SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only
(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[x] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12
Consolidated Edison, Inc
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[x] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(4) Date Filed:
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[CON EDISON LOGO]
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LETTER TO
STOCKHOLDERS
NOTICE OF 2002
ANNUAL MEETING,
PROXY STATEMENT
AND 2001 FINANCIAL
REPORT
MAY 20, 2002
CON EDISON HEADQUARTERS
4 IRVING PLACE
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10003
[CON EDISON LOGO]
[CON EDISON LETTERHEAD]
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EUGENE R. MCGRATH
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
April 8, 2002
Dear Stockholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Consolidated
Edison, Inc. I hope that you will join the Board of Directors and management of
your Company at the Company's Headquarters Building at 4 Irving Place, New York,
N.Y., on Monday, May 20, 2002 at 10:00 a.m.
The accompanying Proxy Statement contains information about matters to be
considered at the Annual Meeting. At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be
asked to vote on the election of Directors and the ratification of the
appointment of independent accountants for 2002. In addition to the matters
described above, stockholders will be asked to vote on a proposal submitted by
an individual stockholder described in the attached Proxy Statement, if the
proposal is properly presented at the Annual Meeting. For the reasons stated in
the Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors and management recommend that
stockholders vote against this proposal.
Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please date, sign and
return the enclosed proxy in the envelope provided. It is very important that as
many shares as possible be represented at the meeting. Stockholders of record
may also vote their shares by telephone or by the Internet. Instructions for
using the telephone or the Internet service are set forth on the enclosed proxy
card.
If after voting your proxy you come to the meeting, you may vote in person
even though you have previously voted your proxy.
Sincerely,
/s/ Eugene R. McGrath
Eugene R. McGrath
[CON EDISON LOGO]
[CON EDISON LETTERHEAD]
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Dear Stockholders:
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Consolidated Edison, Inc. will be
held at the Company's Headquarters Building, 4 Irving Place, New York, New York,
on Monday, May 20, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. for the following purposes:
a. To elect the members of the Board of Directors as described in the
Proxy Statement (attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference);
b. To ratify and approve the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers,
LLP as independent accountants for the year 2002;
c. To act on a stockholder proposal as set forth in the Proxy
Statement; and
d. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting, or any adjournment thereof.
You are cordially invited to attend the meeting. IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND,
please mark the appropriate box on the enclosed proxy card and we will send you
an admission ticket. If you are a stockholder of record and vote by telephone or
the Internet, you will have the opportunity to indicate that you plan to attend
the meeting and a ticket will be sent to you.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, WE URGE YOU TO
VOTE, SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED
POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE, OR VOTE YOUR PROXY BY TELEPHONE OR THE INTERNET IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THE PROXY CARD. WE WILL SINCERELY
APPRECIATE YOUR DOING SO.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
SADDIE L. SMITH
Secretary
Dated: April 8, 2002
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
Notice of Annual Meeting....................................
Consolidated Edison, Inc. 2002 Proxy Statement.............. 1
Appendix A: 2001 Financial Report........................... 21
Selected Financial Data, Selected Quarterly Information,
Market Price Range and Dividends.......................... A-1
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operation.................................. A-2
Report of Independent Accountants........................... A-19
Consolidated Financial Statements........................... A-20
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................. A-27
PROXY STATEMENT
INTRODUCTION
This Proxy Statement is provided to stockholders of Consolidated Edison,
Inc. ("CEI" or the "Company") in connection with the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting. The Annual
Meeting will be held at the Company's principal executive offices at 4 Irving
Place, New York, New York 10003 on Monday, May 20, 2002 at 10:00 a.m.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card are furnished in
connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of CEI,
for use at the 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Proxy Statement and the
form of proxy are being mailed to stockholders on or about April 8, 2002.
Included as an Appendix to this Proxy Statement are the Company's
consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for the year ended
December 31, 2001, and other information relating to the Company's financial
condition and results of operations. The Company's Summary Annual Report to
Stockholders also accompanies the mailing of this Proxy Statement.
This solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting is being made by
management on behalf of the Board of Directors and will be made by mail,
telephone, the Internet, facsimile and electronic transmission or overnight
delivery. The Company will pay the expenses associated with the solicitation of
proxies. The expenses will include reimbursement for postage and clerical
expenses to brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees or fiduciaries for
forwarding proxy material and other documents to beneficial owners of stock held
in their names. In addition, Morrow & Co. of New York, New York, has been
retained to assist in the solicitation of proxies by the means described above.
The estimated cost of Morrow's services is $20,000, plus out-of-pocket expenses.
RECORD DATE, OUTSTANDING
VOTING SECURITIES AND VOTING RIGHTS
The Board of Directors has established April 2, 2002, as the record date
for the determination of CEI's stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to
vote at the meeting. On the record date, there were 212,585,320 shares of Common
Stock which are entitled to one vote per share upon the propositions to be
presented. The holders will vote on the election of Directors, the ratification
of the appointment of independent accountants and the stockholder proposal.
The enclosed proxy card is for the number of shares registered in your name
with CEI, together with any additional full shares held in your name in CEI's
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan. The instructions on the
proxy card provide that any shares registered in your name and any full shares
held for your account in the Plan will be voted in the same manner.
In all matters other than the election of Directors, the affirmative vote
of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the
Annual Meeting, entitled to vote and voting on the subject matter, shall be the
act of the stockholders. Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes
present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, entitled to
vote and voting on the election of Directors. Abstentions and broker non-votes
are voted neither "for" nor "against," and have no effect on the vote, but are
counted in the determination of the quorum.
VOTING AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
All shares represented by properly executed proxies received in time for
the Annual Meeting will be voted at the Annual Meeting in the manner specified
by the persons giving those proxies. If the proxy is signed but no voting
instructions are made, the shares represented by the proxy will be
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voted for the election of Directors and in accordance with the recommendations
of the Board on other proposals.
Instead of submitting a signed proxy card, if you are a stockholder of
record located in the United States, you may vote your proxy by telephone using
the control number and instructions set forth on the proxy card. You may also
vote by the Internet using the control number that has been assigned to you.
Voting by telephone or by the Internet eliminates the need to return the proxy
card.
The telephone and Internet voting procedures may not be available to
stockholders who hold their shares through a broker, nominee, fiduciary or other
custodian.
Voting by use of a proxy on the enclosed proxy card, telephone or on the
Internet does not preclude a shareholder from voting in person at the Annual
Meeting. A shareholder may revoke a proxy at any time prior to its exercise by
mailing to the Secretary of the Company a duly executed revocation or by
submitting a duly executed proxy, telephone or Internet vote to the Company with
a later date or by appearing at the Annual Meeting and voting in person. A
shareholder may revoke a proxy by any of these methods, regardless of the method
used to cast his or her previous vote. Attendance at the Annual Meeting without
voting will not by itself revoke a proxy.
ATTENDANCE AND PROCEDURES AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
Attendance at the Annual Meeting will be limited to stockholders of record,
beneficial owners of Common Stock entitled to vote at the meeting having
evidence of ownership, the authorized representative (one only) of an absent
stockholder, and invited guests of management. You may be asked to present valid
picture identification. Any person claiming to be an authorized representative
of a stockholder must, upon request, produce written evidence of the
authorization. In order to assure the holding of a fair and orderly meeting and
to accommodate as many stockholders as possible who may wish to speak at the
Annual Meeting, management will limit the general discussion portion of the
meeting to one hour and permit only stockholders or their authorized
representatives to address the meeting. In addition, management will require
that all signs, banners, placards, handouts and similar materials be left
outside the meeting room.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(ITEM 1 ON PROXY CARD)
Twelve Directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting to hold office
until the next annual meeting and until their respective successors are elected
and qualified. Of the Board members standing for election, two (Eugene R.
McGrath and Joan S. Freilich) are officers of the Company. The current
non-officer nominees bring to the Company the benefit of their broad expertise
and experience in many diverse fields.
At the last Annual Meeting, the stockholders of the Company elected 12
Directors constituting the entire Board of Directors. Since then there was a
change regarding the members of the Board. Mr. Vincent A. Calarco was elected to
the Board of Directors, effective September 20, 2001. He is the Chairman of
Crompton Corporation, a global manufacturer and marketer of specialty chemicals,
polymer products and equipment with sales in 120 countries.
