Press Release

NEW YORK, March 6 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the statement issued yesterday by Northeast Utilities, Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE: ED) issued the following statement:

"Con Edison announced today that, in response to Northeast Utilities action, Con Edison has filed suit in the Federal District Court in the Southern District of New York seeking a declaratory judgment that Northeast Utilities has failed to satisfy conditions precedent under the merger agreement. These violations include, among other things, uncovered supply obligations at Select Energy that pose "a significant risk"(1) and prospects in Northeast Utilities' unregulated businesses."

1. Northeast Utilities System February 20, 2001 Prospectus Filed Pursuant

to Rule 424, at p.5. SOURCE Consolidated Edison, Inc.

CONTACT: Michael Clendenin for Consolidated Edison, Inc., 212-460-4111/