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Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
| New York | 13-3965100 | |
| (State of incorporation) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
4 Irving Place
New York, New York 10003
(212) 460-4600
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
| JOAN S. FREILICH | or | PETER A. IRWIN, ESQ. | ||
| Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Vice President Legal Services |
4 Irving Place
New York, New York 10003
(212) 460-4600
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. x
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ¨
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. ¨
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
| Title of Each Class of Securities to Be Registered |
Amount to be Registered |
Proposed Maximum Price Per Share (2) |
Proposed Maximum Offering Price (2) |
Amount of Registration | ||||
| Common Shares ($.10 par value) |
4,000,000 shares(1) |
$45.43 | $181,720,000 | $21,389 | ||||
| (1) | Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933 solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee based on the average of the high and low prices on June 9, 2005 for Common Shares ($.10 par value) of Consolidated Edison, Inc., as reported in the consolidated reporting system. |
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Prospectus dated June 16, 2005
CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan
4,000,000 Common Shares ($.10 par value)
If you already participate in the Plan, you need take no action
to continue participation in the Plan under the terms described in this prospectus.
We are Consolidated Edison, Inc., a holding company that provides a wide range of energy-related services to its customers through its regulated and unregulated subsidiaries. Our common stock (trading symbol: ED) trades on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).
Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 3 of this prospectus.
This prospectus describes our Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan. Holders of record of 50 or more shares of our common stock may join the Plan. A participant may buy additional shares with the dividends that we pay on shares the participant already owns and any optional cash payments (minimum: $100 per payment; maximum: $100,000 per year) that the participant makes. There are no charges for dividend reinvestment under the Plan. A $2 transaction fee applies for each cash payment.
The Bank of New York administers the Plan, buys, sells and holds shares of our common stock for participants and maintains an account for each participant to record Plan transactions.
If you have any questions about your participation in the Plan, contact the Bank at the mail or Internet addresses or telephone number shown on the back cover.
We tell the Bank whether to buy shares directly from us or from others, and the price of shares to participants depends upon the source:
| • | if the shares are bought directly from us, the share price is the average of the high and low prices at which our common stock was sold on the previous business day as published in The Wall Street Journal reports of the NYSE Composite Transactions. |
| • | if the shares are bought from others, the share price is the average price paid by the Bank to purchase shares with dividends paid on the same date or cash payments received during the same week. |
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved our common stock, or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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We have not authorized any person to give any information not contained in this prospectus. You must not rely upon any unauthorized information. The information in this prospectus is correct as of the date of this prospectus, and after that date there may be changes in the information. This prospectus does not offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful.
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We are Consolidated Edison, Inc., a holding company incorporated in New York in 1997, whose principal business operations are those of our subsidiaries:
| • | Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., a regulated utility that provides electric service to over 3.1 million customers and gas service to over 1.1 million customers in New York City and Westchester County. It also provides steam service in parts of Manhattan. |
| • | Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., a regulated utility that, along with its regulated utility subsidiaries, provides electric service to over 280,000 customers and gas service to over 120,000 customers in southeastern New York and in adjacent sections of New Jersey and northeastern Pennsylvania. |
We also have unregulated subsidiaries that compete in energy-related business. See “Where You Can Get More Information,” below.
Investing in our common stock involves risk. Please see the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, along with disclosure related to the risk factors contained in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See “Where You Can Get More Information,” below. The risks and uncertainties described are those presently known to us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations, our financial results and the value of our securities.
We tell the Bank of New York whether to buy shares for the Plan directly from us or from others. The net proceeds to be received by us when the Bank buys shares from us will be used for our general corporate purposes. We will not receive any proceeds when the Bank buys shares from others.
The question and answer presentation that follows constitutes the Plan.
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| 1. | What is the purpose of the Plan? |
The primary purpose of the Plan is to provide participants with a convenient way of buying additional shares of our common stock without paying brokerage commissions. Also, the Plan provides us with a source of funds when the shares bought by the Bank of New York for participants are bought directly from us.
| 2. | What are some of the advantages of the Plan? |
| • | No brokerage commissions to buy shares |
| • | Convenient, automatic reinvestment of cash dividends |
| • | Optional cash payments of up to $100,000 in any calendar year are permitted, which may be made by convenient monthly electronic funds transfer |
| • | Efficient investment because fractions of shares are credited to a participant’s Plan account (as well as whole shares) earning dividends proportionate to those earned on whole shares |
| • | Share certificates may be deposited with the Bank for safekeeping |
| 3. | Are there any expenses for participants? |
Participants pay a $2 transaction fee for each optional cash payment and a service charge of $10 plus a $.10 per share charge for sales. In addition, there is a $25 charge for any cash payments that cannot be collected due to insufficient funds. (See Question 13). There are no other charges by us or the Bank. Participants may, however, be subject to taxes under certain circumstances. (See “Federal Income Tax Information” below.)
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| 4. | Who administers the Plan? |
We have appointed the Bank of New York to administer the Plan. The Bank maintains an account for each participant to record transactions under the Plan, sends statements of account to participants, and performs the other duties necessary for the administration of the Plan. The Bank also buys and sells shares and holds share certificates for Plan participants. (See Questions 5 and 6.) If you have any questions about your participation in the Plan, contact the Bank at the mail or Internet addresses or telephone number shown on the back cover of this prospectus.
A participant who changes his or her address should notify the Bank. If the Bank does not know a participant’s current address and certain other conditions exist, the shares on which dividends are invested for the participant will be deemed abandoned and ownership of the shares will be transferred to the state of the participant’s address as last shown on the Bank’s records. To regain the shares, the participant would need to comply with that state’s procedures.
The Bank of New York is the transfer and paying agent for our common stock. From time to time, in the ordinary course of business, the Bank or it affiliates have engaged, and may in the future engage, in commercial banking transactions with us or our affiliates.
| 5. | Who purchases and sells shares for Plan participants? |
We have appointed the Bank of New York as the independent agent to buy and sell shares for participants under the Plan. We tell the Bank whether to buy shares directly from us or from others, and the Bank may select BNY Brokerage Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, or any other broker to execute purchases from others or sales. Without notice to participants, we may appoint a bank or trust company or a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is not affiliated with us to replace the Bank as the independent agent.
| 6. | Who will hold share certificates? |
We have appointed the Bank of New York as the custodian to hold the certificates for shares of our common stock purchased for participants or deposited by participants for safekeeping under the Plan. (See Question 15.) The certificates held by the custodian under the Plan will be registered in the Bank’s name or that of its nominee. Without notice to participants, we may appoint a bank or trust company that is not affiliated with us to replace the Bank as the custodian. A participant may withdraw the shares that the Bank is holding for the participant under the Plan. (See Question 18.)
