Press Release

New York - More than 179,000 electric and gas customers have enrolled in the Power YOUR Way program that allows customers to choose their own gas and electric suppliers through energy services companies (ESCOs). This is the largest enrollment since the program was initiated in 1997.

"More and more people recognize that with energy supply costs representing more than 50 percent of a typical energy bill, customers may actually help to reduce their bills if they take the time to shop around," said Marilyn Caselli, vice president, Customer Operations, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.

Customers have been able to shop for energy from other suppliers since the gas and electric energy marketplace was opened to competition through deregulation. In 1996 gas customers in New York City and Westchester County were first introduced to ESCOs, and electric customers began choosing ESCOs in 1998. Since then these new changes in the marketplace have allowed nearly 180,000 customers in this area to choose different energy suppliers. Con Edison, the most reliable electric utility in the United States, continues to deliver the energy directly to consumers.

Con Edison customers have learned about the Power YOUR Way program with informational brochures included in their bills. The program is available to residential and small business customers in New York City and Westchester County. The brochure lists ESCOs that have fixed and variable energy pricing and other services designed to suit customer needs. This information is also available at www.coned .com and on an automated information line at 1-800-780-2884.

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.

# # #