UNITED ILLUMINATING CO
10-K, 1997-03-13
ELECTRIC SERVICES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 10-K

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

                             FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996

                                       OR
[  ]     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
          EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934  [NO FEE REQUIRED]

         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

     ------------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON
             REGISTRANT                               TITLE OF EACH CLASS                     WHICH REGISTERED
             ----------                               -------------------                 ------------------------
<S>                                               <C>                                    <C>
The United Illuminating Company                   Common Stock, no par value             New York Stock Exchange
United Capital Funding Partnership L.P.(1)        9 5/8% Preferred Capital               New York Stock Exchange
                                                  Securities, Series A (Liquidation
                                                  Preference $25 per Security)
</TABLE>

(1)  The 9 5/8% Preferred Capital Securities,  Series A, were issued on April 3,
     1995 by United Capital Funding  Partnership L.P., a special purpose limited
     partnership  in  which  The  United  Illuminating  Company  owns all of the
     general partner  interests,  and are guaranteed by The United  Illuminating
     Company.

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO
 SECTION 12(G) OF THE ACT:         COMMON STOCK, NO PAR VALUE, OF THE UNITED 
                                   ILLUMINATING COMPANY

     ----------------------------------------------------------------

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
                                      ---    -----
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best of registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]

The  aggregate   market  value  of  the   registrant's   voting  stock  held  by
non-affiliates  on January 31, 1997 was  $415,988,085,  computed on the basis of
the  average  of the high and low sale  prices  of said  stock  reported  in the
listing of composite transactions for New York Stock Exchange listed securities,
published in The Wall Street Journal on February 3, 1997.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's only class of common stock,
as of January 31, 1997, was 14,101,291.

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   Document                                          Part of this Form 10-K into which document is incorporated
                   --------                                          ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                       <C> 
DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT, DATED MARCH 27, 1997,
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 21, 1997.                        III
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

                                          THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                                     FORM 10-K
                                                 DECEMBER 31, 1996

                                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          PAGE
                                                                                                          ----
<S>                                                                                                        <C>

GLOSSARY                                                                                                    4

PART I.

    Item 1.  Business.                                                                                      6
    -  General                                                                                              6

    -  Franchises, Regulation and Competition                                                               6

       -  Franchises                                                                                        6

       -  Regulation                                                                                        6

       -  Competition                                                                                       7

    -  Rates                                                                                                8

    -  Financing                                                                                            9

    -  Fuel Supply                                                                                         11

       -  Fossil Fuel                                                                                      11

       -  Nuclear Fuel                                                                                     12

    -  Arrangements with Other Utilities                                                                   12

       -  New England Power Pool                                                                           12

       -  Hydro-Quebec                                                                                     13

    -  Environmental Regulation                                                                            13

    -  Employees                                                                                           16

    Item 2.  Properties.                                                                                   17

    -  Generating Facilities                                                                               17

       -  Tabulation of Peak Loads, Resources, and Margins                                                 18

    -  Transmission and Distribution Plant                                                                 19

    -  Capital Expenditure Program                                                                         20

    -  Nuclear Generation                                                                                  21

       -  General Considerations                                                                           22

       -  Insurance Requirements                                                                           23

       -  Waste Disposal and Decommissioning                                                               23

   Item 3.  Legal Proceedings.                                                                             25

   Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.                                           25

   Executive Officers of the Company                                                                       26
</TABLE>



                                     - 1 -
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)

                                                                                                          PAGE
                                                                                                          ----
<S>                                                                                                        <C>
PART II

   Item 5.  Market for the Company's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.                        27

   Item 6.  Selected Financial Data.                                                                       28

   Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.         32

   -   Major Influences on Financial Condition                                                             32

   -   Liquidity and Capital Resources                                                                     33

   -   Subsidiary Operations                                                                               35

   -   Results of Operations                                                                               36

   -   Looking Forward for 1997                                                                            38

   Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.                                                   42

   -   Consolidated Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994                        42

       -  Statement of Income                                                                              42

       -  Cash Flows                                                                                       43

       -  Balance Sheet                                                                                    44

       -  Retained Earnings                                                                                46

   -   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                                          47

       -  Statement of Accounting Policies                                                                 47

       -  Capitalization                                                                                   52

       -  Rate-Related Regulatory Proceedings                                                              57

       -  Accounting for Phase-in Plan                                                                     58

       -  Income Taxes                                                                                     59

       -  Short-Term Credit Arrangements                                                                   60

       -  Supplementary Information                                                                        62

       -  Pension and Other Benefits                                                                       63

       -  Jointly Owned Plant                                                                              66

       -  Unamortized Cancelled Nuclear Project                                                            67

       -  Fuel Financing Obligations and Other Lease Obligations                                           67

       -  Commitments and Contingencies                                                                    68

          -   Capital Expenditure Program                                                                  68

          -   Nuclear Insurance Contingencies                                                              68
</TABLE>



                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)

                                                                                                          PAGE
                                                                                                          ----
<S>                                                                                                        <C>
PART II (CONTINUED)

          -   Other Commitments and Contingencies                                                          69

              -  Connecticut Yankee                                                                        69

              -  Hydro-Quebec                                                                              69

              -  Voluntary Early Retirement and Separation Programs                                        69

              -  Property Taxes                                                                            70

              -  Environmental Concerns                                                                    70

              -  Site Decontamination, Demolition and Remediation Costs                                    70

       -  Nuclear Fuel Disposal and Nuclear Plant Decommissioning                                          71

       -  Property Tax Settlement                                                                          72

       -  Fair Value of Financial Instruments                                                              73

       -  Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)                                                             74

   Reports of Independent Accountants                                                                      75

   Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures.         77


PART III

   Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Company                                               77

   Item 11.  Executive Compensation.                                                                       77

   Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.                               77

   Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.                                               77


PART IV

   Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K.                             78

   Consents of Independent Accountants                                                                     85

   Signatures                                                                                              87
</TABLE>



                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>



GLOSSARY

    Certain  capitalized  terms used in this Annual  Report  have the  following
meanings, and such meanings shall apply to terms both singular and plural unless
the context clearly requires otherwise:

    "AFUDC" means allowance for funds used during construction.

    "APS" means American Payment Systems, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of 
     URI.

    "the Company" or "UI" means The United Illuminating Company.

    "CSC" means the Connecticut Siting Council.

    "Connecticut Yankee" means the Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company.

    "Connecticut  Yankee Unit" means the nuclear electric  generating unit owned
     by Connecticut Yankee and located in Haddam Neck, Connecticut.

    "DEP" means the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.

    "DOE" means the United States Department of Energy.

    "DPUC" means the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control.

    "EPA" means the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

    "FERC" means the United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

    "LLW" means low-level radioactive wastes.

    "Millstone  Unit 3" means the nuclear  electric  generating  unit located in
     Waterford,  Connecticut,  which is jointly owned by UI and twelve other New
     England electric utility entities.

    "NDFC" means the Nuclear Decommissioning Finance Committee.

    "NEPOOL" means the New England Power Pool.

    "NOx " means nitrogen oxides.

    "NRC" means the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

    "NU" means Northeast Utilities.

    "PCBs" means polychlorinated biphenyls.

    "PPI" means Precision Power, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of URI.

    "Preferred  Stock" means  capital stock of the Company  having  preferential
     dividend and liquidation  rights over shares of the Company's other classes
     of capital stock.

    "RCRA" means the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.




                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>



GLOSSARY (CONTINUED)

    "Seabrook Unit 1" means nuclear  generating  unit No. 1 located in Seabrook,
     New  Hampshire,  which is  jointly  owned by UI and ten other  New  England
     electric utility entities.

    "SO2" means sulfur dioxide.

    "SPI" means Souwestcon  Properties,  Inc., a wholly-owned  subsidiary of URI
     that has been dissolved.

    "TEI" means Thermal Energies, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of URI.

    "TSCA" means the federal Toxic Substances Control Act.

    "UI" or "the Company" means The United Illuminating Company.

    "URI" means United Resources, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of UI.



                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>



                                        PART I

Item 1. Business.

                                      GENERAL

     The  United  Illuminating  Company  (UI or  the  Company)  is an  operating
electric  public utility  company,  incorporated  under the laws of the State of
Connecticut  in 1899. It is engaged  principally  in the  production,  purchase,
transmission,  distribution and sale of electricity for residential,  commercial
and  industrial  purposes  in a service  area of about 335  square  miles in the
southwestern  part of the State of  Connecticut.  The population of this area is
approximately  704,000 or 21% of the population of the State.  The service area,
largely  urban and  suburban in  character,  includes  the  principal  cities of
Bridgeport  (population  137,000) and New Haven  (population  124,000) and their
surrounding  areas.  Situated in the service  area are retail  trade and service
centers,  as well as large and small  industries  producing  a wide  variety  of
products,  including helicopters and other transportation equipment,  electrical
equipment, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.  Of the Company's 1996 retail electric
revenues,  approximately  41% was  derived  from  residential  sales,  40%  from
commercial sales, 17% from industrial sales and 2% from other sales.

     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.   Two  other  wholly-owned
subsidiaries,  United Energy International,  Inc. and Research Center, Inc. were
dissolved in April 1996.

     Four  wholly-owned  subsidiaries  of  URI  have  been  incorporated.  A URI
subsidiary named American  Payment  Systems,  Inc. manages a national network of
agents for the processing of bill payments made by customers of other utilities.
Souwestcon Properties, Inc. (SPI) participated as a 25% partner in the ownership
of a medical hotel  building in New Haven.  The building has been sold;  and SPI
was dissolved in April 1996.  Another  wholly-owned  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 URI subsidiary  named Precision  Power,
Inc. provides  power-related  equipment and services to the owners of commercial
buildings and industrial facilities.

     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 in all of
URI's ventures, and, at December 31, 1996, $26 million had been so invested.

                         FRANCHISES, REGULATION AND COMPETITION

                                         FRANCHISES

     Subject to the power of alteration,  amendment or repeal by the Connecticut
legislature,  and subject to certain  approvals,  permits and consents of public
authorities and others  prescribed by statute,  the Company has valid franchises
to engage in the production,  purchase,  transmission,  distribution and sale of
electricity  in the area served by it, the right to erect and  maintain  certain
facilities on public highways and grounds, and the power of eminent domain.

                                         REGULATION

     The  Company is subject to  regulation  by the  Connecticut  Department  of
Public Utility Control  (DPUC),  which has  jurisdiction  with respect to, among
other things,  retail electric  service rates,  accounting  procedures,  certain
dispositions of property and plant, mergers and consolidations,  the issuance of
securities,  certain standards of service, management efficiency,  operation and
construction,  and the location and construction of certain electric facilities.
See "Rates". The DPUC consists of five Commissioners,  appointed by the Governor
of  Connecticut  with the advice and consent of both  houses of the  Connecticut
legislature.


                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

     The  location  and  construction  of certain  electric  facilities  is also
subject to regulation by the  Connecticut  Siting  Council (CSC) with respect to
environmental compatibility and public need. See "Environmental Regulation".

     UI is a "public utility" within the meaning of Part II of the Federal Power
Act and is subject to regulation  by the Federal  Energy  Regulatory  Commission
(FERC),  which has jurisdiction with respect to interconnection and coordination
of facilities, wholesale electric service rates and accounting procedures, among
other things. See "Arrangements with Other Utilities".

     The Company is a holder of licenses under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as
amended,  and,  as such,  is subject to the  jurisdiction  of the United  States
Nuclear Regulatory  Commission (NRC), which has broad regulatory and supervisory
jurisdiction with respect to the construction and operation of nuclear reactors,
including  matters  of  public  health  and  safety,  financial  qualifications,
antitrust  considerations  and environmental  impact.  Connecticut Yankee Atomic
Power Company (Connecticut Yankee), in which the Company has a 9.5% common stock
ownership  share,  is  also  subject  to this  NRC  regulatory  and  supervisory
jurisdiction. See Item 2. Properties - "Nuclear Generation".

     The  Company is subject to the  jurisdiction  of the New  Hampshire  Public
Utilities Commission for limited purposes in connection with its 17.5% ownership
interest in Seabrook Unit 1.

                                    COMPETITION

     The  electric  utility  industry  has  become,  and can be  expected to be,
increasingly  competitive,  due  to  a  variety  of  economic,   regulatory  and
technological  developments;  and UI is exposed to competitive forces in varying
degrees.

     In UI's  principal  market,  retail sales of  electricity  in the Company's
franchised  service  territory,  competitive  pressures  are rising from several
sources.  Industrial and large commercial  customers may have the ability to own
and operate facilities that generate their own electric energy requirements.  If
these facilities satisfy certain statutory  requirements,  UI can be required to
purchase  their  output that exceeds  their  owners needs at UI's avoided  cost.
These customers may also  substitute  natural gas or oil for electricity as fuel
for heating and cooling purposes,  and industrial  customers may have the option
of relocating their facilities to a lower-cost environment. As a result of these
pressures, and with the approval of the DPUC, UI offers special rate and service
agreements to induce industrial and large commercial  customers to remain on the
Company's  system.  The  Company  now has 45  multi-year  contracts  with  major
customers,  including  its largest  customer.  This customer is  constructing  a
cogeneration  unit that is expected to produce  enough  electricity,  commencing
sometime  in early 1998,  to supply  approximately  one-half  of the  customer's
requirements. The customer's remaining requirements will continue to be supplied
by UI under a special rate and service agreement. To the extent that the Company
loses  revenues  from  customers  leaving the system or paying for service under
special rate or service  agreements,  the Company's only  opportunity to replace
such revenues will be through increased wholesale sales and retail sales growth.
The Company is not capitalizing  these "lost" revenues for future rate recovery.
See "Rates".

     Although UI has not  historically  been a major wholesale  supplier of bulk
electric  power  (power sold to other  utilities),  it has  marketed  generating
capacity and energy  aggressively  in recent years,  seeking to sell outside its
service  territory  the power it produces in excess of the present  needs of its
own  customers.  Competition  in the  wholesale  power market can be expected to
increase by reason of the Federal Energy Policy Act of 1992,  which was designed
to foster  competition in the wholesale market by facilitating the ownership and
operation of independently-owned  generating facilities and authorizing the FERC
to order  electric  utilities to furnish  transmission  service to the owners of
these  generating  facilities.  Competition  may also  increase in the wholesale
power market, as a result of a FERC rulemaking that seeks to promote competition
in that market by requiring  electric  utilities  to furnish  non-discriminatory
transmission  service to all buyers and sellers in the  marketplace,  and due to
the entry of brokers and  marketers,  who buy and sell  generating  capacity and
energy without owning or operating any generating or transmission facilities. In
its  rulemaking,  the FERC has  stressed  the  importance  of allowing  electric
utilities  to recover the costs of existing  facilities  (primarily  generation)
that would be  rendered  uneconomic  ("stranded")  by a  competitive  bulk power
market.  The  structure  of the  wholesale  power  market will change due to the
implementation of the market  provisions of the



                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

amended NEPOOL agreement,  which envisions  separate markets for several energy,
capacity,   and  ancillary  services  products.  See  "Arrangements  with  Other
Utilities".

     The FERC has stated that state  regulatory  commissions  should address the
issue of recovery by electric utilities of the costs of existing facilities that
would be stranded by retail access. 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  would have 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  or  independent  power  producer.  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,  although no consensus report was
adopted,   it  is  expected  that  the  legislature  will  enact   comprehensive
legislation  in its 1997  session to  introduce  retail  access for  Connecticut
consumers over the next several years.  Among many other factors,  decisions and
actions  concerning  retail  access in other  states could impact the timing and
form of this transition.

     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.

     In  anticipation  of  increased  competition,  the Company has  initiated a
continuing and focused effort to reduce and control costs, to reinforce customer
loyalty and to develop additional sources of revenue.  See "Rates".  See Item 7.
Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations  "Major  Influences on Financial  Condition" and "Looking Forward for
1997".

                                    RATES

     The Company's  retail  electric  service rates are subject to regulation by
the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC).

     UI's present  general  retail rate  structure  consists of various rate and
service classifications covering residential,  commercial, industrial and street
lighting services.

     Utilities  are  entitled  by  Connecticut  law to  charge  rates  that  are
sufficient to allow them to cover their  operating and capital costs, to attract
needed capital and maintain their  financial  integrity,  while also  protecting
relevant public interests.

     A  Connecticut  statute  requires  the DPUC to review and  investigate  the
financial and operating  records of each electric utility company,  at intervals
of not more than four  years,  to  determine  whether  the  company's  rates and
services comply with statutory  standards.  On March 28, 1996, the Company filed
with the DPUC a proposed price stability and incentive regulation plan, together
with the financial and operational data required by this statute. The purpose of
this plan was to address the challenges of an increasingly  competitive electric
industry and to help position the Company to meet these challenges.  The Company
proposed  as part of the plan:  to have no  increase  in base  rates  charged to
retail  customers  from  January  1997  through  December  31,  2001;  to afford
customers  additional  price  stability  during  this  period by  modifying  the
operation of the fossil fuel adjustment clause mechanism in retail rates so that
customers could expect that  reasonable  changes in fossil fuel prices would not
affect their bills; to depreciate the Company's Seabrook Unit 1 plant investment
more rapidly  during this period;  to establish a  performance-based  regulation
mechanism in which  performance  would be measured by customer  satisfaction and
reliability of service;  and to establish a minimum and maximum return on common
equity.

     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

                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>

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 mechanism 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 the fossil fuel
clause 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 retained as earnings.  The DPUC
did not order the  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).

                                      FINANCING

     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       $18.5      $  -      $    -       $  -
Internally Generated Funds (less Dividends)                 95.0       115.8       116.9      110.6       107.5
                                                            ----       -----       -----      -----       -----
                       Subtotal                            101.4       134.3       116.9      110.6       107.5
Less:
Capital Expenditures                                        50.5        51.2        47.3       43.5        36.5
                                                           -----       -----       -----      -----       -----

Cash Available to pay Debt Maturities and Redemptions       50.9        83.1        69.6       67.1        71.0

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


External Financing Requirements                           $(18.5)      $21.5       $35.4      $88.4       $10.0
                                                           =====       =====       =====      =====       =====
</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
common stock,  preferred stock and additional short-term and long-term debt. The
continued  availability  of these methods of financing will be dependent on many
factors,  including  conditions in the securities markets,  economic conditions,
and the level of the Company's income and cash flow.

     On February 15, 1996, the Company repaid $10.8 million  principal amount of
maturing 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 June 26, 1996,  the Company  borrowed $7.5 million from the  Connecticut
Development Authority (CDA),  representing the proceeds from the issuance by the
CDA of $7.5 million  principal  amount of tax-exempt  Pollution  Control Revenue
Bonds (PCRBs). The Company is obligated,  under its borrowing agreement with the
CDA, to pay to a trustee for the PCRBs'  bondholders  such  amounts as will pay,
when due, the  principal of and the premium,  if any, and interest on the PCRBs.
The  PCRBs  will  mature  in 2026,  and  their  interest  rate  can be  adjusted
periodically to reflect prevailing market  conditions.  The PCRBs were issued at
an initial interest rate of 3.3%,  which is being adjusted



                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>

weekly.  On July 15,  1996,  the Company  used the proceeds of this $7.5 million
borrowing to cause the redemption and repayment of $7.5 million principal amount
of 9 1/2% PCRBs issued by the CDA in 1986.

     On October 25, 1996,  the Company  borrowed  $75 million  under a Term Loan
Agreement  with a group  of banks  for a  five-year  period.  The  Company  pays
interest on the  borrowing at a floating  rate equal to the  three-month  London
Interbank  Borrowing Rate plus 0.55%.  The Company has entered into two separate
interest rate swap agreements that effectively  convert the interest rate on $50
million of the Company's floating rate 1996 Term Loan to a fixed annual interest
rate of 7.005% for the  five-year  period and the interest rate on the remaining
$25 million to a fixed annual interest rate of 6.675% for a three-year period.

     The Company  used  proceeds  from the $75 million  Term Loan  borrowing  to
purchase   approximately  $66.8  million  principal  amount  of  Seabrook  Lease
Obligation Bonds, which were issued in connection with the sale and leaseback by
the Company of a portion of its ownership  share in Seabrook Unit 1 in 1990. The
Bonds were purchased at a premium through a tender offer that expired on October
22, 1996. The Company paid 103.9% of principal  amount for  approximately  $17.0
million principal amount of 9.76% Seabrook Lease Obligation Bonds (due 2006) and
107.17% of principal amount for approximately  $49.9 million principal amount of
the 10.24% Seabrook Lease  Obligation  Bonds (due 2020).  The premiums and other
transaction expenses will be amortized over the remaining life of the Bonds. The
Company  intends  to hold  the  Bonds  until  maturity  and has  recognized  the
investment as an offset to long-term debt on its Consolidated Balance Sheet.

     On June 4, 1996, June 7, 1996 and August 8, 1996, the Company  purchased at
a discount in the open market, and canceled, 60,782 shares of its $100 par value
Preferred Stock.  The shares  purchased  consisted of 9,950 shares of its 4.35%,
Series A, 12,832 shares of its 4.72%, Series B, and 38,000 shares of its 5 5/8%,
Series D, Preferred  Stock. The shares,  having a par value of $6,078,200,  were
purchased for $4,238,387, creating a net gain of $1,839,813.

     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 December
31,  1996,  the  Company had no  short-term  borrowings  outstanding  under this
facility.

     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.

     The  Company's  long-term  debt  instruments  do not  limit  the  amount of
short-term  debt that the  Company may issue.  The  Company's  revolving  credit
agreement described above requires it to maintain an available earnings/interest
charges  ratio of not less than 1.5:1.0 for each  12-month  period ending on the
last day of each calendar  quarter.  For the 12-month  period ended December 31,
1996, this coverage ratio was 2.78.

     The  Company's   Preferred  Stock  provisions   prohibit  the  issuance  of
additional Preferred Stock unless the Company's after-tax income for a period of
twelve consecutive months ending not more than 90 days prior to such issuance is
at least one and one-half times the aggregate of annual interest  charges on all
indebtedness and annual dividends on all Preferred Stock to be outstanding.  The
Preferred Stock provisions also prohibit any increase in


                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>

long-term  indebtedness  unless the Company's  after-tax  income for a period of
twelve consecutive months ending not more than 90 days prior to such increase is
at least twice the annualized interest charges on all long-term  indebtedness to
be outstanding.

     The provisions of the financing  documents under which the Company leases a
portion of its  entitlement  in Seabrook Unit 1 from an owner trust  established
for the benefit of an institutional  investor  presently  require UI to maintain
its  consolidated  annual  after-tax cash earnings  available for the payment of
interest  at a level  that is at least  one and  one-half  times  the  aggregate
interest charges paid on all indebtedness outstanding during the year.

     On the basis of the formulas  contained in the Preferred  Stock  provisions
and the Seabrook Unit 1 lease financing documents, the coverages for each of the
five years ended December 31, 1996 are set forth below.

                                    PREFERRED STOCK             SEABROOK LEASE
                                     PROVISIONS                   PROVISIONS
                                -------------------------      -----------------
                                PREFERRED    LONG-TERM         EARNINGS/INTEREST
      YEAR                        STOCK      INDEBTEDNESS             RATIO
      ----                      ---------    ------------      -----------------
      1992                          3.23        3.88                   2.41
      1993                          3.33        3.67                   2.59
      1994                          2.72        3.14                   2.86
      1995                          2.68        2.71                   3.31
      1996                          2.38        2.39                   2.78

     The Company has a 5.45% participating share in Phase II of the Hydro-Quebec
transmission  intertie  facility  linking New England  and Quebec,  Canada.  See
"Arrangements  with Other  Utilities  -  Hydro-Quebec".  As a  participant,  the
Company is obligated to furnish a guarantee for its  participating  share of the
debt  financing  for Phase II of the  facility.  As of December  31,  1996,  the
Company's  guarantee  liability  for this debt  amounted to  approximately  $8.1
million.

                                       FUEL SUPPLY

                                       FOSSIL FUEL

     The  Company  burns coal,  residual  oil and natural gas at its fossil fuel
generating  stations in  Bridgeport  and New Haven.  During 1996,  approximately
925,300 tons of coal, 3.0 million barrels of fuel oil and 1.9 billion cubic feet
of natural gas were consumed in the generation of electricity.  The Company owns
fuel oil storage tanks at its  generating  stations in Bridgeport  and New Haven
that have maximum  capacities of  approximately  680,000 and 650,000  barrels of
oil,  respectively.  In addition,  the Company  maintains,  through an inventory
finance  arrangement,  an approximate  45-day coal supply of 157,000 tons at its
Bridgeport Harbor Station.

     The Company  burns coal at the largest  generating  unit at its  Bridgeport
generating station; however this generating unit is also capable of burning oil.
The Company has a coal supply contract that extends until July 31, 2007, subject
to earlier  termination  provisions,  and fuel oil supply  contracts for its New
Haven and Bridgeport generating stations that expire on September 30, 1997.

     The  Company's  New Haven  Harbor  Station  has a dual-fuel  capability  of
burning  natural gas and oil.  Under an  agreement  that expires on December 31,
2000, the Company is obligated to burn approximately 6 billion cubic feet of gas
per year, when offered by the supplier at a price that is competitive  with oil.
During 1996,  approximately  0.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas was purchased
pursuant to this agreement;  and an additional 1.6 billion cubic feet of natural
gas was purchased on the spot market.



                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>

                                 NUCLEAR FUEL

     The Company holds an ownership  and  leasehold  interest in Seabrook Unit 1
and an ownership  interest in Millstone Unit 3, both of which are nuclear-fueled
generating  units.  Generally,  the supply of fuel for nuclear  generating units
involves  the mining and  milling of uranium  ore to uranium  concentrates,  the
conversion of uranium concentrates to uranium  hexafluoride,  enrichment of that
gas and fabrication of the enriched hexafluoride into usable fuel assemblies.

     After a region  (approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of the nuclear fuel assemblies in
the reactor at any time) of spent fuel is removed from a nuclear reactor,  it is
placed in  temporary  storage in a spent fuel pool at the  nuclear  station  for
cooling and  ultimately  is expected to be  transported  to a permanent  storage
site,  which  has yet to be  determined.  See  Item  2.  Properties  -  "Nuclear
Generation".

     Based on information furnished by the utility responsible for the operation
of the units in which  the  Company  is  participating,  there  are  outstanding
contracts that cover uranium concentrate  purchases for Millstone Unit 3 through
2000 and for Seabrook Unit 1 through 1999.  In addition,  there are  outstanding
contracts,  to the  extent  indicated  below,  for  conversion,  enrichment  and
fabrication services for these units extending through the following years:

                           CONVERSION TO
                           HEXAFLUORIDE       ENRICHMENT    FABRICATION
                           -------------      ----------    -----------   

       Millstone Unit 3        2003             2002            2011
       Seabrook Unit 1         2002             2002            2007


                            ARRANGEMENTS WITH OTHER UTILITIES

                                   NEW ENGLAND POWER POOL

     The Company,  in  cooperation  with other  privately and publicly owned New
England electric  utilities,  established the New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) in
1971. NEPOOL was formed to assure reliable operation of the bulk power system in
the most  economic  manner for the  region.  It has  achieved  these  objectives
through central  dispatching of all generation  facilities  owned by its members
and  through  coordination  of the  activities  of the  members  that  can  have
significant  inter-utility  impacts.  NEPOOL is governed by an agreement that is
filed with the Federal Energy  Regulatory  Commission  (FERC) and its provisions
are  subject  to  continuing  FERC  jurisdiction.  Under the terms of the NEPOOL
Agreement,  the Company incurs certain  obligations - such as the responsibility
to support a specified  amount of power  supply  resources - and enjoys  certain
benefits,  most notably savings in the cost of its overall energy supply and the
sharing of reserve generating capacity.

     Because  of  evolving  industry-wide  changes  that  are  being  driven  by
deregulation  efforts and by customers'  desires to be able to choose from among
competing electricity suppliers, the NEPOOL Agreement is being restructured. Its
membership  provisions have been broadened to cover all entities  engaged in the
electricity  business in New England,  including  power  marketers  and brokers,
independent power producers and load aggregators. Operation of the regional bulk
power system will be turned over to an  independent  corporate  entity,  so that
there will be no opportunity for  conflicting  financial  interests  between the
system operator and the market-driven participants.  Various energy and capacity
products will be traded in open,  competitive markets,  with transmission access
and pricing subject to a regional tariff designed to promote  competition  among
power suppliers. The proposed restructuring changes have been filed with FERC as
an amendment to the NEPOOL  Agreement,  and the resulting FERC  proceedings  are
expected to take place in stages over the first two or three quarters of 1997.

     Under  other  agreements  related  to the  Company's  participation  in the
ownership of Seabrook Unit 1 and Millstone  Unit 3, the Company  contributes  to
the financial support of certain 345 kilovolt transmission facilities that are a
part of the New England transmission grid.



                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>

                                     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 December 31, 1996, the Company's  guarantee  liability for this
debt was approximately $8.1 million.

                                ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION

     The National  Environmental Policy Act requires that detailed statements of
the environmental  effect of the Company's  facilities be prepared in connection
with the issuance of various  federal  permits and  licenses,  some of which are
described  below.  Federal  agencies  are  required  by  that  Act  to  make  an
independent  environmental evaluation of the facilities as part of their actions
during proceedings with respect to these permits and licenses.

     The federal  Clean Water Act requires  permits for  discharges of effluents
into navigable waters and requires that all discharges of pollutants comply with
federally approved state water quality standards.  The Connecticut Department of
Environmental  Protection  (DEP) has  adopted,  and the federal  government  has
approved,  water quality standards for receiving waters in Connecticut.  A joint
federal and state permit system,  administered by the DEP, has been  established
to assure that applicable  effluent  limitations and water quality standards are
met in connection with the  construction and operation of facilities that affect
or  discharge  into  these  waters.  The  discharge  permits  for the  Company's
Bridgeport Harbor, English, Steel Point and New Haven Harbor Stations expired in
February,  May  and  March  of  1992,  and  September  of  1996,   respectively.
Applications for renewal of these permits had been filed in August, November and
September  of 1991,  and April of 1996,  respectively,  and while these  renewal
applications  are pending,  the terms of the expired permits continue in effect.
The  application for English Station has been modified to reflect changes in the
operating  status of this  generating  facility  and  changes in the  permitting
system; and in November 1995 UI withdrew the application for Steel Point Station
as a result of the  demolition of the  decommissioned  generating  units at that
location.  Several new permits have been issued for specific  discharges  at New
Haven Harbor, Bridgeport Harbor and/or English Stations; and, although other new
permits for specific  discharges  have not yet been issued,  the Company has not
been advised by the DEP that any of these  facilities has a permitting  problem.
The DEP has determined  that the thermal  component of the discharges at each of
the stations  will not result in a violation of state water  quality  standards.
All discharge  permits may be reopened and amended to incorporate more stringent
standards  and  effluent  limitations  that may be adopted by federal  and state
authorities.  Compliance  with this permit system has  necessitated  substantial
capital  and  operational  expenditures  by UI,  and it is  expected  that  such
expenditures will continue to be required in the future.

     Under the  federal  Clean Air Act,  the  federal  Environmental  Protection
Agency  (EPA)  has  promulgated  national  primary  and  secondary  air  quality
standards  for certain air  pollutants,  including  sulfur  oxides,  particulate
matter,  ozone and  nitrogen  oxides.  The DEP has adopted  regulations  for the
attainment,  maintenance and enforcement of these standards.  In order to comply
with these  regulations,  the Company is required to burn fuel oil with a sulfur
content not in excess of 1%, and Bridgeport  Harbor Unit 3 is required to burn a
low-sulfur,  low-ash content coal, the sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from which
are not to exceed 1.1 pounds of SO2 per million  BTU of heat input.  Current air
pollution  regulations  also  include  other  air  quality  standards,  emission
performance  standards and monitoring,  testing and reporting  requirements that
are  applicable to the Company's  generating  stations and further  restrict the
construction  of new sources of air  pollution or the  modification  of existing
sources by requiring that both  construction  and operating  permits be obtained
and that a new or modified  source will not cause or contribute to any violation
of the  EPA's  national  air  quality  standards  or  its  regulations  for  the
prevention of significant deterioration of air quality.

     Amendments  to the  Clean  Air  Act in  1990  will  require  a  significant
reduction in nationwide SO2 emissions by fossil fuel-fired generating units to a
permanent total emissions cap in the year 2000. This reduction is to be achieved
by the allotment of  allowances to emit SO2,  measured in tons per year, to each
owner of a unit, and requiring the owner


                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>

to hold  sufficient  allowances each year to cover the emissions of SO2 from the
unit during that year.  Allowances are  transferable and can be bought and sold.
The Company believes that, under the allowances allocation formula, it will hold
more than sufficient  allowances to permit  continued  operation of its existing
generating units without incurring  substantial  expenditures for additional SO2
controls.  The Company is marketing  its surplus  allowances,  and has sold to a
midwestern  utility  company an option to purchase a quantity  of the  Company's
surplus  allowances  commencing  in the  year  2000.  This  sale  has  not had a
significant impact on the Company's earnings.

     The same 1990 Clean Air Act amendments also contain major new  requirements
for the control of nitrogen oxides (NOx) that are applicable to generating units
located in or near areas,  such as UI's  service  territory,  where  ambient air
quality  standards  for  photochemical  oxidants have not been  attained.  These
amendments  also require the  installation  and/or  modification  of  continuous
emission monitoring systems, and require all existing generating units to obtain
operating  permits.  Controls  installed  have  resulted in  achievement  of NOx
emissions  from  Bridgeport  Harbor  Unit  3,  the  largest  generating  unit at
Bridgeport Harbor Station,  substantially  below, and at a date significantly in
advance of, that required under the statute.  As a result,  the DEP has approved
UI's creation of transferable and marketable NOx emission reduction credits, and
supplemental approvals are anticipated for the creation of additional credits at
this  generating  unit through April 1999.  During 1996, UI  consummated  twelve
sales of NOx  emission  reduction  credits,  and it  continues  to market  these
credits.  These  sales  have  not  had a  significant  impact  on the  Company's
earnings.  In September 1994, the Ozone Transport Commission  (consisting of the
twelve  northeastern-most  states  plus the  District  of  Columbia)  adopted  a
Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MOU) that  obligates  certain  of those  states,
including Connecticut, to adopt regulations that will further limit emissions of
NOx from large stationary sources,  including utility boilers. The MOU calls for
the reductions to occur in two steps;  the first in 1999 and the second in 2003.
It is expected that the regulations,  when promulgated,  will become part of the
federally mandated revisions to Connecticut's plan for achieving compliance with
air quality standards for photochemical  oxidants. On December 13, 1996, the EPA
published  proposed changes to the national air quality  standards for ozone and
particulate matter and stated its intent to promulgate final standards for these
pollutants  during June of 1997. On January 10, 1997, the EPA published a notice
of intent to require  states to adopt  regulations  to ensure that a significant
transport of ozone  pollution  across  state  boundaries  in the eastern  United
States is prevented. Since none of these three sets of new regulations have been
promulgated,  the Company is not yet able to assess accurately the applicability
and  impact  of  implementing   these  regulations  to  and  on  its  generating
facilities.   Compliance  may  require   substantial   additional   capital  and
operational  expenditures in the future. In addition, due to the 1990 amendments
and other  provisions of the Clean Air Act, future  construction or modification
of  fossil-fired  generating  units and all other  sources of air  pollution  in
southwestern  Connecticut  will be  conditioned  on installing  state-of-the-art
nitrogen oxides controls and obtaining nitrogen oxide emission offsets -- in the
form of  reductions  in  emissions  from  other  sources  -- which may hinder or
preclude  such  construction  or  modification  programs in UI's  service  area,
depending on ambient pollutant levels over which the Company has no control.

     The Company's  generating  stations in Bridgeport and New Haven comply with
the air quality and emission performance standards adopted by those cities.

     Under the federal Toxic Substances  Control Act (TSCA),  the EPA has issued
regulations  that  control  the use and  disposal of  polychlorinated  biphenyls
(PCBs).  PCBs had been widely used as insulating fluids in many electric utility
transformers  and  capacitors  manufactured  before TSCA  prohibited any further
manufacture of such PCB equipment.  Fluids with a  concentration  of PCBs higher
than 500 parts per million and materials  (such as electrical  capacitors)  that
contain  such fluids must be  disposed  of through  burning in high  temperature
incinerators  approved by the EPA. Solid wastes containing PCBs must be disposed
of in either secure chemical waste landfills or in high-efficiency incinerators.
In  response  to EPA  regulations,  UI has  phased  out the use of  certain  PCB
capacitors  and  has  tested  all  Company-owned   transformers  located  inside
customer-owned buildings and replaced all transformers found to have fluids with
detectable  levels of PCBs (higher than 1 part per  million)  with  transformers
that have no detectable  PCBs.  Presently,  no  transformers  having fluids with
levels of PCBs  higher  than 500 parts per  million are known by UI to remain in
service in its system,  except at one of UI's  generating  stations.  Compliance
with TSCA  regulations  has  necessitated  substantial  capital and  operational
expenditures  by UI, and such  expenditures  may  continue to be required in the
future, although their magnitude cannot now be estimated. The Company has agreed
to participate  financially in the remediation of a source of PCB  contamination
attributed to UI-owned electrical  equipment on property in New Haven.


                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>

Although the scope of the remediation and the extent of UI's  participation have
not yet been fully determined,  in 1990 the owners of the property estimated the
total remediation cost to be immaterial.

     Under the federal  Resource  Conservation  and  Recovery  Act  (RCRA),  the
generation, transportation,  treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes
are subject to  regulations  adopted by the EPA.  Connecticut  has adopted state
regulations  that  parallel  RCRA  regulations  but are more  stringent  in some
respects.  The  Company  has  complied  with the  notification  and  application
requirements  of present  regulations,  and the  procedures by which UI handles,
stores, treats and disposes of hazardous waste products have been revised, where
necessary,  to comply with these  regulations.  UI's  Bridgeport  Harbor and New
Haven Harbor  Stations have been  registered as treatment,  storage and disposal
facilities,  because of historic  solid  waste  management  activities  at these
sites.  The Company has ceased  using these sites for any of these  purposes and
has filed facility  closure plans with the DEP; but further  corrective  actions
may be required at one or more of them for  documented or potential  releases of
hazardous wastes.  Because  regulations for such corrective actions have not yet
been  promulgated,  the Company is unable to predict what impact,  if any,  such
regulations may have on these facilities.

     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  $7.7 million had been incurred as of December
31, 1996,  and that the value of the  property  following  remediation  will not
exceed $6.0 million. As a result of a 1992 DPUC retail rate decision,  beginning
January 1, 1993,  the Company has been  recovering  through  retail rates $1.075
million of these  remediation  costs per year. The  remediation  cost,  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.

     RCRA  also  regulates  underground  tanks  storing  petroleum  products  or
hazardous  substances,  and Connecticut has adopted state regulations  governing
underground  tanks  storing  petroleum  and  petroleum  products  that,  in some
respects,  are more stringent than the federal requirements.  The Company has 15
underground  storage tanks,  which are used primarily for gasoline and fuel oil,
that are subject to these  regulations.  The  Company  has a testing  program to
detect  leakage from any of its tanks,  and it may incur  substantial  costs for
future actions taken to prevent tanks from leaking,  to remedy any contamination
of groundwater,  and to modify,  remove and/or replace older tanks in compliance
with federal and state regulations.

     In the past,  the Company  has  disposed of  residues  from  operations  at
landfills,  as most  other  industries  have done.  In recent  years it has been
determined that such disposal practices, under certain circumstances,  can cause
groundwater  contamination.  Although  the  Company  has  no  knowledge  of  the
existence  of any such  contamination,  if the  Company or  regulatory  agencies
determine  that  remedial  actions  must be taken in relation  to past  disposal
practices, the Company may experience substantial costs.

     A Connecticut  statute  authorizes  the creation of a lien against all real
estate owned by a person causing a discharge of hazardous waste, in favor of the
DEP,  for the costs  incurred by the DEP to contain  and remove or mitigate  the
effects of the discharge. Another Connecticut law requires a person intending to
transfer  ownership of an  establishment  that generates more than 100 kilograms
per  month  of  hazardous  waste to  provide  the  purchaser  and the DEP with a
declaration that no release of hazardous waste has occurred on the site, or that
any wastes on the site are under  control,  or that the waste will be cleaned up
in accordance with a schedule  approved by the DEP.  Failure to comply with this
law entitles the  transferee to recover  damages from the transferor and renders
the transferor  strictly liable for the cleanup costs. In addition,  the DEP can
levy a civil penalty of up to $100,000 for providing false information.  UI does
not believe that any material  claims against the Company will arise under these
Connecticut laws.

     A  Connecticut  statute  prohibits  the  commencement  of  construction  or
reconstruction  of electric  generation  or  transmission  facilities  without a
certificate of environmental  compatibility and public need from the Connecticut
Siting  Council  (CSC).  In  certification  proceedings,  the CSC  holds  public
hearings,  evaluates the basis of the public need for the facility, assesses its
probable  environmental impact and may impose specific conditions for protection
of the environment in any certificate issued.



                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>

     In complying  with  existing  environmental  statutes and  regulations  and
further  developments  in  these  and  other  areas  of  environmental  concern,
including  legislation  and  studies  in the  fields  of water  and air  quality
(particularly "air toxics" and "global  warming"),  hazardous waste handling and
disposal,  toxic substances,  and electric and magnetic fields,  the Company may
incur  substantial   capital   expenditures  for  equipment   modifications  and
additions,  monitoring  equipment  and  recording  devices,  and  it  may  incur
additional  operating expenses.  Litigation  expenditures may also increase as a
result of scientific investigations,  and speculation and debate, concerning the
possibility of harmful health effects of electric and magnetic fields. The total
amount of these  expenditures  is not now  determinable.  See also  "Franchises,
Regulation and Competition" and Item 2. Properties "Nuclear Generation".

                                 EMPLOYEES

     As of December 31, 1996, the Company had 1,287  employees,  including 75 in
subsidiary operations. Of these, approximately 71% had been with the Company for
10 or more years.

     Approximately  603 of the  Company's  operating,  maintenance  and clerical
employees  are  represented  by Local 470-1,  Utility  Workers Union of America,
AFL-CIO, for collective  bargaining  purposes.  On May 22, 1995, the Company and
the union agreed on a three-year  contract,  effective  May 16, 1995.  There has
been no work stoppage due to labor disagreements since 1966, other than a strike
of three days  duration  in May 1985;  and  employee  relations  are  considered
satisfactory by the Company.



                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>



Item 2.  Properties

                                               GENERATING FACILITIES

     The electric generating  capability of the Company as of December 31, 1996,
based on summer ratings of the generating units, was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    YEAR OF           MAX CLAIMED                 UI
UI OPERATED:                         FUEL         INSTALLATION     CAPABILITY, MW           ENTITLEMENT
- -----------                          ----         ------------     --------------           -----------
                                                                                               %      Mw
<S>                                <C>             <C>                 <C>                 <C>      <C>     
Bridgeport Harbor Station 1        #6 Oil          1957                  80.76             100.00     80.76(1)
Bridgeport Harbor Station 2        #6 Oil          1961                 155.01             100.00    155.01
Bridgeport Harbor Station 3        #6 Oil/Coal     1968/1985            385.00             100.00    385.00(2)
Bridgeport Harbor Station 4        Jet Oil         1967                  16.15             100.00     16.15
New Haven Harbor Station           #6 Oil/Gas      1975                 447.00              93.71    418.86(3)
English Station 7                  #6 Oil          1948                  34.06             100.00     34.06(4)
English Station 8                  #6 Oil          1953                  38.49             100.00     38.49(4)

OPERATED BY OTHER UTILITIES:
- ---------------------------

Millstone Unit 3,                Nuclear           1986                1119.60              3.685     41.26(5)
Waterford, Connecticut

Seabrook Unit 1,                 Nuclear           1990                1162.00              17.50    203.35(6)
Seabrook, New Hampshire

POWER PURCHASES FROM
COGENERATION FACILITIES:
- -----------------------

Bridgeport RESCO,                Refuse            1988                  59.45             100.00     59.45
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Shelton Landfill                 Gas               1995                   1.74             100.00      1.74
Shelton, Connecticut                                                                                  -----

Total                                                                                               1434.13
                                                                                                    =======
</TABLE>

(1)  Effective  January 1, 1994,  Bridgeport  Harbor  Station 1 was removed from
     operation  and  dispatching  under  NEPOOL  and was  placed in  deactivated
     reserve.  The unit was  reactivated  in July 1996 and placed  under  NEPOOL
     dispatch to help alleviate  power  shortages in  Connecticut  caused by the
     outages of the three nuclear  generating units at Millstone Station and the
     Connecticut Yankee Unit. See "Nuclear Generation".
(2)  The unit has burned coal since January 1985.
(3)  Represents UI's 93.705% ownership share of total net capability.  This unit
     is jointly owned by UI (93.705%),  Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company
     (4.5%) and the electric  departments of three Massachusetts  municipalities
     (1.795%). See Item 1. Business - "Fuel Supply".
(4)  English Station Units 7 and 8 were placed in deactivated reserve, effective
     January 1, 1992.
(5)  Represents UI's 3.685% ownership share of total net capability.
(6)  Represents UI's 17.5%  ownership  share of total net capability.  In August
     1990,  UI sold to and leased back from an owner trust  established  for the
     benefit of an  institutional  investor  a portion  of UI's 17.5%  ownership
     interest in this unit. This portion of the unit is subject to the lien of a
     first mortgage granted by the owner trustee.



                                     - 17 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 TABULATION OF PEAK LOADS, RESOURCES, AND MARGINS
                                         1996 ACTUAL, 1997 - 2001 FORECAST
                                                    (MEGAWATTS)

                                                 Actual                          Forecast
                                                 ------       -------------------------------------------------
                                                 1996         1997        1998       1999       2000       2001
<S>                                            <C>          <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
At Time of Peak Load on UI's System:
- -----------------------------------

Capacity of generating units operated
 by UI (1)                                     1065.90      1055.87     1055.87    1055.87    1055.87    1055.87
- -------------------------------------

Entitlements in nuclear units (1) (2)
- -----------------------------
  Connecticut Yankee Unit (3)                    53.21         0.00        0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00
  Millstone Unit 3                               41.26        41.26       41.26      41.26      41.26      41.26
  Seabrook Unit 1                               203.35       203.35      203.35     203.35     203.35     203.35
                                                ------       ------      ------     ------     ------     ------
                                                297.82       244.61      244.61     244.61     244.61     244.61
                                                ------       ------      ------     ------     ------     ------

Equivalent capacity value of
 entitlement in Hydro-Quebec (1) (2)             98.10        98.10       98.10      98.10      98.10      98.10
- ----------------------------

Purchases from cogeneration facilities
- --------------------------------------
  Bridgeport RESCO                               59.45        59.45       59.45      59.45      59.45      59.45
  Shelton Landfill                                1.74         1.61        1.50       1.57       1.54       1.36

Purchase from New York Power Authority            1.14         1.14        1.14       1.14       1.14       1.14
- --------------------------------------

Purchases from (sales to) other utilities
- -----------------------------------------
  Net power contracts - fossil                   (1.80)        8.20       38.20      38.20     (30.00)    (30.00)
                                               -------      -------     -------    -------    -------    -------
Total generating resources                     1522.35      1468.98     1498.87    1498.94    1430.71    1430.53
                                               =======      =======     =======    =======    =======    =======

Calculation of NEPOOL capability
 responsibility (4)
- --------------------------------
Peak load                                      1045.00      1151.00     1155.00    1171.00    1192.00    1200.00
Required reserve margin                         322.39       249.91      266.99     278.25     282.11     340.59
                                               -------      -------     -------    -------    -------    -------
Total capability responsibility                1367.39      1400.91     1421.99    1449.25    1474.11    1540.59
                                               =======      =======     =======    =======    =======    =======

Available Margin (5)                            152.08        65.32       74.24      46.98     (46.08)   (112.56)
                                               =======      =======     =======    =======    =======    =======
</TABLE>


(1)  Capacity shown reflects summer ratings of generating units.
(2)  Winter ratings of UI nuclear and Hydro-Quebec  interconnection's equivalent
     capacity value entitlements (megawatts):
         Millstone Unit 3           -       42.22
         Seabrook Unit 1            -      203.35
         Hydro-Quebec               -       66.22
(3)  On December  4, 1996,  the Board of  Directors  of the  Connecticut  Yankee
     Atomic  Power  Company  voted to retire the  Connecticut  Yankee  Unit from
     commercial operation. See "Nuclear Generation".
(4)  UI's required capacity as a NEPOOL participant.
(5)  Total  generating  resources,  excluding  purchases  from  New  York  Power
     Authority  and  Shelton  Landfill,  less  capability   responsibility.   In
     addition,  UI maintains two units (English  Station 7 and 8) in deactivated
     reserve, representing a total of 72.55 MW of generating capacity.



