  pursuant to Section
(6)(d)(iii)  shall be  reduced  as and to the  extent  that  such  benefits  are
provided to the Executive by a subsequent  employer during the period covered by
said Section (6)(d)(iii).

                           (vi) The payment to, and acceptance by, the Executive
of any sum of money or benefit  prescribed  in this Section  (6)(d) shall effect
and  evidence  a release by the  Executive  of any and all  claims  against  the
Company on account of, or arising  out of, the  termination  of the  Executive's
employment, except as prescribed in this Section (6)(d).

         (7) CHANGE IN CONTROL

         For purposes of this Agreement, Change in Control shall mean any of the
following events:

                  (a) any  merger  or  consolidation  of the  Company  with  any
corporate  shareholder or group of corporate  shareholders  holding  twenty-five
percent  (.25) or more of the  Common  Stock of the  Company  or with any  other
corporation  or  group  of  corporations  which  is,  or after  such  merger  or
consolidation  would be, or be affiliated  with, a  shareholder  owning at least
twenty-five percent (.25) of the Common Stock of the Company; or

                  (b) any sale, lease, exchange,  mortgage,  pledge, transfer or
other  disposition to or with any shareholder or group of  shareholders  holding
twenty-five  percent  (.25) or more of the Common Stock of the  Company,  or any
affiliate of such  shareholder  or group of  shareholders,  of any assets of the
Company having an aggregate fair market value of $50 million or more; or

                  (c) the issuance or sale by the Company of any  securities  of
the Company to any  shareholder  or group of  shareholders  holding  twenty-five
percent (.25) or more of the Common Stock of the Company, or to any affiliate of
such shareholder or group of shareholders,  in exchange for cash,


                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>

securities or other  consideration  having an aggregate fair market value of $50
million or more; or

                  (d)  the  implementation  of any  plan  or  proposal  for  the
liquidation  or  dissolution  of the  Company  proposed  by or on  behalf of any
shareholder or group of shareholders  owning at least twenty-five  percent (.25)
of the Common Stock of the Company,  or any  affiliate  of such  shareholder  or
group of shareholders; or

                  (e) any  reclassification  of securities  (including a reverse
stock split), or  recapitalization of the Company or any other transaction which
has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of
outstanding shares of any class of equity securities,  or securities convertible
into any equity  securities,  of the  Company,  which is directly or  indirectly
owned by a  shareholder  or group of  shareholders  owning at least  twenty-five
percent  (.25) of the Common  Stock of the  Company,  or any  affiliate  of such
shareholder or group of shareholders.

         The Board of Directors of the Company  may,  from time to time,  by the
affirmative  vote of not less than a majority of the entire  membership  of said
Board of Directors,  at a meeting of said Board of Directors called and held for
the purpose, modify the phrase "twenty-five percent (.25)" in one or more of the
foregoing  Sections  (7)(a),  (7)(b),  (7)(c),  (7)(d) and/or (7)(e) to a lesser
percentage, but not less than twenty percent (.20).

         (8) ADDITIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL

                  (a) In the event that a Change in Control has been approved by
all  necessary  shareholder,  creditor and  regulatory  actions,  the earning of
Performance  Shares by the  Executive  under the Company's  Long-Term  Incentive
Program  will be  accelerated  to the day  prior  to the date of the  Change  in
Control,  and the Executive  will be deemed to have earned all of the Contingent
Performance  Shares  outstanding with respect to him, payable to him on said day
prior to the  date of the  Change  in  Control,  at his  option,  either  (i) in
authorized but unissued  shares of the Company's  Common Stock, or (ii) in cash,
based  upon the market  value of the  Company's  Common  Stock at the end of the
business day next preceding said day prior to the date of the Change in Control.

                  (b) In the event that a Change in Control has been approved by
all necessary  shareholder,  creditor and regulatory actions,  the Company will,
not later  than the day prior to the date of the Change in  Control,  pay to the
Trustee of The United Illuminating Company Supplemental Retirement Benefit Trust
established  pursuant  to the  Agreement,  made as of the 1st day of June,  1995
between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee, cash in
an amount equal to: (A) In the event that the  Executive's  employment  has been
terminated or will be

                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>

terminated prior to the date of the Change in Control, a sum,  calculated by the
Company's independent certified public accountants, reasonably sufficient to pay
and discharge the Company's future obligations,  if any, to the Executive and/or
his personal  representative and/or spouse, under Section (6)(a), Section (6)(b)
or Section (6)(d) hereof; or (B) in the event that the Executive  employment has
not been  terminated and will not be terminated  prior to the date of the Change
in Control,  a sum,  calculated by the Company's  independent  certified  public
accountants,   reasonably   sufficient   to  pay  and  discharge  the  Company's
obligations to the Executive under Section (6)(d) hereof assuming,  for purposes
of such  calculation,  that the Executive's  employment is terminated under said
Section (6)(d) by a Notice of Termination delivered on the date of the Change in
Control and specifying an immediate Date of Termination.

                  (c) On and  after  the  date of the  Change  in  Control,  the
Executive's  Base  Salary  may not be reduced  by the Board of  Directors  to an
annual rate less than the rate fixed by the Board of Directors of the Company as
a result of its most recent review of salary rates,  pursuant to Section  (4)(a)
hereof, prior to the date of the Change in Control.

         (9) TAX SAVINGS PROVISION

         If any portion of the  payments  which the  Executive  has the right to
receive from the Company,  or any affiliated entity,  hereunder would constitute
"excess parachute  payments" (as defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue
Code,  and not governed by the terms defined in this  Agreement)  subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the  Internal  Revenue  Code,  such excess
parachute payments shall be reduced to the largest amount that will result in no
portion  of such  excess  parachute  payments  being  subject  to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.

         (10) SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT

                  (a) The Company shall pay to the Executive and/or his personal
representative  and/or  spouse all legal fees and expenses  and court costs,  if
any,  incurred by the  Executive  and/or such  representative  and/or  spouse in
successful litigation to enforce his rights under this Agreement.

                  (b) The Company will require any successor  (whether direct or
indirect,   by  purchase,   merger,   consolidation  or  otherwise)  to  all  or
substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, by agreement in form
and substance reasonably  satisfactory to the Executive, to expressly assume and
agree to perform  this  Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that
the  Company  would be required  to perform it if no such  succession  had taken
place.  Failure of the Company to obtain such agreement by the  effectiveness of
any such  succession  shall be a breach of this  Agreement and shall entitle the
Executive to

                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>

compensation  from the  Company in the same amount and upon the same terms as he
would be entitled to hereunder if he terminated  his  employment  upon Breach by
the Company,  except that, for purposes of implementing the foregoing,  the date
on which any such  succession  becomes  effective  shall be  deemed  the Date of
Termination. As used in this Agreement, the term "the Company" shall include The
United  Illuminating  Company,  any parent and any  successor to the business or
assets of either as aforesaid which executes and delivers the agreement provided
for in this Section (10) or which  otherwise  becomes bound by all the terms and
provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.

                  (c) This  Agreement and all rights of the Executive  hereunder
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's  personal or
legal   representatives,    executors,   administrators,    successors,   heirs,
distributees,  devisees  and  legatees.  If the  Executive  should die while any
amounts would still be payable to him hereunder if he had continued to live, all
such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with
the  terms  of this  Agreement  to the  Executive's  devisee,  legatee  or other
designee or, if there be no such designee, to the Executive's estate.

         (11) NOTICE

         For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications
to either party hereunder  provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be  deemed  to have been duly  given  when  delivered  or mailed by United
States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,  postage prepaid,
addressed,  in the case of the Company, to The United Illuminating  Company, 157
Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut,  Attention: Secretary, or, in the case of
the Executive,  to him at 157 Church Street, New Haven  Connecticut,  or to such
other address as either party shall  designate by giving  written notice of such
change to the other party.

         (12) MISCELLANEOUS

                  (a) No provision of this Agreement may be modified,  waived or
discharged  unless such  waiver,  modification  or  discharge is approved by the
Board of  Directors  of the  Company  and  agreed to in a writing  signed by the
Executive  and such officer as may be  specifically  authorized  by the Board of
Directors  of the  Company.  No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any
breach by the other  party  hereto of, or  compliance  with,  any  condition  or
provision of this  Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed
a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any
prior or subsequent time. No agreements or  representations,  oral or otherwise,
express or implied,  with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by
either party which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.  The validity,
interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement

                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>

shall be governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut.

                  (b) Exhibits A-1 and A-2 attached hereto, showing calculations
of supplemental retirement benefits under Section (4)(f), and Exhibit B attached
hereto,  showing a calculation  of a lump sum payment under Section  (6)(d)(ii),
are  incorporated  herein by reference and set forth,  by example,  the parties'
intended interpretation and application of such Sections.

         (13) VALIDITY

         The validity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

         (14) SURVIVAL

         The provisions of this Agreement  shall not survive the  termination of
this  Agreement  or of  employment  hereunder,  except  that the  provisions  of
Sections  (4),  (6),  (8),  (9),  (10),  and  (11)  hereof  shall  survive  such
termination and shall be binding upon the Company's successors and assigns.

         (15) COUNTERPARTS

         This  Agreement  may be executed in one or more  counterparts,  each of
which  shall  be  deemed  to be an  original  but  all of  which  together  will
constitute one and the same instrument.

                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on
the date and year first above written.

Attest:                    THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY


  /s/ Kurt Mohlman         By:        /s/ Richard J. Grossi
- -----------------------       ------------------------------------------
Secretary                      Chairman of the Board of Directors
                               and Chief Executive Officer


                                     /s/ James F. Crowe
                              ------------------------------------------
                               James F. Crowe



                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>




                                   EXHIBIT A-1

                                       TO
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                     Between
                         The United Illuminating Company
                                       and
                               Mr. James F. Crowe
                               ------------------

Sample calculation of supplemental retirement benefits under Section (4)(f).
Assume the Executive  retires at the Expiration of the Agreement and immediately
commences his Pension Plan benefits under the following facts:

(1)  Retirement Age                         55 (October 1,1997)
                                            ---------------------------
(2)  Actual Service with the Company        33 years 3 months (10/1/97)
                                            ---------------------------
(3)  Deemed Service with the Company        33 years 3 months (10/1/97)
                                            ---------------------------
(4)  Average Total Compensation             See Calculations Below
                                            ---------------------------

Total Compensation at age 54         $185,000
Total Compensation at age 53         $180,000
Total Compensation at age 52         $175,000 (3 year average = $180,000
                                              deemed to be 3 highest years'
                                              compensation, for purposes of
                                              this example)

(A)      Target Benefit at Age 55

1.  2.2% of 3 year average Total Compensation times
      Deemed Service (up to 30 years)
      (.022) x ($180,000) x (30)                                       $118,800
2.  Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Deemed Service)            .561
                                                                        -------
3.  Target Benefit at Age 55: 1 times 2                                  66,647

(B)      Pension Benefit at Age 55

1.  Quantity A (estimated)                                            $  10,000
2.  Quantity B                                                          170,000
3.  Quantity C (average of 3 highest years' compensation)               180,000
4.  1% of Quantity A plus 2% of Quantity B:                               3,500
5.  Actual Service with the Company (up to 25 years)                         25
6.  4 times 5                                                            87,500
7.  1/2% of Quantity C (up to $25,000, effective
      with 1995 Union Contract)                                             125
8.  Actual Service with the Company in excess of 25 years                  8.25
9.  7 times 8                                                             1,031
10. Pension unreduced at age 55: 6 plus 9                                88,531
11. Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on actual service)            .561
12. Pension payable at age 55: 10 times 11                               49,666
13. Supplemental Pension:  A3 - B12                                      16,981


<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT A-2

                                       TO
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                     Between
                         The United Illuminating Company
                                       and
                               Mr. James F. Crowe
                               ------------------

Sample calculation of supplemental retirement benefits under Section (4)(f).
Assume  the  Agreement  terminates  at an  Expiration  Date  but  the  Executive
continues to be employed by the Company for 2 years after the  expiration of the
Agreement  before  retiring and  commencing  his Pension Plan benefits under the
following facts:

(1)  Retirement Age                             57 (October 1, 1999)
                                                ---------------------------
(2)  Actual Service with the Company
     (a)  Before Expiration of Agreement
     (b)  After Expiration of Agreement
     (c)  Total                                 35 years 3 months (10/1/99)
                                                ---------------------------
(3)  Deemed Service with the Company
     (a)  Before Expiration of Agreement
     (b)  After Expiration of Agreement
     (c)  Total                                 35 years 3 months (10/1/99)
                                                ---------------------------

(4)  Average Total Compensation                 See Calculations Below
                                                ---------------------------

Total Compensation at age 56      $185,000
Total Compensation at age 55      $180,000
Total Compensation at age 54      $175,000 (3 year average = $180,000
                                           deemed to be 3 highest years'
                                           compensation, for purposes of
                                           this example)

(A)      Target Benefit at Age 57

1.  2.2% of 3 year average Total Compensation times
      Deemed Service (up to 30 years)
      (.022) x ($180,000) x (30)                                       $118,800
2.  Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Deemed Service)            .655
                                                                        -------
3.  Target Benefit at Age 57: 1 times 2                                  77,814

(B)      Pension Benefit at Age 57

1.  Quantity A (estimated)                                            $  10,000
2.  Quantity B                                                          170,000
3.  Quantity C (average of 3 highest years' compensation)               180,000
4.  1% of Quantity A plus 2% of Quantity B:                               3,500
5.  Actual Service with the Company (up to 25 years)                         25
6.  4 times 5                                                            87,500
7.  1/2% of Quantity C (up to $25,000 effective with
      1995 Union Contract)                                                  125
8.  Actual Service with the Company in excess of 25 years                 10.25
9.  7 times 8                                                             1,281
10. Pension unreduced at age 57: 6 plus 9                                88,781
11. Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on actual service)            .655
12. Pension payable at age 57: 10 times 11                               58,152
13. Supplemental Pension:  A3 - B12                                      19,662


<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT B

                                       TO
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                     Between
                         The United Illuminating Company
                                       and
                               Mr. James F. Crowe
                               ------------------

Sample  calculation  of  lump-sum  payment  in lieu of  supplemental  retirement
benefits under Section (6)(d)(iii). Assume the Executive's employment terminates
and Section (6)(d) applies under the following facts:

(1)  Age of Executive at Termination        47 (May 31, 1988)
                                            ----------------------------
(2)  Actual Service with the Company        23 years 11 months (5/31/88)
                                            ----------------------------
(3)  Deemed Service with the Company        23 years 11 months (5/31/88)
                                            ----------------------------
(4)  Average Total Compensation             See Calculations Below
                                            ----------------------------

Total Compensation at age 47      $185,000
Total Compensation at age 46      $180,000
Total Compensation at age 45      $175,000 (3 year average = $180,000
                                           deemed to be 3 highest years'
                                           compensation, for purposes of
                                           this example)

(A)      Target Benefit at Age 47

1.  2.2% of 3 year average Total Compensation times
      Deemed Service (up to 30 years)
      (.022) x ($180,000) x (23.917)                                    $94,711
2.  Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Deemed Service)           1.000
                                                                         ------
3.  Target Benefit at Age 47: 1 times 2                                  94,711

(B)      Pension Benefit at Age 55

1.  Quantity A (estimated)                                            $  10,000
2.  Quantity B                                                          170,000
3.  Quantity C (average of 3 highest years' compensation)               180,000
4.  1% of Quantity A plus 2% of Quantity B:                               3,500
5.  Actual Service with the Company (up to 25 years)                     23.917
6.  4 times 5                                                            83,710
7.  1/2% of Quantity C (up to $25,000, effective with
      1995 Union Contract)                                                  125
8.  Actual Service with the Company in excess of 25 years                     0
9.  7 times 8                                                                 0
10. Pension unreduced at age 55: 6 plus 9                                83,710
11. Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on actual service)            .427
12. Pension payable at age 55: 10 times 11                               35,744
13. Supplemental Pension:  A3 - B12                                      58,967
14. Annuity Factor for determining Lump-Sum Value at age 55             10.3880
                                                         --
15. Lump-Sum Value at age 55: 13 times 14                               612,549
                          --
16. Interest discount factor from age 55 to age 47 (based on 7-1/2%)      .5607
                                      --        --
17. Lump-Sum Value at age 55 discounted to age 47: 15 times 16          343,456
                          --                   --


<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE C




                               Severance Benefits
                               ------------------

At the option of the Officer,  exercised by written  notice to the Company,  the
benefits of either (A) or (B) below will be afforded the Officer:

(A)      a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the product of (X)  multiplied
         by (Y), where:
                  (X)      is the sum of  one-twelfth  of the  Officer's  annual
                           salary rate approved by the Board of Directors of the
                           Company at the time of its most recent  review of the
                           salary rates of all of the Company's  officers,  plus
                           one-twelfth  of the cash  award(s)  that the  Officer
                           would   earn   under   the    short-term    incentive
                           compensation  program(s)  in which the  Officer  is a
                           participant  on the  date of the  termination  of the
                           Officer's  employment,   assuming  that  all  of  the
                           Officer's  program goals for the  performance  period
                           are achieved at the target level; and
                  (Y)      is the number of whole and  partial  years (not to be
                           less  than  12 nor  more  than  24) of the  Officer's
                           service  deemed as an  employee of the Company on the
                           date of termination of the Officer's employment.

(B)      The Officer's  choice of the addition of six years of age, or six years
         of service  deemed as an employee of the  Company,  or any  combination
         (not to  exceed  6) of whole  and  partial  years of age and  whole and
         partial years of service  deemed as an employee of the Company,  in the
         calculation of the benefits  payable to the Officer under the Company's
         retiree  medical benefit plan(s) and in the calculation of the benefits
         payable to the Officer as a supplemental  retirement  benefit under his
         Employment Agreement.


                                                            EXHIBIT 10.25

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS  AGREEMENT,  made as of the 1st day of March,  1997,  between  THE
UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY, a Connecticut  corporation (the Company) and ALBERT
N. HENRICKSEN, an individual (the Officer),

                                 WITNESSETH THAT

         WHEREAS,  the  Company  desires to  continue to employ the Officer as a
Group Vice President of the Company,  and the Officer  desires to be employed by
the Company as a Group Vice President,

         NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the foregoing and the respective
covenants and agreements of the parties herein contained, and the services to be
rendered to the Company pursuant hereto, and in order to provide an incentive to
the Officer to remain in the employ of the Company hereafter and, in particular,
in the event of any  Change in  Control  (as  herein  defined)  of the  Company,
thereby establishing and preserving continuity of management, the Parties hereby
agree as follows:

         (1) EMPLOYMENT

                  The  Company  hereby  agrees to employ  the  Officer,  and the
Officer  hereby  agrees to serve the  Company,  at the  pleasure of the Board of
Directors of the Company, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

         (2)      POSITION AND DUTIES

         The Officer shall be employed by the Company as a Group Vice President,
or in such other  equivalent  or higher  officership  position as the  Company's
Board of Directors may determine.  The Officer shall accept such  employment and
shall  perform  and  discharge,  faithfully,  diligently  and to the best of the
Officer's abilities, the duties and obligations of the Officer's office and such
other  duties as may from time to time be  assigned to the Officer by, or at the
direction  of,  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company,  and  shall  devote
substantially  all of the Officer's working time and efforts to the business and
affairs of the  Company.  Although a Change in Control of the Company  shall not
affect the  obligations  of the  Company and the Officer as set forth in the two
preceding  sentences,  at and  after  the  date of any  Change  in  Control  the
Company's  employment of the Officer shall also be without  diminishment  in the
Officer's management responsibilities, duties or powers.

         (3)      PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

         In his  employment  by the Company,  the Officer  shall be based at the
executive offices of the Company situated within the Company's statutory service
area.



<PAGE>


         (4)      COMPENSATION

                  (a) Base Salary.  During the term of the Officer's  employment
hereunder,  the Officer  shall  receive a base salary (Base Salary) at an annual
rate of One Hundred  Thirty-Six  Thousand Nine Hundred Dollars  ($136,900).  The
Officer's  Base Salary rate shall be reviewed by the Board of  Directors  of the
Company  contemporaneously with each review of the salary rates of the Company's
other  officers  by said Board of  Directors,  and may be  revised  upwards as a
result of any such review. The Officer's Base Salary may be revised downwards by
said Board of  Directors  contemporaneously  with any general  reduction  of the
salary rates of the Company's other officers.

                  (b) Incentive  Compensation.  During the term of the Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the Officer  shall be eligible to be  designated  by the
Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company  as  a  participant   in  each  incentive
compensation program established for all officers of the Company.

                  For purposes of this Agreement,  Total Compensation is defined
as the sum of the Officer's Base Salary and any amount paid or payable  pursuant
to this Section (4)(b).

                  (c)  Business  Expenses.  During  the  term  of the  Officer's
employment   hereunder,   the  Officer  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  prompt
reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Officer (in accordance
with the policies and  procedures  established  by the Board of Directors of the
Company  from  time to time for all of the  Company's  officers)  in  performing
services hereunder, provided that the Officer properly accounts therefor.

                  (d)  Benefit  Programs.  During  the  term  of  the  Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the  Officer  shall be entitled  to  participate  in and
receive  full  benefits  under  all of the  Company's  employee  benefit  plans,
programs and arrangements for its officers,  including,  without limitation, its
retirement and pension plan programs. Nothing paid to the Officer under any such
plan,  program  or  arrangement  presently  in effect or made  available  by the
Company  in the  future  shall be  deemed to be in lieu of  compensation  to the
Officer under any other Section of this Agreement.

                  (e) Vacations  and Holidays.  During the term of the Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the  Officer  shall be  entitled  to the  number of paid
vacation days in each calendar year  determined by the Board of Directors of the
Company from time to time for all of the Company's  officers,  and shall also be
entitled to all paid holidays afforded by the Company to its employees.

                  (f) Supplemental Retirement. Upon termination of the Officer's
employment,  a  supplemental  retirement  benefit shall be payable to him or his
beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of this Section (4)(f). The annual
supplemental


                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>

retirement benefit,  expressed in the form of a single life annuity beginning at
the Officer's Normal Retirement Date (as defined in the Company's Pension Plan),
shall be the excess,  if any,  of (A) less (B),  where (A) is 2.0% (.020) of the
Officer's  highest  three-year  average Total  Compensation  times the number of
years at  termination  (not to exceed  thirty)  of the  Officer's  service as an
employee of the  Company,  and (B) is the benefit  payable  under the  Company's
Pension Plan. Payment of the supplemental  retirement benefit shall begin at the
same time as the Officer's Pension Plan benefit payments and shall be subject to
the same reductions for early commencement.  The supplemental retirement benefit
may be paid in any form  available  under the  Pension  Plan,  as elected by the
Officer prior to benefit payment  commencement.  The conversion  factors between
forms of  benefits  used for  purposes  of the  Pension  Plan  shall be used for
purposes  of the  supplemental  retirement  benefit.  The form of payment of the
supplemental  retirement  benefit may be the same or different  from the form of
payment of the Officer's benefits under the Pension Plan. If the form of payment
provides for a death  benefit,  such benefit  shall be payable to the  Officer's
estate,  unless another  beneficiary has been designated by the Officer.  If the
Officer dies prior to the  commencement of benefit  payments,  the death benefit
provisions  of  the  Pension  Plan  shall  apply,   mutatis  mutandis,   to  the
supplemental retirement benefit payable pursuant to this Section (4)(f).

         (5) TERMINATION

                  (a) The Officer's employment hereunder shall terminate upon
the Officer's death.

                  (b) The Board of  Directors of the Company may  terminate  the
Officer's  employment hereunder at any time, with or without Cause. Prior to the
date of a Change in  Control,  the  Company  shall be  deemed  to have  Cause to
terminate  the  Officer's  employment  hereunder  only  upon the  Officer's  (A)
continued  failure to perform and  discharge  the duties or  obligations  of the
Officer's  office,  or such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to
the  Officer by, or at the  direction  of, the Board of  Directors,  faithfully,
diligently,  to the best of the  Officer's  abilities,  and in  accordance  with
standards  accepted  in the  electric  utility  industry,  in the  opinion  of a
majority  of the  members  of the  Board of  Directors  of the  Company,  or (B)
misconduct  that is  injurious  to the Company,  or (C)  conviction  of a felony
involving  the personal  dishonesty  or moral  turpitude of the Officer,  or (D)
total and permanent physical or mental disability, or (E) absence from work on a
full-time basis, due to physical or mental illness, for an uninterrupted 365-day
period.  On and after  the date of a Change in  Control,  the  Company  shall be
deemed to have Cause to terminate the Officer's  employment  hereunder only upon
the Officer's (F)  conviction of a felony  involving the personal  dishonesty or
moral  turpitude of the Officer,  or (G) total and permanent  physical or mental
disability,  or (H) absence from work on a full-time  basis,  due to


                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>

physical or mental illness, for an uninterrupted 365-day period.

                  (c)  The  Officer  may  terminate  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder, upon at least thirty (30) days' prior Notice of Termination delivered
to the Company, for failure of the Company to observe and perform one or more of
its  obligations  under Sections (1), (2), (3) and/or (4) hereof,  which failure
the Company  fails to remedy within such notice period (a Breach by the Company)
at a time when the Officer is not in default of any of the Officer's obligations
under  Sections (1) and/or (2) hereof.  The Officer may terminate his employment
hereunder in the absence of a Breach by the Company, effective upon at least six
(6) months' prior Notice of Termination delivered to the Company.

                  (d) Notice of Termination.  Any termination of employment,  by
the Company or by the Officer,  shall be  communicated  by delivery of a written
Notice of Termination to the other party.

                  (e) Date of Termination.  For purposes of this Agreement,  the
Date of Termination is defined as: if the Officer's employment is terminated (A)
by his  death,  the date of his death,  or (B)  pursuant  to  Section  (5)(b) or
Section (5)(c) hereof, the date specified in the Notice of Termination.

         (6) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION

                  (a) If the  Officer's  employment  terminates by reason of the
Officer's  death,  the Company shall pay to the personal  representative  and/or
spouse of the Officer the Officer's Total Compensation  earned prior to the Date
of Termination, any amounts payable pursuant to Sections (4)(c), (4)(d) and 4(f)
hereof and any benefits or amounts payable under any deferred  compensation plan
in which the  Officer  had been a  participant,  and the  Company  shall have no
further obligation under this Agreement.

                  (b)  If  the  Officer  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder  in the  absence of a Breach by the  Company and upon at least six (6)
months' prior Notice of Termination, the Company shall pay to the Officer and/or
the  Officer's  personal   representative  and/or  spouse  the  Officer's  Total
Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any  amounts  payable
pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c),  (4)(d) and (4)(f)  hereof and any  benefits  or
amounts  payable under any deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had
been a  participant,  and the Company  shall have no further  obligation  to the
Officer and/or the Officer's  personal  representative  and/or spouse under this
Agreement or on account of, or arising out of, the  termination of the Officer's
employment.  The Officer may  petition the Board of Directors of the Company for
an  immediate  lump sum  payment,  in lieu of any  amounts  payable  pursuant to
Section (4)(f) hereof on account of the Officer's termination of employment,  in
an amount equal to the  actuarial  present  value of a  supplemental  retirement


                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>

benefit,  expressed in the form of a single life annuity  beginning at Officer's
termination of employment  (or age 55, if later),  equal to the excess if any of
(A) less (B)  where  (A) is 2.0%  (.020)  of the  Officer's  highest  three-year
average  Total  Compensation  times the number of years at  termination  (not to
exceed thirty) of the Officer's  service as an employee of the Company,  and (B)
is the  benefit  payable  under  the  Company's  Pension  Plan at the  Officer's
termination of employment (or age 55, if later).  The actuarial present value of
such  supplemental  retirement  benefit  shall be calculated on the basis of the
annual yield on thirty-year  United States  Treasury bonds on the final business
day of the month  preceding the Date of Termination of the Officer's  employment
and the 1983 Group  Annuity  table.  The Board of  Directors  of the Company may
grant or deny any such petition by the Officer in its absolute discretion.