At the opening of business on May 20, 2002, Mr. E. Virgil Conway, the
senior member of the Board of Directors, will retire from the Board following 32
years of outstanding and dedicated service to the Company.
With the exception of Mr. Calarco, all of the nominees were elected
Directors at the last Annual Meeting. The Company's management believes that all
of the nominees will be able and willing to serve as Directors of the Company.
All of the Directors, except Mr. Del Giudice, also serve as Trustees of CEI's
subsidiary, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. ("Con
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Edison of New York"). Mr. McGrath and Mr. Del Giudice also serve on the Board of
CEI's subsidiary, Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. ("O&R").
Shares represented by every properly-signed proxy will be voted at the
Annual Meeting for the election of Directors of the persons nominated by
management, except where the shareholder giving the proxy withholds the right to
vote or instructs otherwise. If one or more of the nominees is unable or
unwilling to serve, the shares represented by the proxies will be voted for the
other nominees and for any substitute nominee or nominees as shall be designated
by management.
INFORMATION ABOUT NOMINEES
The name and age of each of the nominees, the year in which each was first
elected a Director or Trustee of Con Edison of New York, the principal
occupation and business experience of each during the past five years, the
number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each as of the close of
business on January 31, 2002, their directorships in other publicly-held
business corporations and the more significant of their directorships in
charitable and educational organizations as of January 31, 2002, are set forth
below, based on information provided by the nominees.
NAME, AGE, LENGTH OF SERVICE AS A DIRECTOR AND TRUSTEE
AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND BUSINESS
EXPERIENCE DURING PAST 5 YEARS
[PETER W. LIKINS PETER W. LIKINS, 65
PHOTO]
President, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona since
October 1997. Dr. Likins was previously President of Lehigh
University, Bethlehem, Pa. Dr. Likins has been a Trustee of
Con Edison of New York since 1978 and a Director of CEI
since December 1997. Director or Trustee, Harris Trust Bank
of Arizona, Parker-Hannifin Corporation, Udall Foundation
and University Medical Center. Member, National Academy of
Engineering.
Shares owned: 5,003
[EUGENE R. MCGRATH EUGENE R. MCGRATH, 60
PHOTO]
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
of CEI since October 1997. Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Con Edison of New York since September 1990. He
was also President of Con Edison of New York from September
1990 through February 1998. Mr. McGrath has been a Trustee
of Con Edison of New York since 1987, a Director of CEI
since October 1997 and a Director of O&R since July 1999.
Director or Trustee, Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company,
Schering-Plough Corporation, Business Council of New York
State, Inc., New York City Partnership and Chamber of
Commerce, Barnard College, American Woman's Economic
Development Corporation, The Fresh Air Fund, the Wildlife
Conservation Society and the United Way of New York City.
Member, National Academy of Engineering.
Shares owned: 376,678*
[GORDON J. DAVIS GORDON J. DAVIS, 60
PHOTO]
Senior Partner at LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae LLP,
Attorneys at Law New York, New York since November 2001. Mr.
Davis served as the President of Lincoln Center for the
Performing Arts, New York, N.Y. from January 2001 to
September 2001. He was a Partner at LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene &
MacRae LLP from October 1994 to December 2000. Mr. Davis has
been a Trustee of Con Edison of New York since 1989 and a
Director of CEI since December 1997. Director or Trustee,
Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Company, certain mutual
funds managed by the Dreyfus Corporation, Jazz at Lincoln
Center, Inc. (Founding Chairman/ Emeritus), New York Public
Library and the Studio Museum In Harlem.
Shares owned: 3,653
3
NAME, AGE, LENGTH OF SERVICE AS A DIRECTOR AND TRUSTEE
AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND BUSINESS
EXPERIENCE DURING PAST 5 YEARS
[ELLEN V. FUTTER ELLEN V. FUTTER, 52
PHOTO]
President and Trustee, American Museum of Natural History,
New York, N.Y. Ms. Futter has been a Trustee of Con Edison
of New York since 1989 and a Director of CEI since December
1997. Director, Trustee or Member, American International
Group, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, J.P. Morgan Chase
& Co., Inc., NYC & Company, Council on Foreign Relations,
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Yale School of
Management Advisory Board. Fellow, American Academy of Arts
and Sciences.
