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Con Edison Media Relations
Contact: Michael Clendenin
Telephone: (212) 460-4111

For Immediate Release: August 9, 2001

ALL NEW YORK STATE ELECTRIC UTILITIES ASK CUSTOMERS TO REDUCE ELECTRICITY USE

In response to a request by the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), all electric utilities in New York state, including Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Edison), are asking their customers to reduce unnecessary electricity usage until further notice. This public appeal is not because of any problems on Con Edison’s transmission and distribution system, but is precautionary and intended to help ensure an adequate electricity supply statewide and regionally.

Today is expected to be one of the hottest days of the year. Con Edison customers are projected to use about 12,400 megawatts of electricity today. On Wednesday, August 8, Con Edison’s peak load reached 12,084 megawatts at 5 p.m. The company’s record peak electric usage was 12,097 megawatts on July 25. Customers are strongly urged to use energy wisely during these exceedingly high demand days.

The NYISO serves as the central commodity market for the wholesale purchasing and selling of electricity in New York state, as well as ensuring that the state’s power needs are met reliably and safely, by managing a coordinated statewide interconnected transmission system. The NYISO also ensures that there is sufficient electricity generated to meet the state’s requirements.

The NYISO issued its request through the electric companies participating in the state’s power market in order to help maintain the statewide reserve of electricity.

Under NYISO requirements, Con Edison customer service representatives are also contacting large commercial and industrial customers to request voluntary reduction of all non-essential power use. The company is reducing electricity usage at its own facilities as well.

Con Edison suggests that customers wait to use appliances such as washers, dryers, and other energy-intensive equipment until later this evening when the power reserve problem is expected to be resolved. The company also requests that customers turn off air conditioners when leaving their homes or apartments.

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.