                                     - 18 -
<PAGE>

     During 1996, the peak load on the Company's system was approximately  1,045
megawatts,  which occurred in July. UI's total generating capability at the time
was 1,522 megawatts,  including a 98 megawatt increase in capability provided by
the equivalent capacity value of UI's entitlements in the Hydro-Quebec  facility
and  reflecting  the net effect of temporary  arrangements  with other  electric
utilities  and  cogenerators.  The Company is  currently  forecasting  an annual
average  compound  growth in peak load of 1.7%  during the  period  1996 to 2006
(0.8% during the 1997-2006  period).  Based on current  forecasts of loads, UI's
generating   capability  will  exceed  its  projected   July-August   capability
responsibility  to NEPOOL for  generating  capacity  through at least 1999,  and
English Station Units 7 and 8 can be reactivated if higher than anticipated load
growth occurs. If, due to the permanent loss of a generating unit or higher than
expected load growth, UI's own generating  capability becomes inadequate to meet
its  capability  responsibility  to NEPOOL,  UI expects to be able to reduce the
load on its system by the  implementation of additional  demand-side  management
programs,  to acquire other  demand-side  and supply-side  resources,  and/or to
purchase  capacity from other  utilities or from the installed  capability  spot
market, as necessary.  However,  because the generation and transmission systems
of the major New England utilities, including UI, are operated as if they were a
single  system,  the ability of UI to meet its load is and will be  dependent on
the ability of the  region's  generation  and  transmission  systems to meet the
region's load. See "Nuclear Generation" and Item 1. Business - "Competition" and
"Arrangements with Other Utilities".

     Shown below is a summary of the Company's  sources and uses of  electricity
for 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                      MEGAWATTHOURS
                                                      -------------
                                                           (000's)
SOURCES                                                                   USES
- -------                                                                   ----
<S>                                                          <C>                                        <C>  
OWNED                                                                     Retail Customers              5,340
   Nuclear (Millstone Unit 3 and Seabrook Unit 1)            1,814
   Coal                                                      2,410        Wholesale
   Oil                                                       1,792          Delivered to NEPOOL           817
   Gas & Gas Turbines                                          181          Contracts                   1,731
                                                             -----
       Total Owned                                           6,197
                                                                          Company Use & Losses            301
                                                                                                        ----- 
PURCHASED
   Nuclear (Connecticut Yankee Unit)                           263              Total Uses              8,189
   Contracts                                                 1,011                                      ===== 
   NEPOOL                                                      430
   Hydro-Quebec                                                288
                                                             -----
       Total Sources                                         8,189
                                                             =====
</TABLE>


                              TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION PLANT

     The transmission  lines of the Company consist of approximately 102 circuit
miles of overhead lines and approximately 17 circuit miles of underground lines,
all operated at 345 KV or 115 KV and located within or  immediately  adjacent to
the territory served by the Company.  These  transmission lines interconnect the
Company's  English,  Bridgeport Harbor and New Haven Harbor generating  stations
and are part of the New England  transmission grid through  connections with the
transmission  lines of The Connecticut Light and Power Company.  A major portion
of the Company's  transmission  lines is constructed on a railroad  right-of-way
pursuant to a Transmission Line Agreement that expires in May 2000.

     The Company owns and operates 24 bulk electric  supply  substations  with a
capacity of 2,656,000  KVA and 42  distribution  substations  with a capacity of
232,500  KVA.  The Company has 3,125  pole-line  miles of overhead  distribution
lines and 130 conduit-bank miles of underground distribution lines.

     See  "Capital   Expenditure  Program"  concerning  the  estimated  cost  of
additions to the Company's transmission and distribution facilities.



                                     - 19 -
<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                           $18,137        $20,026      $28,363       $12,241      $19,062        $97,829
Distribution                          13,207         11,961       11,992        12,870       13,113         63,143
Transmission                           4,430          2,520        4,491         4,736        2,515         18,692
Other                                  6,813          5,387        1,245         1,296        1,239         15,980
                                     -------        -------      -------       -------       ------        -------
SUBTOTAL                              42,587         39,894       46,091        31,143       35,929        195,644

Nuclear Fuel                           7,891         11,282        1,200        12,323          529         33,225
                                     -------        -------      -------       -------       ------        -------

 TOTAL EXPENDITURES                  $50,478        $51,176      $47,291       $43,466      $36,458       $228,869
                                     =======        =======      =======       =======      =======        =======

AFUDC (Pre-tax)                        2,314          2,096        2,431         1,886        1,230
Depreciation
  Book Plant                          55,486         57,737       59,295        52,297       52,996
  Conservation                        10,223         10,223        8,906         6,312        4,332
  Decommissioning                      2,238          2,328        2,435         2,547        2,660
Additional Required
  Amortization (net of tax) (1)        4,100          8,500       11,600        29,700       32,800
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)                  1,173,607      1,124,299    1,057,428     1,014,621      940,764

</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%. See Item 1. Business - "Rates".




                                     - 20 -
<PAGE>

                                NUCLEAR GENERATION

     UI  holds  ownership  and  leasehold   interests  totalling  17.5%  (203.35
megawatts) in Seabrook Unit 1, and a 3.685% (41.26 megawatts) ownership interest
in  Millstone  Unit 3. UI also  owns  9.5% of the  common  stock of  Connecticut
Yankee,  and was entitled to an equivalent  percentage  (53.21 megawatts) of the
generating  capability of the  Connecticut  Yankee Unit prior to its  retirement
from commercial operation on December 4, 1996.

     Seabrook Unit 1 commenced commercial operation in June of 1990, pursuant to
an operating license issued by the NRC, which will expire in 2026. It is jointly
owned by eleven New England  electric utility  entities,  including the Company,
and is operated by a service  company  subsidiary of Northeast  Utilities  (NU).
Through December 31, 1996,  Seabrook Unit 1 has operated at a lifetime  capacity
factor of 79.7%.

     Millstone Unit 3 commenced  commercial operation in April of 1986, pursuant
to a  40-year  operating  license  issued  by the NRC.  It is  jointly  owned by
thirteen New England electric utility  entities,  including the Company,  and is
operated by another  service  company  subsidiary of NU. Through March 30, 1996,
when  Millstone  Unit  3 was  taken  out of  service  following  an  engineering
evaluation that determined that four safety-related  valves would not be able to
perform their design function during certain postulated events, Millstone Unit 3
had operated at a lifetime  capacity factor of 71.9%. In April,  May and June of
1996, a series of NRC letters to NU and its operating service company subsidiary
stated: that the NRC had identified  programmatic issues and design deficiencies
at Millstone Unit 3 that were similar in nature to those  previously  identified
at Millstone Units 1 and 2, the two other Millstone  Station nuclear  generating
units,  which had been taken out of service in November of 1995 and  February of
1996,  respectively,  and are owned by operating subsidiaries of NU and are also
operated by the NU service company  subsidiary  that operates  Millstone Unit 3;
that the NRC had  concluded  that the  corrective  action  program at  Millstone
Station was not currently effective in resolving identified  deficiencies;  that
none of the  generating  units at Millstone  Station may be restarted  until the
effectiveness of a corrective action program is demonstrated; and that Millstone
Station had been placed on the NRC's "watch list" as a Category 3 facility.  The
NRC deems  Category  3 plants  as having  significant  weaknesses  that  warrant
maintaining  the  plant in  shutdown  condition  until it is  demonstrated  that
adequate  programs have been  established and implemented to ensure  substantial
improvement.  In October of 1996,  the NRC  announced  that an  independent  NRC
review had concluded that the work environment and management  failures were the
source of a high volume of employee  concerns and allegations  related to safety
of plant  operations and harassment and  intimidation  of employees at Millstone
Station.  Concurrently,  the NRC  issued an order  directing  NU to  devise  and
implement a compliance  plan for handling  safety  concerns  raised by Millstone
Station  employees,  and for assuring an environment  free from  retaliation and
discrimination,  and ordering NU to contract for an  independent  third party to
oversee its corrective action program for the employee  concerns program.  NU is
engaged in an extensive effort to address and correct all of the above-described
problems at Millstone Station and to develop a comprehensive  plan for returning
each of the Millstone Station nuclear generating units to service. Although UI's
management anticipates that all of the above-described  problems with respect to
Millstone Unit 3 will be resolved, and although UI cannot, at this time, predict
how long it will take to resolve them, or when the NRC will allow Millstone Unit
3 to return to service, a protracted delay seems likely.

     While  Millstone  Unit 3 is out of  service,  UI is  incurring  incremental
replacement  power costs  estimated at  approximately  $500,000  per month,  and
experiencing an adverse impact on net earnings per share of  approximately  $.02
per month. In addition to these costs of replacement  power,  incremental direct
costs will be incurred to address the  above-described  problems with respect to
Millstone  Unit 3, and the  Company  may be  responsible  for its  3.685%  joint
ownership share of these costs. UI and the other non-NU owners of Millstone Unit
3 have been  paying  their  monthly  shares  of the costs of the unit,  but have
reserved their rights to contest whether one or more of the NU operating service
company  subsidiary  and  the  two  operating  NU  subsidiary  electric  utility
companies  that are joint owners of  Millstone  Unit 3 are  responsible  for the
additional costs that the other joint owners have experienced as a result of the
shutdown of Millstone Unit 3.

     The Connecticut  Yankee Unit commenced  commercial  operation in January of
1968,  pursuant to a 40-year  operating  license issued by the NRC. It is owned,
through  ownership of  Connecticut  Yankee's  common  stock,  by ten New England
electric  utilities,  including the Company,  and is operated by another service
company  subsidiary of NU.


                                     - 21 -
<PAGE>

Prior to July 23,  1996,  when the  Connecticut  Yankee  Unit was  taken  out of
service following an engineering  evaluation that determined that safety-related
air cooling system pipes could crack if the plant should lose its outside source
of  electric  power,  the  Connecticut  Yankee  Unit had  operated at a lifetime
capacity  factor of 75.6%.  Prior to and  following  its removal from service in
July of 1996, NRC  inspections of the  Connecticut  Yankee Unit revealed  issues
that were  similar to those  previously  identified  at  Millstone  Station  and
identified a number of significant  deficiencies in the engineering calculations
and  analyses  that were relied upon to ensure the adequacy of the design of key
safety  systems at the unit.  Pending a resolution of these issues,  an economic
study  by  the  owners,  comparing  the  costs  of  continuing  to  operate  the
Connecticut  Yankee Unit over the  remaining  period of its  operating  license,
which expires in 2007, to the costs of shutting  down the unit  permanently  and
incurring  replacement power costs for the same period,  resulted in a decision,
on December 4, 1996, by the Board of Directors of  Connecticut  Yankee to retire
the Connecticut  Yankee Unit from commercial  operation.  The economic study did
not consider the costs of addressing the issues and concerns  raised by the NRC.
If these  costs had been  considered,  the  economic  study would have been more
negative concerning the continued operation of the unit.

     At December 31, 1996,  UI's equity  investment  in  Connecticut  Yankee was
approximately  $10  million.  The  preliminary  estimate  of the  sum of  future
payments  for  the  closing,  decommissioning  and  recovery  of  the  remaining
investment in the Connecticut  Yankee Unit is  approximately  $763 million.  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),  is approximately  $54.8 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.  The power purchase
contract  under which UI has purchased its 9.5%  entitlement to the unit's power
output will permit  Connecticut Yankee to recover UI's share of these costs from
UI.  Connecticut  Yankee has filed revised  decommissioning  cost  estimates and
amendments to the power contracts with its owners,  including UI, with the FERC.
Based on regulatory  precedent,  Connecticut Yankee believes it will continue to
collect  from its  power  purchasers  its  decommissioning  costs,  the  owners'
unrecovered  investments in Connecticut  Yankee 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.

     As a result of the  Connecticut  Yankee  Unit's  being out of service,  the
Company  is  incurring   incremental   replacement   power  costs  estimated  at
approximately  $500,000 per month,  and  experiencing  an adverse  impact on net
earnings per share of approximately $.02 per month. This increase in replacement
power costs is expected to be offset by the reduction of operating expenses.

                            GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

     Seabrook Unit 1, Millstone Unit 3 and the Connecticut  Yankee Unit are each
subject to the  licensing  requirements  and  jurisdiction  of the NRC under the
Atomic  Energy Act of 1954,  as  amended,  and to a variety  of other  state and
federal requirements.

     The NRC regularly  conducts generic reviews of numerous  technical  issues,
ranging from seismic design to education and fitness for duty  requirements  for
licensed plant operators. The outcome of reviews that are currently pending, and
the ways in which the nuclear  generating units in which UI has interests may be
affected by these reviews, cannot be determined;  and the cost of complying with
any new  requirements  that might result from the reviews  cannot be  estimated.
However, such costs could be substantial.

     Additional capital  expenditures and increased  operating costs for nuclear
generating  units may result from  modifications  of these  facilities  or their
operating  procedures  required by the NRC, or from actions taken by other joint
owners  or  companies   having   entitlements  in  the  units.   Some  equipment
modifications have required and may in the future require shutdowns or deratings
of  generating  units that would not  otherwise be necessary  and that result in
additional  costs for  replacement  power.  The  amounts of  additional  capital
expenditures,  increased  operating costs and replacement power costs cannot now
be predicted, but they have been and may in the future be substantial.



                                     - 22 -
<PAGE>

    Public  controversy  concerning  nuclear power could also adversely  affect
Seabrook Unit 1 and Millstone Unit 3. Proposals to force the premature  shutdown
of nuclear plants in other New England states have in the past received  serious
attention,  and the licensing of Seabrook Unit 1 was a regional issue. A renewal
of the  controversy  could be expected to increase  the costs of  operating  the
nuclear generating units in which UI has interests;  and it is possible that one
or the other of the units could be shut down prematurely, resulting in increased
fuel and/or  replacement  power costs,  earlier funding of costs associated with
decommissioning the unit and acceleration of depreciation  expense,  which could
have an adverse impact on the Company's  financial  condition  and/or results of
operations.

                           INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

     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.  Based on its  interests in nuclear  generating
units,  the Company  estimates its maximum  liability would be $23.2 million per
incident. However, assessment would be limited to $3.1 million per incident, per
year. With respect to each of the 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.

     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.

                        WASTE DISPOSAL AND DECOMMISSIONING

     Costs associated with nuclear plant operations include amounts for disposal
of nuclear wastes, including spent fuel, and for the ultimate decommissioning of
the plants.  Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the federal  Department
of  Energy  (DOE) is  required  to  design,  license,  construct  and  operate a
permanent  repository for high level radioactive  wastes and spent nuclear fuel.
The Act  requires  the DOE to provide,  beginning  in 1998,  for the disposal of
spent  nuclear fuel and high level  radioactive  waste from  commercial  nuclear
plants through  contracts with the owners and generators of such waste;  and the
DOE has established  disposal fees that are being paid to the federal government
by electric  utilities owning or operating  nuclear  generating units. In return
for payment of the prescribed  fees, the federal  government is to take title to
and dispose of the utilities' high level wastes and spent nuclear fuel beginning
no later than January 1998.  However,  the DOE has announced that its first high
level waste  repository will not be in operation  earlier than 2010 and possibly
not earlier  than 2013,  notwithstanding  the DOE's  statutory  and  contractual
responsibility to begin disposal of high-level  radioactive waste and spent fuel
beginning not later than January 31, 1998.



                                     - 23 -
<PAGE>

     The DOE also announced that, absent a repository,  the DOE has no statutory
obligation to begin taking high level wastes and spent nuclear fuel for disposal
by January 1998. However, numerous utilities and states have obtained a judicial
declaration  that the DOE has a  statutory  responsibility  to take title to and
dispose of high level wastes and spent  nuclear fuel  beginning in January 1998.
It is  unclear  at this time  whether  the  United  States  Congress  will enact
legislation to address spent fuel/high level waste disposal issues.

     Until the federal  government  begins  receiving  such  materials,  nuclear
generating  units will need to retain high level  wastes and spent  nuclear fuel
on-site or make other provisions for their storage.  Storage  facilities for the
Connecticut  Yankee  Unit  are  deemed  adequate,  and  storage  facilities  for
Millstone Unit 3 are expected to be adequate for the projected life of the unit.
Storage  facilities  for Seabrook  Unit 1 are  expected to be adequate  until at
least 2010. Fuel consolidation and compaction  technologies are being considered
for  Seabrook  Unit 1 and  may  provide  adequate  storage  capability  for  the
projected life of the unit. In addition,  other licensed  technologies,  such as
dry storage casks, may satisfy spent nuclear fuel storage requirements.

     Disposal  costs for  low-level  radioactive  wastes  (LLW) that result from
normal  operation of nuclear  generating  units have increased  significantly in
recent  years and are  expected to continue to rise.  The cost  increases  are a
function of increased  packaging  and  transportation  costs and higher fees and
surcharges charged by the disposal facilities.  Currently,  the Chem Nuclear LLW
facility at Barnwell,  South Carolina,  is open to the Connecticut  Yankee Unit,
Millstone  Unit 3, and Seabrook Unit 1 for disposal of LLW. The  Envirocare  LLW
facility at Clive,  Utah, is also open to these generating units for portions of
their LLW.  All three units have  contracts  in place for LLW  disposal at these
disposal facilities.

     Because  access to LLW  disposal may be lost at any time,  the  Connecticut
Yankee Unit,  Millstone  Unit 3 and Seabrook Unit 1 have storage plans that will
allow  on-site  retention  of LLW for at  least  five  years in the  event  that
disposal is interrupted.

     The Company  cannot  predict  whether or when a LLW  disposal  site will be
designated in Connecticut.  The State of New Hampshire has not met deadlines for
compliance with the Low-Level  Radioactive  Waste Policy Act and has stated that
the state is unsuitable for a LLW disposal  facility.  Both  Connecticut and New
Hampshire are also pursuing other options for out-of-state disposal of LLW.

     NRC licensing  requirements  and  restrictions  are also  applicable to the
decommissioning  of nuclear  generating units at the end of their service lives,
and the NRC has adopted  comprehensive  regulations  concerning  decommissioning
planning,  timing, funding and environmental reviews. UI and the other owners of
the nuclear generating units in which UI has interests estimate  decommissioning
costs for the units and  attempt to recover  sufficient  amounts  through  their
allowed  electric  rates,  together with earnings on the  investment of funds so
recovered, to cover expected  decommissioning costs. Changes in NRC requirements
or  technology,  as well as inflation,  can increase  estimated  decommissioning
costs.

     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 1996 was $1.6  million.  UI's share of the fund at December  31, 1996 was
approximately $9.1 million.

     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


                                     - 24 -
<PAGE>

decommissioning  trust fund managed by Northeast  Utilities  (NU). UI's share of
the  Millstone  Unit 3  decommissioning  payments made during 1996 was $487,000.
UI's share of the fund at December 31, 1996 was approximately $3.8 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 $1.4 million  were funded by UI during 1996,  and UI's
share  of the  fund  at  December  31,  1996  was  $19.4  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.

     The  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  (FASB) has issued an exposure
draft related to the  accounting for the closure and removal costs of long-lived
assets,  including  nuclear plant  decommissioning.  If the proposed  accounting
standard  were  adopted,   it  may  result  in  higher  annual   provisions  for
decommissioning  to be recognized earlier in the operating life of nuclear units
and an accelerated recognition of the decommissioning  obligation. The FASB will
be  deliberating  this issue,  and the resulting  final  pronouncement  could be
different from that proposed in the exposure draft.

Item 3.  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.  The Company is contesting each of these actions
by the City's tax  assessor  vigorously.  On  January 9, 1996,  the  Connecticut
Superior  Court granted the Company's  motion for summary  judgment  against the
City  relative to the  "updated"  personal  property  tax bills for the tax year
1991-1992.  The City  appealed to the  Appellate  Court from the Superior  Court
decision,  which  decision  would also be applicable to and defeat the valuation
increases  for the tax years  1992-1993  and  1993-1994  if it is  sustained  on
appeal.  In June 1996, the Connecticut  Supreme Court transferred this appeal to
its docket. The case was argued before the Connecticut Supreme Court in December
1996,  and a decision is  anticipated  in the spring of 1997.  It is the present
opinion of the Company that the ultimate outcome of this dispute will not have a
significant impact on the financial position of the Company.

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

     There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders,  through the
solicitation  of proxies or otherwise,  during the fourth  quarter of the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1996.



                                     - 25 -
<PAGE>



                           EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY

     The names and ages of all  executive  officers  of the Company and all such
persons chosen to become executive officers,  all positions and offices with the
Company  held by each such  person,  and the period  during  which he or she has
served as an officer in the office indicated, are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

NAME                        AGE                 POSITION                                       EFFECTIVE DATE
- ----                        ---                 --------                                       --------------

<S>                          <C>     <C>                                                       <C>    
Richard J. Grossi            61      Chairman of the Board of Directors                        May 1, 1991
                                       and Chief Executive Officer
Robert L. Fiscus             59      President and Chief Financial Officer                     May 1, 1991
James F. Crowe               54      Group Vice President Power Supply Services                October 1, 1996
Albert N. Henricksen         55      Group Vice President Support Services                     October 1, 1996
Anthony J. Vallillo          48      Group Vice President Client Services                      October 1, 1996
Rita L. Bowlby               58      Vice President-Corporate Affairs                          February 1, 1993
Raymond G. Dube              54      Vice President/Consultant                                 October 1, 1996
Stephen F. Goldschmidt       51      Vice President Planning and Information Resources         October 1, 1996
E. Jon Majkowski             54      Vice President/President Subsidiaries (URI, PPI & TEI)    October 1, 1996
James L. Benjamin            55      Controller                                                January 1, 1981
Kurt D. Mohlman              48      Treasurer and Secretary                                   January 1, 1994
Charles J. Pepe              48      Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary               January 1, 1994
</TABLE>


     There is no family relationship between any director, executive officer, or
person  nominated  or chosen to become a director  or  executive  officer of the
Company.  All executive  officers of the Company hold office during the pleasure
of the Company's  Board of Directors and Messrs.  Grossi,  Fiscus and Crowe have
each  entered  into an  employment  agreement  with  the  Company.  There  is no
arrangement or  understanding  between any executive  officer of the Company and
any other person pursuant to which such officer was selected as an officer.

     A brief  account of the business  experience  during the past five years of
each executive officer of the Company is as follows:

     RICHARD  J.  GROSSI.  Mr.  Grossi has  served as  Chairman  of the Board of
Directors and Chief Executive Officer during the five-year period.

     ROBERT L. FISCUS.  Mr. Fiscus has served as President  and Chief  Financial
Officer during the five-year period.

     JAMES F. CROWE. Mr. Crowe served as Senior Vice  President-Marketing of the
Company  during the period  January 1, 1992 to May 1, 1992,  as  Executive  Vice
President  from May 1, 1992 to January 1, 1994,  and as Executive Vice President
and Chief  Customer  Officer  from  January 1, 1994 to  October 1, 1996.  He has
served as Group Vice President Power Supply Services since October 1, 1996.

     ALBERT N. HENRICKSEN.  Mr.  Henricksen served as Vice  President-Human  and
Environmental  Resources  during the period  January 1, 1992 to January 1, 1994,
and as Vice President-Administration from January 1, 1994 to October 1, 1996. He
has served as Group Vice President Support Services since October 1, 1996.

     ANTHONY J. VALLILLO.  Mr. Vallillo  served as Director of Marketing  during
the period January 1, 1992 to June 1, 1992, and as Vice President-Marketing from
June 1, 1992 to October 1, 1996.  He has served as Group Vice  President  Client
Services since October 1, 1996.

     RITA L. BOWLBY. Ms. Bowlby has served as Vice  President-Corporate  Affairs
since  February 1, 1993.  Prior to joining the  Company,  during the period from
January  1, 1992 to  February  1,  1993,  she  served as  President  of Bowlby &
Associates,   a   business-to-business   communications  agency  in  Farmington,
Connecticut.



                                     - 26 -
<PAGE>

     RAYMOND G. DUBE. Mr. Dube served as Transmission  Manager during the period
January 1, 1992 to July 1, 1992,  as Director  of  Transmission  &  Distribution
Operations from July 1, 1992 to March 1, 1994, Director of Electric Systems from
March  1,  1994 to  October  1,  1994,  and as Vice  President-Transmission  and
Distribution  from  October 1, 1994 to  October  1, 1996.  He has served as Vice
President/Consultant since October 1, 1996.

     STEPHEN F. GOLDSCHMIDT.  Mr. Goldschmidt served as Vice  President-Planning
from  January  1, 1992 to January  1,  1994,  and as Vice  President-Information
Resources  from  January  1, 1994 to  October  1,  1996.  He has  served as Vice
President Planning and Information Resources since October 1, 1996.

     E. JON MAJKOWSKI.  Mr. Majkowski served as Vice President-Public Affairs of
the  Company  during  the period  January  1, 1992 to May 1,  1992,  and as Vice
President/President-UI  Subsidiaries  from May 1, 1992 to October 1 1996. He has
served as Vice  President/President  Subsidiaries (URI, PPI & TEI) since October
1, 1996.

     JAMES L.  BENJAMIN.  Mr.  Benjamin has served as  Controller of the Company
during the five-year period.

     KURT D. MOHLMAN.  Mr. Mohlman served as Director of Financial  Planning and
Investor  Relations during the period January 1, 1992 to January 1, 1994. He has
served as Treasurer and Secretary of the Company since January 1, 1994.
  
     CHARLES J. PEPE. Mr. Pepe served as Director of Financing during the period
January 1, 1992 to January 1, 1994.  He has served as  Assistant  Treasurer  and
Assistant Secretary of the Company since January 1, 1994.


                                  PART II


Item 5.  Market for the Company's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.

     UI's Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange,  where the high
and low sale prices during 1996 and 1995 were as follows:


                                       1996 SALE PRICE        1995 SALE PRICE
                                       ---------------        ---------------
                                        HIGH      LOW          HIGH      LOW
                                        ----      ---          ----      ---

        First Quarter                  39 3/4   36 1/4        33 1/4   29 1/2
        Second Quarter                 38       35 3/4        33 5/8   31 1/4
        Third Quarter                  37 1/2   33 7/8        35 1/4   31 1/2
        Fourth Quarter                 35       31 3/8        38 1/2   35 3/4

     UI has paid  quarterly  dividends  on its  Common  Stock  since  1900.  The
quarterly dividends declared in 1995 and 1996 were at a rate of 70 1/2 cents per
share and 72 cents per share, respectively.

     The indenture under which the Company's 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 $98.7 million
were free from such limitations at December 31, 1996.

     As of January 31,  1997,  there were 17,273  Common  Stock  shareowners  of
record.



                                     - 27 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
<CAPTION>
                                                                    1996              1995             1994
=====================================================================================================================
<S>                                                                <C>              <C>               <C>
FINANCIAL RESULTS OF OPERATION ($000'S)
Sales of electricity
    Retail
        Residential                                                 $265,562          $260,694          $252,386
        Commercial                                                   263,609           259,715           250,771 (2)
        Industrial                                                   108,825           106,963           104,242 (2)
        Other                                                         11,880            11,736            11,469
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
    Total Retail                                                     649,876           639,108           618,868
    Wholesale (1)                                                     72,844            48,232            34,927
Other operating revenues                                               3,300             3,109             2,953
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
    Total operating revenues                                         726,020           690,449           656,748
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
Fuel and interchange energy -net
    Retail -own load                                                  95,359            96,538            99,589
    Wholesale                                                         65,158            41,631            27,765
Capacity purchased-net                                                46,830            47,420            44,769
Depreciation                                                          65,921            61,426            58,165
Other amortization, principally deferred return and cancelled plant   13,758            13,758             1,172
Other operating expenses, excluding tax expense                      219,630 (3)       183,749           193,098
Gross earnings tax                                                    26,757            27,379            27,403
Other non-income taxes                                                30,382            31,564            32,458
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
    Total operating expenses, excluding income taxes                 563,795           503,465           484,419
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
Deferred return - Seabrook Unit 1                                          0                 0                 0
AFUDC                                                                  2,375             2,762             3,463
Other non-operating income(loss)                                      (7,166)           (4,272)           (1,907)
Interest expense
   Long-term debt - net                                               65,046            63,431            73,772
   Other                                                               4,721            13,140            10,301
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
    Total                                                             69,767            76,571            84,073
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
Minority interest in preferred securities                              4,813             3,583                 0
Income tax expense
   Operating income tax                                               53,090            59,828            44,937
   Non-operating income tax                                           (9,332)           (4,901)           (3,214)
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
    Total                                                             43,758            54,927            41,723
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
Income(loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change            39,096            50,393            48,089
Cumulative effect of change in accounting - net of tax                     0                 0            (1,294)
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
Net income (loss)                                                     39,096 (4)        50,393            46,795
Discount on preferred stock redemption                                (1,840)           (2,183)                0
Preferred and preference stock dividends                                 330             1,329             3,323
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
Income (loss) applicable to common stock                             $40,606           $51,247           $43,472
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income                                                    $109,135          $127,156          $127,392
=====================================================================================================================
FINANCIAL CONDITION ($000'S)
Plant in service-net                                              $1,258,306        $1,277,910        $1,268,145
Construction work in progress                                         40,998            41,817            57,669
Plant-related regulatory asset                                             0                 0                 0
Other property and investments                                        49,091            53,355            53,267
Current assets                                                       163,350           137,277           157,309
Deferred charges and regulatory assets                               449,150           475,258           538,601
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
   Total Assets                                                   $1,960,895        $1,985,617        $2,074,991
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common stock equity                                                 $440,016          $439,981          $428,028
Preferred, preference stock and preferred securities                  54,461            60,539            44,700
Long-term debt excluding current portion                             759,680           845,684           708,340
Noncurrent liabilities (5)                                           138,816            65,747            59,458
Current portion of long-term debt                                     69,900            40,800           193,133
Notes payable                                                         10,965                 0            67,000
Other current liabilities (5)                                        129,007           102,336           122,084
Deferred income tax liabilities and other                            358,050           430,530           452,248
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
   Total Capitalization and Liabilities                           $1,960,895        $1,985,617        $2,074,991
=====================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1)  Operating  Revenues,  for  years  prior to 1992,  include  wholesale  power
     exchange  contract  sales  that were  reclassified  from Fuel and  Capacity
     expenses  in  accordance   with  Federal   Energy   Regulatory   Commission
     requirements.
(2)  Includes reclassification of certain Commercial and Industrial customers.
(3)  Includes  the effect of charges of $23.0  million,  before-tax,  associated
     with voluntary early retirement programs.
(4)  Includes the effect of charges of $13.4 million, after-tax, associated with
     voluntary early retirement programs.
(5)  Amounts for years prior to 1996 have been reclassified.

                                     - 28 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

     1993               1992              1991             1990             1989             1988              1987
========================================================================================================================



    <C>                <C>               <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>     
      $238,185           $226,455          $226,751         $211,891         $205,183         $200,170         $188,740
       256,559            253,456 (2)       255,782          234,704          219,852          208,801          195,972
        97,466             97,010 (2)        91,895           94,526           92,855           96,665          100,354
        11,349             11,065            10,886           10,536            9,943            9,732            9,480
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------
       603,559            587,986           585,314          551,657          527,833          515,368          494,546
        45,931             75,484            84,236           85,657           77,925           63,263           54,708
         3,533              3,855             3,821            3,332            3,348            3,570            3,077
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------
       653,023            667,325           673,371          640,646          609,106          582,201          552,331
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------

        98,694            108,084           123,010          119,285          128,739          121,425          131,471
        39,356             55,169            61,858           69,117           62,681           53,837           51,411
        47,424             43,560            44,668           42,827           50,234           35,465           17,746
        56,287             50,706            48,181           36,526           35,618           24,069           37,160
         1,780             10,415            10,415            4,173           10,415           10,415           10,415
       203,427 (6)        183,426           178,912          176,419          144,867          133,407          127,900
        27,955             27,362            27,223           25,595           24,506           23,948           22,997
        29,977             31,869            28,673           24,648           20,294           21,695           17,194
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------
       504,900            510,591           522,940          498,590          477,354          424,261          416,294
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------
         7,497             15,959            17,970           21,503                0                0                0
         4,067              3,232             5,190            3,443           65,443           75,656           81,419
            71             18,545             2,697           22,654         (219,742)         (23,369)         (97,686)

        80,030             88,666            90,296           94,056           91,126           90,022           88,700
        12,260             12,882             9,847           15,468           22,849           12,069            9,228
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------
        92,290            101,548           100,143          109,524          113,975          102,091           97,928
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------
             0                  0                 0                0                0                0                0

        33,309             48,712            47,231           43,493           37,963           44,045           50,633
        (6,322)           (12,558)          (19,299)         (17,409)        (101,135)         (14,548)         (37,440)
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------
        26,987             36,154            27,932           26,084          (63,172)          29,497           13,193
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------
        40,481             56,768            48,213           54,048          (73,350)          78,639            8,649
             0                  0             7,337                0                0                0                0
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------
        40,481 (7)         56,768            55,550           54,048          (73,350)          78,639            8,649
             0                  0                 0                0                0                0                0
         4,318              4,338             4,530            4,751            8,233           11,348           11,953
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------
       $36,163            $52,430           $51,020          $49,297         ($81,583)         $67,291          ($3,304)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      $114,814           $108,022          $103,200          $98,563          $93,789         $113,895          $85,404
========================================================================================================================

    $1,243,426         $1,224,058        $1,219,871       $1,209,173         $562,473         $560,930         $563,210
        77,395             59,809            54,771           50,257          675,831          812,246          737,169
             0                  0                 0                0           81,768           88,339           68,603
        58,096             65,320            79,009           90,006           91,648           83,860           76,032
       187,981            247,954           164,839          161,066          170,823          166,270          122,075
       567,394            556,493           554,365          553,986          605,696          653,418          610,913
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------
    $2,134,292         $2,153,634        $2,072,855       $2,064,488       $2,188,239       $2,365,063       $2,178,002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      $423,324           $422,746          $401,771         $379,812         $362,584         $473,674         $438,564
        60,945             60,945            62,640           69,700           70,000          104,000          110,000
       875,268            893,457           909,998          899,993          868,884          862,287          767,559
        62,666             44,567           110,217          110,850          117,200          119,165          100,821
       143,333             92,833            37,500           41,667           18,667            3,667           28,667
             0             84,099            13,000           15,000           45,000                0                0
       117,343            114,757           114,280          138,173          133,459          115,043          111,258
       451,413            440,230           423,449          409,293          572,445          687,227          621,133
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------
    $2,134,292         $2,153,634        $2,072,855       $2,064,488       $2,188,239       $2,365,063       $2,178,002
========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(6)  Includes  the  effect  of  a   reorganization   charge  of  $13.6  million,
     before-tax, associated with a voluntary early retirement program.
(7)  Includes the effect of a reorganization charge of $7.8 million, after-tax.

                                     - 29 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (CONTINUED)
<CAPTION>
                                                                    1996              1995             1994
=====================================================================================================================
COMMON STOCK DATA
<S>                                                               <C>               <C>               <C>       
 Average number of shares outstanding                             14,100,806        14,089,835        14,085,452
 Number of shares outstanding at year-end                         14,101,291        14,100,091        14,086,691
 Earnings(loss) per share (average)                                    $2.88             $3.64             $3.09
 Recurring earnings(loss) per share (average) (1)                      $3.94             $3.61             $3.28
 Book value per share                                                 $31.20            $31.20            $30.39
 Average return on equity
     Total                                                              9.20%            11.84%            10.19%
     Utility                                                           11.51%            13.04%            12.50%
 Dividends declared per share                                          $2.88             $2.82             $2.76
 Market Price:
    High                                                             $39.750           $38.500           $39.500
    Low                                                              $31.375           $29.500           $29.000
    Year-end                                                         $31.375           $37.375           $29.500
=====================================================================================================================
Net cash provided by operating activities, less dividends ($000's)  $103,943          $120,033           $94,807
Capital expenditures, excluding AFUDC                                $47,174           $59,363           $63,044
=====================================================================================================================
OTHER FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL DATA
Sales by class (MWh's)
      Residential                                                  1,891,988         1,890,575         1,892,955
      Commercial                                                   2,258,501         2,273,965         2,285,942  (2)
      Industrial                                                   1,141,109         1,126,458         1,135,831  (2)
      Other                                                           48,291            48,435            48,718
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
        Total                                                      5,339,889         5,339,433         5,363,446
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
Number of retail customers by class (average)
      Residential                                                    279,024           278,326           275,441
      Commercial                                                      28,666            28,550            28,394  (2)
      Industrial                                                       1,652             1,599             1,538  (2)
      Other                                                            1,141             1,122             1,127
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
        Total                                                        310,483           309,597           306,500
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
Revenue per kilowatt hour by class (cents)
      Residential                                                      14.04             13.79             13.33
      Commercial                                                       11.67             11.42             10.97
      Industrial                                                        9.54              9.50              9.18
Average large industrial customers time of use rate (cents)             8.26              8.53              8.69
System requirements (MWh)                                          5,640,957         5,647,690         5,652,657
Peak load - kilowatts                                              1,044,620         1,156,740         1,130,780
Generating capability- peak(kilowatts)                             1,522,350         1,434,102         1,462,290
Load factor                                                            61.64%            55.74%            57.07%
Fuel generation mix percentages
      Coal                                                                38                37                35
      Oil                                                                  8                 7                14
      Nuclear                                                             37                37                32
      Cogeneration                                                         9                 9                 9
      Gas                                                                  3                 5                 4
      Hydro                                                                5                 5                 6
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues - retail sales ($000's)
      Base                                                          $642,106          $637,219          $619,097
      Fuel adjustment clause                                           7,770             1,889              (229)
      Sales provision adjustment                                           0                 0                 0
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
        Total                                                       $649,876          $639,108          $618,868
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
Revenues - retail sales per kWh (cents)
      Base                                                             12.02             11.93             11.54
      Fuel adjustment clause                                            0.15              0.04              0.00
      Sales provision adjustment                                        0.00              0.00              0.00
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
        Total                                                          12.17             11.97             11.54
                                                                -------------     -------------    --------------
Fuel and energy cost per kWh (cents)                                    1.69              1.71              1.76
      Fossil                                                            2.41              2.22              2.14
      Nuclear                                                           0.46              0.85              0.94
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of employees at year-end                                        1,287             1,358             1,377
Total payroll($000 'S)                                               $69,276           $72,984           $75,441
=====================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1)  Recurring  earnings(loss)  per share (average) is not a generally  accepted
     accounting principle measurement.  Management provides this measurement for
     informational purposes only.
(2)  Includes reclassification of certain Commercial and Industrial customers.

                                     - 30 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

     1993               1992              1991             1990             1989             1988              1987
========================================================================================================================

    <C>                <C>               <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>       
    14,063,854         13,941,150        13,899,906       13,887,748       13,887,748       13,887,748       13,887,654
    14,083,291         14,033,148        13,932,348       13,887,748       13,887,748       13,887,748       13,887,748
         $2.57              $3.76             $3.67            $3.55           ($5.87)           $4.85           ($0.24)
         $3.13              $3.17             $2.90            $3.55           ($5.87)           $4.85           ($0.24)
        $30.06             $30.12            $28.84           $27.35           $26.11           $34.11           $31.58

          8.45%             12.67%            13.01%           13.39%          -18.88%           14.75%           -0.72%
         10.97%             14.46%            13.39%           13.97%           20.21%           32.91%           15.34%
         $2.66              $2.56             $2.44            $2.32            $2.32            $2.32            $2.32

       $45.875            $42.000           $39.125          $34.125          $34.250          $27.500          $34.000
       $38.500            $34.125           $30.000          $26.875          $24.750          $19.125          $21.250
       $40.250            $41.500           $39.000          $31.125          $34.250          $26.875          $26.875
========================================================================================================================
      $104,547           $109,020           $73,865          $39,189          $31,437          $40,607          $37,986
       $94,743            $66,390           $63,157          $64,018          $77,041          $83,735          $73,253
========================================================================================================================


     1,844,041          1,799,456         1,851,447        1,826,700        1,883,363        1,870,318        1,780,333
     2,359,023          2,303,216  (2)    2,347,757        2,259,340        2,254,099        2,174,200        2,046,289
     1,036,547            997,168  (2)      980,071        1,060,751        1,109,119        1,186,336        1,236,151
        50,715             52,984            55,118           58,013           60,427           61,303           62,246
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------
     5,290,326          5,152,824         5,234,393        5,204,804        5,307,008        5,292,157        5,125,019
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------

       273,752            273,936           274,064          275,637          276,385          274,884          271,302
        28,968             28,848  (2)       29,768           29,808           29,526           28,826           28,103
           959              1,017  (2)          268              319              347              367              369
         1,175              1,358             1,361            1,352            1,316            1,267            1,191
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------
       304,854            305,159           305,461          307,116          307,574          305,344          300,965
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------

         12.92              12.58             12.25            11.60            10.89            10.70            10.60
         10.88              11.00             10.89            10.39             9.75             9.60             9.58
          9.40               9.73              9.38             8.91             8.37             8.15             8.12
          8.89               8.84              8.64             8.06             7.58             7.14             7.04
     5,630,581          5,475,664         5,541,477        5,501,495        5,603,502        5,581,897        5,403,519
     1,114,900          1,034,440         1,145,820        1,054,600        1,094,400        1,132,100        1,039,600
     1,515,420          1,402,800         1,474,190        1,449,600        1,289,800        1,271,500        1,236,000
         57.65%             60.26%            55.21%           59.55%           58.45%           56.13%           59.33%

            31                 34                34               43               39               37               42
            16                 17                21               24               37               41               37
            38                 35                29               20               11               11               10
             8                  8                 9                9                9                7                1
             1                  1                 4                3                3                0                5
             6                  5                 3                1                1                4                5
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      $605,887           $608,176          $607,997         $589,346         $577,611         $574,422         $558,060
        (2,328)           (41,221)          (37,497)         (45,900)         (49,778)         (59,054)         (63,514)
             0             21,031            14,814            8,211                0                0                0
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------
      $603,559           $587,986          $585,314         $551,657         $527,833         $515,368         $494,546
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------

         11.45              11.80             11.62            11.32            10.88            10.85            10.89
         (0.04)             (0.80)            (0.72)           (0.88)           (0.93)           (1.11)           (1.24)
          0.00               0.41              0.28             0.16             0.00             0.00             0.00
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------
         11.41              11.41             11.18            10.60             9.95             9.74             9.65
- ---------------     --------------    --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------    -------------
          1.75               2.43              2.67             2.63             2.78             2.53             2.54
          2.08               2.98              3.11             2.89             2.98             2.74             2.58
          1.23               1.42              1.62             1.55             0.89             0.87             0.94
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         1,490              1,554             1,571            1,587            1,627            1,620            1,604
       $75,305            $74,052           $71,888          $69,237          $65,175          $62,387          $57,207
========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
                                     - 31 -
<PAGE>

Item 7. 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  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%.  The Company hopes to continue to restrict this average
to less than the rate of  inflation in future  years (see  "Looking  Forward for
1997").

     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 beyond 1996 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 mechanism 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 the
fossil fuel clause 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 retained as earnings.  The DPUC
did not order the  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 is unlikely  that the Company will be able to achieve its
4% growth goal going forward.

     The FERC has stated that state  regulatory  commissions  should address the
issue of recovery by electric utilities of the costs of existing facilities that
would be stranded by retail access. 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  would have 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  or  independent  power  producer.  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,  although no consensus report was
adopted,   it  is  expected  that  the  legislature  will  enact   comprehensive
legislation  in its 1997  session to  introduce  retail  access for  Connecticut
consumers over the next several years.  Among many other factors,  decisions and
actions  concerning  retail  access in other  states could impact the timing and
form of this transition.

     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.



                                     - 32 -
<PAGE>

     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")  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  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
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.

                                    LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     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       $18.5      $   -       $   -       $  -
Internally Generated Funds (less Dividends)                 95.0       115.8      116.9       110.6      107.5
                                                            ----       -----      -----       -----      -----
                        Subtotal                           101.4       134.3      116.9       110.6      107.5
Less:
Capital Expenditures                                        50.5        51.2       47.3        43.5       36.5
                                                           -----       -----      -----       -----      -----

Cash Available to pay Debt Maturities and Redemptions       50.9        83.1       69.6        67.1       71.0

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

External Financing Requirements                           $(18.5)      $21.5      $35.4       $88.4      $10.0
                                                          ======       =====      =====       =====      =====

</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 than 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
common stock,  preferred stock and additional short-term and long-term debt. The
continued  availability  of these methods of financing will be dependent on many
factors,  including  conditions in the securities markets,  economic conditions,
and the level of the Company's income and cash flow.

     On February 15, 1996, the Company repaid $10.8 million  principal amount of
maturing 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 June 26, 1996,  the Company  borrowed $7.5 million from the  Connecticut
Development Authority (CDA),  representing the proceeds from the issuance by the
CDA of $7.5 million  principal  amount of tax-exempt  Pollution  Control Revenue
Bonds (PCRBs). The Company is obligated,  under its borrowing agreement with the
CDA, to pay to a trustee for the PCRBs'  bondholders  such  amounts as will pay,
when due, the  principal of and the premium,  if any, and


                                     - 33 -
<PAGE>

interest on the PCRBs.  The PCRBs will mature in 2026,  and their  interest rate
can be adjusted periodically to reflect prevailing market conditions.  The PCRBs
were issued at an initial interest rate of 3.3%, which is being adjusted weekly.
On July 15, 1996,  the Company used the proceeds of this $7.5 million  borrowing
to cause the redemption and repayment of $7.5 million principal amount of 9 1/2%
PCRBs issued by the CDA in 1986.

     On October 25, 1996,  the Company  borrowed  $75 million  under a Term Loan
Agreement  with a group  of banks  for a  five-year  period.  The  Company  pays
interest on the  borrowing at a floating  rate equal to the  three-month  London
Interbank  Borrowing Rate plus 0.55%.  The Company has entered into two separate
interest rate swap agreements that effectively  convert the interest rate on $50
million of the Company's floating rate 1996 Term Loan to a fixed annual interest
rate of 7.005% for the  five-year  period and the interest rate on the remaining
$25 million to a fixed annual interest rate of 6.675% for a three-year period.

     The Company  used  proceeds  from the $75 million  Term Loan  borrowing  to
purchase   approximately  $66.8  million  principal  amount  of  Seabrook  Lease
Obligation Bonds, which were issued in connection with the sale and leaseback by
the Company of a portion of its ownership  share in Seabrook Unit 1 in 1990. The
Bonds were purchased at a premium through a tender offer that expired on October
22, 1996. The Company paid 103.9% of principal  amount for  approximately  $17.0
million principal amount of 9.76% Seabrook Lease Obligation Bonds (due 2006) and
107.17% of principal amount for approximately  $49.9 million principal amount of
the 10.24% Seabrook Lease  Obligation  Bonds (due 2020).  The premiums and other
transaction expenses will be amortized over the remaining life of the Bonds. The
Company  intends  to hold  the  Bonds  until  maturity  and has  recognized  the
investment as an offset to long-term debt on its Consolidated Balance Sheet.

     On June 4, 1996, June 7, 1996 and August 8, 1996, the Company  purchased at
a discount in the open market, and canceled, 60,782 shares of its $100 par value
Preferred Stock.  The shares  purchased  consisted of 9,950 shares of its 4.35%,
Series A, 12,832 shares of its 4.72%, Series B, and 38,000 shares of its 5 5/8%,
Series D, Preferred  Stock. The shares,  having a par value of $6,078,200,  were
purchased for $4,238,387, creating a net gain of $1,839,813.

     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 December
31,  1996,  the  Company had no  short-term  borrowings  outstanding  under this
facility.

     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.

     At December  31, 1996,  the Company had $6.4 million of cash and  temporary
cash  investments,  an increase of $1.3 million from the balance at December 31,
1995. The components of this  increase,  which are detailed in the  Consolidated
Statement of Cash Flows, are summarized as follows:



                                     - 34 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  (Millions)

       <S>                                                                            <C>  
       Balance, December 31, 1995                                                     $ 5.1
                                                                                      -----    

       Net cash provided by operating activities                                      144.8

       Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities:
       -   Financing activities, excluding dividend payments                           15.6
       -   Dividend payments                                                          (40.8)
       Net cash used in investing activities, excluding investment in plant           (71.1)
       Cash invested in plant, including nuclear fuel                                 (47.2)
                                                                                      -----
             Net Change in Cash                                                         1.3
                                                                                      -----

       Balance,  December 31, 1996                                                    $ 6.4
                                                                                      =====
</TABLE>

The Company's  long-term debt  instruments do not limit the amount of short-term
debt that the  Company  may issue.  The  Company's  revolving  credit  agreement
described above requires it to maintain an available  earnings/interest  charges
ratio of not less than 1.5:1.0 for each  12-month  period ending on the last day
of each calendar  quarter.  For the 12-month period ended December 31, 1996 this
coverage ratio was 2.78.
                            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.   Two  other  wholly-owned
subsidiaries,  United Energy International,  Inc. and Research Center, Inc. were
dissolved in April 1996.

     Four  wholly-owned  subsidiaries  of  URI  have  been  incorporated.  A URI
subsidiary named American  Payment  Systems,  Inc. manages a national network of
agents for the processing of bill payments made by customers of other utilities.
Souwestcon Properties, Inc. (SPI) participated as a 25% partner in the ownership
of a medical hotel  building in New Haven.  The building has been sold;  and SPI
was dissolved in April 1996.  Another  wholly-owned  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 URI subsidiary  named Precision  Power,
Inc. provides  power-related  equipment and services to the owners of commercial
buildings and industrial facilities.

     The after-tax  impact of the  subsidiaries  on the  consolidated  financial
statements of the Company is as follows:

                                                                ASSETS
                      NET INCOME (LOSS)      EARNINGS         AT DEC. 31
                            (000'S)          PER SHARE          (000'S)
                      ----------------       ---------        ----------

          1996            $(5,237)            $(0.37)          $36,385
          1995             (2,640)             (0.19)           16,323
          1994             (3,245)             (0.23)           15,334

In 1996,  the Company made  provisions  for losses of $2.6  million  (after-tax)
associated  with agent  collections  (for which  restitution  will be vigorously
sought) and  miscellaneous  other items at its American  Payment  Systems,  Inc.
subsidiary.