Shares owned: 3,078
[RICHARD A. VOELL RICHARD A. VOELL, 68
PHOTO]
Private investor and retired President and Chief Executive
Officer of The Rockefeller Group, New York, N.Y. (real
estate, real estate services and communications and
communications services). Mr. Voell has been a Trustee of
Con Edison of New York since 1990 and a Director of CEI
since December 1997. Member, Council on Foreign Relations.
Director and Member of the Nominating Committee of the
Wildlife Conservation Society. And Past Chairman, Economic
Club of New York.
Shares owned: 7,219
[SALLY SALLY HERNANDEZ-PINERO, 49
HERNANDEZ-PINERO
PHOTO] Practicing Attorney at Law, New York, NY since January 1,
2002. Previously Mrs. Hernandez-Pinero was the Senior Vice
President, The Related Companies, L.P. New York, N.Y. from
May 1999 to December 2001. Mrs. Hernandez-Pinero was a
Managing Director of Fannie Mae from July 1998 to April
1999. She was of counsel to the law firm of Kalkines, Arky,
Zall & Bernstein, New York, N.Y. from 1994 to 1998. Mrs.
Hernandez-Pinero has been a Trustee of Con Edison of New
York since 1994 and a Director of CEI since December 1997.
Director or Trustee, Accuhealth, Inc., American Museum of
Natural History, The Dime Savings Bank, Goodwill Industries
and Tarragon Realty Investors, Inc.
Shares owned: 2,313
[STEPHEN R. VOLK STEPHEN R. VOLK, 65
PHOTO]
Chairman, Credit Suisse First Boston New York, New York
since January 31, 2002. He was formerly Vice Chairman at
Credit Suisse First Boston from August 2001 to January 2002.
Mr. Volk was also Senior Partner at Shearman & Sterling,
Attorneys at Law, New York, N.Y. Mr. Volk has been a Trustee
of Con Edison of New York since 1996 and a Director of CEI
since December 1997. Member, Council on Foreign Relations
and the Harvard Law School Dean's Advisory Board. Mr. Volk
also serves as a Director of ContiGroup Companies, Inc.
Shares owned: 3,283
[JOAN S. FREILICH JOAN S. FREILICH, 60
PHOTO]
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CEI
and Con Edison of New York since March 1998. She was Senior
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CEI from
October 1997 to February 1998 and of Con Edison of New York
from July 1996 to February 1998. Ms. Freilich has been a
Trustee of Con Edison of New York since 1997 and a Director
of CEI since October 1997. Trustee, Citizens Budget
Commission and College of New Rochelle.
Shares owned: 106,227**
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NAME, AGE, LENGTH OF SERVICE AS A DIRECTOR AND TRUSTEE
AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND BUSINESS
EXPERIENCE DURING PAST 5 YEARS
[MICHAEL J. DEL MICHAEL J. DEL GIUDICE, 59
GIUDICE PHOTO]
Managing Director and Principal, Millennium Credit Markets,
LLC, New York, N.Y. He co-founded Millennium in 1996. Mr.
Del Giudice has been a Director of CEI since July 1999. He
also has been a Director of O&R since 1988, and was Chairman
of the Board from February 1998 to July 1999. Director,
Barnes and Noble, Inc. and Frontline Group. Chairman of the
Governor's Committee on Scholastic Achievement.
Shares owned: 2,556
[GEORGE CAMPBELL, JR. GEORGE CAMPBELL, JR., 56
PHOTO]
President, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science
and Art, New York, N.Y. since July 2000. Dr. Campbell
previously served as the President and CEO of NACME, Inc.
Dr. Campbell has been a Director of CEI and a Trustee of Con
Edison of New York since February 2000. Trustee, Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute, Montefiore Medical Center and New
York Hall of Science. Member, President's Circle, National
Academy of Sciences. Fellow, American Association for the
Advancement of Science.
Shares owned: 2,646***
[GEORGE W. SARNEY GEORGE W. SARNEY, 62
PHOTO]
Chairman of Spirent plc, Crawley, West Sussex, U.K.