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| 7. | Who is eligible to join the Plan? |
Holders of record of 50 or more shares of our common stock are eligible to join the Plan. You are a holder of record of shares if the certificates for the shares are registered in your name.
If your shares are registered in a name other than your own (such as a bank or a broker) you may become eligible to participate by having the holder of record transfer the registration of the shares to your name. Alternatively, you may be able to make arrangements with the holder of record for the holder of record to participate in the Plan on your behalf. Any related charges of the holder of record will be your responsibility.
Holders of record who are citizens or residents of a country other than the United States of America, its territories and possessions, are not eligible to participate in the Plan unless participation in the Plan would not violate any local laws of such country applicable to us or the holder.
| 8. | How does an eligible shareholder join the Plan? |
Eligible shareholders may join the Plan by submitting a completed and signed authorization form to the Bank of New York. Authorization forms may be obtained from the Bank. The Bank’s mail and Internet addresses and telephone number are shown on the back cover of this prospectus.
A shareholder who is participating in the Plan as of the date of this prospectus will automatically continue to participate in the Plan on the terms described in this prospectus, unless and until the shareholder submits to the Bank a written request to terminate participation in the Plan and to transfer, withdraw or sell all shares in the participant’s Plan account.
| 9. | What does the Authorization Form provide? |
A participant’s authorization form authorizes the purchase under the Plan of additional shares of our common stock for the participant with:
| • | all cash dividends paid by us on shares held for a participant by the Bank under the Plan; |
| • | all cash dividends paid by us on all shares of our common stock held of record by the participant, unless otherwise specified on the authorization form; and |
| • | cash payments submitted by the participant. |
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A participant that joined the Plan prior to February 1, 1999 (in lieu of reinvesting the dividends on all shares held of record by the participant) may specify on his or her authorization form the number of shares held of record by the participant on which dividends are authorized to be reinvested. Subsequent increases or decreases in the number of shares held of record by the participant will not affect the number specified unless the number of shares held of record by the participant falls below the number specified, in which case, the dividends on all shares held of record by the participant will be invested until such time, if any, that the number of shares held of record by the participant increases to the number specified originally.
A participant that joined the Plan on or after February 1, 1999 (in lieu of reinvesting the dividends on all shares held of record by the participant) may specify on his or her authorization form a number of shares, not less than 50 shares, held of record by the participant on which dividends are authorized to be reinvested. Subsequent increases or decreases in the number of shares held of record by the participant will not affect the number specified unless (1) the number of shares held of record by the participant falls below the number specified, in which case the dividends on all shares held of record by the participant will be invested until such time, if any, that the number of shares held of record by the participant increases to the number specified originally, or (2) the number of the participant’s shares of our common stock (whether held of record by the participant or held for the participant by the Bank under the Plan) on which dividends are reinvested is below 50 shares at any time, in which case the participation of the participant in the Plan will be terminated and the participant’s Plan account will be distributed in the same manner as if the participant had requested to sell all shares from the account. (See Question 19.)
A participant who wishes to change the number of shares of our common stock held of record by the participant on which dividends will be reinvested, should submit a new authorization form to the Bank. If the new authorization form is received by the Bank on or before the record date established for payment of a particular dividend, the new authorization form will be effective for that dividend. (See Question 12.)
| 10. | Are there any restrictions on the amount a participant may invest under the Plan? |
Yes. While there is no restriction on the amount of cash dividends that a participant may invest under the Plan, optional cash payments are limited. Any cash payments submitted by a participant may not be less than $100 per payment nor more than $100,000 in any calendar year.
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| 11. | What is the source of the shares purchased under the Plan? |
We tell the Bank of New York whether to buy the shares directly from us or from others. The price of shares to participants depends on the source. (See Question 14.) We may change the source not more than once in any three-month period. The statement of account sent by the Bank to participants after purchases will indicate the source.
Shares bought directly from us will either be authorized but previously unissued shares or treasury shares held by us or our subsidiaries.
Shares bought from others may be purchased, in one or more transactions, on any securities exchange on which shares of our common stock are traded, in the over-the-counter market or in negotiated transactions with parties not affiliated with us, at current market prices and on such terms as the Bank may determine to be in the best interests of the participants. Brokerage commissions that we pay when the Bank buys shares from others are considered income to the participant. (See “Federal Income Tax Information” below.)
| 12. | How are cash dividends reinvested under the Plan? |
If a participant’s authorization form is received by the Bank of New York on or before the record date established for payment of a particular dividend, reinvestment of dividends for that participant will begin with that dividend payment. If the authorization form is received by the Bank after the record date for a particular dividend, that dividend will be paid in cash and reinvestment of dividends will commence with the following dividend payment. The dividend record date on our common stock is ordinarily about one month prior to the dividend payment date. Cash dividends on our common stock have historically been paid on the 15th day of March, June, September and December.
Cash dividends will be invested not more than 5 business days after the dividend is paid; no interest will be paid to participants on dividends held pending investment.
The number of shares to be added to a participant’s Plan account with respect to a particular dividend payment will be determined by dividing the amount of the cash dividends being invested on behalf of the participant by the price of the shares, including fractions of a share computed to three decimal places. (See Question 14.)
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If a participant has not certified to the Bank that the participant is not subject to Federal income tax backup withholding and that the participant’s taxpayer identification number is correct, a tax on the dividends paid on the participant’s shares will be withheld and submitted to the Internal Revenue Service. For such participants, the amount reinvested will equal the dividend payment less the withholding tax. (See “Federal Income Tax Information” below.) A form for use by participants in making the required certification may be obtained from the Bank. The Bank’s mail and Internet addresses and telephone number are shown on the back cover of this prospectus.
| 13. | How are cash payments invested under the Plan? |
A participant may make cash payments of not less than $100 per payment nor more than $100,000 in any calendar year.