                                     - 35 -
<PAGE>

                                RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

1996 VS. 1995
- -------------

     Earnings  for the year 1996 were $40.6  million,  or $2.88 per share,  down
$10.6 million,  or $.76 per share,  from 1995.  Earnings from operations,  which
exclude one-time items, were $55.6 million, or $3.94 per share for 1996, up $4.9
million, or $.33 per share, from 1995. The one-time items recorded in 1996, that
totaled  to a  charge  of  $1.06  per  share,  were:  a  gain  of  $1.8  million
(after-tax),  or $.13 per share,  from the  purchase of  preferred  stock by the
Company at a discount  to par value,  charges of $23.0  million  ($13.4  million
after-tax),  or  $.95  per  share,  reflecting  the  estimated  costs  of  early
retirements  and  voluntary  separations  as  part  of  the  Company's  on-going
organization  review and cost reduction  program, 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 charge of $2.6 million  (after-tax),  or $.18 per share,
that the Company was  required to make  provisions  for losses  associated  with
agent  collections  (for  which  restitution  will  be  vigorously  sought)  and
miscellaneous other items at its American Payment Systems, Inc. subsidiary.  The
one-time items recorded in 1995, that totaled to a gain of $.03 per share, were:
a charge of $.12 per share,  taken in the third  quarter of 1995, to reflect the
effects of  legislated  future  state  income tax rate  reductions  that reduced
future tax benefits on plant previously written off, and gains of $.15 per share
from the purchase of preferred stock by the Company at a discount to par value.

     Retail operating revenues increased by about $10.8 million in 1996 compared
to 1995:

 .   Retail  kilowatt-hour  sales for 1996 were virtually  unchanged from 1995.
     The Company's  calculation of the impact of weather on kilowatt-hour  sales
     indicates  that sales  decreased by about 1.3% in 1996 compared to 1995 due
     to weather  factors.  Weather  was deemed to be more  severe than normal in
     1995,  particularly  in the summer months,  and milder than normal in 1996,
     particularly  in  the  summer  months.   Retail  kilowatt-hour  sales  also
     increased  by 0.3% due to the leap year day in 1996.  This  indicates  that
     there was a "real" (i.e. not attributable to abnormal weather or leap year)
     kilowatt-hour  sales  increase  of  about  1.0% in 1996  compared  to 1995.
     Because  sales  were lower in the summer  months  when rates are  generally
     higher, retail revenues decreased by $0.7 million.

 .    Other factors  increased  retail  revenues by $11.5 million:  $6.4 million
     from the  recovery,  through  the  Conservation  Adjustment  Mechanism,  of
     previously  recorded and projected  conservation  program costs mandated by
     the  Department  of Public  Utility  Control  (DPUC),  partially  offset by
     competitive  pricing and other price reduction  mechanisms,  and a net $5.1
     million  increase from "pass through"  charges for certain  expense changes
     including increases in fuel costs.

     Wholesale "capacity" revenues increased by $1.1 million in 1996 compared to
1995.  Wholesale  "energy"  revenues  are a direct  offset to  wholesale  energy
expense and do not  contribute  to sales margin  (revenue  less fuel expense and
revenue-based  taxes).  These energy  revenues,  as well as the associated  fuel
expense, increased during 1996 compared to 1995.

     Retail fuel and energy expenses  decreased by $1.2 million in 1996 compared
to 1995.  A decrease  of $9.0  million  was due to lower  nuclear  fuel  prices,
primarily  at  the  Seabrook  nuclear  generating  unit.  Higher   kilowatt-hour
generation at the Seabrook nuclear  generating unit, that had a refueling outage
in  1995,  reduced  fuel  and  energy  expenses  by $1.9  million,  while  lower
kilowatt-hour  generation,  due to the shutdowns at the  Connecticut  Yankee and
Millstone Unit 3 nuclear generating units,  increased fuel and energy expense by
$5.3 million.  For more on the status of the  operation of these units,  see the
LOOKING FORWARD FOR 1997 section.  Other fuel and energy  expenses  increased by
$4.4 million,  primarily  from increases in "pass  through"  charges,  including
fossil fuel costs.



                                     - 36 -
<PAGE>

     Operating  expenses for  operations,  maintenance  and  purchased  capacity
charges increased by $10.9 million in 1996 compared to 1995:

  .  Purchased capacity expense was $0.6 million lower.

  .  Operation and  maintenance  expense  increased by $11.5 million.  Expenses
     associated  with the Company's  re-engineering  efforts  increased by a net
     $2.0 million.  Expenses  increased by $1.5 million at the Millstone  Unit 3
     nuclear  generating  unit,  by $4.9 million for  overhauls at the Company's
     fossil fuel generating  units, by $1.0 million for a major dredging project
     at one of the  generating  stations,  by $1.3 million from the expensing of
     previously   capitalized  costs  associated  with  software  purchases  and
     development,  and by $4.0  million in  general.  Expenses  at the  Seabrook
     nuclear  generating  unit  decreased by $3.2 million  absent the  refueling
     outage that occurred in the fourth quarter of 1995.

     Other  operating  expenses  increased in 1996 compared to 1995, from higher
depreciation  expense  and income  taxes  (excluding  the income tax  effects of
one-time items).

     Other net income  increased in 1996 compared to 1995  primarily  because of
the absence of expenses,  associated with canceled construction projects,  which
were recorded in 1995.

     Interest charges  continued their significant  decline,  decreasing by $6.8
million  in 1996  compared  to 1995 as a  result  of the  Company's  refinancing
program and strong  cash flow.  The Company was  successful  in  purchasing  $67
million of the approximately $200 million outstanding  Seabrook Lease Obligation
Bonds,  to hold in its own account,  using  proceeds from a lower cost bank term
loan.  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 and  partially  offsets the interest  expense  incurred on the
Seabrook  lease  obligation.   Also,  total  preferred  dividends   (net-of-tax)
decreased  slightly  in 1996  compared to 1995 as a result of the  purchases  of
preferred stock by the Company.

1995 VS. 1994
- -------------

     Earnings for the year 1995 were $51.2 million,  or $3.64 per share, up $7.8
million, or $.55 per share, from 1994.  Earnings from operations,  which exclude
one-time items, were $50.7 million,  or $3.61 per share, for 1995. Earnings from
operations for 1994 were $46.2 million,  or $3.28 per share.  The one-time items
were: a one-time  charge of $.12 per share,  taken in the third  quarter of 1995
and reflecting the effects of legislated future state income tax rate reductions
that  reduced  future tax benefits on plant  previously  written off, a one-time
gain of $.15 per share,  recorded in the second and third quarters of 1995, from
the  repurchase  of  preferred  stock at a  discount  to par  value,  a one-time
accounting change, a charge of $.09 per share,  recorded in the first quarter of
1994 to reflect  the  accrual of  postemployment  benefits  under  Statement  of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 112, and a one-time charge of $.10 per
share, recorded in the fourth quarter of 1994, from the settlement of a property
tax dispute with the City of Bridgeport.

     Retail  operating  revenues  increased by $20.2 million in 1995 compared to
1994:

  .   Retail  revenues  increased by $13.1 million due to the  completion of the
     1994 non-cash  amortization of deferred sales adjustment revenues,  by $6.1
     million from the recovery,  through the Conservation  Adjustment Mechanism,
     of previously recorded and projected  conservation  program costs, and by a
     net $3.2 million from pass-through charges for certain expense changes. The
     expense changes included the absence of a property tax credit that occurred
     and was refunded to customers in the third quarter of 1994 and increases in
     fuel costs in 1995 compared to 1994.

  .   A retail  kilowatt-hour sales decrease of 0.4% from the prior year reduced
     retail  revenues  by $2.1  million.  The  Company  believes  that the sales
     decrease due to weather  factors was greater than 0.4% and that there was a
     small but  "real"  (i.e.  not  attributable  to  abnormal  weather)  retail
     kilowatt-hour sales increase of about 0.5% in 1995 compared to 1994.



                                     - 37 -
<PAGE>

     Wholesale "capacity" revenues decreased by $0.6 million in 1995 compared to
1994.  Wholesale  "energy"  revenues  are a direct  offset to  wholesale  energy
expense and do not contribute to sales margin.

     Retail fuel and energy expenses  decreased by $3.1 million in 1995 compared
to 1994.  A decrease of $5.7  million was due to  improved  nuclear  power plant
output: the 1995 Seabrook Unit 1 refueling outage was much shorter than the 1994
outage,  and the Seabrook  Unit 1 and  Connecticut  Yankee Unit had  unscheduled
outages in 1994,  while Millstone Unit 3 and the  Connecticut  Yankee Unit (much
smaller  sources of generation for the Company  compared to Seabrook Unit 1) had
refueling outages in the first six months of 1995 but none in 1994.

     Operating  expenses for  operations,  maintenance  and  purchased  capacity
charges decreased by $6.7 million in 1995 compared to 1994:

  .   Purchased  capacity was $2.7 million higher due to costs  associated  with
     eleven weeks of scheduled  refueling outage at the Connecticut  Yankee Unit
     in the first half of 1995 and somewhat higher cogeneration output.

  .   Operation and maintenance  expense decreased by $9.4 million.  There was a
     $7.2  million  reduction  in fossil  power plant costs  reflecting  reduced
     scheduled maintenance activity.  Employment costs decreased by $3.1 million
     due primarily to the Company's  1993  reorganization  and early  retirement
     program,  which was  phased-in  over 1994.  Other costs  increased  by $0.9
     million.

     Other  amortization  increased by $12.6 million  (after-tax and equivalent,
approximately,  to a $23 million revenue  requirement) in 1995 compared to 1994,
due to  commencement  of the  amortization  of  Seabrook  Unit 1 phase-in  costs
(deferred return that was recorded and accumulated  during the period January 1,
1990 to December 31,  1993).  The annual  amortization  amount is $12.6  million
after-tax per year for five years beginning in 1995.

     Other  operating  expenses  increased in 1995  compared to 1994 from higher
depreciation  expense  and  income  taxes  as  well  as from  the  absence  of a
pass-through property tax credit that occurred in the third quarter of 1994.

     Interest  charges  decreased by $7.5 million in 1995  compared to 1994 as a
result of the  Company's  refinancing  program  and  strong  cash  flows.  Total
Preferred Stock dividends (net-of-tax) were virtually unchanged in 1995 compared
to 1994.


                            LOOKING FORWARD FOR 1997

(THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH ARE SUBJECT
TO UNCERTAINTIES THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE
PROJECTED.   READERS  ARE  CAUTIONED  NOT  TO  PLACE  UNDUE  RELIANCE  ON  THESE
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH SPEAK ONLY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS REPORT.)

     Since  1992,  the  Company's  long term  earnings  goal has been to achieve
growth in earnings per share FROM  OPERATIONS of 4% annually from the 1992 level
of $3.17 per share.  The Company  exceeded the goal in 1995,  and earnings  from
operations of $3.94 per share in 1996 exceeded the 1996 goal of $3.70 per share.
As  explained  in RESULTS  OF  OPERATIONS,  the  Company  has taken  substantial
non-recurring  charges to  operating  expense  in 1996 to help it reduce  future
costs, prepare for expected future competition, and minimize the need for future
employee  layoffs.  The Company was also required to make  provisions for losses
associated  with agent  collections  (for which  restitution  will be vigorously
sought)  and   miscellaneous   other  items  at  its  American  Payment  Systems
subsidiary.  The  total  of  these  operating  and  non-operating  non-recurring
charges, offset by some minor gains, had a negative impact on earnings per share
of $1.06 in 1996. Earnings per share, inclusive of these charges, were $2.88.

     Due to the DPUC's  year-end  1996 order that will  decrease  earnings  from
utility operations,  it is unlikely that the Company will be able to achieve the
4%  growth  goal  going  forward,  as a  major  contribution  to  earnings  from



                                     - 38 -
<PAGE>

unregulated  subsidiaries is not expected to occur in the foreseeable future. In
a press release dated January 2, 1997,  the Company  announced that it would not
challenge  the DPUC's  December  31, 1996 order (the Order) to reduce  rates and
accelerate the recovery of certain costs associated with conservation  programs,
such that the Company  could earn an allowed  return on common stock equity from
its utility  investment  of 11.5% over the period 1997 to 2001,  a reduction  of
nearly 1% (an amount  equivalent  to about $.30 per share)  from the  previously
allowed  (and  requested  by the Company)  return of 12.4%.  Income  earned from
higher sales or reduced  expenses  that produces a return above the 11.5% return
level will be shared by one-third  being  applied to customer  bill  reductions,
one-third applied to more rapid  amortization of assets,  and one-third retained
by  shareowners,  also by virtue of the  Order.  The  Company  indicated  in the
January 2, 1997 press  release  that,  if the Company  were to achieve the 11.5%
return on 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,  the Company made no  commitment  to agree to this  multi-year  plan.
Furthermore,  the  Connecticut  legislature  is expected to address the issue of
electric  utility  industry  restructuring  in  1997.  This  may  result  in new
legislation, and the DPUC, in the Order, acknowledged that it could be revisited
in the light of new legislation.

     There is no  assurance  that the Company  will  achieve the 11.5% return on
utility  common  stock  equity  allowed by the DPUC.  Utility  income is greatly
affected by  weather-related  sales,  fossil fuel prices and nuclear  generating
unit availability...all items over which the Company has little control. As part
of the Order, the Company's traditional fuel clause that allowed for recovery of
increases  in fossil  fuel  costs  was  suspended  within a broad  range of fuel
prices.  While the Company  stands to benefit if prices the Company pays for its
oil  purchases  falls below about $15 a barrel,  current  prices are above those
levels.

     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  directly  ordered by the DPUC.  (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.) Revenues will decline further by about $6 million due to
the  suspension of the fossil fuel  adjustment  clause (FCA).  While the Company
cannot  predict the  direction  fuel prices will take in 1997 and whether it can
mitigate  entirely this loss of FCA revenue,  it is actively  engaged in hedging
activities 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; however, 1996 also had a
leap  year  day.  These  two  factors  were  offsetting  in their  amounts  and,
therefore,  the actual retail sales for 1996 of 5,340  gigawatt-hours  should be
considered about "normal". This is about the same level of 1997 sales assumed by
the DPUC in its Order; so, to the extent the Company can improve upon this sales
level,  sales margin  relative to the Order would improve and would mitigate any
loss of FCA revenue.  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 add about $6
million to sales  margin.  No  significant  change in wholesale  capacity  sales
revenue is anticipated for 1997.

     The Company has dealt with the  potential  loss of customers as a result of
self-generation,  relocation or discontinuation  of operations,  by successfully
negotiating 45 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
commencing sometime in early 1998.  Additional multi-year customer contracts may
be signed in 1997.  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 lead to reductions in retail  revenue that have
averaged $2-$3 million per year in the recent past.



                                     - 39 -
<PAGE>

     The Company  expects that  generating  output from its ownership  shares in
nuclear generating units to be significantly less in 1997 than in 1996. Seabrook
Unit 1 operated at nearly a 97% capacity  factor in 1996, well above the assumed
"normal" 90% level between refueling outages; and a refueling outage is expected
in the spring of 1997. A more normal level of Seabrook  Unit 1 operation in 1997
and the  downtime for  refueling  will cause the Company to purchase or generate
energy using higher cost fuels,  leading to about a $3 million  increase in fuel
expense.  Millstone  Unit 3 was taken out of service on March 30, 1996, and will
remain shut down pending a comprehensive  Nuclear  Regulatory  Commission  (NRC)
review  of  operations.  See Item 2.  Properties  -  "Nuclear  Generation".  The
Connecticut  Yankee  Unit was  taken out of  service  on July 23,  1996 and,  by
decision of the Board of Directors of that company,  has been retired.  Relative
to 1996, the loss of low cost energy from these two units for all of 1997 should
add about $6 million to fuel  expense.  If  Millstone  Unit 3 returns to service
during the year, fuel expense would decline by about $500,000 for every month of
normal  operation.  The  increased  fuel  expense  from  the  retirement  of the
Connecticut  Yankee  Unit is  expected  to be offset  by a  ramping  down of its
operating  expenses.  However,  the ability of the Company to recover any future
costs  associated  with the  Connecticut  Yankee Unit will be dependent upon the
outcome  of  pending  regulatory  filings  with the  Federal  Energy  Regulatory
Commission.

     Another major factor  affecting the Company's  financial  condition will be
the Company's ability to control  operating  expenses.  The Company  implemented
voluntary early retirement programs for union and management  employees in 1996,
as well as a voluntary severance program. The cost of these programs resulted in
a pre-tax charge of $23 million and should lead to an employee  reduction of 230
employees from a level of approximately  1,300 employees at year-end.  A portion
of the 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  in  personnel  costs of $4
million  in  1997  and   another  $6  million  in  1998  are   expected.   Other
re-engineering savings are anticipated over this time frame as well. The Company
expects an expense  increase of about $3 million for  nuclear  plant  outages in
1997 above the levels  incurred or accrued in 1996, due primarily to the planned
Seabrook Unit 1 refueling outage in the spring of 1997.

     Anticipated depreciation expense should increase by $2 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  spending  is no  longer  to be
capitalized and depreciated.  In addition,  the DPUC Order required  accelerated
amortization of previously  capitalized  conservation costs of about $6 million,
providing the Company earns at least a 10.5% return on its utility  common stock
equity.  These amounts are reported as "depreciation" in the Company's financial
statements.

     The Company expects  continued  reductions in interest  expense of about $9
million to a 1997 level of $61 million.  This  reduction is due to a refinancing
of some of the Company's debt in late 1996 described in the following paragraph,
as well as a significant  paydown of debt in 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 paydown.  The anticipated  1997 interest expense level
would be 46% below the 1989 level and would mark the eighth  consecutive year of
net interest expense decline.

     In the fall of 1996,  the Company was  successful in purchasing $67 million
of the approximately $200 million principal amount of outstanding Seabrook Lease
Obligation  Bonds, to hold in its own account,  using proceeds from a lower cost
bank term loan.  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 and  partially  offsets the interest  expense  incurred on the
Seabrook Lease Obligation Bonds.

     The Company  expects a significant  improvement in  unregulated  subsidiary
earnings  in  1997  compared  to  the  results  of  1996,   due  partly  to  the
non-recurrence  of one-time  pre-tax  charges in 1996 totaling $4.3 million and,
also, the achievement of a near  "break-even"  level in earnings from subsidiary
operations,  which  would  result  in an  increase  in  pre-tax  income of $3-$4
million.  In the near term, the Company's  investments in these subsidiaries are



                                     - 40 -
<PAGE>

unlikely to have a major positive effect on earnings,  but the Company continues
to believe that these investments will contribute to future earnings growth.

     The Company expects the 1997 quarterly earnings from operations will follow
a pattern similar to that of 1996, with third quarter earnings contributing over
half the annual total.  Summer  seasonal retail sales and summer pricing are the
predominant  factors  contributing  to this  pattern.  The Company  only expects
15-20% of its  annual  earnings  from  operations  to fall in the first  quarter
(versus the 28% level in 1996) reflecting the impact of weather-adjusted  sales,
leap year factors,  nuclear outages,  and higher fossil fuel expense. The second
and fourth quarters should be similar in amount.

     On February 5, 1997,  the Board of Directors  of the Company,  at a special
meeting,  declared and  reaffirmed  the  quarterly  dividend on shares of common
stock of 72 cents per share. The common stock dividend  declared will be payable
April 1, 1997 to owners of record at the close of  business  on March 13,  1997.
The indicated annual dividend is $2.88 per share, the annual rate in 1996.

     Although the dividend  level for 1996  represents a payout of 100% of total
earnings,  the dividend level  represented a payout of only 73% of 1996 earnings
from  operations  that  exclude  net  one-time   charges  of  $1.06  per  share,
principally  for  non-cash   restructuring  charges.  The  Company's  cash  flow
remained, 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  Dividend
payout,  one of the highest such "coverage" levels in the utility industry.  The
December 31, 1996 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  industry,
and help maintain its cash flow at its  excellent  current level through the end
of the decade.

     With the  reaffirmation  of the Company's  dividend at the indicated annual
rate of $2.88 per share,  the Board of Directors  sought to assure  investors of
the security of the current  dividend  level.  However,  the ability to maintain
this dividend  level,  or to declare  future  increases  for the dividend,  will
depend upon the level of the Company's  future earnings and cash flow, which are
dependent  upon other  factors  and events  affecting  the  Company's  financial
condition and outlook that cannot be known at this time.



                                     - 41 -
<PAGE>

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
<TABLE>
                                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                                FOR THE YEARS ENDED  DECEMBER  31,  1996, 1995 AND 1994
                                          (THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

<CAPTION>
                                                                                    1996           1995           1994
                                                                                    ----           ----           ----
<S>                                                                                 <C>            <C>            <C>     
OPERATING REVENUES (NOTE G)                                                         $726,020       $690,449       $656,748
                                                                                -------------   ------------   ------------
OPERATING EXPENSES
  Operation
     Fuel and energy                                                                 160,517        138,169        127,354
     Capacity purchased                                                               46,830         47,420         44,769
     Early retirement program charges                                                 23,033              -              -
     Other                                                                           158,945        147,660        151,330
  Maintenance                                                                         37,652         36,089         41,768
  Depreciation                                                                        65,921         61,426         58,165
  Amortization of cancelled nuclear project and deferred return (Note D and J)        13,758         13,758          1,172
  Income taxes (Note A and E)                                                         53,090         59,828         44,937
  Property tax settlement                                                                  -              -          2,536
  Other taxes (Note G)                                                                57,139         58,943         57,325
                                                                                -------------   ------------   ------------
       Total                                                                         616,885        563,293        529,356
                                                                                -------------   ------------   ------------
OPERATING INCOME                                                                     109,135        127,156        127,392
                                                                                -------------   ------------   ------------
OTHER INCOME AND (DEDUCTIONS)
  Allowance for equity funds used during construction                                    940            390            753
  Other-net (Note G)                                                                  (7,166)        (4,272)        (1,907)
  Non-operating income taxes                                                           9,332          4,901          3,214
                                                                                -------------   ------------   ------------
       Total                                                                           3,106          1,019          2,060
                                                                                -------------   ------------   ------------
INCOME BEFORE INTEREST CHARGES                                                       112,241        128,175        129,452
                                                                                -------------   ------------   ------------
INTEREST CHARGES
  Interest on long-term debt                                                          66,305         63,431         73,772
  Interest on Seabrook obligation bonds owned by the company                          (1,259)             -              -
  Other interest (Note G)                                                              2,092          9,002          3,731
  Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction                               (1,435)        (2,372)        (2,710)
                                                                                -------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                                      65,703         70,061         74,793
  Amortization of debt expense and redemption premiums                                 2,629          4,138          6,570
                                                                                -------------   ------------   ------------
       Net Interest Charges                                                           68,332         74,199         81,363
                                                                                -------------   ------------   ------------

MINORITY INTEREST IN PREFERRED SECURITIES                                              4,813          3,583              -
                                                                                -------------   ------------   ------------

INCOME BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE                                  39,096         50,393         48,089
                                                                                -------------   ------------   ------------
Cumulative effect for years prior to 1994 of accounting
  change for postemployment benefits
  (net of income taxes of $956) (Note H)                                                   -              -         (1,294)
                                                                                -------------   ------------   ------------
NET INCOME                                                                            39,096         50,393         46,795
Discount on preferred stock redemptions                                               (1,840)        (2,183)             -
Dividends on preferred stock                                                             330          1,329          3,323
                                                                                -------------   ------------   ------------
INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK                                                    $40,606        $51,247        $43,472
                                                                                =============   ============   ============

AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING                                           14,101         14,090         14,085

EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK BEFORE
  CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE                                               $2.88          $3.64          $3.18
    Cumulative effect for years prior to 1994 of accounting
    change for postemployment benefits                                                     -              -          (0.09)
                                                                                -------------   ------------   ------------
EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK                                                     $2.88          $3.64          $3.09
                                                                                =============   ============   ============

CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK                                      $2.88          $2.82          $2.76
</TABLE>

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

                                     - 42 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>


                                        THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                               FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                                              (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<CAPTION>

                                                                         1996            1995             1994
                                                                         ----            ----             ----
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
<S>                                                                      <C>             <C>              <C>    
  Net Income                                                              $39,096         $50,393          $46,795
                                                                      ------------    ------------     ------------
  Adjustments  to  reconcile  net  income
   to net  cash  provided  by  operating
    activities:
     Depreciation and amortization                                         70,363          66,958           67,336
     Deferred income taxes                                                 (2,276)         27,495            9,541
     Deferred investment tax credits - net                                   (762)           (762)            (762)
     Amortization of nuclear fuel                                           5,690          13,571           11,632
     Cumulative effect for years prior to 1994 of accounting
       change for postemployment benefits - net                                 -               -            1,294
     Allowance for funds used during construction                          (2,375)         (2,762)          (3,463)
     Amortization of deferred return                                       12,586          12,586                -
     Early retirement costs accrued                                        23,033               -                -
     Sales adjustment revenue                                                   -               -           13,113
     Changes in:
             Accounts receivable - net                                    (23,555)          9,489            2,840
             Fuel, materials and supplies                                     239              69           (1,140)
             Prepayments                                                     (557)          9,256           (7,344)
             Accounts payable                                              22,657           2,555           (6,578)
             Interest accrued                                                (671)         (6,420)          (1,046)
             Taxes accrued                                                 (4,794)        (11,310)           9,756
             Other assets and liabilities                                   6,078          (9,627)          (4,989)
                                                                      ------------    ------------     ------------
     Total Adjustments                                                    105,656         111,098           90,190
                                                                      ------------    ------------     ------------
   NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                              144,752         161,491          136,985
                                                                      ------------    ------------     ------------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
   Common stock                                                                40             440              109
   Long-term debt                                                          82,500         150,000                -
   Preferred securities of subsidiary                                           -          50,000                -
   Notes payable                                                           10,965         (67,000)          67,000
   Securities redeemed and retired:
     Preferred stock                                                       (6,078)        (34,161)         (16,245)
     Long-term debt                                                       (72,895)       (165,103)        (117,391)
     Discount on preferred stock redemption                                 1,840           2,183              387
   Expenses of issues                                                        (442)         (2,222)               -
   Lease obligations                                                         (291)         (1,169)          (2,362)
   Dividends
     Preferred stock                                                         (410)         (1,944)          (3,658)
     Common stock                                                         (40,399)        (39,514)         (38,520)
                                                                      ------------    ------------     ------------
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                     (25,170)       (108,490)        (110,680)
                                                                      ------------    ------------     ------------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    Plant expenditures, including nuclear fuel                            (47,174)        (59,363)         (63,044)
    Investment in debt securities                                         (71,084)              -                -
                                                                      ------------    ------------     ------------
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                    (118,258)        (59,363)         (63,044)
                                                                      ------------    ------------     ------------

CASH AND TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS:
NET CHANGE FOR THE PERIOD                                                   1,324          (6,362)         (36,739)
BALANCE AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD                                              5,070          11,432           48,171
                                                                      ------------    ------------     ------------
BALANCE AT END OF PERIOD                                                   $6,394          $5,070          $11,432
                                                                      ============    ============     ============

CASH PAID DURING THE PERIOD FOR:
   Interest (net of amount capitalized)                                   $69,669         $76,271          $75,802
                                                                      ============    ============     ============
   Income taxes                                                           $51,415         $32,100          $25,555
                                                                      ============    ============     ============
</TABLE>

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


                                     - 43 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                        December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994

                                     ASSETS
                             (Thousands of Dollars)

<CAPTION>
                                                                    1996               1995               1994
                                                                    ----               ----               ----
<S>                                                                <C>                <C>                <C>
Utility Plant at Original Cost
  In service                                                       $1,843,952         $1,809,925         $1,761,627
  Less, accumulated provision for depreciation                        585,646            532,015            493,482
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------
                                                                    1,258,306          1,277,910          1,268,145

  Construction work in progress                                        40,998             41,817             57,669
  Nuclear fuel                                                         23,010             25,967             31,443
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------
      Net Utility Plant                                             1,322,314          1,345,694          1,357,257
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------

Other Property and Investments                                         26,081             27,388             21,824
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------

Current Assets
  Cash and temporary cash investments                                   6,394              5,070             11,432
  Accounts receivable
    Customers, less allowance for doubtful
    accounts of $2,300, $6,300 and $4,900                              63,722             63,987             61,042
    Other                                                              38,367             14,547             26,981
  Accrued utility revenues                                             29,139             28,318             23,139
  Fuel, materials and supplies, at average cost                        22,010             22,249             22,318
  Prepayments                                                           3,608              3,051             12,307
  Other                                                                   110                 55                 90
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------
          Total                                                       163,350            137,277            157,309
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------

Deferred Charges
  Unamortized debt issuance expenses                                    6,580              7,577              5,527
  Other                                                                 1,485              2,377              2,119
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------
          Total                                                         8,065              9,954              7,646
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------

Regulatory Assets   ((future amounts due from customers
                        through the ratemaking process)
  Income taxes due principally to book-tax
    differences (Note A)                                              289,672            358,168            403,132
  Deferred return - Seabrook Unit 1                                    37,757             50,343             62,929
  Unamortized cancelled nuclear project                                13,297             24,620             25,792
  Unamortized redemption costs                                         25,063             22,244             26,269
  Uranium enrichment decommissioning costs                              1,377              1,505              1,540
  Connecticut Yankee                                                   64,851                  -                  -
  Other                                                                 9,068              8,424             11,293
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------
          Total                                                       441,085            465,304            530,955
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------

                                                                   $1,960,895         $1,985,617         $2,074,991
                                                                ==============     ==============     ==============
</TABLE>



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



                                     - 44 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>


                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                        December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994

                         CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
                             (Thousands of Dollars)
<CAPTION>

                                                                    1996               1995               1994
                                                                    ----               ----               ----
<S>                                                                <C>                <C>                <C>
Capitalization (Note B)
  Common stock equity
    Common stock                                                     $284,579           $284,542           $284,133
    Paid-in capital                                                       772                769                738
    Capital stock expense                                              (2,182)            (2,207)            (2,402)
    Retained earnings                                                 156,847            156,877            145,559
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------
                                                                      440,016            439,981            428,028
  Preferred stock                                                       4,461             10,539             44,700
  Minority interest in preferred securities                            50,000             50,000                  -
  Long-term debt
    Long-term debt                                                    826,527            845,684            708,340
    Investment in Seabrook obligation bonds                           (66,847)                 -                  -
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------
      Net Long-term debt                                              759,680            845,684            708,340

          Total                                                     1,254,157          1,346,204          1,181,068
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------

Noncurrent Liabilities
  Obligations under capital leases                                     17,193             17,508             17,799
  Nuclear decommissioning obligation                                   12,851             10,317              7,628
  Pensions accrued (Note H)                                            49,205             33,832             30,177
  Connecticut Yankee contract obligation                               54,752                  -                  -
  Other                                                                 4,815              4,090              3,854
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------
          Total                                                       138,816             65,747             59,458
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------

Current Liabilities
  Current portion of long-term debt                                    69,900             40,800            193,133
  Notes payable                                                        10,965                  -             67,000
  Accounts payable                                                     68,058             45,401             42,846
  Dividends payable                                                    10,205             10,072             10,467
  Taxes accrued                                                           503              5,297             16,607
  Interest accrued                                                     13,835             14,506             20,926
  Obligations under capital leases                                        315                291              1,169
  Other accrued liabilities                                            36,091             26,769             30,069
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------
          Total                                                       209,872            143,136            382,217
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------

Customers' Advances for Construction                                    1,888              2,655              2,628
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------

Regulatory Liabilities    (future amounts owed to customers
                             through the ratemaking process)
  Accumulated deferred investment tax credits                          17,147             17,909             18,671
  Other                                                                 1,811              1,990              2,096
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------
          Total                                                        18,958             19,899             20,767
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------

Deferred Income Taxes     (future tax liabilities owed
                                  to taxing authorities)              337,204            407,976            428,853

Commitments and Contingencies (Note L)
                                                                --------------     --------------     --------------

                                                                   $1,960,895         $1,985,617         $2,074,991
                                                                ==============     ==============     ==============
</TABLE>


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

                                     - 45 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>



                                 THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RETAINED EARNINGS
                         FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                                        (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)


<CAPTION>
                                                           1996             1995             1994
                                                           ----             ----             ----

<S>                                                         <C>              <C>              <C>     
BALANCE, JANUARY 1                                          $156,877         $145,559         $141,725
Net income                                                    39,096           50,393           46,795
Adjustments associated with repurchase
  of preferred stock                                           1,815            1,988             (761)
                                                        -------------    -------------    -------------
      Total                                                  197,788          197,940          187,759
                                                        -------------    -------------    -------------


Deduct Cash Dividends Declared
  Preferred stock                                                330            1,329            3,323
  Common stock                                                40,611           39,734           38,877
                                                        -------------    -------------    -------------
      Total                                                   40,941           41,063           42,200
                                                        -------------    -------------    -------------


BALANCE, DECEMBER 31                                        $156,847         $156,877         $145,559
                                                        ============     ============     ============
</TABLE>




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





                                     - 46 -
<PAGE>



                               THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     The  United  Illuminating  Company  (UI or  the  Company)  is an  operating
electric  public  utility  company,   engaged  principally  in  the  production,
purchase,  transmission,  distribution  and sale of electricity for residential,
commercial and  industrial  purposes in a service area of about 335 square miles
in the southwestern part of the State of Connecticut.  The service area, largely
urban and suburban in  character,  includes the  principal  cities of Bridgeport
(population  137,000) and New Haven  (population  124,000) and their surrounding
areas.  Situated in the service  area are retail trade and service  centers,  as
well as large  and  small  industries  producing  a wide  variety  of  products,
including helicopters and other transportation equipment,  electrical equipment,
chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

     In addition, the Company has created, and owns,  unregulated  subsidiaries.
The Board of Directors of the Company has authorized the investment of a maximum
of $27  million in the  unregulated  subsidiaries  and, at  December  31,  1996,
approximately $26 million had been invested. A wholly-owned  subsidiary,  United
Resources,  Inc., serves as the parent  corporation to American Payment Systems,
Inc.,  (APS) which  manages a national  network of agents for the  processing of
bill payments made by customers of other utilities.

     The  preparation  of financial  statements  in  conformity  with  generally
accepted  accounting   principles  requires  management  to  use  estimates  and
assumptions  that  affect the  reported  amounts of assets and  liabilities  and
disclosure of  contingent  assets and  liabilities  at the date of the financial
statements  and the  reported  amounts  of  revenues  and  expenses  during  the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(A)  STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

ACCOUNTING RECORDS

     The  accounting  records  are  maintained  in  accordance  with the uniform
systems of accounts  prescribed  by the  Federal  Energy  Regulatory  Commission
(FERC) and the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC).

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

     The consolidated  financial  statements include the accounts of the Company
and its wholly-owned subsidiary, United Resources Inc. Intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

REGULATORY ACCOUNTING

     The consolidated financial statements of the Company are in conformity with
generally  accepted  accounting  principles  and with  accounting  for regulated
electric utilities prescribed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
and the  Connecticut  Department of Public  Utility  Control  (DPUC).  Generally
accepted accounting  principles for regulated entities allow the Company to give
accounting  recognition  to the actions of regulatory  authorities in accordance
with the provisions of Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards  (SFAS) No.
71,  "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation".  In accordance
with SFAS No. 71, the Company has deferred  recognition  of costs (a  regulatory
asset) or has recognized  obligations (a regulatory liability) if it is probable
that such costs will be recovered or obligation  relieved in the future  through
the ratemaking  process.  In addition to the Regulatory  Assets and  Liabilities
shown on the Consolidated  Balance Sheet,  there are other regulatory assets and
liabilities  such as conservation and load management costs and certain deferred
tax  liabilities.  The  Company  also  has  obligations  under  long-term  power
contracts, the recovery of which is subject to regulation.




                                     - 47 -
<PAGE>




                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

     The effects of competition 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 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.

RECLASSIFICATION OF PREVIOUSLY REPORTED AMOUNTS

     Certain amounts previously  reported have been reclassified to conform with
current year presentations.

UTILITY PLANT

     The  cost of  additions  to  utility  plant  and the cost of  renewals  and
betterments are  capitalized.  Cost consists of labor,  materials,  services and
certain  indirect  construction  costs,  including an  allowance  for funds used
during construction  (AFUDC). The cost of current repairs and minor replacements
is charged to  appropriate  operating  expense  accounts.  The original  cost of
utility  plant  retired or otherwise  disposed of and the cost of removal,  less
salvage, are charged to the accumulated provision for depreciation.

     The Company's  utility  plant in service as of December 31, 1996,  1995 and
1994 was comprised as follows:

                                 1996               1995                 1994
                                 ----               ----                 ----
                                                   (000's)
     Production              $1,124,113         $1,122,001           $1,114,755
     Transmission               160,970            158,373              143,984
     Distribution               387,825            375,962              364,102
     General                     47,889             45,924               43,600
     Future use plant            32,751             32,762               31,853
     Other                       90,404             74,903               63,333
                             ----------         ----------           ----------
                             $1,843,952         $1,809,925           $1,761,627
                             ==========         ==========           ==========

ALLOWANCE FOR FUNDS USED DURING CONSTRUCTION

     In  accordance  with the  applicable  regulatory  systems of accounts,  the
Company  capitalizes  AFUDC,  which  represents the approximate cost of debt and
equity  capital  devoted to plant under  construction.  In accordance  with FERC
prescribed accounting, the portion of the allowance applicable to borrowed funds
is presented in the Consolidated  Statement of Income as a reduction of interest
charges,  while the  portion  of the  allowance  applicable  to equity  funds is
presented as other  income.  Although the allowance  does not represent  current
cash income, it has historically  been recoverable under the ratemaking  process
over the service  lives of the related  properties.  The Company  compounds  the
allowance  applicable to major  construction  projects  semi-annually.  Weighted
average AFUDC rates in effect for 1996, 1995 and 1994 were 9.0%, 8.0% and 8.19%,
respectively.

DEPRECIATION

     Provisions for depreciation on utility plant for book purposes are computed
on  a  straight-line   basis,   using  estimated  service  lives  determined  by
independent  engineers.  One-half  year's  depreciation  is taken in the year of
addition and disposition of utility plant, except in the case of major operating
units on which  depreciation  commences  in the month



                                     - 48 -
<PAGE>

                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

they are  placed  in  service  and  ceases in the month  they are  removed  from
service.  The aggregate  annual  provisions for depreciation for the years 1996,
1995  and  1994  were  equivalent  to  approximately  3.50%,  3.34%  and  3.27%,
respectively, of the original cost of depreciable property.

INCOME TAXES

     In accordance with Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards (SFAS) No.
109 "Accounting for Income Taxes",  the Company has provided  deferred taxes for
all temporary  book-tax  differences using the liability  method.  The liability
method requires that deferred tax balances be adjusted to reflect enacted future
tax rates that are  anticipated  to be in effect when the temporary  differences
reverse.  In  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  for
regulated industries, the Company has established a regulatory asset for the net
revenue  requirements  to be recovered from customers for the related future tax
expense associated with certain of these temporary differences.

     For ratemaking purposes,  the Company normalizes all investment tax credits
(ITC) related to  recoverable  plant  investments  except for the ITC related to
Seabrook Unit 1, which was taken into income in accordance  with provisions of a
1990 DPUC retail rate decision.

ACCRUED UTILITY REVENUES

     The  estimated  amount of  utility  revenues  (less  related  expenses  and
applicable  taxes) for service  rendered but not billed is accrued at the end of
each accounting period.

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.  The Company records outstanding checks as accounts payable
until the checks have been honored by the banks.

     The Company is required to maintain an  operating  deposit with the project
disbursing  agent  related to its 17.5%  ownership  interest in Seabrook Unit 1.
This  operating  deposit,  which is the equivalent to one and one half months of
the funding  requirement  for  operating  expenses,  is  restricted  for use and
amounted to $3.4 million,  $3.9 million and $2.3 million,  at December 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994, respectively.

INVESTMENTS

     The Company's  investment in the Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company, a
nuclear generating company in which the Company has a 9 1/2% stock interest,  is
accounted for on an equity basis.  This  investment  amounted to $10.1  million,
$9.6 million and $9.6 million at December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively,
and is  included  on the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheet in  "Other  Property  and
Investments" at December 31, 1995 and 1994 and as a regulatory asset at December
31, 1996. See Note (L),  Commitments and  Contingencies - Other  Commitments and
Contingencies - Connecticut Yankee.

FOSSIL FUEL COSTS

     Historically,  the amount of fossil  fuel costs  that  cannot be  reflected
currently in customers'  bills pursuant to the fossil fuel adjustment  clause in
the  Company's  rates has been  deferred at the end of each  accounting  period.
Since adoption of the deferred  accounting  procedure in 1974, rate decisions by
the DPUC and its  predecessors  have  consistently  made specific  provision for
amortization and ratemaking  treatment of the Company's existing deferred fossil
fuel cost balances.  As a result of a December 1996 DPUC  decision,  the Company
will suspend this deferred



                                     - 49 -
<PAGE>

                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

accounting  procedure  unless the  average  fossil  fuel oil prices  increase or
decrease outside a certain bandwidth prescribed in the decision.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS

     Research  and  development  costs,  including  environmental  studies,  are
capitalized if related to specific  construction  projects and depreciated  over
the lives of the  related  assets.  Other  research  and  development  costs are
charged to expense as incurred.

PENSION AND OTHER POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

     The Company  accounts for normal pension plan costs in accordance  with the
provisions  of  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  (SFAS)  No. 87,
"Employers' Accounting for Pensions", and for supplemental retirement plan costs
and  supplemental  early retirement plan costs in accordance with the provisions
of SFAS No. 88,  "Employers'  Accounting for  Settlements  and  Curtailments  of
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits".

     The  Company  accounts  for  other  postemployment   benefits,   consisting
principally of health and life insurance,  under the provisions of SFAS No. 106,
"Employers' Accounting for Postretirement  Benefits Other Than Pensions",  which
requires,  among other  things,  that the liability for such benefits be accrued
over  the  employment  period  that  encompasses  eligibility  to  receive  such
benefits. The annual incremental cost of this accrual has been allowed in retail
rates in accordance with a 1992 rate decision of the DPUC.

     Effective  January 1, 1994,  the Company  adopted  Statement  of  Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 112,  "Employers'  Accounting for Postemployment
Benefits".  This statement  establishes  accounting  standards for employers who
provide  benefits,  such as unemployment  compensation,  severance  benefits and
disability  benefits to former or inactive employees after employment but before
retirement and requires  recognition of the obligation for these  benefits.  The
effect of adopting this  statement is reported as a charge against income in the
first  quarter  of 1994 due to a change  in  accounting  principle.  The  charge
decreased earnings for common stock for 1994 by $1.3 million, after tax, or $.09
per share.

URANIUM ENRICHMENT OBLIGATION

     Under the Energy  Policy Act of 1992  (Energy  Act),  the  Company  will be
assessed for its  proportionate  share of the costs of the  decontamination  and
decommissioning of uranium enrichment  facilities  operated by the Department of
Energy. The Energy Act imposes an overall cap of $2.25 billion on the obligation
assessed to the nuclear  utility  industry and limits the annual  assessment  to
$150  million  each  year over a 15-year  period.  At  December  31,  1996,  the
Company's  unfunded share of the obligation,  based on its ownership interest in
Seabrook Unit 1 and Millstone Unit 3, was approximately $1.3 million.  Effective
January 1, 1993,  the Company was allowed to recover these  assessments in rates
as a component of fuel expense.  Accordingly,  the Company has recognized  these
costs as a regulatory asset on its Consolidated Balance Sheet.

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  $2,130,000,  $1,882,000  and  $1,727,000
during  1996,  1995 and 1994 into the  decommissioning  trust funds for Seabrook
Unit 1 and Millstone  Unit 3. At December 31, 1996,  the Company's  share of the
trust fund balances,  which include accumulated earnings on the funds, were $9.1
million and $3.8 million for Seabrook Unit 1 and Millstone


                                     - 50 -
<PAGE>

                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

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.

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 121, "Accounting for
the  Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets to Be Disposed Of", which is effective for
the 1996  calendar  year,  requires  the  recognition  of  impairment  losses on
long-lived  assets  when the  book  value  of an  asset  exceeds  the sum of the
expected  future  undiscounted  cash flows that result from the use of the asset
and its eventual  disposition.  This standard also requires that  rate-regulated
companies  recognize an impairment loss when a regulator excludes all or part of
a cost from rates,  even if the regulator allows the company to earn a return on
the remaining allowable costs. Under this standard,  the probability of recovery
and the recognition of regulatory  assets under the criteria of SFAS No. 71 must
be assessed on an ongoing basis.  Since the Company continues to follow SFAS No.
71, it does not have any assets that are impaired under this standard.

APS REVENUES AND AGENT COLLECTIONS

     During 1996, APS's agent network  processed  approximately  $5.5 billion in
customer  payments for other  utilities  located  throughout the country through
numerous bank accounts.  APS recognized  revenue of $19.2 million,  $6.8 million
and $1.6  million  for the years  1996,  1995 and 1994,  respectively,  based on
established  fees  per  payment  transaction  processed.  Cash  associated  with
customer  payments  are the  property  of  other  utilities  and  have  not been
reflected in UI's consolidated financial statements.



                                     - 51 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                                              THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                                 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)


 (B) CAPITALIZATION
<CAPTION>

                                                                                    December 31,
                                            ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        1996                          1995                          1994
                                               Shares                        Shares                        Shares
                                             Outstanding    $(000's)       Outstanding    $(000's)       Outstanding    $(000's)
                                            -------------- ------------   -------------- ------------   -------------- ------------

   COMMON STOCK EQUITY
     Common stock, no par value,
     <S>                                       <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>     
     at December 31(a)                         14,101,291     $284,579       14,100,091     $284,542       14,086,691     $284,133
      Shares authorized
       1994   30,000,000
       1995   30,000,000
       1996   30,000,000
     Paid-in capital                                               772                           769                           738
     Capital stock expense                                      (2,182)                       (2,207)                       (2,402)
     Retained earnings (b)                                     156,847                       156,877                       145,559
                                                           ------------                  ------------                  ------------
          Total common stock equity                            440,016                       439,981                       428,028
                                                           ------------                  ------------                  ------------

   PREFERRED AND PREFERENCE STOCK (C)
     Cumulative preferred stock,
      $100 par value, shares
      authorized at December 31,
       1994   1,247,005
       1995   1,180,394
       1996   1,119,612
      Preferred stock issues:
       4.35% Series A                              11,297                        21,247                        40,425
       4.72% Series B                              17,658                        30,490                        48,280
       4.64% Series C                              12,945                        12,945                        32,100
       5 5/8% Series D                              2,712                        40,712                        51,200
       7.60% Series E                                   -                             -                       125,000
       7.60% Series F                                   -                             -                       150,000
                                            --------------                --------------                --------------
                                                   44,612        4,461          105,394       10,539          447,005       44,700
                                            -------------- ------------   -------------- ------------   -------------- ------------
     Cumulative preferred stock,
      $25 par value, shares
      authorized at December 31,
       1994   2,400,000
       1995   2,400,000
       1996   2,400,000
      Preferred stock issues                            -            -                -            -                -            -
     Cumulative preference stock,
      $25 par value, shares
      authorized at December 31,
       1994   5,000,000
       1995   5,000,000
       1996   5,000,000
      Preference stock issues                           -            -                -            -                -            -
                                                           ------------                  ------------                  ------------
        Total preferred stock not
         subject to mandatory redemption                         4,461                        10,539                        44,700
                                                           ------------                  ------------                  ------------

   MINORITY INTEREST IN PREFERRED SECURITIES (D)                50,000                        50,000                             -
                                                           ------------                  ------------                  ------------
</TABLE>


                                     - 52 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>



                                              THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                                 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

                                                                                        December 31,
<CAPTION>
                                                                    -------------------------------------------------
                                                                        1996              1995             1994
                                                                      $(000's)          $(000's)         $(000's)
                                                                    -------------     -------------    --------------

   <S>                                                                <C>               <C>               <C>
   LONG-TERM DEBT (E)
     First Mortgage Bonds:
      9.44%, Series B, maturing serially as
       to $10,800 principal amount on February 15
       in each of the years 1997 to 1999.                                $32,400           $43,200           $54,000

      10.32%, Series C                                                         -                 -            55,333

   Other Long-term Debt
     Pollution Control Revenue Bonds:
       9 1/2%, 1986 Series, due June 1, 2016                                   -             7,500             7,500
       Variable rate, 1996 Series, due June 26, 2026                       7,500                 -                 -
       9 3/8%, 1987 Series, due July 1, 2012                              25,000            25,000            25,000
      10 3/4%, 1987 Series, due November 1, 2012                          43,500            43,500            43,500
       8%, 1989 Series A, due December 1, 2014                            25,000            25,000            25,000
       5 7/8%, 1993 Series, due October 1, 2033                           64,460            64,460            64,460
     Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds:
      Adjustable rate 1990 Series A
       due September 1, 2015                                              30,000            30,000            30,000

     Notes:
       6.00%, 1992 Series D, due January  15, 1995                             -                 -            50,000
       7.00%, 1992 Series E, due January  15, 1997                             -            50,000            50,000
       7.25%, 1992 Series F, due October 2, 1995                               -                 -            47,000
       7 3/8%, 1992 Series G, due January  15, 1998                      100,000           100,000           100,000
       6.20%, 1993 Series H, due January  15, 1999                       100,000           100,000           100,000

     Term Loans:
       6.95%, due August 29, 2000                                         50,000            50,000                 -
       6.47%, due September 6, 2000                                       50,000            50,000                 -
       6.4375%, due September 6, 2000                                     50,000            50,000                 -
       6.675%, due October 25, 2001                                       25,000                 -                 -
       7.005% due October 25, 2001                                        50,000                 -                 -

     Obligation under the Seabrook Unit 1
      sale/leaseback agreement                                           243,660           248,030           250,000
                                                                    -------------     -------------    --------------
                                                                         896,520           886,690           901,793


     Unamortized debt discount less premium                                  (93)             (206)             (320)
                                                                    -------------     -------------    --------------

             Total long-term debt                                        896,427           886,484           901,473

   Less:
     Current portion included in Current Liabilities (e)                  69,900            40,800           193,133
     Investment-Seabrook sale leaseback obligation bonds                  66,847                 -                 -
                                                                    -------------     -------------    --------------


             Total long-term debt included in Capitalization             759,680           845,684           708,340
                                                                    -------------     -------------    --------------

             TOTAL CAPITALIZATION                                     $1,254,157        $1,346,204        $1,181,068
                                                                    =============     =============    ==============
</TABLE>



                                     - 53 -
<PAGE>



                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

     (A) COMMON STOCK

     The Company  issued 1,200 shares of common stock in 1996,  13,400 shares of
common stock in 1995,  and 3,400  shares of common  stock in 1994  pursuant to a
stock option plan.