(supplier of telecommunications testing systems and network
products) since September 1999. Dr. Sarney was CEO of the
Intelligent Automation group of Invensys plc., London, U.K.
from 1995 to 1999. He has been a Director of CEI and a
Trustee of Con Edison Company of New York since January
2001.
Shares owned: 2,800
[VINCENT A. CALARCO VINCENT A. CALARCO, 59
PHOTO]
Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of
Crompton Corporation since 1999. Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer of Crompton & Knowles from 1986 to
1999. Mr. Calarco has been a Director of CEI and a Trustee
of Con Edison Company of New York since September 20, 2001.
Mr. Calarco also serves as a Director of Newmont Mining
Corporation and a Trustee of the Hospital of St. Raphael.
Shares owned: 200
---------------
* Includes 360,000 shares underlying currently exercisable options or
exercisable within 60 days of the date of this proxy statement.
** Includes 104,000 shares underlying currently exercisable options or
exercisable within 60 days of the date of this proxy statement.
*** As of March 7, 2002.
The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned as of January 31,
2002, by each of the executive officers named in the compensation table on page
11 who are not also nominees is set forth below.
NAME SHARES OWNED*
---- -------------
Kevin Burke................................................. 64,476
John D. McMahon............................................. 27,806
Stephen B. Bram............................................. 64,481
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* Includes shares underlying options which are currently exercisable or
exercisable within 60 days of the date of this proxy statement for: Mr.
Burke--60,000, Mr. McMahon--26,000 and Mr. Bram--64,000.
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As of January 31, 2002, no nominee or officer was the beneficial owner of
any class of equity securities of CEI or beneficially owned more than 0.177
percent of the total outstanding Common Stock. As of the same date all officers
and members of the Board as a group beneficially owned 1,184,770 shares,
including 1,067,000 shares underlying currently exercisable options, (0.5584
percent) of the outstanding Common Stock. Each officer and member of the Board
held his or her shares with sole voting power and sole investment power, except
for shares as to which voting power, or investment power, or both, were shared
with a spouse or a relative of such person.
The following table provides, as of December 31, 2001, information with
respect to persons who are known to the Company to beneficially own more than
five percent of the common shares of CEI.
SHARES OF
COMMON
STOCK BENEFICIALLY
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED PERCENT OF CLASS
------------------------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Alliance Capital Management, L.P............................ 16,503,088(1) 7.6%
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10104
Capital Research and Management Company..................... 11,122,600(2) 5.2%
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
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(1) Alliance Capital Management, L.P. has sole dispositive power for 16,483,988
shares.
(2) Capital Research and Management Company has sole dispositive power for
11,122,600 shares.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Directors
and executive officers of the Company to file reports of ownership and changes
in ownership of the equity securities of the Company and its affiliates with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and to furnish copies of these reports to the
Company. Based upon its review of the reports furnished to the Company for 2001
pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Act and written representations from certain
reporting persons, the Company believes that all of the reports were filed on a
timely basis, except that Ms. Wanda Skalba, a Vice President, inadvertently
filed a late Form 4.
BOARD MEMBERS' FEES AND ATTENDANCE
Those members of the Board who are not employees of the Company or its
subsidiaries are paid an annual retainer of $40,000, a fee of $1,500 for each
meeting of the Board or of the Boards of its subsidiaries attended, and a fee of
$1,500 for each meeting of a Committee of the Board or of the Boards of its
subsidiaries attended. CEI will reimburse Board members, who are not currently
officers of the Company for expenses incurred in attending Board and Committee
meetings. No person who serves on both the CEI Board and on the Board of its
subsidiary, Con Edison of New York, and corresponding Committees, is paid
additional compensation for concurrent service.
The Chairs of the Audit, Environmental, Executive Personnel and Pension,
Finance, Nominating and Planning Committees each receive an annual retainer fee
of $4,000. The Acting Chairman of any Board Committee is paid an additional
meeting fee of $200 for any Committee meeting at which he or she presides.
Members of the Board may participate in the Stock Purchase Plan, the Deferred
Compensation Plan and the Retirement Plan for Non-Officer Directors described
below. Members of the Board who are officers of the Company or its subsidiaries
receive no retainer or meeting fees for their service on the Board.