A cash payment may be made upon enrollment in the Plan.
A participant also may make a cash payment by submitting to the Bank of New York a check or money order payable to the Bank along with written instructions to use the payment to purchase shares of our common stock for a participant’s Plan account. A form for use in making cash payments will be attached to the statements of account sent by the Bank to participants.
In addition, a participant may contact The Bank of New York to arrange for cash payments to be submitted by the participant to the Bank by monthly electronic funds transfer from the participant’s designated account at any qualified financial institution that participates in the Automated Clearing House. Fund transfers are made on the 25th day of each month, or if such date is not a business day, on the preceding business day. Fund transfers for a participant will continue until you notify The Bank of New York to change or discontinue them. You must notify The Bank of New York at least seven business days prior to the date of the fund transfer for any change to be effective.
Cash payments will be invested weekly by the Bank; no interest will be paid to participants on cash payments held pending investment. There is no obligation to make a cash payment.
The number of shares to be added to a participant’s Plan account with respect to a cash payment will be determined by dividing the cash payment by the price of the shares, including fractions of a share computed to three decimal places. (See Question 14.)
If a cash payment submitted by a participant cannot be collected by the Bank of New York due to insufficient funds, the participant will be charged $25. In addition, shares in the participant’s Plan account will be sold to the extent necessary to pay the $25 charge, the sales charges related to the sale (see Question 3) and to reimburse the Bank for any amounts expended to purchase shares that were added to the participant’s account in connection with the payment.
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| 14. | What will be the price to participants for shares purchased under the Plan? |
The price to participants for shares of our common stock bought by the Bank of New York under the Plan will depend on the source of the shares. (See Question 11.) Neither we nor the Bank can guarantee that the shares will be purchased at any particular price.
If the shares are bought directly from us, the share price to participants is the average of the high and low prices at which our common stock was sold on the previous business day as published in The Wall Street Journal reports of the NYSE Composite Transactions. If The Wall Street Journal for any reason does not report such prices, the share price to participants will be the average of the high and low prices at which our common stock was sold on the last day preceding day on which our common stock was traded.
If the shares are bought from others, the share price is the average price paid by the Bank to purchase shares with dividends paid on the same date or cash payments received during the same week, as the case may be.
| 15. | Can shares not purchased under the Plan be deposited for safekeeping? |
A participant may deposit for safekeeping by the Bank of New York shares of our common stock that were not purchased under the Plan, provided that the certificates for the shares to be deposited are registered in the participant’s name, or if such certificates are registered in another name, the participant has satisfied the requirements for transfer of such certificates. (See Question 17.) Participants depositing shares for safekeeping, should deliver the unendorsed share certificates, along with a letter requesting safekeeping, to the Bank at the following address:
The Bank of New York
Receive and Deliver Department
P. O. Box 11002
Church Street Station
New York, NY 10286-1002
Registration of the shares deposited for safekeeping will be transferred to the name of the Bank or that of its nominee and credited to the participant’s Plan account. Shares deposited by a participant will be treated in the same manner as shares purchased under the Plan by the participant, and all cash dividends on the deposited shares will be used to purchase additional shares for the participant.
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TRANSFERS, WITHDRAWALS AND SALES
| 16. | How do transfers, withdrawals and sales affect participation in the Plan? |
Transfers, withdrawals and sales of shares held for a participant by the Bank of New York reduce the number of shares in the participant’s Plan account but, except as described in the next paragraph, do not otherwise affect participation in the Plan. Unless the participant submits to the Bank a written request to terminate participation in the Plan, cash dividends on any shares remaining in the participant’s Plan account and any cash payments submitted by the participant will continue to be used to purchase shares and cash dividends on any shares of our common stock held of record by the participant (including any shares withdrawn by the participant) will continue to be reinvested in accordance with the participant’s most recent authorization form. (See Question 9.) A form for use in terminating participation will be attached to the statements of account sent by the Bank to participants.
If a participant joined the Plan on or after February 1, 1999 and following a transfer, withdrawal or sale will have less than 50 shares on which dividends are reinvested (whether held of record by the participant or held for the participant by the Bank under the Plan), the participation of the participant in the Plan will be terminated and the shares remaining in the participant’s Plan account will be distributed in the same manner as if the participant had requested to sell all shares from the account. (See Question 19.)
Sales or transfers of shares will be subject to any applicable transfer or withholding taxes (See “Federal Income Tax Information” below) and the appropriate fees will be deducted to cover processing costs for the sale of shares.
| 17. | How does a participant transfer shares held under the Plan ? |
A participant may transfer ownership of shares held for the participant by the Bank of New York under the Plan to another participant or, provided the person is eligible to join the Plan (see Question 7), to a person that wants to join the Plan. To effect the transfer, the Bank will transfer shares from the participant’s Plan account and to the transferee’s Plan account. The transferor and transferee will each receive a statement showing the number of shares transferred. The transferred shares will be treated in the same manner as if purchased under the Plan by the transferee, and all cash dividends on the transferred shares will be used to purchase additional shares under the Plan.
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A participant may also transfer ownership of whole shares in the participant’s Plan account to a person that is not eligible to join the Plan or does not want the shares to be held by the Bank provided that the participant also requests to withdraw the shares. (See Question 18.) To effect the transfer, the Bank will transfer shares from the participant’s Plan account and deliver certificates for the shares to the transferee.
No transfer will be made unless and until the participant has complied with all applicable requirements.
To transfer shares, a participant must submit to the Bank an assignment of the shares in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank. The transfer will be subject to the same requirements as applicable to the transfer of securities generally, including the requirement of a medallion signature guarantee. A form of assignment and further information about current transfer requirements may be obtained from the Bank. The Bank’s mail and Internet addresses and telephone number are shown on the back cover of this prospectus.
| 18. | How does a participant withdraw shares held under the Plan? |
A participant may withdraw certificates for any number of whole shares held for the participant by the Bank of New York under the Plan by submitting to the Bank a written request to withdraw the shares. Certificates for fractions of shares will not be issued under any circumstances. A form for use in withdrawing shares will be attached to the statements of account sent by the Bank to participants.
If a participant requests to withdraw all shares held for the participant by the Bank under the Plan, The Bank will send the participant certificates for the whole shares in the participant’s Plan account and will sell any fraction of a share in the same manner as if the participant had requested shares to be sold. (See Question 19.)