                  (c)  If  the  Company  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder  with Cause,  or if the Officer  terminates  the Officer's  employment
hereunder  in the  absence of a Breach by the Company and upon less than six (6)
months'  prior Notice of  Termination,  the Company shall pay to the Officer the
Officer's full Base Salary earned prior to the Date of Termination,  any amounts
payable  pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c) and (4)(d)  hereof and any  benefits  or
amounts  payable under any deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had
been a participant,  and,  provided that the Company is not in default of any of
its obligations  hereunder,  the Company shall have no further obligation to the
Officer  under  this  Agreement  or on  account  of,  or  arising  out  of,  the
termination of the Officer's employment.

                  (d)  If  the  Company  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder without Cause, or if the Officer  terminates the Officer's  employment
hereunder on account of a Breach by the Company:

                           (i)      The Company shall pay to the Officer the
Officer's  Total  Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any
amounts  payable  pursuant to Sections  4(c) and 4(d) hereof and any benefits or
amounts  payable under any deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had
been a participant.

                           (ii)     The Company shall afford the Officer the
severance benefits set forth on Schedule C attached hereto.

                           (iii) In lieu of any amounts payable pursuant to
Section (4)(f) hereof on account of the Officer's termination of employment, the
Company  shall pay to the  Officer an  immediate  lump sum  amount  equal to the
actuarial present value of a supplemental  retirement benefit,  expressed in the
form  of a  single  life  annuity  beginning  at the  Officer's  termination  of
employment  (or age 55, if  later),  equal to the excess if any of (A) less (B),
where (A) is 2.0%  (.020) of the  Officer's  highest  three-year  average  Total
Compensation  times the number of years


                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>

at termination (not to exceed thirty) of the Officer's service as an employee of
the Company,  and (B) is the benefit payable under the Company's Pension Plan at
the Officer's  termination  of employment  (or age 55, if later).  The actuarial
present value of such supplemental retirement benefit shall be calculated on the
basis of the annual yield on  thirty-year  United States  Treasury  bonds on the
final  business  day of the  month  preceding  the  Date of  Termination  of the
Officer's employment and the 1983 Group Annuity table.

                           (iv) The payment to, and acceptance by, the Officer 
of any sum of money or benefit  prescribed  in this Section  (6)(d) shall effect
and evidence a release by the Officer of any and all claims  against the Company
on account of, or arising out of, the termination of the Officer's employment.

         (7) CHANGE IN CONTROL

         For purposes of this Agreement, Change in Control shall mean any of the
following events:

                  (a) any  merger  or  consolidation  of the  Company  with  any
corporate  shareholder of group of corporate  shareholders  holding  twenty-five
percent  (.25) or more of the  Common  Stock of the  Company  or with any  other
corporation  or  group  of  corporations  which  is,  or after  such  merger  or
consolidation  would be, or be affiliated  with, a  shareholder  owning at least
twenty-five percent (.25) of the Common Stock of the Company; or

                  (b) any sale, lease, exchange,  mortgage,  pledge, transfer or
other  disposition to or with any shareholder or group of  shareholders  holding
twenty-five  percent  (.25) or more of the Common Stock of the  Company,  or any
affiliate of such  shareholder  or group of  shareholders,  of any assets of the
Company having an aggregate fair market value of $50 million or more; or

                  (c) the issuance or sale by the Company of any  securities  of
the Company to any  shareholder  or group of  shareholders  holding  twenty-five
percent (.25) or more of the Common Stock of the Company, or to any affiliate of
such shareholder or group of shareholders,  in exchange for cash,  securities or
other  consideration  having an  aggregate  fair market  value of $50 million or
more; or

                  (d)  the  implementation  of any  plan  or  proposal  for  the
liquidation  or  dissolution  of the  Company  proposed  by or on  behalf of any
shareholder or group of shareholders  owning at least twenty-five  percent (.25)
of the Common Stock of the Company,  or any  affiliate  of such  shareholder  or
group of shareholders; or

                  (e) any  reclassification  of securities  (including a reverse
stock split), or  recapitalization of the Company or any other transaction which
has the effect, directly or indirectly,


                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

of increasing  the  proportionate  share of  outstanding  shares of any class of
equity securities,  or securities convertible into any equity securities, of the
Company,  which is directly or  indirectly  owned by a  shareholder  or group of
shareholders  owning at least  twenty-five  percent (.25) of the Common Stock of
the Company, or any affiliate of such shareholder or group of shareholders.

         The Board of Directors of the Company  may,  from time to time,  by the
affirmative  vote of not less than a majority of the entire  membership  of said
Board of Directors,  at a meeting of said Board of Directors called and held for
the purpose, modify the phrase "twenty-five percent (.25)" in one or more of the
foregoing  Sections  (7)(a),  (7)(b),  (7)(c),  (7)(d) and/or (7)(e) to a lesser
percentage, but not less than twenty percent (.20).

         (8) ADDITIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL

                  (a) In the event that a Change in Control has been approved by
all necessary  shareholder,  creditor and regulatory actions,  the Company will,
not later  than the day prior to the date of the Change in  Control,  pay to the
Trustee of The United Illuminating Company Supplemental Retirement Benefit Trust
established  pursuant  to the  Agreement,  made as of the 1st day of June,  1995
between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee, for the
benefit of the  Officer,  cash in an amount  equal to: (A) In the event that the
Officer's employment has been terminated or will be terminated prior to the date
of the  Change  in  Control,  a sum,  calculated  by the  Company's  independent
certified  public  accountants,  reasonably  sufficient to pay and discharge the
Company's  future  obligations,  if any,  to the  Officer  and/or  his  personal
representative  and/or spouse,  under Section (6)(a),  Section (6)(b) or Section
(6)(d)  hereof;  or (B) in the event that the Officer's  employment has not been
terminated  and  will not be  terminated  prior  to the  date of the  Change  in
Control,  a  sum,  calculated  by the  Company's  independent  certified  public
accountants,   reasonably   sufficient   to  pay  and  discharge  the  Company's
obligations to the Officer under Section (6)(d) hereof assuming, for purposes of
such calculation, that the Officer's employment is terminated under said Section
(6)(d) by a Notice of Termination delivered on the date of the Change in Control
and specifying an immediate Date of Termination.

                  (b) On and  after  the  date of the  Change  in  Control,  the
Officer's  Base Salary may not be reduced by the Board of Directors to an annual
rate less than the rate  fixed by the Board of  Directors  of the  Company  as a
result of its most recent  review of salary  rates,  pursuant to Section  (4)(a)
hereof, prior to the date of the Change in Control.

         (9) TAX SAVINGS PROVISION

         If any  portion  of the  payments  which the  Officer  has the right to
receive from the Company,  or any affiliated entity,


                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

hereunder would constitute  "excess  parachute  payments" (as defined in Section
280G of the Internal Revenue Code, and not governed by the terms defined in this
Agreement)  subject to the excise tax  imposed by Section  4999 of the  Internal
Revenue Code,  such excess  parachute  payments  shall be reduced to the largest
amount that will result in no portion of such excess  parachute  payments  being
subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.

         (10) SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT

                  (a) The Company shall pay to the Officer  and/or the Officer's
personal  representative  and/or  spouse all legal fees and  expenses  and court
costs,  if any,  incurred by the  Officer  and/or the  Officer's  representative
and/or  spouse in successful  litigation  to enforce the Officer's  rights under
this Agreement.

                  (b) The Company will require any successor  (whether direct or
indirect,   by  purchase,   merger,   consolidation  or  otherwise)  to  all  or
substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, by agreement in form
and substance  reasonably  satisfactory to the Officer,  to expressly assume and
agree to perform  this  Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that
the  Company  would be required  to perform it if no such  succession  had taken
place.  Failure of the Company to obtain such agreement by the  effectiveness of
any such  succession  shall be a breach of this  Agreement and shall entitle the
Officer to  compensation  from the  Company in the same amount and upon the same
terms as the Officer  would be entitled to hereunder  if the Officer  terminated
the Officer's  employment upon Breach by the Company,  except that, for purposes
of implementing  the foregoing,  the date on which any such  succession  becomes
effective  shall be deemed the Date of  Termination.  As used in this Agreement,
the term "the Company" shall include The United Illuminating Company, any parent
and any  successor  to the  business  or assets of  either  as  aforesaid  which
executes and delivers the  agreement  provided for in this Section (10) or which
otherwise  becomes bound by all the terms and  provisions  of this  Agreement by
operation of law.

                  (c) This  Agreement  and all rights of the  Officer  hereunder
shall inure to the benefit of and be  enforceable  by the Officer's  personal or
legal   representatives,    executors,   administrators,    successors,   heirs,
distributees, devisees and legatees. If the Officer should die while any amounts
would still be payable to the Officer  hereunder if the Officer had continued to
live,  all such amounts,  unless  otherwise  provided  herein,  shall be paid in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the Officer's devisee, legatee or
other designee or, if there be no such designee, to the Officer's estate.

         (11) NOTICE

         For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications
to either party hereunder  provided for in the



                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>

Agreement  shall be in writing  and shall be deemed to have been duly given when
delivered  or mailed by United  States  certified  or  registered  mail,  return
receipt requested,  postage prepaid,  addressed,  in the case of the Company, to
The United  Illuminating  Company,  157 Church Street,  New Haven,  Connecticut,
Attention:  Secretary,  or, in the case of the  Officer,  to the  Officer at 157
Church Street, New Haven  Connecticut,  or to such other address as either party
shall designate by giving written notice of such change to the other party.

         (12) MISCELLANEOUS

                  (a) No provision of this Agreement may be modified,  waived or
discharged  unless such  waiver,  modification  or  discharge is approved by the
Board of  Directors  of the  Company  and  agreed to in a writing  signed by the
Officer and such officer of the Company as may be specifically authorized by the
Board of Directors of the Company.  No waiver by either party hereto at any time
of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or
provision of this  Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed
a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at
any  prior  or  subsequent  time.  No  agreements  or  representations,  oral or
otherwise,  express or implied,  with respect to the subject  matter hereof have
been made by either party that are not set forth  expressly  in this  Agreement.
The validity,  interpretation,  construction  and  performance of this Agreement
shall be governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut.

                  (b) Exhibits A-1 and A-2 attached hereto, showing calculations
of supplemental retirement benefits under Section (4)(f), and Exhibit B attached
hereto,  showing a calculation of a lump sum payment under Section  (6)(d)(iii),
are  incorporated  herein by reference and set forth,  by example,  the parties'
intended interpretation and application of such Sections.

         (13) VALIDITY

         The validity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

         (14) SURVIVAL

         The provisions of this Agreement  shall not survive the  termination of
this  Agreement  or of the  Officer's  employment  hereunder,  except  that  the
provisions of Sections (4), (6), (8), (9),  (10),  and (11) hereof shall survive
such termination and shall be binding upon the Company's successors and assigns.

         (15) COUNTERPARTS

         This  Agreement  may be executed in one or more  counterparts,


                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>

each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which  together  will
constitute one and the same instrument.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on
the date and year first above written.

Attest:                    THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY



  /s/ Kurt Mohlman         By:        /s/ Richard J. Grossi
- -----------------------             -------------------------------------
   Secretary                        Chairman of the Board of
                                    Directors and Chief Executive Officer



                                     /s/ Albert N. Henricksen
                                    -------------------------------------
                                    Albert N. Henricksen




                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>




                                   EXHIBIT A-1

                                       To
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                     BETWEEN
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                       AND

                              MR. ALBERT HENRICKSEN
                              ---------------------

Sample calculation of supplemental retirement benefits under Section (4)(f).

Assume  the  Officer   retires  upon  the  termination  of  his  employment  and
immediately commences his Pension Plan benefits under the following facts:

(1)  Retirement Age                         55 (September 1, 1990)
                                            --------------------------
(2)  Actual Service with the Company        33 years 3 months (9/1/90)
                                            --------------------------
(3)  Service with the Company               33 years 3 months (9/1/90)
                                            --------------------------
(4)  Three-year average Total Compensation  See Calculations Below
                                            --------------------------

Projected Earnings at age 54   $143,580
Projected Earnings at age 53    136,095
Estimated Earnings at age 52    129,000  3-year average - $136,225
Estimated Earnings at age 51    122,275
Estimated Earnings at age 50    115,900  5-year average - $129,370

(A) Target Benefit at Age 55
- ----------------------------

1.  2.0% of 3-year average earnings times Service (Up to 30 years)
    (.020) x ($136,225) x (30)                                          $81,735
2.  Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Service)                   .561
                                                                         ------
3.  Target Benefit at Age 55: 1 times 2                                  45,853

(B) Pension Benefit at Age 55
- -----------------------------

1.  Quantity A                                                          $10,000
2.  Quantity B                                                          119,370
3.  Quantity C                                                          129,370
4.  1% of Quantity A plus 2% of Quantity B:                               2,487
5.  Service with the Company (up to 25 years)                                25
6.  4 time 5                                                             62,175
7.  1/2% of Quantity C (up to $13,000)                                       65
8.  Service with the Company in excess of 25 years                         8.25
9.  7 times 8                                                               536
10. Pension unreduced at age 55: 6 plus 9                                62,711
11. Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Service)                   .561
12. Pension payable at age 55: 10 times 11                               35,181
13. Supplemental Pension: A3-B12                                         10,672


<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT A-2

                                       To
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                     BETWEEN
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                       AND

                              MR. ALBERT HENRICKSEN
                              ---------------------

Sample calculation of supplemental retirement benefits under Section (4)(f).

Assume the Agreement  terminates but the Officer continues to be employed by the
Company for 2 years  thereafter  before retiring and commencing his Pension Plan
benefits under the following facts:

(1)  Retirement Age                          57 (September 1, 1992)
                                             --------------------------
(2)  Service with the Company

     (a) Before Expiration of Agreement      33 years 3 months
                                             --------------------------
     (b) After Expiration of Agreement        2 years
                                             --------------------------
     (c) Total                               35 years 3 months (9/1/92)
                                             --------------------------

(3)  Three-year average total Compensation   See Calculations Below
                                             --------------------------

Projected Earnings at age 56   $159,808
Projected Earnings at age 55    151,477
Estimated Earnings at age 54    143,580   3-year average - $151,622
Estimated Earnings at age 53    136,095
Estimated Earnings at age 52    129,000   5-year average - $143,992

(A) Target Benefit at Age 57
- ----------------------------

1. 2.0% of 3-year average earnings times Service (Up to 30 years)
   (.020) x ($151,622) x (30)                                           $90,973
2. Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Service)                    .655
                                                                         ------
3. Target Benefit at Age 55: 1 times 2                                   59,587

(B) Pension Benefit at Age 57
- -----------------------------

1.  Quantity A                                                          $10,000
2.  Quantity B                                                          133,992
3.  Quantity C                                                          143,992
4.  1% of Quantity A plus 2% of Quantity B:                               2,780
5.  Service with the Company (up to 25 years)                                25
6.  4 times 5                                                            69,500



<PAGE>

7.  1/2% of Quantity C (up to $13,000)                                       65
8.  Service with the Company in excess of 25 years                        10.25
9.  7 times 8                                                               666
10. Pension unreduced at age 57: 6 plus 9                                70,166
11. Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Service)                   .655
12. Pension payable at age 57: 10 times 11                               45,959
13. Supplemental Pension: A3-B12                                         13,628


                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT B

                                       To
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                     BETWEEN
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                       AND
                              MR. ALBERT HENRICKSEN
                              ---------------------

Sample  calculation  of lump  sum  payment  in lieu of  supplemental  retirement
benefit under Section (6)(d)(iii).  Assume the Officer's  employment  terminates
and Section (6)(d) applies under the following facts:

Assume  the  Officer   retires  upon  the  termination  of  his  employment  and
immediately commences his Pension Plan benefits under the following facts:

(1)  Age of Executive at Termination         53 (May 31, 1988)
                                             --------------------------
(2)  Service with the Company                31 years         (5/31/88)
                                             --------------------------
(3)  Three-year average Total Compensation   See Calculations Below
                                             --------------------------

Projected Earnings at age 53   $136,095
Estimated Earnings at age 52    129,000
Estimated Earnings at age 51    122,275   3-year average = $129,123
Estimated Earnings at age 50    115,900
Estimated Earnings at age 49    109,858   5-year average = $122,626

(A) Target Benefit at Age 51
- ----------------------------

1.  2.0% of 3-year average earnings times Service (Up to 30 years)
    (.020) x ($129,123) x (30)                                          $77,474
2.  Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Service)                  1.000
                                                                         ------
3.  Target Benefit at Age 51: 1 times 2                                  77,474

(B) Pension Benefit at Age 55
- -----------------------------

1.  Quantity A                                                          $10,000
2.  Quantity B                                                          112,626
3.  Quantity C                                                          122,626
4.  1% of Quantity A plus 2% of Quantity B:                               2,353
5.  Service with the Company (up to 25 years)                                25
6.  4 times 5                                                            58,825
7.  1/2% of Quantity C (up to $13,000)                                       65
8.  Service with the Company in excess of 25 years                            6
9.  7 times 8                                                               390
10. Pension unreduced at age 55: 6 plus 9                                59,215
11. Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Service)                   .561
12. Pension payable at age 55: 10 times 11                               33,220
13. Supplemental Pension: A3-B12                                         44,254



<PAGE>

14. Annuity Factor for Determining Lump Sum Value at age 55             10.3880
15. Lump Sum Value at age 55: 13 times 14                               459,711
16. Interest discount factor from age 55 to age 53 (based on 7-1/2%)      .8653
17. Lump Sum Value at age 55, discounted to age 53 15 times 16          397,788




<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE C


                               Severance Benefits
                               ------------------

At the option of the Officer,  exercised by written  notice to the Company,  the
benefits of either (A) or (B) below will be afforded the Officer:

(A)  a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the product of (X)  multiplied  by
     (Y), where:
          (X)  is the sum of  one-twelfth  of the  Officer's  annual salary rate
               approved by the Board of  Directors of the Company at the time of
               its  most  recent  review  of  the  salary  rates  of  all of the
               Company's  officers,  plus  one-twelfth of the cash award(s) that
               the   Officer   would   earn  under  the   short-term   incentive
               compensation  program(s) in which the Officer is a participant on
               the date of the termination of the Officer's employment, assuming
               that  all of the  Officer's  program  goals  for the  performance
               period are achieved at the target level; and
          (Y)  is the number of whole and partial  years (not to be less than 12
               nor more than 24) of the Officer's  service deemed as an employee
               of the  Company  on the  date  of  termination  of the  Officer's
               employment.

(B)  The  Officer's  choice of the addition of six years of age, or six years of
     service deemed as an employee of the Company,  or any  combination  (not to
     exceed 6) of whole and partial  years of age and whole and partial years of
     service  deemed as an employee of the Company,  in the  calculation  of the
     benefits payable to the Officer under the Company's retiree medical benefit
     plan(s) and in the calculation of the benefits  payable to the Officer as a
     supplemental retirement benefit under his Employment Agreement.

Exhibits C-1 and C-2  attached  hereto,  showing  calculations  of  supplemental
retirement benefits under Schedule C, paragraph (B), set forth, by example,  the
parties' intended interpretation and application of said paragraph.


<PAGE>



                                     EXHIBIT C-1
                                         TO
                                 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                       BETWEEN
                            THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                         AND
                                MR. ALBERT HENRICKSEN
                                ---------------------

Sample  calculation  of  supplemental   retirement  benefits  under  Schedule  A
paragraph (B).

Assume the Officer retires on the date of termination of employment based on the
following facts:

Actual Date of Termination                                 4/1/97
Actual Age of Officer at Termination                       56
Actual Years of Service at Termination                     30

Enhanced Age of Officer at Termination                     62 (+6 years)
Enhanced Years of Service at Termination                   30 (+0 years)

Three Year Average Total Compensation                      $140,000

(A)  The retirement  benefit  calculated in accordance  with  Company's  Pension
     Plan, but with the addition of six years of age.

Gross Pension (Attachment A-1-1)                                   $67,605.84
Reduction for Early Retirement Age:  62 years (.0000)                    0.00
                                                                    ---------
Net Annual Pension                                                 $67,605.84

(B) The benefit  payable to the Officer under the Company's  Pension Plan at the
    age of 56.

Gross Pension (Attachment A-1-2)                                   $67,611.44
Reduction for Early Retirement Age 56 (.3950)                       26,706.52
                                                                    ---------
Net Annual Pension                                                 $40,904.92

Supplemental Retirement Benefit
(A) - (B) = ($67,605.84) - ($40,904.92) = $26,700.92


<PAGE>



                                                              Attachment A-1-1



                      THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                      -------------------------------


NAME:    ENHANCED AGE 62

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT RETIREMENT:   62 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:    30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:   100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/03/97

                             BENEFIT CALCULATION
                   -------------------------------------                ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1024.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%     X   25.0000    X    12076.66 =            $ 3019.17
A2 =    407.00               (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%     X   25.0000    X    127923.34 =            63961.67
   =  12076.66               (NO. OF YRS.     (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127923.34     YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%     X    5.0000    X     25000.00 =              625.00
C  = 140000.00               (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                               OF 25000.00)           ---------

                                              GROSS PENSION =         $67605.84
                                                                      =========

<PAGE>


                                                             Attachment A-1-2



                           THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                           -------------------------------


NAME:    ENHANCED AGE 56

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -

AGE AT RETIREMENT:  56 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:   30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:  100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/03/97

                               BENEFIT CALCULATION
                         ------------------------------------            ANNUAL
                                                                         AMOUNT
                                                                         ------
A1 =   1223.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                    1.0%  X  25.0000      X    12054.21 =             $ 3013.55
A2 =    487.00             (NO. OF YRS.)     (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2     2.0%  X  25.0000      X   127945.79 =              63972.89
   =  12054.21             (NO. OF YRS.)     (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127945.79    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                     .5%  X   5.0000      X    25000.00 =                625.00
C  = 140000.00             (NO. OF YRS.)     (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                              OF 25000.00)             --------

                                         GROSS PENSION =              $67611.44
                                                                      =========

<PAGE>


                                 EXHIBIT C-2
                                     TO
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                   BETWEEN
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                     AND
                             MR. ALBERT HENRICKSEN
                             ---------------------

Sample  calculation  of  supplemental   retirement  benefits  under  Schedule  A
paragraph (B).

Assume the Officer  terminates  on the date of  termination  of  employment  and
elects to begin receiving  his/her vested pension benefit at age 55 based on the
following facts:

Actual Date of Termination                 4/1/97
Actual Age of Executive at Termination     50
Actual Years of Service at Termination     24

Enhanced Age of Executive at Termination   50 (+0 years)
Enhanced Years of Service at Termination   30 (+6 years)

Three Year Average Total Compensation      $140,000

(A)  The retirement (vested pension) benefit,  payable to the Officer at age 55,
     calculated in accordance with Company's Pension Plan, but with the addition
     of six years of service.

Gross Vested Pension (Attachment A-2-1)                            $67,526.96
Reduction for Early Retirement Age: 55 years (.4390)                29,644.34
                                                                    ---------
Net Annual Pension                                                 $37,882.62

(B)  The vested  pension  benefit  payable to the  Officer  under the  Company's
     Pension Plan at the age of 55.

Gross Vested Pension (Attachment A-2-2)                            $63,876.25
Reduction for Early Retirement Age: 55 years (.5730)                36,601.09
                                                                    ---------
Net Annual Pension                                                 $27,275.16

Supplemental Retirement Benefit
(A) - (B) = ($37,882.62) - ($27,275.16) = $10,607.46


<PAGE>


                                                           Attachment A-2-1



                           THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                           -------------------------------


NAME:    ACTUAL AGE 50

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT TERMINATION:    50 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:      30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:     100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/03/97

                               BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  ------------------------------------                   ANNUAL
                                                                         AMOUNT
                                                                         ------
A1 =   1185.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%  X   25.0000      X  12392.16 =               $ 3098.04
A2 =    459.00             (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%  X   25.0000      X  127607.84 =               63803.92
   =  12392.16             (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127607.84    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%  X    5.0000      X   25000.00 =                 625.00
C  = 140000.00             (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                             OF 25000.00)              --------

                                   GROSS PENSION =                    $67526.96
                                                                      =========

<PAGE>


                                                           Attachment A-2-2



                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                         -------------------------------


NAME:    AGE 50

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT TERMINATION:    50 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:      24 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:     100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/04/97

                               BENEFIT CALCULATION
                     ------------------------------------               ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1131.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                  1.0%  X   24.0000      X   13848.98 =               $ 3323.76
A2 =    392.00            (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2   2.0%  X   24.0000      X  126151.02 =                60552.49
   =  13848.98            (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY B)

B  = 126151.02    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                   .5%  X     .0000      X   25000.00 =                     .00
C  = 140000.00            (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                            OF 25000.00)               --------

                                         GROSS PENSION =              $63876.25
                                                                      =========


                                                            EXHIBIT 10.26


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS  AGREEMENT,  made as of the 1st day of March,  1997,  between  THE
UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY, a Connecticut corporation (the Company) and ANTHONY
J. VALLILLO, an individual (the Officer),

                                 WITNESSETH THAT

         WHEREAS,  the  Company  desires to  continue to employ the Officer as a
Group Vice President of the Company,  and the Officer  desires to be employed by
the Company as a Group Vice President,

         NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the foregoing and the respective
covenants and agreements of the parties herein contained, and the services to be
rendered to the Company pursuant hereto, and in order to provide an incentive to
the Officer to remain in the employ of the Company hereafter and, in particular,
in the event of any  Change in  Control  (as  herein  defined)  of the  Company,
thereby establishing and preserving continuity of management, the Parties hereby
agree as follows:

         (1) EMPLOYMENT

                  The  Company  hereby  agrees to employ  the  Officer,  and the
Officer  hereby  agrees to serve the  Company,  at the  pleasure of the Board of
Directors of the Company, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

         (2)      POSITION AND DUTIES

         The Officer shall be employed by the Company as a Group Vice President,
or in such other  equivalent  or higher  officership  position as the  Company's
Board of Directors may determine.  The Officer shall accept such  employment and
shall  perform  and  discharge,  faithfully,  diligently  and to the best of the
Officer's abilities, the duties and obligations of the Officer's office and such
other  duties as may from time to time be  assigned to the Officer by, or at the
direction  of,  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company,  and  shall  devote
substantially  all of the Officer's working time and efforts to the business and
affairs of the  Company.  Although a Change in Control of the Company  shall not
affect the  obligations  of the  Company and the Officer as set forth in the two
preceding  sentences,  at and  after  the  date of any  Change  in  Control  the
Company's  employment of the Officer shall also be without  diminishment  in the
Officer's management responsibilities, duties or powers.