     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 of from one to ten years following the dates
when the options are granted.  On June 5, 1991,  the  Connecticut  Department of
Public Utility  Control (DPUC)  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,  190,600 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 remain  outstanding  at December 31,
1996.  Options to purchase  1,200 shares of stock at an exercise price of $30.75
per share were exercised during 1996.

     In October 1995, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board issued SFAS No.
123,  "Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation".  This  statement,  which  is
effective for calendar year 1996, establishes financial accounting and reporting
standards for stock-based  employee  compensation  plans, such as stock purchase
plans,  stock options,  restricted  stock, and stock  appreciation  rights.  The
statement  defines  the  methods of  determining  the fair value of  stock-based
compensation  and  requires the  recognition  of  compensation  expense for book
purposes.  However,  the  statement  allows  entities  to  continue  to  measure
compensation expense in accordance with the prior authoritative literature,  APB
No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees",  but requires that pro forma
net income and earnings per share be disclosed for each year for which an income
statement  is  presented  as if SFAS No. 123 had been  applied.  The  accounting
requirements  of this statement are effective for  transactions  entered into in
1996.  However,  pro forma  disclosures  must  include the effects of all awards
granted after  January 1, 1995.  As of December 31, 1996,  there were no options
granted to which this  statement  would  apply.  The  Company has not elected to
adopt the expense recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123.

     (B) RETAINED EARNINGS RESTRICTION

     The indenture under which the Company's 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 $98.7 million
were free from such limitations at December 31, 1996.

     (C) PREFERRED AND PREFERENCE STOCK

     The par value of each of these issues was credited to the appropriate stock
account  and  expenses  related to these  issues were  charged to capital  stock
expense.

     On April 15,  1994,  the Company  redeemed  all of the 600,000  outstanding
shares of its 8.80%  Preferred  Stock,  1976  Series,  at $25.25  per share plus
accrued dividends.

     In July 1994,  the  Company  purchased  2,450  shares of its 4.72% $100 par
value Preferred Stock, Series B, at a discount,  resulting in a non-taxable gain
of $116,000.

     In December  1994, the Company  purchased  10,000 shares of its 5 5/8% $100
par value Preferred Stock,  Series D, at a discount,  resulting in a non-taxable
gain of $420,000.

                                     - 54 -
<PAGE>

                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

     On April 10, 1995,  the Company called for redemption all 125,000 shares of
its outstanding $100 par value 7.60% Preferred  Stock,  Series E and all 150,000
shares of its outstanding  $100 par value 7.60% Preferred  Stock,  Series F. The
Company paid a redemption  premium of $275,000 in effecting  these  redemptions,
which were completed on May 10, 1995.

     On May 10,  1995,  the Company made a tender offer for all of the shares of
its outstanding $100 par value 4.35% Preferred Stock,  Series A, 4.72% Preferred
Stock,  Series B, 4.64% Preferred  Stock,  Series C, and 5.625% Preferred Stock,
Series D. On June 12 and July 17, 1995, the Company purchased and retired,  at a
discount of  $2,457,531,  19,178  shares of the Series A,  17,790  shares of the
Series  B,  19,155  shares of the  Series C and  10,488  shares of the  Series D
preferred stock issues.

     On June 4, 1996,  the Company  purchased  at a discount on the open market,
and canceled,  53,450 shares of its $100 par value preferred  stock.  The shares
purchased consisted of 2,950 shares of its 4.35%, Series A, 12,500 shares of its
4.72%,  Series B and 38,000 shares of its 5 5/8%, Series D, preferred stock. The
shares,  having a par  value  of  $5,345,000,  were  purchased  for  $3,816,169,
creating a net gain of $1,528,831.

     On June 7, 1996,  the Company  purchased  at a discount on the open market,
and  canceled,  7,000  shares of its $100 par value  4.35%,  Series A  preferred
stock. The shares, having a par value of $700,000,  were purchased for $402,730,
creating a net gain of $297,270.

     On August 8, 1996, the Company  purchased at a discount on the open market,
and canceled,  332 shares of its $100 par value 4.72%, Series B preferred stock.
The shares, having a par value of $33,200, were purchased for $19,488,  creating
a net gain of $13,712.

     Shares of preferred stock have preferential dividend and liquidation rights
over shares of common stock.  Preferred shareholders are not entitled to general
voting  rights.  However,  if any preferred  dividends are in arrears for six or
more quarters, or if some other event of default occurs,  preferred shareholders
are entitled to elect a majority of the Board of Directors  until all  preferred
dividend arrears are paid and any event of default is terminated.

     Preference  stock is a form of stock that is junior to preferred  stock but
senior to common stock. It is not subject to the earnings coverage  requirements
or minimum capital and surplus requirements  governing the issuance of preferred
stock.  There were no shares of  preference  stock  outstanding  at December 31,
1996.

     (D) PREFERRED CAPITAL SECURITIES

     On  April  3,  1995,  United  Capital  Funding  Partnership  L.P.  ("United
Capital"),  a special purpose limited  partnership in which the Company owns all
of the general  partner  interests,  issued $50 million of its monthly  income 9
5/8% Preferred Capital Securities,  Series A, ("Preferred  Capital  Securities")
representing  limited  partnership  interests in United Capital.  United Capital
loaned the proceeds of the issuance and sale of the Preferred Capital Securities
to the Company in return for the Company's 9 5/8% Junior Subordinated Deferrable
Interest  Debentures,  Series  A, Due 2025.  The net  proceeds  to the  Company,
approximately $48.4 million, were used to redeem, on May 10, 1995, $12.5 million
of  outstanding  $100 par value 7.60%  Preferred  Stock,  Series E  (including a
redemption  premium of $125,000) and $15.0 million of outstanding $100 par value
7.60% Preferred Stock, Series F (including a redemption premium of $150,000) and
to reduce short-term borrowings.

     United Capital and the Company have registered an additional $50 million of
Capital  Securities and/or  Subordinated  Debentures for sale to the public from
time to time, in one or more series, under the Securities Act of 1933.



                                     - 55 -
<PAGE>

                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

     (E) LONG-TERM DEBT

     On February 15, 1996, the Company repaid $10.8 million  principal amount of
maturing 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 June 26, 1996,  the Company  borrowed $7.5 million from the  Connecticut
Development Authority (CDA),  representing the proceeds from the issuance by the
CDA of $7.5 million  principal  amount of tax-exempt  Pollution  Control Revenue
Bonds (PCRBs). The Company is obligated,  under its borrowing agreement with the
CDA, to pay to a trustee for the PCRBs'  bondholders  such  amounts as will pay,
when due, the  principal of and the premium,  if any, and interest on the PCRBs.
The  PCRBs  will  mature  in 2026,  and  their  interest  rate  can be  adjusted
periodically to reflect prevailing market  conditions.  The PCRBs were issued at
an initial interest rate of 3.3%,  which is being adjusted  weekly.  On July 15,
1996, the Company used the proceeds of this $7.5 million  borrowing to cause the
redemption and repayment of $7.5 million principal amount of 9 1/2% PCRBs issued
by the CDA in 1986.

     On October 25, 1996,  the Company  borrowed  $75 million  under a Term Loan
Agreement  with a group  of banks  for a  five-year  period.  The  Company  pays
interest on the  borrowing at a floating  rate equal to the  three-month  London
Interbank  Borrowing Rate plus 0.55%.  The Company has entered into two separate
interest rate swap agreements that effectively  convert the interest rate on $50
million of the Company's floating rate 1996 Term Loan to a fixed annual interest
rate of 7.005% for the  five-year  period and the interest rate on the remaining
$25 million to a fixed annual interest rate of 6.675% for a three-year period.

     The Company  used  proceeds  from the $75 million  Term Loan  borrowing  to
purchase   approximately  $66.8  million  principal  amount  of  Seabrook  Lease
Obligation Bonds, which were issued in connection with the sale and leaseback by
the Company of a portion of its ownership  share in Seabrook Unit 1 in 1990. The
Bonds were purchased at a premium through a tender offer that expired on October
22, 1996. The Company paid 103.9% of principal  amount for  approximately  $17.0
million principal amount of 9.76% Seabrook Lease Obligation Bonds (due 2006) and
107.17% of principal amount for approximately  $49.9 million principal amount of
the 10.24% Seabrook Lease  Obligation  Bonds (due 2020).  The premiums and other
transaction expenses will be amortized over the remaining life of the Bonds. The
Company  intends  to hold  the  Bonds  until  maturity  and has  recognized  the
investment as an offset to long-term debt on its Consolidated Balance Sheet.

     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.




                                     - 56 -
<PAGE>

                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)


     Maturities and mandatory redemptions/repayments are set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1997          1998           1999          2000         2001
                                                    ----          ----           ----          ----         ----
                                                                                 (000's)
<S>                                                 <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>    
Maturities                                             $ -       $100,000      $100,000      $150,000       $75,000
Mandatory redemptions/repayments                     10,800         4,635         5,051         5,507         6,003
Optional Redemptions                                 21,600            -             -             -             -
                                                    -------      --------      --------      --------       -------
Maturities, Mandatory and Optional
   redemptions/repayments (1)                       $32,400      $104,635      $105,051      $155,507       $81,003
                                                    =======      ========      ========      ========       =======
</TABLE>


(1)  Does not  include  $30 million of  tax-exempt  adjustable  rate Solid Waste
     Disposal  Revenue  Bonds,  1990 Series A, due  September  1, 2015,  or $7.5
     million of tax-exempt  variable rate Pollution  Control Revenue Bonds, 1996
     Series, due June 26, 2026 classified on the Company's  Consolidated Balance
     Sheet as current liabilities.

     The Company has registered $200 million  principal amount of Notes for sale
to the public from time to time, in one or more series, under the Securities Act
of 1933. In addition, the Company has registered $213.6 million of Seabrook Unit
1 Secured Lease Obligation Bonds for sale to the public under the Securities Act
of  1933.  These  Lease  Obligation  Bonds  may  only be used to  refinance  the
outstanding Seabrook Unit 1 Lease Obligation Bonds.

(C)  RATE-RELATED REGULATORY PROCEEDINGS

     Utilities are entitled by Connecticut  law to revenues  sufficient to allow
them to cover their  operating and capital costs,  to attract needed capital and
maintain their financial  integrity,  while also protecting the public interest.
However, a company may earn up to 1% above this level for six consecutive months
before a  mandatory  review is  required  by the  DPUC.  A  Connecticut  statute
requires the DPUC to review and investigate the financial and operating  records
of each electric utility  company,  at intervals of not more than four years, to
determine whether the company's rates comply with statutory standards.

     In March  1996,  the  Company  filed  with the DPUC,  for its  approval,  a
proposed price stability and incentive regulation plan. The purpose of this plan
was to help  address the  challenges  of an  increasingly  competitive  electric
utility  industry  and to help  position  the  Company  to face and  meet  these
challenges.  The Company had proposed,  as part of the plan, to have no increase
in base rates charged to retail  customers  through December 31, 2001, to afford
its customers  additional  price  stability  during this period by modifying the
operation of the fossil fuel adjustment clause mechanism in retail rates so that
customers can expect that this clause will not affect their bills, to depreciate
its Seabrook plant investment more rapidly during this period,  and to establish
a performance-based  ratemaking mechanism in which performance would be measured
by customer  satisfaction  and reliability of service,  all subject to a minimum
and maximum return on common equity. This plan was designed to allow the Company
to continue the application of SFAS No. 71 and to recover its costs of providing
service through rates.

     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 mechanism 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 the fossil fuel
clause 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 retained as earnings.  The DPUC
did not order


                                     - 57 -
<PAGE>

                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

the 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).

     The  Company  is  allowed  revenue  increases  for  conservation  and  load
management expenditures through a Conservation Adjustment Mechanism (CAM) in its
retail  rates,   and  accordingly   received  a  revenue  increase  in  1996  of
approximately $12 million, or 2%, through operation of the CAM.

     Since  January 1971,  UI has had a fossil fuel  adjustment  clause (FCA) in
virtually  all of its retail  rates.  The DPUC is  required by law to convene an
administrative  proceeding  prior to  approving  FCA charges or credits for each
month. The law permits automatic implementation of the charges or credits if the
DPUC fails to act within five days of the  administrative  proceeding,  although
all such charges and credits are also subject to further review and  appropriate
adjustment  by the DPUC at public  hearings  required  to be held at least every
three months.  As a result of the DPUC Order described  above, the Company's FCA
has been modified so that the clause will not be implemented  unless the monthly
average price for fuel oil increases above $28 per barrel or decreases below $10
per barrel for six consecutive months.

(D)  ACCOUNTING FOR PHASE-IN PLAN

     The Company phased into rate base its allowable investment in Seabrook Unit
1,  amounting to $640 million,  during the period  January 1, 1990 to January 1,
1994. In conjunction  with this phase-in plan, the Company was allowed to record
a deferred return on the portion of allowable investment excluded from rate base
during the phase-in  period.  Accordingly,  the Company is amortizing the net of
tax accumulated  deferred  return of $62.9 million over a five-year  period that
commenced January 1, 1995.



                                     - 58 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                                        THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                              NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(E) INCOME  TAXES
<CAPTION>
                                                                         1996               1995               1994
                                                                         ----               ----               ----
<S>                                                                     <C>                <C>                <C>
Income tax expense consists of:                                                          (000's)

Income tax provisions:
  Current
             Federal                                                    $35,398            $18,031            $24,190
             State                                                       11,398             10,163              8,754
                                                                     -----------       ------------       ------------
                Total current                                            46,796             28,194             32,944
                                                                     -----------       ------------       ------------
  Deferred
             Federal                                                        616             24,682             11,123
             State                                                       (2,892)             2,813             (2,538)
                                                                     -----------       ------------       ------------
                Total deferred                                           (2,276)            27,495              8,585
                                                                     -----------       ------------       ------------

  Investment tax credits                                                   (762)              (762)              (762)
                                                                     -----------       ------------       ------------

     Total income tax expense                                           $43,758            $54,927            $40,767
                                                                     ===========       ============       ============

Income tax components charged as follows:
  Operating expenses                                                    $53,090            $59,828            $44,937
  Other income and deductions - net                                      (9,332)            (4,901)            (3,214)
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting
    for postemployment benefits                                               -                  -               (956)
                                                                     -----------       ------------       ------------

     Total income tax expense                                           $43,758            $54,927            $40,767
                                                                     ===========       ============       ============

The following table details the components of the deferred income taxes:
    Pension benefits                                                    ($9,066)           ($1,460)              $148
    Tax depreciation on unrecoverable plant investment                    5,745              8,889              8,170
    Accelerated depreciation                                              5,617              9,410             11,526
    Cancelled nuclear project                                            (4,729)              (467)              (467)
    Deferred fossil fuel costs                                              755               (122)               (37)
    Postretirement benefits                                                 665                163                169
    Seabrook sale/leaseback transaction                                    (598)              (397)            (2,039)
    Conservation & load management                                         (367)               804              1,897
    Alternative minimum tax                                                   -             11,404                  -
    Sales adjustment revenues                                                 -                  -             (5,553)
    Property tax adjustment                                                   -                  -             (1,991)
    Postemployment benefits                                                   -                  -               (956)
    Other - net                                                            (298)              (729)            (2,282)
                                                                     -----------       ------------       ------------

Deferred income taxes - net                                             ($2,276)           $27,495             $8,585
                                                                     ===========       ============       ============
</TABLE>



                                     - 59 -
<PAGE>

                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

     Total income taxes differ from the amounts computed by applying the federal
statutory tax rate to income before taxes.  The reasons for the  differences are
as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1996                    1995                     1994
                                                      ----                    ----                     ----
                                               PRE-TAX        TAX      PRE-TAX        TAX      PRE-TAX      TAX
                                               -------       -----     -------       -----     -------     -----
                                                                              (000's)
<S>                                             <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>    <C>    
Computed tax at federal statutory rate                      $28,999                  $36,862             $30,646
Increases (reductions) resulting from:
  Deferred return-Seabrook Unit 1               12,586        4,405     12,586         4,405          -       -
  ITC taken into income                           (762)        (762)      (762)         (762)       (762)   (762)
  Allowance for equity funds used during
    construction                                  (940)        (329)      (390)         (136)       (753)   (263)
  Book depreciation in excess of
     non-normalized tax depreciation            22,703        7,946     21,586         7,555      20,625   7,218
  State income taxes, net of federal
     income tax benefits                         8,506        5,529     12,976         8,434       6,216   4,040
  Other items - net                             (5,797)      (2,029)    (4,090)       (1,431)       (320)   (112)
                                                            -------                  -------             -------

       Total income tax expense                             $43,759                  $54,927             $40,767
                                                            =======                  =======             =======

Book Income Before Federal Income Taxes                     $82,855                 $105,320             $87,561
                                                            =======                 ========             =======

Effective income tax rates                                    52.8%                    52.1%               46.6%
                                                            =======                 ========             =======
</TABLE>

     At December 31, 1996 the Company had deferred tax  liabilities  for taxable
temporary  differences  of $463 million and  deferred tax assets for  deductible
temporary differences of $126 million, resulting in a net deferred tax liability
of $337 million.  Significant  components of deferred tax liabilities and assets
were as follows:  tax liabilities on book/tax plant basis differences and on the
cumulative  amount of income taxes on temporary  differences  previously  flowed
through to  ratepayers,  $290  million;  tax  liabilities  on  normalization  of
book/tax  depreciation  timing  differences,  $116 million and tax assets on the
disallowance of plant costs, $56 million.

     The Tax  Reform Act of 1986  provides  for a more  comprehensive  corporate
alternative minimum tax (AMT) for years beginning after 1986. To the extent that
the AMT exceeds the federal income tax computed at statutory  rates,  the excess
must be paid in addition to the regular tax  liability.  For tax  purposes,  the
excess paid in any year can be carried forward  indefinitely  and offset against
any future year's regular tax liability in excess of that year's  tentative AMT.
The  Company had no AMT  carryforward  at  December  31, 1996 and 1995.  The AMT
carryforward at December 31, 1994 was $11.4 million.

(F)  SHORT-TERM CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS

     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 December
31,  1996,  the  Company had no  short-term  borrowings  outstanding  under this
facility.



                                     - 60 -
<PAGE>

                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

     The  Company's  long-term  debt  instruments  do not  limit  the  amount of
short-term  debt that the  Company may issue.  The  Company's  revolving  credit
agreement described above requires it to maintain an available earnings/interest
charges  ratio of not less than 1.5:1.0 for each  12-month  period ending on the
last day of each calendar  quarter.  For the 12-month  period ended December 31,
1996, this coverage ratio was 2.78.

     Information  with  respect to  short-term  borrowings  under the  Company's
revolving credit agreement is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             1996            1995          1994
                                                                             ----            ----          ----
                                                                                             (000's)
<S>                                                                         <C>           <C>              <C>
Maximum aggregate principal amount of short-term borrowings
   outstanding at any month-end                                             $30,000       $195,000         $75,000
Average aggregate short-term borrowings outstanding during the year*        $15,380       $117,980         $57,000
Weighted average interest rate*                                               5.72%           6.5%            4.8%
Principal amounts outstanding at year-end                                       $0             $0          $67,000
Annualized interest rate on principal amounts outstanding at year-end           N/A            N/A            6.7%
</TABLE>


     *Average  short-term  borrowings  represent  the  sum of  daily  borrowings
outstanding,  weighted  for the number of days  outstanding  and  divided by the
number of days in the period.  The weighted  average interest rate is determined
by dividing  interest  expense by the amount of average  borrowings.  Commitment
fees of approximately $130,000, $426,500 and $250,400 paid during 1996, 1995 and
1994,  respectively,  are excluded from the calculation of the weighted  average
interest rate.



                                     - 61 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                                        THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                                 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(G)  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
<CAPTION>
                                                                             1996              1995              1994
                                                                             ----              ----              ----
                                                                                              (000's)

<S>                                                                          <C>               <C>               <C>
OPERATING REVENUES
- ------------------
      Retail                                                                  $649,876          $639,108          $618,868
      Wholesale - capacity                                                       7,686             6,601             7,162
                        - energy                                                65,158            41,631            27,765
      Other                                                                      3,300             3,109             2,953
                                                                          -------------     -------------    --------------
           Total Operating Revenues                                           $726,020          $690,449          $656,748
                                                                          =============     =============    ==============

SALES BY CLASS(MWH'S)
- ---------------------

    Retail
      Residential                                                            1,891,988         1,890,575         1,892,955
      Commercial                                                             2,258,501         2,273,965         2,285,942
      Industrial                                                             1,141,109         1,126,458         1,135,831
      Other                                                                     48,291            48,435            48,718
                                                                          -------------     -------------    --------------
                                                                             5,339,889         5,339,433         5,363,446
    Wholesale                                                                2,260,423         1,708,837         1,283,492
                                                                          -------------     -------------    --------------
           Total Sales by Class                                              7,600,312         7,048,270         6,646,938
                                                                          =============     =============    ==============

OTHER TAXES
- -----------

    Charged to:
      Operating:
         State gross earnings                                                  $26,757           $27,379           $27,403
         Local real estate and personal property                                24,854            25,761            26,318
         Payroll taxes                                                           5,528             5,800             6,137
         Other                                                                       -                 3                 3
                                                                          -------------     -------------    --------------
                                                                                57,139            58,943            59,861
      Nonoperating and other accounts                                              628               527                41
                                                                          -------------     -------------    --------------
         Total Other Taxes                                                     $57,767           $59,470           $59,902
                                                                          =============     =============    ==============

OTHER INCOME AND (DEDUCTIONS) - NET
- -----------------------------------

      Interest and dividend income                                              $1,505            $2,624            $2,520
      Equity earnings from Connecticut Yankee                                    1,225             1,440             1,539
      Loss from subsidiary companies                                            (8,422)           (4,898)           (4,382)
      Engineering study costs                                                        -              (849)           (1,200)
      Miscellaneous other income and (deductions) - net                         (1,474)           (2,589)             (384)
                                                                          -------------     -------------    --------------
           Total Other Income and (Deductions) - net                           ($7,166)          ($4,272)          ($1,907)
                                                                          =============     =============    ==============

OTHER INTEREST CHARGES
- ----------------------

      Notes Payable                                                               $882            $7,660            $2,713
      Other                                                                      1,210             1,342             1,018
                                                                          -------------     -------------    --------------
           Total Other Interest Charges                                         $2,092            $9,002            $3,731
                                                                          =============     =============    ==============
</TABLE>



                                     - 62 -
<PAGE>

                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(H)  PENSION AND OTHER BENEFITS

     The Company's  qualified  pension plan, which is based on the highest three
years of pay, covers substantially all of its employees,  and its entire cost is
borne by the Company. The Company also has a non-qualified supplemental plan for
certain  executives  and a  non-qualified  retiree  only plan for certain  early
retirement  benefits.  The net pension costs for these plans for 1996,  1995 and
1994 were $18,403,000, $3,842,000 and $4,028,000, respectively.

     The  Company's  funding  policy for the  qualified  plan is to make  annual
contributions that satisfy the minimum funding requirements of ERISA but that do
not exceed the maximum  deductible  limits of the Internal  Revenue Code.  These
amounts are  determined  each year as a result of an actuarial  valuation of the
plan. In accordance with this policy,  the Company  contributed  $3.3 million in
1994 for 1993  funding  requirements  and $3.9  million in 1994 for 1994 funding
requirements.  No pension fund  contributions  were made in 1995.  In 1996,  the
Company contributed $2.8 million for 1995 funding requirements.  Previously, due
to the application of the full funding  limitation  under ERISA, the Company had
not been required to make a  contribution  since 1985.  During 1996, the Company
established  a  supplemental  retirement  benefit  trust and through  this trust
purchased  life  insurance  policies on the  officers of the Company to fund the
future liability under the supplemental  plan. The cash surrender value of these
policies is shown as an investment on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet.

     The qualified plan's irrevocable trust fund consists  principally of equity
and fixed-income  securities and real estate  investments in  approximately  the
following percentages at December 31, 1996:

                                                                PERCENTAGE OF
                           ASSET CATEGORY                         TOTAL FUND
                           --------------                       -------------

                           Equity Securities                           70.2%
                           Fixed-income Securities                     25.5%
                           Real Estate                                  4.3%


                                                          1996          1995
                                                          ----          ----
                                                                (000's)
The components of net pension costs were as follows:
    Service cost of benefits earned during the period   $ 4,456        $ 3,680
    Interest cost on projected benefit obligation        15,882         15,217
    Actual return on plan assets                        (24,167)       (41,166)
    Net amortization and deferral                         6,336         26,111
                                                        -------        -------

    Net pension cost                                    $ 2,507*       $ 3,842
                                                        =======        =======

*  In addition,  a cost of  $15,896,000  was  recognized  under SFAS No. 88 as a
   result of special termination benefits provided under the Pension Plan.

Assumptions used to determine pension costs were:
    Discount rate                                      7.25%             8.50%
    Average wage increase                              4.50%             5.50%
    Return on plan assets                              9.00%             9.00%




                                     - 63 -
<PAGE>
                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           DECEMBER 31, 1996            DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                           -----------------            -----------------
                                                        QUALIFIED  NON-QUALIFIED      QUALIFIED  NON-QUALIFIED
                                                            PLAN       PLANS             PLAN        PLANS
                                                            ----       -----             ----        -----
                                                                                (000's)

The funded status and amounts recognized in the 
balance sheet are as follows:
    Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
   <S>                                                    <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>   
    Vested benefit obligation                             $165,919      $4,512          $153,473      $3,877
                                                          ========      ======          ========      ======

    Accumulated benefit obligation                        $174,253      $4,512          $160,266      $3,877
                                                          ========      ======          ========      ======

    Reconciliation of accrued pension liability:
       Projected benefit obligation                       $227,631      $5,152          $217,698      $4,746
       Less fair value of plan assets                      208,863          -            195,104          -
                                                          --------      ------          --------      ------
       Projected benefit greater than plan assets           18,768       5,152            22,594       4,746
       Unrecognized prior service cost                      (5,078)        (81)           (5,510)        (96)
       Unrecognized net gain (loss) from past experience    21,038         (28)            1,832        (233)
       Unrecognized net asset (obligation)
         at date of initial application                      9,554        (120)           10,662        (163)
                                                          --------      ------          --------      ------

       Accrued pension liability                          $ 44,282      $4,923          $ 29,578      $4,254
                                                          ========      ======          ========      ======

Assumptions used in estimating benefit obligations:
    Discount rate                                            7.75%       7.75%             7.25%       7.25%
    Average wage increase                                    4.50%       4.50%             4.50%       4.50%
</TABLE>


     In addition to providing pension benefits,  the Company also provides other
postretirement  benefits (OPEB),  consisting principally of health care and life
insurance benefits,  for retired employees and their dependents.  Employees with
25 years of service are eligible for full  benefits,  while  employees with less
than 25 years of service  but greater  than 15 years of service are  entitled to
partial  benefits.  Years  of  service  prior  to  age 35 are  not  included  in
determining the number of years of service.

     Prior to January 1, 1993, the Company recognized the cost of providing OPEB
on a pay-as-you-go basis by expensing the annual insurance  premiums.  Effective
January 1, 1993, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 106,  "Employers'  Accounting for Postretirement  Benefits Other Than
Pensions",  which  requires,  among other things,  that OPEB costs be recognized
over  the  employment  period  that  encompasses  eligibility  to  receive  such
benefits.  In its 1992  decision on the  Company's  application  for retail rate
relief,  the DPUC  recognized  the  Company's  obligation to adopt SFAS No. 106,
effective  January 1, 1993,  and approved the Company's  request for revenues to
recover  OPEB  expenses  on a SFAS No.  106 basis.  A portion of these  expenses
represents the transition  obligation,  which will accrue over a 20-year period,
representing the future liability for medical and life insurance  benefits based
on past service for retirees and active employees.

     For funding  purposes,  the  Company  established  a  Voluntary  Employees'
Benefit  Association Trust (VEBA) to fund OPEB for union employees who retire on
or after  January 1, 1994.  Approximately  47% of the  Company's  employees  are
represented  by Local 470-1,  Utility  Workers  Union of America,  AFL-CIO,  for
collective  bargaining  purposes.  The Company  established a 401(h)  account in
connection with the qualified pension plan to fund OPEB for non-union  employees
who retire on or after January 1, 1994. The funding policy assumes contributions
to these trust funds to be the total OPEB expense calculated under SFAS No. 106,
adjusted  to reflect a share of amounts  expensed  as a result of the  Company's
1993  reorganization  and 1996  early  retirement  program  minus  pay-as-you-go
benefit


                                     - 64 -
<PAGE>
                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

payments for pre-January 1, 1994 retirees,  allocated in a manner that minimizes
current income tax liability,  without exceeding maximum tax deductible  limits.
In  accordance  with this policy,  the Company  contributed  approximately  $1.8
million, $3.1 million and $3.8 million to the union VEBA in 1994, 1995 and 1996,
respectively.  The Company contributed $2.2 million, $0, and $0.9 million to the
401(h) account in 1994,  1995 and 1996,  respectively.  Plan assets for both the
union VEBA and  401(h)  account  consist  primarily  of equity and  fixed-income
securities.

     The components of the net cost of OPEB were as follows:

                                                   1996                1995
                                                   ----                ----
                                                             (000's)
     Service cost                                 $1,379              $1,106
     Interest cost                                 2,524               2,584
     Actual return on plan assets                 (1,838)            (2,081)
     Amortizations and deferrals - net             2,359               2,882
                                                  ------             -------
     Net Cost of Postretirement Benefit           $4,424*             $4,491
                                                  ======              ======

*In  addition,  a cost of  $4,126,000  was  recognized  as a result  of  special
termination programs.

     Assumptions used to determine OPEB costs were:

     Discount rate                                 7.25%                8.5%
     Health Care Cost Trend Rate                   5.50%                6.5%
     Return on plan assets                         8.50%                8.5%

A one percentage point increase in the assumed health care cost trend rate would
have  increased the aggregate  service cost and interest cost  components of the
1996 net cost of periodic  postretirement  benefit by approximately $600,000 and
would increase the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for health care
benefits by approximately $3,000,000.

     The  following  table  reconciles  the  funded  status of the plan with the
amount recognized in the Consolidated  Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1996 and
1995:
                                                               1996       1995
                                                               ----       ----
                                                                    (000's)
    Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation:
       Retirees and dependents                               $22,614  $ 22,720
       Fully eligible active plan participants                   929       764
       Other active plan participants                         12,677    16,955
                                                              ------    ------
    Total Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation       36,220    40,439

    Plan assets at fair value                                 16,720    11,148
                                                              ------    ------
    Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation in
      Excess of Plan Assets                                   19,500    29,291

    Unrecognized net gain (loss)                               2,731    (8,395)
    Unamortized transition obligation                        (19,443)  (20,659)
                                                              ------    ------

    Accrued Postretirement Benefit Obligation                $ 2,788     $ 237
                                                              ======      ====



                                     - 65 -
<PAGE>
                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

     The  weighted  average  discount  rates  used to  measure  the  accumulated
postretirement  benefit  obligation at December 31, 1996 and 1995 were 7.75% and
7.25%, respectively.

     Effective  January 1, 1994,  the Company  adopted  Statement  of  Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 112,  "Employers'  Accounting for Postemployment
Benefits".  This statement  establishes  accounting  standards for employers who
provide  benefits,  such as unemployment  compensation,  severance  benefits and
disability  benefits to former or inactive employees after employment but before
retirement and requires  recognition of the obligation for these  benefits.  The
effect of adopting this  statement is reported as a charge against income in the
first  quarter  of 1994 due to a change  in  accounting  principle.  The  charge
decreased earnings for common stock for 1994 by $1.3 million, after tax, or $.09
per share.

     The  Company  has  an  Employee   Savings  Plan  (401(k)   Plan)  in  which
substantially all employees are eligible to participate. The 401(k) Plan enables
employees to defer receipt of up to 15% of their compensation and to invest such
funds in a  number  of  investment  alternatives.  The  Company  makes  matching
contributions  in the form of Company  common  stock for each  employee.  During
1994,  1995 and the first five months of 1996, the matching  contributions  were
made into the 401(k) Plan.  Beginning in June 1996,  the matching  contributions
were made into the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).  The Company's matching
contributions  to the 401(k)  Plan  during the first five months of 1996 and the
years  1995  and  1994  were  $0.8  million,  $1.6  million  and  $1.6  million,
respectively.  In June 1996,  all shares of the  Company's  common  stock in the
401(k) Plan were transferred to the ESOP.

     The Company has an ESOP for substantially all its employees.  In June 1996,
the  Company  began  making  matching  contributions  to the ESOP  based on each
employee's  salary  deferrals  in the 401(k)  Plan.  The  matching  contribution
currently  equals  fifty  cents for each dollar of the  employee's  compensation
deferred,  but is not more than three and  one-eighth  percent of the employee's
annual salary. The Company's matching contribution to the ESOP during the period
June 1996 - December 1996 was $0.8 million.

     The  Company  pays  dividends  on the  shares  of  stock in the ESOP to the
participant and the Company  receives a tax deduction on the dividends paid. The
participant is given the option of  reinvesting  the dividends into the ESOP, as
an after-tax contribution.  The Company also makes an annual contribution to the
ESOP  equal to 25% of the  dividends  paid to each  participant.  The  Company's
annual contributions during 1996, 1995 and 1994 were $324,000,  $192,000 and $0,
respectively.

(I)  JOINTLY OWNED PLANT

     At December 31, 1996,  the Company had the  following  interests in jointly
owned plants:

                               OWNERSHIP/
                               LEASEHOLD          PLANT IN         ACCUMULATED
                                 SHARE            SERVICE          DEPRECIATION
                               ---------          --------         ------------
                                                       (Millions)
    Seabrook Unit 1             17.5 %              $646              $112
    Millstone Unit 3             3.685               134                56
    New Haven Harbor Station    93.7                 140                71

     The  Company's  share of the  operating  costs of jointly  owned  plants is
included in the appropriate  expense captions in the  Consolidated  Statement of
Income.



                                     - 66 -
<PAGE>
                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(J)  UNAMORTIZED CANCELLED NUCLEAR PROJECT

     From December 1984 through  December 1992, the Company had been  recovering
its investment in Seabrook Unit 2, a partially  constructed  nuclear  generating
unit that was  cancelled in 1984,  over a regulatory  approved  ten-year  period
without a return  on its  unamortized  investment.  In the  Company's  1992 rate
decision,  the DPUC adopted a proposal by the Company to write off its remaining
investment in Seabrook Unit 2, beginning January 1, 1993, over a 24-year period,
corresponding with the flowback of certain Connecticut  Corporation Business Tax
(CCBT) credits. Such decision will allow the Company to retain the Seabrook Unit
2/CCBT amounts for ratemaking  purposes,  with the accumulated  CCBT credits not
deducted from rate base during the 24-year period of amortization in recognition
of a longer period of time for amortization of the Seabrook Unit 2 balance.

(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 in 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 March 1998. At December 31, 1996,  approximately $24.1 million of fossil fuel
purchases were being financed under this agreement.

     The Company has leases (one is a capital lease), that include  arrangements
for data processing equipment, office equipment,  vehicles and office space. The
gross amount of assets recorded under capital leases and the related obligations
of those leases as of December 31, 1996 are recorded on the balance sheet.

     Future minimum lease payments under capital leases,  excluding the Seabrook
sale/leaseback transaction, which is being treated as a long-term financing, are
estimated to be as follows:

                                                                   (000's)

             1997                                                 $ 1,715
             1998                                                   1,715
             1999                                                   1,696
             2000                                                   1,696
             2001                                                   1,696
             After 2001                                            19,392
                                                                   ------
       Total minimum capital lease payments                        27,910
           Less:  Amount representing interest                     10,402
                                                                   ------
       Present value of minimum capital lease payments            $17,508
                                                                   ======

     In January 1994, the Company  renegotiated a lease  agreement for a service
facility.  Since the effect of  renegotiating  the lease,  which continues to be
treated as a capital lease, was a noncash financing  activity during 1994, it is
not reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

     Capitalization  of leases  has no impact  on  income,  since the sum of the
amortization of a leased asset and the interest on the lease  obligation  equals
the rental expense allowed for ratemaking purposes.



                                     - 67 -
<PAGE>
                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

     Rental  payments  charged  to  operating  expenses  in 1996,  1995 and 1994
amounted to $12.8 million, $11.5 million and $12.1 million, respectively.

    Operating  leases,   which  are  charged  to  operating  expense,   consist
principally  of a  large  number  of  small,  relatively  short-term,  renewable
agreements  for a wide variety of  equipment.  In  addition,  the Company has an
operating  lease for its corporate  headquarters.  Future minimum lease payments
under this lease are estimated to be as follows:

                                                                  (000's)

                             1997                              $   5,826
                             1998                                  6,125
                             1999                                  6,426
                             2000                                  6,524
                             2001                                  6,837
                             2002-2012                           108,502
                                                                 -------
                                   Total                        $140,240
                                                                 =======

(L)  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROGRAM

     The Company's continuing capital expenditure program is presently estimated
at approximately $228.9 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.  Based on its  interests in nuclear  generating
units,  the Company  estimates its maximum  liability would be $23.2 million per
incident. However, assessment would be limited to $3.1 million per incident, per
year. With respect to each of the 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.

     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


                                     - 68 -
<PAGE>
                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

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.

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 will permit  Connecticut  Yankee to recover  UI's share of
these costs from UI. Connecticut Yankee has filed revised  decommissioning  cost
estimates and amendments to the power  contracts with its owners,  including UI,
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 Connecticut Yankee is approximately $763 million.
Based on regulatory  precedent,  Connecticut Yankee believes it will continue to
collect  from its owners its  decommissioning  costs,  the  owners'  unrecovered
investment in Connecticut  Yankee 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), is approximately $54.8 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 December 31, 1996, the Company's  guarantee  liability for this
debt was approximately $8.1 million.

                VOLUNTARY EARLY RETIREMENT AND SEPARATION PROGRAMS

     On May 22, 1995, the Company and the union  representing  approximately 695
of its  operating,  maintenance  and clerical  employees  agreed on a three-year
contract, effective May 16, 1995. As part of this agreement, the Company offered
a voluntary early retirement program to 74 employees,  who had until January 31,
1996 to accept. The early retirement offer was accepted by 64 employees, and the
Company  recognized a charge to earnings in January  1996 of $7.2 million  ($4.2
million,  after-tax). The employees accepting the offer retired during the first
nine months of 1996. In June 1996, the Company  recognized an additional  charge
to earnings of $0.9 million  ($0.5  million,  after-tax)  to reflect  additional
early retirement costs.

     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


                                     - 69 -
<PAGE>
                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

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 retire 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% 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.  The Company is contesting each of these actions
by the City's tax  assessor  vigorously.  On  January 9, 1996,  the  Connecticut
Superior  Court granted the Company's  motion for summary  judgment  against the
City  relative to the  "updated"  personal  property  tax bills for the tax year
1991-1992.  The City  appealed to the  Appellate  Court from the Superior  Court
decision,  which  decision  would also be applicable to and defeat the valuation
increases  for the tax years  1992-1993  and  1993-1994  if it is  sustained  on
appeal.  In June 1996, the Connecticut  Supreme Court transferred this appeal to
its docket. The case was argued before the Connecticut Supreme Court in December
1996,  and a decision is  anticipated  in the spring of 1997.  It is the present
opinion of the Company that the ultimate outcome of this dispute will not have a
significant impact on the financial position of the Company.

                          ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

     In complying  with  existing  environmental  statutes and  regulations  and
further developments in areas of environmental  concern,  including  legislation
and studies in the fields of water and air quality  (particularly  "air  toxics"
and "global warming"),  hazardous waste handling and disposal, toxic substances,
and electric  and magnetic  fields,  the Company may incur  substantial  capital
expenditures for equipment modifications and additions, monitoring equipment and
recording devices,  and it may incur additional  operating expenses.  Litigation
expenditures  may also  increase as a result of scientific  investigations,  and
speculation and debate,  concerning the possibility of harmful health effects of
electric and magnetic fields.  The total amount of these expenditures is not now
determinable.

               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  $7.7 million had been incurred as of December
31, 1996,  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 these  remediation costs
per year. The remediation cost,  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.



                                     - 70 -
<PAGE>
                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(M)  NUCLEAR FUEL DISPOSAL AND NUCLEAR PLANT DECOMMISSIONING

     Costs associated with nuclear plant operations include amounts for disposal
of nuclear wastes, including spent fuel, and for the ultimate decommissioning of
the plants.  Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the federal  Department
of  Energy  (DOE) is  required  to  design,  license,  construct  and  operate a
permanent  repository for high level radioactive  wastes and spent nuclear fuel.
The Act  requires  the DOE to provide,  beginning  in 1998,  for the disposal of
spent  nuclear fuel and high level  radioactive  waste from  commercial  nuclear
plants through  contracts with the owners and generators of such waste;  and the
DOE has established  disposal fees that are being paid to the federal government
by electric  utilities owning or operating  nuclear  generating units. In return
for payment of the prescribed  fees, the federal  government is to take title to
and dispose of the utilities' high level wastes and spent nuclear fuel beginning
no later than January 1998.  However,  the DOE has announced that its first high
level waste  repository will not be in operation  earlier than 2010 and possibly
not earlier  than 2013,  notwithstanding  the DOE's  statutory  and  contractual
responsibility to begin disposal of high-level  radioactive waste and spent fuel
beginning not later than January 31, 1998.

     The DOE also announced that, absent a repository,  the DOE has no statutory
obligation to begin taking high level wastes and spent nuclear fuel for disposal
by January 1998. However, numerous utilities and states have obtained a judicial
declaration  that the DOE has a  statutory  responsibility  to take title to and
dispose of high level wastes and spent  nuclear fuel  beginning in January 1998.
It is  unclear  at this time  whether  the  United  States  Congress  will enact
legislation to address spent fuel/high level waste disposal issues.

     Until the federal  government  begins  receiving  such  materials,  nuclear
generating  units will need to retain high level  wastes and spent  nuclear fuel
on-site or make other provisions for their storage.  Storage  facilities for the
Connecticut  Yankee  Unit  are  deemed  adequate,  and  storage  facilities  for
Millstone Unit 3 are expected to be adequate for the projected life of the unit.
Storage  facilities  for Seabrook  Unit 1 are  expected to be adequate  until at
least 2010. Fuel consolidation and compaction  technologies are being considered
for  Seabrook  Unit 1 and  may  provide  adequate  storage  capability  for  the
projected life of the unit. In addition,  other licensed  technologies,  such as
dry storage casks, may satisfy spent nuclear fuel storage requirements.

     Disposal  costs for  low-level  radioactive  wastes  (LLW) that result from
normal  operation of nuclear  generating  units have increased  significantly in
recent  years and are  expected to continue to rise.  The cost  increases  are a
function of increased  packaging  and  transportation  costs and higher fees and
surcharges charged by the disposal facilities.  Currently,  the Chem Nuclear LLW
facility at Barnwell,  South Carolina,  is open to the Connecticut  Yankee Unit,
Millstone  Unit 3, and Seabrook Unit 1 for disposal of LLW. The  Envirocare  LLW
facility at Clive,  Utah, is also open to these generating units for portions of
their LLW.  All three units have  contracts  in place for LLW  disposal at these
disposal facilities.

     Because  access to LLW  disposal may be lost at any time,  the  Connecticut
Yankee Unit,  Millstone  Unit 3 and Seabrook Unit 1 have storage plans that will
allow  on-site  retention  of LLW for at  least  five  years in the  event  that
disposal is interrupted.

     The Company  cannot  predict  whether or when a LLW  disposal  site will be
designated in Connecticut.  The State of New Hampshire has not met deadlines for
compliance with the Low-Level  Radioactive  Waste Policy Act and has stated that
the state is unsuitable for a LLW disposal  facility.  Both  Connecticut and New
Hampshire are also pursuing other options for out-of-state disposal of LLW.

     NRC licensing  requirements  and  restrictions  are also  applicable to the
decommissioning  of nuclear  generating units at the end of their service lives,
and the NRC has adopted  comprehensive  regulations  concerning  decommissioning
planning,  timing, funding and environmental reviews. UI and the other owners of
the nuclear generating units in which 


                                     - 71 -
<PAGE>
                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

UI has  interests  estimate  decommissioning  costs for the units and attempt to
recover sufficient  amounts through their allowed electric rates,  together with
earnings  on  the   investment  of  funds  so  recovered,   to  cover   expected
decommissioning  costs.  Changes in NRC  requirements or technology,  as well as
inflation, can increase estimated decommissioning costs.

     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 1996 was $1.6  million.  UI's share of the fund at December  31, 1996 was
approximately $9.1 million.

     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  1996 was  $487,000.  UI's  share of the fund at  December  31,  1996 was
approximately $3.8 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 $1.4  million  were funded by UI
during 1996,  and UI's share of the fund at December 31, 1996 was $19.4 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.

     The  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  (FASB) has issued an exposure
draft related to the  accounting for the closure and removal costs of long-lived
assets,  including  nuclear plant  decommissioning.  If the proposed  accounting
standard  were  adopted,   it  may  result  in  higher  annual   provisions  for
decommissioning  to be recognized earlier in the operating life of nuclear units
and an accelerated recognition of the decommissioning  obligation. The FASB will
be  deliberating  this issue,  and the resulting  final  pronouncement  could be
different from that proposed in the exposure draft.

(N)  PROPERTY TAX SETTLEMENT

     In December 1994, the Company and the City of Bridgeport  settled a dispute
regarding  past taxes  payable by the Company on its  personal  property in that
city and agreed upon a method of valuation of personal property for tax purposes
for  future  periods.  As a result  of the  settlement  agreement,  the  Company
recognized a non-recurring charge to 1994 earnings of approximately $2.5 million
($1.5 million, after-tax).




                                     - 72 -
<PAGE>
                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(O)  FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (1)

     The estimated  fair values of the Company's  financial  instruments  are as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1996                     1995
                                                    ----                     ----
                                           CARRYING     FAIR         CARRYING     FAIR
                                            AMOUNT      VALUE         AMOUNT      VALUE
                                           --------     -----        --------     -----
                                                    (000's)                 (000's)
<S>                                         <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>    
Cash and temporary cash investments          $ 6,394    $ 6,394       $ 5,070     $ 5,070

Long-term debt (2)(3)(4)                    $652,767   $655,582      $638,454    $648,142
</TABLE>

(1)  Equity  investments  were not valued because they were not considered to be
     material.

(2)  Excludes the obligation under the Seabrook Unit 1 sale/leaseback agreement.

(3)  The fair market  value of the  Company's  long-term  debt is  estimated  by
     brokers  based  on  market  conditions  at  December  31,  1996  and  1995,
     respectively.

(4)  See Note (B), Capitalization - Long-Term Debt.




                                     - 73 -
<PAGE>
                             THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(P)  QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

    Selected quarterly financial data for 1996 and 1995 are set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    OPERATING          OPERATING             NET                   EARNINGS PER SHARE OF
QUARTER             REVENUES            INCOME (2)(3)       INCOME(2)(3)(4)(6)   COMMON STOCK (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)
- -------             ---------          -------------        ------------------   -------------------------------
                      (000's)            (000's)               (000's)

<S>  <C>              <C>                <C>                    <C>                      <C>
1996

     First            $170,860           $29,042                $11,721                  $ .82
     Second            168,790            25,871                  8,883                    .75
     Third             209,167            34,466                 17,904                   1.27
     Fourth            177,203            19,756                    588                    .04

1995

     First            $165,398           $28,135                 $9,470                  $ .62
     Second            163,429            26,535                  7,774                    .67
     Third             200,308            47,431                 26,535                   1.89
     Fourth            161,314            25,055                  6,614                    .46
</TABLE>

                                                   ------------------

(1)  Based on weighted average number of shares outstanding each quarter.

(2)  Operating income,  net income and earnings per share for the first,  second
     and third quarters of 1996 included  after-tax charges of $4.2 million,  or
     $.30 per share, $0.5 million,  or $.03 per share and $8.7 million,  or $.62
     per share,  respectively,  for early  retirement  and voluntary  separation
     programs.

(3)  Operating income,  net income and earnings per share for the second quarter
     of 1996 included an after-tax  charge of $0.8  million,  or $.06 per share,
     for the cumulative loss on an office space sublease.

(4)  Net income and earnings per share for the fourth  quarter of 1996  included
     an  after-tax  charge  of $2.6  million,  or $.18  per  share,  for  losses
     associated with the Company's unregulated subsidiaries.