The Company has a restricted common stock plan for non-officer directors.
Under the plan each non-officer Director received 200 shares of CEI Common Stock
on the adoption of the plan. Each Director receives an additional award of 200
shares following each Annual Meeting. A new Director receives 200 shares upon
joining the Board. Shares of stock received under the plan may not be
transferred by the Director (except to a family member or a trust or other
entity for estate planning purposes) without the permission of CEI's Board or
the Executive Personnel and Pension
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Committee of the Board until the earlier of (i) five years from the date of
grant, (ii) retirement from the Board at age 72 or earlier with the permission
of the Board or the Committee, (iii) the death of the Director or (iv) a change
in control of CEI.
The Company has a deferred compensation plan applicable to non-officer
members of the Board. A Board member who elects to participate in the plan may
defer all or a portion of the compensation paid by the Company with interest. As
of April 1, 2002, one former Trustee of Con Edison of New York was a participant
in the plan.
The Company has a retirement plan for those Board members who are not
entitled to receive employee pension benefits from the Company. The plan
provides that a member who retires from the Board and who has completed ten full
years of service on the Board shall receive annually, for life, commencing at
age 65 or the date of retirement, whichever is later, a benefit in an amount
equal to the then annual retainer being paid to the active members of the Board,
changing as and when such annual retainer changes. The benefits for a Board
member who retires with less than ten years of service are prorated. As of April
1, 2002, five former Trustees of Con Edison of New York were participants in the
plan.
The Stock Purchase Plan permits employees of Con Edison of New York,
including executive officers, to contribute up to 20 percent of their salaries
into the plan, but not more than $25,000 per year. Non-officer members of the
Board are eligible to participate and may contribute up to $1,000 per month.
Also, dividends may be reinvested. The Company contributes one-ninth of the
participant's contributions, including reinvested dividends. The contributions
are used to purchase for the participants either outstanding shares of Common
Stock of CEI or shares issued directly by CEI from authorized but unissued
shares. The Company pays brokerage and other expenses relating to the plan.
The law firm of LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, LLP of which Mr. Davis is a
Senior Partner, provided services to Con Edison of New York in 2001 and will
provide services in 2002. The law firm of Shearman & Sterling, of which Mr. Volk
was formerly Senior Partner, provided services to CEI and its subsidiaries in
2001 and will provide them in 2002.
The Board of Directors held nine regular and four special meetings in 2001.
During 2001 each incumbent member of the Board attended more than 75 percent of
the combined meetings of the Board of Directors and the Board Committees on
which he or she served.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
The Audit Committee, composed of five non-officer Directors (Mrs.
Hernandez-Pinero, Chair, Dr. Campbell, Mr. Del Giudice, Ms. Futter and Dr.
Sarney), meets with the Company's management, including Con Edison of New York's
General Auditor and the Company's independent accountants, several times a year
to discuss internal controls and accounting matters, the Company's financial
statements and the scope and results of the auditing programs of the independent
accountants and of the Company's internal auditing department. The Audit
Committee also recommends to the Board of Directors the appointment of the
independent accountants for the Company, subject to stockholder approval at the
Annual Meeting. The Audit Committee held three meetings in 2001.
The Environmental Committee, composed of four non-officer Directors (Ms.
Futter, Chair, Mr. Davis, Mrs. Hernandez-Pinero and Dr. Likins), provides advice
and counsel to the Company's management on corporate environmental policy and on
such other environmental matters as from time to time the Committee deems
appropriate; reviews significant new developments in environmental laws and
governmental agency actions as they affect the Company's corporate environmental
policies; reviews significant issues relating to the Company's compliance with
environmental laws and regulations and corporate environmental policies; meets
annually with the Planning Committee to review and evaluate planning and
environmental issues; submits recommendations to the Board
7
with respect to environmental-related matters; and makes such other reviews and
recommends to the Board such other actions as it may deem necessary or desirable
to help promote sound planning by the Company with due regard to the protection
of the environment. The Environmental Committee held five meetings in 2001.
