Press Release

NEW YORK, July 21, 2006 – Con Edison has more than 500 splicers, troubleshooters, mechanics, and support personnel working around the clock to restore power to customers in sections of northwest Queens. Crews have been working steadily to identify and repair damaged equipment and to replace burned wiring.

Last night, employees drove several miles throughout the affected areas to pinpoint exact locations where customers have lost power in order to expedite the restoration effort. Crews are inspecting more than 2,000 manholes, approximately 5,000 service boxes, over 600 transformers, and nearly 500 miles of cable, and are repairing or replacing damaged equipment.

As most of the primary cables in the grid have been re-energized, crews are concentrating on the secondary wires – those that deliver electricity from the primary system to homes and businesses.

Starting at 6:30 a.m. Con Edison Customer Outreach advocates will be distributing ice at Ditmars Boulevard and Steinway Street in Astoria. Outreach advocates will also be at the Long Island City YMCA located at 32-23 Queens Blvd. between 32nd and 33rd Streets in Long Island City at 8 a.m.

Claims representatives will be available at both locations to help customers process claims forms, which are also available on the company's Web site at www.coned.com.

Con Edison Media Relations
Contact: Michael Clendenin
Telephone: 1-212-460-4111