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Con Edison Media Relations
For Immediate Release: October 29, 2007
12:16 p.m.

Natural Gas Supplies Adequate For Coming Heating Season

NEW YORK – Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Edison) is recommending a series of energy-saving and safety tips that will help customers reduce their gas and electric bills while helping them remain safe during the coming winter season.

In preparation for the approaching winter weather, Con Edison has obtained adequate natural gas supplies for the company’s 1.1 million gas customers, approximately 300,000 of whom use gas for home heating. Con Edison’s service area for natural gas includes Manhattan, the Bronx, Westchester County, and parts of Queens.

Con Edison is also investing more than $178 million this year to upgrade, expand, and secure its gas delivery system. The company will be replacing more than 120,000 feet of existing gas mains and installing 31,000 feet of new mains to ensure reliable gas service to customers.

Although gas supplies should be sufficient to meet demand through the winter months, and gas prices are expected to remain about the same as last year, the company continues to encourage customers to use energy wisely.

“The most effective way for customers to manage energy costs is to manage energy use. Customers can save money by following some simple cost-saving measures,” said Marilyn Caselli, senior vice president of customer operations for Con Edison.

Some tips for customers to follow this winter:

• Set thermostat at 68 degrees during the day and 60 degrees at night. Turning the thermostat back 10 to 15 percent eight hours a day can trim seasonal heating costs up to 10 percent.

• Before the heating season begins, have the heating system cleaned and inspected by a qualified contractor. A clean, well-maintained system will operate more efficiently and use less fuel.

• Turn off lights, computers, televisions, and other appliances when not in use.

• Caulk and weather-strip the spaces around doors and windows.

• Remove items from around radiators, baseboard heaters, and hot-air vents.

• Use timers to turn lights on and off based on when no one is at home.

• Be sure to properly insulate the attic. Because heat rises, adding a layer of insulation to the attic will help the house retain heat.

• Visit Con Edison online at Customer Central (www.conEd.com/customercentral) for additional energy-saving tips.

Con Edison's Level Payment Plan helps customers to even out energy costs over the entire year. In addition, HEAP (Home Energy Assistant Program) grants are available for qualified New York state residents, and EnergyShare funds are available for qualified needy families. The company also provides consumers information about the opportunity to comparison shop for an alternate energy supplier through PowerYourWay (www.poweryourway.com). Customers who choose an alternate supplier by enrolling in PowerMove will save 7 percent on their energy costs for an introductory period.

The company is also offering customers advice on how to keep their homes safe during the cold weather. Here are some tips that can contribute to a safe, accident-free environment.

• Do not try to heat rooms with your range or oven. These appliances aren't designed for space heating. Using a range or oven can cause a fire. It can also deplete oxygen levels and cause a buildup of lethal carbon monoxide gas.

• Be sure heating and cooking appliances are properly adjusted, and working to manufacturer’s specifications and local building codes. Never operate a portable generator indoors.

• All heating systems, vents, and flues should be inspected and cleaned annually by a qualified technician.

• Never extinguish a pilot light. Blowing out the pilot doesn't stop gas from escaping. Don't create a gas leak to save a few pennies.

• If you smell a strong odor of gas, leave the premises immediately and tell others to leave also. Do not strike a match, use telephones, switch on electrical appliances, lights, or even a flashlight in the area where you smell gas.

• Report all indoor and outdoor gas leaks 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling this toll-free number: 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633).

Customers can learn more about energy-saving and safety tips by visiting the company’s Web site at www.conEd.com.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $12 billion in annual revenues and $27 billion in assets. The utility provides electric, gas and steam service to more than 3 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.

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