Press Release

Con Edison hit a new peak in energy demand as of 2:00 p.m. today by providing 12,134 megawatts in electrical power to its 3.1 million customers, breaking the previous record of 12,097 megawatts set at 4:00 p.m. on July 25, 2001.

The Con Edison system is delivering energy to an estimated 8.9 million New York City and Westchester residents. More than 4,000 Con Edison employees are working round the clock to monitor its system, which includes more than 89,000 miles of underground cables, 34,000 miles of overhead lines, 25,000 underground transformers and 201,000 utility poles. Con Edison is asking all customers to conserve energy by reducing the use of non-essential electrical appliances such as washers, dryers, air conditioners and other energy-intensive equipment. In addition, the utility is urging customers to help maintain service by turning off lights, televisions and computers when not in use.

During this time, Con Edison is in communication with New York City's Office of Emergency Management and the Westchester Office of Emergency Services.

Con Edison is spending $483 million this year on its electrical distribution system as part of a five-year comprehensive $2.4 billion program to enhance reliability and improve infrastructure. Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $10 billion in annual revenues and $17 billion in assets. The utility provides electric, gas and steam service to more than three million customers in New York City and Westchester County, New York. For additional financial, operations and customer service information, visit Con Edison's web site at www.coned.com.

Contact: Michael Clendenin
(212) 460-4111