(5)  Earnings  per share for the  second and third  quarter  of 1995  included a
     total gain of $.15 per share from the  repurchase  of preferred  stock at a
     discount to par value.

(6)  Net income and earnings per share for the third quarter of 1995 included an
     after-tax charge of $1.6 million, or $.12 per share, reflecting the effects
     of  legislated  future state income tax rate  reductions  which will reduce
     future tax benefits on plant previously written off.




                                     - 74 -
<PAGE>



                         [Letterhead of Price Waterhouse LLP]

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


January 27, 1997

To the Shareowners and Board of Directors
of The United Illuminating Company

In our opinion,  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheet and the related
consolidated  statements  of income  and  retained  earnings  and of cash  flows
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
The United  Illuminating  Company and its subsidiaries at December 31, 1996, and
the  consolidated  results of their operations and their cash flows for the year
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, in our
opinion,   the  consolidated   financial  statement  schedule  (page  S-1)  when
considered in relation to the financial  statements  taken as a whole,  presents
fairly,  in all  material  respects,  the  information  required  to be included
therein. These financial statements and the financial statement schedule are the
responsibility of the Company's management;  our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and the financial statement schedule based
on our audits.  We conducted our audit of these  statements  in accordance  with
generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable  assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material  misstatement.  An audit includes  examining,  on a test basis,
evidence  supporting the amounts and  disclosures  in the financial  statements,
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  and evaluating the overall  financial  statement  presentation.  We
believe  that our audit  provides a reasonable  basis for the opinion  expressed
above.  The  consolidated  financial  statements  and  the  financial  statement
schedule of The United  Illuminating  Company and its subsidiaries for the years
ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, were audited by other independent  accountants
whose report dated January 29, 1996  expressed an  unqualified  opinion on those
financial statements and the financial statement schedule.


/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP



                                     - 75 -
<PAGE>


                         [Letterhead of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P]


                             REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


To the Shareowners and Directors of
         The United Illuminating Company:

We have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets of The United
Illuminating  Company  as of  December  31,  1995  and  1994,  and  the  related
consolidated  statements  of income,  retained  earnings  and cash flows for the
years then ended and the consolidated financial statement schedule for the years
ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 (page S-1). These financial  statements and the
financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management.
Our  responsibility  is to express an opinion on these financial  statements and
the financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all  material  respects,  the  consolidated  financial  position  of The  United
Illuminating  Company as of  December  31, 1995 and 1994,  and the  consolidated
results  of its  operations  and its cash  flows  for the  years  then  ended in
conformity with generally accepted accounting  principles.  In addition,  in our
opinion,  the financial statement schedule referred to above, when considered in
relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in
all material respects, the information required to be included therein.


/s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.


Hartford, Connecticut
January 29, 1996




                                     - 76 -
<PAGE>



Item  9.  Changes  in and  Disagreements  with  Accountants  on  Accounting  and
          Financial Disclosures.

     Previously reported.  See Current Report (Form 8-K, dated December 15, 1995
(amended January 2, 1996 and January 18, 1996).

                                     PART III

Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Company.

     The  information  appearing  under the captions  "NOMINEES  FOR ELECTION AS
DIRECTORS" AND "COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE SECURITIES  EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934" in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement,  dated March 27, 1997 for the
Annual  Meeting of the  Shareholders  to be held on May 21,  1997,  which  Proxy
Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission on or about
March 27, 1997, is incorporated by reference in partial answer to this item. See
also "EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY", following Part I, Item 4 herein.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation.

     The  information  appearing  under the captions "EXECUTIVE  COMPENSATION,"
"STOCK OPTION EXERCISES IN 1996 AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES," "RETIREMENT PLANS,"
"BOARD OF DIRECTORS  COMPENSATION AND EXECUTIVE  DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT ON
EXECUTIVE   COMPENSATION,"   "COMPENSATION   COMMITTEE  INTERLOCKS  AND  INSIDER
PARTICIPATION,"  "DIRECTOR COMPENSATION" and "SHAREOWNER RETURN PRESENTATION" in
the Company's  definitive Proxy Statement,  dated March 27, 1997, for the Annual
Meeting of the  Shareholders  to be held on May 21, 1997,  which Proxy Statement
will be filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission on or about March 27,
1997, is incorporated by reference in answer to this item.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

     The information  appearing under the captions  "PRINCIPAL  SHAREOWNERS" and
"STOCK  OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS" in the Company's  definitive  Proxy
Statement, dated March 27, 1997 for the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders to be
held on May 21, 1997,  which Proxy  Statement  will be filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on or about March 27, 1997, is incorporated by reference
in answer to this item.

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

     Since  January  1, 1996,  there has been no  transaction,  relationship  or
indebtedness of the kinds described in Item 404 of Regulation S-K.



                                     - 77 -
<PAGE>



                                    PART IV


Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K.

      (a) The following documents are filed as a part of this report:

      Financial Statements (see Item 8):

          Consolidated  statement  of income for the years  ended  December  31,
          1996, 1995 and 1994

          Consolidated  statement of cash flows for the years ended December 31,
          1996, 1995 and 1994

          Consolidated balance sheet, December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994

          Consolidated  statement  of  retained  earnings  for the  years  ended
          December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994

          Statement of accounting policies

          Notes to consolidated financial statements

          Reports of independent accountants


      Financial Statement Schedule (see S-1)

          Schedule II - Valuation  and  qualifying  accounts for the years ended
                        December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.



                                     - 78 -
<PAGE>



Exhibits:

     Pursuant to Rule 12b-32 under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, certain
of the  following  listed  exhibits,  which are  annexed as exhibits to previous
statements  and  reports  filed  by the  Company,  are  hereby  incorporated  by
reference as exhibits to this report. Such statements and reports are identified
by reference numbers as follows:

(1)  Filed with Annual  Report  (Form 10-K) for fiscal year ended  December  31,
     1995.

(2)  Filed with Quarterly  Report (Form 10-Q) for fiscal quarter ended September
     30, 1995.

(3)  Filed with  Quarterly  Report (Form 10-Q) for fiscal quarter ended June 30,
     1996.

(4)  Filed with Registration Statement No. 2-60849, effective July 24, 1978.

(5)  Filed with Registration Statement No. 33-40169, effective August 12, 1991.

(6)  Filed with Registration Statement No. 33-35465, effective August 1, 1990.

(7)  Filed  with  Amendment  No.  1  to  Registration  Statement  No.  33-55461,
     effective October 31, 1994.

(8)  Filed with Quarterly  Report (Form 10-Q) for fiscal quarter ended March 31,
     1995.

(9)  Filed with Registration Statement No. 2-57275, effective October 19, 1976.

(10) Filed with Annual  Report  (Form 10-K) for fiscal year ended  December  31,
     1995.

(11) Filed with Registration Statement No. 2-66518, effective February 25, 1980.

(12) Filed with Annual  Report  (Form 10-K) for fiscal year ended  December  31,
     1991.

(13) Filed with Registration Statement No. 2-49669, effective December 11, 1973.

(14) Filed with Annual  Report  (Form 10-K) for fiscal year ended  December  31,
     1993.

(15) Filed with Registration Statement No. 2-54876, effective November 19, 1975.

(16) Filed with Registration Statement No. 2-52657, effective February 6, 1975.

(17) Filed with  Quarterly  Report (Form 10-Q) for fiscal quarter ended June 30,
     1995.

(18) Filed with Annual  Report  (Form 10-K) for fiscal year ended  December  31,
     1992.

(19) Filed with Quarterly  Report (Form 10-Q) for fiscal quarter ended March 31,
     1994.

(20) Filed March 29, 1996,  with proxy  material  for the Annual  Meeting of the
     Shareowners.



                                     - 79 -
<PAGE>

     The exhibit  number in the  statement or report  referenced is set forth in
the parenthesis following the description of the exhibit. Those of the following
exhibits not so identified are filed herewith.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
 Table        Exhibit      Reference
Item No.        No.           No.                    Description
- -------       -------      ---------                 -----------
<C>           <C>           <C>       <C>
    (3)        3.1a          (1)      Copy of Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of The United  Illuminating
                                       Company, dated January 23, 1995.   (Exhibit 3.1)
    (3)        3.1b          (2)      Copy of  Certificate  Amending  Certificate  of  Incorporation  By  Action of
                                       Board of Directors, dated August 4, 1995.   (Exhibit 3.1b)
    (3)        3.1c          (3)      Copy of  Certificate  Amending  Certificate  of  Incorporation  by  Action of
                                       Board of Directors, dated July 16, 1996.   (Exhibit 3.1c)
    (3)        3.2a          (3)      Copy of Bylaws of The United Illuminating Company.   (Exhibit 2.3)
    (3)        3.2b                   Copy  of  Article  II,  Section  2,  of  Bylaws  of The  United  Illuminating
                                       Company,   as  amended  March  26,  1990, amending Exhibit 3.2a.
    (3)        3.2c                   Copy of  Article  V,  Section  1, of Bylaws   of  The   United   Illuminating
                                       Company,   as  amended  April  22,  1991, amending Exhibit 3.2a.
    (4)        4.1           (5)      Copy of Indenture,  dated as of August 1, 1991, from The United  Illuminating
                                       Company to The Bank of New York, Trustee.   (Exhibit 4)
(4),(10)       4.2           (6)      Copy  of  Participation  Agreement,  dated  as  of  August  1,  1990,  among
                                       Financial  Leasing  Corporation,  Meridian  Trust  Company,  The Bank of New
                                       York and The United  Illuminating  Company.  (Exhibits  4(a)  through  4(h),
                                       inclusive, Amendment Nos. 1 and 2).
    (4)        4.3a          (7)      Copy of form of Amended and  Restated  Agreement  of Limited  Partnership  of
                                       United Capital Funding Partnership L.P.   (Exhibit 4(c))
    (4)        4.3b          (8)      Copy of Action of The United  Illuminating  Company,  as  General  Partner of
                                       United Capital Funding  Partnership  L.P.,  relating to the 9 5/8% Preferred
                                       Capital  Securities,  Series A,  of United Capital Funding  Partnership L.P.
                                       (Exhibit 4(b))
    (4)        4.3c          (7)      Copy of form of  Indenture,  dated  as of  April 1,  1995,  from  The  United
                                       Illuminating Company to The Bank of New York, as Trustee.   (Exhibit 4(e))
    (4)        4.3d          (8)      Copy of First  Supplemental  Indenture,  dated as of April 1,  1995,  between
                                       The  United  Illuminating  Company  and  The  Bank  of  New  York,  Trustee,
                                       supplementing Exhibit 4.3c.   (Exhibit 4(d))
    (4)        4.3e          (7)      Copy of form of Payment and  Guarantee  Agreement of The United  Illuminating
                                       Company, dated as of April 1, 1995.   (Exhibit 4(j))
   (10)        10.1          (9)      Copy of Stockholder  Agreement,  dated as of July 1, 1964,  among the various
                                       stockholders  of  Connecticut  Yankee  Atomic Power  Company,  including The
                                       United Illuminating Company.   (Exhibit 5.1-1)
   (10)        10.2a         (9)      Copy  of  Power  Contract,  dated  as of July 1,  1964,  between  Connecticut
                                       Yankee   Atomic  Power   Company  and  The  United   Illuminating   Company.
                                       (Exhibit 5.1-2)
   (10)        10.2b        (10)      Copy of  Additional  Power  Contract,  dated as of April  30,  1984,  between
                                       Connecticut  Yankee  Atomic  Power  Company  and  The  United   Illuminating
                                       Company.
   (10)        10.2c                  Copy of  1987  Supplementary  Power  Contract,  dated  as of  April 1,  1987,
                                       supplementing Exhibits 10.2a and 10.2b.
   (10)        10.2d                  Copy of 1996 Amendatory  Agreement,  dated as of December 4,  1996,  amending
                                       Exhibits 10.2b and 10.2c.
   (10)        10.2e                  Copy  of  First  Supplement  to  1996  Amendatory  Agreement,   dated  as  of
                                       February 10, 1997, supplementing Exhibit 10.2d.
</TABLE>



                                     - 80 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
 Table        Exhibit      Reference
Item No.        No.           No.                    Description
- -------       -------      ---------                 -----------
   <C>         <C>          <C>       <C>
   (10)        10.3          (9)      Copy of Capital  Funds  Agreement,  dated as of  September  1, 1964,  between
                                       Connecticut  Yankee  Atomic  Power  Company  and  The  United   Illuminating
                                       Company.   (Exhibit 5.1-3)
   (10)        10.4a         (9)      Copy of Connecticut  Yankee  Transmission  Agreement,  dated as of October 1,
                                       1964,  among the various  stockholders  of  Connecticut  Yankee Atomic Power
                                       Company, including The United Illuminating Company.   (Exhibit 5.1-4)
   (10)        10.4b        (11)      Copy of  Agreement  Amending  and Revising  Connecticut  Yankee  Transmission
                                       Agreement,  dated  as of July 1,  1979,  amending  Exhibit  10.4a.  (Exhibit
                                       5.1-7)
   (10)        10.5          (4)      Copy of Capital  Contributions  Agreement,  dated  October 16, 1967,  between
                                       The  United  Illuminating   Company  and  Connecticut  Yankee  Atomic  Power
                                       Company.   (Exhibit 5.1-5)
   (10)        10.6a        (12)      Copy of NEPOOL  Power Pool  Agreement,  dated as of  September  1,  1971,  as
                                       amended to November 1, 1988.   (Exhibit 10.6a)
   (10)        10.6b        (13)      Copy of Agreement Setting Out Supplemental  NEPOOL  Understandings,  dated as
                                       of April 2, 1973.   (Exhibit 5.7-10)
   (10)        10.6c        (12)      Copy of  Amendment  to NEPOOL  Power Pool  Agreement,  dated as of  March 15,
                                       1989, amending Exhibit 10.6a.   (Exhibit 10.6c)
   (10)        10.6d        (12)      Copy of Agreement  Amending NEPOOL Power Pool Agreement,  dated as of October
                                       1, 1990, amending Exhibit 10.6a.   (Exhibit 10.6d)
   (10)        10.6e        (14)      Copy  of  Agreement  Amending  NEPOOL  Power  Pool  Agreement,  dated  as  of
                                       September 15, 1992, amending Exhibit 10.6a.   (Exhibit 10.6e)
   (10)        10.6f        (14)      Copy of Agreement  Amending NEPOOL Power Pool Agreement,  dated as of June 1,
                                       1993, amending Exhibit 10.6a.   (Exhibit 10.6f)
   (10)        10.7a        (12)      Copy of Agreement  for Joint  Ownership,  Construction  and  Operation of New
                                       Hampshire  Nuclear  Units,  dated May 1, 1973,  as amended  to  February  1,
                                       1990.  (Exhibit 10.7a)
   (10)        10.7b        (15)      Copy of Transmission  Support  Agreement,  dated as of May 1, 1973, among the
                                       Seabrook Companies.   (Exhibit 5.9-2)
   (10)        10.7c                  Copy  of   Twenty-third   Amendment   to  Agreement   for  Joint   Ownership,
                                       Construction  and  Operation of New  Hampshire  Nuclear  Units,  dated as of
                                       November 1, 1990, amending Exhibit 10.7a.
   (10)        10.8a        (11)      Copy of  Sharing  Agreement  - 1979  Connecticut  Nuclear  Unit,  dated as of
                                       September  1,  1973,  among The  Connecticut  Light and Power  Company,  The
                                       Hartford  Electric Light Company,  Western  Massachusetts  Electric Company,
                                       New England Power Company, The United Illuminating  Company,  Public Service
                                       Company of New Hampshire,  Central Vermont Public Service  Company,  Montaup
                                       Electric  Company and Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company,  relating to
                                       a nuclear fueled generating unit in Connecticut.   (Exhibit 5.8-1)
   (10)        10.8b        (16)      Copy of  Amendment  to Sharing  Agreement - 1979  Connecticut  Nuclear  Unit,
                                       dated as of August 1, 1974, amending Exhibit 10.8a.   (Exhibit 5.9-2)
   (10)        10.8c         (9)      Copy of  Amendment  to Sharing  Agreement - 1979  Connecticut  Nuclear  Unit,
                                       dated as of December 15,  1975,  amending  Exhibit  10.8a.  (Exhibit  5.8-4,
                                       Post-effective Amendment No. 2)
   (10)        10.9a         (4)      Copy of  Transmission  Line  Agreement,  dated January 13, 1966,  between the
                                       Trustees of the Property of The New York,  New Haven and  Hartford  Railroad
                                       Company and The United Illuminating Company.   (Exhibit 5.4)
</TABLE>

                                     - 81 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
 Table        Exhibit      Reference
Item No.        No.           No.                    Description
- -------       -------      ---------                 -----------
   <C>         <C>          <C>       <C>
   (10)        10.9b        (12)      Notice,   dated  April  24,  1978,  of  The  United  Illuminating   Company's
                                       intention to extend term of  Transmission  Line Agreement  dated January 13,
                                       1966, Exhibit 10.9a.   (Exhibit 10.9b)
   (10)        10.9c        (12)      Copy  of  Letter  Agreement,   dated  March  28,  1985,  between  The  United
                                       Illuminating   Company  and   National   Railroad   Passenger   Corporation,
                                       supplementing and modifying Exhibit 10.9a.   (Exhibit 10.9c)
   (10)        10.10a       (17)      Copy of Agreement,  effective May 16, 1995,  between The United  Illuminating
                                       Company  and  Local  470-1,  Utility  Workers  Union  of  America,  AFL-CIO.
                                       (Exhibit 10.10a)
   (10)        10.10b       (17)      Copy of  Supplemental  Agreement -  Part-Time  Employees,  effective  May 16,
                                       1995,  between  The United  Illuminating  Company and Local  470-1,  Utility
                                       Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO.   (Exhibit 10.10b)
   (10)        10.12        (18)      Copy of Coal Sales  Agreement,  dated as of August 1, 1992,  between Pittston
                                       Coal  Sales  Corp.  and  The  United  Illuminating  Company.   (Confidential
                                       treatment requested)   (Exhibit 10.13)
   (10)        10.13                  Copy of Fossil Fuel Supply  Agreement  between BLC Corporation and The United
                                       Illuminating Company, dated as of July 1, 1991.
   (10)        10.14a*      (18)      Copy of  Employment  Agreement,  dated as of  January 1,  1988,  between  The
                                       United Illuminating Company and Richard J. Grossi.   (Exhibit 10.22a)
   (10)        10.14b*      (10)      Copy of  Amendment  to  Employment  Agreement,  dated  as of July  23,  1990,
                                       between The United  Illuminating  Company and  Richard J.  Grossi,  amending
                                       Exhibit 10.14a.
   (10)        10.14c*      (17)      Copy of Second Amendment to Employment  Agreement,  dated as of June 1, 1995,
                                       between  The United  Illuminating  Company and  Richard J. Grossi,  amending
                                       Exhibit 10.14a.   (Exhibit 10.15c)
   (10)        10.15a*      (18)      Copy of  Employment  Agreement,  dated as of  January 1,  1988,  between  The
                                       United Illuminating Company and Robert L. Fiscus.   (Exhibit 10.23a)
   (10)        10.15b*      (10)      Copy of  Amendment  to  Employment  Agreement,  dated  as of July  23,  1990,
                                       between  The United  Illuminating  Company  and Robert L.  Fiscus,  amending
                                       Exhibit 10.15a.
   (10)        10.15c*      (17)      Copy of Second Amendment to Employment  Agreement,  dated as of June 1, 1995,
                                       between  The United  Illuminating  Company  and  Robert L. Fiscus,  amending
                                       Exhibit 10.15a.   (Exhibit 10.16c)
   (10)        10.16a*      (18)      Copy of  Employment  Agreement,  dated as of  January 1,  1988,  between  The
                                       United Illuminating Company and James F. Crowe.   (Exhibit 10.24a)
   (10)        10.16b*      (10)      Copy of  Amendment  to  Employment  Agreement,  dated  as of July  23,  1990,
                                       between  The  United  Illuminating  Company  and  James F.  Crowe,  amending
                                       Exhibit 10.16a.
   (10)        10.16c*      (17)      Copy of Second Amendment to Employment  Agreement,  dated as of June 1, 1995,
                                       between  The  United  Illuminating  Company  and  James F. Crowe,   amending
                                       Exhibit 10.16a.   (Exhibit 10.17c)
   (10)        10.17*       (12)      Copy of Executive Incentive  Compensation  Program of The United Illuminating
                                       Company.   (Exhibit 10.24)
   (10)        10.18*       (10)      Copy of The United  Illuminating  Company 1990 Stock Option Plan,  as amended
                                       on December 20, 1993, January 24, 1994 and August 22, 1994.
   (10)        10.19*       (19)      Copy  of  The  United  Illuminating   Company  Dividend  Equivalent  Program.
                                       (Exhibit 10.20)
   (10)        10.20*       (20)      Copy of  Directors'  Deferred  Compensation  Plan of The United  Illuminating
                                       Company.
</TABLE>


                                     - 82 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
 Table        Exhibit      Reference
Item No.        No.           No.                    Description
- -------       -------      ---------                 -----------
<C>            <C>          <C>       <C>
   (10)        10.21*        (3)      Copy of The United  Illuminating  Company 1996 Long Term  Incentive  Program.
                                       (Exhibit 10.21*)
(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  December 31,  1996, 1995, 1994, 1993 and
                                       1992).
   (21)        21                     List of subsidiaries of The United Illuminating Company.
   (27)        27                     Financial Data Schedule
   (28)        28.1         (18)      Copies of  significant  rate  schedules of The United  Illuminating  Company.
                                       (Exhibit 28.1)
</TABLE>

- -------------------------
*Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.


                                     - 83 -
<PAGE>


     The foregoing  list of exhibits does not include  instruments  defining the
rights  of the  holders  of  certain  long-term  debt  of the  Company  and  its
subsidiaries where the total amount of securities  authorized to be issued under
the instrument  does not exceed ten (10%) of the total assets of the Company and
its  subsidiaries  on a  consolidated  basis;  and the Company  hereby agrees to
furnish a copy of each such instrument to the Securities and Exchange Commission
on request.

(b)  Reports on Form 8-K.

        None



                                     - 84 -
<PAGE>


                         Consent of Independent Accountants


We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Prospectuses
constituting  parts of the Post  Effective  Amendment No. 1 to the  Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (No. 33-50221) and the Registration Statements on Form S-3
(No.  33-50445,  No. 33-55461 and No.  33-64003) of our report dated January 27,
1997, appearing in The United Illuminating  Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1996.


/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP




New York, New York
March 13, 1997




                                     - 85 -
<PAGE>


                    [Letterhead of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P]




                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Post Effective Amendment No.
1 to the Registration  Statement of The United Illuminating  Company on Form S-3
(File  No.  33-50221)  and the  Registration  Statements  on Form S-3  (File No.
33-50445, File No. 33-55461 and File No. 33-64003), of our report, dated January
29, 1996, on our audits of the consolidated  financial  statements and financial
statement  schedule of The United  Illuminating  Company as of December 31, 1995
and 1994 and for the years then ended,  which  report is included in this Annual
Report on Form l0-K.



/s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.



Hartford, Connecticut
January 29, 1996



                                     - 86 -
<PAGE>

                                          SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 13 of the Securities  Exchange Act
of 1934,  the  Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                            THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY


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

DATE:  MARCH 13, 1997

     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, this
report  has  been  signed  below  by the  following  persons  on  behalf  of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     SIGNATURE                                       TITLE                                DATE
     ---------                                       -----                                ----

<S>                                          <C>                                     <C>
                                             Director, Chairman of the
                                             Board of Directors and
 /s/ Richard J. Grossi                       Chief Executive Officer                 March 13, 1997
- ---------------------------------
   (Richard J. Grossi)
 (Principal Executive Officer)

                                             Director, President and
 /s/ Robert L. Fiscus                        Chief Financial Officer                 March 13, 1997
- ---------------------------------
    (Robert L. Fiscus)
   (Principal Financial and
      Accounting Officer)


                                             Director                                March , 1997
- ---------------------------------
    (John F. Croweak)


 /s/ F. Patrick McFadden, Jr.                Director                                March 13, 1997
- ---------------------------------
    (F. Patrick McFadden, Jr.)


 /s/ J. Hugh Devlin                          Director                                March 13, 1997
- ---------------------------------
    (J. Hugh Devlin)


 /s/ Betsy Henley-Cohn                       Director                                March 13, 1997
- ---------------------------------
    (Betsy Henley-Cohn)


 /s/Frank R. O'Keefe, Jr.                    Director                                March 13, 1997
- ---------------------------------
    (Frank R. O'Keefe, Jr.)


 /s/ James A. Thomas                         Director                                March 13, 1997
- ---------------------------------
    (James A. Thomas)


 /s/ David E.A. Carson                       Director                                March 13, 1997
- ---------------------------------
    (David E.A. Carson)


 /s/ John L. Lahey                           Director                                March 13, 1997
- ---------------------------------
    (John L. Lahey)


 /s/ Marc C. Breslawsky                      Director                                March 13, 1997
- ---------------------------------
    (Marc C. Breslawsky)


 /s/ Thelma R. Albright                      Director                                March 13, 1997
- ---------------------------------
    (Thelma R. Albright)
</TABLE>




                                     - 87 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                                                                                               SCHEDULE II
                                                                                               VALUATION AND
                                                                                               QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                                               THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY
                                       SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                                    FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                                                   (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

<CAPTION>
              COL. A                           COL. B                     COL. C                  COL. D            COL. E
              ------                           ------                     ------                  ------            ------
                                                                           ADDITIONS
                                                             -------------------------------
                                             BALANCE AT       CHARGED TO         CHARGED                          BALANCE AT
                                              BEGINNING       COSTS AND         TO OTHER                            END OF
          CLASSIFICATION                      OF PERIOD        EXPENSES         ACCOUNTS        DEDUCTIONS          PERIOD
          --------------                     ----------       ----------        --------        ----------        ----------

<S>                            <C>                 <C>             <C>              <C>              <C>               <C>
RESERVE DEDUCTION FROM
  ASSET TO WHICH IT APPLIES:
    Reserve for uncollectible
      accounts:
                               1996                $6,300          $9,854           -                $13,854 (A)       $2,300
                               1995                $4,900          $9,383           -                 $7,983 (A)       $6,300
                               1994                $4,700          $9,976           -                 $9,776 (A)       $4,900
</TABLE>



- ------------------------------------

NOTE:
   (A) Accounts written off, less recoveries.


                                             S-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>



                                                   EXHIBIT INDEX



(a)      Exhibits

<CAPTION>
         EXHIBIT
         TABLE ITEM       EXHIBIT
           NUMBER         NUMBER                            DESCRIPTION                                  PAGE NO.
         ----------       -------                           -----------                                  -------

        <C>                <C>         <C>
            (3)             3.2b       Copy of  Article  II,  Section  2,  of  Bylaws  of The  United
                                        Illuminating  Company,  as amended  March 26, 1990,  amending
                                        Exhibit 3.2a.

            (3)             3.2c       Copy  of  Article  V,  Section  1,  of  Bylaws  of The  United
                                        Illuminating  Company,  as amended  April 22, 1991,  amending
                                        Exhibit 3.2a.

           (10)            10.2c       Copy  of  1987  Supplementary  Power  Contract,  dated  as  of
                                        April 1,  1987,  supplementing  Exhibits 10.2a and 10.2b.

           (10)            10.2d       Copy of 1996  Amendatory  Agreement,  dated as of  December 4,
                                        1996, amending Exhibits 10.2b and 10.2c.

           (10)            10.2e       Copy of First Supplement to 1996 Amendatory  Agreement,  dated
                                        as of February 10, 1997, supplementing Exhibit 10.2d.

           (10)            10.7c       Copy  of   Twenty-third   Amendment  to  Agreement  for  Joint
                                        Ownership,   Construction  and  Operation  of  New  Hampshire
                                        Nuclear  Units,  dated  as  of  November  1,  1990,  amending
                                        Exhibit 10.7a.

           (10)            10.13       Copy of Fossil Fuel Supply  Agreement  between BLC Corporation
                                        and The  United  Illuminating  Company,  dated as of  July 1,
                                        1991.

        (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
                                        December 31, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993 and 1992).

           (21)            21          List of subsidiaries of The United Illuminating Company.

           (27)            27          Financial Data Schedule.

</TABLE>






                                                              EXHIBIT 3.2b



                         Copy of Article II, Section 2 of Bylaws
                            of The United Illuminating Company



         SECTION 2. Special  Meetings.  Special meetings of the shareholders may
be called at any time by the  President,  or in his absence or  disability  by a
Vice President,  and shall be called on the request in writing or by a vote of a
majority of the Board of Directors or upon the written request of the holders of
not less than 35 percent of the voting  power of all shares  entitled to vote at
the  meeting.  Special  meetings of the  shareholders  may be held at such place
within the State of  Connecticut  as is  specified in the notice or call of such
meeting.







                                                             EXHIBIT 3.2c


                         Copy of Article V, Section 1 of Bylaws
                           of The United Illuminating Company



         SECTION  1.  Executive   Officers.   The  executive   officers  of  the
Corporation  shall be a  Chairman  of the  Board of  Directors,  if the Board of
Directors  so  determine,  and a  President,  one or  more  Vice  Presidents,  a
Secretary  and a  Treasurer,  all of whom  shall  be  elected  by the  Board  of
Directors.  The Board of Directors  may also appoint such  additional  officers,
including,  but not limited to, one or more Assistant  Secretaries and Assistant
Treasurers,  as in their judgment may be necessary,  who shall have authority to
perform  such  duties  as may from  time to time be  designated  by the Board of
Directors or by the  President.  Any two of said offices may be held by the same
person,  except that the same person shall not be President and Vice  President,
or President and Secretary.





                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.2c



                            1987 SUPPLEMENTARY POWER CONTRACT


     This 1987 Supplementary  Power Contract,  dated as of the 1st day of April,

1987,  is entered into by and between  Connecticut  Yankee  Atomic Power Company

("Connecticut Yankee") and The United Illuminating Company ("Purchaser").

Basic Understandings
- --------------------

         Connecticut  Yankee and the Purchaser  are parties to a Power  Contract

dated as of July 1, 1964 ("Power Contract").  Pursuant to the Power Contract and

other  similar  contracts   (collectively,   the  "Power   Contracts")   between

Connecticut Yankee and its other purchasers  (collectively,  with the Purchaser,

the  "Purchasers"),  Connecticut  Yankee  supplies to the  Purchasers all of the

capacity and electric energy available from the nuclear generating unit owned by

Connecticut  Yankee at a site adjacent to the  Connecticut  River in the Town of

Haddam, Connecticut (the "Unit"). The Power Contracts have a term of thirty (30)

years following January 1, 1968, the date on which the Unit commenced commercial

operation.


         Connecticut  Yankee and the Purchaser are also parties to an Additional

Power Contract,  dated as of April 30, 1984


                                     
<PAGE>

("Additional  Power Contract").  The Additional Power Contract and other similar

contracts  (collectively,  the "Additional Power Contracts") between Connecticut

Yankee and its other purchasers provide for extension of their respective rights

and obligations  following the December 31, 1997  termination  date of the Power

Contract and continuing during the Unit's service life following January 1, 1998

and termination of all decommissioning obligations related to the Unit.


         Pursuant to the Power Contract and the Additional  Power Contract,  the

Purchaser is entitled and  obligated to take its  entitlement  percentage of the

capacity and net electrical output of the Unit and the Purchaser is obligated to

make payment of a similar portion of the costs and expenses  related to the Unit

during the Unit's service life and decommissioning.


         The Power  Contract  serves as security for  obligations of Connecticut

Yankee  and  cannot  be  changed  without  the  concurrence  of  other  parties.

Therefore,  Connecticut  Yankee  and the  Purchaser  have  been  precluded  from

amending the Power  Contract,  and  Connecticut  Yankee and the  Purchaser  have

entered into the following additional contract arrangements relating to the Unit

(collectively,  with other


                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>

similar  contract   arrangements   between  Connecticut  Yankee  and  the  other

Purchasers, the "Supplementary Power Contracts"):

   Supplementary Power Contract, dated as of March 1, 1978
   ----------------------------

   Agreement Amending Supplementary Power Contract, dated  August 22, 1980
   -----------------------------------------------

   Second Amendment Of The Supplementary Power Contract, dated October 15, 1982
   ----------------------------------------------------

   Second Supplementary Power Contract, dated as of April 30, 1984
   -----------------------------------

         Pursuant to the  Supplementary  Power  Contracts,  the Purchaser  makes

monthly  supplemental  payments to  Connecticut  Yankee,  such payments being in

addition  to  the  payments   made  pursuant  to  the  Power   Contract.   These

supplementary  payments cover elements of Connecticut  Yankee's costs of owning,

operating and maintaining the Unit which are not  appropriately  provided for in

the Power Contracts.  The Supplementary  Power Contracts also contain additional

commitments and obligations relating to ownership,  operation and maintenance of

the Unit.


         NOW THEREFORE,  in order to supersede the Supplementary Power Contracts

and to restate  herein the terms and  conditions  contained  in such  superseded

Supplementary Power Contracts which Connecticut Yankee and the Purchaser wish to


                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>

continue and to make the applicable  provisions of this 1987 Supplementary Power

Contract  effective  during the terms of the Power  Contract and the  Additional

Power Contract,  and in consideration of the  understandings  recited herein and

previously recited in the Supplementary Power Contracts, and in consideration of

the  respective  undertakings  of the parties to this 1987  Supplementary  Power

Contract, Connecticut Yankee and the Purchaser hereby agree as follows:


1.       Undertakings By Connecticut Yankee
         ----------------------------------

         Connecticut  Yankee agrees to continue to operate and maintain the Unit

in accordance with the  requirements of the Power Contract and Additional  Power

Contract and to use its best efforts to meet its future  financing  needs at the

lowest practicable cost.


2.       Supplementary Payment To Payments Under The Power Contract
         ----------------------------------------------------------

         With  respect to each  month,  the  Purchaser  will pay to  Connecticut

Yankee the amount, if any, by which (i) the Purchaser's  entitlement  percentage

of the sum of (a) Connecticut  Yankee's total  operating  expenses for the month

with  respect to the Unit and (b) an amount equal to  one-twelfth  (1/12) of the

composite percentage for such


                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>

month  of the net  Unit  investment,  exceeds  (ii) the  amount  payable  by the

Purchaser  for the month  pursuant to the second  paragraph  of Section 7 of the

Power Contract.


         For the purposes of determining the amount, if any, to be paid pursuant

to this Section 2, the following shall apply:


         Connecticut  Yankee's  "operating  expenses"  shall include all amounts

         properly chargeable to operating expense accounts,  less any applicable

         credits thereto, in accordance with the Uniform System of Accounts (the

         "Uniform   System")   prescribed  by  the  Federal  Energy   Regulatory

         Commission  for  Class A or Class B  Public  Utilities  and  Licensees;

         provided,  that for purposes of this Supplementary Power Contract,  the

         accrual of depreciation shall be computed on the basis of a term ending

         May 26, 2004.


         Included in the Unit's monthly operating expenses until fully recovered

         shall be an amount  equal to  one-thirty  sixth  (1/36) of the interest

         expense accrued from April, 1983 to October,  1986,  inclusive,  on the

         amount due from Connecticut Yankee to the U.S. Department of Energy for


                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>

         disposal  of  prior  spent  nuclear  fuel  and  associated  high  level

         radioactive material.


         Also  included  in the Unit's  operating  expenses  shall be an expense

         accrual for materials and supplies  which are  anticipated to remain at

         the end of the Unit's  operating  life,  with payment of such  accruals

         being determined in accordance with the following formula:

                                     1/M times (Im-Rm) = Em

            where:  "M" equals the total number of months beginning with

                    the billing month and ending on May 26, 2004, inclusive;


                    "Im"  equals the gross book value of  inventory  as shown on

                    Connecticut  Yankee's  books  of  account  at the end of the

                    month prior to the billing month;


                    "Rm" equals the total accumulated  amortization  reserve for

                    materials and supplies at the end of the Unit's useful life,

                    as shown on  Connecticut


                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

                    Yankee's books of account for the month prior to the billing

                    month; and


                    "Em"  equals the  monthly  operating  expense  accrual to be

                    credited to the accumulated reserve for the billing month.


         Also  included  in the Unit's  operating  expenses  shall be an expense

         accrual for nuclear fuel which is anticipated to operating  life,  with

         payment  of such  accruals  being  determined  in  accordance  with the

         following formula:

                                     1/M times (If-Rf) = Ef

            where:  "M" equals the total number of months beginning with

                    the billing month and ending on May 26, 2004, inclusive;


                    "If"  equals  the  gross  book  value of the  unburned  fuel

                    remaining in the reactor core at the end of the month during

                    which the Unit most  recently shut down for  refueling.  The

                    value of the  unburned  fuel in the core shall be


                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

                    before  any new  fuel  is  added  to the  core  pursuant  to

                    refueling;


                    "Rf"  equals the  accumulated  amortization  reserve for the

                    unburned final core value, as shown on Connecticut  Yankee's

                    books of account for the month  prior to the billing  month;

                    and


                    "Ef" equals the monthly fuel  amortization  expense  accrual

                    for the billing month.


         If in any month the earnings,  after deducting  associated  costs, from

         investment of the segregated fund created pursuant to Section 8 of this

         1987  Supplementary  Power Contract for disposal of prior spent nuclear

         fuel and  associated  high  level  radioactive  material  exceed or are

         insufficient to meet Connecticut  Yankee's interest  obligations to the

         U.S.  Department  of Energy in regard to such disposal  costs,  then an

         appropriate  adjustment will be made to the Unit's  operating  expenses

         for the month to reflect the net amount of such excess or deficiency.



                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>

         "Net  Unit  investment"  shall be  determined  in  accordance  with the

         provisions of Section 7 of the Power Contract, except that for purposes

         of this 1987  Supplementary  Power  Contract,  (i) net Unit  investment

         shall include  construction work in progress only to the extent allowed

         by the Federal Energy  Regulatory  Commission,  (ii) in determining net

         Unit investment,  the accumulated  provision for depreciation shall not

         include  any  amounts   specifically  allowed  by  the  Federal  Energy

         Regulatory  Commission to be excluded,  (iii) net Unit investment shall

         include the amount of Connecticut Yankee's obligation for the principal

         balance and accrued  interest due to the U.S.  Department  of Energy in

         regard to disposal  of prior spent  nuclear  fuel and  associated  high

         level radioactive  material,  as shown on Connecticut Yankee's books of

         account, to the extent that such amount has not been funded pursuant to

         Section  8 of this 1987  Supplementary  Power  Contract,  (iv) net Unit

         investment shall include, in addition to all other amounts which may be

         includable therein under said Section 7, but without  duplication,  the

         aggregate amount


                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>

          properly  chargeable at the time in accordance with the Uniform System

          to Connecticut Yankee's nuclear fuel accounts (other than nuclear fuel

          in process), less the balance at the time of the accumulated provision

          for  amortization  of the cost of nuclear fuel  (excluding any amounts

          specifically  permitted by the Federal Energy Regulatory  Commission),

          and (v) net  Unit  investment  shall be  reduced  by the  reserve  for

          materials and supplies and unburned  nuclear fuel remaining at the end

          of the Unit's useful life,  all as  determined in accordance  with the

          Uniform System.


         "Composite  percentage"  shall be  computed  as of the last day of each

         month  ("the  computation  date"),  and for  any  month  the  composite

         percentage  shall be that  computed as of the last day of the  previous

         month. "Composite percentage" as of a computation date shall be the sum

         of (i) fifteen  percent (15%)  multiplied by the ratio which the equity

         investment  with respect to the Unit,  as of such date, is to the total

         capital as of such date;  plus (ii) the  "effective  interest rate" per

         annum of each 


                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>

          principal  amount of long-term debt outstanding on such date for money

          borrowed with respect to the Unit (including the amount of Connecticut

          Yankee's  obligation  to the U.S.  Department  of  Energy in regard to

          disposal  of prior  spent  nuclear  fuel  and  associated  high  level

          radioactive  material  which  is  included  in net  Unit  investment),

          multiplied  by the  ratio  which  such  principal  amount  is to total

          capital as of such date; plus (iii) the "effective  dividend rate" per

          annum of each series of preferred  stock  outstanding  as of such date

          with respect to the Unit  multiplied  by the ratio which the amount at

          which such  preferred  stock would be reflected on a balance  sheet of

          Connecticut Yankee is to total capital as of such date. The "effective

          interest rate" of each principal  amount of long-term debt referred to

          in clause (ii) will reflect the annual  interest  requirements  and to

          the extent applicable, amortization of issuance expenses and discounts

          and  premiums  and  sinking  fund  call  premiums,  and  expenses  and

          discounts,   refunding  and  retirement  expenses  and  discounts  and

          premiums,  and all  other  expenses  applicable  to


                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>

          the issue of such indebtedness.  The "effective dividend rate" of each

          series of preferred stock referred to in clause (iii) will reflect the

          annual   dividend   requirements,   and  to  the  extent   applicable,

          amortization of issuance expenses and discounts and premiums,  sinking

          fund  call  premiums  and  expenses  and   discounts,   refunding  and

          retirement expenses and discounts and premiums, and all other expenses

          applicable to each such issue of preferred stock.


         "Equity  investment" as of any date shall consist of the sum of (i) all

         amounts  theretofore paid to Connecticut  Yankee for all common capital

         stock theretofore  issued,  plus all amounts paid to Connecticut Yankee

         by any of its common stockholders as capital contributions or advances,

         less the sum of any amounts  paid by  Connecticut  Yankee to its common

         stockholders  in  the  form  of  stock   retirements,   repurchases  or

         redemptions,  return of capital or repayments of such  contributions or

         advances;  plus (ii) any credit balance in the capital  surplus account

         not  included  under (i) and in the  retained  earnings 


                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>

         account on the books of Connecticut Yankee as of such date.


         "Total  capital"  as of any date  shall be the equity  investment  with

         respect  to the  Unit,  plus the  total of the  amount  which  would be

         reflected on a balance  sheet of  Connecticut  Yankee for all long-term

         debt and preferred stock then outstanding with respect to the Unit.


         "Uniform  System" shall mean the Uniform System of Accounts  prescribed

         by  the  Federal  Energy   Regulatory   Commission  (or  any  successor

         governmental  authority)  for Class A and Class B Public  Utilities and

         Licensees, as said system may be amended from time to time.


3.       Decommissioning Payment
         -----------------------

         For each  month the  Purchaser  will pay  Connecticut  Yankee an amount

equal to the  Purchaser's  entitlement  percentage of the Total  Decommissioning

Costs for the month with respect to the Unit.


     (a)  "Total  Decommissioning Costs" for any month shall mean the sum of (x)

          an amount  equal to all  accruals in such month to any 


                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>

          reserve as from time to time  established  by  Connecticut  Yankee and

          approved  by its  board of  directors,  to  provide  for the  ultimate

          payment  of  the  Decommissioning   Expenses  of  the  Unit  plus  (y)

          Decommissioning  Tax  Liability for such month.  It is understood  (i)

          that such funds may be held by Connecticut Yankee or by an independent

          trust  or  other  separate  fund,  as  determined  by  said  board  of

          directors,  (ii) that,  upon  compliance  with  Section 7 hereof,  the

          amount,  custody  and/or timing of such accruals may from time to time

          during the term hereof be modified by said board of  directors  in its

          discretion  or to  comply  with  applicable  statutory  or  regulatory

          requirements or to reflect changes in the amount, custody or timing of

          anticipated  Decommissioning  Expenses,  and (iii) that the use of the

          term  "to  decommission"   herein  encompasses   compliance  with  all

          requirements  (other than those relating to spent nuclear fuel) of the

          Nuclear  Regulatory  Commission  or its 


                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>

          successors  (the "NRC") for  permanent  cessation  of  operation  of a

          nuclear facility and any other activities reasonably related thereto.


     (b)  "Decommissioning Expenses" shall include:


          (1)  All costs and expenses of any NRC-approved method of removing the

               Unit from service,  including  without  limitation,  dismantling,

               mothballing, entombment, removing radioactive material (excluding

               spent nuclear fuel) to temporary and/or permanent  storage sites,

               decontaminating,  restoring  and  supervising  the site,  and any

               costs and expenses incurred in connection with proceedings before

               governmental   authorities   relating  to  any  authorization  to

               decommission the Unit or remove the Unit from service;


          (2)  All costs of labor and services,  whether  directly or indirectly

               incurred,  including  without  limitation,  services  of foremen,


                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>

               inspectors,    supervisors,    surveyors,   engineers,   security

               personnel,  counsel  and  accountants,  performed  or rendered in

               connection with the  decommissioning  of the Unit and the removal

               of the Unit from service,  and all costs of materials,  supplies,

               machinery,  construction equipment and apparatus acquired or used

               (including  rental charges for machinery,  equipment or apparatus

               hired) for or in connection with the  decommissioning of the Unit

               and the removal of the Unit from service,  and all administrative

               costs,  including services of counsel and financial advisers,  of

               any applicable independent trust or other separate fund; it being

               understood  that any amount,  exclusive of proceeds of insurance,

               realized  by  Connecticut  Yankee as  salvage  on any  machinery,

               construction  equipment  and  apparatus,  the cost of  which  was

               charged  to  Decommissioning  Expense,  shall  be 


                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>

               treated as a reduction  of the amounts  otherwise  chargeable  on

               account of the costs of decommissioning of the Unit: and


          (3)  All   overhead   costs   applicable   to  the  Unit   during  its

               decommissioning   period,   including,   without   limiting   the

               generality  of the  foregoing,  taxes  (other than taxes on or in

               respect of income), charges,  licenses,  excises and assessments,

               casualties, surety bond premiums and insurance premiums.


     (c)  "Decommissioning  Tax  Liability"  for any  month  shall be an  amount

          established  by  Connecticut  Yankee  and  approved  by its  board  of

          directors to meet possible income tax obligations,  which amount shall

          not  exceed  the amount to be  included  in the clause (x)  portion of

          Total  Decommissioning  Costs for such month  multiplied by a fraction

          whose numerator is equal to the combined highest applicable  statutory

          Federal and state  marginal  income tax rate


                                     - 17 -
<PAGE>

          and  whose  denominator  is equal to one minus  the  combined  highest

          statutory Federal and state marginal income tax rate.


          Without  limiting the generality of the  foregoing,  any other amounts

          expended or to be paid with  respect to  decommissioning  o(pound) the

          Unit or removal of the Unit from service shall  constitute part of the

          Decommissioning Expenses if they are, or when paid will be, either (i)

          properly  chargeable to any account  related to  decommissioning  of a

          nuclear  generating  unit in  accordance  with the  Uniform  System of

          Accounts  applicable  to  Connecticut  Yankee  or  generally  accepted

          accounting  principles as then in effect, or (ii) properly  chargeable

          to  decommissioning  of a nuclear  generating  unit in accordance with

          then  applicable  regulations  of the  NRC or the  FERC  or any  other

          regulatory agency having jurisdiction.



                                     - 18 -
<PAGE>

4.       Decommissioning Payment Billing
         -------------------------------

         Connecticut  Yankee  will bill the  Purchaser,  as soon as  practicable

after the end of each  month,  for all  amounts  payable by the  Purchaser  with

respect to the particular month pursuant to Section 3 hereof. Such bills will be

rendered  in such  detail as the  Purchaser  may  reasonably  request and may be

rendered on an estimated  basis subject to corrective  adjustments in subsequent

billing periods. All bills shall be due and payable when rendered and any amount

remaining  unpaid 15 days  following  the date of  receipt  of bills  shall bear

interest at an annual rate equal to 2% in excess of the current  prime rate then

in effect at the principal  office in Hartford,  Connecticut of The  Connecticut

Bank and  Trust  Company,  National  Association,  from the due date to the date

payment is received by Connecticut Yankee.


5.       Decommissioning Fund
         --------------------

         Connecticut  Yankee  agrees  to pay to,  or cause  to be paid  to,  the

Connecticut  Yankee  Trust  or any  successor  trust  approved  by the  board of

directors of Connecticut Yankee all funds collected hereunder for the purpose of

decommissioning the Unit or removing the Unit from service.



                                     - 19 -
<PAGE>

6.       Duration of Decommissioning Payments
         ------------------------------------

         The   Purchaser's   obligation  to  make  payment  of  its  entitlement

percentage  of Total  Decommissioning  Costs  shall,  whether or not the Unit is

operated or operable and  notwithstanding any earlier termination of the service

life of the Unit and  cancellation  of the Power  Contract or  Additional  Power

Contract,   remain  in  full  force  and   effect   until  the   completion   of

decommissioning  of the Unit,  it being  recognized  that such  costs  represent

deferred payments in connection with power theretofore  delivered by Connecticut

Yankee; provided, however, that the payment of Total Decommissioning Costs shall

cease upon the taking of the Unit by exercise of the right of eminent  domain or

similar right or power.


7.       Amendment of Decommissioning Payment Provisions
         -----------------------------------------------

         Upon  authorization  by  Connecticut  Yankee's  board of  directors  of

uniform  amendments to all the 1987 Supplementary  Power Contracts  identical to

this 1987 Supplementary Power Contract,  Connecticut Yankee shall have the right

to amend the provisions hereof relating to  decommissioning  payments by serving

an  appropriate  statement of such  amendment  upon the Purchaser and filing the

same with the Federal Energy  Regulatory  Commission  (or such other  



                                     - 20 -
<PAGE>

regulatory  agency as may have  jurisdiction in the premises) in accordance with

the provisions of applicable laws and any rules and regulations thereunder,  and

such amendment shall thereupon become  effective on the date specified  therein,

subject to any suspension order duly issued by such agency. All other amendments

to  this  1987  Supplementary  Power  Contract  shall  be by  mutual  agreement,

evidenced by a written amendment signed by the parties hereto.


