Press Release

NEW YORK - Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Edison) today received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) highest public recognition, the Environmental Quality Award. Con Edison was honored for its Gas Operations mercury gauge exchange program last fall.

The company provided licensed plumbers with safe mercury-free gauges and facilitated mercury disposal services free-of-charge. During the exchange, nearly 100 mercury gauges containing more than 73 pounds of mercury were collected in New York City and Westchester.

"Beyond providing reliable gas service to our customers, Con Edison's Gas Operations has a strong interest in improving the quality of life for New York City and Westchester residents," said David Davidowitz, Con Edison's vice president of Gas Engineering. "Three years ago, aware of the dangers of exposure to mercury, we decided to take action. Today we are gratified that the EPA has recognized our efforts to help rid our communities of the health and environmental hazards posed by mercury."

In conjunction with the gauge exchange, Con Edison sponsored a Mercury Awareness Forum, bringing together industry and government representatives to share information and points of view on the importance of eradicating the dangers of mercury. A pioneer of this effort in 1999, Con Edison's Gas Operations has worked tirelessly with trade associations and government agencies to ban mercury gauges in New York City and Westchester.

Each year, the EPA presents its Environmental Quality Award to business and environmental education organizations, non-profit entities, individual citizens, and environmental and community groups who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the protection and enhancement of environmental quality in our region.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $10 billion in annual revenues and $17 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 www.coned.com.

Contact: Brenda Pérez
(212) 460-4111