Press Release

NEW YORK, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Edison) declared a Condition Red weather alert tonight for its electric distribution system in New York City and Westchester County in anticipation of possible damage from Hurricane Isabel.

Alerts are generally declared when major weather systems are approaching that could affect service to Con Edison's customers. The company has mobilized emergency personnel and equipment and crews are on standby to be assigned throughout the company's service area for rapid restoration in the event of outages.

The company also is prepared to dispatch additional personnel to assess damage as it occurs to help expedite recovery efforts. Environmental response teams are prepared to react if needed. Customers who depend on life sustaining equipment have been informed of the storm's progress and major customers such as hospitals and geriatric centers with special needs have been alerted. The company has increased staffing in its call centers to respond to customer inquires and has also arranged for supplies of dry ice to be ready for customers in the event of any prolonged power outages.

Con Edison continues to be in close contact with the New York City Office of Emergency Management and the Westchester County Office of Emergency Services to coordinate storm preparation efforts.

The company offers the following storm tips to customers to help weather the possible effects of a storm:

• If you see downed electrical wires, do not go near them. Treat all downed wires as if they are live. Never attempt to move them or touch them with any object. Be mindful that downed wires can be hidden from view by tree limbs, leaves or water. Report all downed wires to Con Edison and your local police department immediately. If a power line falls on your car while you're in it, it is recommended that you stay inside the vehicle and wait for expert help.
• If your power goes out, turn off all lights and appliances to prevent overloaded circuits when power is restored. To report a power interruption at your home, call Con Edison's toll-free customer service number 1-800-75CONED (1-800-752-6633). When reporting an outage, have your Con Edison account number available if possible, and report whether your neighbors have also lost power. Leave at least one light switch in the on position to alert you when power has been restored.
• Check to make sure your flashlights and any battery-operated radios or televisions are in working order, and use candles with care. Also, make sure you have a supply of extra batteries. Weather updates and news on restorations of electrical service can be heard on most local radio and television stations.
• Avoid opening your freezer to see if food is still frozen. Every time you open the door, room-temperature air enters and speeds the thawing process. Most fully loaded freezers will keep food frozen for approximately 36 to 48 hours; half-full freezers will keep food frozen for about approximately 24 hours.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE: ED), one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with $9 billion in annual revenues and approximately $19 billion in assets. The utility provides electric, gas and steam service to more than 3 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.

SOURCE Con Edison -0- 09/18/2003 /CONTACT: Michael Clendenin of Con Edison, +1-212-460-4111/ /Web site: http://www.coned.com / (ED) CO: Con Edison; Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.; Consolidated Edison, Inc.