         (3)      PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

         In his  employment  by the Company,  the Officer  shall be based at the
executive offices of the Company situated within the Company's statutory service
area.



<PAGE>


         (4)      COMPENSATION

                  (a) Base Salary.  During the term of the Officer's  employment
hereunder,  the Officer  shall  receive a base salary (Base Salary) at an annual
rate of One Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($140,000). The Officer's Base Salary
rate   shall  be   reviewed   by  the  Board  of   Directors   of  the   Company
contemporaneously  with each review of the salary rates of the  Company's  other
officers by said Board of Directors,  and may be revised  upwards as a result of
any such  review.  The  Officer's  Base Salary may be revised  downwards by said
Board of Directors  contemporaneously  with any general  reduction of the salary
rates of the Company's other officers.

                  (b) Incentive  Compensation.  During the term of the Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the Officer  shall be eligible to be  designated  by the
Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company  as  a  participant   in  each  incentive
compensation program established for all officers of the Company.

                  For purposes of this Agreement,  Total Compensation is defined
as the sum of the Officer's Base Salary and any amount paid or payable  pursuant
to this Section (4)(b).

                  (c)  Business  Expenses.  During  the  term  of the  Officer's
employment   hereunder,   the  Officer  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  prompt
reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Officer (in accordance
with the policies and  procedures  established  by the Board of Directors of the
Company  from  time to time for all of the  Company's  officers)  in  performing
services hereunder, provided that the Officer properly accounts therefor.

                  (d)  Benefit  Programs.  During  the  term  of  the  Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the  Officer  shall be entitled  to  participate  in and
receive  full  benefits  under  all of the  Company's  employee  benefit  plans,
programs and arrangements for its officers,  including,  without limitation, its
retirement and pension plan programs. Nothing paid to the Officer under any such
plan,  program  or  arrangement  presently  in effect or made  available  by the
Company  in the  future  shall be  deemed to be in lieu of  compensation  to the
Officer under any other Section of this Agreement.

                  (e) Vacations  and Holidays.  During the term of the Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the  Officer  shall be  entitled  to the  number of paid
vacation days in each calendar year  determined by the Board of Directors of the
Company from time to time for all of the Company's  officers,  and shall also be
entitled to all paid holidays afforded by the Company to its employees.

                  (f) Supplemental Retirement. Upon termination of the Officer's
employment,  a  supplemental  retirement  benefit shall be payable to him or his
beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of this Section (4)(f). The annual
supplemental


                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>

retirement benefit,  expressed in the form of a single life annuity beginning at
the Officer's Normal Retirement Date (as defined in the Company's Pension Plan),
shall be the excess,  if any,  of (A) less (B),  where (A) is 2.0% (.020) of the
Officer's  highest  three-year  average Total  Compensation  times the number of
years at  termination  (not to exceed  thirty)  of the  Officer's  service as an
employee of the  Company,  and (B) is the benefit  payable  under the  Company's
Pension Plan. Payment of the supplemental  retirement benefit shall begin at the
same time as the Officer's Pension Plan benefit payments and shall be subject to
the same reductions for early commencement.  The supplemental retirement benefit
may be paid in any form  available  under the  Pension  Plan,  as elected by the
Officer prior to benefit payment  commencement.  The conversion  factors between
forms of  benefits  used for  purposes  of the  Pension  Plan  shall be used for
purposes  of the  supplemental  retirement  benefit.  The form of payment of the
supplemental  retirement  benefit may be the same or different  from the form of
payment of the Officer's benefits under the Pension Plan. If the form of payment
provides for a death  benefit,  such benefit  shall be payable to the  Officer's
estate,  unless another  beneficiary has been designated by the Officer.  If the
Officer dies prior to the  commencement of benefit  payments,  the death benefit
provisions  of  the  Pension  Plan  shall  apply,   mutatis  mutandis,   to  the
supplemental retirement benefit payable pursuant to this Section (4)(f).

         (5) TERMINATION

                  (a) The Officer's employment hereunder shall terminate upon 
the Officer's death.

                  (b) The Board of  Directors of the Company may  terminate  the
Officer's  employment hereunder at any time, with or without Cause. Prior to the
date of a Change in  Control,  the  Company  shall be  deemed  to have  Cause to
terminate  the  Officer's  employment  hereunder  only  upon the  Officer's  (A)
continued  failure to perform and  discharge  the duties or  obligations  of the
Officer's  office,  or such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to
the  Officer by, or at the  direction  of, the Board of  Directors,  faithfully,
diligently,  to the best of the  Officer's  abilities,  and in  accordance  with
standards  accepted  in the  electric  utility  industry,  in the  opinion  of a
majority  of the  members  of the  Board of  Directors  of the  Company,  or (B)
misconduct  that is  injurious  to the Company,  or (C)  conviction  of a felony
involving  the personal  dishonesty  or moral  turpitude of the Officer,  or (D)
total and permanent physical or mental disability, or (E) absence from work on a
full-time basis, due to physical or mental illness, for an uninterrupted 365-day
period.  On and after  the date of a Change in  Control,  the  Company  shall be
deemed to have Cause to terminate the Officer's  employment  hereunder only upon
the Officer's (F)  conviction of a felony  involving the personal  dishonesty or
moral  turpitude of the Officer,  or (G) total and permanent  physical or mental
disability,  or (H) absence from work on a full-time  basis,  due to


                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>

physical or mental illness, for an uninterrupted 365-day period.

                  (c)  The  Officer  may  terminate  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder, upon at least thirty (30) days' prior Notice of Termination delivered
to the Company, for failure of the Company to observe and perform one or more of
its  obligations  under Sections (1), (2), (3) and/or (4) hereof,  which failure
the Company  fails to remedy within such notice period (a Breach by the Company)
at a time when the Officer is not in default of any of the Officer's obligations
under  Sections (1) and/or (2) hereof.  The Officer may terminate his employment
hereunder in the absence of a Breach by the Company, effective upon at least six
(6) months' prior Notice of Termination delivered to the Company.

                  (d) Notice of Termination.  Any termination of employment,  by
the Company or by the Officer,  shall be  communicated  by delivery of a written
Notice of Termination to the other party.

                  (e) Date of Termination.  For purposes of this Agreement,  the
Date of Termination is defined as: if the Officer's employment is terminated (A)
by his  death,  the date of his death,  or (B)  pursuant  to  Section  (5)(b) or
Section (5)(c) hereof, the date specified in the Notice of Termination.

         (6) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION

                  (a) If the  Officer's  employment  terminates by reason of the
Officer's  death,  the Company shall pay to the personal  representative  and/or
spouse of the Officer the Officer's Total Compensation  earned prior to the Date
of Termination, any amounts payable pursuant to Sections (4)(c), (4)(d) and 4(f)
hereof and any benefits or amounts payable under any deferred  compensation plan
in which the  Officer  had been a  participant,  and the  Company  shall have no
further obligation under this Agreement.

                  (b)  If  the  Officer  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder  in the  absence of a Breach by the  Company and upon at least six (6)
months' prior Notice of Termination, the Company shall pay to the Officer and/or
the  Officer's  personal   representative  and/or  spouse  the  Officer's  Total
Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any  amounts  payable
pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c),  (4)(d) and (4)(f)  hereof and any  benefits  or
amounts  payable under any deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had
been a  participant,  and the Company  shall have no further  obligation  to the
Officer and/or the Officer's  personal  representative  and/or spouse under this
Agreement or on account of, or arising out of, the  termination of the Officer's
employment.  The Officer may  petition the Board of Directors of the Company for
an  immediate  lump sum  payment,  in lieu of any  amounts  payable  pursuant to
Section (4)(f) hereof on account of the Officer's termination of employment,  in
an amount equal to the  actuarial  present  value of a  supplemental  retirement


                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>

benefit,  expressed in the form of a single life annuity  beginning at Officer's
termination of employment  (or age 55, if later),  equal to the excess if any of
(A) less (B)  where  (A) is 2.0%  (.020)  of the  Officer's  highest  three-year
average  Total  Compensation  times the number of years at  termination  (not to
exceed thirty) of the Officer's  service as an employee of the Company,  and (B)
is the  benefit  payable  under  the  Company's  Pension  Plan at the  Officer's
termination of employment (or age 55, if later).  The actuarial present value of
such  supplemental  retirement  benefit  shall be calculated on the basis of the
annual yield on thirty-year  United States  Treasury bonds on the final business
day of the month  preceding the Date of Termination of the Officer's  employment
and the 1983 Group  Annuity  table.  The Board of  Directors  of the Company may
grant or deny any such petition by the Officer in its absolute discretion.

                  (c)  If  the  Company  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder  with Cause,  or if the Officer  terminates  the Officer's  employment
hereunder  in the  absence of a Breach by the Company and upon less than six (6)
months'  prior Notice of  Termination,  the Company shall pay to the Officer the
Officer's full Base Salary earned prior to the Date of Termination,  any amounts
payable  pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c) and (4)(d)  hereof and any  benefits  or
amounts  payable under any deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had
been a participant,  and,  provided that the Company is not in default of any of
its obligations  hereunder,  the Company shall have no further obligation to the
Officer  under  this  Agreement  or on  account  of,  or  arising  out  of,  the
termination of the Officer's employment.

                  (d)  If  the  Company  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder without Cause, or if the Officer  terminates the Officer's  employment
hereunder on account of a Breach by the Company:

                           (i)      The Company shall pay to the Officer the
Officer's  Total  Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any
amounts  payable  pursuant to Sections  4(c) and 4(d) hereof and any benefits or
amounts  payable under any deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had
been a participant.

                           (ii)     The Company shall afford the Officer the
severance benefits set forth on Schedule C attached hereto.

                           (iii) In lieu of any amounts payable pursuant to 
Section (4)(f) hereof on account of the Officer's termination of employment, the
Company  shall pay to the  Officer an  immediate  lump sum  amount  equal to the
actuarial present value of a supplemental  retirement benefit,  expressed in the
form  of a  single  life  annuity  beginning  at the  Officer's  termination  of
employment  (or age 55, if  later),  equal to the excess if any of (A) less (B),
where (A) is 2.0%  (.020) of the  Officer's  highest  three-year  average  Total
Compensation  times the number of years


                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>

at termination (not to exceed thirty) of the Officer's service as an employee of
the Company,  and (B) is the benefit payable under the Company's Pension Plan at
the Officer's  termination  of employment  (or age 55, if later).  The actuarial
present value of such supplemental retirement benefit shall be calculated on the
basis of the annual yield on  thirty-year  United States  Treasury  bonds on the
final  business  day of the  month  preceding  the  Date of  Termination  of the
Officer's employment and the 1983 Group Annuity table.

                           (iv) The payment to, and acceptance by, the Officer
of any sum of money or benefit  prescribed  in this Section  (6)(d) shall effect
and evidence a release by the Officer of any and all claims  against the Company
on account of, or arising out of, the termination of the Officer's employment.

         (7) CHANGE IN CONTROL

         For purposes of this Agreement, Change in Control shall mean any of the
following events:

                  (a) any  merger  or  consolidation  of the  Company  with  any
corporate  shareholder of group of corporate  shareholders  holding  twenty-five
percent  (.25) or more of the  Common  Stock of the  Company  or with any  other
corporation  or  group  of  corporations  which  is,  or after  such  merger  or
consolidation  would be, or be affiliated  with, a  shareholder  owning at least
twenty-five percent (.25) of the Common Stock of the Company; or

                  (b) any sale, lease, exchange,  mortgage,  pledge, transfer or
other  disposition to or with any shareholder or group of  shareholders  holding
twenty-five  percent  (.25) or more of the Common Stock of the  Company,  or any
affiliate of such  shareholder  or group of  shareholders,  of any assets of the
Company having an aggregate fair market value of $50 million or more; or

                  (c) the issuance or sale by the Company of any  securities  of
the Company to any  shareholder  or group of  shareholders  holding  twenty-five
percent (.25) or more of the Common Stock of the Company, or to any affiliate of
such shareholder or group of shareholders,  in exchange for cash,  securities or
other  consideration  having an  aggregate  fair market  value of $50 million or
more; or

                  (d)  the  implementation  of any  plan  or  proposal  for  the
liquidation  or  dissolution  of the  Company  proposed  by or on  behalf of any
shareholder or group of shareholders  owning at least twenty-five  percent (.25)
of the Common Stock of the Company,  or any  affiliate  of such  shareholder  or
group of shareholders; or

                  (e) any  reclassification  of securities  (including a reverse
stock split), or  recapitalization of the Company or any other transaction which
has the effect, directly or indirectly, 


                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

of increasing  the  proportionate  share of  outstanding  shares of any class of
equity securities,  or securities convertible into any equity securities, of the
Company,  which is directly or  indirectly  owned by a  shareholder  or group of
shareholders  owning at least  twenty-five  percent (.25) of the Common Stock of
the Company, or any affiliate of such shareholder or group of shareholders.

         The Board of Directors of the Company  may,  from time to time,  by the
affirmative  vote of not less than a majority of the entire  membership  of said
Board of Directors,  at a meeting of said Board of Directors called and held for
the purpose, modify the phrase "twenty-five percent (.25)" in one or more of the
foregoing  Sections  (7)(a),  (7)(b),  (7)(c),  (7)(d) and/or (7)(e) to a lesser
percentage, but not less than twenty percent (.20).

         (8) ADDITIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL

                  (a) In the event that a Change in Control has been approved by
all necessary  shareholder,  creditor and regulatory actions,  the Company will,
not later  than the day prior to the date of the Change in  Control,  pay to the
Trustee of The United Illuminating Company Supplemental Retirement Benefit Trust
established  pursuant  to the  Agreement,  made as of the 1st day of June,  1995
between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee, for the
benefit of the  Officer,  cash in an amount  equal to: (A) In the event that the
Officer's employment has been terminated or will be terminated prior to the date
of the  Change  in  Control,  a sum,  calculated  by the  Company's  independent
certified  public  accountants,  reasonably  sufficient to pay and discharge the
Company's  future  obligations,  if any,  to the  Officer  and/or  his  personal
representative  and/or spouse,  under Section (6)(a),  Section (6)(b) or Section
(6)(d)  hereof;  or (B) in the event that the Officer's  employment has not been
terminated  and  will not be  terminated  prior  to the  date of the  Change  in
Control,  a  sum,  calculated  by the  Company's  independent  certified  public
accountants,   reasonably   sufficient   to  pay  and  discharge  the  Company's
obligations to the Officer under Section (6)(d) hereof assuming, for purposes of
such calculation, that the Officer's employment is terminated under said Section
(6)(d) by a Notice of Termination delivered on the date of the Change in Control
and specifying an immediate Date of Termination.

                  (b) On and  after  the  date of the  Change  in  Control,  the
Officer's  Base Salary may not be reduced by the Board of Directors to an annual
rate less than the rate  fixed by the Board of  Directors  of the  Company  as a
result of its most recent  review of salary  rates,  pursuant to Section  (4)(a)
hereof, prior to the date of the Change in Control.

         (9) TAX SAVINGS PROVISION

         If any  portion  of the  payments  which the  Officer  has the right to
receive from the Company,  or any affiliated entity,


                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

hereunder would constitute  "excess  parachute  payments" (as defined in Section
280G of the Internal Revenue Code, and not governed by the terms defined in this
Agreement)  subject to the excise tax  imposed by Section  4999 of the  Internal
Revenue Code,  such excess  parachute  payments  shall be reduced to the largest
amount that will result in no portion of such excess  parachute  payments  being
subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.

         (10) SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT

                  (a) The Company shall pay to the Officer  and/or the Officer's
personal  representative  and/or  spouse all legal fees and  expenses  and court
costs,  if any,  incurred by the  Officer  and/or the  Officer's  representative
and/or  spouse in successful  litigation  to enforce the Officer's  rights under
this Agreement.

                  (b) The Company will require any successor  (whether direct or
indirect,   by  purchase,   merger,   consolidation  or  otherwise)  to  all  or
substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, by agreement in form
and substance  reasonably  satisfactory to the Officer,  to expressly assume and
agree to perform  this  Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that
the  Company  would be required  to perform it if no such  succession  had taken
place.  Failure of the Company to obtain such agreement by the  effectiveness of
any such  succession  shall be a breach of this  Agreement and shall entitle the
Officer to  compensation  from the  Company in the same amount and upon the same
terms as the Officer  would be entitled to hereunder  if the Officer  terminated
the Officer's  employment upon Breach by the Company,  except that, for purposes
of implementing  the foregoing,  the date on which any such  succession  becomes
effective  shall be deemed the Date of  Termination.  As used in this Agreement,
the term "the Company" shall include The United Illuminating Company, any parent
and any  successor  to the  business  or assets of  either  as  aforesaid  which
executes and delivers the  agreement  provided for in this Section (10) or which
otherwise  becomes bound by all the terms and  provisions  of this  Agreement by
operation of law.

                  (c) This  Agreement  and all rights of the  Officer  hereunder
shall inure to the benefit of and be  enforceable  by the Officer's  personal or
legal   representatives,    executors,   administrators,    successors,   heirs,
distributees, devisees and legatees. If the Officer should die while any amounts
would still be payable to the Officer  hereunder if the Officer had continued to
live,  all such amounts,  unless  otherwise  provided  herein,  shall be paid in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the Officer's devisee, legatee or
other designee or, if there be no such designee, to the Officer's estate.

         (11) NOTICE

         For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications
to either party hereunder  provided for in the


                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>

Agreement  shall be in writing  and shall be deemed to have been duly given when
delivered  or mailed by United  States  certified  or  registered  mail,  return
receipt requested,  postage prepaid,  addressed,  in the case of the Company, to
The United  Illuminating  Company,  157 Church Street,  New Haven,  Connecticut,
Attention:  Secretary,  or, in the case of the  Officer,  to the  Officer at 157
Church Street, New Haven  Connecticut,  or to such other address as either party
shall designate by giving written notice of such change to the other party.

         (12) MISCELLANEOUS

                  (a) No provision of this Agreement may be modified,  waived or
discharged  unless such  waiver,  modification  or  discharge is approved by the
Board of  Directors  of the  Company  and  agreed to in a writing  signed by the
Officer and such officer of the Company as may be specifically authorized by the
Board of Directors of the Company.  No waiver by either party hereto at any time
of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or
provision of this  Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed
a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at
any  prior  or  subsequent  time.  No  agreements  or  representations,  oral or
otherwise,  express or implied,  with respect to the subject  matter hereof have
been made by either party that are not set forth  expressly  in this  Agreement.
The validity,  interpretation,  construction  and  performance of this Agreement
shall be governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut.

                  (b) Exhibits A-1 and A-2 attached hereto, showing calculations
of supplemental retirement benefits under Section (4)(f), and Exhibit B attached
hereto,  showing a calculation of a lump sum payment under Section  (6)(d)(iii),
are  incorporated  herein by reference and set forth,  by example,  the parties'
intended interpretation and application of such Sections.

         (13) VALIDITY

         The validity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

         (14) SURVIVAL

         The provisions of this Agreement  shall not survive the  termination of
this  Agreement  or of the  Officer's  employment  hereunder,  except  that  the
provisions of Sections (4), (6), (8), (9),  (10),  and (11) hereof shall survive
such termination and shall be binding upon the Company's successors and assigns.

         (15) COUNTERPARTS

         This  Agreement  may be executed in one or more  counterparts,


                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>

each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which  together  will
constitute one and the same instrument.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on
the date and year first above written.

Attest:                    THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY



  /s/ Kurt Mohlman         By:        /s/ Richard J. Grossi
- ----------------------        -------------------------------------
Secretary                     Chairman of the Board of Directors
                              and Chief Executive Officer



                                     /s/ Anthony J. Vallillo
                              -------------------------------------
                                         Anthony J. Vallillo




                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>




                                   EXHIBIT A-1
                                       To
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                     BETWEEN
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                       AND

                              MR. ANTHONY VALLILLO
                              --------------------

Sample calculation of supplemental retirement benefits under Section (4)(f).

Assume  the  Officer   retires  upon  the  termination  of  his  employment  and
immediately commences his Pension Plan benefits under the following facts:

(1) Retirement Age                         55 (September 1, 1990)
                                           --------------------------
(2) Actual Service with the Company        33 years 3 months (9/1/90)
                                           --------------------------
(3) Service with the Company               33 years 3 months (9/1/90)
                                           --------------------------
(4) Three-year average Total Compensation  See Calculations Below
                                           --------------------------

Projected Earnings at age 54     $143,580
Projected Earnings at age 53      136,095
Estimated Earnings at age 52      129,000   3-year average - $136,225
Estimated Earnings at age 51      122,275
Estimated Earnings at age 50      115,900   5-year average - $129,370

(A) Target Benefit at Age 55
- ----------------------------

1. 2.0% of 3-year average earnings times Service (Up to 30 years)
   (.020) x ($136,225) x (30)                                           $81,735
2. Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Service)                    .561
                                                                         ------
3. Target Benefit at Age 55: 1 times 2                                   45,853

(B) Pension Benefit at Age 55
- -----------------------------

1.  Quantity A                                                          $10,000
2.  Quantity B                                                          119,370
3.  Quantity C                                                          129,370
4.  1% of Quantity A plus 2% of Quantity B:                               2,487
5.  Service with the Company (up to 25 years)                                25
6.  4 time 5                                                             62,175
7.  1/2% of Quantity C (up to $13,000)                                       65
8.  Service with the Company in excess of 25 years                         8.25
9.  7 times 8                                                               536
10. Pension unreduced at age 55: 6 plus 9                                62,711
11. Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Service)                   .561
12. Pension payable at age 55: 10 times 11                               35,181
13. Supplemental Pension: A3-B12                                         10,672


<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT A-2
                                       To
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                     BETWEEN
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                       AND

                              MR. ANTHONY VALLILLO
                              --------------------

Sample calculation of supplemental retirement benefits under Section (4)(f).

Assume the Agreement  terminates but the Officer continues to be employed by the
Company for 2 years  thereafter  before retiring and commencing his Pension Plan
benefits under the following facts:

(1)    Retirement Age                            57 (September 1, 1992)
                                                 --------------------------
(2)    Service with the Company

       (a) Before Expiration of Agreement        33 years 3 months
                                                 --------------------------
       (b) After Expiration of Agreement          2 years
                                                 --------------------------
       (c) Total                                 35 years 3 months (9/1/92)
                                                 --------------------------

(3)    Three-year average total Compensation     See Calculations Below
                                                 --------------------------

Projected Earnings at age 56        $159,808
Projected Earnings at age 55         151,477
Estimated Earnings at age 54         143,580   3-year average - $151,622
Estimated Earnings at age 53         136,095
Estimated Earnings at age 52         129,000   5-year average - $143,992

(A) Target Benefit at Age 57
- ----------------------------

1. 2.0% of 3-year average earnings times Service (Up to 30 years)
   (.020) x ($151,622) x (30)                                           $90,973
2. Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Service)                    .655
                                                                         ------
3. Target Benefit at Age 55: 1 times 2                                   59,587

(B) Pension Benefit at Age 57
- -----------------------------

1.  Quantity A                                                          $10,000
2.  Quantity B                                                          133,992
3.  Quantity C                                                          143,992
4.  1% of Quantity A plus 2% of Quantity B:                               2,780
5.  Service with the Company (up to 25 years)                                25
6.  4 times 5                                                            69,500


<PAGE>

7.  1/2% of Quantity C (up to $13,000)                                       65
8.  Service with the Company in excess of 25 years                        10.25
9.  7 times 8                                                               666
10. Pension unreduced at age 57: 6 plus 9                                70,166
11. Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Service)                   .655
12. Pension payable at age 57: 10 times 11                               45,959
13. Supplemental Pension: A3-B12                                         13,628


                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>




                                    EXHIBIT B
                                       To
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                     BETWEEN
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                       AND
                              MR. ANTHONY VALLILLO
                              --------------------

Sample  calculation  of lump  sum  payment  in lieu of  supplemental  retirement
benefit under Section (6)(d)(iii).  Assume the Officer's  employment  terminates
and Section (6)(d) applies under the following facts:

Assume  the  Officer   retires  upon  the  termination  of  his  employment  and
immediately commences his Pension Plan benefits under the following facts:

(1)  Age of Executive at Termination          53 (May 31, 1988)
                                              --------------------------
(2)  Service with the Company                 31 years         (5/31/88)
                                              --------------------------
(3)  Three-year average Total Compensation    See Calculations Below
                                              --------------------------

Projected Earnings at age 53    $136,095
Estimated Earnings at age 52     129,000
Estimated Earnings at age 51     122,275   3-year average = $129,123
Estimated Earnings at age 50     115,900
Estimated Earnings at age 49     109,858   5-year average = $122,626

(A) Target Benefit at Age 51
- ----------------------------

1.  2.0% of 3-year average earnings times Service (Up to 30 years)
    (.020) x ($129,123) x (30)                                          $77,474
2.  Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Service)                  1.000
                                                                         ------
3.  Target Benefit at Age 51: 1 times 2                                  77,474

(B) Pension Benefit at Age 55
- -----------------------------

1.  Quantity A                                                          $10,000
2.  Quantity B                                                          112,626
3.  Quantity C                                                          122,626
4.  1% of Quantity A plus 2% of Quantity B:                               2,353
5.  Service with the Company (up to 25 years)                                25
6.  4 times 5                                                            58,825
7.  1/2% of Quantity C (up to $13,000)                                       65
8.  Service with the Company in excess of 25 years                            6
9.  7 times 8                                                               390
10. Pension unreduced at age 55: 6 plus 9                                59,215
11. Early Retirement Reduction Factor (based on Service)                   .561
12. Pension payable at age 55: 10 times 11                               33,220
13. Supplemental Pension: A3-B12                                         44,254




<PAGE>

14. Annuity Factor for Determining Lump Sum Value at age 55             10.3880
15. Lump Sum Value at age 55: 13 times 14                               459,711
16. Interest discount factor from age 55 to age 53 (based on 7-1/2%)      .8653
17. Lump Sum Value at age 55, discounted to age 53 15 times 16          397,788


                                        - 2 -
<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE C



                               Severance Benefits
                               ------------------

At the option of the Officer,  exercised by written  notice to the Company,  the
benefits of either (A) or (B) below will be afforded the Officer:

(A)  a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the product of (X)  multiplied  by
     (Y), where:

          (X)  is the sum of  one-twelfth  of the  Officer's  annual salary rate
               approved by the Board of  Directors of the Company at the time of
               its  most  recent  review  of  the  salary  rates  of  all of the
               Company's  officers,  plus  one-twelfth of the cash award(s) that
               the   Officer   would   earn  under  the   short-term   incentive
               compensation  program(s) in which the Officer is a participant on
               the date of the termination of the Officer's employment, assuming
               that  all of the  Officer's  program  goals  for the  performance
               period are achieved at the target level; and
          (Y)  is the number of whole and partial  years (not to be less than 12
               nor more than 24) of the Officer's  service deemed as an employee
               of the  Company  on the  date  of  termination  of the  Officer's
               employment.