     8.   Segregated   Fund  for  Disposal  of  Prior  Spent  Nuclear  Fuel  and
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
          Associated High Level Radioactive Material
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

         Connecticut  Yankee  agrees  to pay to,  or cause  to be paid  into any

segregated  fund approved by the board of directors of Connecticut  Yankee funds

collected  under  this 1987  Supplementary  Power  Contract  for the  purpose of

disposing of prior spent  nuclear  fuel and  associated  high level  radioactive

material.  Funds previously  collected by Connecticut  Yankee from the Purchaser

for the purpose of disposing of prior spent  nuclear  fuel and  associated  high

level  radioactive  material shall also be paid into any such  segregated  fund.

Connecticut Yankee further agrees that any funds collected from the Purchaser to

meet such disposal costs which are not used for that purpose will be refunded to

the Purchaser at the time final  payment of such  disposal  costs is made to the

U.S. Department of Energy.



                                     - 21 -
<PAGE>

9.       Supplementary Payment to Payments Under The Additional Power Contract
         ---------------------------------------------------------------------

         With respect to each month commencing on or after the effective date of

service  under  the  Additional  Power  Contract,  the  Purchaser  will  pay  to

Connecticut  Yankee  the  amount  by  which  (i)  the  Purchaser's   entitlement

percentage of the sum of (a) Connecticut  Yankee's total operating  expenses for

the month with respect to the Unit and (b) an amount equal to one-twelfth (1/12)

of the composite  percentage for such month of the net Unit investment,  exceeds

(ii) the amount  payable by the Purchaser for the month pursuant to Section 7 of

the Additional Power Contract.


         For the purposes of determining the amount, if any, to be paid pursuant

to this  Section  9,  the  definitions  set  forth  in  Section  2 of this  1987

Supplementary Power Contract shall apply.


10.      Supplementary Payments Upon Termination of the Unit's Service Life
         ------------------------------------------------------------------

         In addition to all amounts otherwise payable by the Purchaser  pursuant

to the Power  Contract and  Additional  Power  Contract,  the Purchaser  will be

obligated to pay to Connecticut  Yankee,  whether or not the Unit is operated or


                                     - 22 -
<PAGE>

operable and  notwithstanding any earlier termination of the service life of the

Unit and  cancellation of the Power Contract or Additional  Power Contract,  the

Purchasers  entitlement percentage of expenses associated with disposal of prior

spent nuclear fuel.  Such spent nuclear fuel expenses will be billed and paid in

the same manner as decommissioning payments pursuant to Sections 4 and 6 hereof.


11.      Arbitration
         -----------

         In case any dispute shall arise as to the interpretation or performance

of this 1987  Supplementary  Power  Contract  which  cannot be settled by mutual

agreement, such dispute shall be submitted to arbitration.  The parties shall if

possible  agree  upon a single  arbitrator.  In case of failure to agree upon an

arbitrator  within 15 days after the  delivery by either party to the other of a

written  notice  requesting  arbitration,  either party may request the American

Arbitration  Association  to  appoint  the  arbitrator.  The  arbitrator,  after

opportunity  for each of the parties to be heard,  shall consider and decide the

dispute and notify the parties in writing of his decision.  Such decision  shall

be binding upon the parties,  and the expenses of the arbitration shall be borne

equally by them.



                                     - 23 -
<PAGE>

12.      Regulation
         ----------

         This 1987 Supplementary Power Contract, and all rights, obligations and

performance of the parties  hereunder,  are subject to all applicable  state and

Federal law and to all duly promulgated  orders and other duly authorized action

of any governmental authority having jurisdiction.


13.      Assignment
         ----------

         This 1987 Supplementary  Power Contract shall be binding upon and shall

inure to the benefit of, and may be performed by, the  successors and assigns of

the parties,  except that no  assignment,  pledge or other transfer of this 1987

Supplementary  Power  Contract  by either  party  shall  operate to release  the

assignor,  pledgor  or  transferor  of any of its  obligations  under  this 1987

Supplementary  Power Contract  unless consent to the release is given in writing

by the other party, or, if the other party has theretofore assigned,  pledged or

otherwise transferred its interest in this 1987 Supplementary Power Contract, by

the other party's  assignee,  pledgee or transferee,  or unless such transfer is

incident to a merger or consolidation  with, or transfer of all or substantially

all of the assets of the transferor to, another  Purchaser  which shall, as part

of such  succession,


                                     - 24 -
<PAGE>

assume all the obligations of the transferor under this contract.


14.      Right of Setoff
         ---------------

         The  Purchaser  shall not be entitled  to set off against the  payments

required to be made by it under this 1987  Supplementary  Power Contract (i) any

amounts owed to it by  Connecticut  Yankee or (ii) the amount of any claim by it

against Connecticut Yankee. However, the foregoing shall not affect in any other

way the Purchaser's rights and remedies with respect to any such amounts owed to

it by Connecticut Yankee or any claim by it against Connecticut Yankee.


15.      Interpretation
         --------------

         The  interpretation  and performance of this 1987  Supplementary  Power

Contract  shall be in accordance  with and controlled by the law of the State of

Connecticut.


16.      Addresses
         ---------

         Except as the parties may otherwise agree, any notice, request, bill or

other  communication  from  one  party  to the  other,  relating  to  this  1987

Supplementary Power Contract,  or the rights,  obligations or performance of the

parties 


                                     - 25 -
<PAGE>

hereunder, shall be in writing and shall be effective upon delivery to the other

party. Any such communication  shall be considered as duly delivered when mailed

to the  respective  post office  address of the other party shown  following the

signatures of such other party hereto,  or such other post office address as may

be designated by written notice given as provided in this Section.


17.      Corporate Obligations
         ---------------------

         This  1987  Supplementary  Power  Contract  is the  corporate  act  and

obligation  of  the  parties  hereto,   and  any  claim  hereunder  against  any

stockholder, director or officer of any party, as such, is expressly waived.


18.      Usage of Defined Terms
         ----------------------

         Except where otherwise  specifically provided herein, the usage in this

1987  Supplementary  Power  Contract  of terms  which are  defined  in the Power

Contract and Additional  Power Contract shall be deemed to be in accordance with

the definitions thereof in the Power Contract.


19.      Counterparts
         ------------

         This 1987 Supplementary Power Contract may be executed in any number of

counterparts and each executed  counterpart shall have the same force and effect

as an original 


                                     - 26 -
<PAGE>

instrument and as if all the parties to all of the  counterparts  had signed the

same instrument.  Any signature page of this 1987  Supplementary  Power Contract

may be detached from any counterpart  without  impairing the legal effect of any

signatures  thereon,  and may be  attached to another  counterpart  of this 1987

Supplementary  Power Contract identical in form hereto but having attached to it

one or more signature pages.


20.      Effectiveness
         -------------

         This 1987  Supplementary  Power Contract shall become  effective  sixty

days after the date upon which this 1987 Supplementary Power Contract shall have

been  filed  with the  Federal  Energy  Regulatory  Commission,  subject  to any

suspension  order duly issued by the Federal Energy  Regulatory  Commission.  At

such time as this 1987  Supplementary  Power Contract becomes effective it shall

supersede  and  cancel  the  previous   Supplemental   Power  Contracts  between

Connecticut Yankee and the Purchaser,  except that this 1987 Supplementary Power

Contract  shall  not  affect  the  obligation  to pay any sums of money due with

respect to any prior period under the terms of any such  previous  Supplementary

Power Contracts.



                                     - 27 -
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this 1987  Supplementary

Power Contract by their respective officers duly authorized as of the 1st day of

April, 1987.

                                CONNECTICUT YANKEE ATOMIC POWER COMPANY


                                 By_____________________________________
                                   Its:

                                 Address: P.O. Box 270
                                          Hartford, CT 06101



                                 THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY


                                 By_____________________________________
                                   Its:

                                 Address:  80 Temple Street
                                           New Haven, CT 06506


                                     - 28 -




                                                                EXHIBIT 10.2d


                             1996 AMENDATORY AGREEMENT


         This Agreement,  dated as of the 4th day of December,  1996, is entered

into by and  between  Connecticut  Yankee  Atomic  Power  Company  ("Connecticut

Yankee" or "Seller") and The United Illuminating Company ("Purchaser")

     For  good and  valuable  consideration,  the  receipt  of  which is  hereby

acknowledged, it is agreed as follows:

1.       Basic Understandings

         Connecticut  Yankee was  organized in 1962 to provide for the supply of

power to its sponsoring utility companies, including the Purchaser (collectively

the "Purchasers").  It constructed a nuclear electric  generating unit, having a

net capability of approximately 582 megawatts electric (the "Unit") at a site in

Haddam Neck,  Connecticut.  Connecticut  Yankee was issued a fullterm,  Facility

Operating  License for the Unit by the  Nuclear  Regulatory  Commission  (which,

together  with any successor  agencies,  is hereafter  called the "NRC"),  which

license  is now  stated  to  expire  on June  29,  2007.  The  Unit  has been in

commercial operation since January 1, 1968.

         The Unit was  conceived to supply  economic  power on a cost of service

formula  basis to the  Purchasers.  Connecticut 


 
<PAGE>

Yankee and the  Purchaser  are parties to a Power  Contract  dated as of July 1,

l964  ("Initial  Power  Contract").  Pursuant to the Initial Power  Contract and

other similar contracts  (collectively,  the "Initial Power Contracts")  between

Connecticut  Yankee and the other Purchasers,  Connecticut  Yankee contracted to

supply to the Purchasers all of the capacity and electric energy  available from

the Unit for a term of thirty (30) years following January 1, 1968.

         Connecticut  Yankee and the Purchaser are also parties to an Additional

Power Contract,  dated as of April 30, 1984 ("Additional  Power Contract").  The

Additional  Power  Contract  and  other  similar  contracts  (collectively,  the

"Additional  Power  Contracts")   between   Connecticut  Yankee  and  the  other

Purchasers  provide for an operative  term stated to commence on January 1, 1998

(when the Initial Power  Contracts  terminate)  and extending  until a date (the

"End of Term  Date")  which is 30 days  after the later of the date on which the

last of the financial obligations of Connecticut Yankee has been extinguished or

the date on which  Connecticut  Yankee is finally  relieved  of any  obligations

under the last of the licenses  (operating  or  possessory)  which it holds,  or

hereafter receives,  from the NRC with respect to the Unit. The Additional Power

Contracts  also  provide,  in the event of


                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>

their  earlier  cancellation,  for  the  survival  of the  decommissioning  cost

obligation  and for the  applicable  provisions  thereof  to remain in effect to

permit final billings of costs incurred prior to such cancellation.

         Pursuant to the Power Contract and the Additional  Power Contract,  the

Purchaser is entitled and  obligated to take its  entitlement  percentage of the

capacity  and net  electrical  output of the Unit during the service life of the

Unit and is obligated  to pay therefor  monthly its  entitlement  percentage  of

Connecticut Yankee's cost of service,  including  decommissioning costs, whether

or not the Unit is operated.

         Connecticut  Yankee  and  the  Purchaser  are  also  parties  to a 1987

Supplementary  Power  Contract,  dated as of April 1, 1987 ("1987  Supplementary

Power  Contract").  The 1987  Supplementary  Power  Contract  and other  similar

contracts  (collectively,  the "1987  Supplementary  Power  Contracts")  between

Connecticut  Yankee  and the other  Purchasers  restate  and  supersede  earlier

Supplementary  Power  Contracts  and  Agreements  Amending  Supplementary  Power

Contracts between  Connecticut  Yankee and the Purchasers.  Pursuant to the 1987

Supplementary Power Contracts, the Purchasers make monthly certain supplementary

payments to Connecticut  Yankee during


                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>

the terms of the Initial Power Contracts and Additional Power Contracts.

         On December 4, 1996,  the board of  directors  of  Connecticut  Yankee,

after  conducting a thorough  review of the economics of continued  operation of

the Unit for the remainder of the term of the Facility Operating License for the

Unit in light of other  alternatives  available  to  Connecticut  Yankee and the

Purchasers,  determined that the Unit should be permanently  shut down effective

December 4, 1996. The Purchaser concurs in that decision.

         As a consequence of the shutdown  decision,  Connecticut Yankee and the

Purchaser  propose at this time to amend the 1987  Supplementary  Power Contract

and the Additional  Power  Contract in various  respects in order to clarify and

confirm  provisions  for the  recovery  under said  contracts  of the full costs

previously  incurred  by  Connecticut  Yankee in  providing  power from the Unit

during its useful life and of all costs of decommissioning  the Unit,  including

the costs of maintaining the Unit in a safe condition following the shutdown and

prior to its decontamination and dismantlement.

     Connecticut  Yankee  and each of the other  Purchasers  are  entering  into

agreements which are identical to this Agreement except for necessary changes in

the names of the parties.



                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>

2.       Parties' Contractual Commitments

         Connecticut Yankee reconfirms its existing  contractual  obligations to

protect the Unit, to maintain in effect certain insurance and to prepare for and

implement the decommissioning of the Unit in accordance with applicable laws and

regulations.  Consistent  with public safety,  Connecticut  Yankee shall use its

best efforts to  accomplish  the shutdown of the Unit,  the  protection  and any

necessary  maintenance of the Unit after shutdown and the decommissioning of the

Unit in a  cost-effective  manner and shall use its best  efforts to ensure that

any required  storage and disposal of the nuclear fuel  remaining in the reactor

at shutdown and all spent nuclear fuel or other radioactive  materials resulting

from operating of the Unit are  accomplished  consistent  with public health and

safety  considerations  and  at  the  lowest  practicable  cost.  The  Purchaser

reconfirms its obligations  under its Initial Power Contract,  Additional  Power

Contract and 1987 Supplementary Power Contract to pay its entitlement percentage

of  Connecticut  Yankee's  costs as  deferred  payment  in  connection  with the

capacity  and  net  electrical  output  of  the  Unit  previously  delivered  by

Connecticut  Yankee and agrees that the decision to shut down the Unit described

in Section 1 hereof does not give rise to any cancellation right under


                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>

Section 9 of the Initial Power  Contract or Section 10 of the  Additional  Power

Contract.

     Except as  expressly  modified by this  Agreement,  the  provisions  of the

Additional  Power Contract and the 1987  Supplementary  Power Contract remain in

full force and effect,  recognizing that the mutually  accepted decision to shut

down the Unit renders moot those  provisions  which by their terms relate solely

to continuing operation of the Unit.

3.   Amendment  of Payment  Provisions  of  Additional  Power  Contract and 1987
     Supplementary Power Contract

     A. Section 2 of the Additional Power Contract is hereby amended by deleting

the first two paragraphs thereof and by inserting in lieu thereof the following:

                  This  contract  shall  become  effective  upon  receipt by the
         Purchaser of notice that Connecticut Yankee has entered into Additional
         Power Contracts,  as contemplated by Section 1 above,  with each of the
         other Purchasers. The operative term of this contract shall commence on
         such date as may be authorized  by the FERC and shall  terminate on the
         date  (the  "End of Term  Date")  which is the later to occur of (i) 30
         days after the date on which the last of the financial  obligations  of
         Connecticut Yankee which constitute  elements of the payment calculated
         pursuant  to  Section  7 of this  contract  has  been  extinguished  by
         Connecticut Yankee, or (ii) 30 days after the date on which Connecticut
         Yankee is finally  relieved  of all  obligations  under the last of any
         licenses  (operating  and/or  possessory)  which it now holds from,  or
         which may  hereafter  be issued to it by,  the NRC with  respect to the
         Unit under  applicable  provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as
         amended from time to time (the "Act").



                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

         B. The second  paragraph of Section 4 of the Additional  Power Contract

is amended  by  deleting  the  phrase  "Second  Supplementary  Power  Contracts"

wherever it appears and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase "1987 Supplementary

Power Contracts".

     C. The first  paragraph of Section 7 of the  Additional  Power  Contract is

amended to read as follows:

                  With  respect  to  each  month  commencing  on  or  after  the
         commencement  of the operative  term of this  contract,  whether or not
         this  contract  continues  fully or partially in effect,  the Purchaser
         will pay  Connecticut  Yankee as deferred  payment for the capacity and
         output of the Unit  provided to the  Purchaser  by  Connecticut  Yankee
         prior to the permanent shutdown of the Unit on December 4, 1996, to the
         extent not otherwise paid in accordance  with the Power  Contract,  but
         without duplication:

     D. The eighth  paragraph of Section 7 of the  Additional  Power Contract is

amended by changing the period at the end to a comma and inserting:

         , but including for purposes of this contract:

         (i)      with  respect  to  each  month  until  the   commencement   of

                  decommissioning  of  the  Unit,  the  Purchaser's  entitlement

                  percentage of all expenses  related to the storage or disposal

                  of  nuclear  fuel  or  other  radioactive  materials,  and all

                  expenses  related to protection  and  maintenance  of the Unit

                  during such period,  including to the extent applicable


                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

                    all  of  the  various  sorts  of  expenses  included  in the

                    definition  of  "Decommissioning  Expenses",  to the  extent

                    incurred  during the  period  prior to the  commencement  of

                    decommissioning;

               (ii) with respect to each month until  expenses  associated  with

                    disposal of pre-April  7, 1983 spent  nuclear fuel have been

                    fully  covered by amounts  which  have been  collected  from

                    Purchasers and paid to a segregated  fund as contemplated by

                    Section 8 of the 1987 Supplementary Power Contract, dated as

                    of  April  1,  1987,  between  Connecticut  Yankee  and  the

                    Purchaser, as amended (the "1987 Contract"), the Purchaser's

                    entitlement  percentage of previously  uncollected  expenses

                    associated  with  disposal of such prior spent nuclear fuel,

                    as  determined  in  accordance  with  Section 10 of the 1987

                    Contract; and

               (iii)with  respect to each month until End of License  Term,  the

                    Purchaser's  entitlement  percentage of monthly amortization

                    of (a) the amount of any unamortized  deferred expenses,  as

                    permitted from time to time by the Federal Energy Regulatory

                    Commission or its successor  agency,  plus (b) the remaining

                    unamortized  amount of  Connecticut


                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>

                    Yankee's investment in plant, nuclear fuel and materials and

                    supplies  and  other  assets.  Such  amortization  shall  be

                    accrued  at  a  rate   sufficient  to  amortize  fully  such

                    unamortized   deferred  expenses  and  Connecticut  Yankee's

                    investments  in  plant,   nuclear  fuel  and  materials  and

                    supplies or other assets over a period extending to June 29,

                    2007, provided,  that if during any calendar month ending on

                    or before  December 31, 2000 either of the following  events

                    shall occur:  (a) Connecticut  Yankee shall become insolvent

                    or (b)  Connecticut  Yankee shall be unable,  from available

                    cash or other  sources,  to meet when due during  such month

                    its obligations to pay principal, interest, premium (if any)

                    or other  fees with  respect to any of its  indebtedness  of

                    money borrowed,  then  Connecticut  Yankee may adjust upward

                    the accrual for  amortization of the unrecovered  investment

                    for such month to an amount  not  exceeding  the  applicable

                    maximum level specified in Appendix A hereto,  provided that

                    concurrently  therewith  the net  Unit  investment  shall be

                    reduced by an amount equal to the amount of such adjustment.


                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>

               As used herein, "End of License Term" means June 29, 2007 or such

               later  date as may be fixed,  by  amendment  to the NRC  Facility

               Operating  License  for the  Unit,  as the end of the term of the

               Facility Operating License.

               E. The definitions in Section 7 of the Additional  Power contract

          and in Section 3 of the 1987  Supplementary  Power  Contract of "Total

          Decommissioning  Costs"  and  "Decommissioning  Expenses"  are  hereby

          amended to read as follows:

               "Total Decommissioning Costs" for any month shall mean the sum of
               (x) an amount equal to all accruals in such month to any reserve,
               as from  time to  time  established  by  Connecticut  Yankee  and
               approved by its board of  directors,  to provide for the ultimate
               payment of the  Decommissioning  Expenses of the Unit,  plus (y),
               during the Decommissioning  Period, the Decommissioning  Expenses
               for the month,  to the extent such  Decommissioning  Expenses are
               not paid with funds from such reserve,  plus (z)  Decommissioning
               Tax  Liability for such month.  It is  understood  (i) that funds
               received pursuant to clause (x) may be held by Connecticut Yankee
               or by an independent  trust or other separate fund, as determined
               by said board of  directors,  (ii)  that,  upon  compliance  with
               applicable regulatory  requirements,  the amount,  custody and/or
               timing of such  accruals  may from time to time  during  the term
               hereof be modified by said board of directors  in its  discretion
               or to comply with applicable statutory or regulatory requirements
               or to  reflect  changes  in the  amount,  custody  or  timing  of
               anticipated  Decommissioning  Expenses, and (iii) that the use of
               the term "to decommission" herein encompasses compliance with all
               requirements of the NRC for permanent cessation of operation of a
               nuclear  facility  and any other  activities  reasonably  related
               thereto,  including  provision  for the interim  storage of spent
               nuclear  fuel.




                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>

               "Decommissioning   Expenses"   shall   include  all  expenses  of
               decommissioning  the Unit, and all expenses relating to ownership
               and protection of the Unit during the Decommissioning Period, and
               shall also include the following:

               (1)  All  costs  and  expenses  of  any  NRC-approved  method  of
                    removing   the  Unit   from   service,   including   without
                    limitation:  dismantling,  mothballing and entombment of the
                    Unit;  removing nuclear fuel and other radioactive  material
                    to temporary and/or permanent  storage sites;  construction,
                    operation,  maintenance  and  dismantling  of a  spent  fuel
                    storage facility; decontaminating, restoring and supervising
                    the site; and any costs and expenses  incurred in connection
                    with proceedings before governmental authorities relating to
                    any  authorization  to  decommission  the Unit or remove the
                    Unit from service;

               (2)  All  costs  of  labor  and  services,  whether  directly  or
                    indirectly incurred, including without limitation,  services
                    of foremen, inspectors,  supervisors,  surveyors, engineers,
                    security  personnel,  counsel and accountants,  performed or
                    rendered in connection with the  decommissioning of the Unit
                    and the removal of the Unit from  service,  and all costs of
                    materials,  supplies, machinery,  construction equipment and
                    apparatus  acquired or used  (including  rental  charges for
                    machinery,   equipment  or   apparatus   hired)  for  or  in
                    connection  with  the  decommissioning  of the  Unit and the
                    removal  of the Unit from  service,  and all  administrative
                    costs,  including services of counsel and financial advisers
                    of any applicable  independent trust or other separate fund;
                    it being  understood that any amount,  exclusive of proceeds
                    of insurance,  realized by Connecticut  Yankee as salvage on
                    any machinery,  construction  equipment and  apparatus,  the
                    cost of which was charged to Decommissioning  Expense, shall
                    be  treated  as  a  reduction   of  the  amounts   otherwise
                    chargeable on account of the costs of decommissioning of the
                    Unit; and


               (3)  All  overhead  costs  applicable  to  the  Unit  during  the
                    Decommissioning  Period,  or  accrued  during  such  period,
                    including  without limiting the


                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>

                    generality of the  foregoing,  taxes (other than taxes on or
                    in respect of income),  charges,  license fees,  excises and
                    assessments, casualties, health care costs, pension benefits
                    and  other  employee  benefits,  surety  bond  premiums  and
                    insurance premiums.


         F. Section 7 of the Additional Power Contract and Section 3 of the 1987

Supplementary Power Contract are each hereby amended by adding the following new

paragraph after the definition of "Decommissioning Tax Liability":


         "Decommissioning  Period"  shall  mean the period  commencing  with the
         notification  by  Connecticut  Yankee to the NRC of a  decision  of the
         board of  directors  of  Connecticut  Yankee to cease  permanently  the
         operation of the Unit for the purpose of producing  electric energy and
         ending  with  the  date  when  Connecticut  Yankee  has  completed  the
         decommissioning  of the  Unit and the  restoration  of the site and has
         been  relieved of all its  obligations  under the last of any  licenses
         issued to it by the NRC.

     G. The first  sentence  of Section 8 of the  Additional  Power  Contract is

hereby amended to read as follows:

                  Connecticut Yankee will bill the Purchaser,  no later than ten
         (10) days after the end of any month,  for all  amounts  payable by the
         Purchaser with respect to such  particular  month pursuant to Section 7
         hereof.

         H. Section 8 of the Additional Power Contract and Section 4 of the 1987

Supplementary   Power  Contract  are  each  amended  to  delete  the  name  "The

Connecticut Bank and Trust Company,  National Association" and substitute "Fleet

National Bank".




                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>

     I. Section 5 of the 1987 Supplementary Power Contract is amended to read as

follows:

                  5. Decommissioning Fund
 
                                   Connecticut  Yankee  agrees  to pay  to,  or
                  cause  to be paid  to,  the  Connecticut  Yankee  Trust or any
                  successor   trust  approved  by  the  board  of  directors  of
                  Connecticut  Yankee all funds collected  pursuant to Section 3
                  under clause (x) of the  definition of "Total  Decommissioning
                  Costs".

     J.  Section  10 of the  Additional  Power  Contract  is  amended to read as

follows:

                10. Cancellation of Contract.
                    ------------------------

                    If either

                    (i) the Unit is damaged to the extent of being completely or
                    substantially completely destroyed, or

                    (ii) the Unit is taken by  exercise  of the right of eminent
                    domain or a similar right or power,

                    then and in any such  case,  the  Purchaser  may  cancel the
                    provisions of this contract,  except that in all cases other
                    than those  described  in clause (ii) above,  the  Purchaser
                    shall be obligated to continue to make the payments of Total
                    Decommissioning  Costs and the other  payments  required  by
                    Section 7 and the provisions of that Section and the related
                    provisions of this  contract  shall remain in full force and
                    effect until the End of Term Date, it being  recognized that
                    the costs which  Purchaser  is  required to pay  pursuant to
                    Section 7 represent  deferred  payments in  connection  with
                    power heretofore  delivered by Connecticut Yankee hereunder.
                    Such cancellation  shall be effected by written notice given
                    by the Purchaser to Connecticut Yankee. In the event of such
                    cancellation,  all  continuing  obligations  of the  parties
                    hereunder as to  subsequently  incurred


                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>

                    costs of  Connecticut  Yankee other than the  obligations of
                    the  Purchaser to continue to make the payments  required by
                    Section  7  shall  cease  forthwith.   Notwithstanding   the
                    foregoing,  the applicable provisions of this contract shall
                    continue  in  effect  after the  cancellation  hereof to the
                    extent  necessary to permit final  billings and  adjustments
                    hereunder with respect to obligations  incurred  through the
                    date of cancellation and the collection thereof. Any dispute
                    as to the Purchaser's right to cancel this contract pursuant
                    to the foregoing provisions shall be referred to arbitration
                    in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.

                         Notwithstanding  anything  in this  contract  elsewhere
                    contained,  the  Purchaser  may cancel  this  contract or be
                    relieved of its obligations to make payments  hereunder only
                    as provided in the next preceding  paragraph of this Section
                    10.  Further,  if for reasons  beyond  Connecticut  Yankee's
                    reasonable control,  deliveries are not made as contemplated
                    by this contract, Connecticut Yankee shall have no liability
                    to the Purchaser on account of such nondelivery.

     K. Section 2 of the 1987 Supplementary Power Agreement is amended to change

the date in the  definitions of "operating  expenses" and "M" from May 26, 2004"

to "June 29, 2007".

5.       Effective Date

         This Agreement shall become  effective upon receipt by the Purchaser of

notice that Connecticut Yankee has entered into 1996 Amendatory  Agreements,  as

contemplated by Section 1 hereof, with each of the other Purchasers.



                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>

6.       Interpretation


     The interpretation and performance of this Agreement shall be in accordance

with and controlled by the laws of the State of Connecticut.

7.       Addresses

         Except as the parties may otherwise agree, any notice, request, bill or

other  communication from one party to the other relating to this Agreement,  or

the rights,  obligations or performance  of the parties  hereunder,  shall be in

writing  and shall be  effective  upon  delivery  to the other  party.  Any such

communication  shall  be  considered  as  duly  delivered  when  mailed  to  the

respective post office address of the other party shown following the signatures

of such  other  party  hereto,  or such  other  post  office  address  as may be

designated by written notice given in the manner as provided in this Section.

8.       Corporate Obligations

         This  Agreement  is the  corporate  act and  obligation  of the parties

hereto.

9.       Counterparts

         This Agreement may be executed in any number of  counterparts  and each

executed  counterpart  shall  have the same  force  and  effect  as an  original

instrument and as if all the parties to all of the  counterparts  had signed the


                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>

same  instrument.  Any signature page of this Agreement may be detached from any

counterpart  without impairing the legal effect of any signatures  thereon,  and

may be attached  to another  counterpart  of this  Agreement  identical  in form

hereto  but  having  attached  to it one or more  signature  pages.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendatory Agreement by their

respective duly authorized officers as of the day and year first named above.

                                    CONNECTICUT YANKEE ATOMIC POWER COMPANY

                                    By      /s/ John B. Keane
                                      --------------------------------------
                                      Its Vice President and Treasurer
                                      Address:  107 Selden Street
                                                Berlin, CT 06037

                                    THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                                    By       /s/ James F. Crowe
                                      --------------------------------------
                                      Its Group Vice President
                                      Address: 157 Church Street
                                               New Haven, CT 06506



                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>
                                                                Appendix A to
                                                    1996 Amendatory Agreement


                                  Maximum Amortization Schedule


If the event occurs during the
twelve months ending:                           Maximum Amortization Accrual:

         December 31, 1997                             $100,000,000.00
         December 31, 1998                             $ 80,000,000.00
         December 31, 1999                             $ 40,000,000.00
         December 31, 2000                             $ 20,000,000.00



                                     - 17 -







                                                              EXHIBIT 10.2e


                                        FIRST SUPPLEMENT
                                               TO
                                    1996 AMENDATORY AGREEMENT


         This First  Supplement,  dated as of February 10, 1997, amends the 1996

Amendatory Agreement, dated as of December 4, 1996, between these parties and is

entered into by Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company  ("Connecticut  Yankee")

and The United Illuminating Company ("Purchaser").

         WHEREAS,  terms  defined  in said 1996  Amendatory  Agreement  are used

herein with the meanings there provided; and

         WHEREAS,  Connecticut  Yankee and each of its  Purchasers  entered into

agreements  substantially  identical to said 1996 Amendatory Agreement to effect

certain  clarifications in  theircontractual  relationships  necessitated by the

decision to permanently shut down Connecticut Yankee's generating unit; and

         WHEREAS,  Connecticut Yankee has detected an unintended omission in one

section of said 1996 Amendatory  Agreement which renders the section meaningless

and should be corrected and, concurrently  herewith, is entering into agreements

with each of its Purchasers substantially identical to this supplement.



  
<PAGE>

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  for good and valuable  consideration,  the receipt of

which is hereby acknowledged, it is agreed as follows:

     1. Clause C of Section 3 of the 1996 Amendatory Agreement is hereby amended

to insert the following after the phrase "but without duplication:"

          (a)  the total Decommissioning Costs for the month with respect to the
               Unit, plus (b) Connecticut  Yankee's total operating expenses for
               the month with  respect to the Unit,  plus (c) an amount equal to
               one-twelfth of the composite percentage for such month of the net
               Unit  investment as most recently  determined in accordance  with
               this Section 7.

        2. This Supplement shall become effective upon receipt by the Purchaser

of notice that Connecticut  Yankee has entered into identical First  Supplements

to the 1996 Amendatory Agreements with each of the other Purchasers.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendatory Agreement

by their respective duly authorized  officers as of the day and year first named

above.
                                   CONNECTICUT YANKEE ATOMIC POWER COMPANY


                                   By
                                     ----------------------------------
                                     Its

                                   Address:  P.O. Box
                                             Hartford, CT  06101


                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>



                                   THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY


                                   By
                                     -----------------------------
                                     Its

                                   Address: 157 Church St.
                                            New Haven, CT 06506



                                     - 3 -





                                                                EXHIBIT 10.7c


                                                                      F(2)

                          TWENTY-THIRD AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT
                     FOR JOINT OWNERSHIP, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION
                             OF NEW HAMPSHIRE NUCLEAR UNITS

         This Twenty-Third Amendment, made as of the first day of November 1990,

to  the  Agreement  For  Joint  Ownership,  Construction  And  Operation  Of New

Hampshire Nuclear Units, dated as of May 1, 1973 ("Joint Ownership  Agreement"),

as heretofore amended, by and among Public Service Company of New Hampshire, The

United  Illuminating  Company,  Canal Electric Company (successor in interest to

New Bedford and Edison Light Company),  The Connecticut Light and Power Company,

EUA Power  Corporation,  Massachusetts  Municipal  Wholesale  Electric  Company,

Montaup  Electric  Company,  New England Power Company,  New Hampshire  Electric

Cooperative,  Inc.,  Taunton  Municipal  Lighting  Plant,  Hudson  Light & Power

Department and Vermont Electric  Generation and Transmission  Cooperative,  Inc.

(collectively, the "Participants").

                           W I T N E S S E T H    T H A T

         WHEREAS, Commercial Operation of Unit No. 1 has commenced; and

         WHEREAS,  at least  eighty  percent of the  Participants  wish to amend

certain  provisions  of the Joint  Ownership



<PAGE>

Agreement in order to provide for funding of the operation of Unit No. 1;

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration of the foregoing and for other good

and valuable  consideration,  the  Participants  executing this Amendment hereby

agree as follows:

     1. Amendments. The Joint Ownership Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
        ----------
     A.  PARAGRAPH  37.3(A) IS AMENDED BY INSERTING  THE FOLLOWING TWO SENTENCES

AFTER THE FIRST SENTENCE:

             "Upon and after  Commercial  Operation  of Unit No. 1, the  Project

Manager shall prepare and present the next six months' budget, quarter-annually.

The budget will be prepared on a cash basis unless the  Executive  Committee has

voted to permit  the  Project  Manager  to  prepare  the budget on an accrual or

modified  accrual basis.  In performing its function under this Paragraph  37.3,

the Executive  Committee shall use and be entitled to rely upon, the budget when

approved or deemed approved by the Participants as provided in Paragraph 37.3(c)

below."

     B. PARAGRAPH 37.3(D) OF THE JOINT OWNERSHIP  AGREEMENT IS HEREBY AMENDED IN

ITS ENTIRETY AS FOLLOWS:

        "37.3(d)(i)  Operating Deposit.  After Commercial Operation of Unit No.
                     -----------------
1, the Executive Committee shall determine from time to time the amount ("target

amount")  of


                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>

an  Operating  Deposit  which  shall  be made by each  Participant  pro-rata  in
                                                                    --------
accordance  with its  Ownership  Share.  The initial  target amount shall be one

month's  average  Project Costs as determined  from the approved  budget for the

period July through  December 1990 and funded in  accordance  with the Operating

Deposit  Funding  Schedule  (as defined in  Paragraph  37.3(d)(ii)  below).  The

Operating Deposit shall be held by the Disbursing  Agent,  together with routine

monthly  billing  payments,  made as required in  Paragraph  37.3(e)  below,  to

provide the Project  Manager with working  capital  sufficient  to carry out the

Project  Manager's  obligations  as managing  agent of the Project.  The Project

Manager shall recommend semi-annually (January 1 - June 30 and July 1 - December

31) to the  Executive  Committee  the target amount for the following six months

when the Project  Manager  presents to the  Participants  its "next  six-months'

budget".  Such recommendation shall include details of the basis and calculation

of the target amount for the next six months.  The target amount so  established

by the  Executive  Committee  shall in no event be greater than one and one-half

months',  average Project Costs as projected in the next six-months' budget. The

Operating  Deposit shall be funded consistent with the Operating Deposit Funding

Schedule  by the  Participants  pro-rata  in  accordance  with their  respective
                                --------


                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>

Ownership  Shares on the first  business day of each month as may be  necessary,

from time to time,  to restore the target amount so  established.  The Executive

Committee shall determine the schedule for funding the Operating Deposit,  which

determination  shall be binding upon all  Participants.  Any  Participant  which

fails to fund its pro-rata  share of the Operating  Deposit and to make payments
                  --------
required by  Paragraph  37.3(d)(ii)  below  shall be liable for  interest on the

unpaid amount at the rate provided  elsewhere in this Agreement.  The Disbursing

Agent shall bill each  Participant  for its pro-rata share of the target amount.
                                            --------
Such  billings  shall be  included in the routine  monthly  billing  made by the

Disbursing Agent under Paragraph 37.3(e) hereof. Each Participant's share of the

Operating Deposit shall be held in escrow by the Disbursing Agent as provided in

Paragraph 37.3(h) below.

         (ii) Operating Deposit Funding Schedule. Each Participant shall pay its
              ----------------------------------
pro-rata share of the initial target amount of one month's average Project Costs
- --------
as follows:  48.2405% thereof ("initial  payment") when billed by the Disbursing

Agent as provided in paragraph (d)(i);  and 51.7595% thereof in 18 equal monthly

installments on the first business day of each month, commencing on July 1, 1991

("Operating  Deposit  Funding  Schedule").  Upon  dissolution  of 


                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>

the Seabrook  Preoperational  and  Supplementary  Decommissioning  Trusts,  each

Participant shall promptly pay 51.7595% of its share of the  distributions  made

to it from such  Trusts to be applied  against  installments  of its then unpaid

pro-rata  share of the target  amount in the  inverse  order of when they are to
- --------
become due. The initial payment by each Participant shall constitute the minimum

dollar  amount to be  maintained by each  Participant  in the Operating  Deposit

until the Participant pays its full pro-rata share.  Prior to December 31, 1992,
                                    --------
the target amount shall not exceed one month's average Project Costs as provided

in the then current six-months' budget."

     C. THE FOLLOWING NEW PARAGRAPHS 37.3(E),  37.3(F), 37.3(G) AND 37.3(H), ARE

INSERTED:

         "37.3(e) Routine Monthly  Billing.  Not later than the fifteenth day of
                  ------------------------
each month,  or the first business day thereafter,  the Disbursing  Agent shall,

subject to the provisions of Paragraph 37.3(f) of the Joint Ownership Agreement,

bill ("routine  monthly  billing") each  Participant for its pro-rata  Ownership
                                                             --------
Share of the  estimated  Project Costs for the  subsequent  month under the then

approved  current  six-months'  budget,  as  established  pursuant to Paragraphs

37.3(a), 37.3(b) and 37.3(c) above. Each invoice shall be due and payable on the

first business day of the

                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>

next following  month. Any amount not paid on such date shall bear interest from

said due date until the date of payment at the rate  provided  elsewhere in this

Agreement.  Succeeding routine monthly billings shall set forth a reconciliation

for the previous month between the estimated  Project Costs  previously  billed,

including any interim  payments billed pursuant to Paragraph  37.3(g) below, and

the actual Project Costs  incurred.  Such billings also shall set forth a credit

or debit to the then  current  routine  monthly  billed  amount to reflect  such

reconciliation and interest due for late payment or other  adjustments,  such as

vendor credits and interest.  The routine monthly  billings shall show as debits

or credits the amounts  necessary to restore the Operating Deposit to the target

amount  as set from  time to time  and  such  amounts  shall  be  funded  by the

Participants  as  provided  in  Paragraph  37.3(d)(i)  and  (ii)  above.  Unless

otherwise directed by the Executive Committee or provided by other provisions of

this  Agreement,  any net interest  paid by any  Participant  with respect to an

overdue  payment for any month's bill shall be credited by the Disbursing  Agent

pro-rata  determined by Ownership Share to those  Participants which made timely

payment of their bills for each such month."



                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

         "37.3(f)   Special   Provisions   Re  Payment  of  Project   Costs  and
                    ------------------------------------------------------------
Determination  of Target Amount.  Notwithstanding  the other  provisions of this
- -------------------------------
Paragraph 37, the following  additional  provisions shall apply and control with

respect to payment of Project Costs and the determination of the target amount:

         (i) The Disbursing Agent shall not include in a routine monthly billing

for Project Costs a bill for funds for a major  expenditure  unless such expense

is to be paid by the  Disbursing  Agent  during the month for which the  routine

monthly billing is made.

         (ii) The Project  Manager,  on a quarterly  basis,  shall report to the

Participants  the difference,  if any, between  estimated  Project Costs to date

under the then current budget and Project Costs actually  incurred to said date,

together with estimated  Project costs for the remainder of the current  budget.

If Project Costs actually incurred and Project Costs estimated for the remainder

of the then  current  budget  exceed 110% or are less than 90% of the  estimated

Project  Costs in said  budget,  the  Project  Manager  shall  recommend  to the

Executive Committee that a change be made to the estimated Project Costs for the

remainder of the budget which change,  if approved in accordance  with


                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

Paragraph  37.3(c),  shall then be reflected by  modification  of future routine

monthly billings by the Disbursing Agent.

         (iii) The  Project  Manager  shall  monitor  and inform  the  Executive

Committee  promptly of the ledger  book  balance of the Project as of the end of

each month. If such ledger book balance is anticipated,  or continues, to exceed

or be less than the target  amount by plus or minus  10%,  the  Project  Manager

shall  recommend  to the  Executive  Committee  whether  and in  what  amount  a

reduction or increase  should be made in the funding for future Project Costs so

that the closing ledger book balance and the target amount will be substantially

the same."

         "37.3(g)  Interim  Billing:  Subject  to  the  prior  approval  of  the
                   ----------------
Executive  Committee,  the  Disbursing  Agent may, from time to time,  obtain an

interim  payment  from each  Participant  by means of an Interim  Billing to all

Participants,  for payment of unanticipated expenditures,  which, in the absence

of such interim  payment,  would result in the reduction at the end of the month

of the sum of (i) the  balance of the  Operating  Deposit and (ii) the amount of

funds then remaining from the routine monthly  billings to the minimum  required

amount of  $5,300,000,  or less.  To the extent that any Interim  Billing  would

result in the  estimated  Project  Costs  exceeding the then current six


                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>

months' budget,  such Interim  Billing shall require  approval,  in advance,  as

provided in paragraph  37.3(c)(i) and (ii) above.  Upon receipt of the aforesaid

required  approvals,   the  Disbursing  Agent  shall  without  delay  bill  each

Participant for its pro-rata  Ownership Share of the Interim Billing which shall
                    --------
be the amount  necessary to restore said minimum required balance to $5,300,000.

Each Interim  Billing shall be due and payable ten business days after  issuance

by the Disbursing Agent and any amount not paid by such date shall bear interest

from said due date until the date of payment at the rate  provided  elsewhere in

this  Agreement.  Each Interim Billing shall be accompanied by a letter from the

Project Manager  confirming the amount requested and the reason for the request.

The Project Manager shall use its best efforts at all times to manage cash so as

to avoid the need for interim billings."

         "37.3(h)  Escrowed  Funds.  All funds held by, or under the control of,
                   ---------------
the Disbursing Agent at any time, including without limitation, credits received

from  contractors,  suppliers and others and all gains and interest derived from

investments or otherwise, shall at no time be property of the Participants or of

the  Disbursing  Agent but shall be received,  held and invested at all times in

escrow and escrow  accounts  solely for the benefit of creditors of the


                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>

Project,  to be disbursed  solely to pay each  Participant's  Ownership Share of

Project Costs."

     D.  PARAGRAPH  29.1  (AMENDMENT)  IS AMENDED  BY  INSERTING  THE  FOLLOWING

SENTENCE AT THE END OF THE FIRST PARAGRAPH THEREOF:

         "Prior to December 31, 1992,  the provisions of Paragraph 37 pertaining

to the initial target amount of the Operating  Deposit and the Operating Deposit

Funding Schedule shall not be subject to any amendment,  in whole or in part, or

to any alteration by action of the Executive  Committee or Participants,  except

upon the written consent of  Participants  who own in the aggregate at least 95%

of the Ownership Shares of the Project."

     2. Counterparts.  Any number of counterparts of this Twenty-Third Amendment
        ------------
may be  executed,  and each shall have the same force and effect as an  original

and as if all parties to all of the counterparts had signed the same instrument.

     3.  Limitation  of  Amendments.  Except  as  specifically  amended  by this
         --------------------------
Twenty-Third  Amendment,  the Joint  Ownership  Agreement shall continue in full

force and effect without amendment or alteration.

     4. Effectiveness.  This Twenty-Third  Amendment shall become effective when
        -------------
duly executed and delivered by 


                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>

Participants  having Ownership Shares aggregating at least eighty percent (80%),

at which time it shall become binding on all Participants.

                  IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,   the  Participants   have  caused  this

Twenty-Third  Amendment to be duly executed by an authorized  officer, as of the

date first written above.


                                   CANAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

                                   By
                                   Title:



                                   THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY

                                   By
                                   Title:



                                   EUA POWER CORPORATION

                                   By
                                   Title:



                                   HUDSON LIGHT & POWER DEPARTMENT

                                   By
                                   Title:



                                   MASSACHUSETTS MUNICIPAL
                                   WHOLESALE ELECTRIC COMPANY

                                   By
                                   Title:



                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>

                                   MONTAUP ELECTRIC COMPANY

                                   By
                                   Title:




                                   NEW ENGLAND POWER COMPANY

                                   By
                                   Title:



                                   NEW HAMPSHIRE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

                                   By
                                   Title:



                                   PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE,
                                   DEBTOR AND DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION

                                   By
                                   Title:



                                   TAUNTON MUNICIPAL LIGHTING PLANT

                                   By
                                   Title:



                                   THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                                   By
                                   Title:


                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>

                                    VERMONT ELECTRIC GENERATION
                                    AND TRANSMISSION COOPERATIVE, INC.

                                    By
                                    Title:



                                     - 13 -






                                                               EXHIBIT 10.13



                                                                  7/18/91

================================================================================


                             FOSSIL FUEL SUPPLY AGREEMENT

                               Dated as of July 1, 1991

                                        Between

                                   BLC Corporation,

                                      as Supplier

                                          and

                            The United Illuminated Company,

                                        as User

================================================================================


<PAGE>


                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                  -----------------

                             (Fossil Fuel Supply Agreement)

Section                                                                    Page
- -------                                                                    ----

1.       Definitions                                                          1

2.       Agreement to Sell and Purchase Fuel Supply                           4

3.       Term of this Agreement                                               4

4.       Sale of Fuel Supply in Connecticut
         and Other States; Supplier's Right to Utilize Fuel                   5

5.       Maximum Inventory Balance                                            6

6.       Assignment of Fuel Contracts and Operation Thereunder                7

7.       Fuel Supply Charges                                                  8

8.       Storage of Fuel Supply; Mixed Fuel; Required Records and Reports     9

9.       No Warranties, Representations, or Liabilities by Supplier          11

10.      Encumbrances; Insurance; Compliance with Laws                       12

11.      Indemnity                                                           14

12.      Loss or Destruction of Fuel Supply                                  16

13.      Breach of Agreement by User                                         16

14.      Breach of Agreement by Supplier                                     18

15.      Termination                                                         19

16.      Termination Due to Law or Regulatory Acts                           20

17.      Sale or Assignment                                                  21

18.      Certificates; Information; Other Actions                            22

19.      Intention of the Parties                                            22

20.      Obligation of User to Pay Fuel Supply Charges                       22


                                       i


<PAGE>


                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                  -----------------

                                     (Continued)


Section                                                                    Page
- -------                                                                    ----

21.      Closing Costs                                                       23

22.      Fuel Supply To Be and Remain Personal Property                      23

23.      Miscellaneous                                                       23

         -      Signature Lines                                              24

         -      Exhibit A - Inventory Record

         -      Exhibit B - Form of Assignment and Consent of Fuel Vendor

         -      Exhibit C - Form of Storage Area License Agreement

         -      Exhibit D - Form of Corporate Certificate



                                        ii


<PAGE>


                                 FOSSIL FUEL SUPPLY AGREEMENT

         Fossil Fuel Supply Agreement (hereinafter called "Agreement"), dated as
of  July  1,  1991,  by  and  between  BLC  Corporation,   (hereinafter   called
"Supplier"), and The United Illuminating Company, (hereinafter called "User").

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration  of the mutual  covenants  contained
herein, the parties covenant and agree as follows:

         1.       Definitions.  As herein used:
                  -----------

         (a) "Acquisition  Cost" means, with respect to the Fuel Supply, the sum
in U.S.  dollars of (i) the invoice  price  thereof paid by  Supplier,  (ii) any
costs of transportation,  delivery,  storage, handling and insurance of the Fuel
Supply not included in the invoice price thereof and paid by Supplier including,
without limitation,  demurrage, tug and pilot costs and agents fees for handling
spot purchases and transportation, (iii) any sales, excise, or other taxes (real
or personal),  other than Income  Taxes,  paid by Supplier and, if reimbursed by
Supplier  to  User,  by  User  with  respect  to the  acquisition,  storage  and
consumption of the Fuel Supply, (iv) all other costs relating to the Fuel Supply
paid by Supplier  pursuant to this  Agreement and (v) such other costs as may be
agreed in writing by Supplier and User, less (vii) any amount actually  received
by Supplier  with respect to the Fuel Supply by reason of any refunds,  credits,
or similar payments.

         (b)  "Applicable  Laws" means all  applicable  federal,  state or local
laws, rules,  regulations,  regulatory policies and guidelines and all licenses,
permits, judgements,  decrees, writs, orders or like actions of any authority or
agency of any federal, state or local government.

         (c) "Available  Funds" means funds which are  immediately  available in
New York, New York to Supplier for its use.