Unless a transfer is also requested by a participant, certificates for shares withdrawn by the participant will be issued in the name in which the participant’s Plan account is maintained. (See Question 17.)
Shares held for a participant under the Plan may not be pledged. A participant who wishes to pledge shares held under the Plan must first withdraw the shares.
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| 19. | How does a participant sell shares held under the Plan? |
A participant may sell all shares or a specified number, not less than 100, of shares of our common stock held for the participant by the Bank of New York under the Plan by submitting to the Bank a written request to sell the shares. A form for use in selling shares will be attached to the statements of account the Bank will send to participants.
The aggregate net proceeds of each sale will be allocated among each selling participant based on the number of shares sold that are attributable to the participant and the average sales prices, commission and transfer tax. The payment to a participant may also be subject to the Federal backup withholding tax.
Neither we nor the Bank can guarantee that shares will be sold on any specific day or at any specific price.
The market price of our common stock will vary, and could fall during the period between a participant’s submitting his or her request to sell stock in the participant’s Plan account and the sale of the common stock. A participant who wants more control over the price and timing of the sale should withdraw the shares to be sold from his or her Plan account (See Question 18) and then sell the shares through his or her broker.
STOCK DIVIDENDS, STOCK SPLITS OR RIGHTS OFFERINGS
| 20. | What happens to stock dividends, stock splits and stock rights? |
Any stock dividends or split shares distributed by us on shares on which dividends are reinvested for a participant under the Plan will be added to the participant’s Plan account, and all cash dividends on the new shares will be used to purchase additional shares for the participant. No certificate for the new shares will be issued unless the participant requests to withdraw shares held for the participant under the Plan. (See Question 18.)
In the event of a rights offering, the Bank of New York will promptly sell all rights attributable to shares held under the Plan and invest the proceeds in shares of our common stock for participants in the same manner as in the case of investment of cash payments. (See Question 13.) The number of shares to be added to a participant’s Plan account will be determined by dividing the net proceeds from the sale of rights attributable to shares in the account by the price of the shares purchased. (See Question 14.) A participant who wishes to exercise the rights should withdraw shares held for the participant under the Plan in advance of the record date for the rights offering. (See Question 18.)
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| 21. | How will a participant be informed about the participant’s Plan account? |
Following each purchase of shares under the Plan for a participant, the Bank of New York will mail a statement of account to the participant. A participant will also receive a statement following any sale, withdrawal, transfer, or deposit for safekeeping of shares under the Plan by the participant.
You will receive each quarter a statement showing the amount invested; the purchase price; the number of shares purchased, deposited, sold, transferred, or withdrawn; the total number of shares accumulated; and other information.
All notices, statements and reports will be addressed to you at the latest address on record with the Bank. Address changes may be made in writing or by telephone but must be received before the record date for a dividend check and quarterly information to be mailed to the new address.
Participants should retain these statements for income tax and other purposes.
| 22. | How will the shares held under the Plan be voted? |
Each participant will receive a proxy statement and a form of proxy which will cover all shares of our common stock held by the participant of record and all shares held for the participant by the Bank of New York under the Plan. These shares will be voted only in accordance with the instructions of the participant.
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| 23. | How will the Plan apply to foreign shareholders? |
In the case of foreign participants who have their dividends reinvested and whose dividends are subject to Federal income tax withholding, the amount reinvested will equal the dividends less the tax withheld. Cash payments received by the Bank from foreign participants will be invested in the same manner as cash payments from other participants. (See Question 13.) All cash payments must be in United States dollars.
SUSPENSION, MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF THE PLAN
| 24. | May the Plan be changed or discontinued? |
We reserve the right to suspend, modify or terminate the Plan at any time. All participants will receive notice of any such suspension, modification or termination. Upon termination of the Plan, the shares in each participant’s Plan account will be distributed in the same manner as if the participant had requested to withdraw all shares from the account. (See Question 18.)
| 25. | What is our responsibility under the Plan? |
We will not be liable for any act done in good faith or for any good faith omission to act.
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FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION
A participant will be treated for Federal income tax purposes as having received, on the dividend payment date, the dividends used by the Bank of New York to purchase shares of our common stock for the participant. This dividend is includible in the participant’s gross income, even though the participant does not receive the dividend in cash. In addition, if the shares are purchased by the Bank from someone other than the Company, a participant will be deemed to have received, on the purchase date, additional income equal to any brokerage charges that we pay for the purchase. The Bank, as required, will report the dividends and additional income to the Internal Revenue Service.
A participant will not realize any taxable income solely by reason of withdrawing shares held under the Plan, unless all shares in the participant’s Plan account are withdrawn, in which event a participant will realize a gain or loss on any fractional share sold. More generally, gain or loss may be realized by a shareholder whenever shares of stock are sold by the shareholder. The amount of such gain or loss will be the difference between the amount received by the shareholder for the shares and the tax basis of the shares sold. The tax basis of shares of our common stock purchased pursuant to the Plan as presently constituted will generally be the cost (including any brokerage charges or transaction fee) as shown in the statements of account sent by the Bank to participants. The Bank, as required, will report the sale of any shares from a participant’s Plan account to the Internal Revenue Service.
Payments to a participant will be subject to a withholding tax at the current applicable rates if the participant fails to certify to the Bank that the participant is not subject to Federal income tax backup withholding or fails to provide the Bank with the participant’s correct taxpayer identification number on Form W-9.
The above discussion of Federal income tax consequences is general in nature and should not be relied upon as tax advice. Participants seeking tax advice regarding the Plan should consult with their own tax adviser.
