GRADUATION CEREMONIES FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

Northeast Utilities Foundation and SAMA Held Graduation Ceremonies for Business Owners Enrolled in Energy and Computer Training Program.

Graduates joined by: Left to Right: Ana Sanchez-Adorno, Training Director, SAMA; Sidney Schulman, Bloomfield Mayor; Minnie Gonzalez, State Representative; Fernando Rosa, Deputy Director, HEDCO; Angel Sierra, Board of Directors President, SAMA; Julio Mendoza, Executive Director, SAMA; Veronica Airey-Wilson, Councilwoman, City of Hartford; John Fonfara, Senator; John Burns, Director, CL&P; Milledy Marmol-Cruz, Allstate; Cheryl Duey, Director, CL&P; Kerry Kuhlman, President, Northeast Utilities Foundation and Ana Alfaro, Community Relations, CL&P.

HARTFORD, Connecticut, May 23, 2008 - -Twelve determined and committed Greater Hartford business owners graduated today following ten weeks of intensive Energy and Computer Technology Training Program, sponsored by Northeast Utilities Foundation and the Spanish American Merchants Association (SAMA).

Thanks to this training, merchants are better prepared to manage the daily operations of their business and they have also gained knowledge about CL&P's energy conservation and methods for obtaining financing for energy efficient equipment for their businesses.

Graduation ceremonies were held at SAMA headquarters located at 95 Park Street in Hartford. The Northeast Utilities Foundation is excited to partner with the Spanish American Merchants Association (SAMA) in support of this vital training program.

It's only through this partnership and the collaboration of the nonprofit and private sectors that the original Pasaporte Computer Training and this year's Energy and Computer Technology Training Program are a success.

The partnership started in 2000, we are happy to announce that a total of 15 classes and approximately 225 business owners have completed training under this successful partnership. This graduation marks the 1st SAMA and Northeast Utilities Foundation Energy and Computer Technology Training Program class for 2008.

A number of city and state officials, CL&P representatives, community and business leaders, friends and families were present to celebrate the graduates' achievements. Guests included Senator John Fonfara; Veronica Airey-Wilson, Councilwoman, City of Hartford; Kerry Kuhlman, president, Northeast Utilities Foundation and Miledy Marmol-Cruz, Allstate Foundation.

Energy and Computer Technology Training graduates are: Ethel Carrera, Entrepreneur; Susan Chang Bernal, Chang Travel Agency; Rosario C. Cotrina, Alfa Communications; Jacqueline Espana, Espana Telephone Services; Miriam I. Garcia, GMJ Construction, LLC.; Grecia Martinez, Grecia Beauty Salon; Luz Muñoz, Casa Envios; Ingrid Planck, Envois Galapagos; Eustaquia I. Salas, Sanbenito Cleaning Services; Moises Y. Salas, Sanbenito Cleaning Services and Elias and Macrina Tellez, Tellez Landscaping Services.