Press Release

NEW YORK, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Edison) (NYSE: ED) today released data showing that the overall electrical system performance for this summer, based on the rate of service interruptions, was the best in the past eight years. The electrical system's overall performance data for June, July and August 2000, compared with the previous five-year average, indicates a reduction of approximately 43 percent in the number of customer interruptions.

This impressive gain in reliability is not just the result of cooler-than-normal weather this summer. Even when adjusted for weather, the decrease in service interruptions this summer compared with the previous five-year average was approximately 34 percent.

"In preparation for this summer, we worked diligently on an ambitious system reinforcement program. The company's goal was to further improve the most reliable energy distribution system in the country and this summer's system performance is evidence that our hard work has paid off," said Robert W. Donohue, senior vice president of electric operations for Con Edison.

The improved reliability is attributed to Con Edison's system-wide reinforcement program that included additional testing, repairs and replacements of feeder cables and components throughout the company's service area of New York City and Westchester County, New York. In the most recent survey of utilities across the country, Con Edison was ranked as the most reliable, with a customer interruption rate 11 times lower than the national average.

"This is just the first year of a five-year program and it has yielded excellent results. Our customers can look forward to even greater service reliability in the future as we continue our efforts to improve our system in order to provide New Yorkers with the high level of service that they expect and deserve," added Donohue.

As part of its summer preparations, the company replaced 135 miles of underground and aerial feeder cables and 949 cable joints (splices), installed 170 new transformers, and enhanced and upgraded nine electrical (4kv) unit substations. In addition, major power transformers at the Jamaica substation in Queens and at the Greenwood substation in Brooklyn were replaced. The company made equipment additions and upgrades to at least a dozen other substations.

In order to help facilitate this work, Con Edison hired an additional 343 employees in its Electric Operations, Substation Operations, and Maintenance Services departments. They joined the existing workforce to help implement the system enhancement program in time for this summer's peak-load season.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc., one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with more than $8 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: Michael Clendenin of Con Edison, 212-460-4111/