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The validity of the debt securities and certain other related legal matters will be passed upon for Con Edison by Peter A. Irwin, Esq., Vice President of Legal Services of our principal subsidiary, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in the Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to Con Edison’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
As permitted by the Business Corporation Law of the State of New York, we indemnify, limit the liability of and insure our directors and officers for claims against them unless their actions were in bad faith or the results of active and deliberate dishonesty and were material to the claim, they personally gained in fact a financial profit or other advantage to which they were not legally entitled or in certain other cases. Our certificate of incorporation provides that, except to the extent limitation of liability or indemnification is not permitted by applicable law: (1) none of our directors or officers shall be liable to us or any of our shareholders for damages for any breach of their duty as directors or officers, and (2) we shall fully indemnify any person made, or threatened to be made a party to an action or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, including an investigative, administrative or legislative proceeding, and including an action by or on behalf of us or any other enterprise, by reason of the fact that the person is or was one of our directors or officers, or is or was serving at our request any other enterprise as a director, officer or in any other capacity, against any and all damages incurred as a result of or in connection with such action or proceeding or any appeal thereof. We have insurance to indemnify us if we indemnify our directors and officers and to indemnify our directors and officers for claims for which they are not indemnified by us. We also insure our directors and officers against certain liabilities that could arise in connection with administration of our employee benefit plans.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to our directors and officers or persons controlling us, we have been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.
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WHERE YOU CAN GET MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any information that we file with the Commission at its Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. Our filings are also available at the Internet site maintained by the SEC (www.sec.gov).
We have filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 to register with the Commission the shares of our common stock being offered pursuant to this prospectus. This prospectus is part of that Registration Statement. As permitted by the Commission’s, this prospectus does not contain all the information you can find in the Registration Statement or in its exhibits.
The Commission allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the commission. The information incorporated by reference is legally deemed to be part of this prospectus, except for any information superseded by information in this prospectus or information that is subsequently incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
The following documents, which we filed with the Commission (File No. 1-14514), are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any subsequent filings we make with the Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until the offering of the common stock described in this prospectus is completed, provided, however, that we are not incorporating any information deemed furnished and not filed in any Current Report on Form 8-K:
| • | Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004; |
| • | Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005; and |
| • | Con Edison’s Current Reports on Form 8-K, dated January 24, 2005, April 14, 2005, April 21 2005, May 2, 2005, May 16, 2005 and May 25, 2005. |
If you ask the Bank, we will provide you, without charge, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The Bank’s mail and Internet addresses and telephone number are shown on the back cover of this prospectus.
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CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.
AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND CASH PAYMENT PLAN
PROSPECTUS
The Plan is administered by, and all inquiries should be directed to:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
INVESTOR RELATIONS
DEPARTMENT
P.O. Box 11258
Church Street Station
New York, NY 10286-1258
800-522-5522
Internet Address:
www.stockbny.com
June 16, 2005
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
| Item 14. | Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution. |
Expenses payable by Registrant for the sale of the Securities are estimated as follows:
| Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee |
$ | 21,389.00 | |
| Printing and engraving |
25,000.00 | ||
| Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
10,000.00 | ||
| Fees and expenses of Transfer Agent |
10,000.00 | ||
| Miscellaneous |
13,611.00 | ||
| Total |
$ | 80,000.00 |
| Item 15. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers. |
Reference is made to the discussion under the heading “Indemnification” on page 16 of the prospectus filed herewith.
| Item 16. | List of Exhibits. |
| 3.1 | Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (“CEI”) (Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of CEI (No. 333-39164) as Exhibit 3.1). | |||
| 3.2 | - | By Laws of CEI, effective as of May 16, 2005. | ||
| 5 | - | Consent of Peter A. Irwin, Esq., Vice President of Legal Services of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.. | ||
| 23.1 | - | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. | ||
| 23.2 | - | Consent of Peter A. Irwin, Esq., Vice President of Legal Services of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (included as part of Exhibit 5). | ||
| 24 | - | Powers of Attorney. | ||
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| Item 17. | Undertakings. |
(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement;
(2) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and
(3) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York and State of New York on the 16th day of June, 2005.
| Consolidated Edison, Inc. | ||
| By | /s/ JOAN S. FREILICH | |
| Joan S. Freilich | ||
| Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Name |
Title | |
| Eugene R. McGrath* | Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) | |
| Joan S. Freilich* | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Director (Principal Financial Officer) | |
| Edward J. Rasmussen* | Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) | |
| George Campbell, Jr.* | Director | |
| Vincent A. Calarco* | Director | |
| Gordon J. Davis* | Director | |
| Michael J. DelGiudice* | Director | |
| Ellen V. Futter* | Director | |
| Sally Hernandez * | Director | |
| Peter W. Likins* | Director | |
| Frederic V. Salerno* | Director | |
| Stephen R. Volk* | Director | |
| * | Joan S. Freilich, pursuant to Powers of Attorney (executed by each of the officers and Directors listed above, and filed as Exhibit 24 hereto), by signing her name hereto does hereby sign and execute this Registration Statement on behalf of each of the officers and Directors named above and indicated as signing above in the capacities in which the name of each appears above. |
| June 16, 2005 | /s/ JOAN S. FREILICH | |||
| Joan S. Freilich | ||||
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
| EXHIBIT |
DESCRIPTION | |||
| 3.1 | Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (“CEI”) (Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of CEI (No. 333-39164) as Exhibit 3.1). | |||
| 3.2 | - | By Laws of CEI, effective as of May 16, 2005. | ||
| 5 | - | Consent of Peter A. Irwin, Esq., Vice President of Legal Services of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. | ||
| 23.1 | - | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. | ||
| 23.2 | - | Consent of Peter A. Irwin, Esq., Vice President of Legal Services of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (included as part of Exhibit 5). | ||
| 24 | - | Powers of Attorney. | ||
Exhibit 3.2
BY-LAWS
OF
CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.
Effective as of May 16, 2005
BY-LAWS
OF
CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.
