UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 Application/Declaration CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO RULE of Northeast Utilities 24 UNDER THE PUBLIC UTILITY on Form U-1 File HOLDING COMPANY ACT OF 1935 No. 70-10033 Pursuant to the requirements of Rule 24 under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended (the "Act"), Northeast Utilities ("NU") certifies that, as described in the Application/Declaration on Form U-1 in File No. 70-10033 (the "Application"), which was allowed to become effective by order of the Commission in Pubic Utility Holding Company Act Release No. 35-27555 (July 30, 2002) (the "Order"), on July 31, 2002 Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation and Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee, LLC consummated the transaction contemplated by the Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of August 15, 2001. NU further certifies that such transaction has been carried out in accordance with the terms and conditions of and for the purposes represented by the Application and the Order. Attached hereto as Exhibit F-2 are the "past tense" opinions of counsel to NU and Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the undersigned have duly caused this Certificate to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. NORTHEAST UTILITIES By /s/ John B. Keane ---------------------------------------- Name: John B. Keane Title: Vice President-Administration of Northeast Utilities Service Company, as Agent for Northeast Utilities VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION By /s/ Bruce W. Wiggett ---------------------------------------- Name: Bruce W. Wiggett Title: Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration Dated: August 5, 2002 -2-