Press Release

Consolidated Edison of New York, Inc.’s Steam Business Unit (SBU) was awarded the System of the Year award for the year 2000 by the International District Energy Association’s (IDEA) last week. The annual award is the top honor IDEA confers on a district energy system. The award serves as an industry benchmark for overall excellence and recognizes the company's steam system operation as an exemplary utility system providing high-level performance and service that furthers the goals of the district energy industry.

"We're very proud to have our steam system recognized as the world's best by such a prestigious organization such as IDEA. This award is the result of a lot of hard work by all the people in the SBU and we're pleased to see that hard work rewarded with such a high honor," said Andrew Jacob, vice president of Con Edison's Steam Business Unit.

Con Edison topped an international field of entrants competing for the award. A panel of IDEA-member judges selected Con Edison based on the steam system’s efficiency, reliability and availability, as well as its environmental benefits and the company’s strategy for compliance with all state, federal and local regulations. Also cited by the judges were the SBU’s employee safety and training programs, customer relations, service improvements, communications and marketing efforts, and its involvement in the community and professional organizations.

In recommending Con Edison for the award, the judges also cited the company's sensitivity to the issues faced by the city it serves. One of the judges noted, "Particularly since they are so large - the largest district steam system in the world - you have to tip your hat to them. They have had the vision to make these critical areas a top focus and have applied their resources accordingly. It is clear Con Edison's steam system operations has a solid strategy to optimize the service it provides to its customers. It's obviously part of their culture."

The Con Edison Steam System serves approximately 1,850 customers with annual revenue of $350 million. District energy is an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly method of heating and cooling buildings. District energy systems produce steam, hot water or chilled water at a central plant for distribution within a specific geographical area. The steam or water is piped underground to individual buildings within a designated area for heating, cooling or industrial use.

The IDEA promotes energy efficiency and environmental quality through the advancement of district heating, district cooling and cogeneration. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the 1,000-member IDEA comprises district heating and cooling executives, managers, engineers, consultants and equipment suppliers from 18 countries.

Contact:

Joseph Petta
(212) 460-4111