Effective as of May 16, 2005
| SECTION 1. Meetings of the shareholders of the Company may be held at such time and at such place within or without the State of New York as may be designated by the Board of Directors or stockholders holding one-fourth of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at such meeting, except that the annual meeting of shareholders of the Company for the election of Directors and such other business as may properly come before such meeting shall be held on the third Monday in May of each year, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors. | Shareholders’ Meetings | |
| SECTION 2. Notice of the time and place of each shareholders’ meeting and the purpose of the meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary of the Company, or other officer performing his or her duties, not less than the minimum nor more than the maximum number of days permitted under New York law, to each shareholder of record, at his or her last known Post Office address; provided, however, that if a shareholder be present at a meeting, in person or by proxy, without protesting prior to the conclusion of the meeting the lack of notice of such meeting, or in writing waives notice thereof before or after the meeting, the mailing to the shareholder of notice of the meeting is unnecessary. | Notice Shareholders’ Meeting | |
| SECTION 3. The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote at a shareholders’ meeting, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum, but less than a quorum shall have power to adjoum. | Quorum Shareholders | |
| SECTION 4. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, or in his or her absence the President of the Company, shall preside over each shareholders’ meeting as Chairman of the meeting. In their absence, a Vice President designated by the Board of Directors shall preside as Chairman of the meeting. The Chairman of the meeting is authorized to establish such procedures for the conduct of the meeting, and to make all determinations with respect to the conduct of the meeting, that the Chairman, in his or her sole discretion, deems appropriate, including determinations as to whether business was properly brought before the meeting. If the Chairman of the meeting shall determine, in his or her sole discretion, that any business was not properly brought before the meeting or was not in compliance, or conflicts, with the procedures for the conduct of the meeting, these By-laws, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or any applicable law or regulation, then such business shall not be voted upon, or otherwise considered, at the meeting. The Secretary of the Company shall act as Secretary of the meeting, if present. In his or her absence, the Chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as Secretary of the meeting. | Chairman, Secretary, Shareholders’ Meetings | |
| SECTION 5. A shareholders’ meeting may be adjoumed by the Chairman of the meeting, or by the vote of a majority of the shares of the Company that are represented, in person or by proxy, at the meeting whether or not a quorum is present. | Adjournment of Shareholders’ Meetings | |
| SECTION 6. At each meeting of shareholders at which votes are to be taken by ballot there shall be at least two and not more than five inspectors of election of shareholders’ votes, who shall be either designated prior to such meeting by the Board of Trustees or, in the absence of such designation, appointed by the Chairman of the meeting. | Inspectors of Election | |
| SECTION 7. Business properly brought before any shareholders’ meeting shall include matters specifically set forth in the Company’s notice of the meeting given to shareholders and matters which the Chairman of the meeting, in his or her sole discretion, causes to be placed on the agenda of any such meeting. Such business shall also include any proposal of a shareholder of this Company and any nomination by a shareholder of a person or persons for election as director or directors, if such shareholder has made a written request to this Company to have such proposal or nomination considered at such meeting, as provided herein, and further provided that such proposal or nomination is otherwise proper for consideration under the procedures for the conduct of the meeting, these By-laws, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or any applicable law or regulation.
Written notice of any proposal to be presented by any shareholder or any person to be nominated by any shareholder for election as a Director must be received by the Secretary of the Company at its principal executive office not less than 70 nor more than 90 days prior to the anniversary date of the previous year’s annual meeting (the anniversary date for the Company’s first annual meeting shall be deemed to be May 19, 1998); provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is first publicly announced or disclosed (in a public filing or otherwise) less than 80 days prior to the date of the meeting, such notice shall be given not more than ten days after such date is first so announced or disclosed. Public notice shall be deemed to have been given more than 80 days in advance of the annual meeting if the Company shall have previously disclosed, in these By-laws or otherwise, that the annual meeting in each year is to be hold on a determinable date, unless and until the Board of Directors determines to hold the meeting on a different date.
A shareholder’s notice of any proposal shall set for the text of the proposal, a brief statement of the reasons why the shareholder favors the proposal, the shareholder’s name and address, the number and class of all shares of the Company beneficially owned by the shareholder, any material interest of the shareholder in the proposal and, if the shareholder intends to solicit proxies in support of the proposal, a statement to that effect. |
Shareholder Proposals | |
| A shareholder’s notice of any person to be nominated by the shareholder for election as a Director shall set forth the name of the person to be nominated, the number and class of all shares of the Company beneficially owned by the shareholder’s nominee, any information regarding the shareholder’s nominee | Shareholder Nominations of Directors | |
| that would have been required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, if proxies for such shareholder’s nominee had been solicited by the Board of Directors, the signed consent of the shareholder’s nominee to serve as a Director if elected, the shareholder’s name and address, the number and class of the shares of the Company beneficially owned by the shareholder, a description of all arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and the shareholder’s nominee or any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) with respect to the nomination of the shareholder’s nominee and, if the shareholder intends to solicit proxies in support of the proposal, a statement to that effect. | ||
| SECTION 8. The affairs of the Company shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors, who shall be elected annually by the shareholders by ballot and shall hold office until their successors are elected and qualified. Vacancies in the Board of Directors may be filled by the Board by the vote of a majority of Directors then in office. Members of the Board of Directors shall be entitled to receive such reasonable fees or other forms of compensation, on a per diem, annual or other basis, as may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors or the shareholders in respect of their services as such, including attendance at meetings of the Board and its committees; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be construed as precluding any Director from serving the Company in any capacity other than as a member of the Board or a committee thereof and receiving compensation for such other services. | Board of Directors
Vacancies
Fees | |
| SECTION 9. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the time and place fixed by resolution of the Board or upon call of the Chairman of the Board, the President, or any three Directors. The Secretary of the Company or officer performing his duties shall give 24 hours’ notice of all meetings of the Board provided that a meeting may be held without notice immediately after the annual election of Directors, and notice need not be given of regular meetings may be held at any time without notice if all the Directors are present and none protests the lack of notice either prior to the meeting or at its commencement, or if those not present waive notice either before or after the meeting. Notice by mailing or telegraphing, telecopying, electronically mailing or delivering by hand, to the usual business address, residence or electronic mailbox of the Director not less than the time above specified before the meeting shall be sufficient. A majority of the Directors in office, but not less than one-third of the entire Board, shall constitute a quorum, but less than a quorum shall have power to adjourn. The Chairman of the Board or, in his or her absence, a Chairman pro tem elected by the meeting from among the Directors present shall preside at all meetings of the Board. Any one or more members of the Board may participate in a meeting of the Board by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board consent in | Board Meetings
Notices
Quorum
Participation by Conference Telephone
Action by Unanimous Written Consent | |
| writing to the adoption of resolution authorizing the action. Each resolution so adopted and the written consents thereto by the members of the Board shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board. | ||
