Northeast Utilities Corporate Governance

Lead Trustee Committee Charter

Purpose

The Lead Trustee of Northeast Utilities (the “Company”) is appointed by the Board to act as the liaison between the Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

Lead Trustee Authority and Responsibilities

The Lead Trustee’s authority and responsibilities shall include:

1. Establishing with the Chief Executive Officer agendas for Board meetings.
   
   
2. Ensuring that Trustees receive relevant information in a timely manner.
   
   
3. Annually, organizing the Board’s evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer.
   
   
4. Providing ongoing information to the Chief Executive Officer on his/her performance.
   
   
5. Chairing non-management and (in the absence of the Chairman and the Vice Chairman) executive sessions of the Board.
   
   
6. Leading the Board in anticipating and responding to problems where management’s performance may be in question.
   
   
7. Obtaining staff support of both a permanent and a temporary nature, to assist the Lead Trustee in carrying out the foregoing responsibilities.

Effective: July 15, 2003

Last updated as of 1/13/04

Printer Friendly Page