(B)  The  Officer's  choice of the addition of six years of age, or six years of
     service deemed as an employee of the Company,  or any  combination  (not to
     exceed 6) of whole and partial  years of age and whole and partial years of
     service  deemed as an employee of the Company,  in the  calculation  of the
     benefits payable to the Officer under the Company's retiree medical benefit
     plan(s) and in the calculation of the benefits  payable to the Officer as a
     supplemental retirement benefit under his Employment Agreement.

Exhibits C-1 and C-2  attached  hereto,  showing  calculations  of  supplemental
retirement benefits under Schedule C, paragraph (B), set forth, by example,  the
parties' intended interpretation and application of said paragraph.


<PAGE>

                                        EXHIBIT C-1
                                             TO
                                    EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                          BETWEEN
                               THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                            AND
                                    MR. ANTHONY VALLILLO
                                    --------------------

Sample  calculation  of  supplemental   retirement  benefits  under  Schedule  A
paragraph (B).

Assume the Officer retires on the date of termination of employment based on the
following facts:

Actual Date of Termination                              4/1/97
Actual Age of Officer at Termination                    56
Actual Years of Service at Termination                  30

Enhanced Age of Officer at Termination                  62 (+6 years)
Enhanced Years of Service at Termination                30 (+0 years)

Three Year Average Total Compensation                   $140,000

(A)  The retirement  benefit  calculated in accordance  with  Company's  Pension
     Plan, but with the addition of six years of age.

Gross Pension (Attachment A-1-1)                        $67,605.84
Reduction for Early Retirement Age: 62 years (.0000)          0.00
                                                         ---------
Net Annual Pension                                      $67,605.84

(B)  The benefit payable to the Officer under the Company's  Pension Plan at the
     age of 56.

Gross Pension (Attachment A-1-2)                        $67,611.44
Reduction for Early Retirement Age 56 (.3950)            26,706.52
                                                         ---------
Net Annual Pension                                      $40,904.92

Supplemental Retirement Benefit
(A) - (B) = ($67,605.84) - ($40,904.92) = $26,700.92


<PAGE>


                                                           Attachment A-1-1



                      THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                      -------------------------------


NAME:    ENHANCED AGE 62

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT RETIREMENT:     62 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:      30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:     100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:         4/03/97

                               BENEFIT CALCULATION
                          -------------------------------------         ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                       --------
A1 =   1024.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%   X   25.0000     X  12076.66 =               $ 3019.17
A2 =    407.00            (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%   X   25.0000     X 127923.34 =                63961.67
   =  12076.66            (NO. OF YRS.)     (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127923.34    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%   X    5.0000     X  25000.00 =                  625.00
C  = 140000.00            (NO. OF YRS.)     (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                             OF 25000.00)              --------

                                             GROSS PENSION =          $67605.84
                                                                       ========



<PAGE>


                                                              Attachment A-1-2



                            THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                            -------------------------------


NAME:    ENHANCED AGE 56

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT RETIREMENT:         56 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/03/97

                               BENEFIT CALCULATION
                   ------------------------------------                 ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1223.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   l.0%  X   25.0000       X   12054.21 =             $ 3013.55
A2 =    487.00             (NO. OF YRS.)      (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%  X   25.0000       X  127945.79 =              63972.89
   =  12054.21             (NO. OF YRS.)      (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127945.79    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%  X    5.0000       X   25000.00 =                625.00
C  = 140000.00             (NO. OF YRS.)      (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                               OF 25000.00)            --------

                                              GROSS PENSION =         $67611.44
                                                                       ========



<PAGE>


                                EXHIBIT C-2
                                   TO
                            EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                  BETWEEN
                       THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                    AND
                            MR. ANTHONY VALLILLO
                            --------------------

Sample  calculation  of  supplemental   retirement  benefits  under  Schedule  A
paragraph (B).

Assume the Officer  terminates  on the date of  termination  of  employment  and
elects to begin receiving  his/her vested pension benefit at age 55 based on the
following facts:

Actual Date of Termination                           4/1/97
Actual Age of Executive at Termination               50
Actual Years of Service at Termination               24

Enhanced Age of Executive at Termination             50 (+0 years)
Enhanced Years of Service at Termination             30 (+6 years)

Three Year Average Total Compensation                $140,000

(A)  The retirement (vested pension) benefit,  payable to the Officer at age 55,
     calculated in accordance with Company's Pension Plan, but with the addition
     of six years of service.

Gross Vested Pension (Attachment A-2-1)              $67,526.96
Reduction for Early Retirement Age: 55 years (.4390)  29,644.34
                                                      ---------
Net Annual Pension                                   $37,882.62

(B)  The vested  pension  benefit  payable to the  Officer  under the  Company's
     Pension Plan at the age of 55.

Gross Vested Pension (Attachment A-2-2)              $63,876.25
Reduction for Early Retirement Age: 55 years (.5730)  36,601.09
                                                      ---------
Net Annual Pension                                   $27,275.16

Supplemental Retirement Benefit
(A) - (B) = ($37,882.62) - ($27,275.16) = $10,607.46


<PAGE>


                                                             Attachment A-2-1



                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                             -------------------------------


NAME:    ACTUAL AGE 50

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT TERMINATION:        50 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/03/97

                               BENEFIT CALCULATION
                   ------------------------------------                 ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1185.00     FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                    1.0%  X   25.0000      X   12392.16 =             $ 3098.04
A2 =    459.00              (NO. OF YRS.)     (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2     2.0%  X   25.0000      X   127607.84 =             63803.92
   =  12392.16              (NO. OF YRS.)     (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127607.84     YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                     .5%  X    5.0000      X    25000.00 =               625.00
C  = 140000.00              (NO. OF YRS.)     (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                               OF 25000.00)            --------

                                              GROSS PENSION =         $67526.96
                                                                       ========


<PAGE>


                                                              Attachment A-2-2



                              THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                              -------------------------------


NAME:    AGE 50

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT TERMINATION:        50 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          24 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/04/97

                          BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  ------------------------------------                 ANNUAL
                                                                       AMOUNT
                                                                       ------
A1 =   1131.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%  X  24.0000        X   13848.98 =             $ 3323.76
A2 =    392.00             (NO. OF YRS.)      (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%  X  24.0000        X  126151.02 =              60552.49
   =  13848.98             (NO. OF YRS.)      (QUANTITY B)

B  = 126151.02    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%  X    .0000        X   25000.00 =                   .00
C  = 140000.00             (NO. OF YRS.)      (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                               OF 25000.00)            --------

                                           GROSS PENSION =            $63876.25
                                                                       ========


                                                            EXHIBIT 10.27

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS  AGREEMENT,  made as of the 1st day of March,  1997,  between  THE
UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY, a Connecticut corporation (the Company) and RITA L.
BOWLBY, an individual (the Officer),

                                 WITNESSETH THAT

         WHEREAS,  the Company desires to continue to employ the Officer as Vice
President  - Corporate  Affairs of the  Company,  and the Officer  desires to be
employed by the Company as Vice President - Corporate Affairs.

         NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the foregoing and the respective
covenants and agreements of the parties herein contained, and the services to be
rendered to the Company pursuant hereto, and in order to provide an incentive to
the Officer to remain in the employ of the Company hereafter and, in particular,
in the event of any  Change in  Control  (as  herein  defined)  of the  Company,
thereby establishing and preserving continuity of management, the Parties hereby
agree as follows:

         (1) EMPLOYMENT

                  The  Company  hereby  agrees to employ  the  Officer,  and the
Officer  hereby  agrees to serve the  Company,  at the  pleasure of the Board of
Directors of the Company, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

         (2)      POSITION AND DUTIES

         The  Officer  shall be  employed  by the  Company as Vice  President  -
Corporate Affairs, or in such other equivalent or higher officership position as
the Company's  Board of Directors may  determine.  The Officer shall accept such
employment  and shall perform and discharge,  faithfully,  diligently and to the
best of the Officer's  abilities,  the duties and  obligations  of the Officer's
office and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to the Officer
by, or at the  direction  of, the Board of Directors  of the Company,  and shall
devote  substantially  all of the  Officer's  working  time and  efforts  to the
business and affairs of the Company. Although a Change in Control of the Company
shall not affect the  obligations of the Company and the Officer as set forth in
the two preceding sentences,  at and after the date of any Change in Control the
Company's  employment of the Officer shall also be without  diminishment  in the
Officer's management responsibilities, duties or powers.

         (3)      PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

         In his  employment  by the Company,  the Officer  shall be based at the
executive offices of the Company situated within the Company's statutory service
area.


<PAGE>

         (4)      COMPENSATION

                  (a) Base Salary.  During the term of the Officer's  employment
hereunder,  the Officer  shall  receive a base salary (Base Salary) at an annual
rate of One Hundred  Thirteen  Thousand  One  Hundred  Dollars  ($113,100).  The
Officer's  Base Salary rate shall be reviewed by the Board of  Directors  of the
Company  contemporaneously with each review of the salary rates of the Company's
other  officers  by said Board of  Directors,  and may be  revised  upwards as a
result of any such review. The Officer's Base Salary may be revised downwards by
said Board of  Directors  contemporaneously  with any general  reduction  of the
salary rates of the Company's other officers.

                  (b) Incentive  Compensation.  During the term of the Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the Officer  shall be eligible to be  designated  by the
Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company  as  a  participant   in  each  incentive
compensation program established for all officers of the Company.

                  For purposes of this Agreement,  Total Compensation is defined
as the sum of the Officer's Base Salary and any amount paid or payable  pursuant
to this Section (4)(b).

                  (c)  Business  Expenses.  During  the  term  of the  Officer's
employment   hereunder,   the  Officer  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  prompt
reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Officer (in accordance
with the policies and  procedures  established  by the Board of Directors of the
Company  from  time to time for all of the  Company's  officers)  in  performing
services hereunder, provided that the Officer properly accounts therefor.

                  (d)  Benefit  Programs.  During  the  term  of  the  Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the  Officer  shall be entitled  to  participate  in and
receive  full  benefits  under  all of the  Company's  employee  benefit  plans,
programs and arrangements for its officers,  including,  without limitation, its
retirement and pension plan programs. Nothing paid to the Officer under any such
plan,  program  or  arrangement  presently  in effect or made  available  by the
Company  in the  future  shall be  deemed to be in lieu of  compensation  to the
Officer under any other Section of this Agreement.

                  (e) Vacations  and Holidays.  During the term of the Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the  Officer  shall be  entitled  to the  number of paid
vacation days in each calendar year  determined by the Board of Directors of the
Company from time to time for all of the Company's  officers,  and shall also be
entitled to all paid holidays afforded by the Company to its employees.

         (5) TERMINATION

                  (a) The Officer's employment hereunder shall terminate upon 
the Officer's death.

                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>

                  (b) The Board of  Directors of the Company may  terminate  the
Officer's  employment hereunder at any time, with or without Cause. Prior to the
date of a Change in  Control,  the  Company  shall be  deemed  to have  Cause to
terminate  the  Officer's  employment  hereunder  only  upon the  Officer's  (A)
continued  failure to perform and  discharge  the duties or  obligations  of the
Officer's  office,  or such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to
the  Officer by, or at the  direction  of, the Board of  Directors,  faithfully,
diligently,  to the best of the  Officer's  abilities,  and in  accordance  with
standards  accepted  in the  electric  utility  industry,  in the  opinion  of a
majority  of the  members  of the  Board of  Directors  of the  Company,  or (B)
misconduct  that is  injurious  to the Company,  or (C)  conviction  of a felony
involving  the personal  dishonesty  or moral  turpitude of the Officer,  or (D)
total and permanent physical or mental disability, or (E) absence from work on a
full-time basis, due to physical or mental illness, for an uninterrupted 365-day
period.  On and after  the date of a Change in  Control,  the  Company  shall be
deemed to have Cause to terminate the Officer's  employment  hereunder only upon
the Officer's (F)  conviction of a felony  involving the personal  dishonesty or
moral  turpitude of the Officer,  or (G) total and permanent  physical or mental
disability,  or (H) absence from work on a full-time  basis,  due to physical or
mental illness, for an uninterrupted 365-day period.

                  (c)  The  Officer  may  terminate  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder, upon at least thirty (30) days' prior Notice of Termination delivered
to the Company, for failure of the Company to observe and perform one or more of
its  obligations  under Sections (1), (2), (3) and/or (4) hereof,  which failure
the Company  fails to remedy within such notice period (a Breach by the Company)
at a time when the Officer is not in default of any of the Officer's obligations
under  Sections (1) and/or (2) hereof.  The Officer may terminate his employment
hereunder in the absence of a Breach by the Company, effective upon at least six
(6) months' prior Notice of Termination delivered to the Company.

                  (d) Notice of Termination.  Any termination of employment,  by
the Company or by the Officer,  shall be  communicated  by delivery of a written
Notice of Termination to the other party.

                  (e) Date of Termination.  For purposes of this Agreement,  the
Date of Termination is defined as: if the Officer's employment is terminated (A)
by his  death,  the date of his death,  or (B)  pursuant  to  Section  (5)(b) or
Section (5)(c) hereof, the date specified in the Notice of Termination.

         (6) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION

                  (a) If the  Officer's  employment  terminates by reason of the
Officer's  death,  the Company shall pay to the personal  representative  and/or
spouse of the Officer the Officer's Total


                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>

Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any  amounts  payable
pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c) and (4)(d)  hereof  and any  benefits  or amounts
payable  under any  deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had been a
participant,  and the  Company  shall  have no  further  obligation  under  this
Agreement.

                  (b)  If  the  Officer  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder  in the  absence of a Breach by the  Company and upon at least six (6)
months' prior Notice of Termination, the Company shall pay to the Officer and/or
the  Officer's  personal   representative  and/or  spouse  the  Officer's  Total
Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any  amounts  payable
pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c) and (4)(d)  hereof  and any  benefits  or amounts
payable  under any  deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had been a
participant,  and the Company  shall have no further  obligation  to the Officer
and/or the Officer's personal  representative and/or spouse under this Agreement
or on  account  of,  or  arising  out  of,  the  termination  of  the  Officer's
employment.

                  (c)  If  the  Company  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder  with Cause,  or if the Officer  terminates  the Officer's  employment
hereunder  in the  absence of a Breach by the Company and upon less than six (6)
months'  prior Notice of  Termination,  the Company shall pay to the Officer the
Officer's full Base Salary earned prior to the Date of Termination,  any amounts
payable  pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c) and (4)(d)  hereof and any  benefits  or
amounts  payable under any deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had
been a participant,  and,  provided that the Company is not in default of any of
its obligations  hereunder,  the Company shall have no further obligation to the
Officer  under  this  Agreement  or on  account  of,  or  arising  out  of,  the
termination of the Officer's employment.

                  (d)  If  the  Company  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder without Cause, or if the Officer  terminates the Officer's  employment
hereunder on account of a Breach by the Company:

                           (i)      The Company shall pay to the Officer the
Officer's  Total  Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any
amounts  payable  pursuant to Sections  4(c) and 4(d) hereof and any benefits or
amounts  payable under any deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had
been a participant.

                           (ii)     The Company shall afford the Officer the
severance benefits set forth on Schedule A attached hereto.

                           (iii) The payment to, and acceptance by, the Officer
of any sum of money or benefit  prescribed  in this Section  (6)(d) shall effect
and evidence a release by the Officer of any and all claims  against the Company
on account of, or arising out of, the termination of the Officer's employment.



                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>

         (7) CHANGE IN CONTROL

         For purposes of this Agreement, Change in Control shall mean any of the
following events:

                  (a) any  merger  or  consolidation  of the  Company  with  any
corporate  shareholder or group of corporate  shareholders  holding  twenty-five
percent  (.25) or more of the  Common  Stock of the  Company  or with any  other
corporation  or  group  of  corporations  which  is,  or after  such  merger  or
consolidation  would be, or be affiliated  with, a  shareholder  owning at least
twenty-five percent (.25) of the Common Stock of the Company; or

                  (b) any sale, lease, exchange,  mortgage,  pledge, transfer or
other  disposition to or with any shareholder or group of  shareholders  holding
twenty-five  percent  (.25) or more of the Common Stock of the  Company,  or any
affiliate of such  shareholder  or group of  shareholders,  of any assets of the
Company having an aggregate fair market value of $50 million or more; or

                  (c) the issuance or sale by the Company of any  securities  of
the Company to any  shareholder  or group of  shareholders  holding  twenty-five
percent (.25) or more of the Common Stock of the Company, or to any affiliate of
such shareholder or group of shareholders,  in exchange for cash,  securities or
other  consideration  having an  aggregate  fair market  value of $50 million or
more; or

                  (d)  the  implementation  of any  plan  or  proposal  for  the
liquidation  or  dissolution  of the  Company  proposed  by or on  behalf of any
shareholder or group of shareholders  owning at least twenty-five  percent (.25)
of the Common Stock of the Company,  or any  affiliate  of such  shareholder  or
group of shareholders; or

                  (e) any  reclassification  of securities  (including a reverse
stock split), or  recapitalization of the Company or any other transaction which
has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of
outstanding shares of any class of equity securities,  or securities convertible
into any equity  securities,  of the  Company,  which is directly or  indirectly
owned by a  shareholder  or group of  shareholders  owning at least  twenty-five
percent  (.25) of the Common  Stock of the  Company,  or any  affiliate  of such
shareholder or group of shareholders.

         The Board of Directors of the Company  may,  from time to time,  by the
affirmative  vote of not less than a majority of the entire  membership  of said
Board of Directors,  at a meeting of said Board of Directors called and held for
the purpose, modify the phrase "twenty-five percent (.25)" in one or more of the
foregoing  Sections  (7)(a),  (7)(b),  (7)(c),  (7)(d) and/or (7)(e) to a lesser
percentage, but not less than twenty percent (.20).



                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>

         (8) ADDITIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL

                  (a) In the event that a Change in Control has been approved by
all necessary  shareholder,  creditor and regulatory actions,  the Company will,
not later  than the day prior to the date of the Change in  Control,  pay to the
Trustee of The United Illuminating Company Supplemental Retirement Benefit Trust
established  pursuant  to the  Agreement,  made as of the 1st day of June,  1995
between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee, for the
benefit of the  Officer,  cash in an amount  equal to: (A) In the event that the
Officer's employment has been terminated or will be terminated prior to the date
of the  Change  in  Control,  a sum,  calculated  by the  Company's  independent
certified  public  accountants,  reasonably  sufficient to pay and discharge the
Company's  future  obligations,  if any,  to the  Officer  and/or  his  personal
representative  and/or spouse,  under Section (6)(a),  Section (6)(b) or Section
(6)(d)  hereof;  or (B) in the event that the Officer's  employment has not been
terminated  and  will not be  terminated  prior  to the  date of the  Change  in
Control,  a  sum,  calculated  by the  Company's  independent  certified  public
accountants,   reasonably   sufficient   to  pay  and  discharge  the  Company's
obligations to the Officer under Section (6)(d) hereof assuming, for purposes of
such calculation, that the Officer's employment is terminated under said Section
(6)(d) by a Notice of Termination delivered on the date of the Change in Control
and specifying an immediate Date of Termination.

                  (b) On and  after  the  date of the  Change  in  Control,  the
Officer's  Base Salary may not be reduced by the Board of Directors to an annual
rate less than the rate  fixed by the Board of  Directors  of the  Company  as a
result of its most recent  review of salary  rates,  pursuant to Section  (4)(a)
hereof, prior to the date of the Change in Control.

         (9) TAX SAVINGS PROVISION

         If any  portion  of the  payments  which the  Officer  has the right to
receive from the Company,  or any affiliated entity,  hereunder would constitute
"excess parachute  payments" (as defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue
Code,  and not governed by the terms defined in this  Agreement)  subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the  Internal  Revenue  Code,  such excess
parachute payments shall be reduced to the largest amount that will result in no
portion  of such  excess  parachute  payments  being  subject  to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.

         (10) SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT

                  (a) The Company shall pay to the Officer  and/or the Officer's
personal  representative  and/or  spouse all legal fees and  expenses  and court
costs,  if any,  incurred by the  Officer  and/or the  Officer's  representative
and/or  spouse in successful  litigation  to enforce the Officer's  rights under
this Agreement.



                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

                  (b) The Company will require any successor  (whether direct or
indirect,   by  purchase,   merger,   consolidation  or  otherwise)  to  all  or
substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, by agreement in form
and substance  reasonably  satisfactory to the Officer,  to expressly assume and
agree to perform  this  Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that
the  Company  would be required  to perform it if no such  succession  had taken
place.  Failure of the Company to obtain such agreement by the  effectiveness of
any such  succession  shall be a breach of this  Agreement and shall entitle the
Officer to  compensation  from the  Company in the same amount and upon the same
terms as the Officer  would be entitled to hereunder  if the Officer  terminated
the Officer's  employment upon Breach by the Company,  except that, for purposes
of implementing  the foregoing,  the date on which any such  succession  becomes
effective  shall be deemed the Date of  Termination.  As used in this Agreement,
the term "the Company" shall include The United Illuminating Company, any parent
and any  successor  to the  business  or assets of  either  as  aforesaid  which
executes and delivers the  agreement  provided for in this Section (10) or which
otherwise  becomes bound by all the terms and  provisions  of this  Agreement by
operation of law.

                  (c) This  Agreement  and all rights of the  Officer  hereunder
shall inure to the benefit of and be  enforceable  by the Officer's  personal or
legal   representatives,    executors,   administrators,    successors,   heirs,
distributees, devisees and legatees. If the Officer should die while any amounts
would still be payable to the Officer  hereunder if the Officer had continued to
live,  all such amounts,  unless  otherwise  provided  herein,  shall be paid in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the Officer's devisee, legatee or
other designee or, if there be no such designee, to the Officer's estate.

         (11) NOTICE

         For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications
to either party hereunder  provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be  deemed  to have been duly  given  when  delivered  or mailed by United
States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,  postage prepaid,
addressed,  in the case of the Company, to The United Illuminating  Company, 157
Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut,  Attention: Secretary, or, in the case of
the Officer,  to the Officer at 157 Church Street, New Haven Connecticut,  or to
such other address as either party shall  designate by giving  written notice of
such change to the other party.

         (12) MISCELLANEOUS

                   No provision  of this  Agreement  may be modified,  waived or
discharged  unless such  waiver,  modification  or  discharge is approved by the
Board of  Directors  of the  Company  and  agreed to in a writing  signed by the
Officer and such officer of the Company as may be specifically authorized by the
Board of


                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

Directors  of the  Company.  No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any
breach by the other  party  hereto of, or  compliance  with,  any  condition  or
provision of this  Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed
a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at
any  prior  or  subsequent  time.  No  agreements  or  representations,  oral or
otherwise,  express or implied,  with respect to the subject  matter hereof have
been made by either party that are not set forth  expressly  in this  Agreement.
The validity,  interpretation,  construction  and  performance of this Agreement
shall be governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut.

         (13) VALIDITY

         The validity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

         (14) SURVIVAL

         The provisions of this Agreement  shall not survive the  termination of
this  Agreement  or of the  Officer's  employment  hereunder,  except  that  the
provisions of Sections (4), (6), (8), (9),  (10),  and (11) hereof shall survive
such termination and shall be binding upon the Company's successors and assigns.

         (15) COUNTERPARTS

         This  Agreement  may be executed in one or more  counterparts,  each of
which  shall  be  deemed  to be an  original  but  all of  which  together  will
constitute one and the same instrument.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on
the date and year first above written.

Attest:                    THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY



 /s/ Kurt Mohlman          By:        /s/ Richard J. Grossi
- -----------------------       -------------------------------------
Secretary                     Chairman of the Board of
                              Directors and Chief Executive Officer



                                     /s/ Rita L. Bowlby
                              -------------------------------------
                              Rita L. Bowlby


                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>







                                   SCHEDULE A



                               Severance Benefits
                               ------------------

At the option of the Officer,  exercised by written  notice to the Company,  the
benefits of either (A) or (B) below will be afforded the Officer:

(A)  a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the product of (X)  multiplied  by
     (Y), where:
          (X)  is the sum of  one-twelfth  of the  Officer's  annual salary rate
               approved by the Board of  Directors of the Company at the time of
               its  most  recent  review  of  the  salary  rates  of  all of the
               Company's  officers,  plus  one-twelfth of the cash award(s) that
               the   Officer   would   earn  under  the   short-term   incentive
               compensation  program(s) in which the Officer is a participant on
               the date of the termination of the Officer's employment, assuming
               that  all of the  Officer's  program  goals  for the  performance
               period are achieved at the target level; and

          (Y)  is the number of whole and partial  years (not to be less than 12
               nor more than 24) of the Officer's  service deemed as an employee
               of the  Company  on the  date  of  termination  of the  Officer's
               employment.

(B)  The  Officer's  choice of the addition of six years of age, or six years of
     service deemed as an employee of the Company,  or any  combination  (not to
     exceed 6) of whole and partial  years of age and whole and partial years of
     service as an employee of the Company,  in the  calculation of the benefits
     payable to the Officer under the Company's  retiree medical benefit plan(s)
     and in the calculation of a supplemental  retirement benefit payable by the
     Company to the  Officer  in an amount  equal to the excess of (A) over (B),
     where  (A) is a  retirement  benefit  calculated  in  accordance  with  the
     Company's  Pension  Plan,  but with the  aforesaid  addition  of whole  and
     partial years of age and/or service,  and (B) is the benefit payable to the
     Officer under the Company's Pension Plan. The Officer may elect to commence
     his/her receipt of payments under this option at the termination of his/her
     employment or at any time thereafter, but not prior to age 55 or later than
     age 65.

Exhibits A-1 and A-2  attached  hereto,  showing  calculations  of  supplemental
retirement  benefits  under  option (B),  set forth,  by example,  the  parties'
intended interpretation and application of said option (B).


<PAGE>







                                 EXHIBIT A-1
                                    TO
                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                  BETWEEN
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                    AND
                               RITA L. BOWLBY
                               --------------

Sample  calculation  of  supplemental   retirement  benefits  under  Schedule  A
paragraph (B).

Assume the Officer retires on the date of termination of employment based on the
following facts:

Actual Date of Termination                             4/1/97
Actual Age of Officer at Termination                   56
Actual Years of Service at Termination                 30

Enhanced Age of Officer at Termination                 62 (+6 years)
Enhanced Years of Service at Termination               30 (+0 years)

Three Year Average Total Compensation                  $140,000

(A)  The retirement  benefit  calculated in accordance  with  Company's  Pension
     Plan, but with the addition of six years of age.

Gross Pension (Attachment A-1-1)                       $67,605.84
Reduction for Early Retirement Age: 62 years (.0000)         0.00
                                                        ---------
Net Annual Pension                                     $67,605.84

(B)  The benefit payable to the Officer under the Company's  Pension Plan at the
     age of 56.

