By early 1996, it was widely reported that the Millstone reactors were out of compliance with their license and design blueprints on hundreds of operation and engineering matters.

All three Millstone reactors remain temporarily shut down.

There was limited opposition in Connecticut to the opening of the three Millstone reactors.

The three Millstone reactors represent more than 10 percent of New England's electric generating capacity.

Connecticut officials ruled at the start of the year that Northeast could no longer collect returns on Unit 1, the oldest and least expensive of the three Millstone reactors.

They and other critics of the utility had urged that electricity customers not have to bear any more of the costs of the three Millstone reactors through the rates they pay.

All work on Unit 1, the oldest and smallest Millstone reactor, has been suspended.

"When I moved to East Hampton, I didn't know there were three reactors 15 miles from here," she said, referring to the Millstone reactors in Connecticut.

The Millstone reactors were added to the Federal watch list on Jan. 31, one day before Mr. Feigenbaum took over at Northeast.

For example, Millstone 3 reactor in Waterford, Conn., was far over budget during construction in the late 1970's.