         (d) "Business Day" means any day excluding  Saturday,  Sunday,  and any
day which  shall be in New  Haven,  Connecticut  or New  York,  New York a legal
holiday or a day on which banking institutions in New Haven,  Connecticut or New
York, New York are authorized by law to be closed.

         (e)  "Delayed  Payment  Fee"  shall  have  the  meaning   specified  in
Subsection 7(B) hereof.

         (f) "Dollar per Barrel  Charge"  means the value of oil,  expressed  in
U.S.  dollars  per each U.S.  barrel of 42 U.S.  Standard  gallons  of 231 cubic
inches  measured at 60 degrees  Fahrenheit in  accordance  with table 6B of ASTM
designation D-1250, payable by User for each barrel of petroleum product sold to
it by Supplier and calculated as provided in Section 7(A).

         (g) "Dollar per MMBTU Charge" means the value of natural gas, expressed
in U.S. dollars per Million British Thermal Units (MMBTU's) higher heating value
determined  in  accordance  with  criteria  set  forth  at  Page  158 of the AGA
Measurement Manual (c. 1963), as measured by the gas chromatograph meters at the
gas meter  station  operated  by Southern  Connecticut  Gas Company at New Haven
Harbor Station,  payable by User for volumes of natural gas sold by Supplier and
calculated as provided in Section 7(A).


                                        1


<PAGE>


         (h) "Dollar per MCF Charge"  means the value of natural gas,  expressed
in U.S.  dollars per  Thousand  Cubic Feet  (MCF's,) of gas, a cubic foot of gas
expressed as the volume of gas which occupies one cubic foot when such gas is at
a  temperature  of 60  degrees  Fahrenheit  and at a  pressure  of  thirty-three
hundredth (.33) pounds per square inch above an assumed atmospheric  pressure of
fourteen  and  four  tenths  (14.4)   pounds  per  square  inch   (fourteen  and
seventy-three  hundredths (14.73) pounds per square inch absolute),  as measured
by the gas  chromatograph  meters at the gas meter station  operated by Southern
Connecticut Gas Company at New Haven Harbor Station, payable by User for volumes
of natural gas sold by Supplier and calculated as provided in Section 7(A).

         (i) "Dollar per Ton Charge" means the value of coal,  expressed in U.S.
dollars per each ton of 2,000 pounds avoir du pois, payable by User for each ton
of coal sold to it by Supplier and calculated as provided in Section 7(A).

         (j) "Fuel  Consumption  Charge"  shall have the  meaning  specified  in
Subsection 7(A)(b) with respect to each such specific type of fuel.

         (k)      "Fuel Supply" means fossil fuel of the types listed below:

                  (i) oil, coal, and natural gas agreed upon by the Supplier and
         the User for  which  Supplier  has made  payment  or as to which it has
         obtained  title for the purpose of making its  commitments  pursuant to
         this  Agreement  as  indicated  by an  Inventory  Record  signed by the
         Supplier and the User.

         The term  "Fuel  Supply"  also  means any part or  portion  of the Fuel
Supply.

         (1) "Fuel Supply  Charges"  means the  periodic  payments to be made by
User to  Supplier  hereunder,  calculated  and  payable as provided in Section 7
hereof,  as the case may be and shall include the Fuel  Consumption  Charges and
the Delayed Payment Fee (if any).

         (m) "Income Taxes" means any tax imposed upon or measured solely by the
income or profits of Supplier determined substantially in the same manner as net
income is  determined as of the date of this  Agreement  under the United States
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

         (n) "Interim Service Charge" for any Fuel Supply in User's Inventory or
Supplier's  Inventory  for any  partial  month  shall be an amount  computed  by
multiplying the following:

               (1) The  Acquisition  Cost of the Fuel Supply acquired during any
          partial month, by

               (2) A  fraction  having a  numerator  equal to the number of days
          remaining  in such  partial  month  (including  the date of payment by
          Supplier to and including the last day of the month) and a denominator
          equal to 360, by

               (3)  The  Percentage  Rental  Factor  as  defined  in  Subsection
          l(r)(3).

         (o)  "Inventory  Record"  means a record  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit A hereto, by which the User requests that the Supplier acquire,  and the
Supplier  agrees  to  acquire  Fuel  Supply  from  the  User,  or from a  vendor
designated by User and records the acquisition by Supplier hereunder of the Fuel
Supply specified in such Inventory Record.


                                    2


<PAGE>


Such  Inventory  Record  shall set forth all of the  information  called  for in
Exhibit A and shall include the Dollar per Barrel paid by Supplier or the Dollar
per MMBTU paid by  Supplier or the Dollar per MCF paid by Supplier or the Dollar
per Ton paid by Supplier, as applicable. The Inventory Record shall be dated the
date the Supplier first makes any payment with respect to the  Acquisition  Cost
of such Fuel Supply and Fuel Supply  Charges for such Fuel Supply shall begin on
such date. The Inventory  Record shall set forth a full  description of the Fuel
Supply specified  therein,  the Acquisition Cost thereof,  the location and such
other  details  with  respect to such Fuel Supply as the parties may agree or as
Seller may deem necessary or advisable. Each Inventory Record shall be signed by
the Supplier and the User and shall contain the following covenants on behalf of
the User:

         "The undersigned User hereby requests the Supplier to acquire,  and the
         undersigned Supplier hereby agrees (subject to the terms and conditions
         set forth in the Fossil Fuel Supply Agreement  hereinafter referred to)
         to acquire, the Fuel Supply described herein to be held by Supplier for
         the  benefit  of  the  undersigned  User  pursuant  to  the  terms  and
         conditions  of the Fossil  Fuel Supply  Agreement,  dated as of July 1,
         1991,  between the parties  hereto (the terms and  conditions  of which
         Fossil Fuel Supply Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference). The
         User hereby confirms its obligation to pay the Fuel Supply Charges with
         respect  to such Fuel  Supply as  provided  in the Fossil  Fuel  Supply
         Agreement."

         (p)  "Inventory  Value"  means  (i)  with  respect  to  the  Supplier's
Inventory at any time an amount equal to the then cumulative  total  Acquisition
Cost of such  Supplier's  Inventory  plus Interim  Service  Charges  accrued and
unpaid and the Monthly  Service  Charges accrued and unpaid with respect to such
Supplier's Inventory,  plus with respect to the User's Inventory at any time, an
amount  equal to the  then  cumulative  total  Acquisition  Cost of such  User's
Inventory  plus  Interim  Service  Charges  accrued  and unpaid and the  Monthly
Service Charges accrued and unpaid with respect to such User's  Inventory,  less
(ii) the then  cumulative  total  payments of Fuel  Consumption  Charges paid to
Supplier  pursuant  to Section 7 and  pursuant  to any other  provision  of this
Agreement  requiring  a  payment  with  respect  to such  Inventory  Value.  The
Inventory Value shall be reduced, as of the close of business on the last day of
each full  month  during the term of this  Agreement,  by the amount of the Fuel
Consumption  Charge to be paid to Supplier on the next payment date with respect
to such Fuel  Supply  but only to the  extent  of the  amount  Fuel  Consumption
Charges which are actually  received by Supplier in respect of such payment date
or, if User has elected to delay the payment as allowed by Section  7(B) hereof,
for the purposes of  calculating  the Monthly  Rental Charge only, the Inventory
Value  shall be reduced as of the close of business on the last day of the month
immediately  preceding the due date of such delayed payment by the amount of the
Fuel  Consumption  Charge due to Supplier on such due date. The quantity of each
type of fuel in  Supplier's  Inventory  and  User's  Inventory  shall be reduced
simultaneously with the corresponding reduction in Inventory Value.

     (q) "Mixed  Fuel"  shall have the  meaning  specified  in  Subsection  8(e)
hereof.

         (r)  "Monthly  Service  Charge" for any Fuel Supply for each full month
shall be an amount computed by multiplying the following:

          (1) The Inventory Value hereunder on the first day of such month, by


                                        3


<PAGE>


          (2) A fraction  having a numerator equal to the number of days in such
     month and a denominator of 360, by

          (3) A percentage (the "Percentage  Rental Factor") equal to the sum of
     1.10%  per  annum  plus the AA  Composite  Index of  30-day  dealer  placed
     commercial paper, as publicly  announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
     York for the first  Business  Day of the current  month and  documented  on
     Federal  Reserve  Statistical  Release H.15  "Selected  Interest  Rates" in
     respect of such  Business  Day. Upon  execution of this  agreement,  Lessor
     shall notify  Lessee in writing of the then  applicable  Percentage  Rental
     Factor under this subsection (3). Thereafter, Lessor shall notify Lessee in
     writing of any change in such Percentage Rental Factor.

         (s)  "Settlement  Amount" means an amount equal to the total of (i) all
Fuel Supply Charges  remaining  unpaid on the Termination  Date,  whether or not
then due, with respect to all of the Fuel Supply in inventory  during the months
prior to the month during which the termination of this Agreement  occurs,  plus
(ii) a Fuel Supply  Charge,  whether or not then due, with respect to all of the
Fuel Supply in inventory  during the month during which the  termination of this
Agreement occurs calculated as if the Termination Date were the last day of such
month,  plus (iii) the Inventory  Value on the  Termination  Date, plus (iv) all
other sums payable by User to Supplier under this  Agreement on the  Termination
Date.

         (t)  "Supplier's  Inventory"  means that portion of the Fuel Supply for
which  Supplier  has made  payment,  but  which has not yet been sold to User by
Supplier pursuant to the terms hereof.

     (u)  "Termination  Date"  shall  have the  meaning  specified  in Section 3
hereof.


     (v)  "Termination  Events"  shall have the meaning  specified in Section 16
hereof.

     (w) "User Mixed Fuel" shall have the meaning  specified in Subsection 15(d)
hereof.

         (x) "User's Inventory" means that portion of the Fuel Supply subject to
this  Agreement for which  Supplier has made  payment,  for which title has been
transferred to User but as to which User has not yet paid, pursuant to the terms
hereof, all Fuel Consumption Charges to Supplier due in respect thereof

         2. Agreement to Sell and Purchase Fuel Supply. Subject to all the terms
and provisions of this Agreement,  the  availability of fuel, and upon execution
and  delivery by the User and  Supplier of an Inventory  Record  evidencing  the
mutual  agreement  of the parties  hereto  with  respect to the  acquisition  by
Supplier of specific  Fuel  Supply,  Supplier  agrees to acquire Fuel Supply for
sale to User and to sell Fuel Supply to User (with  respect to natural  gas, for
consumption  by User,  and not for resale) from time to time as provided  herein
and User agrees to purchase Fuel Supply from  Supplier  (with respect to natural
gas,  for  consumption  by User,  and not for  resale) in the amounts and at the
purchase prices  hereinafter  provided.  No Inventory  Record shall be effective
unless and until executed by Supplier.

     3.   Term of this Agreement.

         (a) The term of this Agreement  shall commence with respect to any Fuel
Supply on the  earlier of  Supplier's  payment  for such Fuel Supply or the date
upon which title to


                                          4



<PAGE>


any such Fuel Supply shall transfer to Supplier.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the  provisions  of Section 11 of this  Agreement  under which User  indemnities
Supplier and the obligation of User under Section 10 to assume all risks of loss
or  damage  to the Fuel  Supply  shall  apply  from the date  User  executes  an
Assignment of any contract  covering any Fuel Supply or such other  contracts as
set  forth  in  Section  6.  The  term of this  Agreement  shall be for a period
beginning  on the date  hereof  and  ending  on June  30,  1992  unless  earlier
terminated  under the  provisions  of Section 13, 14, 15, 16 or 22 hereof  (such
ending or termination date, as (and if) extended pursuant to the next succeeding
sentence of this Section 3(a), being referred to as the "Termination Date"). The
Termination Date shall be extended as follows:

                  Each  day,  the  Termination  Date  shall  then and  thereupon
         automatically  be  extended  for one  additional  day so  that  the new
         Termination  Date shall be, unless earlier  terminated  pursuant to the
         provisions  of Section 13, 14, 15, 16 or 22 hereof,  three  hundred and
         sixty-four  (364)  days  after  the date of such  extension;  provided,
         however,  that if on any date, Supplier or User shall provide the other
         party  hereto  with  written  notice of its  desire  not to extend  the
         Termination  Date, the Termination  Date shall  thereafter no longer be
         automatically  extended and the  Termination  Date then in effect shall
         remain in effect for the remainder of the term of this Agreement.

Unless the term of this Agreement has terminated as provided in Sections 13, 14,
15, 16 or 22, on the  Termination  Date,  User shall pay to  Supplier  an amount
equal to the Inventory  Value plus any Fuel Supply Charges and any other amounts
which are due and unpaid hereunder.

         (b) Upon  payment in full of the  Inventory  Value plus any Fuel Supply
Charges and all other amounts which are due and payable  hereunder,  the term of
this Agreement as it relates to such Fuel Supply shall  terminate and the entire
interest of Supplier in such Fuel Supply shall automatically  transfer to and be
vested in User (without  recourse and without  warranty of any kind  whatsoever)
without the necessity of any further action by either Supplier or User.

     4.   Sale of Fuel Supply in Connecticut and Other States;, Supplier's Right
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
          to Utilize Fuel.
          ---------------

         (a) In the state of Connecticut,  Supplier's  Inventory shall be deemed
to be sold to and purchased by (and title thereto shall transfer to) User as and
when (i) it is withdrawn from storage for consumption or is otherwise  purchased
as provided in this Section or in Section 15, 16 or 22, or (ii) Supplier's title
thereto or its  interest  therein is conveyed to User  pursuant to Section 12 of
this Agreement.

         (b) In  locations  other than  Connecticut,  all Fuel  Supply  shall be
deemed to be sold to and purchased by (and title thereto shall transfer to) User
immediately  after the  purchase of such Fuel Supply by Supplier as and when (i)
it passes a point or points  mutually  agreed  upon by the vendor and User or is
otherwise  purchased  as provided in this Section or in Section 15, 16 or 22, or
(ii)  Supplier's  title  thereto or its  interest  therein is  conveyed  to User
pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement.

     (c) Provided  that Fuel Supply is  available  in the state of  Connecticut,
User  may  withdraw  Fuel  Supply  for  consumption  as and when  needed  in the
operation of User's
 

                                      5



<PAGE>


generating  stations at the following  locations,  in accordance with monitoring
and control procedures established by Supplier and User:

                          Location of Generating Stations
                          -------------------------------

                            Bridgeport, Connecticut and
                               New Haven, Connecticut

         (d) Provided  that Fuel Supply is  available  in  locations  other than
Connecticut,  User may, at its option, purchase for consumption Fuel Supply from
Supplier as and when needed, whether by way of a spot purchase or otherwise, all
purchases to take place in accordance  with  monitoring  and control  procedures
established by Supplier and User.

         (e) User shall be  entitled  to  purchase  Fuel  Supply  from  Supplier
hereunder  (with respect to natural gas,  such purchase  shall be solely for the
purpose of consumption) as and when needed in the operation of User's business.

         (f)  Supplier  reserves  and shall have the right,  at its own cost and
expense,  to utilize or dispose of  Supplier's  Inventory  as it may  determine,
provided,  however,  in the event of such  utilization or disposition,  Supplier
shall replace such Supplier's Inventory at its own cost and expense with fuel of
the same or superior type,  grade and quality  (provided that User shall specify
in  writing  specifications  for such  fuel)  and  within  such time as shall be
necessary to the maintenance of adequate reserves. Notwithstanding the foregoing
sentence,  under no  circumstances  shall  Supplier's  right of  utilization  or
disposal  as  aforesaid  impair  User's  access  to fuel  reserves  at all times
adequate  to  assure  reliable   service  to  its  customers  and  to  meet  any
requirements imposed by regulatory authorities. Supplier will give User at least
two (2) days prior written,  telephone,  telex, or telecopier notice of any such
utilization or disposal and, upon request, User will advise Supplier of reserves
required, including amounts and types of fuel.

     5. Maximum  Inventory Value. At no time shall the Inventory Value hereunder
exceed  $30,000,000.   If,  at  any  time,  the  Inventory  Value  shall  exceed
$30,000,000, Interim Service Charges and Monthly Service Charges shall no longer
be added  to the  Inventory  Value  and  such  charges  shall be paid by User to
Supplier monthly on the first day of each immediately  following month until the
Inventory  Value falls below  $30,000,000.  If, at any time, the Inventory Value
shall exceed  $30,000,000,  User shall make an additional payment to Supplier on
the first day of the month immediately  following the month in which such excess
occurred in an amount equal to such excess.  Supplier  shall have no  obligation
under any circumstance to make any payment which, except for this Section, would
be required to be made  hereunder  which,  after giving  effect  thereto,  would
increase  the  Inventory  Value above such maximum  amount.  User agrees to make
payments directly to the third party vendor or supplier of fuel and to any other
third  party to whom a payment is due with  respect  to any item which  would be
includable  in  Acquisition  Cost,  in such  amounts and at such times as may be
necessary to insure that the Inventory  Value does not exceed the limitation set
forth above. To the extent User makes any such payments, it shall acquire right,
title and  interest  in the fuel for which  the  payments  were made in the same
proportion  as such  payments bear to the total cost of such fuel. In connection
with any such  payments by User,  Supplier and User agree to notify the party to
whom payment is due that it should invoice and/or sell directly to User.


                                        6



<PAGE>


         6.   Assignment of Fuel Contracts and Operation Thereunder.
              -----------------------------------------------------

         (a) If agreed by User and  Supplier,  the  interests  of User under any
contract providing for the purchase, transportation, storage or handling of fuel
in connection with this Agreement may be assigned to Supplier, provided that all
legal and  regulatory  requirements  with respect to such  assignment  have been
satisfied.  Said  assignment and consent of the other party (or parties) to each
such contract shall be in  substantially  the form attached hereto as Exhibit B,
or in such other form as User and Supplier may agree.  Upon such  assignment and
consent,  subject  to the  limitation  set  forth in  Section  5,  Supplier,  in
consultation  with User,  shall thereafter place orders for fuel with the vendor
thereunder in accordance  with  procedures  agreed upon by Supplier and User. In
addition,  subject to the limitation set forth in Section 5 and the satisfaction
of all legal and  regulatory  requirements,  during the term of this  Agreement,
Supplier may make spot purchases  (meaning purchases which are not pursuant to a
preexisting  contract) of Fuel  Supply.  Any such spot  purchases  shall be made
after  consultation  with,  and  direction  from,  User and in  accordance  with
procedures  agreed upon by Supplier and User.  Invoices for the cost of all Fuel
Supply ordered,  including spot  purchases,  and for other costs included in the
Acquisition  Cost of such Fuel Supply  shall be submitted by the vendor to User,
with a copy to  Supplier.  Upon  receipt by User of such an invoice,  User shall
review the same and,  not less than three (3)  Business  Days before the date on
which  payment  is due under the  normal  payment  terms,  shall  forward  it to
Supplier  endorsed  with  User's  confirmation  that User is in accord with such
invoice along with a duly executed  Inventory  Record  covering the related Fuel
Supply.  Upon receipt of such copy of the duly executed Inventory Record and the
invoice,  endorsed as provided in this Section 6(a) by a duly authorized officer
of User and in form and substance  satisfactory to Supplier,  Supplier shall, in
accordance  with the terms of the  invoice  and  subject  to the  provisions  of
Section 5 hereof,  make payment to the vendor and execute the  Inventory  Record
and return a copy  thereof to User.  To the extent  that costs  included  in the
Acquisition  Cost of the Fuel Supply  covered by any Inventory  Record have been
paid or incurred by User, Supplier shall promptly reimburse User for such costs.
User  shall:  (i) pay all costs  and  expenses  associated  with  obtaining  and
delivering  Fuel  Supply  to  User,  including,  without  limitation,  those  of
transportation,  operation, use, freight, packing, insurance, handling, storage,
shipment  and  delivery  of the Fuel Supply to the extent that the same have not
been paid by Supplier; and (ii) at its own cost and expense, furnish such labor,
equipment and other facilities and supplies, if any, as may be required to store
and install the Fuel Supply to the extent that the cost and expense thereof have
not  been  paid by  Supplier.  Such  storage  and  installation  shall be in all
material respects in accordance with the specifications and requirements of each
vendor and all  requirements  of  Applicable  Law.  By  delivery  of an executed
Inventory  Record to Supplier,  the User shall be deemed to covenant and warrant
to the Supplier as of the date  specified on such  Inventory  Record,  that upon
payment of the  Acquisition  Cost for the Fuel Supply  listed in such  Inventory
Record,  Supplier will thereby  receive good and valid title to such Fuel Supply
free and clear of any and all liens,  encumbrances and rights of others and User
will defend the Fuel Supply against all claims and demands of all persons at any
time  claiming any interest in the Fuel Supply  adverse to the  Supplier,  other
than any claim or demand  arising  solely  out of the  actions  of  Supplier  or
persons asserting claims solely through Supplier.

         (b) User shall retain all rights under any contract assigned to enforce
any claims for breach of any terms of such  contracts.  User shall, on behalf of
Supplier,  be fully  responsible  and liable for,  and  supervise  or direct the
off-loading  of, fuel and shall take all steps necessary to preserve and protect
the Fuel Supply located in the storage areas referred


                                       7


<PAGE>


to in Section 8(a), to comply with all Applicable Laws with respect thereto, and
to  prevent  spilling,  loss,  or other  damage  to  persons,  property,  or the
environment.

         (c) At the  request  of  User,  Supplier  shall  reassign  to User  any
contract assigned  hereunder with respect to all then future deliveries of fuel,
other than fuel with respect to which Supplier has made any payment prior to the
date of such reassignment.

         7.       Fuel Supply Charges.
                  -------------------

         (A)      Fuel Supply Charges to be Paid by User.
                  --------------------------------------

         (a) On or before the first day of each  calendar  month during the term
of this  Agreement or, if such first day is not a Business Day, on or before the
next preceding Business Day, User shall pay to Supplier in arrears, in Available
Funds, a Fuel Supply Charge, as hereinafter  provided,  for each type of fuel in
the Fuel Supply. User shall give Supplier at least three (3) Business Days prior
notice if User  elects to delay the  payment  of the Fuel  Supply  Charge in any
month pursuant to the provisions of Subsection  (B). Such notice shall state the
date User intends to make such delayed payment and the estimated  amount of such
Fuel Supply Charge. All payments of Fuel Supply Charges and other payments to be
made by User to Supplier pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid to Supplier in
lawful  money of the  United  States  in  Available  Funds by wire  transfer  to
Supplier's  Account No. 3846-9701 at Citibank,  N.A, 399 Park Avenue,  New York,
New York 10043 or such other  account  that  Supplier  may  designate in writing
notwithstanding  any  contrary  provision  herein  with  respect to the place of
payment.  Each such wire transfer  shall  reference  the name of the User,  this
Agreement  (including  the date  hereof),  and the due  date of the Fuel  Supply
Charges being paid.

         (b) The Fuel  Supply  Charge for each  calendar  month for each type of
fuel in the Fuel Supply shall be an amount which shall include,  with respect to
each type of Fuel  Supply  withdrawn  from  inventory  by User during the second
preceding  calendar  month,  an amount  equal to the Dollar per Ton Charge,  the
Dollar  per Barrel  Charge  the  Dollar  per MMBTU  Charge or the Dollar per MCF
Charge, whichever is applicable, calculated as provided hereinafter,  multiplied
by the number of tons, barrels, MMBTUs or MCFs of that type of fuel sold to User
(other  than under  Sections  12,  15(c) and 16) by  Supplier  during the second
preceding calendar month (for each such specific type of fuel hereinafter called
the "Fuel  Consumption  Charge").  For purposes of calculating  Fuel Consumption
Charges,  it shall be presumed  that the Fuel Supply  shall be purchased by User
from Supplier on an "Average Cost" basis.

         (c) The Dollar per Ton  Charge,  Dollar per Barrel  Charge,  Dollar per
MMBTU  Charge and Dollar per MCF Charge  shall each be  computed  on an "Average
Cost" basis by dividing (i) the sum of the Inventory Value of all Fuel Supply of
a particular  type in the User's  Inventory  at the end of the second  preceding
calendar  month plus the Inventory  Value of all Fuel Supply of such type in the
Supplier's  Inventory at the end of the second preceding  calendar month by (ii)
the sum of the number of tons,  barrels,  MMBTUs or MCFs of that type of fuel in
the User's Inventory at the end of the second preceding  calendar month plus the
number of tons,  barrels,  MMBTUs or MCFs of that type of fuel in the Supplier's
Inventory at the end of the second preceding  calendar month. The Dollar per Ton
Charge,  the Dollar per Barrel Charge, the Dollar per MMBTU Charge or the Dollar
per MCF  Charge  and the  "Average  Cost"  basis of each  such  charge  shall be
separately computed for each type of fuel sold by Supplier to User.


                                           8



<PAGE>


         (B) User has the option to delay the payment of Fuel Supply Charges due
from it to Supplier hereunder for up to the number of days in the calendar month
in which such payment is due and User shall give  written  notice to Supplier of
its intent to delay  such  payment at least five (5) days prior to the date such
payment is due.  Such notice shall  include the amount of the payment which User
intends to delay.  User shall pay a fee (a "Delayed  Payment  Fee") for any such
delayed Fuel Supply  Charge  payment,  on the actual  payment date, in an amount
equal to (x) the amount of such  delayed  payment  multiplied  by (y) a fraction
having a numerator equal to the number of days in the period  beginning with and
including  such due date and ending  upon but  excluding  the date of receipt by
Supplier of such payment in Available  Funds and a denominator of 360 by (z) the
Percentage  Rental  Factor as defined in  Subsection  l(r)(3)  hereof  provided,
however,  if, at any time during the term of this Agreement the Inventory  Value
when  added to the  amount  of the Fuel  Supply  Charge  payment  which the User
desires to delay pursuant to this Subsection (B) shall exceed  $30,000,000,  the
User shall not have the option to delay  payment of any Fuel Supply Charge until
such time as the sum of the  Inventory  Value plus all then  outstanding  unpaid
Fuel  Supply  Charges is less than or equal to  $30,000,000.  When such  delayed
payment is actually  received by Supplier,  the Inventory Value shall be reduced
(for all  purposes  other than  calculating  the Monthly  Rental  Charge) by the
amount of the Fuel Consumption Charge included in such payment.

         (C) Subject to the provisions of  Subsections  7(A)(a) and 7(B) hereof,
if User fails to pay any Fuel Supply  Charge to Supplier on the due date thereof
User shall  promptly  pay to Supplier  an  additional  amount  equal to (i) such
unpaid  amount  multiplied  by (ii) the  Percentage  Rental Factor as defined in
Subsection  l(r)(3) hereof plus 3% per annum (but in no event shall such rate be
greater than the rate permitted by applicable law) as calculated on the due date
of such payment  multiplied by (iii) a fraction  having a numerator equal to the
number of days in the  period  beginning  with and  including  such due date and
ending  upon but  excluding  the date of  receipt  by  Supplier  of  payment  in
Available  Funds and a  denominator  of 360.  User  shall also  promptly  pay to
Supplier all costs and expenses,  including  out-of-pocket  expenses (including,
without limitation,  reasonable  attorneys' fees and disbursements)  incurred by
Supplier in collecting such unpaid sums.

           8.  Storage of Fuel Supply; Mixed Fuel; Required Records and Reports.
               -----------------------------------------------------------------

         (a) If Supplier's  Inventory is to be stored, the Supplier's  Inventory
shall be stored in storage areas in  Connecticut  agreed to by Supplier and User
and owned or  controlled  by User.  In each case all such  Supplier's  Inventory
shall be under  the full  care and  custody  of User and shall be stored in full
compliance with all Applicable  Laws. Such storage areas shall be made available
for  storage of fuel owned by  Supplier  at no charge  (and at User's sole cost,
expense  and  liability)   under  one  or  more  license   agreements   each  in
substantially the form attached hereto and marked Exhibit C.

         (b) User shall  conspicuously mark, or cause to be marked, each storage
area to show the  ownership  by  Supplier  of the  Supplier's  Inventory  stored
therein. Supplier or its authorized  representative,  at User's cost and expense
and upon reasonable  notice,  shall have  reasonable  access to any such storage
area for the purpose of inspecting  and measuring the  Supplier's  Inventory and
for all other purposes  consistent with  Supplier's  ownership of the Supplier's
Inventory  and the  agreements  hereunder.  User agrees to use every  reasonable
precaution  to prevent loss of, or damage to, the  Supplier's  Inventory  and to
prevent  injury to persons  or  property  arising  out of the use,  custody  and
storage of the  Supplier's  Inventory by User and all  liabilities  with respect
thereto including, but not limited to, all environmental

                                                9



<PAGE>


liabilities  shall be the  sole  responsibility  of the  User.  All  individuals
handling,  using,  or performing  any operation  with respect to the  Supplier's
Inventory (excluding employees of Supplier, and all companies, persons, or firms
controlled by or under common control with Supplier,  acting within the scope of
their  employment)  shall,  as  between  Supplier  and User,  be deemed  for all
purposes to be employees,  servants or agents of User and shall be  conclusively
presumed not to be employees, servants, or agents of Supplier.

         (c) Supplier's Inventory which is physically commingled with fuel owned
by User or others,  shall in no event be mixed with fuel which is of a different
type or an inferior  grade or  quality.  Unless  otherwise  agreed in writing in
specific cases by User and Supplier and except as otherwise  provided in Section
15, when any type of fuel  containing  a mixture of fuel owned by  Supplier  and
fuel  owned by User or others  ("Mixed  Fuel")  is  consumed  by User,  the fuel
consumed  shall be deemed to consist  wholly of fuel owned by User or others and
it shall be presumed  that such fuel is consumed  until an amount  equal to that
portion of such Mixed Fuel owned by User or others is consumed;

         (d)  Except  for (i) such  costs and  charges  as are  included  in the
Acquisition  Cost of the Fuel Supply and (ii) any costs  associated with the use
or disposition  of the Fuel Supply by Supplier in accordance  with Section 4(f),
User shall be responsible  for payment of all costs and charges  associated with
the Fuel Supply, including but not limited to costs of transfer, transportation,
storage and delivery of the Fuel Supply.

         (e)  User  agrees  promptly  to  furnish  Supplier  all  necessary  and
appropriate exemption certificates  certifying as to the existence of exemptions
under any  applicable  state and local sales tax  exemptions for all fuel in the
Fuel Supply.

         (f) User shall keep,  and make  available to Supplier  upon  reasonable
request,  current and complete  records in such form as Supplier may  reasonably
request  pertaining to the purchase,  delivery,  Acquisition  Cost, and physical
inventories  of each  type of fuel in the Fuel  Supply,  including  Mixed  Fuel,
orders placed with vendors,  and any other information  reasonably  requested by
Supplier with respect to the Fuel Supply.

         (g) Supplier shall maintain current and complete records,  as agreed to
by Supplier and User,  to record and account for any fuel used or disposed of by
Supplier pursuant to Section 4(f).

         (h) On or  before  each  date  that any Fuel  Supply  Charge  is due to
Supplier  pursuant to  Subsection  7(A)(a),  there shall be prepared by User and
submitted to Supplier a written report  containing an explanation in such detail
and with such  supporting  information as Supplier may  reasonably  request with
respect to the  calculation  of the Fuel Supply Charge for the second  preceding
calendar  month for each type of fuel  included in the Fuel Supply.  Such report
shall include the following information:

               (i) the Inventory Value at the beginning of the second  preceding
          calendar month,

               (ii) the types,  dates and amounts of Acquisition  Costs incurred
          during the second preceding calendar month,

               (iii) the types,  dates and amounts of any other  costs  incurred
          during the second  preceding  calendar  month with respect to the Fuel
          Supply,

                                               10



<PAGE>


               (iv) the Interim Service Charge for the second preceding calendar
          month,

               (v) the Monthly Service Charge for the second preceding  calendar
          month,

               (vi)  the  Inventory  Value  at the end of the  second  preceding
          calendar month,

               (vii) the location,  quantity,  delivery, and consumption of each
          type of fuel owned by Supplier  and User  during the second  preceding
          calendar month which are part of Mixed Fuel,

               (viii)  the  Fuel  Consumption  Charge  for  each  type  of  fuel
          purchased by User during the second preceding calendar month, and

               (ix)  such  other  details  as  Supplier  or User may  reasonably
          request.

         (i) On each April 30th, July 31st, October 31st and January 31st during
the term of this  Agreement,  the User shall  deliver to Supplier a  certificate
dated such date of such delivery and signed during the term of this Agreement by
a duly  authorized  officer of User  containing the  certifications  of User set
forth in the form of Corporate Certificate attached hereto as Exhibit D.

         9.       No Warranties, Representations, or Liabilities by Supplier.
                  ----------------------------------------------------------

         THE FUEL SUPPLY IS SOLD TO USER IN THE CONDITION THEREOF AND SUBJECT TO
THE STATE OF THE TITLE  THERETO,  THE  RIGHTS OF  OWNERSHIP  THEREIN  AND TO ALL
APPLICABLE  LAWS,  RULES,  REGULATIONS,  ORDERS,  WRITS,  INJUNCTIONS,  DECREES,
CONSENTS,  APPROVALS,  EXEMPTIONS,  AUTHORIZATIONS,  LICENSES AND WITHHOLDING OF
OBJECTIONS  OF ANY  GOVERNMENTAL  OR  PUBLIC  BODY OR  AUTHORITY  AND ALL  OTHER
REQUIREMENTS  HAVING THE FORCE OF LAW  APPLICABLE AT ANY TIME TO ANY OF THE FUEL
SUPPLY OR ANY ACT OR  TRANSACTION  WITH  RESPECT  THERETO  OR  PURSUANT  TO THIS
AGREEMENT,  IN EACH CASE AS IN EXISTENCE WHEN THE SAME FIRST BECOMES  SUBJECT TO
THIS AGREEMENT,  WITHOUT  REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND BY SUPPLIER,
OR ANY PERSON ACTING ON ITS BEHALF.  USER  ACKNOWLEDGES  AND AGREES THAT NEITHER
SUPPLIER, ITS RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS,  OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES, ANY COMPANY, PERSON
OR FIRM  CONTROLLING,  CONTROLLED  BY OR UNDER  COMMON  CONTROL WITH ANY OF THEM
(INCLUDING,  WITHOUT LIMITATION,  BANKERS LEASING AND FINANCIAL  CORPORATION AND
ITS SUCCESSORS  AND ASSIGNS),  NOR ANY OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF SUPPLIER
HAS HAD AT ANY TIME PHYSICAL  POSSESSION OF ANY PORTION OF THE FUEL SUPPLY,  HAS
MADE ANY  INSPECTION  THEREOF,  HAS  GIVEN  ANY  ADVICE  TO USER OR HAS MADE ANY
RECOMMENDATION  TO USER WITH  RESPECT  TO THE  CHOICE OF THE  VENDOR OF THE FUEL
SUPPLY   HEREUNDER   OR   WITH   RESPECT   TO   THE   PROCESSING,   FABRICATION,
CONTAINERIZATION,  TRANSPORTATION,  UTILIZATION,  STORAGE OR REPROCESSING OF THE
SAME. USER ALSO  ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT NEITHER  SUPPLIER,  ITS DIRECTORS,
OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES,  ANY COMPANY, PERSON OR FIRM CONTROLLING,  CONTROLLED BY
OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH ANY OF THEM (INCLUDING  WITHOUT  LIMITATION BANKERS
LEASING AND FINANCIAL  CORPORATION  AND ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS),  NOR ANYONE
ACTING ON BEHALF OF SUPPLIER HAS

                                               11


<PAGE>


MADE ANY  WARRANTY OR OTHER  REPRESENTATION,  EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,  THAT THE FUEL
SUPPLY UNDER THIS  AGREEMENT  (a) WILL NOT RESULT IN INJURY OR DAMAGE TO PERSONS
OR PROPERTY,  (b) WILL BE USEABLE BY USER OR WILL  ACCOMPLISH  THE RESULTS WHICH
USER INTENDS FOR SUCH FUEL SUPPLY, OR (c) IS SAFE IN ANY MANNER OR RESPECT. USER
ALSO  ACKNOWLEDGES  AND  AGREES  THAT  SUPPLIER,  ITS  DIRECTORS,  OFFICERS  AND
EMPLOYEES,  ANY  COMPANY,  PERSON OR FIRM  CONTROLLING,  CONTROLLED  BY OR UNDER
COMMON CONTROL WITH ANY OF THEM (INCLUDING  WITHOUT  LIMITATION  BANKERS LEASING
AND FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS),  AND ANYONE ACTING ON
BEHALF  OF  ANY OF  THEM  IS NOT A  MANUFACTURER  OR  ENGAGED  IN  THE  SALE  OR
DISTRIBUTION  OF FUEL  SUPPLY  AND HAS NOT MADE AND  DOES  NOT  HEREBY  MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION,  WARRANTY OR COVENANT,  EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,  WITH RESPECT TO THE
MERCHANTABILITY,  CONDITION,  QUALITY,  USEABILITY,  DURABILITY,  SUITABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR OR  CONSEQUENCES OF USE OR MISUSE OF THE FUEL SUPPLY IN ANY RESPECT,
OR IN  CONNECTION  WITH  OR FOR THE  PURPOSES  OR USES  OF  USER,  OR ANY  OTHER
REPRESENTATION,  WARRANTY  OR  COVENANT  OF ANY KIND OR  CHARACTER,  EXPRESS  OR
IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT THERETO. SUPPLIER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO USER OR ANY THIRD
PARTY FOR ANY  FAILURE  OF ANY FUEL  SUPPLY OR ANY  DEFECT  THEREIN  NOR FOR ANY
INJURY OR DAMAGE  ARISING  DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY OUT OF ANY SUCH FUEL SUPPLY OR
THE USE THEREOF,  NOR FOR ANY FAILURE OR DELAY IN  OBTAINING  FUEL SUPPLY OR THE
DELIVERY THEREOF.  AS BETWEEN USER AND SUPPLIER,  USER'S APPROVAL OF ANY INVOICE
FOR PAYMENT BY SUPPLIER  PURSUANT TO SECTION 6 ABOVE AND USER'S  DELIVERY OF THE
RELATED  EXECUTED   INVENTORY   RECORD  TO  SUPPLIER  SHALL  CONSTITUTE   USER'S
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT  THAT THE ISSUER OF SUCH  INVOICE HAS  COMPLIED IN ALL  RESPECTS
WITH THE TERMS,  CONDITIONS,  AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE CONTRACT OR AGREEMENT UNDER
WHICH SUCH  INVOICE IS ISSUED AND THAT THE FUEL  SUPPLY OR  SERVICES  COVERED BY
SUCH  INVOICE  MEETS  ALL  STANDARDS  OF  QUALITY,  CONDITION,  AND  PERFORMANCE
SPECIFIED IN SAID CONTRACT OR AGREEMENT.

         (b) Except as to liabilities arising under Section 4(f), Supplier shall
not be liable to User for any failure or delay in  obtaining or  delivering  any
Fuel  Supply  or be in any way  responsible  for  the  non-availability  of,  or
interruptions in, the supply of the Fuel Supply to User occurring for any reason
whatsoever, other than the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Supplier or
its employees,  during the term of this Agreement or for any damages, claims, or
liabilities, direct, indirect, or consequential,  which may be sustained by User
as a result of any such interruption or non-availability.

         (c) Supplier represents, warrants, and covenants that it will have good
title,  free from  encumbrances  except those provided for in Section 17, to any
fuel either  substituted  for fuel used or  disposed of by Supplier  pursuant to
Section 4(f).

         10.      Encumbrances; Insurance; Compliance with Laws.
                  ---------------------------------------------

         (a) User  shall not  permit  any lien or  encumbrance  to attach to, or
remain on, the Supplier's Inventory, other than those placed thereon by Supplier
or by persons  claiming only against  Supplier and not against User.  User shall
not  permit  any lien or  encumbrance  to attach  to, or remain  on,  the User's
Inventory.



                                               12


<PAGE>


         (b) Supplier  covenants and agrees that User, so long as User is not in
breach  hereof,  shall be able to consume,  purchase,  and transfer  Fuel Supply
pursuant  to the terms  and  conditions  of this  Agreement  without  hindrance,
interference,  or  molestation,  or the  imposition of any lien or  encumbrances
other than as  permitted  under  Section 17, by Supplier or any person  claiming
solely under, through, or against Supplier.

         (c) User shall procure,  pay for and maintain property  insurance (fire
and extended coverages,  including, without limitation,  vandalism and malicious
mischief  insurance)  insuring  Supplier  with  respect to the Fuel Supply in an
amount  equal to the higher of (i) the then fair market  value of Fuel Supply or
(ii) the Inventory  Value of the Fuel Supply and subject to a deductible  amount
not in excess of $250,000. In addition, User shall procure, pay for and maintain
liability  insurance  (covering  bodily injury and property  damage,  including,
without limitation,  pollution and environmental coverage) covering Supplier and
all companies,  persons, or firms,  controlling,  controlled by, or under common
control with Supplier and their respective  directors,  officers,  and employees
with respect to the Fuel Supply.  Policies  covering  bodily injury shall not be
subject to a  deductible  amount in excess of  $250,000  and  policies  covering
property damage liability shall not be subject to a deductible  amount in excess
of $250,000 and shall provide  primary  limits of not less than  $1,000,000  for
injury or death for each person and not less that  $2,000,000 for all persons in
the same accident and not less than $2,000,000 for damage, destruction, and loss
of use of property as a result of one  accident  and shall  provide for combined
single  limit  coverage  of not less than  $30,000,000  in excess of the primary
limits.  All policies  shall provide for at least thirty (30) days prior written
notice to Supplier of any cancellation or material  alteration of such policies.
Upon  request of  Supplier,  User will (i) provide  Supplier  with copies of all
applications and  communications to or from any insurer or prospective  insurer,
other than routine  premium  notices,  (ii) provide  Supplier with copies of the
policies or insurance certificates in respect of the insurance procured pursuant
to the provisions of this Section,  (iii) advise Supplier of all expirations and
renewals of policies and all notices issued by the insurers  thereunder and (iv)
within a three (3) month period from the  execution of this  Agreement  and upon
the reasonable  request of Supplier  thereafter,  furnish to Supplier a detailed
statement as to the  insurance  coverage  provided  pursuant to this Section and
give immediate notice as to any change in the nature of such coverage.  Supplier
shall be under no duty to examine such policies, certificates, or other evidence
of insurance procured by User, or to advise User in the event that the insurance
coverage is not in compliance with this Agreement.

         (d)  Supplier  shall  cooperate  fully  with  User  and  all  insurance
companies  providing  coverage hereunder in the investigation and defense of any
claim.  User shall comply with all insurance policy  conditions and restrictions
and with all Applicable Laws concerning the transfer,  storage, use and delivery
of the Fuel Supply and with respect to any spillage or discharge  (accidental or
otherwise)  of the Fuel  Supply.  User shall  comply with all  applicable  laws,
rules, and regulations relating to the performance of this Agreement by User.

         (e) User shall  comply  with all  Applicable  Laws of any  jurisdiction
governing  any aspect of the Fuel  Supply  including,  but not  limited  to, all
local,  state and federal  environmental  laws,  rules and  regulations  and all
Applicable  Laws governing  pollution  resulting in any way from the Fuel Supply
and   governing   the   licensing,   acquisition,   storage,   containerization,
transportation,  blending,  transfer,  consumption,  insuring, using, operating,
disposing,  fabricating and reprocessing of the Fuel Supply,  provided that User
may contest the  applicability  or  validity  of any such  provisions,  rules or
regulations in good faith by appropriate proceedings conducted in good faith and
with due diligence if and to the extent

                                               13



<PAGE>


any such contest could not materially  and adversely  affect the ability of User
to perform its  obligations  under this  Agreement or the ability of Supplier to
conduct  its  business  or to  exercise  its rights and  obligations  under this
Agreement or have any other material adverse effect upon Supplier.  User further
agrees to indemnify and hold Supplier harmless (without derogating any of User's
obligations  under Section 11 hereof) for any costs,  expenses,  liabilities  or
penalties relating to such contests;  provided,  that all such costs,  expenses,
liabilities and penalties  (without  derogating any of User's  obligations under
Section 11 hereof),  shall be for the account of User  whether  arising  before,
during or after any such contest.  User shall use every commercially  reasonable
precaution to prevent loss or damage to the Fuel Supply and to prevent injury to
third persons or property by the Fuel Supply.

         (f) User shall promptly and duly execute,  deliver, file and record all
such  documents,   statements,  filings  and  registrations  (including  Uniform
Commercial Code financing  statements or similar  evidence of Supplier's and any
assignee's interests), and take such further actions as Supplier shall from time
to time  reasonably  request in order to  establish,  perfect and  maintain  the
rights and  remedies  created  or  intended  to be created in favor of  Supplier
hereunder  and  Supplier's  title to and  interest in the Fuel Supply as against
User or any third party.

         (g) User  hereby  assumes  all risks of loss or  damage of Fuel  Supply
however caused and wherever located,  and shall, except as otherwise provided in
Section 12 at its own expense, subject to reasonable wear and tear, obsolescence
and exhaustion keep the Fuel Supply in good operating condition and repair.

         (h) Prior to the  acquisition of any Fuel Supply  hereunder by Supplier
and prior to the  assignment of any contracts to Supplier  pursuant to Section 6
hereof,  User shall obtain all regulatory  approvals and authorizations for this
Agreement which are required or which shall be reasonably requested by Supplier.
User shall  promptly  provide  Supplier  with copies of all such  approvals  and
authorizations along with an opinion of counsel,  satisfactory to Supplier, that
all necessary  governmental  approvals and authorizations for this Agreement and
for   performance   hereunder  by  the  parties   hereto  have  been   obtained.
Notwithstanding  any provision herein to the contrary,  if User shall not obtain
the satisfactory approvals described in this Subsection or shall fail to provide
documentation acceptable to Supplier as described herein, Supplier shall have no
obligation to acquire any Fuel Supply whatsoever and shall have no obligation to
accept the assignment of any contracts  whatsoever pursuant to Section 6 hereof.
User  shall  not  resell  any  natural  gas Fuel  Supply  purchased  under  this
Agreement.

           11.    Indemnity.
                  ---------

         (a) User  hereby  indemnifies  and agrees to hold  harmless  and defend
Supplier and all  companies,  persons,  or firms  controlling,  controlled by or
under common control with Supplier and their respective directors, officers, and
employees,  and any assignee of Supplier  referred to in Section 17, against any
and all claims,  demands, and liabilities of whatsoever nature (including strict
liability in tort) and all losses, costs,  expenses (including,  but not limited
to, attorneys' fees), fines, and penalties directly or indirectly relating to or
in any way  arising  out of the  following,  whether or not  insured  against or
required to be insured against under Section 10:

               (i) The licensing,  ordering,  delivering,  acquisition, title on
          acquisition, rejection, installation,  ownership, use, nonuse, misuse,
          possession, control, storage,

                                               14


<PAGE>


         containerization,  inspection,  transportation,  blending, fabricating,
         transfer, reallocation, discharge, spillage, leakage, pumping, pouring,
         emitting, emptying, dumping,  consumption,  loss, insuring,  operating,
         disposition,  or sale of the Fuel  Supply,  or energy  produced  by the
         consumption of the Fuel Supply,  or of all fuel which is proposed to be
         included  in the Fuel  Supply  except to the extent that such costs and
         expenses  are included in the  Inventory  Value within the dollar limit
         specified  in  Section  5 and  except  for any  general  administrative
         expenses  of  Supplier  and all  losses,  costs,  expenses,  fines,  or
         penalties of Supplier arising out of the use or disposition by Supplier
         of Fuel Supply pursuant to Section 4(f);


               (ii) All costs, charges, damages or expenses and royalties and/or
          claims and  expenses  of  litigation  (including,  but not limited to,
          reasonable  attorneys'  fees)  arising out of or  necessitated  by the
          assertion  of any  claim or  demand  based  upon any  infringement  or
          alleged infringement of any patent or other right, by or in respect of
          any Fuel Supply; provided,  however, that Supplier will make available
          to User all of the Supplier's rights under any similar indemnification
          from the  supplier,  manufacturer,  fabricator  or vendor of such Fuel
          Supply;

               (iii)  The  performance  of this  Agreement,  the  contracts  and
          assignments thereof referred to in Section 6 and the license agreement
          or  agreements  referred  to in Section  8(a),  except for any general
          administrative  expenses of  Supplier  and the costs  contemplated  by
          Section 4(f) of this Agreement for the account of Supplier;

               (iv) All federal,  state,  county,  municipal,  foreign, or other
          fees and taxes of whatsoever  nature,  including,  but not limited to,
          license,   qualification,   franchise,  sales,  use,  business,  gross
          receipts,  ad  valorem,  property  (real  or  personal),  excise,  and
          occupation fees and taxes, and penalties and interest thereon, whether
          assessed,  levied  against or payable by  Supplier or  otherwise  with
          respect to the Fuel Supply or the  licensing,  ordering,  acquisition,
          purchase, operation, ownership, use, possession, control, acquisition,
          storage,  containerization,   transportation,   blending,  inspection,
          transfer, consumption, insuring, operating, disposition,  fabrication,
          or sale of the Fuel Supply or measured in any way by the value thereof
          or by the business of,  investment  in,  financing of, or ownership by
          Supplier  with  respect  thereto,  excepting  only (1) Income Taxes of
          Supplier,  (2) sales, excise, or other taxes which are included in the
          Acquisition Cost of the Fuel Supply, and (3) any fees or taxes arising
          out of the use or disposition  of Fuel Supply by Supplier  pursuant to
          Section 4(f);
 
               (v) Any  violation,  or alleged  violation,  of this Agreement by
          User or of any  agreements  to which User is a party or by which it is
          bound or any laws, rules,  regulations,  orders,  writs,  injunctions,
          decrees, consents, approvals, exemptions, authorizations, licenses and
          withholdings  of  objection,  of any  governmental  or public  body or
          authority and all other  requirements  having the force of law, in any
          such case  applicable  at any time to the Fuel Supply or any action or
          transaction  by User or Supplier  with respect  thereto or pursuant to
          this  Agreement  including,  but not limited to, all local,  state and
          federal  environmental laws, rules,  regulations,  regulatory policies
          and guidelines;

               (vi) Performance of any labor or service or the furnishing of any
          materials in respect of the Fuel Supply or any portion  thereof except
          to the extent that such costs are included in the Acquisition  Cost of
          such Fuel  Supply  within the  maximum  Inventory  Value  provided  in
          Section 5 hereof,
                                               15



<PAGE>


               (vii)  Liabilities  based  upon a theory of strict  liability  in
          tort,  negligence  or willful  acts  (except for gross  negligence  or
          willful  misconduct  of  Supplier)  including  but not  limited to any
          environmental liabilities.