Gross Pension (Attachment A-1-2)                       $67,611.44
Reduction for Early Retirement Age 56 (.3950)           26,706.52
                                                        ---------
Net Annual Pension                                     $40,904.92

Supplemental Retirement Benefit
(A) - (B) = ($67,605.84) - ($40,904.92) = $26,700.92


<PAGE>


                                                             Attachment A-1-1



                          THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                          -------------------------------


NAME:    ENHANCED AGE 62

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT RETIREMENT:         62 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/03/97

                           BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  -------------------------------------                 ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1024.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%   X   25.0000       X   12076.66 =            $ 3019.17
A2 =    407.00              (NO. OF YRS.)      (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%   X   25.0000       X  127923.34 =             63961.67
   =  12076.66              (NO. OF YRS.)      (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127923.34    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                   .5%    X    5.0000       X   25000.00 =               625.00
C  = 140000.00              (NO. OF YRS.)      (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                                OF 25000.00)           --------

                                             GROSS PENSION =          $67605.84
                                                                       ========

<PAGE>


                                                              Attachment A-1-2



                        THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                        -------------------------------


NAME:    ENHANCED AGE 56

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT RETIREMENT:         56 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/03/97

                            BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  ------------------------------------                  ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1223.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%   X  25.0000       X  12054.21 =              $ 3013.55
A2 =    487.00              (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%   X  25.0000       X 127945.79 =               63972.89
   =  12054.21              (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127945.79    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%   X   5.0000       X  25000.00 =                 625.00
C  = 140000.00              (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                              OF 25000.00)             --------

                                        GROSS PENSION =               $67611.44
                                                                       ========

<PAGE>


                                      EXHIBIT A-2
                                           TO
                                  EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                       BETWEEN
                            THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                         AND
                                    RITA L. BOWLBY
                                    --------------

Sample  calculation  of  supplemental   retirement  benefits  under  Schedule  A
paragraph (B).

Assume the Officer  terminates  on the date of  termination  of  employment  and
elects to begin receiving  his/her vested pension benefit at age 55 based on the
following facts:

Actual Date of Termination                             4/1/97
Actual Age of Executive at Termination                 50
Actual Years of Service at Termination                 24

Enhanced Age of Executive at Termination               50 (+0 years)
Enhanced Years of Service at Termination               30 (+6 years)

Three Year Average Total Compensation                  $140,000

(A)  The retirement (vested pension) benefit,  payable to the Officer at age 55,
     calculated in accordance with Company's Pension Plan, but with the addition
     of six years of service.

Gross Vested Pension (Attachment A-2-1)                $67,526.96
Reduction for Early Retirement Age: 55 years (.4390)    29,644.34
                                                        ---------
Net Annual Pension                                     $37,882.62

(B)  The vested  pension  benefit  payable to the  Officer  under the  Company's
     Pension Plan at the age of 55.

Gross Vested Pension (Attachment A-2-2)                $63,876.25
Reduction for Early Retirement Age: 55 years (.5730)    36,601.09
                                                        ---------
Net Annual Pension                                     $27,275.16

Supplemental Retirement Benefit
(A) - (B) = ($37,882.62) - ($27,275.16) = $10,607.46


<PAGE>


                                                             Attachment A-2-1



                           THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                           -------------------------------


NAME:    ACTUAL AGE 50

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT TERMINATION:        50 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/03/97

                        BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  ------------------------------------                  ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1185.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%   X  25.0000      X  12392.16 =               $ 3098.04
A2 =    459.00             (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%   X  25.0000      X 127607.84 =                63803.92
   =  12392.16             (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127607.84    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%   X   5.0000      X  25000.00 =                  625.00
C  = 140000.00             (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM 
                                             OF 25000.00)              --------

                                      GROSS PENSION =                 $67526.96
                                                                       ========

<PAGE>


                                                             Attachment A-2-2



                          THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                          -------------------------------


NAME:    AGE 50

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT TERMINATION:        50 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          24 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/04/97

                               BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  ------------------------------------                  ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1131.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%   X  24.0000       X   13848.98 =             $ 3323.76
A2 =    392.00              (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%   X  24.0000       X  126151.02 =              60552.49
   =  13848.98              (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY B)

B  = 126151.02    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%   X    .0000       X   25000.00 =                   .00
C  = 140000.00              (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                              OF 25000.00)             --------

                                       GROSS PENSION =                $63876.25
                                                                       ========


                                                            EXHIBIT 10.28

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS  AGREEMENT,  made as of the 1st day of March,  1997,  between  THE
UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY, a Connecticut corporation (the Company) and STEPHEN
F. GOLDSCHMIDT, an individual (the Officer),

                                 WITNESSETH THAT

         WHEREAS,  the Company desires to continue to employ the Officer as Vice
President - Planning and Information  Resources of the Company,  and the Officer
desires to be employed by the Company as Vice President Planning and Information
Resources.

         NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the foregoing and the respective
covenants and agreements of the parties herein contained, and the services to be
rendered to the Company pursuant hereto, and in order to provide an incentive to
the Officer to remain in the employ of the Company hereafter and, in particular,
in the event of any  Change in  Control  (as  herein  defined)  of the  Company,
thereby establishing and preserving continuity of management, the Parties hereby
agree as follows:

         (1) EMPLOYMENT

                  The  Company  hereby  agrees to employ  the  Officer,  and the
Officer  hereby  agrees to serve the  Company,  at the  pleasure of the Board of
Directors of the Company, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

         (2)      POSITION AND DUTIES

         The  Officer  shall be  employed  by the  Company as Vice  President  -
Planning  and  Information  Resources,  or in such  other  equivalent  or higher
officership  position as the  Company's  Board of Directors may  determine.  The
Officer  shall  accept  such   employment   and  shall  perform  and  discharge,
faithfully,  diligently and to the best of the Officer's  abilities,  the duties
and  obligations of the Officer's  office and such other duties as may from time
to time be  assigned to the  Officer  by, or at the  direction  of, the Board of
Directors of the Company,  and shall devote  substantially  all of the Officer's
working time and efforts to the business and affairs of the Company.  Although a
Change in Control of the Company shall not affect the obligations of the Company
and the Officer as set forth in the two  preceding  sentences,  at and after the
date of any Change in Control the Company's employment of the Officer shall also
be without diminishment in the Officer's management responsibilities,  duties or
powers.

         (3)      PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

         In his  employment  by the Company,  the Officer  shall be based at the
executive offices of the Company situated within the



<PAGE>

Company's statutory service area.

         (4)      COMPENSATION

                  (a) Base Salary.  During the term of the Officer's  employment
hereunder,  the Officer  shall  receive a base salary (Base Salary) at an annual
rate of One Hundred  Eighteen  Thousand Dollars  ($118,000).  The Officer's Base
Salary  rate  shall  be  reviewed  by the  Board  of  Directors  of the  Company
contemporaneously  with each review of the salary rates of the  Company's  other
officers by said Board of Directors,  and may be revised  upwards as a result of
any such  review.  The  Officer's  Base Salary may be revised  downwards by said
Board of Directors  contemporaneously  with any general  reduction of the salary
rates of the Company's other officers.

                  (b) Incentive  Compensation.  During the term of the Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the Officer  shall be eligible to be  designated  by the
Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company  as  a  participant   in  each  incentive
compensation program established for all officers of the Company.

                  For purposes of this Agreement,  Total Compensation is defined
as the sum of the Officer's Base Salary and any amount paid or payable  pursuant
to this Section (4)(b).

                  (c)  Business  Expenses.  During  the  term  of the  Officer's
employment   hereunder,   the  Officer  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  prompt
reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Officer (in accordance
with the policies and  procedures  established  by the Board of Directors of the
Company  from  time to time for all of the  Company's  officers)  in  performing
services hereunder, provided that the Officer properly accounts therefor.

                  (d)  Benefit  Programs.  During  the  term  of  the  Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the  Officer  shall be entitled  to  participate  in and
receive  full  benefits  under  all of the  Company's  employee  benefit  plans,
programs and arrangements for its officers,  including,  without limitation, its
retirement and pension plan programs. Nothing paid to the Officer under any such
plan,  program  or  arrangement  presently  in effect or made  available  by the
Company  in the  future  shall be  deemed to be in lieu of  compensation  to the
Officer under any other Section of this Agreement.

                  (e) Vacations  and Holidays.  During the term of the Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the  Officer  shall be  entitled  to the  number of paid
vacation days in each calendar year  determined by the Board of Directors of the
Company from time to time for all of the Company's  officers,  and shall also be
entitled to all paid holidays afforded by the Company to its employees.




                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>



         (5) TERMINATION

                  (a) The Officer's employment hereunder shall terminate upon
the Officer's death.

                  (b) The Board of  Directors of the Company may  terminate  the
Officer's  employment hereunder at any time, with or without Cause. Prior to the
date of a Change in  Control,  the  Company  shall be  deemed  to have  Cause to
terminate  the  Officer's  employment  hereunder  only  upon the  Officer's  (A)
continued  failure to perform and  discharge  the duties or  obligations  of the
Officer's  office,  or such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to
the  Officer by, or at the  direction  of, the Board of  Directors,  faithfully,
diligently,  to the best of the  Officer's  abilities,  and in  accordance  with
standards  accepted  in the  electric  utility  industry,  in the  opinion  of a
majority  of the  members  of the  Board of  Directors  of the  Company,  or (B)
misconduct  that is  injurious  to the Company,  or (C)  conviction  of a felony
involving  the personal  dishonesty  or moral  turpitude of the Officer,  or (D)
total and permanent physical or mental disability, or (E) absence from work on a
full-time basis, due to physical or mental illness, for an uninterrupted 365-day
period.  On and after  the date of a Change in  Control,  the  Company  shall be
deemed to have Cause to terminate the Officer's  employment  hereunder only upon
the Officer's (F)  conviction of a felony  involving the personal  dishonesty or
moral  turpitude of the Officer,  or (G) total and permanent  physical or mental
disability,  or (H) absence from work on a full-time  basis,  due to physical or
mental illness, for an uninterrupted 365-day period.

                  (c)  The  Officer  may  terminate  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder, upon at least thirty (30) days' prior Notice of Termination delivered
to the Company, for failure of the Company to observe and perform one or more of
its  obligations  under Sections (1), (2), (3) and/or (4) hereof,  which failure
the Company  fails to remedy within such notice period (a Breach by the Company)
at a time when the Officer is not in default of any of the Officer's obligations
under  Sections (1) and/or (2) hereof.  The Officer may terminate his employment
hereunder in the absence of a Breach by the Company, effective upon at least six
(6) months' prior Notice of Termination delivered to the Company.

                  (d) Notice of Termination.  Any termination of employment,  by
the Company or by the Officer,  shall be  communicated  by delivery of a written
Notice of Termination to the other party.

                  (e) Date of Termination.  For purposes of this Agreement,  the
Date of Termination is defined as: if the Officer's employment is terminated (A)
by his  death,  the date of his death,  or (B)  pursuant  to  Section  (5)(b) or
Section (5)(c) hereof, the date specified in the Notice of Termination.



                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>

         (6) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION

                  (a) If the  Officer's  employment  terminates by reason of the
Officer's  death,  the Company shall pay to the personal  representative  and/or
spouse of the Officer the Officer's Total Compensation  earned prior to the Date
of  Termination,  any amounts  payable  pursuant  to Sections  (4)(c) and (4)(d)
hereof and any benefits or amounts payable under any deferred  compensation plan
in which the  Officer  had been a  participant,  and the  Company  shall have no
further obligation under this Agreement.

                  (b)  If  the  Officer  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder  in the  absence of a Breach by the  Company and upon at least six (6)
months' prior Notice of Termination, the Company shall pay to the Officer and/or
the  Officer's  personal   representative  and/or  spouse  the  Officer's  Total
Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any  amounts  payable
pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c) and (4)(d)  hereof  and any  benefits  or amounts
payable  under any  deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had been a
participant,  and the Company  shall have no further  obligation  to the Officer
and/or the Officer's personal  representative and/or spouse under this Agreement
or on  account  of,  or  arising  out  of,  the  termination  of  the  Officer's
employment.

                  (c)  If  the  Company  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder  with Cause,  or if the Officer  terminates  the Officer's  employment
hereunder  in the  absence of a Breach by the Company and upon less than six (6)
months'  prior Notice of  Termination,  the Company shall pay to the Officer the
Officer's full Base Salary earned prior to the Date of Termination,  any amounts
payable  pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c) and (4)(d)  hereof and any  benefits  or
amounts  payable under any deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had
been a participant,  and,  provided that the Company is not in default of any of
its obligations  hereunder,  the Company shall have no further obligation to the
Officer  under  this  Agreement  or on  account  of,  or  arising  out  of,  the
termination of the Officer's employment.

                  (d)  If  the  Company  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder without Cause, or if the Officer  terminates the Officer's  employment
hereunder on account of a Breach by the Company:

                           (i)      The Company shall pay to the Officer the
Officer's  Total  Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any
amounts  payable  pursuant to Sections  4(c) and 4(d) hereof and any benefits or
amounts  payable under any deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had
been a participant.


                           (ii)     The Company shall afford the Officer the
severance benefits set forth on Schedule A attached hereto.

                           (iii) The payment to, and acceptance by, the Officer
of any sum of money or benefit  prescribed  in this Section


                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>

(6)(d)  shall effect and evidence a release by the Officer of any and all claims
against the Company on account  of, or arising  out of, the  termination  of the
Officer's employment.

         (7) CHANGE IN CONTROL

         For purposes of this Agreement, Change in Control shall mean any of the
following events:

                  (a) any  merger  or  consolidation  of the  Company  with  any
corporate  shareholder or group of corporate  shareholders  holding  twenty-five
percent  (.25) or more of the  Common  Stock of the  Company  or with any  other
corporation  or  group  of  corporations  which  is,  or after  such  merger  or
consolidation  would be, or be affiliated  with, a  shareholder  owning at least
twenty-five percent (.25) of the Common Stock of the Company; or

                  (b) any sale, lease, exchange,  mortgage,  pledge, transfer or
other  disposition to or with any shareholder or group of  shareholders  holding
twenty-five  percent  (.25) or more of the Common Stock of the  Company,  or any
affiliate of such  shareholder  or group of  shareholders,  of any assets of the
Company having an aggregate fair market value of $50 million or more; or

                  (c) the issuance or sale by the Company of any  securities  of
the Company to any  shareholder  or group of  shareholders  holding  twenty-five
percent (.25) or more of the Common Stock of the Company, or to any affiliate of
such shareholder or group of shareholders,  in exchange for cash,  securities or
other  consideration  having an  aggregate  fair market  value of $50 million or
more; or

                  (d)  the  implementation  of any  plan  or  proposal  for  the
liquidation  or  dissolution  of the  Company  proposed  by or on  behalf of any
shareholder or group of shareholders  owning at least twenty-five  percent (.25)
of the Common Stock of the Company,  or any  affiliate  of such  shareholder  or
group of shareholders; or

                  (e) any  reclassification  of securities  (including a reverse
stock split), or  recapitalization of the Company or any other transaction which
has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of
outstanding shares of any class of equity securities,  or securities convertible
into any equity  securities,  of the  Company,  which is directly or  indirectly
owned by a  shareholder  or group of  shareholders  owning at least  twenty-five
percent  (.25) of the Common  Stock of the  Company,  or any  affiliate  of such
shareholder or group of shareholders.

         The Board of Directors of the Company  may,  from time to time,  by the
affirmative  vote of not less than a majority of the entire  membership  of said
Board of Directors,  at a meeting of said Board of Directors called and held for
the purpose, modify 


                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>

the phrase "twenty-five  percent (.25)" in one or more of the foregoing Sections
(7)(a),  (7)(b),  (7)(c),  (7)(d) and/or (7)(e) to a lesser percentage,  but not
less than twenty percent (.20).

         (8) ADDITIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL

                  (a) In the event that a Change in Control has been approved by
all necessary  shareholder,  creditor and regulatory actions,  the Company will,
not later  than the day prior to the date of the Change in  Control,  pay to the
Trustee of The United Illuminating Company Supplemental Retirement Benefit Trust
established  pursuant  to the  Agreement,  made as of the 1st day of June,  1995
between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee, for the
benefit of the  Officer,  cash in an amount  equal to: (A) In the event that the
Officer's employment has been terminated or will be terminated prior to the date
of the  Change  in  Control,  a sum,  calculated  by the  Company's  independent
certified  public  accountants,  reasonably  sufficient to pay and discharge the
Company's  future  obligations,  if any,  to the  Officer  and/or  his  personal
representative  and/or spouse,  under Section (6)(a),  Section (6)(b) or Section
(6)(d)  hereof;  or (B) in the event that the Officer's  employment has not been
terminated  and  will not be  terminated  prior  to the  date of the  Change  in
Control,  a  sum,  calculated  by the  Company's  independent  certified  public
accountants,   reasonably   sufficient   to  pay  and  discharge  the  Company's
obligations to the Officer under Section (6)(d) hereof assuming, for purposes of
such calculation, that the Officer's employment is terminated under said Section
(6)(d) by a Notice of Termination delivered on the date of the Change in Control
and specifying an immediate Date of Termination.

                  (b) On and  after  the  date of the  Change  in  Control,  the
Officer's  Base Salary may not be reduced by the Board of Directors to an annual
rate less than the rate  fixed by the Board of  Directors  of the  Company  as a
result of its most recent  review of salary  rates,  pursuant to Section  (4)(a)
hereof, prior to the date of the Change in Control.

         (9) TAX SAVINGS PROVISION

         If any  portion  of the  payments  which the  Officer  has the right to
receive from the Company,  or any affiliated entity,  hereunder would constitute
"excess parachute  payments" (as defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue
Code,  and not governed by the terms defined in this  Agreement)  subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the  Internal  Revenue  Code,  such excess
parachute payments shall be reduced to the largest amount that will result in no
portion  of such  excess  parachute  payments  being  subject  to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.

         (10) SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT

                  (a) The Company shall pay to the Officer  and/or the


                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

Officer's personal  representative and/or spouse all legal fees and expenses and
court costs, if any, incurred by the Officer and/or the Officer's representative
and/or  spouse in successful  litigation  to enforce the Officer's  rights under
this Agreement.

                  (b) The Company will require any successor  (whether direct or
indirect,   by  purchase,   merger,   consolidation  or  otherwise)  to  all  or
substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, by agreement in form
and substance  reasonably  satisfactory to the Officer,  to expressly assume and
agree to perform  this  Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that
the  Company  would be required  to perform it if no such  succession  had taken
place.  Failure of the Company to obtain such agreement by the  effectiveness of
any such  succession  shall be a breach of this  Agreement and shall entitle the
Officer to  compensation  from the  Company in the same amount and upon the same
terms as the Officer  would be entitled to hereunder  if the Officer  terminated
the Officer's  employment upon Breach by the Company,  except that, for purposes
of implementing  the foregoing,  the date on which any such  succession  becomes
effective  shall be deemed the Date of  Termination.  As used in this Agreement,
the term "the Company" shall include The United Illuminating Company, any parent
and any  successor  to the  business  or assets of  either  as  aforesaid  which
executes and delivers the  agreement  provided for in this Section (10) or which
otherwise  becomes bound by all the terms and  provisions  of this  Agreement by
operation of law.

                  (c) This  Agreement  and all rights of the  Officer  hereunder
shall inure to the benefit of and be  enforceable  by the Officer's  personal or
legal   representatives,    executors,   administrators,    successors,   heirs,
distributees, devisees and legatees. If the Officer should die while any amounts
would still be payable to the Officer  hereunder if the Officer had continued to
live,  all such amounts,  unless  otherwise  provided  herein,  shall be paid in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the Officer's devisee, legatee or
other designee or, if there be no such designee, to the Officer's estate.

         (11) NOTICE

         For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications
to either party hereunder  provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be  deemed  to have been duly  given  when  delivered  or mailed by United
States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,  postage prepaid,
addressed,  in the case of the Company, to The United Illuminating  Company, 157
Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut,  Attention: Secretary, or, in the case of
the Officer,  to the Officer at 157 Church Street, New Haven Connecticut,  or to
such other address as either party shall  designate by giving  written notice of
such change to the other party.



                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

         (12) MISCELLANEOUS

                   No provision  of this  Agreement  may be modified,  waived or
discharged  unless such  waiver,  modification  or  discharge is approved by the
Board of  Directors  of the  Company  and  agreed to in a writing  signed by the
Officer and such officer of the Company as may be specifically authorized by the
Board of Directors of the Company.  No waiver by either party hereto at any time
of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or
provision of this  Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed
a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at
any  prior  or  subsequent  time.  No  agreements  or  representations,  oral or
otherwise,  express or implied,  with respect to the subject  matter hereof have
been made by either party that are not set forth  expressly  in this  Agreement.
The validity,  interpretation,  construction  and  performance of this Agreement
shall be governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut.

         (13) VALIDITY

         The validity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

         (14) SURVIVAL

         The provisions of this Agreement  shall not survive the  termination of
this  Agreement  or of the  Officer's  employment  hereunder,  except  that  the
provisions of Sections (4), (6), (8), (9),  (10),  and (11) hereof shall survive
such termination and shall be binding upon the Company's successors and assigns.

         (15) COUNTERPARTS

         This  Agreement  may be executed in one or more  counterparts,  each of
which  shall  be  deemed  to be an  original  but  all of  which  together  will
constitute one and the same instrument.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on
the date and year first above written.

Attest:                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY



 /s/ Kurt Mohlman               By:       /s/ Richard J. Grossi
- ----------------------             -----------------------------------
Secretary                          Chairman of the Board of Directors
                                   and Chief Executive Officer



                                         /s/ Stephen F. Goldschmidt
                                   -----------------------------------
                                   Stephen F. Goldschmidt




                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>




                                   SCHEDULE A




                               Severance Benefits
                               ------------------


At the option of the Officer,  exercised by written  notice to the Company,  the
benefits of either (A) or (B) below will be afforded the Officer:

(A)  a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the product of (X)  multiplied  by
     (Y), where:
          (X)  is the sum of  one-twelfth  of the  Officer's  annual salary rate
               approved by the Board of  Directors of the Company at the time of
               its  most  recent  review  of  the  salary  rates  of  all of the
               Company's  officers,  plus  one-twelfth of the cash award(s) that
               the   Officer   would   earn  under  the   short-term   incentive
               compensation  program(s) in which the Officer is a participant on
               the date of the termination of the Officer's employment, assuming
               that  all of the  Officer's  program  goals  for the  performance
               period are achieved at the target level; and

          (Y)  is the number of whole and partial  years (not to be less than 12
               nor more than 24) of the Officer's  service deemed as an employee
               of the  Company  on the  date  of  termination  of the  Officer's
               employment.

(B)  The  Officer's  choice of the addition of six years of age, or six years of
     service deemed as an employee of the Company,  or any  combination  (not to
     exceed 6) of whole and partial  years of age and whole and partial years of
     service as an employee of the Company,  in the  calculation of the benefits
     payable to the Officer under the Company's  retiree medical benefit plan(s)
     and in the calculation of a supplemental  retirement benefit payable by the
     Company to the  Officer  in an amount  equal to the excess of (A) over (B),
     where  (A) is a  retirement  benefit  calculated  in  accordance  with  the
     Company's  Pension  Plan,  but with the  aforesaid  addition  of whole  and
     partial years of age and/or service,  and (B) is the benefit payable to the
     Officer under the Company's Pension Plan. The Officer may elect to commence
     his/her receipt of payments under this option at the termination of his/her
     employment or at any time thereafter, but not prior to age 55 or later than
     age 65.

Exhibits A-1 and A-2  attached  hereto,  showing  calculations  of  supplemental
retirement  benefits  under  option (B),  set forth,  by example,  the  parties'
intended interpretation and application of said option (B).


<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT A-1
                                       TO
                                EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                     BETWEEN
                            THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                       AND

                              STEPHEN F. GOLDSCHMIDT
                              ----------------------

Sample  calculation  of  supplemental   retirement  benefits  under  Schedule  A
paragraph (B).

Assume the Officer retires on the date of termination of employment based on the
following facts:

Actual Date of Termination                                4/1/97
Actual Age of Officer at Termination                      56
Actual Years of Service at Termination                    30

Enhanced Age of Officer at Termination                    62 (+6 years)
Enhanced Years of Service at Termination                  30 (+0 years)

Three Year Average Total Compensation                     $140,000

(A)  The retirement  benefit  calculated in accordance  with  Company's  Pension
     Plan, but with the addition of six years of age.

Gross Pension (Attachment A-1-1)                          $67,605.84
Reduction for Early Retirement Age: 62 years (.0000)            0.00
                                                           ---------
Net Annual Pension                                        $67,605.84

(B)  The benefit payable to the Officer under the Company's  Pension Plan at the
     age of 56.

Gross Pension (Attachment A-1-2)                          $67,611.44
Reduction for Early Retirement Age 56 (.3950)              26,706.52
                                                           ---------
Net Annual Pension                                        $40,904.92

Supplemental Retirement Benefit
(A) - (B) = ($67,605.84) - ($40,904.92) = $26,700.92


<PAGE>


                                                             Attachment A-1-1



                        THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                        -------------------------------


NAME:    ENHANCED AGE 62

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT RETIREMENT:         62 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/03/97

                          BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  -------------------------------------                 ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1024.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%   X   25.0000       X    12076.66 =           $ 3019.17
A2 =    407.00              (NO. OF YRS.)      (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%   X   25.0000       X   127923.34 =            63961.67
   =  12076.66              (NO. OF YRS.)      (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127923.34    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%   X    5.0000       X    25000.00 =              625.00
C  = 140000.00              (NO. OF YRS.)      (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                                OF 25000.00)           --------

                                    GROSS PENSION =                   $67605.84
                                                                       ========

<PAGE>


                                                              Attachment A-1-2



                           THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                           -------------------------------


NAME:    ENHANCED AGE 56

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT RETIREMENT:         56 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/03/97

                           BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  ------------------------------------                  ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1223.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%  X   25.0000   X   12054.21 =                 $ 3013.55
A2 =    487.00             (NO. OF YRS.) (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%  X   25.0000   X  127945.79 =                  63972.89
   =  12054.21             (NO. OF YRS.) (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127945.79    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%  X    5.0000   X   25000.00 =                    625.00
C  = 140000.00             (NO. OF YRS.) (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                          OF 25000.00)                 --------

                                    GROSS PENSION =                   $67611.44
                                                                       ========

<PAGE>


                                       EXHIBIT A-2
                                            TO
                                  EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                        BETWEEN
                            THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                          AND

                                 STEPHEN F. GOLDSCHMIDT
                                 ----------------------

Sample  calculation  of  supplemental   retirement  benefits  under  Schedule  A
paragraph (B).

Assume the Officer  terminates  on the date of  termination  of  employment  and
elects to begin receiving  his/her vested pension benefit at age 55 based on the
following facts:

Actual Date of Termination                            4/1/97
Actual Age of Executive at Termination                50
Actual Years of Service at Termination                24

Enhanced Age of Executive at Termination              50 (+0 years)
Enhanced Years of Service at Termination              30 (+6 years)

Three Year Average Total Compensation                 $140,000

(A)  The retirement (vested pension) benefit,  payable to the Officer at age 55,
     calculated in accordance with Company's Pension Plan, but with the addition
     of six years of service.

Gross Vested Pension (Attachment A-2-1)               $67,526.96
Reduction for Early Retirement Age: 55 years (.4390)   29,644.34
                                                       ---------
Net Annual Pension                                    $37,882.62

(B)  The vested  pension  benefit  payable to the  Officer  under the  Company's
     Pension Plan at the age of 55.

