Press Release

NEW YORK, July 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Con Edison said today that for the third time this summer the record for peak electricity use was eclipsed when a level of 12,792 megawatts was reached at 2:00 p.m. today, topping the 12,551 mark hit at 5:00 p.m. yesterday. The peak demand record is expected to rise even higher before the day is over. Four of the top 10 electric peak loads of all time have been reached so far this summer, including a new record for the greatest electricity demand ever on a June day.

In Con Edison's service area, overall electric consumption has grown by nearly 20 percent over the past 10 years. Last year, New York City issued approximately 19 percent more building permits than the previous year. Power use continues to rise as customers use more air conditioners, computers, printers, scanners, cell phone chargers, and other equipment both at home and in their offices. In 2004, the company estimated that its customers used more than 8 million televisions, 10.5 million cell phones, 2.5 million personal computers, and 5 million room air conditioners, with customers expected to install an additional 900,000 units over the next five years.

The Con Edison system delivers energy across a network of 92,000 miles of underground and 33,000 miles of overhead wires to approximately 9 million New York City and Westchester County residents. Throughout the current heat spell, the company continues to monitor its systems around the clock to ensure the safe and reliable delivery of electricity.

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 $24 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 http://www.coned.com.

SOURCE Con Edison -0- 07/27/2005 /CONTACT: Michael Clendenin of Con Edison, +1-212-460-4111/ /Web site: http://www.coned.com / (ED)