| SECTION 10. The Board of Directors, as soon as may be after the election of Directors in each year, may by a resolution passed by a majority of the entire Board, appoint an Executive Committee, to consist of the Chairman of the Board an three or more additional Directors as the Board may from time to time determine, which shall have and may exercise during the intervals between the meetings of the Board all the powers vested in the Board except that neither the Executive Committee nor any other committee appointed pursuant to this section of these By-laws shall have authority as to any of the following matters: the submission to shareholders of any action as to which shareholders’ authorization is required by law; the filling of vacancies on the Board or on any committee thereof; the fixing of compensation of any Directors for serving on the Board or on any committee thereof, the amendment or repeal of these By-laws; or the adoption of new By-laws; and the amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board which by its terms shall not be so amendable or repealable. The Board shall have the power at any time to change the membership of the Executive Committee and to fill vacancies in it. The Executive Committee may make rules for the conduct of its business and may appoint such committees and assistants as it may deem necessary. Four members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum. The Chairman of the Board or, in his or her absence, a Chairman pro tem elected by the meeting from among the members of the Executive Committee present shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee. The Board may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any committee appointed pursuant to this section of the section of the By-laws who may replace any absent member or members at any meeting of the committee. The Board if Directors may also from time to time appoint other committees consisting of three or more Directors with such powers as may be granted to them by the Board of Directors, subject to the restrictions contained in this section of the By-laws. Any one or more members of any committee appointed pursuant to this section may participate in any meeting of the committee by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by any committee appointed pursuant to this section may be taken without a meeting if all members of the committee consent in writing to the adoption of a resolution authorizing the action. Each resolution so adopted and the written consents thereto by the members of the committee shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the committee. | Appointment of Executive Committee
Executive
Other
Participation
Action | |
| SECTION 11. The Board of Directors, as soon as may be after the election of Directors in each year, shall elect from their number a Chairman of the Board and shall elect a President, one of whom the Board shall designate to be the chief executive officer of the Company. The Board shall also elect one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, and may from time to time elect such other officers as they may deem proper. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except as otherwise may be required by law. | Election of Officers | |
| SECTION 12. The term of office of all officers shall be until the next election of Directors and until their respective successors are chosen and qualify, but any officer may be removed from office at any time by the Board of Directors. Vacancies among the officers may be filled by the Board of Directors at any meeting. | Term of Office | |
| SECTION 13. The Chairman of the Board and the President shall have such duties as usually pertain to their respective offices, except as otherwise directed by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, and shall also have such powers and duties as may from time to time be conferred upon them by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee. In the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board, the President shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chairman of the Board. In the absence or disability of the President, one of the Vice Presidents, as designated by the Board of Directors, shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President. The Vice Presidents and the other officers of the Company shall have such duties as usually pertain to their respective offices, except as otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, or the President, and shall also have such powers and duties as may from time to time be conferred upon them by the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board or the President. | Duties of Executive Officers Duties of Other Officers | |
| SECTION 14. The Board of Directs shall select such depositories as they shall deem proper for the funds of the Company. All checks and other transfers of such deposited funds shall be authorized only pursuant to resolutions of the Board of Directors. No officers, agents, employees of the Company, or other person, alone or with others, shall have power to make any checks, notes, drafts or other negotiable instruments in the name of the Company or to bind the Company thereby, except pursuant to resolutions of the Board or Directors. | Depositories Authorization To Transfer Funds | |
| SECTION 15. The Board of Directors may, in their discretion, appoint one or more transfer agents, paying agents and/or registrars of the stock of the Company. | Share Transfers | |
| SECTION 16. The Company shall limit the liability to the Company of, and indemnify, Directors and officers of the Company and other persons serving at the request of the Company any other enterprise as a director, officer or in any other capacity as and to the extent provided in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. | Limitation of Liability; Indemnification | |
Exhibit 5
June 16, 2005
Consolidated Edison, Inc.
4 Irving Place
New York, New York 10003
| Re: | Securities Being Registered Under the Securities Act of 1933 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am a Vice President of Legal Services of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (“Con Edison of New York”), the principal subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (“Con Edison”). I and members of the Law Department of Con Edison of New York, have represented Con Edison in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 registering 4,000,000 shares of Con Edison’s Common Shares ($.10 par value) (the “Securities”) for issuance from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Registration Statement”). The Securities are to be issued under Con Edison’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan (“Plan”), which is presented in its entirety under the heading “Description of the Plan” in the prospectus being filed as a part of the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”).
We have examined such documents as I have deemed necessary for the purpose of this opinion, including (a) the Certificate of Incorporation and the By-laws of Con Edison; (b) the Plan; and (c) minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors of Con Edison. It is my opinion that the Securities will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable upon:
| 1. | the due authorization and execution of the Securities by Con Edison; and |
| 2. | the receipt by Con Edison of payment for the Securities in accordance with the terms set forth in the Prospectus. |
I consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to me under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement. However, in giving such consent, I do not thereby admit that I come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Peter A. Irwin
PAI/KC
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. of our report dated February 17, 2005 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedules, management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in the Consolidated Edison, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. We also consent to the references to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
June 16, 2005
Exhibit 24
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Eugene R. McGrath, Joan S. Freilich, Edward J. Rasmussen, Joseph P. Oates and Peter A. Irwin, and each of them (with full power to act without the others), the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for and on behalf of the undersigned, and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead, in the undersigned’s capacity as Director or Officer or both, as the case may be, of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (“Con Edison”) to sign one or more registration statements and any amendments thereto to be filed by Con Edison with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register under the Securities Act of 1933 not to exceed 4.0 million shares of the Company’s Common Shares ($.10 par value) to be offered and sold under the Con Edison Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 16th day of June, 2005.
| VINCENT A. CALARCO |
| Vincent A. Calarco |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Eugene R. McGrath, Joan S. Freilich, Edward J. Rasmussen, Joseph P. Oates and Peter A. Irwin, and each of them (with full power to act without the others), the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for and on behalf of the undersigned, and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead, in the undersigned’s capacity as Director or Officer or both, as the case may be, of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (“Con Edison”) to sign one or more registration statements and any amendments thereto to be filed by Con Edison with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register under the Securities Act of 1933 not to exceed 4.0 million shares of the Company’s Common Shares ($.10 par value) to be offered and sold under the Con Edison Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 16th day of June, 2005.