Gross Vested Pension (Attachment A-2-2)               $63,876.25
Reduction for Early Retirement Age: 55 years (.5730)   36,601.09
                                                       ---------
Net Annual Pension                                    $27,275.16

Supplemental Retirement Benefit
(A) - (B) = ($37,882.62) - ($27,275.16) = $10,607.46


<PAGE>


                                                               Attachment A-2-1



                           THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                           -------------------------------


NAME:    ACTUAL AGE 50

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT TERMINATION:        50 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/03/97

                          BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  ------------------------------------                  ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1185.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%  X   25.0000    X  12392.16 =                 $ 3098.04
A2 =    459.00             (NO. OF YRS.)  (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%  X   25.0000    X 127607.84 =                  63803.92
   =  12392.16             (NO. OF YRS.)  (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127607.84    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%  X    5.0000    X  25000.00 =                    625.00
C  = 140000.00             (NO. OF YRS.)  (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                           OF 25000.00)                --------

                                    GROSS PENSION =                   $67526.96
                                                                       ========

<PAGE>


                                                             Attachment A-2-2



                       THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                       -------------------------------


NAME:    AGE 50

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT TERMINATION:        50 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          24 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/04/97

                           BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  ------------------------------------                  ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1131.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%   X  24.0000       X   13848.98 =             $ 3323.76
A2 =    392.00             (NO. OF YRS.)      (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%   X  24.0000       X  126151.02 =              60552.49
   =  13848.98             (NO. OF YRS.)      (QUANTITY B)

B  = 126151.02    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%   X    .0000       X   25000.00 =                   .00
C  = 140000.00             (NO. OF YRS.)       (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                                OF 25000.00)           --------

                                    GROSS PENSION =                   $63876.25
                                                                       ========



                                                            EXHIBIT 10.29

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS  AGREEMENT,  made as of the 1st day of March,  1997,  between  THE
UNITED ILLUMINATING  COMPANY, a Connecticut  corporation (the Company) and JAMES
L. BENJAMIN, an individual (the Officer),

                                 WITNESSETH THAT

         WHEREAS,  the  Company  desires to  continue  to employ the  Officer as
Controller of the Company, and the Officer desires to be employed by the Company
as Controller.

         NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the foregoing and the respective
covenants and agreements of the parties herein contained, and the services to be
rendered to the Company pursuant hereto, and in order to provide an incentive to
the Officer to remain in the employ of the Company hereafter and, in particular,
in the event of any  Change in  Control  (as  herein  defined)  of the  Company,
thereby establishing and preserving continuity of management, the Parties hereby
agree as follows:

         (1) EMPLOYMENT

                  The  Company  hereby  agrees to employ  the  Officer,  and the
Officer  hereby  agrees to serve the  Company,  at the  pleasure of the Board of
Directors of the Company, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

         (2)      POSITION AND DUTIES

         The Officer shall be employed by the Company as Controller,  or in such
other  equivalent  or higher  officership  position  as the  Company's  Board of
Directors  may  determine.  The Officer shall accept such  employment  and shall
perform and discharge,  faithfully,  diligently and to the best of the Officer's
abilities,  the duties and  obligations  of the Officer's  office and such other
duties  as may  from  time to time be  assigned  to the  Officer  by,  or at the
direction  of,  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company,  and  shall  devote
substantially  all of the Officer's working time and efforts to the business and
affairs of the  Company.  Although a Change in Control of the Company  shall not
affect the  obligations  of the  Company and the Officer as set forth in the two
preceding  sentences,  at and  after  the  date of any  Change  in  Control  the
Company's  employment of the Officer shall also be without  diminishment  in the
Officer's management responsibilities, duties or powers.

         (3)      PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

         In his  employment  by the Company,  the Officer  shall be based at the
executive offices of the Company situated within the Company's statutory service
area.



<PAGE>


         (4)      COMPENSATION

                  (a) Base Salary.  During the term of the Officer's  employment
hereunder,  the Officer  shall  receive a base salary (Base Salary) at an annual
rate of One Hundred  Eleven  Thousand  Dollars  ($111,000).  The Officer's  Base
Salary  rate  shall  be  reviewed  by the  Board  of  Directors  of the  Company
contemporaneously  with each review of the salary rates of the  Company's  other
officers by said Board of Directors,  and may be revised  upwards as a result of
any such  review.  The  Officer's  Base Salary may be revised  downwards by said
Board of Directors  contemporaneously  with any general  reduction of the salary
rates of the Company's other officers.

                  (b) Incentive  Compensation.  During the term of the Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the Officer  shall be eligible to be  designated  by the
Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company  as  a  participant   in  each  incentive
compensation program established for all officers of the Company.

                  For purposes of this Agreement,  Total Compensation is defined
as the sum of the Officer's Base Salary and any amount paid or payable  pursuant
to this Section (4)(b).

                  (c)  Business  Expenses.  During  the  term  of the  Officer's
employment   hereunder,   the  Officer  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  prompt
reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Officer (in accordance
with the policies and  procedures  established  by the Board of Directors of the
Company  from  time to time for all of the  Company's  officers)  in  performing
services hereunder, provided that the Officer properly accounts therefor.

                  (d)  Benefit  Programs.  During  the  term  of  the  Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the  Officer  shall be entitled  to  participate  in and
receive  full  benefits  under  all of the  Company's  employee  benefit  plans,
programs and arrangements for its officers,  including,  without limitation, its
retirement and pension plan programs. Nothing paid to the Officer under any such
plan,  program  or  arrangement  presently  in effect or made  available  by the
Company  in the  future  shall be  deemed to be in lieu of  compensation  to the
Officer under any other Section of this Agreement.

                  (e) Vacations  and Holidays.  During the term of the Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the  Officer  shall be  entitled  to the  number of paid
vacation days in each calendar year  determined by the Board of Directors of the
Company from time to time for all of the Company's  officers,  and shall also be
entitled to all paid holidays afforded by the Company to its employees.

         (5) TERMINATION

                  (a) The Officer's employment hereunder shall terminate upon
the Officer's death.

                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>

                  (b) The Board of  Directors of the Company may  terminate  the
Officer's  employment hereunder at any time, with or without Cause. Prior to the
date of a Change in  Control,  the  Company  shall be  deemed  to have  Cause to
terminate  the  Officer's  employment  hereunder  only  upon the  Officer's  (A)
continued  failure to perform and  discharge  the duties or  obligations  of the
Officer's  office,  or such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to
the  Officer by, or at the  direction  of, the Board of  Directors,  faithfully,
diligently,  to the best of the  Officer's  abilities,  and in  accordance  with
standards  accepted  in the  electric  utility  industry,  in the  opinion  of a
majority  of the  members  of the  Board of  Directors  of the  Company,  or (B)
misconduct  that is  injurious  to the Company,  or (C)  conviction  of a felony
involving  the personal  dishonesty  or moral  turpitude of the Officer,  or (D)
total and permanent physical or mental disability, or (E) absence from work on a
full-time basis, due to physical or mental illness, for an uninterrupted 365-day
period.  On and after  the date of a Change in  Control,  the  Company  shall be
deemed to have Cause to terminate the Officer's  employment  hereunder only upon
the Officer's (F)  conviction of a felony  involving the personal  dishonesty or
moral  turpitude of the Officer,  or (G) total and permanent  physical or mental
disability,  or (H) absence from work on a full-time  basis,  due to physical or
mental illness, for an uninterrupted 365-day period.

                  (c)  The  Officer  may  terminate  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder, upon at least thirty (30) days' prior Notice of Termination delivered
to the Company, for failure of the Company to observe and perform one or more of
its  obligations  under Sections (1), (2), (3) and/or (4) hereof,  which failure
the Company  fails to remedy within such notice period (a Breach by the Company)
at a time when the Officer is not in default of any of the Officer's obligations
under  Sections (1) and/or (2) hereof.  The Officer may terminate his employment
hereunder in the absence of a Breach by the Company, effective upon at least six
(6) months' prior Notice of Termination delivered to the Company.

                  (d) Notice of Termination.  Any termination of employment,  by
the Company or by the Officer,  shall be  communicated  by delivery of a written
Notice of Termination to the other party.

                  (e) Date of Termination.  For purposes of this Agreement,  the
Date of Termination is defined as: if the Officer's employment is terminated (A)
by his  death,  the date of his death,  or (B)  pursuant  to  Section  (5)(b) or
Section (5)(c) hereof, the date specified in the Notice of Termination.

         (6) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION

                  (a) If the  Officer's  employment  terminates by reason of the
Officer's  death,  the Company shall pay to the personal  representative  and/or
spouse of the Officer the Officer's Total


                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>

Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any  amounts  payable
pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c) and (4)(d)  hereof  and any  benefits  or amounts
payable  under any  deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had been a
participant,  and the  Company  shall  have no  further  obligation  under  this
Agreement.

                  (b)  If  the  Officer  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder  in the  absence of a Breach by the  Company and upon at least six (6)
months' prior Notice of Termination, the Company shall pay to the Officer and/or
the  Officer's  personal   representative  and/or  spouse  the  Officer's  Total
Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any  amounts  payable
pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c) and (4)(d)  hereof  and any  benefits  or amounts
payable  under any  deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had been a
participant,  and the Company  shall have no further  obligation  to the Officer
and/or the Officer's personal  representative and/or spouse under this Agreement
or on  account  of,  or  arising  out  of,  the  termination  of  the  Officer's
employment.

                  (c)  If  the  Company  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder  with Cause,  or if the Officer  terminates  the Officer's  employment
hereunder  in the  absence of a Breach by the Company and upon less than six (6)
months'  prior Notice of  Termination,  the Company shall pay to the Officer the
Officer's full Base Salary earned prior to the Date of Termination,  any amounts
payable  pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c) and (4)(d)  hereof and any  benefits  or
amounts  payable under any deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had
been a participant,  and,  provided that the Company is not in default of any of
its obligations  hereunder,  the Company shall have no further obligation to the
Officer  under  this  Agreement  or on  account  of,  or  arising  out  of,  the
termination of the Officer's employment.

                  (d)  If  the  Company  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder without Cause, or if the Officer  terminates the Officer's  employment
hereunder on account of a Breach by the Company:

                           (i)      The Company shall pay to the Officer the
Officer's  Total  Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any
amounts  payable  pursuant to Sections  4(c) and 4(d) hereof and any benefits or
amounts  payable under any deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had
been a participant.

                           (ii)     The Company shall afford the Officer the
severance benefits set forth on Schedule A attached hereto.

                           (iii) The payment to, and acceptance by, the Officer
of any sum of money or benefit  prescribed  in this Section  (6)(d) shall effect
and evidence a release by the Officer of any and all claims  against the Company
on account of, or arising out of, the termination of the Officer's employment.


                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>


         (7) CHANGE IN CONTROL

         For purposes of this Agreement, Change in Control shall mean any of the
following events:

                  (a) any  merger  or  consolidation  of the  Company  with  any
corporate  shareholder or group of corporate  shareholders  holding  twenty-five
percent  (.25) or more of the  Common  Stock of the  Company  or with any  other
corporation  or  group  of  corporations  which  is,  or after  such  merger  or
consolidation  would be, or be affiliated  with, a  shareholder  owning at least
twenty-five percent (.25) of the Common Stock of the Company; or

                  (b) any sale, lease, exchange,  mortgage,  pledge, transfer or
other  disposition to or with any shareholder or group of  shareholders  holding
twenty-five  percent  (.25) or more of the Common Stock of the  Company,  or any
affiliate of such  shareholder  or group of  shareholders,  of any assets of the
Company having an aggregate fair market value of $50 million or more; or

                  (c) the issuance or sale by the Company of any  securities  of
the Company to any  shareholder  or group of  shareholders  holding  twenty-five
percent (.25) or more of the Common Stock of the Company, or to any affiliate of
such shareholder or group of shareholders,  in exchange for cash,  securities or
other  consideration  having an  aggregate  fair market  value of $50 million or
more; or

                  (d)  the  implementation  of any  plan  or  proposal  for  the
liquidation  or  dissolution  of the  Company  proposed  by or on  behalf of any
shareholder or group of shareholders  owning at least twenty-five  percent (.25)
of the Common Stock of the Company,  or any  affiliate  of such  shareholder  or
group of shareholders; or

                  (e) any  reclassification  of securities  (including a reverse
stock split), or  recapitalization of the Company or any other transaction which
has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of
outstanding shares of any class of equity securities,  or securities convertible
into any equity  securities,  of the  Company,  which is directly or  indirectly
owned by a  shareholder  or group of  shareholders  owning at least  twenty-five
percent  (.25) of the Common  Stock of the  Company,  or any  affiliate  of such
shareholder or group of shareholders.

         The Board of Directors of the Company  may,  from time to time,  by the
affirmative  vote of not less than a majority of the entire  membership  of said
Board of Directors,  at a meeting of said Board of Directors called and held for
the purpose, modify the phrase "twenty-five percent (.25)" in one or more of the
foregoing  Sections  (7)(a),  (7)(b),  (7)(c),  (7)(d) and/or (7)(e) to a lesser
percentage, but not less than twenty percent (.20).



                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>


         (8) ADDITIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL

                  (a) In the event that a Change in Control has been approved by
all necessary  shareholder,  creditor and regulatory actions,  the Company will,
not later  than the day prior to the date of the Change in  Control,  pay to the
Trustee of The United Illuminating Company Supplemental Retirement Benefit Trust
established  pursuant  to the  Agreement,  made as of the 1st day of June,  1995
between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee, for the
benefit of the  Officer,  cash in an amount  equal to: (A) In the event that the
Officer's employment has been terminated or will be terminated prior to the date
of the  Change  in  Control,  a sum,  calculated  by the  Company's  independent
certified  public  accountants,  reasonably  sufficient to pay and discharge the
Company's  future  obligations,  if any,  to the  Officer  and/or  his  personal
representative  and/or spouse,  under Section (6)(a),  Section (6)(b) or Section
(6)(d)  hereof;  or (B) in the event that the Officer's  employment has not been
terminated  and  will not be  terminated  prior  to the  date of the  Change  in
Control,  a  sum,  calculated  by the  Company's  independent  certified  public
accountants,   reasonably   sufficient   to  pay  and  discharge  the  Company's
obligations to the Officer under Section (6)(d) hereof assuming, for purposes of
such calculation, that the Officer's employment is terminated under said Section
(6)(d) by a Notice of Termination delivered on the date of the Change in Control
and specifying an immediate Date of Termination.

                  (b) On and  after  the  date of the  Change  in  Control,  the
Officer's  Base Salary may not be reduced by the Board of Directors to an annual
rate less than the rate  fixed by the Board of  Directors  of the  Company  as a
result of its most recent  review of salary  rates,  pursuant to Section  (4)(a)
hereof, prior to the date of the Change in Control.

         (9) TAX SAVINGS PROVISION

         If any  portion  of the  payments  which the  Officer  has the right to
receive from the Company,  or any affiliated entity,  hereunder would constitute
"excess parachute  payments" (as defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue
Code,  and not governed by the terms defined in this  Agreement)  subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the  Internal  Revenue  Code,  such excess
parachute payments shall be reduced to the largest amount that will result in no
portion  of such  excess  parachute  payments  being  subject  to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.

         (10) SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT

                  (a) The Company shall pay to the Officer  and/or the Officer's
personal  representative  and/or  spouse all legal fees and  expenses  and court
costs,  if any,  incurred by the  Officer  and/or the  Officer's  representative
and/or  spouse in successful  litigation  to enforce the Officer's  rights under
this Agreement.



                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

                  (b) The Company will require any successor  (whether direct or
indirect,   by  purchase,   merger,   consolidation  or  otherwise)  to  all  or
substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, by agreement in form
and substance  reasonably  satisfactory to the Officer,  to expressly assume and
agree to perform  this  Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that
the  Company  would be required  to perform it if no such  succession  had taken
place.  Failure of the Company to obtain such agreement by the  effectiveness of
any such  succession  shall be a breach of this  Agreement and shall entitle the
Officer to  compensation  from the  Company in the same amount and upon the same
terms as the Officer  would be entitled to hereunder  if the Officer  terminated
the Officer's  employment upon Breach by the Company,  except that, for purposes
of implementing  the foregoing,  the date on which any such  succession  becomes
effective  shall be deemed the Date of  Termination.  As used in this Agreement,
the term "the Company" shall include The United Illuminating Company, any parent
and any  successor  to the  business  or assets of  either  as  aforesaid  which
executes and delivers the  agreement  provided for in this Section (10) or which
otherwise  becomes bound by all the terms and  provisions  of this  Agreement by
operation of law.

                  (c) This  Agreement  and all rights of the  Officer  hereunder
shall inure to the benefit of and be  enforceable  by the Officer's  personal or
legal   representatives,    executors,   administrators,    successors,   heirs,
distributees, devisees and legatees. If the Officer should die while any amounts
would still be payable to the Officer  hereunder if the Officer had continued to
live,  all such amounts,  unless  otherwise  provided  herein,  shall be paid in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the Officer's devisee, legatee or
other designee or, if there be no such designee, to the Officer's estate.

         (11) NOTICE

         For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications
to either party hereunder  provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be  deemed  to have been duly  given  when  delivered  or mailed by United
States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,  postage prepaid,
addressed,  in the case of the Company, to The United Illuminating  Company, 157
Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut,  Attention: Secretary, or, in the case of
the Officer,  to the Officer at 157 Church Street, New Haven Connecticut,  or to
such other address as either party shall  designate by giving  written notice of
such change to the other party.

         (12) MISCELLANEOUS

                   No provision  of this  Agreement  may be modified,  waived or
discharged  unless such  waiver,  modification  or  discharge is approved by the
Board of  Directors  of the  Company  and  agreed to in a writing  signed by the
Officer and such officer of the Company as may be specifically authorized by the
Board of



                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

Directors  of the  Company.  No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any
breach by the other  party  hereto of, or  compliance  with,  any  condition  or
provision of this  Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed
a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at
any  prior  or  subsequent  time.  No  agreements  or  representations,  oral or
otherwise,  express or implied,  with respect to the subject  matter hereof have
been made by either party that are not set forth  expressly  in this  Agreement.
The validity,  interpretation,  construction  and  performance of this Agreement
shall be governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut.

         (13) VALIDITY

         The validity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

         (14) SURVIVAL

         The provisions of this Agreement  shall not survive the  termination of
this  Agreement  or of the  Officer's  employment  hereunder,  except  that  the
provisions of Sections (4), (6), (8), (9),  (10),  and (11) hereof shall survive
such termination and shall be binding upon the Company's successors and assigns.

         (15) COUNTERPARTS

         This  Agreement  may be executed in one or more  counterparts,  each of
which  shall  be  deemed  to be an  original  but  all of  which  together  will
constitute one and the same instrument.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on
the date and year first above written.

Attest:                    THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY



 /s/ Kurt Mohlman          By:       /s/ Richard J. Grossi
- ----------------------        -------------------------------------
Secretary                     Chairman of the Board of Directors
                              and Chief Executive Officer



                                   /s/ James L. Benjamin
                              --------------------------------------
                              James L. Benjamin


                                        - 8 -
<PAGE>





                                   SCHEDULE A



                               Severance Benefits
                               ------------------

At the option of the Officer,  exercised by written  notice to the Company,  the
benefits of either (A) or (B) below will be afforded the Officer:

(A)  a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the product of (X)  multiplied  by
     (Y), where:
          (X)  is the sum of  one-twelfth  of the  Officer's  annual salary rate
               approved by the Board of  Directors of the Company at the time of
               its  most  recent  review  of  the  salary  rates  of  all of the
               Company's  officers,  plus  one-twelfth of the cash award(s) that
               the   Officer   would   earn  under  the   short-term   incentive
               compensation  program(s) in which the Officer is a participant on
               the date of the termination of the Officer's employment, assuming
               that  all of the  Officer's  program  goals  for the  performance
               period are achieved at the target level; and
          (Y)  is the number of whole and partial  years (not to be less than 12
               nor more than 24) of the Officer's  service deemed as an employee
               of the  Company  on the  date  of  termination  of the  Officer's
               employment.

(B)  The  Officer's  choice of the addition of six years of age, or six years of
     service deemed as an employee of the Company,  or any  combination  (not to
     exceed 6) of whole and partial  years of age and whole and partial years of
     service as an employee of the Company,  in the  calculation of the benefits
     payable to the Officer under the Company's  retiree medical benefit plan(s)
     and in the calculation of a supplemental  retirement benefit payable by the
     Company to the  Officer  in an amount  equal to the excess of (A) over (B),
     where  (A) is a  retirement  benefit  calculated  in  accordance  with  the
     Company's  Pension  Plan,  but with the  aforesaid  addition  of whole  and
     partial years of age and/or service,  and (B) is the benefit payable to the
     Officer under the Company's Pension Plan. The Officer may elect to commence
     his/her receipt of payments under this option at the termination of his/her
     employment or at any time thereafter, but not prior to age 55 or later than
     age 65.

Exhibits A-1 and A-2  attached  hereto,  showing  calculations  of  supplemental
retirement  benefits  under  option (B),  set forth,  by example,  the  parties'
intended interpretation and application of said option (B).


<PAGE>


                                EXHIBIT A-1
                                    TO
                            EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                  BETWEEN
                        THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                   AND

                            JAMES L. BENJAMIN
                            -----------------

Sample  calculation  of  supplemental   retirement  benefits  under  Schedule  A
paragraph (B).

Assume the Officer retires on the date of termination of employment based on the
following facts:

Actual Date of Termination                              4/1/97
Actual Age of Officer at Termination                    56
Actual Years of Service at Termination                  30

Enhanced Age of Officer at Termination                  62 (+6 years)
Enhanced Years of Service at Termination                30 (+0 years)

Three Year Average Total Compensation                   $140,000

(A)  The retirement  benefit  calculated in accordance  with  Company's  Pension
     Plan, but with the addition of six years of age.

Gross Pension (Attachment A-1-1)                        $67,605.84
Reduction for Early Retirement Age: 62 years (.0000)          0.00
                                                         ---------
Net Annual Pension                                      $67,605.84

(B)  The benefit payable to the Officer under the Company's  Pension Plan at the
     age of 56.

Gross Pension (Attachment A-1-2)                        $67,611.44
Reduction for Early Retirement Age 56 (.3950)            26,706.52
                                                         ---------
Net Annual Pension                                      $40,904.92

Supplemental Retirement Benefit
(A) - (B) = ($67,605.84) - ($40,904.92) = $26,700.92


<PAGE>


                                                              Attachment A-1-1



                          THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                          -------------------------------


NAME:    ENHANCED AGE 62

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT RETIREMENT:         62 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/03/97

                            BENEFIT CALCULATION
                   -------------------------------------                ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1024.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%    X    25.0000      X   12076.66 =           $ 3019.17
A2 =    407.00                (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%    X    25.0000      X  127923.34 =            63961.67
   =  12076.66                (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127923.34    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%    X     5.0000      X   25000.00 =              625.00
C  = 140000.00                (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                                OF 25000.00)           --------

                                    GROSS PENSION =                   $67605.84
                                                                       ========

<PAGE>


                                                              Attachment A-1-2



                      THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                      -------------------------------


NAME:    ENHANCED AGE 56

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT RETIREMENT:         56 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/03/97

                           BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  ------------------------------------                  ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1223.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%  X   25.0000       X   12054.21 =             $ 3013.55
A2 =    487.00             (NO. OF YRS.)      (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%  X   25.0000       X  127945.79 =              63972.89
   =  12054.21             (NO. OF YRS.)      (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127945.79    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%  X    5.0000       X   25000.00 =                625.00
C  = 140000.00             (NO. OF YRS.)      (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                               OF 25000.00)            --------

                                    GROSS PENSION =                   $67611.44
                                                                       ========

<PAGE>


                                        EXHIBIT A-2
                                             TO
                                    EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                          BETWEEN
                              THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                            AND

                                     JAMES L. BENJAMIN
                                     -----------------

Sample  calculation  of  supplemental   retirement  benefits  under  Schedule  A
paragraph (B).

Assume the Officer  terminates  on the date of  termination  of  employment  and
elects to begin receiving  his/her vested pension benefit at age 55 based on the
following facts:

Actual Date of Termination                                     4/1/97
Actual Age of Executive at Termination                         50
Actual Years of Service at Termination                         24

Enhanced Age of Executive at Termination                       50 (+0 years)
Enhanced Years of Service at Termination                       30 (+6 years)

Three Year Average Total Compensation                          $140,000

(A)  The retirement (vested pension) benefit,  payable to the Officer at age 55,
     calculated in accordance with Company's Pension Plan, but with the addition
     of six years of service.

Gross Vested Pension (Attachment A-2-1)                        $67,526.96
Reduction for Early Retirement Age: 55 years (.4390)            29,644.34
                                                                ---------
Net Annual Pension                                             $37,882.62

(B)  The vested  pension  benefit  payable to the  Officer  under the  Company's
     Pension Plan at the age of 55.

Gross Vested Pension (Attachment A-2-2)                        $63,876.25
Reduction for Early Retirement Age: 55 years (.5730)            36,601.09
                                                                ---------
Net Annual Pension                                             $27,275.16

Supplemental Retirement Benefit
(A) - (B) = ($37,882.62) - ($27,275.16) = $10,607.46


<PAGE>


                                                             Attachment A-2-1



                        THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                        -------------------------------


NAME:    ACTUAL AGE 50

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT TERMINATION:        50 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/03/97

                          BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  ------------------------------------                  ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1185.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%  X   25.0000      X   12392.16 =              $ 3098.04
A2 =    459.00             (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%  X   25.0000      X  127607.84 =               63803.92
   =  12392.16             (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127607.84    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%  X    5.0000      X   25000.00 =                 625.00
C  = 140000.00             (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                             OF 25000.00)              --------

                                    GROSS PENSION =                   $67526.96
                                                                       ========

<PAGE>


                                                             Attachment A-2-2



                           THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                           -------------------------------


NAME:    AGE 50

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT TERMINATION:        50 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          24 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/04/97

                           BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  ------------------------------------                   ANNUAL
                                                                         AMOUNT
                                                                         ------
A1 =   1131.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%   X  24.0000      X    13848.98 =             $ 3323.76
A2 =    392.00             (NO. OF YRS.)     (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%   X  24.0000      X   126151.02 =              60552.49
   =  13848.98             (NO. OF YRS.)     (QUANTITY B)

B  = 126151.02    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%   X    .0000      X    25000.00 =                   .00
C  = 140000.00             (NO. OF YRS.)     (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                              OF 25000.00)             --------

                                    GROSS PENSION =                   $63876.25
                                                                       ========


                                                            EXHIBIT 10.30

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS  AGREEMENT,  made as of the 1st day of March,  1997,  between  THE
UNITED  ILLUMINATING  COMPANY, a Connecticut  corporation (the Company) and KURT
MOHLMAN, an individual (the Officer),

                                 WITNESSETH THAT

         WHEREAS,  the  Company  desires to  continue  to employ the  Officer as
Treasurer and Secretary of the Company,  and the Officer  desires to be employed
by the Company as Treasurer and Secretary.

         NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the foregoing and the respective
covenants and agreements of the parties herein contained, and the services to be
rendered to the Company pursuant hereto, and in order to provide an incentive to
the Officer to remain in the employ of the Company hereafter and, in particular,
in the event of any  Change in  Control  (as  herein  defined)  of the  Company,
thereby establishing and preserving continuity of management, the Parties hereby
agree as follows:

         (1) EMPLOYMENT

                  The  Company  hereby  agrees to employ  the  Officer,  and the
Officer  hereby  agrees to serve the  Company,  at the  pleasure of the Board of
Directors of the Company, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

         (2)      POSITION AND DUTIES

         The  Officer  shall  be  employed  by  the  Company  as  Treasurer  and
Secretary,  or in such other  equivalent or higher  officership  position as the
Company's  Board of  Directors  may  determine.  The Officer  shall  accept such
employment  and shall perform and discharge,  faithfully,  diligently and to the
best of the Officer's  abilities,  the duties and  obligations  of the Officer's
office and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to the Officer
by, or at the  direction  of, the Board of Directors  of the Company,  and shall
devote  substantially  all of the  Officer's  working  time and  efforts  to the
business and affairs of the Company. Although a Change in Control of the Company
shall not affect the  obligations of the Company and the Officer as set forth in
the two preceding sentences,  at and after the date of any Change in Control the
Company's  employment of the Officer shall also be without  diminishment  in the
Officer's management responsibilities, duties or powers.

         (3)      PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

         In his  employment  by the Company,  the Officer  shall be based at the
executive offices of the Company situated within the Company's statutory service
area.



<PAGE>


         (4)      COMPENSATION

                  (a) Base Salary.  During the term of the Officer's  employment
hereunder,  the Officer  shall  receive a base salary (Base Salary) at an annual
rate of One Hundred  Nineteen  Thousand Dollars  ($119,000).  The Officer's Base
Salary  rate  shall  be  reviewed  by the  Board  of  Directors  of the  Company
contemporaneously  with each review of the salary rates of the  Company's  other
officers by said Board of Directors,  and may be revised  upwards as a result of
any such  review.  The  Officer's  Base Salary may be revised  downwards by said
Board of Directors  contemporaneously  with any general  reduction of the salary
rates of the Company's other officers.

                  (b) Incentive  Compensation.  During the term of the Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the Officer  shall be eligible to be  designated  by the
Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company  as  a  participant   in  each  incentive
compensation program established for all officers of the Company.

                  For purposes of this Agreement,  Total Compensation is defined
as the sum of the Officer's Base Salary and any amount paid or payable  pursuant
to this Section (4)(b).

                  (c)  Business  Expenses.  During  the  term  of the  Officer's
employment   hereunder,   the  Officer  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  prompt
reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Officer (in accordance
with the policies and  procedures  established  by the Board of Directors of the
Company  from  time to time for all of the  Company's  officers)  in  performing
services hereunder, provided that the Officer properly accounts therefor.

                  (d)  Benefit  Programs.  During  the  term  of  the  Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the  Officer  shall be entitled  to  participate  in and
receive  full  benefits  under  all of the  Company's  employee  benefit  plans,
programs and arrangements for its officers,  including,  without limitation, its
retirement and pension plan programs. Nothing paid to the Officer under any such
plan,  program  or  arrangement  presently  in effect or made  available  by the
Company  in the  future  shall be  deemed to be in lieu of  compensation  to the
Officer under any other Section of this Agreement.

                  (e) Vacations  and Holidays.  During the term of the Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the  Officer  shall be  entitled  to the  number of paid
vacation days in each calendar year  determined by the Board of Directors of the
Company from time to time for all of the Company's  officers,  and shall also be
entitled to all paid holidays afforded by the Company to its employees.

         (5) TERMINATION

                  (a) The Officer's employment hereunder shall terminate upon
the Officer's death.



                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>

                  (b) The Board of  Directors of the Company may  terminate  the
Officer's  employment hereunder at any time, with or without Cause. Prior to the
date of a Change in  Control,  the  Company  shall be  deemed  to have  Cause to
terminate  the  Officer's  employment  hereunder  only  upon the  Officer's  (A)
continued  failure to perform and  discharge  the duties or  obligations  of the
Officer's  office,  or such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to
the  Officer by, or at the  direction  of, the Board of  Directors,  faithfully,
diligently,  to the best of the  Officer's  abilities,  and in  accordance  with
standards  accepted  in the  electric  utility  industry,  in the  opinion  of a
majority  of the  members  of the  Board of  Directors  of the  Company,  or (B)
misconduct  that is  injurious  to the Company,  or (C)  conviction  of a felony
involving  the personal  dishonesty  or moral  turpitude of the Officer,  or (D)
total and permanent physical or mental disability, or (E) absence from work on a
full-time basis, due to physical or mental illness, for an uninterrupted 365-day
period.  On and after  the date of a Change in  Control,  the  Company  shall be
deemed to have Cause to terminate the Officer's  employment  hereunder only upon
the Officer's (F)  conviction of a felony  involving the personal  dishonesty or
moral  turpitude of the Officer,  or (G) total and permanent  physical or mental
disability,  or (H) absence from work on a full-time  basis,  due to physical or
mental illness, for an uninterrupted 365-day period.

                  (c)  The  Officer  may  terminate  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder, upon at least thirty (30) days' prior Notice of Termination delivered
to the Company, for failure of the Company to observe and perform one or more of
its  obligations  under Sections (1), (2), (3) and/or (4) hereof,  which failure
the Company  fails to remedy within such notice period (a Breach by the Company)
at a time when the Officer is not in default of any of the Officer's obligations
under  Sections (1) and/or (2) hereof.  The Officer may terminate his employment
hereunder in the absence of a Breach by the Company, effective upon at least six
(6) months' prior Notice of Termination delivered to the Company.

                  (d) Notice of Termination.  Any termination of employment,  by
the Company or by the Officer,  shall be  communicated  by delivery of a written
Notice of Termination to the other party.

                  (e) Date of Termination.  For purposes of this Agreement,  the
Date of Termination is defined as: if the Officer's employment is terminated (A)
by his  death,  the date of his death,  or (B)  pursuant  to  Section  (5)(b) or
Section (5)(c) hereof, the date specified in the Notice of Termination.

         (6) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION

                  (a) If the  Officer's  employment  terminates by reason of the
Officer's  death,  the Company shall pay to the personal  representative  and/or
spouse of the Officer the Officer's Total


                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>

Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any  amounts  payable
pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c) and (4)(d)  hereof  and any  benefits  or amounts
payable  under any  deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had been a
participant,  and the  Company  shall  have no  further  obligation  under  this
Agreement.

                  (b)  If  the  Officer  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder  in the  absence of a Breach by the  Company and upon at least six (6)
months' prior Notice of Termination, the Company shall pay to the Officer and/or
the  Officer's  personal   representative  and/or  spouse  the  Officer's  Total
Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any  amounts  payable
pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c) and (4)(d)  hereof  and any  benefits  or amounts
payable  under any  deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had been a
participant,  and the Company  shall have no further  obligation  to the Officer
and/or the Officer's personal  representative and/or spouse under this Agreement
or on  account  of,  or  arising  out  of,  the  termination  of  the  Officer's
employment.

                  (c)  If  the  Company  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder  with Cause,  or if the Officer  terminates  the Officer's  employment
hereunder  in the  absence of a Breach by the Company and upon less than six (6)
months'  prior Notice of  Termination,  the Company shall pay to the Officer the
Officer's full Base Salary earned prior to the Date of Termination,  any amounts
payable  pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c) and (4)(d)  hereof and any  benefits  or
amounts  payable under any deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had
been a participant,  and,  provided that the Company is not in default of any of
its obligations  hereunder,  the Company shall have no further obligation to the
Officer  under  this  Agreement  or on  account  of,  or  arising  out  of,  the
termination of the Officer's employment.

                  (d)  If  the  Company  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder without Cause, or if the Officer  terminates the Officer's  employment
hereunder on account of a Breach by the Company:

                           (i)      The Company shall pay to the Officer the
Officer's  Total  Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any
amounts  payable  pursuant to Sections  4(c) and 4(d) hereof and any benefits or
amounts  payable under any deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had
been a participant.

                           (ii)     The Company shall afford the Officer the
severance benefits set forth on Schedule A attached hereto.

                           (iii) The payment to, and acceptance by, the Officer
of any sum of money or benefit  prescribed  in this Section  (6)(d) shall effect
and evidence a release by the Officer of any and all claims  against the Company
on account of, or arising out of, the termination of the Officer's employment.



                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>

         (7) CHANGE IN CONTROL

         For purposes of this Agreement, Change in Control shall mean any of the
following events:

                  (a) any  merger  or  consolidation  of the  Company  with  any
corporate  shareholder or group of corporate  shareholders  holding  twenty-five
percent  (.25) or more of the  Common  Stock of the  Company  or with any  other
corporation  or  group  of  corporations  which  is,  or after  such  merger  or
consolidation  would be, or be affiliated  with, a  shareholder  owning at least
twenty-five percent (.25) of the Common Stock of the Company; or

                  (b) any sale, lease, exchange,  mortgage,  pledge, transfer or
other  disposition to or with any shareholder or group of  shareholders  holding
twenty-five  percent  (.25) or more of the Common Stock of the  Company,  or any
affiliate of such  shareholder  or group of  shareholders,  of any assets of the
Company having an aggregate fair market value of $50 million or more; or

                  (c) the issuance or sale by the Company of any  securities  of
the Company to any  shareholder  or group of  shareholders  holding  twenty-five
percent (.25) or more of the Common Stock of the Company, or to any affiliate of
such shareholder or group of shareholders,  in exchange for cash,  securities or
other  consideration  having an  aggregate  fair market  value of $50 million or
more; or

                  (d)  the  implementation  of any  plan  or  proposal  for  the
liquidation  or  dissolution  of the  Company  proposed  by or on  behalf of any
shareholder or group of shareholders  owning at least twenty-five  percent (.25)
of the Common Stock of the Company,  or any  affiliate  of such  shareholder  or
group of shareholders; or

                  (e) any  reclassification  of securities  (including a reverse
stock split), or  recapitalization of the Company or any other transaction which
has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of
outstanding shares of any class of equity securities,  or securities convertible
into any equity  securities,  of the  Company,  which is directly or  indirectly
owned by a  shareholder  or group of  shareholders  owning at least  twenty-five
percent  (.25) of the Common  Stock of the  Company,  or any  affiliate  of such
shareholder or group of shareholders.

         The Board of Directors of the Company  may,  from time to time,  by the
affirmative  vote of not less than a majority of the entire  membership  of said
Board of Directors,  at a meeting of said Board of Directors called and held for
the purpose, modify the phrase "twenty-five percent (.25)" in one or more of the
foregoing  Sections  (7)(a),  (7)(b),  (7)(c),  (7)(d) and/or (7)(e) to a lesser
percentage, but not less than twenty percent (.20).



                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>

         (8) ADDITIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL

                  (a) In the event that a Change in Control has been approved by
all necessary  shareholder,  creditor and regulatory actions,  the Company will,
not later  than the day prior to the date of the Change in  Control,  pay to the
Trustee of The United Illuminating Company Supplemental Retirement Benefit Trust
established  pursuant  to the  Agreement,  made as of the 1st day of June,  1995
between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee, for the
benefit of the  Officer,  cash in an amount  equal to: (A) In the event that the
Officer's employment has been terminated or will be terminated prior to the date
of the  Change  in  Control,  a sum,  calculated  by the  Company's  independent
certified  public  accountants,  reasonably  sufficient to pay and discharge the
Company's  future  obligations,  if any,  to the  Officer  and/or  his  personal
representative  and/or spouse,  under Section (6)(a),  Section (6)(b) or Section
(6)(d)  hereof;  or (B) in the event that the Officer's  employment has not been
terminated  and  will not be  terminated  prior  to the  date of the  Change  in
Control,  a  sum,  calculated  by the  Company's  independent  certified  public
accountants,   reasonably   sufficient   to  pay  and  discharge  the  Company's
obligations to the Officer under Section (6)(d) hereof assuming, for purposes of
such calculation, that the Officer's employment is terminated under said Section
(6)(d) by a Notice of Termination delivered on the date of the Change in Control
and specifying an immediate Date of Termination.

                  (b) On and  after  the  date of the  Change  in  Control,  the
Officer's  Base Salary may not be reduced by the Board of Directors to an annual
rate less than the rate  fixed by the Board of  Directors  of the  Company  as a
result of its most recent  review of salary  rates,  pursuant to Section  (4)(a)
hereof, prior to the date of the Change in Control.

         (9) TAX SAVINGS PROVISION

         If any  portion  of the  payments  which the  Officer  has the right to
receive from the Company,  or any affiliated entity,  hereunder would constitute
"excess parachute  payments" (as defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue
Code,  and not governed by the terms defined in this  Agreement)  subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the  Internal  Revenue  Code,  such excess
parachute payments shall be reduced to the largest amount that will result in no
portion  of such  excess  parachute  payments  being  subject  to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.

         (10) SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT

                  (a) The Company shall pay to the Officer  and/or the Officer's
personal  representative  and/or  spouse all legal fees and  expenses  and court
costs,  if any,  incurred by the  Officer  and/or the  Officer's  representative
and/or  spouse in successful  litigation  to enforce the Officer's  rights under
this Agreement.



                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

                  (b) The Company will require any successor  (whether direct or
indirect,   by  purchase,   merger,   consolidation  or  otherwise)  to  all  or
substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, by agreement in form
and substance  reasonably  satisfactory to the Officer,  to expressly assume and
agree to perform  this  Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that
the  Company  would be required  to perform it if no such  succession  had taken
place.  Failure of the Company to obtain such agreement by the  effectiveness of
any such  succession  shall be a breach of this  Agreement and shall entitle the
Officer to  compensation  from the  Company in the same amount and upon the same
terms as the Officer  would be entitled to hereunder  if the Officer  terminated
the Officer's  employment upon Breach by the Company,  except that, for purposes
of implementing  the foregoing,  the date on which any such  succession  becomes
effective  shall be deemed the Date of  Termination.  As used in this Agreement,
the term "the Company" shall include The United Illuminating Company, any parent
and any  successor  to the  business  or assets of  either  as  aforesaid  which
executes and delivers the  agreement  provided for in this Section (10) or which
otherwise  becomes bound by all the terms and  provisions  of this  Agreement by
operation of law.

                  (c) This  Agreement  and all rights of the  Officer  hereunder
shall inure to the benefit of and be  enforceable  by the Officer's  personal or
legal   representatives,    executors,   administrators,    successors,   heirs,
distributees, devisees and legatees. If the Officer should die while any amounts
would still be payable to the Officer  hereunder if the Officer had continued to
live,  all such amounts,  unless  otherwise  provided  herein,  shall be paid in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the Officer's devisee, legatee or
other designee or, if there be no such designee, to the Officer's estate.

         (11) NOTICE

         For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications
to either party hereunder  provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be  deemed  to have been duly  given  when  delivered  or mailed by United
States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,  postage prepaid,
addressed,  in the case of the Company, to The United Illuminating  Company, 157
Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut,  Attention: Secretary, or, in the case of
the Officer,  to the Officer at 157 Church Street, New Haven Connecticut,  or to
such other address as either party shall  designate by giving  written notice of
such change to the other party.

         (12) MISCELLANEOUS

                   No provision  of this  Agreement  may be modified,  waived or
discharged  unless such  waiver,  modification  or  discharge is approved by the
Board of  Directors  of the  Company  and  agreed to in a writing  signed by the
Officer and such officer of the Company as may be specifically authorized by the
Board of


                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

Directors  of the  Company.  No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any
breach by the other  party  hereto of, or  compliance  with,  any  condition  or
provision of this  Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed
a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at
any  prior  or  subsequent  time.  No  agreements  or  representations,  oral or
otherwise,  express or implied,  with respect to the subject  matter hereof have
been made by either party that are not set forth  expressly  in this  Agreement.
The validity,  interpretation,  construction  and  performance of this Agreement
shall be governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut.

         (13) VALIDITY

         The validity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

         (14) SURVIVAL

         The provisions of this Agreement  shall not survive the  termination of
this  Agreement  or of the  Officer's  employment  hereunder,  except  that  the
provisions of Sections (4), (6), (8), (9),  (10),  and (11) hereof shall survive
such termination and shall be binding upon the Company's successors and assigns.

         (15) COUNTERPARTS

         This  Agreement  may be executed in one or more  counterparts,  each of
which  shall  be  deemed  to be an  original  but  all of  which  together  will
constitute one and the same instrument.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on
the date and year first above written.

Attest:                    THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY



 /s/ Charles J. Pepe       By:        /s/ Richard J. Grossi
- ------------------------      ----------------------------------
Secretary                     Chairman of the Board of Directors 
                              and Chief Executive Officer



                                     /s/ Kurt Mohlman
                              ----------------------------------
                              Kurt Mohlman

                                        - 8 -
<PAGE>





                                   SCHEDULE A



                               Severance Benefits
                               ------------------


At the option of the Officer,  exercised by written  notice to the Company,  the
benefits of either (A) or (B) below will be afforded the Officer:

(A)  a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the product of (X)  multiplied  by
     (Y), where:
          (X)  is the sum of  one-twelfth  of the  Officer's  annual salary rate
               approved by the Board of  Directors of the Company at the time of
               its  most  recent  review  of  the  salary  rates  of  all of the
               Company's  officers,  plus  one-twelfth of the cash award(s) that
               the   Officer   would   earn  under  the   short-term   incentive
               compensation  program(s) in which the Officer is a participant on
               the date of the termination of the Officer's employment, assuming
               that  all of the  Officer's  program  goals  for the  performance
               period are achieved at the target level; and
          (Y)  is the number of whole and partial  years (not to be less than 12
               nor more than 24) of the Officer's  service deemed as an employee
               of the  Company  on the  date  of  termination  of the  Officer's
               employment.


(B)  The  Officer's  choice of the addition of six years of age, or six years of
     service deemed as an employee of the Company,  or any  combination  (not to
     exceed 6) of whole and partial  years of age and whole and partial years of
     service as an employee of the Company,  in the  calculation of the benefits
     payable to the Officer under the Company's  retiree medical benefit plan(s)
     and in the calculation of a supplemental  retirement benefit payable by the
     Company to the  Officer  in an amount  equal to the excess of (A) over (B),
     where  (A) is a  retirement  benefit  calculated  in  accordance  with  the
     Company's  Pension  Plan,  but with the  aforesaid  addition  of whole  and
     partial years of age and/or service,  and (B) is the benefit payable to the
     Officer under the Company's Pension Plan. The Officer may elect to commence
     his/her receipt of payments under this option at the termination of his/her
     employment or at any time thereafter, but not prior to age 55 or later than
     age 65.

Exhibits A-1 and A-2  attached  hereto,  showing  calculations  of  supplemental
retirement  benefits  under  option (B),  set forth,  by example,  the  parties'
intended interpretation and application of said option (B).


<PAGE>



                                       EXHIBIT A-1
                                            TO
                                   EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                         BETWEEN
                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                           AND

                                       KURT MOHLMAN
                                       ------------

Sample  calculation  of  supplemental   retirement  benefits  under  Schedule  A
paragraph (B).

Assume the Officer retires on the date of termination of employment based on the
following facts:

Actual Date of Termination                               4/1/97
Actual Age of Officer at Termination                     56
Actual Years of Service at Termination                   30

Enhanced Age of Officer at Termination                   62 (+6 years)
Enhanced Years of Service at Termination                 30 (+0 years)

Three Year Average Total Compensation                    $140,000

(A)  The retirement  benefit  calculated in accordance  with  Company's  Pension
     Plan, but with the addition of six years of age.

Gross Pension (Attachment A-1-1)                         $67,605.84
Reduction for Early Retirement Age: 62 years (.0000)           0.00
                                                          ---------
Net Annual Pension                                       $67,605.84

(B)  The benefit payable to the Officer under the Company's  Pension Plan at the
     age of 56.

Gross Pension (Attachment A-1-2)                         $67,611.44
Reduction for Early Retirement Age 56 (.3950)             26,706.52
                                                          ---------
Net Annual Pension                                       $40,904.92

Supplemental Retirement Benefit
(A) - (B) = ($67,605.84) - ($40,904.92) = $26,700.92


<PAGE>


                                                             Attachment A-1-1



                    THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                    -------------------------------


NAME:    ENHANCED AGE 62

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT RETIREMENT:         62 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/03/97

                           BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  -------------------------------------                 ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1024.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%  X   25.0000      X  12076.66 =               $ 3019.17
A2 =    407.00             (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%  X   25.0000      X 127923.34 =                63961.67
   =  12076.66             (NO. OF YRS.)   (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127923.34    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%  X    5.0000      X  25000.00 =                  625.00
C  = 140000.00             (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                             OF 25000.00)              --------

                                    GROSS PENSION =                   $67605.84
                                                                       ========

<PAGE>


                                                            Attachment A-1-2



                       THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                       -------------------------------


NAME:    ENHANCED AGE 56

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT RETIREMENT:         56 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/03/97

                           BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  ------------------------------------                  ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1223.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%  X   25.0000      X  12054.21 =               $ 3013.55
A2 =    487.00             (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%  X   25.0000      X 127945.79 =                63972.89
   =  12054.21             (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127945.79    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%  X    5.0000      X  25000.00 =                  625.00
C  = 140000.00             (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                             OF 25000.00)              --------

                                    GROSS PENSION =                   $67611.44
                                                                       ========

<PAGE>
                                     EXHIBIT A-2
                                         TO
                                 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                       BETWEEN
                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                        AND

                                    KURT MOHLMAN
                                    ------------


Sample  calculation  of  supplemental   retirement  benefits  under  Schedule  A
paragraph (B).

Assume the Officer  terminates  on the date of  termination  of  employment  and
elects to begin receiving  his/her vested pension benefit at age 55 based on the
following facts:

Actual Date of Termination                              4/1/97
Actual Age of Executive at Termination                  50
Actual Years of Service at Termination                  24

Enhanced Age of Executive at Termination                50 (+0 years)
Enhanced Years of Service at Termination                30 (+6 years)

Three Year Average Total Compensation                   $140,000

(A)  The retirement (vested pension) benefit,  payable to the Officer at age 55,
     calculated in accordance with Company's Pension Plan, but with the addition
     of six years of service.

Gross Vested Pension (Attachment A-2-1)                 $67,526.96
Reduction for Early Retirement Age: 55 years (.4390)     29,644.34
                                                         ---------
Net Annual Pension                                      $37,882.62

(B)  The vested  pension  benefit  payable to the  Officer  under the  Company's
     Pension Plan at the age of 55.

Gross Vested Pension (Attachment A-2-2)                 $63,876.25
Reduction for Early Retirement Age: 55 years (.5730)     36,601.09
                                                         ---------
Net Annual Pension                                      $27,275.16

Supplemental Retirement Benefit
(A) - (B) = ($37,882.62) - ($27,275.16) = $10,607.46


<PAGE>


                                                               Attachment A-2-1



                     THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                     -------------------------------


NAME:    ACTUAL AGE 50

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT TERMINATION:        50 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/03/97

                          BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  ------------------------------------                   ANNUAL
                                                                         AMOUNT
                                                                         ------
A1 =   1185.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%  X  25.0000      X   12392.16 =               $ 3098.04
A2 =    459.00            (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%  X  25.0000      X  127607.84 =                63803.92
   =  12392.16            (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127607.84    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%  X   5.0000      X   25000.00 =                  625.00
C  = 140000.00            (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM 
                                            OF 25000.00)               --------

                                    GROSS PENSION =                   $67526.96
                                                                       ========

<PAGE>


                                                                Attachment A-2-2



                          THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                          -------------------------------


NAME:    AGE 50

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT TERMINATION:        50 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          24 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/04/97

                           BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  ------------------------------------                  ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1131.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%  X  24.0000     X   13848.98 =                $ 3323.76
A2 =    392.00            (NO. OF YRS.)   (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%  X  24.0000     X  126151.02 =                 60552.49
   =  13848.98            (NO. OF YRS.)   (QUANTITY B)

B  = 126151.02    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%  X    .0000     X   25000.00 =                      .00
C  = 140000.00            (NO. OF YRS.)   (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                           OF 25000.00)                --------

                                    GROSS PENSION =                   $63876.25
                                                                       ========



                                                            EXHIBIT 10.31

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS  AGREEMENT,  made as of the 1st day of March,  1997,  between  THE
UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY, a Connecticut corporation (the Company) and CHARLES
J. PEPE, an individual (the Officer),

                                 WITNESSETH THAT

         WHEREAS,  the  Company  desires to  continue  to employ the  Officer as
Assistant  Treasurer  and  Assistant  Secretary of the Company,  and the Officer
desires to be employed  by the  Company as  Assistant  Treasurer  and  Assistant
Secretary.

         NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the foregoing and the respective
covenants and agreements of the parties herein contained, and the services to be
rendered to the Company pursuant hereto, and in order to provide an incentive to
the Officer to remain in the employ of the Company hereafter and, in particular,
in the event of any  Change in  Control  (as  herein  defined)  of the  Company,
thereby establishing and preserving continuity of management, the Parties hereby
agree as follows:

         (1) EMPLOYMENT

                  The  Company  hereby  agrees to employ  the  Officer,  and the
Officer  hereby  agrees to serve the  Company,  at the  pleasure of the Board of
Directors of the Company, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

         (2)      POSITION AND DUTIES

         The Officer shall be employed by the Company as Assistant Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary,  or in such other equivalent or higher officership position
as the Company's Board of Directors may determine. The Officer shall accept such
employment  and shall perform and discharge,  faithfully,  diligently and to the
best of the Officer's  abilities,  the duties and  obligations  of the Officer's
office and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to the Officer
by, or at the  direction  of, the Board of Directors  of the Company,  and shall
devote  substantially  all of the  Officer's  working  time and  efforts  to the
business and affairs of the Company. Although a Change in Control of the Company
shall not affect the  obligations of the Company and the Officer as set forth in
the two preceding sentences,  at and after the date of any Change in Control the
Company's  employment of the Officer shall also be without  diminishment  in the
Officer's management responsibilities, duties or powers.

         (3)      PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

         In his  employment  by the Company,  the Officer  shall be based at the
executive offices of the Company situated within the Company's statutory service
area.



<PAGE>


         (4)      COMPENSATION

                  (a) Base Salary.  During the term of the Officer's  employment
hereunder,  the Officer  shall  receive a base salary (Base Salary) at an annual
rate of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000).  The Officer's Base Salary rate
shall be reviewed  by the Board of  Directors  of the Company  contemporaneously
with each review of the salary  rates of the  Company's  other  officers by said
Board of Directors,  and may be revised  upwards as a result of any such review.
The  Officer's  Base Salary may be revised  downwards by said Board of Directors
contemporaneously  with  any  general  reduction  of  the  salary  rates  of the
Company's other officers.

                  (b) Incentive  Compensation.  During the term of the Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the Officer  shall be eligible to be  designated  by the
Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company  as  a  participant   in  each  incentive
compensation program established for all officers of the Company.

                  For purposes of this Agreement,  Total Compensation is defined
as the sum of the Officer's Base Salary and any amount paid or payable  pursuant
to this Section (4)(b).

