Press Release

NEW YORK, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Edison) (NYSE: ED) was named by Working Woman magazine today as one of the "Top 25 Companies For Executive Women."

Con Edison placed 17th on the magazine's "Top 25" list, which appears in the December 12, 2000 issue. Working Woman's third annual list ranks the nation's Fortune 1000 companies that have at least two women on the board of directors and a significant number of women in senior management positions. Con Edison has four women on its 12-member board of directors. More than 50 women in the company are senior officers, vice presidents, directors, department heads or managers.

"Our employees comprise a very dynamic and diverse workforce, one that reflects the people who live in the communities we serve," said Eugene R. McGrath, Chairman and CEO of Con Edison. "We are very proud of the career opportunities and advancement potential offered at Con Edison to all of our employees, and we are pleased with this recognition by Working Woman magazine. Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths."

In presenting the current Top 25 national list, Working Woman highlights Joan Freilich, Con Edison's highest-ranking female executive. As Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Board of Directors, the magazine states, Ms. Freilich, "helped Con Ed find its bearings under deregulation and become the $7.5 billion powerhouse it is today."

Con Edison was recognized nationally by FORTUNE magazine in 1999 for having four women on its 12-member Board of Directors, putting the company in the top 10 of all Fortune 500 companies in the nation for that category. Catalyst, a nonprofit organization that works with business to advance women, also recently recognized Con Edison's commitment to diversity, citing the company for Best Practices in the category of "Breaking Down Glass Walls," in its report, "Breaking the Glass Ceiling." In addition, earlier this year, the Minority Corporate Counsel Association honored Con Edison with its "Diversity 2000 Award."

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc., one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $9 billion in annual revenues and $16 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 http://www.coned.com. SOURCE Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.

CONTACT: D. Joy Faber, 212-460-4111, for Con Edison/