| GEORGE CAMPBELL, JR. |
| George Campbell, Jr. |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Eugene R. McGrath, Joan S. Freilich, Edward J. Rasmussen, Joseph P. Oates and Peter A. Irwin, and each of them (with full power to act without the others), the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for and on behalf of the undersigned, and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead, in the undersigned’s capacity as Director or Officer or both, as the case may be, of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (“Con Edison”) to sign one or more registration statements and any amendments thereto to be filed by Con Edison with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register under the Securities Act of 1933 not to exceed 4.0 million shares of the Company’s Common Shares ($.10 par value) to be offered and sold under the Con Edison Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 16th day of June, 2005.
| GORDON J. DAVIS |
| Gordon J. Davis |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Eugene R. McGrath, Joan S. Freilich, Edward J. Rasmussen, Joseph P. Oates and Peter A. Irwin, and each of them (with full power to act without the others), the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for and on behalf of the undersigned, and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead, in the undersigned’s capacity as Director or Officer or both, as the case may be, of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (“Con Edison”) to sign one or more registration statements and any amendments thereto to be filed by Con Edison with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register under the Securities Act of 1933 not to exceed 4.0 million shares of the Company’s Common Shares ($.10 par value) to be offered and sold under the Con Edison Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 10th day of June, 2005.
| MICHAEL J. DEL GIUDICE |
| Michael J. Del Giudice |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Eugene R. McGrath, Joan S. Freilich, Edward J. Rasmussen, Joseph P. Oates and Peter A. Irwin, and each of them (with full power to act without the others), the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for and on behalf of the undersigned, and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead, in the undersigned’s capacity as Director or Officer or both, as the case may be, of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (“Con Edison”) to sign one or more registration statements and any amendments thereto to be filed by Con Edison with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register under the Securities Act of 1933 not to exceed 4.0 million shares of the Company’s Common Shares ($.10 par value) to be offered and sold under the Con Edison Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 16th day of June, 2005.
| JOAN S. FREILICH |
| Joan S. Freilich |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Eugene R. McGrath, Joan S. Freilich, Edward J. Rasmussen, Joseph P. Oates and Peter A. Irwin, and each of them (with full power to act without the others), the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for and on behalf of the undersigned, and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead, in the undersigned’s capacity as Director or Officer or both, as the case may be, of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (“Con Edison”) to sign one or more registration statements and any amendments thereto to be filed by Con Edison with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register under the Securities Act of 1933 not to exceed 4.0 million shares of the Company’s Common Shares ($.10 par value) to be offered and sold under the Con Edison Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 16th day of June, 2005.
| ELLEN V. FUTTER |
| Ellen V. Futter |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Eugene R. McGrath, Joan S. Freilich, Edward J. Rasmussen, Joseph P. Oates and Peter A. Irwin, and each of them (with full power to act without the others), the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for and on behalf of the undersigned, and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead, in the undersigned’s capacity as Director or Officer or both, as the case may be, of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (“Con Edison”) to sign one or more registration statements and any amendments thereto to be filed by Con Edison with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register under the Securities Act of 1933 not to exceed 4.0 million shares of the Company’s Common Shares ($.10 par value) to be offered and sold under the Con Edison Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 15th day of June, 2005.
| SALLY HERNANDEZ |
| Sally Hernandez |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Eugene R. McGrath, Joan S. Freilich, Edward J. Rasmussen, Joseph P. Oates and Peter A. Irwin, and each of them (with full power to act without the others), the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for and on behalf of the undersigned, and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead, in the undersigned’s capacity as Director or Officer or both, as the case may be, of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (“Con Edison”) to sign one or more registration statements and any amendments thereto to be filed by Con Edison with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register under the Securities Act of 1933 not to exceed 4.0 million shares of the Company’s Common Shares ($.10 par value) to be offered and sold under the Con Edison Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 16th day of June, 2005.
| PETER W. LIKINS |
| Peter W. Likins |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Eugene R. McGrath, Joan S. Freilich, Edward J. Rasmussen, Joseph P. Oates and Peter A. Irwin, and each of them (with full power to act without the others), the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for and on behalf of the undersigned, and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead, in the undersigned’s capacity as Director or Officer or both, as the case may be, of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (“Con Edison”) to sign one or more registration statements and any amendments thereto to be filed by Con Edison with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register under the Securities Act of 1933 not to exceed 4.0 million shares of the Company’s Common Shares ($.10 par value) to be offered and sold under the Con Edison Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 16th day of June, 2005.
| EUGENE R. MCGRATH |
| Eugene R. McGrath |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Eugene R. McGrath, Joan S. Freilich, Edward J. Rasmussen, Joseph P. Oates and Peter A. Irwin, and each of them (with full power to act without the others), the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for and on behalf of the undersigned, and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead, in the undersigned’s capacity as Director or Officer or both, as the case may be, of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (“Con Edison”) to sign one or more registration statements and any amendments thereto to be filed by Con Edison with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register under the Securities Act of 1933 not to exceed 4.0 million shares of the Company’s Common Shares ($.10 par value) to be offered and sold under the Con Edison Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 16th day of June, 2005.
| EDWARD J. RASMUSSEN |
| Edward J. Rasmussen |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Eugene R. McGrath, Joan S. Freilich, Edward J. Rasmussen, Joseph P. Oates and Peter A. Irwin, and each of them (with full power to act without the others), the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for and on behalf of the undersigned, and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead, in the undersigned’s capacity as Director or Officer or both, as the case may be, of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (“Con Edison”) to sign one or more registration statements and any amendments thereto to be filed by Con Edison with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register under the Securities Act of 1933 not to exceed 4.0 million shares of the Company’s Common Shares ($.10 par value) to be offered and sold under the Con Edison Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 16th day of June, 2005.
| FREDERIC V. SALERNO |
| Frederic V. Salerno |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Eugene R. McGrath, Joan S. Freilich, Edward J. Rasmussen, Joseph P. Oates and Peter A. Irwin, and each of them (with full power to act without the others), the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for and on behalf of the undersigned, and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead, in the undersigned’s capacity as Director or Officer or both, as the case may be, of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (“Con Edison”) to sign one or more registration statements and any amendments thereto to be filed by Con Edison with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register under the Securities Act of 1933 not to exceed 4.0 million shares of the Company’s Common Shares ($.10 par value) to be offered and sold under the Con Edison Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 16th day of June, 2005.
| STEPHEN R. VOLK |
| Stephen R. Volk |