Nstar, NU Reach Merger Agreement with DOER, Attorney General

Nstar and Northeast Utilities said yesterday that they have reached separate, comprehensive merger-related agreements with both the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Massachusetts Attorney General (AG).

Of note to the retail market:

- Nstar will enter into a 15-year contract to buy 129 megawatts of offshore wind power from Cape Wind. This contract will complement Nstar's existing contracts for 109 megawatts of onshore wind.

- Nstar will issue an RFP to enter into long-term contracts for 10 megawatts of solar power.

- Nstar will put in place an electric vehicle pilot program in Massachusetts, building on work already done by Northeast Utilities. The pilot will be designed to help NSTAR understand the infrastructure requirements needed for a substantial increase in the use of electric vehicles.