User shall forthwith upon demand  reimburse  Supplier for any sums expended with
respect to any of the  foregoing  or shall pay for such  amounts  directly  upon
request by Lessor.  To the extent that User in fact has held  Supplier  harmless
and made it whole under this  indemnity  provision,  User shall be subrogated to
Supplier's  rights  in the  affected  transaction  and  shall  have a  right  to
determine the settlement of claims  therein,  provided that any such  settlement
will not, in the opinion of Supplier, adversely affect any property or rights of
Supplier  or its ability to engage in its  business  activities.  The  foregoing
indemnity  shall not be affected by any  termination of this  Agreement,  or the
termination  of this  Agreement  with respect to any portion of the Fuel Supply,
insofar  as it affects  matters  which  arise or accrue  during the term of this
Agreement.

         (b) Supplier shall indemnify and hold harmless User, and all companies,
persons or firms  controlling,  controlled by or under common control with User,
and their respective  directors,  officers,  and employees to the same extent as
User in the  foregoing  Section  11(a)  agrees to  indemnify  and hold  harmless
Supplier,  but only with  respect to the use or  disposition  of Fuel  Supply by
Supplier pursuant to Section 4(f).

         12. Loss or  Destruction  of Fuel  Supply.  If any Fuel Supply is lost,
damaged,  or  destroyed,  by  any  cause;  or  if  any  Fuel  Supply  is  taken,
requisitioned,  commandeered,  condemned, seized, or reallocated; or if any Fuel
Supply is attached (other than on a claim against Supplier but not User) and the
attachment is not removed  within ninety (90) days; or in the event of any other
such loss of the use of any Fuel Supply for a period exceeding ninety (90) days,
then,  in any such event of casualty,  User shall give  Supplier  prior  written
notice of such fact and within  ninety (90) days of the  occurrence  of any such
event, User shall pay to Supplier an amount equal to the Inventory Value of such
Fuel Supply plus any Fuel Supply Charges and all other amounts  hereunder  which
are due and unpaid with respect thereto. The agreement with respect to such Fuel
Supply  hereunder and the obligation of User to pay Fuel Supply Charges for such
Fuel  Supply  shall  continue  until  the day on which  Supplier  receives  such
amounts.  Upon receipt of such payment,  the entire interest of Supplier in such
Fuel  Supply  shall  automatically  transfer  to and be vested in User  (without
recourse and without warranty of any kind  whatsoever)  without the necessity of
any further action by either Supplier or User.

         The  occurrence  of any  event  covered  by this  Section  12 shall not
constitute a termination  of this entire  Agreement  and User shall  continue to
make all payments  required  under Section 7 and any other  Section  hereof with
respect to any Fuel Supply unaffected by any such casualty.

         13.      Breach of Agreement by User.
                  ---------------------------

     (a) The happening of any of the following  events shall constitute a breach
of the Agreement by User:


          (i) Failure by User to make any payment as provided in this  Agreement
     within ten (10) days after such payment is due; or


                                               16


<PAGE>


          (ii) Failure in the performance of any other obligation or covenant of
     User to Supplier  hereunder or under the license  agreement  or  agreements
     referred to in Section 8(a) and the continuance of such failure for fifteen
     (15) days after  receipt by User from  Supplier  of written  notice of such
     failure sent by registered or certified mail or delivered by hand; or

          (iii) User suspends or discontinues its business operations or becomes
     insolvent (howsoever such insolvency may be evidenced) or admits insolvency
     or bankruptcy  or its  inability to pay its debts as they mature,  makes an
     assignment  for the benefit of  creditors,  or applies for, or consents to,
     the appointment of a trustee or receiver for User, or for the major part of
     its property; or


          (iv) The institution of bankruptcy,  reorganization,  liquidation,  or
     receivership  proceedings  by or against  User and, if  instituted  against
     User,  its consent  thereto or the pendency of such  proceedings  for sixty
     (60) days; or

          (v) Any court,  governmental  officer, or agency shall, under color of
     legal  authority,  take and hold possession of any substantial  part of the
     property or assets of User; or
 
          (vi) Any representation or certification made by User herein or in any
     written  instrument  furnished by User to Supplier in  connection  herewith
     shall not be correct and complete in all  material  respects on the date as
     of which made and on the date  Supplier  makes any payment  with respect to
     the Acquisition Cost of the Supplier's  Inventory or User's  Inventory,  as
     the case may be.

     (b) Upon the occurrence of any such breach of this Agreement,  Supplier may
in its discretion do one or more of the following:

          (i) Terminate the term of this Agreement, pursuant to Section 15, upon
     five (5) days written  notice to User sent by registered or certified  mail
     (in which case the  Termination  Date shall be the fifth day after the date
     of mailing of such notice by Seller);

          (ii)  Whether or not the term of this  Agreement  is  terminated,  and
     subject to any applicable law or regulation,  take immediate  possession of
     and  remove any or all Fuel  Supply or cause  such Fuel  Supply to be taken
     from the possession of User, wherever situated,  and for such purpose enter
     upon any premises without liability for so doing or require User, at User's
     expense, to deliver the Fuel Supply,  properly  containerized and insulated
     for shipping to Supplier or to such other person as Supplier may designate,
     in which case the risk of loss shall be upon User  until such  delivery  is
     made;

          (iii)  Whether  or not any other  action  has been  taken  under  this
     Section 13 or under  Applicable  Laws, and subject to any Applicable  Laws,
     sell any Fuel Supply (with or without the  concurrence  or request of User)
     at public or private sale, in any case, in a commercially reasonable manner
     and with at least ten (10) Business Days prior  written  notice  thereof to
     User,  and User shall be liable for and shall  promptly pay to Supplier all
     unpaid  Fuel  Supply  Charges  to the date of receipt  by  Supplier  of the
     proceeds of such sale plus any deficiency  between the net proceeds of such
     sale  and the  Inventory  Value  of such  Fuel  Supply  at the time of such
     payment by User;

                                               17



<PAGE>


          (iv) Subject to Applicable Laws, sell,  dispose of, hold, use, remove,
     finance or keep idle any or all of the Fuel Supply, such action or inaction
     to be determined by Supplier in a commercially  reasonable manner,  without
     any duty to account to User for any proceeds  thereof,  except that the net
     proceeds of any such selling,  disposing of, holding,  using,  operating or
     leasing  shall be  credited by  Supplier  against  any Fuel Supply  Charges
     accruing after Supplier shall have declared this Agreement as to any or all
     of the Fuel Supply to be in default pursuant to this Section;

          (v) Exercise  any other right or remedy  which may be available  under
     applicable law or proceed by appropriate  court action to enforce the terms
     hereof or to recover damages for the breach hereof.

         If after the  occurrence  of such  breach by User,  User (upon  written
request of Supplier)  delivers or fails to deliver Fuel Supply to Supplier or if
after the occurrence of a breach,  Supplier  repossesses Fuel Supply, User shall
be liable for and Supplier may recover from User all Fuel Supply  Charges on the
Fuel Supply due and payable to the date of such  delivery or  repossession,  all
other amounts due and payable under this Agreement, plus all losses, damages and
expenses   (including   without  limitation   reasonable   attorneys'  fees  and
disbursements)  sustained by Supplier by reason of such default and the exercise
of  Supplier's  remedies  with respect  thereto.  No remedy  referred to in this
Section  is  intended  to be  exclusive,  but each  shall be  cumulative  and in
addition  to any  other  remedy  referred  to above or  otherwise  available  to
Supplier at law or in equity and the exercise in whole or in part by Supplier of
any one or more of such remedies  shall not preclude the  simultaneous  or later
exercise by Supplier of any or all such other remedies; provided, however, that,
notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  Supplier shall not be entitled to recover more
than an  aggregate  amount  equal to the sum of (i) all  amounts due to Supplier
hereunder  plus (ii) any  losses,  damages  and  expenses  suffered  by Supplier
arising out of any breach of this  Agreement  by User.  No waiver by Supplier of
any breach hereunder shall in any way be, or be construed to be, a waiver of any
future or  subsequent  breach.  User agrees also promptly to pay to Supplier any
expenses  (including,   without  limitation,   reasonable  attorneys'  fees  and
disbursements)  incurred by Supplier  in  collecting  any unpaid sums under this
Agreement.

         14.      Breach of Agreement by Supplier.
                  -------------------------------

     (a) The happening of any of the following  events shall constitute a breach
of the Agreement by Supplier:

                  (i) Failure in the  performance  of any obligation or covenant
         of Supplier to User  hereunder and the  continuance of such failure for
         fifteen (15) days after receipt by Supplier from User of written notice
         of such failure sent by  registered  or certified  mail or delivered by
         hand; or

                  (ii)  Supplier   permanently   suspends  or  discontinues  its
         business operations or admits insolvency or bankruptcy or its inability
         to pay its debts as they mature, makes an assignment for the benefit of
         creditors, or applies for, or consents to, the appointment of a trustee
         or  receiver  for  Supplier,  or for the major part of its  property or
         institutes a proceeding in bankruptcy against itself; or

                  (iii)   The   institution   of   bankruptcy,   reorganization,
         liquidation,   or  receivership   proceedings   against   Supplier  and
         Supplier's  consent  thereto or the  pendency of such  proceedings  for
         sixty (60) days; or

                                               18


<PAGE>


                  (iv) Any court,  governmental  officer, or agency shall, under
         color of legal  authority,  take and hold possession of any substantial
         part of the property or assets of Supplier.

         (b) Upon the occurrence of any such breach of this Agreement,  User may
in its discretion  terminate the term of this  Agreement  pursuant to Section 15
upon five (5) days written  notice to Supplier  sent by  registered or certified
mail (in which case the  Termination  Date shall be the fifth day after the date
of mailing of such notice by User).

         15.      Termination.
                  -----------

     (a) The term of this Agreement shall terminate on the Termination Date.

          (i) Upon such  termination  no further orders for Fuel Supply shall be
     placed with vendors by Supplier; and
 
          (ii) Upon receipt by Supplier of all amounts due it in respect of this
     Agreement,

                           (1) all right,  title and interest to Fuel Supply for
                  which  Supplier has not made any payment shall be  immediately
                  conveyed and assigned by Supplier to User without recourse and
                  without  warranty  of  any  kind  whatsoever,   whereupon  all
                  payments  with  respect to such Fuel  Supply  shall be made by
                  User and Supplier shall have no further obligation to make any
                  payment with respect to such Fuel Supply;  User hereby  agrees
                  to accept such  conveyance and assignment and to make all such
                  payments;

                           (2) all Fuel  Supply  contracts  assigned to Supplier
                  shall  be  reassigned  by  Supplier  to User  with  reasonable
                  promptness and User hereby agrees to accept such  reassignment
                  and, thereafter, User shall have the right to place orders for
                  fuel on its behalf under such contracts;

                           (3) subject to the  provisions of the first  sentence
                  of Section 8(c), all fuel purchased by User in accordance with
                  the foregoing  Subsection  15(a)(ii)(2)  may be stored with or
                  commingled with the Fuel Supply;

                           (4) all other contracts, if any, assigned to Supplier
                  shall be reassigned to User with reasonable promptness, except
                  that Supplier shall retain its license interest in any storage
                  tanks and areas  until  receipt  by  Supplier  of all  amounts
                  payable  by User  under  this  Agreement  (no  later  than the
                  Termination Date of this Agreement), and User hereby agrees to
                  accept such reassignment; and

                           (5) Supplier  shall in accordance  with Section 4(f),
                  within thirty (30) days,  replace any Fuel Supply which it has
                  used or disposed of pursuant to said Section; and

          (iii) Until the date of the final payment to Supplier  pursuant to the
     following Subsections 15(b) or 15(c), or Section 16, User shall continue to
     pay Fuel Supply Charges to Supplier.


                                               19



<PAGE>


         (b) Subject to the provisions of Section 15(c),  upon any  termination,
Supplier,  or, at the written  request of Supplier,  User on behalf of Supplier,
shall promptly sell the Supplier's  Inventory and the User's Inventory,  if any,
to a third party or third parties on a non-installment  cash sale basis, without
recourse to or  warranty  of any kind  whatsoever  by  Supplier,  or, if for any
reason  such sale  cannot be made,  shall  otherwise  dispose of the  Supplier's
Inventory and the User's Inventory to a third party or third parties. User shall
not become the  purchaser of or acquire the  Supplier's  Inventory or the User's
Inventory  upon its sale or  disposition.  Upon the sale or  disposition  of the
Supplier's Inventory and the User's Inventory to a third party or third parties,
the entire  proceeds  thereof,  if any, net of costs incurred in connection with
such  sale or  disposition,  shall  be paid  to  Supplier.  No  later  than  the
Termination  Date, User shall pay to Supplier in Available Funds the amount,  if
any, by which (i) the  Settlement  Amount is in excess of (ii) the net  proceeds
(excluding,  at Supplier's option, any non-cash consideration),  if any, of such
sale or  disposition.  Unless  Supplier  elects  to  retain  any  such  non-cash
consideration,  upon such payment by User,  Supplier shall pay over to User such
non-cash  consideration,  Supplier  shall pay over to User the amount of any net
proceeds in excess of the Settlement Amount received by Supplier.

         (c) Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  and without limiting User's rights
under Section 4, upon any termination,  User shall have the option,  exercisable
at any time up to and  including  the  Termination  Date,  to purchase,  without
recourse to Supplier  and without  warranty by Supplier of any kind  whatsoever,
all or part of the Supplier's  Inventory and the User's Inventory for a purchase
price in Available Funds equal to the Settlement Amount.

         (d) In the event of a breach of this  Agreement  by User,  User  hereby
grants to Supplier  the right to sell and dispose of that  portion of Mixed Fuel
which is owned by User (the "User Mixed Fuel") to facilitate the disposition and
sale of the User's Inventory and the Supplier's Inventory in accordance with the
provisions  of this  Agreement,  User hereby  makes,  constitutes  and  appoints
Supplier the true and lawful agent and  attorney-in-fact  of the User, with full
power of substitution,  to (i) sell or dispose of all of the User Mixed Fuel and
(ii) to do any and all things necessary,  or take such action in the name of and
on behalf of the User,  to carry out the  provisions  and intent of this Section
15(d). The power of attorney granted under this Section 15(d) is coupled with an
interest and shall be irrevocable  until this Agreement has been  terminated and
all of User's  obligations under this Agreement have been fully and finally paid
in full. In the event of any sale or disposition of User Mixed Fuel hereunder by
Supplier, Supplier shall pay to User the amount, if any, by which the sum of (x)
the net proceeds from the sale of User's Inventory and the Supplier's  Inventory
pursuant to Section  15(b) plus (y) the net proceeds from the sale of User Mixed
Fuel, exceeds the Settlement Amount, to the extent, and only to the extent, that
such excess is attributable to the sale of User Mixed Fuel.

     16.  Termination  Due to Law  or  Regulatory  Acts.  This  Agreement  shall
terminate  prior to the expiration of its term upon the date of the happening of
any of the following "Termination Events":


                  (i) If directly as a result of the  transactions  contemplated
         by this Agreement,  Supplier  becomes,  or based upon notification from
         any relevant governmental body or the receipt of a written opinion from
         mutually  acceptable  outside  counsel  (at  Supplier's  expense)  that
         Supplier will become,  an "electric  utility  company",  a "gas utility
         company",  a "public  utility"  or a similar  entity  under the  Public
         Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended, the Federal Power Act,
         as amended,  any other Federal law or regulation,  or under the laws of
         any state;


                                               20



<PAGE>


                  (ii)  Any  law  or  regulation  or  interpretation  (judicial,
         regulatory or  otherwise) of any law or regulation  shall be adopted or
         enforced by any court or governmental or regulatory  authority and as a
         result of such adoption or  enforcement,  approval of the  transactions
         contemplated  by this  Agreement  shall be required  and shall not have
         been   obtained   within  any  grace  period  after  such  adoption  or
         enforcement,  or as a result  of which  adoption  or  enforcement  this
         Agreement  or  any  transaction   contemplated  hereby,  including  any
         payments  to be made by User or the  ownership  of the Fuel  Supply  by
         Supplier,  shall  be or  become  unlawful  or the  performance  of this
         Agreement shall be commercially frustrated or rendered impracticable in
         any material way; or

                  (iii)  There shall occur the  revocation  or material  adverse
         modification  or any  ruling,  order or  direction  in  respect  of any
         authorization, consent, exemption or approval theretofore obtained from
         any  regulatory  body  or  governmental  authority  necessary  for  the
         carrying  out of the  intent and  purposes  of this  Agreement,  or the
         actions or transactions  contemplated  hereby (it being  understood and
         agreed that the expiration of any order  approving this Agreement shall
         not be deemed to constitute  any such  revocation  or material  adverse
         modification,  provided  only that  another  such order shall have been
         obtained by User with respect to this Agreement on or prior to the date
         of such expiration).

         If any of the  Termination  Events occur,  Supplier may terminate  this
Agreement in accordance with Section 15.

         17.      Sale or Assignment.
                  ------------------

         (a) Supplier shall have the right to grant  participations  or security
interests  in or sell or  assign  some or all of  Supplier's  right,  title  and
interest in the Fuel  Supply,  or any part or portion  thereof,  this  Agreement
(including any Inventory  Record or  Assignment),  or any Fuel Supply Charges or
other monies due from User and any third party under this  Agreement and in that
connection  to grant  security  interests in the Fuel Supply,  provided that any
such sale,  assignment or security  interest  shall be subject to the rights and
interest  of User in the Fuel  Supply  and under  this  Agreement  and  provided
further  that:  (i)  User  understands  and  agrees  that  any  cost or  expense
associated  with or arising out of any  transfer,  sale,  assignment or grant of
participations or security  interests in some or all of Supplier's right,  title
and  interest  in and to the Fuel  Supply or any part or portion  thereof,  this
Agreement  (including  any Inventory  Record or  Assignment)  or any Fuel Supply
Charges or other  monies due from User and any third party under this  Agreement
shall be for the sole  account of  Supplier  and that in no event shall any such
transfer,  sale,  assignment or other disposition  increase the liability in any
manner  whatsoever of User under this  Agreement and (ii) Supplier  shall remain
the sole  administrator of its rights and duties hereunder unless Supplier shall
become insolvent or bankrupt or cease doing business.  Supplier's  transferee or
assignee shall have all the rights, powers,  privileges and remedies of Supplier
hereunder  and User's  obligations  as between  itself  and such  transferee  or
assignee hereunder shall not be subject to any claims,  defense or rights of set
off which User may have against  Supplier.  Upon  written  notice to User of any
such sale or assignment,  User shall thereafter make payments of all Fuel Supply
Charges  and other  sums due  hereunder  to a lock box  account  which  shall be
maintained  for the benefit of Supplier or any and all  transferees or acquirers
of an interest hereunder with the effect and result that at all times during the
term of this Agreement,  User shall only be required to make one payment of Fuel
Supply Charges due on any payment date. Such payments shall discharge


                                               21



<PAGE>


the  obligation  of User to Supplier  hereunder to the extent of such  payments.
After  such  assignment  and upon  delivery  of  written  notice to User by such
assignee,  the  terms  and  provisions  of this  Agreement  may not be  altered,
modified, or waived without the written consent of such assignee.

         (b) Supplier may assign all of its rights, duties and obligations under
this Agreement to a wholly owned subsidiary or an affiliate Supplier.

         18.      Certificates; Information; Other Actions.
                  ----------------------------------------

         (a) User will,  from time to time,  deliver to Supplier,  promptly upon
reasonable  request (i) a statement  executed by any duly authorized  officer of
User,  certifying the dates to which the sums payable  hereunder have been paid,
that this  Agreement  is  unmodified  and in full effect (or, if there have been
modifications,   that  this  Agreement  is  in  full  effect  as  modified,  and
identifying  such  modifications)  and  that  no  breach  has  occurred  and  is
continuing  (or specifying the nature and period of existence of any thereof and
what action User is taking or proposes to take with respect  thereto),  and (ii)
such information with respect to User's operations,  business, property, assets,
financial condition, or litigation as Supplier, or any transferee or assignee of
Supplier pursuant to Section 17 shall reasonably request.

         (b) Supplier  will, if it has used or disposed of any Fuel Supply under
Section  4(f)  hereof,  from  time to  time,  deliver  to  User,  promptly  upon
reasonable  request  such  information  with respect to  Supplier's  operations,
business,  property,  assets,  financial condition,  or litigation as User shall
reasonably  request,  including  without  limitation,  annual audited  financial
statements, and unaudited quarterly financial statements.

         (c) User will promptly and duly execute,  deliver, file and record such
documents, statements,  registrations, and filings and take such further actions
as  Supplier  may from time to time  reasonably  request in order to  establish,
perfect,  and maintain  Supplier's  title to, and interest  (including  security
interests)  in, the Fuel  Supply,  this  Agreement,  the  license  agreement  or
agreements referred to in Section 8(a) and the contracts and assignments thereto
referred to in Section 6, as against  User or any third party in any  applicable
jurisdiction.

         19. Intention of the Parties. It is the intention of the parties hereto
that  Supplier has title to and is the legal owner of the  Supplier's  Inventory
and that User does not hereby acquire any right,  title,  equity, or interest in
and to the Supplier's  Inventory except for the right to purchase the Supplier's
Inventory as provided herein.

         20. Obligation of User to Pay Fuel Supply Charges. User's obligation to
pay all Fuel  Supply  Charges  and  other  amounts  payable  hereunder  shall be
unconditional  and  shall  not be  affected  by (i) any set  off,  counterclaim,
recoupment,  defense  or  other  right  which  User may  have  (and  may  pursue
independently)  against Supplier or anyone else for any reason  whatsoever,  and
(ii) any defect in the title, compliance with specifications, condition, design,
operation or fitness for use of, or any damage to or loss or destruction of, any
Fuel Supply,  and (iii) any ruling or decision of any governmental  authority or
agency.  User hereby waives,  to the extent permitted by applicable law, any and
all rights which it may now have or which at any time hereafter may be conferred
upon it, by statute or otherwise,  to terminate,  cancel, quit or surrender this
Agreement  except in accordance with the express terms hereof.  Each Fuel Supply
Charge payment and other payment made by User shall be


                                               22



<PAGE>


final and User will not seek to  recover  all or any part of such  payment  from
Supplier for any reason whatsoever, except only to the extent adjustments in the
amount  of  any  Fuel  Supply  Charge  payment  is   necessitated  or  expressly
contemplated by the definitions or terms contained in this Agreement.

         21. Closing  Costs.  At the time of execution of this  Agreement,  User
shall pay to Supplier closing costs in an amount equal to $25,000.  All expenses
for User's legal  counsel and all other  User's costs and expenses  necessary to
close this transaction shall be paid by User or shall be for the User's account.

         22. Fuel Supply To Be and Remain Personal Property. It is the intention
and understanding of both Supplier and User that all Fuel Supply shall be and at
all times remain personal property. User will obtain and record such instruments
and take such steps as may be necessary to prevent any person from acquiring any
rights in the Fuel Supply paramount to the rights of Supplier, by reason of such
Fuel Supply being deemed to be real property.  If, notwithstanding the intention
of the parties and the  provisions  of this  Section 21, any person  acquires or
claims to have acquired any rights in any Fuel Supply paramount to the rights of
Supplier,  by reason of such Fuel Supply being deemed to be real  property,  and
such person seeks in any manner to interfere  with the use of the Fuel Supply by
User as contemplated by this Agreement, then User shall promptly notify Supplier
in writing of such fact  (unless  the basis for such  interference  is waived or
eliminated to the  satisfaction  of Supplier within a period of ninety (90) days
from the date it is asserted)  and User shall within ninety (90) days after such
notice pay to Supplier or  Supplier's  assignee an amount equal to the Inventory
Value of such Fuel Supply at the time of payment plus all Fuel Supply Charges on
such Fuel Supply to such date of payment and any other amounts  hereunder  which
are due and unpaid.  The User's  obligation to pay the Fuel Supply Charges shall
continue until such payments have been received and shall  thereupon  terminate;
and upon such payments all of Supplier's title to and rights in such Fuel Supply
shall  automatically  pass to User or its designee  without recourse and without
warranty of any kind  whatsoever and this Agreement  shall  thereupon  terminate
with respect to such Fuel Supply.

         23.  Miscellaneous.  This Agreement and all rights  hereunder  shall be
governed  by the laws of the State of  Connecticut,  including  all  matters  of
construction,  validity and performance. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges
that the other party shall not by act, delay, omission or otherwise be deemed to
have  waived  any of its  rights  or  remedies  hereunder  or  under  any  other
instrument  given hereunder  unless such waiver is given in writing and the same
shall be  binding  to the  extent  therein  provided  and only upon the  parties
signing  the same.  A waiver on any one  occasion  shall not be  construed  as a
waiver on any future  occasion.  No  executory  agreement  shall be effective to
change, modify or discharge,  in whole or in part, this Agreement,  or any other
instrument given in connection herewith, unless such agreement is in writing and
signed by Supplier and User.  This Agreement  shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto, their permitted successors and assignees. All
rights,  remedies and powers granted herein, or in any other instrument given in
connection  herewith,  shall be  cumulative  and may be exercised  singularly or
cumulatively.  This Agreement  constitutes the entire understanding or agreement
between Supplier and User and there is no  understanding  or agreement,  oral or
written,  which is not set forth herein.  Notices to User  required  pursuant to
this  Agreement  shall be  delivered  to The United  Illuminating  Company at 80
Temple Street, New Haven,  Connecticut 06506,  Attention:  Treasurer, or at such
other  location  as User may direct in  writing.  Notices to  Supplier  required
pursuant to this Agreement shall be delivered



                                               23



<PAGE>


to BLC  Corporation  at 2655  Campus  Drive,  Suite 200,  San  Mateo,  CA 94403,
Attention: Legal Department, or at such other location as Supplier may direct in
writing.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  Supplier and User have duly  executed this Fossil
Fuel Supply Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

                                          BLC Corporation, Supplier
Attest:



By                                        By
  --------------------------------------    ------------------------------
                Asst. Secretary                         President



                                          The United Illuminating Company, User
Attest:


By                                        By
  -------------------------------           ---------------------------------
         Secretary
                                          Title


                                      24



<PAGE>


                                        EXHIBIT A

                                      Inventory Record


                                    [To be Provided by User]


<PAGE>




                                                                   EXHIBIT B
                                                                   ---------
                                                    (Oil, Coal and Natural Gas)


         THIS  ASSIGNMENT made as of the day of ____ , 19__, by and between The
United Illuminating  Company  (hereinafter  called  "Assignor"),  and  BLC
Corporation (hereinafter called "Assignee").

         WHEREAS,   Assignor  is  party  to  the  following  described  contract
(hereinafter   called  the   "Contract")   which   provides  for  the  purchase,
transportation, storage, or handling of fuel:

                                         [*]

         WHEREAS,  Assignor  and  Assignee  are  parties to a Fossil Fuel Supply
Agreement,  dated as of July 1, 1991,  as the same may be  amended  from time to
time (hereinafter called the "Agreement").

         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and of other good and
valuable consideration, Assignor and Assignee hereby agree as follows:

         1.  Assignor  assigns,  transfers,  and sets over unto  Assignee all of
Assignor's  right,  title, and interest in and to the Contract and in and to the
fuel and services to be purchased, delivered or performed under the Contract but
only in connection with fuel delivered to Assignor's receiving terminals at [*],
Connecticut [AND FUEL LOADED IN [*]] or [SHIPPED FROM [*]].  Notwithstanding the
foregoing,  Assignor on its own behalf or on behalf of Assignee  retains all its
rights and obligations under the Contract to give any notice and to exercise any
option or election provided therein, to enforce any claim for breach of any term
thereof and any rights and obligations to supervise or direct the off loading of
fuel, including,  but not limited to, the scheduling of vessels, and to take any
steps necessary to prevent spilling, loss, or other damage to persons, property,
or the environment.

         2. Assignee accepts the foregoing assignment and transfer from Assignor
and,  subject to all of the terms and  provisions  of the  Agreement,  including
without  limitation,  provisions thereof setting forth circumstances under which
Assignee  would have no  obligation to make any payment under or pursuant to the
Contract,  agrees (i) to make all  payments  which are required to be made under
the Contract  for fuel to be  purchased or services to be performed  but only in
connection  with  fuel  delivered  to  Assignor's  receiving  terminals  at [*],
Connecticut  [AND FUEL LOADED IN [*]] or [SHIPPED FROM [*]], and (ii) to sell to
Assignor fuel delivered under the Contract to Assignor's  receiving terminals at
[*],  Connecticut  [AND  FUEL  LOADED  IN [*]] or [AT OR NEAR ANY WELL OR WELLS,
PRODUCTION PLATFORMS OR ANY OTHER POINTS IN [*]], provided,  however,  that with
respect to any payments to be made under the Contract which Assignor is required
to make pursuant to the Agreement in order to stay within the  limitation on the
maximum costs to be paid by Assignee as specified in the Agreement, Assignor and
Assignee  agree to notify the party to the Contract to which any such payment is
due that it should invoice and sell the fuel or service  covered by such payment
directly to Assignor.

     3.  Assignor  agrees to pay Assignee,  in accordance  with the terms of the
Agreement, for any fuel or services purchased by Assignor under the Agreement.


                                      1


<PAGE>


         4.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  Assignee  shall  not be or become
responsible  to Assignor or to the other party (or  parties) to the Contract for
the  performance  of the term,  conditions and  obligations  under the Contract,
other than for the obligation to make the payments which are required to be made
thereunder  for the  purchase  of fuel  or  services  in  connection  with  fuel
delivered to Assignor's receiving terminals at [*], Connecticut [AND FUEL LOADED
IN [*]] or [SHIPPED FROM [*]], in accordance with and subject to the limitations
set forth in the Agreement.  Nothing contained herein shall be construed to give
any party to the Contract, other than the Assignor, any right, including without
limitation,  third party  beneficiary  rights against Assignee by reason of this
Assignment. Assignor shall be and remains responsible for the performance of the
terms,  conditions,  and  obligations  under the  Contract,  including,  without
limitation, the obligation to make payments for the purchase of fuel or services
thereunder if, for any reason,  the Assignee  should fail or not be obligated to
make any such payment.

         5. If the  Agreement  is  terminated  pursuant to its terms at any time
when payment for any fuel or services covered by the Contract has not been made,
or if the  Contract  is  reassigned  by  Assignee  to  Assignor  pursuant to any
provision  of the  Agreement,  then  after  such  termination  or  reassignment,
Assignee shall not be obligated to make any further  payment under the Contract.
Upon any notice of termination of the Agreement or notice of reassignment of the
Contract,  Assignee  agrees to reconvey  to the  Assignor  the right,  title and
interest of Assignee in and to the Contract  and Assignor  agrees to accept such
reconveyance all in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  Assignor and  Assignee  have duly  executed  this
Assignment as of the day and year first above written.

                                      The United Illuminating Company, Assignor
Attest:


By                                     By
  ----------------------------           ----------------------------------
                Secretary              Title



                                       BLC Corporation, Assignee
Attest:


By                                     By
  ----------------------------           ----------------------------------
                Secretary                              President



                                          2



<PAGE>


                                      CONSENT AND AGREEMENT
                                      ---------------------

         The undersigned hereby (i) consents to the aforesaid  Assignment,  (ii)
acknowledges  and agrees that  Assignee's  obligations  under the Assignment are
limited  solely to the  obligation  to make  payment for fuel to be delivered or
services to be performed under the Contract in connection with fuel delivered to
Assignor's  receiving terminals at [*],  Connecticut [AND FUEL LOADED IN [*]] or
[SHIPPED FROM [*]] and are limited by and subject to the terms and provisions of
the  Agreement  including,  but not  limited  to, the  maximum  Inventory  Value
limitation set forth in Section 5 of the Agreement,  (iii) agrees,  upon request
of Assignor and Assignee as provided in Section 2 of the  aforesaid  Assignment,
to invoice and sell specified fuel or perform specified  services directly to or
for  Assignor  by  submitting  an  invoice  to the  Assignor  with a copy to the
Assignee,  (iv)  acknowledges  and agrees  that  Assignee's  obligation  to make
payment  hereunder  is  expressly  conditioned  upon  Assignee's  receipt  of  a
completed  executed  Inventory  Record and an endorsed invoice both covering the
relevant  fuel and in each case  executed  and endorsed by an  appropriate  duly
authorized  officer of Assignor in form and substance  satisfactory to Assignee,
and (v) covenants and warrants that Assignee  shall receive good and valid title
to all fuel supplied  under the  Contract,  free and clear of any and all liens,
encumbrances and rights of others.

                               [VENDOR]


                                        -------------------------------------
                                        By
                                          -----------------------------------

Date
    ------------------

The United Illuminating  Company hereby represents to [vendor] that at all times
while the Contract is in effect or any obligations under it are outstanding, The
United Illuminating  Company shall be and remains responsible as primary obligor
for the performance of the terms, conditions and obligations under the Contract,
including without  limitation the obligation to make payment for the purchase of
fuel or services thereunder.

                                            The United Illuminating Company

                                            By
                                              -----------------------------
                                            Title
                                                 --------------------------
Date
    ---------------

                                                3


<PAGE>


                                                                  EXHIBIT C
                                                                  ---------

                                        LICENSE AGREEMENT
                                        -----------------

     THIS  AGREEMENT,  entered  into as of the _ day of ___ , 19 ,  between  The
United Iluminating Company ("UI"), Bridgeport Electric Company which is a wholly
owned  subsidiary of UI ("BEC")  (hereinafter  "Licensors")  and BLC Corporation
(hereinafter "Licensee").

                                       WITNESSETH THAT:

         WHEREAS UI and Licensee are parties to a Fossil Fuel Supply  Agreement,
dated  as of  July  1,  1991,  as the  same  may be  amended  from  time to time
(hereinafter  called the "Fuel Agreement") under which Licensee will sell fossil
fuels owned by it (hereinafter called the "Fuel Supply") to UI; and

         WHEREAS UI is the  lessee of certain  fuel  storage  facilities  in New
Haven,  Connecticut  and UI and BEC are each the owner or lessee of certain fuel
storage  facilities in Bridgeport,  Connecticut  which facilities  Licensors are
willing  to make  available  to  Licensee  for  storage of Fuel  Supply  pending
delivery  and sale of Fuel  Supply to UI or other  persons  pursuant to the Fuel
Agreement;

         NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  premises  and  the  mutual
agreements contained herein, Licensors and Licensee agree as follows:

         1.  Licensors  hereby grant to Licensee a license and permission to use
the  fuel  storage   facilities  in  New  Haven,   Connecticut  and  Bridgeport,
Connecticut  described  in  Exhibits  attached  hereto  (hereinafter  called the
"Facilities")  for the purpose of storing Fuel Supply therein  pending  delivery
and sale thereof to UI or other persons pursuant to the Fuel Agreement, together
with a license and  permission  to use the most direct and  convenient  existing
access ways affording ingress and egress to and from the Facilities;  reserving,
however,  to Licensors  the right,  whether alone or in common with Licensee and
others, or in connection with others,  to use the equipment  associated with the
Facilities  and owned by Licensors;  and  reserving,  further,  to Licensors the
right to use the  facilities  for the storage of fossil fuel owned by  Licensors
and the storage of fossil fuel owned by other persons,  insofar as said use does
not  interfere  with  Licensee's  use of the  Facilities  pursuant  to the  Fuel
Agreement.

         2.  Licensors  acknowledge  and agree that  Licensors have retained all
rights,  duties  and  liabilities  as  owner  or  lessee  and  operator  of  the
Facilities,  including any and all liability related to the ownership,  tenancy,
maintenance  and operation of the  Facilities and any and all Fuel Supply stored
therein.  Licensors agree to operate and maintain all facilities,  and to handle
and store all Fuel Supply, in full compliance with all applicable federal, state
and local laws, rules,  regulations,  regulatory policies and guidelines and all
licenses, permits, judgements,  decrees, orders or like actions of any authority
or agency of any federal,  state or local government and to use every reasonable
precaution  to prevent  loss of, or damage  to,  the Fuel  Supply and to prevent
injury to persons or property arising out of the use, custody


                                                1



<PAGE>


and storage of the Fuel Supply by  Licensors  and all  liabilities  with respect
thereto  including,  but not limited to, all environmental  liabilities shall be
the sole  responsibility of the Licensors.  All individuals  handling,  using or
performing any operation with respect to the Fuel Supply (excluding employees of
Licensee  and all  companies,  persons or firms  controlled  by or under  common
control with Licensee,  acting within the scope of their  employment)  shall, as
between  Licensors  and  Licensee,  be deemed for all purposes to be  employees,
servants or agents of  Licensors  and shall be  conclusively  presumed not to be
employees, servants or agents of Licensee.

     3. Licensee  agrees to make no  additions,  alterations,  modifications  or
improvements to the Facilities without the prior written consent of Licensors.

     4.  Licensee  may assign  the  license  and  permission  evidenced  hereby,
provided  that any such  assignment  shall be  subject  to all of the  terms and
conditions hereof.

     5. The term of this  License  Agreement  shall  commence on the date hereof
shown on the first  page and shall  continue  for  period of three  hundred  and
sixty-four  (364) days.  Thereafter,  the term of this License  Agreement  shall
automatically extend for any period or periods during which the term of the Fuel
Agreement is extended.  This License  Agreement shall terminate on the same date
the Fuel Agreement  terminates and UI has paid to Licensee all amounts  required
to be paid under the Fuel Agreement.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  Licensors  and Licensee  have duly  executed this
Assignment as of the day and year first above written.

                                     The United Illuminating Company, Licensor
Attest:


By                                   By
  -----------------------------        -----------------------------
           Secretary
                                     Title
                                          --------------------------



                                     Bridgeport Electric Company, Licensor
Attest:


By                                   By
  ------------------------------       -----------------------------
                Secretary
                                     Title
                                          --------------------------


                                      BLC Corporation, Licensee
Attest:

By                                    By
  ----------------------------          ----------------------------
                  Secretary                       President



                                       2



<PAGE>


                                                                   EXHIBIT D
                                                                   ---------

                                     CERTIFICATE
                                     -----------

         This  Certificate  is  delivered  by The  United  Illuminating  Company
("Company") to BLC  Corporation  ("Supplier") in connection with the Fossil Fuel
Supply Agreement,  dated as of [*]  ("Agreement")  between Supplier and Company,
the  assignment  by Company of  contracts  relating  to fuel  supply to Supplier
("Assignments"),  and the granting by Company and Bridgeport Electric Company, a
wholly owned  subsidiary of Company  ("BEC") of a license to BLC  Corporation to
utilize  storage  facilities  of Company  and BEC  ("License")  to  perform  its
obligations  under the Agreement.  The Company  hereby  certifies as of the date
hereof as follows:

         1.  Company  is a  corporation  duly  organized  and  existing  in good
standing under the laws of the State of Connecticut  and has the corporate power
to own its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted and as
presently  contemplated  to be  conducted  and is duly  qualified  as a  foreign
corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the nature of the
business  transacted  by it  makes  such  qualification  necessary,  namely  New
Hampshire.

         2. The execution, delivery and performance by Company of the Agreement,
the Inventory Records in connection therewith, the Assignments,  and the License
have been duly authorized by all necessary  action,  and do not and will not (i)
require any further  consent or approval of the  stockholders  of Company,  (ii)
violate any  provision of any law,  rule,  regulation,  order,  writ,  judgment,
injunction,   decree,   determination   or  award  presently  in  effect  having
applicability to Company or any of its properties or to the charter or bylaws of
Company,  or (iii)  result in a breach  of or  constitute  a  default  under any
indenture  or  loan  or  credit  agreement  or any  other  agreement,  lease  or
instrument to which Company is a party or by which it or its  properties  may be
bound or affected.

         3. No authorization, consent, approval, license, exemption of or filing
or registration with any court or governmental  department,  commission,  board,
bureau, agency, or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, is or will be necessary
to the valid execution, delivery or performance by Company of the Agreement, the
Inventory Records in connection therewith, the Assignments and the License.

         4. The Agreement,  the Inventory Records in connection  therewith,  the
Assignments and the License each constitute legal, valid and binding obligations
of Company enforceable  against Company in accordance with their terms,  subject
to any applicable bankruptcy,  reorganization,  insolvency,  moratorium or other
similar laws affecting generally the enforcement of creditors' rights.

         5. There has not been any failure by Company to file at or prior to the
time required any reports or other filings with any regulatory  authority having
jurisdiction  over it which could  materially  adversely  affect its business or
financial condition.

         6. Company is not a party to any indenture, loan or credit agreement or
any lease or other agreement or instrument or subject to any charter restriction
which could impair the ability of Company to carry out its obligations under the
Agreement, the Inventory Records in connection therewith, the Assignments or the
License.

         7.  Company  has  filed all tax  returns  (Federal,  state  and  local)
required to be filed and paid all taxes shown  thereon to be due,  including any
interest and penalties, or has provided adequate reserves for payment thereof.

                                     1



<PAGE>


         8. Company is not in default under or in violation of (i) any provision
of any  law,  rule,  regulation,  order,  writ,  judgment,  injunction,  decree,
determination  or award presently in effect having  applicability  to Company or
any of its  properties  or to the  charter  or  bylaws  of  Company  or (ii) the
Agreement or (iii) any indenture,  loan,  credit  agreement,  lease or any other
agreement or instrument to which Company is a party or by which it or any of its
properties  may be bound or affected.  There exists no  condition,  event or act
which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute any
such default or violation.

         9. The balance  sheet of Company as at [INSERT MOST RECENT  YEAR],  and
the related statements of income and retained earnings of Company for the fiscal
year then ended, certified by Coopers & Lybrand, independent public accountants,
copies of which have been  furnished to Supplier,  fairly  present the financial
condition  of Company as at such date and the  results of the  operation  of the
Company for the period  ended on such date,  all in  accordance  with  generally
accepted accounting principles consistently applied. The unaudited balance sheet
of Company as at [INSERT MOST RECENT  QUARTER],  and the related  statements  of
income and  retained  earnings of Company  for the [*] month  period then ended,
certified by a chief financial officer of the Company, copies of which have been
furnished to Supplier,  fairly present,  subject to normal year-end adjustments,
the  financial  position  of  Company  for the [*]  months  then  ended,  all in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.

         10.  Except as described  in the  financial  statements  in paragraph 9
above,  there has been no material  adverse change in the business,  operations,
affairs,  assets or  condition,  financial  or  otherwise,  or  prospects of the
Company.  The  Company  does not  have any  material  contingent  liability  not
provided for or disclosed in the financial statements referred to in paragraph 9
hereof.

         11.  Except as described  in the  financial  statements  in paragraph 9
above, there are neither (i) any actions,  suits or proceedings  pending,  or to
the  knowledge  of  Company,  threatened  against  or  affecting  Company or the
property of Company in any court or before any  arbitrator of any kind or before
or by any governmental  body, nor (ii) any developments or determinations in any
such  actions,  suits or  proceedings,  which  actions,  suits  or  proceedings,
developments or  determinations  may materially  adversely  affect the business,
operations,  affairs, assets or condition,  financial or otherwise, or prospects
of Company or which may  adversely  affect the ability of Company to perform its
obligations under the Agreement,  the Inventory Records in connection therewith,
the Assignments or the License. The Company is not in default with respect to or
in violation of any order of any court,  arbitrator or  governmental  body which
has a significant  effect on the affairs,  properties or financial  condition of
Company.

     12.  The  Company's  sole  purpose  for  purchasing  natural  gas under the
Agreement is for consumption by the Company,  and none thereof will be resold by
the Company.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  Company has caused  this  Certificate  to be
executed by its duly authorized officer as of the date first herein written.

                                             The United Illuminating Company,
                                             By its authorized officer,

Attest:


By                                           By
  ------------------------------                ---------------------------
                Secretary
                                             Title
                                                  -------------------------

                                         2

<TABLE>


                                                                                                                    EXHIBIT 12
                                                                                                                   PAGE 1 OF 2

                                               THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                                      COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                                                          (IN THOUSANDS)



<CAPTION>
                                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                        -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          1992           1993            1994            1995           1996
                                                         ------         ------          ------          ------         ------
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>
EARNINGS
     Net income                                         $ 56,768       $ 40,481        $ 46,795        $ 50,393       $ 39,096
     Federal income taxes                                 19,276         22,342          34,551          41,951         35,252
     State income taxes                                   16,878          4,645           6,216          12,976          8,506
     Fixed charges                                       109,449         97,928          88,093          83,994         80,097
                                                         -------        -------         -------         -------        -------

     Earnings available for fixed charges               $202,371       $165,396        $175,655        $189,314       $162,951
                                                         =======        =======         =======         =======        =======

FIXED CHARGES
     Interest on long-term debt                         $ 88,666       $ 80,030        $ 73,772        $ 63,431       $ 66,305
     Other interest                                       12,882         12,260          10,301          16,723          9,534
     Interest on nuclear fuel burned                       2,963            928               -               -              -
     One third of rental charges                           4,938          4,710           4,020           3,840          4,258
                                                         -------        -------         -------         -------        -------

                                                        $109,449       $ 97,928        $ 88,093        $ 83,994       $ 80,097
                                                         =======        =======         =======         =======        =======

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED
   CHARGES                                                  1.85           1.69            1.99            2.25           2.03
                                                         =======        =======         =======         =======        =======
</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>
                                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                        -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             1992           1993           1994           1995          1996
                                                            ------         ------         ------         ------        ------
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>
EARNINGS
     Net income                                            $ 56,768       $ 40,481       $ 46,795       $ 50,393      $ 39,096
     Federal income taxes                                    19,276         22,342         34,551         41,951        35,252
     State income taxes                                      16,878          4,645          6,216         12,976         8,506
     Fixed charges                                          109,449         97,928         88,093         83,994        80,097
                                                            -------        -------        -------        -------       ------- 

    Earnings available for combined fixed
       charges and preferred stock
       dividend requirements                               $202,371       $165,396       $175,655       $189,314      $162,951
                                                            =======        =======        =======        =======       =======

FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED
  STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS
     Interest on long-term debt                            $ 88,666       $ 80,030       $ 73,772       $ 63,431      $ 66,305
     Other interest                                          12,882         12,260         10,301         16,723         9,534
     Interest on nuclear fuel burned                          2,963            928              -              -             -
     One third of rental charges                              4,938          4,710          4,020          3,840         4,258
     Preferred stock dividend requirements (1)                7,100          7,197          6,223          2,778           699
                                                            -------        -------        -------        -------       -------
                                                           $116,549       $105,125       $ 94,316       $ 86,772      $ 80,796
                                                            =======        =======        =======        =======       =======
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED
   CHARGES AND PREFERRED
   STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS                                 1.74           1.57           1.86           2.18          2.02
                                                            =======        =======        =======        =======       =======
</TABLE>

- ------------

(1) Preferred Stock Dividends increased to reflect the pre-tax earnings required
    to cover such dividend requirements.






                                                              EXHIBIT NO. 21



                             LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES OF
                         THE UNITED ILLUMINATING COMPANY


                              STATE OR JURISDICTION
                               OF INCORPORATION OR     NAME UNDER WHICH
  NAME OF SUBSIDIARY              ORGANIZATION      SUBSIDIARY DOES BUSINESS
  ------------------          --------------------- ------------------------

United Funding Capital              Delaware        United Funding Capital
Partnership L.P.                                    Partnership L.P.

United Resources, Inc.              Connecticut     United Resources, Inc.

Thermal Energies, Inc.*             Connecticut     Thermal Energies, Inc.

Precision Power, Inc.*              Connecticut     Precision Power, Inc.

American Payment Systems, Inc.*     Connecticut     American Payment Systems,
                                                    Inc.




- ----------------------

*Subsidiary of United Resources, Inc.


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                           UT
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1996
<BOOK-VALUE>                                   PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT>                      1,322,314
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST>                    26,081
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS>                         163,350
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES>                       449,150
<OTHER-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1,960,895
<COMMON>                                       284,579
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN>                      (1,410)
<RETAINED-EARNINGS>                            156,847
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ>                 440,016
                          0
                                    4,461
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET>                           759,680
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES>                             0
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE>                      10,965
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS>                 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT>                  69,900
                      0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS>                    17,193
<LEASES-CURRENT>                               315
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB>                 658,365
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB>                  1,960,895
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE>                      726,020
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE>                           53,090
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                     563,795
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                     616,885
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS>                        109,135
<OTHER-INCOME-NET>                             3,106
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN>                 112,241
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE>                       68,332
<NET-INCOME>                                   39,096
                    330
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM>                  40,606
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                       40,611
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS>                      59,626
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS>                         144,752
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  2.88
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  2.88
        

</TABLE>


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