HARTFORD, Conn., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Northeast Utilities (NYSE: NU) today reported earnings for the fourth quarter of 2009 of $84.7 million, or $0.48 per share, compared with $71.9 million, or $0.46 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2008. NU earned $330 million, or $1.91 per sh