The Executive Committee, composed of Mr. McGrath, the Chairman of the Board
and of the Committee, and four non-officer Directors (Mr. Conway, Dr. Likins,
Mr. Voell and Mr. Volk), may exercise during intervals between the meetings of
each Board all the powers vested in the Board, except for certain specified
matters. No meetings of the Executive Committee were held in 2001.
The Executive Personnel and Pension Committee, composed of five non-officer
Directors (Mr. Conway, Chair, Mr. Calarco, Dr. Campbell, Mrs. Hernandez-Pinero
and Mr. Voell), reports and makes recommendations to the Board relating to
officer and senior management appointments and compensation. In addition, the
Committee makes incentive compensation awards to officers participating in Con
Edison of New York's Executive Incentive Plan, subject to confirmation by the
Board and administers CEI's Stock Option Plan, including determining the
recipients of, and the number of shares covered by, stock option grants. The
Committee also reviews and makes recommendations as necessary to provide for
orderly succession and transition in the executive management of the Company and
receives reports and makes recommendations with respect to minority and female
recruitment, employment and promotion. It also oversees and makes
recommendations to the Board with respect to compliance with the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"), and reviews and makes
recommendations with respect to benefit plans and plan amendments, the selection
of plan trustees and the funding policy and contributions to the funded plans,
and reviews the performance of the funded plans. The Executive Personnel and
Pension Committee held four meetings during 2001.
The Finance Committee, which is composed of five non-officer Directors (Mr.
Volk, Chair, Mr. Conway, Mr. Davis, Dr. Likins and Mr. Voell), reviews and makes
recommendations to the Board with respect to the Company's financial condition
and policies, its dividend policy, bank credit arrangements, financings,
investments, capital and operating budget, major contracts and real estate
transactions and litigation and other financial matters, and reviews five-year
financial forecasts. It also examines and makes recommendations to the Board
with respect to the annual capital budgets, major purchases and real estate
transactions, and litigation settlements. The Finance Committee held eight
meetings during 2001.
The Nominating Committee, composed of five non-officer Directors (Mr.
Voell, Chair, Mr. Calarco, Mr. Conway, Ms. Futter and Mr. Volk), is responsible
for recommending candidates to fill vacancies on the Board. In addition, the
Committee assists with respect to the composition and size of the Board and of
all Committees of the Board. The Committee also makes recommendations to the
Board as to the compensation of Board members as well as other corporate
governance matters. The Nominating Committee held five meetings in 2001. The
Committee has no formal procedures for consideration of recommendations for
nominations to the Board. It considers candidates proposed by stockholders.
Nominations for candidates, accompanied by biographical material for evaluation,
may be sent to the Secretary of the Company. Each nomination should include
information as to the qualifications of the candidate and should be accompanied
by a written statement (presented to the Secretary of the Company) from the
suggested candidate, to the effect that the candidate is willing to serve.
The Planning Committee, composed of eight non-officer Directors (Dr.
Likins, Chair, Mr. Calarco, Mr. Davis, Mr. Del Giudice, Ms. Futter, Mrs.
Hernandez-Pinero, Dr. Sarney and Mr. Volk), reviews and makes recommendations to
the Board regarding long range planning for the Company. The Planning Committee
held three meetings in 2001.
8
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Mr. Calarco, Dr. Campbell, Mr. Conway, Mrs. Hernandez-Pinero and Mr. Voell
were on CEI's Executive Personnel and Pension Committee in 2001. The Company
believes that there are no interlocks with the members who serve on the
Committee.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Company's Audit Committee consists of five members of the Board. Each
member of the Audit Committee is independent and the members meet the other
qualifications required by the New York Stock Exchange. The charter of the Audit
Committee has been approved by the Board of Directors. A copy of the Audit
Committee Charter was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
Appendix A to the Company's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders held on May 21, 2001.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the audited
financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2001, which
are included in this Proxy Statement as Appendix A. The Audit Committee has also
discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC"), the Company's independent
public accountants, the matters required to be discussed by the Statement on
Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees), as amended.
The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter
from PwC required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees). The Audit Committee has discussed the
independence of PwC with their representatives of that firm. The Audit Committee
also has considered whether the provision of limited non-audit services to the
Corporation is compatible with the independence of PwC and concluded that they
were.
