Press Release

In response to a request by the New York Power Pool, Consolidated Edison Company of New York Inc. (Con Edison) is asking its customers to reduce unnecessary electricity usage until further notice. Con Edison customer service representatives are also contacting large customers to request voluntarily reduction of all non-essential power use.

New York State utilities are experiencing near record demand for electricity and each utility is asking customers to conserve energy. At 2 p.m. today, 11,401 megawatts of electricity were being used by Con Edison customers, approaching the previous record demand of 11,850 megawatts set on July 6, 1999.

The electrical supply in New York City and Westchester County is currently sufficient to meet the expected load. The statewide public appeal is precautionary and intended to help ensure an adequate electrical supply.

Con Edison has asked customers not to use appliances such as washers, dryers, air conditioners and other energy-intensive equipment until the power reserve problem is resolved.

The situation is being constantly monitored and new developments will be reported. Con Edison thanks its customers for their cooperation. The New York Power Pool is an organization that represents the state’s eight largest investor-owned utilities. The Pool coordinates the operation of electric production and transmission facilities in New York State.

Con Edison is in constant communication with the New York City Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management and the company will continue to provide updates through the media and our customer and community outreach efforts.