                  (c)  Business  Expenses.  During  the  term  of the  Officer's
employment   hereunder,   the  Officer  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  prompt
reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Officer (in accordance
with the policies and  procedures  established  by the Board of Directors of the
Company  from  time to time for all of the  Company's  officers)  in  performing
services hereunder, provided that the Officer properly accounts therefor.

                  (d)  Benefit  Programs.  During  the  term  of  the  Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the  Officer  shall be entitled  to  participate  in and
receive  full  benefits  under  all of the  Company's  employee  benefit  plans,
programs and arrangements for its officers,  including,  without limitation, its
retirement and pension plan programs. Nothing paid to the Officer under any such
plan,  program  or  arrangement  presently  in effect or made  available  by the
Company  in the  future  shall be  deemed to be in lieu of  compensation  to the
Officer under any other Section of this Agreement.

                  (e) Vacations  and Holidays.  During the term of the Officer's
employment  hereunder,  the  Officer  shall be  entitled  to the  number of paid
vacation days in each calendar year  determined by the Board of Directors of the
Company from time to time for all of the Company's  officers,  and shall also be
entitled to all paid holidays afforded by the Company to its employees.

         (5) TERMINATION

                  (a) The Officer's employment hereunder shall terminate upon 
the Officer's death.



                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>

                  (b) The Board of  Directors of the Company may  terminate  the
Officer's  employment hereunder at any time, with or without Cause. Prior to the
date of a Change in  Control,  the  Company  shall be  deemed  to have  Cause to
terminate  the  Officer's  employment  hereunder  only  upon the  Officer's  (A)
continued  failure to perform and  discharge  the duties or  obligations  of the
Officer's  office,  or such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to
the  Officer by, or at the  direction  of, the Board of  Directors,  faithfully,
diligently,  to the best of the  Officer's  abilities,  and in  accordance  with
standards  accepted  in the  electric  utility  industry,  in the  opinion  of a
majority  of the  members  of the  Board of  Directors  of the  Company,  or (B)
misconduct  that is  injurious  to the Company,  or (C)  conviction  of a felony
involving  the personal  dishonesty  or moral  turpitude of the Officer,  or (D)
total and permanent physical or mental disability, or (E) absence from work on a
full-time basis, due to physical or mental illness, for an uninterrupted 365-day
period.  On and after  the date of a Change in  Control,  the  Company  shall be
deemed to have Cause to terminate the Officer's  employment  hereunder only upon
the Officer's (F)  conviction of a felony  involving the personal  dishonesty or
moral  turpitude of the Officer,  or (G) total and permanent  physical or mental
disability,  or (H) absence from work on a full-time  basis,  due to physical or
mental illness, for an uninterrupted 365-day period.

                  (c)  The  Officer  may  terminate  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder, upon at least thirty (30) days' prior Notice of Termination delivered
to the Company, for failure of the Company to observe and perform one or more of
its  obligations  under Sections (1), (2), (3) and/or (4) hereof,  which failure
the Company  fails to remedy within such notice period (a Breach by the Company)
at a time when the Officer is not in default of any of the Officer's obligations
under  Sections (1) and/or (2) hereof.  The Officer may terminate his employment
hereunder in the absence of a Breach by the Company, effective upon at least six
(6) months' prior Notice of Termination delivered to the Company.

                  (d) Notice of Termination.  Any termination of employment,  by
the Company or by the Officer,  shall be  communicated  by delivery of a written
Notice of Termination to the other party.

                  (e) Date of Termination.  For purposes of this Agreement,  the
Date of Termination is defined as: if the Officer's employment is terminated (A)
by his  death,  the date of his death,  or (B)  pursuant  to  Section  (5)(b) or
Section (5)(c) hereof, the date specified in the Notice of Termination.

         (6) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION

                  (a) If the  Officer's  employment  terminates by reason of the
Officer's  death,  the Company shall pay to the personal  representative  and/or
spouse of the Officer the Officer's Total


                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>

Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any  amounts  payable
pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c) and (4)(d)  hereof  and any  benefits  or amounts
payable  under any  deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had been a
participant,  and the  Company  shall  have no  further  obligation  under  this
Agreement.

                  (b)  If  the  Officer  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder  in the  absence of a Breach by the  Company and upon at least six (6)
months' prior Notice of Termination, the Company shall pay to the Officer and/or
the  Officer's  personal   representative  and/or  spouse  the  Officer's  Total
Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any  amounts  payable
pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c) and (4)(d)  hereof  and any  benefits  or amounts
payable  under any  deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had been a
participant,  and the Company  shall have no further  obligation  to the Officer
and/or the Officer's personal  representative and/or spouse under this Agreement
or on  account  of,  or  arising  out  of,  the  termination  of  the  Officer's
employment.

                  (c)  If  the  Company  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder  with Cause,  or if the Officer  terminates  the Officer's  employment
hereunder  in the  absence of a Breach by the Company and upon less than six (6)
months'  prior Notice of  Termination,  the Company shall pay to the Officer the
Officer's full Base Salary earned prior to the Date of Termination,  any amounts
payable  pursuant  to  Sections  (4)(c) and (4)(d)  hereof and any  benefits  or
amounts  payable under any deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had
been a participant,  and,  provided that the Company is not in default of any of
its obligations  hereunder,  the Company shall have no further obligation to the
Officer  under  this  Agreement  or on  account  of,  or  arising  out  of,  the
termination of the Officer's employment.

                  (d)  If  the  Company  terminates  the  Officer's   employment
hereunder without Cause, or if the Officer  terminates the Officer's  employment
hereunder on account of a Breach by the Company:

                           (i)      The Company shall pay to the Officer the
Officer's  Total  Compensation  earned  prior  to the Date of  Termination,  any
amounts  payable  pursuant to Sections  4(c) and 4(d) hereof and any benefits or
amounts  payable under any deferred  compensation  plan in which the Officer had
been a participant.

                           (ii)     The Company shall afford the Officer the
severance benefits set forth on Schedule A attached hereto.

                           (iii) The payment to, and acceptance by, the Officer
of any sum of money or benefit  prescribed  in this Section  (6)(d) shall effect
and evidence a release by the Officer of any and all claims  against the Company
on account of, or arising out of, the termination of the Officer's employment.



                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>

         (7) CHANGE IN CONTROL

         For purposes of this Agreement, Change in Control shall mean any of the
following events:

                  (a) any  merger  or  consolidation  of the  Company  with  any
corporate  shareholder or group of corporate  shareholders  holding  twenty-five
percent  (.25) or more of the  Common  Stock of the  Company  or with any  other
corporation  or  group  of  corporations  which  is,  or after  such  merger  or
consolidation  would be, or be affiliated  with, a  shareholder  owning at least
twenty-five percent (.25) of the Common Stock of the Company; or

                  (b) any sale, lease, exchange,  mortgage,  pledge, transfer or
other  disposition to or with any shareholder or group of  shareholders  holding
twenty-five  percent  (.25) or more of the Common Stock of the  Company,  or any
affiliate of such  shareholder  or group of  shareholders,  of any assets of the
Company having an aggregate fair market value of $50 million or more; or

                  (c) the issuance or sale by the Company of any  securities  of
the Company to any  shareholder  or group of  shareholders  holding  twenty-five
percent (.25) or more of the Common Stock of the Company, or to any affiliate of
such shareholder or group of shareholders,  in exchange for cash,  securities or
other  consideration  having an  aggregate  fair market  value of $50 million or
more; or

                  (d)  the  implementation  of any  plan  or  proposal  for  the
liquidation  or  dissolution  of the  Company  proposed  by or on  behalf of any
shareholder or group of shareholders  owning at least twenty-five  percent (.25)
of the Common Stock of the Company,  or any  affiliate  of such  shareholder  or
group of shareholders; or

                  (e) any  reclassification  of securities  (including a reverse
stock split), or  recapitalization of the Company or any other transaction which
has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of
outstanding shares of any class of equity securities,  or securities convertible
into any equity  securities,  of the  Company,  which is directly or  indirectly
owned by a  shareholder  or group of  shareholders  owning at least  twenty-five
percent  (.25) of the Common  Stock of the  Company,  or any  affiliate  of such
shareholder or group of shareholders.

         The Board of Directors of the Company  may,  from time to time,  by the
affirmative  vote of not less than a majority of the entire  membership  of said
Board of Directors,  at a meeting of said Board of Directors called and held for
the purpose, modify the phrase "twenty-five percent (.25)" in one or more of the
foregoing  Sections  (7)(a),  (7)(b),  (7)(c),  (7)(d) and/or (7)(e) to a lesser
percentage, but not less than twenty percent (.20).



                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>

         (8) ADDITIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL

                  (a) In the event that a Change in Control has been approved by
all necessary  shareholder,  creditor and regulatory actions,  the Company will,
not later  than the day prior to the date of the Change in  Control,  pay to the
Trustee of The United Illuminating Company Supplemental Retirement Benefit Trust
established  pursuant  to the  Agreement,  made as of the 1st day of June,  1995
between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee, for the
benefit of the  Officer,  cash in an amount  equal to: (A) In the event that the
Officer's employment has been terminated or will be terminated prior to the date
of the  Change  in  Control,  a sum,  calculated  by the  Company's  independent
certified  public  accountants,  reasonably  sufficient to pay and discharge the
Company's  future  obligations,  if any,  to the  Officer  and/or  his  personal
representative  and/or spouse,  under Section (6)(a),  Section (6)(b) or Section
(6)(d)  hereof;  or (B) in the event that the Officer's  employment has not been
terminated  and  will not be  terminated  prior  to the  date of the  Change  in
Control,  a  sum,  calculated  by the  Company's  independent  certified  public
accountants,   reasonably   sufficient   to  pay  and  discharge  the  Company's
obligations to the Officer under Section (6)(d) hereof assuming, for purposes of
such calculation, that the Officer's employment is terminated under said Section
(6)(d) by a Notice of Termination delivered on the date of the Change in Control
and specifying an immediate Date of Termination.

                  (b) On and  after  the  date of the  Change  in  Control,  the
Officer's  Base Salary may not be reduced by the Board of Directors to an annual
rate less than the rate  fixed by the Board of  Directors  of the  Company  as a
result of its most recent  review of salary  rates,  pursuant to Section  (4)(a)
hereof, prior to the date of the Change in Control.

         (9) TAX SAVINGS PROVISION

         If any  portion  of the  payments  which the  Officer  has the right to
receive from the Company,  or any affiliated entity,  hereunder would constitute
"excess parachute  payments" (as defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue
Code,  and not governed by the terms defined in this  Agreement)  subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the  Internal  Revenue  Code,  such excess
parachute payments shall be reduced to the largest amount that will result in no
portion  of such  excess  parachute  payments  being  subject  to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.

         (10) SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT

                  (a) The Company shall pay to the Officer  and/or the Officer's
personal  representative  and/or  spouse all legal fees and  expenses  and court
costs,  if any,  incurred by the  Officer  and/or the  Officer's  representative
and/or  spouse in successful  litigation  to enforce the Officer's  rights under
this Agreement.



                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

                  (b) The Company will require any successor  (whether direct or
indirect,   by  purchase,   merger,   consolidation  or  otherwise)  to  all  or
substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, by agreement in form
and substance  reasonably  satisfactory to the Officer,  to expressly assume and
agree to perform  this  Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that
the  Company  would be required  to perform it if no such  succession  had taken
place.  Failure of the Company to obtain such agreement by the  effectiveness of
any such  succession  shall be a breach of this  Agreement and shall entitle the
Officer to  compensation  from the  Company in the same amount and upon the same
terms as the Officer  would be entitled to hereunder  if the Officer  terminated
the Officer's  employment upon Breach by the Company,  except that, for purposes
of implementing  the foregoing,  the date on which any such  succession  becomes
effective  shall be deemed the Date of  Termination.  As used in this Agreement,
the term "the Company" shall include The United Illuminating Company, any parent
and any  successor  to the  business  or assets of  either  as  aforesaid  which
executes and delivers the  agreement  provided for in this Section (10) or which
otherwise  becomes bound by all the terms and  provisions  of this  Agreement by
operation of law.

                  (c) This  Agreement  and all rights of the  Officer  hereunder
shall inure to the benefit of and be  enforceable  by the Officer's  personal or
legal   representatives,    executors,   administrators,    successors,   heirs,
distributees, devisees and legatees. If the Officer should die while any amounts
would still be payable to the Officer  hereunder if the Officer had continued to
live,  all such amounts,  unless  otherwise  provided  herein,  shall be paid in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the Officer's devisee, legatee or
other designee or, if there be no such designee, to the Officer's estate.

         (11) NOTICE

         For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications
to either party hereunder  provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be  deemed  to have been duly  given  when  delivered  or mailed by United
States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,  postage prepaid,
addressed,  in the case of the Company, to The United Illuminating  Company, 157
Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut,  Attention: Secretary, or, in the case of
the Officer,  to the Officer at 157 Church Street, New Haven Connecticut,  or to
such other address as either party shall  designate by giving  written notice of
such change to the other party.

         (12) MISCELLANEOUS

                   No provision  of this  Agreement  may be modified,  waived or
discharged  unless such  waiver,  modification  or  discharge is approved by the
Board of  Directors  of the  Company  and  agreed to in a writing  signed by the
Officer and such officer of the Company as may be specifically authorized by the
Board of


                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

Directors  of the  Company.  No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any
breach by the other  party  hereto of, or  compliance  with,  any  condition  or
provision of this  Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed
a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at
any  prior  or  subsequent  time.  No  agreements  or  representations,  oral or
otherwise,  express or implied,  with respect to the subject  matter hereof have
been made by either party that are not set forth  expressly  in this  Agreement.
The validity,  interpretation,  construction  and  performance of this Agreement
shall be governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut.

         (13) VALIDITY

         The validity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

         (14) SURVIVAL

         The provisions of this Agreement  shall not survive the  termination of
this  Agreement  or of the  Officer's  employment  hereunder,  except  that  the
provisions of Sections (4), (6), (8), (9),  (10),  and (11) hereof shall survive
such termination and shall be binding upon the Company's successors and assigns.

         (15) COUNTERPARTS

         This  Agreement  may be executed in one or more  counterparts,  each of
which  shall  be  deemed  to be an  original  but  all of  which  together  will
constitute one and the same instrument.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on
the date and year first above written.

Attest:                    THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY



 /s/ Kurt Mohlman          By:       /s/ Richard J. Grossi
- ------------------------      --------------------------------------
Secretary                      Chairman of the Board of Directors 
                               and Chief Executive Officer



                                    /s/ Charles J. Pepe
                              --------------------------------------
                               Charles J. Pepe

                                        - 8 -

<PAGE>





                                   SCHEDULE A



                               Severance Benefits
                               ------------------

At the option of the Officer,  exercised by written  notice to the Company,  the
benefits of either (A) or (B) below will be afforded the Officer:

(A)      a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the product of (X)  multiplied
         by (Y), where:
          (X)  is the sum of  one-twelfth  of the  Officer's  annual salary rate
               approved by the Board of  Directors of the Company at the time of
               its  most  recent  review  of  the  salary  rates  of  all of the
               Company's  officers,  plus  one-twelfth of the cash award(s) that
               the   Officer   would   earn  under  the   short-term   incentive
               compensation  program(s) in which the Officer is a participant on
               the date of the termination of the Officer's employment, assuming
               that  all of the  Officer's  program  goals  for the  performance
               period are achieved at the target level; and

          (Y)  is the number of whole and partial  years (not to be less than 12
               nor more than 24) of the Officer's  service deemed as an employee
               of the  Company  on the  date  of  termination  of the  Officer's
               employment.

(B)  The  Officer's  choice of the addition of six years of age, or six years of
     service deemed as an employee of the Company,  or any  combination  (not to
     exceed 6) of whole and partial  years of age and whole and partial years of
     service as an employee of the Company,  in the  calculation of the benefits
     payable to the Officer under the Company's  retiree medical benefit plan(s)
     and in the calculation of a supplemental  retirement benefit payable by the
     Company to the  Officer  in an amount  equal to the excess of (A) over (B),
     where  (A) is a  retirement  benefit  calculated  in  accordance  with  the
     Company's  Pension  Plan,  but with the  aforesaid  addition  of whole  and
     partial years of age and/or service,  and (B) is the benefit payable to the
     Officer under the Company's Pension Plan. The Officer may elect to commence
     his/her receipt of payments under this option at the termination of his/her
     employment or at any time thereafter, but not prior to age 55 or later than
     age 65.

Exhibits A-1 and A-2  attached  hereto,  showing  calculations  of  supplemental
retirement  benefits  under  option (B),  set forth,  by example,  the  parties'
intended interpretation and application of said option (B).


<PAGE>



                                       EXHIBIT A-1
                                           TO
                                  EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                       BETWEEN
                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                           AND
                                     CHARLES J. PEPE
                                     ---------------

Sample  calculation  of  supplemental   retirement  benefits  under  Schedule  A
paragraph (B).

Assume the Officer retires on the date of termination of employment based on the
following facts:

Actual Date of Termination                              4/1/97
Actual Age of Officer at Termination                    56
Actual Years of Service at Termination                  30

Enhanced Age of Officer at Termination                  62 (+6 years)
Enhanced Years of Service at Termination                30 (+0 years)

Three Year Average Total Compensation                   $140,000

(A)  The retirement  benefit  calculated in accordance  with  Company's  Pension
     Plan, but with the addition of six years of age.

Gross Pension (Attachment A-1-1)                        $67,605.84
Reduction for Early Retirement Age: 62 years (.0000)          0.00
                                                         ---------
Net Annual Pension                                      $67,605.84

(B)  The benefit payable to the Officer under the Company's  Pension Plan at the
     age of 56.

Gross Pension (Attachment A-1-2)                        $67,611.44
Reduction for Early Retirement Age 56 (.3950)            26,706.52
                                                         ---------
Net Annual Pension                                      $40,904.92

Supplemental Retirement Benefit
(A) - (B) = ($67,605.84) - ($40,904.92) = $26,700.92


<PAGE>


                                                             Attachment A-1-1



                        THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                        -------------------------------


NAME:    ENHANCED AGE 62

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT RETIREMENT:         62 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/03/97

                           BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  -------------------------------------                  ANNUAL
                                                                         AMOUNT
                                                                         ------
A1 =   1024.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%  X  25.0000      X   12076.66 =               $ 3019.17
A2 =    407.00            (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%  X  25.0000      X  127923.34 =                63961.67
   =  12076.66            (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127923.34    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                   .5%  X   5.0000      X   25000.00 =                   625.00
C  = 140000.00            (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                            OF 25000.00)               --------

                                          GROSS PENSION =             $67605.84
                                                                       ========

<PAGE>


                                                            Attachment A-1-2



                      THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                      -------------------------------


NAME:    ENHANCED AGE 56

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT RETIREMENT:         56 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/03/97

                           BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  ------------------------------------                  ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1223.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%   X   25.0000      X   12054.21 =             $ 3013.55
A2 =    487.00              (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%   X   25.0000      X  127945.79 =              63972.89
   =  12054.21              (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127945.79    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%   X    5.0000      X   25000.00 =                625.00
C  = 140000.00              (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                              OF 25000.00)             --------

                                      GROSS PENSION =                 $67611.44
                                                                       ========

<PAGE>


                                        EXHIBIT A-2
                                             TO
                                    EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                         BETWEEN
                              THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                            AND
                                     CHARLES J. PEPE
                                     ---------------

Sample  calculation  of  supplemental   retirement  benefits  under  Schedule  A
paragraph (B).

Assume the Officer  terminates  on the date of  termination  of  employment  and
elects to begin receiving  his/her vested pension benefit at age 55 based on the
following facts:

Actual Date of Termination                             4/1/97
Actual Age of Executive at Termination                 50
Actual Years of Service at Termination                 24

Enhanced Age of Executive at Termination               50 (+0 years)
Enhanced Years of Service at Termination               30 (+6 years)

Three Year Average Total Compensation                  $140,000

(A)  The retirement (vested pension) benefit,  payable to the Officer at age 55,
     calculated in accordance with Company's Pension Plan, but with the addition
     of six years of service.

Gross Vested Pension (Attachment A-2-1)                $67,526.96
Reduction for Early Retirement Age: 55 years (.4390)    29,644.34
                                                        ---------
Net Annual Pension                                     $37,882.62

(B)  The vested  pension  benefit  payable to the  Officer  under the  Company's
     Pension Plan at the age of 55.

Gross Vested Pension (Attachment A-2-2)                $63,876.25
Reduction for Early Retirement Age: 55 years (.5730)    36,601.09
                                                        ---------
Net Annual Pension                                     $27,275.16

Supplemental Retirement Benefit
(A) - (B) = ($37,882.62) - ($27,275.16) = $10,607.46


<PAGE>


                                                             Attachment A-2-1



                        THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                        -------------------------------


NAME:    ACTUAL AGE 50

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT TERMINATION:        50 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          30 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/03/97

                           BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  ------------------------------------                  ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1185.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%   X   25.0000      X  12392.16 =              $ 3098.04
A2 =    459.00              (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%   X   25.0000      X 127607.84 =               63803.92
   =  12392.16              (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY B)

B  = 127607.84    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%   X    5.0000      X  25000.00 =                 625.00
C  = 140000.00              (NO. OF YRS.)    (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                              OF 25000.00)             --------

                                            GROSS PENSION =           $67526.96
                                                                       ========

<PAGE>


                                                             Attachment A-2-2



                            THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                            -------------------------------


NAME:    AGE 50

S.S. NUMBER:         -  -


AGE AT TERMINATION:        50 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
YEARS OF SERVICE:          24 YRS. AND 0 MOS.
VESTED PERCENTAGE:         100%

PREPARER'S NAME:
DATE PREPARED:    4/04/97

                           BENEFIT CALCULATION
                  ------------------------------------                  ANNUAL
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                        ------
A1 =   1131.00    FIRST 25 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION:
                   1.0%   X  24.0000       X   13848.98 =             $ 3323.76
A2 =    392.00              (NO. OF YRS.)     (QUANTITY A)

A  = 4800XA1/A2    2.0%   X  24.0000       X   126151.02 =             60552.49
   =  13848.98              (NO. OF YRS.)     (QUANTITY B)

B  = 126151.02    YEARS OF PARTICIPATION IN EXCESS OF 25:
                    .5%   X    .0000       X    25000.00 =                  .00
C  = 140000.00              (NO. OF YRS.)      (QUANTITY C - MAXIMUM
                                                OF 25000.00)           --------

                                    GROSS PENSION =                   $63876.25
                                                                       ========


<TABLE>
                                                                                                                 EXHIBIT 12
                                                                                                                 PAGE 1 OF 2


                                                    THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                                         COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                   TWELVE
                                                                                                                   MONTHS
                                                                                                                    ENDED
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                          SEPT. 30,
                                          -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               1992          1993          1994           1995          1996          1997
                                               ----          ----          ----           ----          ----          ----
<S>                                         <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>
EARNINGS
   Net income                                $56,768       $40,481       $46,795        $50,393       $39,096        $40,242
   Federal income taxes                       19,276        22,342        34,551         41,951        35,252         27,534
   State income taxes                         16,878         4,645         6,216         12,976         8,506          7,197
   Fixed charges                             109,449        97,928        88,093         83,994        80,097         80,132
                                          -----------   -----------   -----------    -----------   -----------   ------------

   Earnings available for fixed charges     $202,371      $165,396      $175,655       $189,314      $162,951       $155,105
                                          ===========   ===========   ===========    ===========   ===========   ============


FIXED CHARGES
   Interest on long-term debt                $88,666       $80,030       $73,772        $63,431       $66,305        $65,723
   Other interest                             12,882        12,260        10,301         16,723         9,534         10,314
   Interest on nuclear fuel burned             2,963           928             -              -             -              -
   One third of rental charges                 4,938         4,710         4,020          3,840         4,258          4,095
                                          -----------   -----------   -----------    -----------   -----------   ------------

                                            $109,449       $97,928       $88,093        $83,994       $80,097        $80,132
                                          ===========   ===========   ===========    ===========   ===========   ============

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED
 CHARGES                                        1.85          1.69          1.99           2.25          2.03           1.94
                                          ===========   ===========   ===========    ===========   ===========   ============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                                                                                                                   EXHIBIT 12
                                                                                                                   PAGE 2 OF 2

                                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                          COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES
                                   AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS
                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                     TWELVE
                                                                                                                     MONTHS
                                                                                                                     ENDED
                                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                        SEPT. 30,
                                             ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  1992           1993          1994         1995          1996          1997
                                                  ----           ----          ----         ----          ----          ----
<S>                                            <C>            <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>
EARNINGS
   Net income                                   $56,768        $40,481       $46,795      $50,393       $39,096       $40,242
   Federal income taxes                          19,276         22,342        34,551       41,951        35,252        27,534
   State income taxes                            16,878          4,645         6,216       12,976         8,506         7,197
   Fixed charges                                109,449         97,928        88,093       83,994        80,097        80,132
                                             -----------    -----------   -----------   ----------    ----------   -----------

  Earnings available for combined fixed
   charges and preferred stock
   dividend requirements                       $202,371       $165,396      $175,655     $189,314      $162,951      $155,105
                                             ===========    ===========   ===========   ==========    ==========   ===========


FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED
 STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS
   Interest on long-term debt                  $ 88,666       $ 80,030      $ 73,772     $ 63,431      $ 66,305       $65,723
   Other interest                                12,882         12,260        10,301       16,723         9,534        10,314
   Interest on nuclear fuel burned                2,963            928             -            -             -             -
   One third of rental charges                    4,938          4,710         4,020        3,840         4,258         4,095
   Preferred stock dividend requirements (1)      7,100          7,197         6,223        2,778           699           382
                                             -----------    -----------   -----------   ----------    ----------   -----------
                                              $ 116,549      $ 105,125      $ 94,316     $ 86,772      $ 80,796       $80,514
                                             ===========    ===========   ===========   ==========    ==========   ===========

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED
 CHARGES AND PREFERRED
 STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS                       1.74           1.57          1.86         2.18          2.02          1.93
                                             ===========    ===========   ===========   ==========    ==========   ===========
</TABLE>

(1) Preferred Stock Dividends increased to reflect the pre-tax earnings required
    to cover such dividend requirements.


<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                           UT
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-1997
<BOOK-VALUE>                                   PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT>                      1,288,992
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST>                    30,836
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS>                         224,256
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES>                       421,661
<OTHER-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1,965,745
<COMMON>                                       274,189
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN>                      (1,410)
<RETAINED-EARNINGS>                            166,140
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ>                 438,919
                          0
                                    4,351
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET>                           728,612
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES>                             0
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE>                      43,995
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS>                 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT>                  112,135
                      0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS>                    16,941
<LEASES-CURRENT>                               333
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB>                 620,459
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB>                  1,965,745
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE>                      540,662
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE>                           35,128
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                     422,341
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                     457,469
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS>                        83,193
<OTHER-INCOME-NET>                             6,839
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN>                 90,032
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE>                       46,769
<NET-INCOME>                                   39,654
                    154
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM>                  39,548
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                       30,255
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS>                      57,369
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS>                         108,477
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  2.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  2.82
        


</TABLE>


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