Based on the Audit Committee's review and discussions, the Audit Committee
recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company's audited financial
statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2001.
The Audit Committee
Sally Hernandez-Pinero (Chair)
George Campbell, Jr.
Michael J. Del Giudice
Ellen V. Futter
George W. Sarney
FEES PAID TO PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS, LLC
Fees paid or payable to PwC for services rendered during 2001 are as
follows:
Audit fees............................................... $1,139,000
Financial information systems design and implementation
fees................................................... --
All other fees........................................... 543,684
----------
Total fees............................................... $1,682,684
In connection with the 2001 audit of CEI, PwC examined the Company's and
its subsidiaries' annual financial statements and reviewed interim financial
statements and certain of the Company's or its subsidiaries' filings with the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The major items included in the total of all other fees are comfort letters for
securities issuances ($139,000), audits of the Company's pension and certain
other benefit plans ($120,000), risk management advisory services ($62,307), and
lease and tax accounting advice ($111,771).
9
The audit committee considered whether the provision of non-audit services
was compatible with maintaining PwC's independence.
MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL
(ITEM 2 ON PROXY CARD)
PROPOSAL NO. 2--Ratification of the Appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
as Independent Accountants for the Year 2002.
At the Annual Meeting, the Board will recommend that the stockholders
ratify and approve the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP ("PwC") as
independent accountants for the Company for the year 2002. PwC has acted in the
same capacity for the Company for many years.
Before the Audit Committee recommended the appointment of PwC, it
considered that firm's qualifications. This included a review of PwC's
performance in prior years, as well as PwC's reputation for integrity and for
competence in the fields of accounting and auditing. The Audit Committee has
expressed its satisfaction with PwC in these respects. The Audit Committee
reviewed information provided by PwC concerning litigation involving that firm
and the existence of any investigations by the Securities and Exchange
Commission into the financial reporting practices of companies audited by them.
As to these matters, the Audit Committee has concluded that the ability of PwC
to perform services in 2002 for the Company does not in any way appear to be
adversely affected by any litigation or investigations reflected in such
information.
Representatives of PwC will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be
afforded the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and to
respond to appropriate questions.
Adoption of Proposal No. 2 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of
the shares of Common Stock voted on the proposal at the Annual Meeting.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL NO. 2.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL
(ITEM 3 ON PROXY CARD)
PROPOSAL NO. 3--Mrs. Evelyn Y. Davis, Watergate Office Building, 2600 Virginia
Avenue, N.W., Suite 215, Washington, D.C. 20037, who owns 200 shares of Common
Stock, has submitted the following proposal:
"RESOLVED: That the shareholders recommend that the Board take the
necessary steps that Con Edison specifically identify by name and corporate
title in all future proxy statements those executive officers, not
otherwise so identified, who are contractually entitled to receive in
excess of $250,000 annually as a base salary, together with whatever other
additional compensation bonuses and other cash payments were due them."
The statement made in support of this proposal is as follows:
"In support of such proposed Resolution it is clear that the shareholders
have a right to comprehensively evaluate the management in the manner in which
the Corporation is being operated and its resources utilized. At present only a
few of the most senior executive officers are so identified, and not the many
other senior executive officers who should contribute to the ultimate success of
the Corporation. Through such additional identification the shareholders will
then be provided an opportunity to better evaluate the soundness and efficacy of
the overall management.
"Last year the owners of 15,384,595 shares, representing approximately
12.22% of shares voting, voted FOR this proposal.
"If you AGREE, please mark your proxy FOR this proposal."
10
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE AGAINST PROPOSAL NO. 3 FOR
THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
Disclosure of executive compensation is governed by the Securities and
Exchange Commission's proxy solicitation rules. In accordance with those rules
CEI currently provides information on pages 11 through 18 of the Proxy Statement
concerning compensation for the five highest paid executive officers.
The proposal would impose on CEI more stringent disclosure requirements
than those imposed on other companies by the Commission's rules. The Board
believes that any changes in the disclosure requirements should emanate from the
Commission and should be uniformly applicable to all companies subject to the
proxy rules.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST PROPOSAL NO. 3.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adoption of the preceding stockholder resolution (Proposal 3) would require
the affirmative vote of a majority of shares of Common Stock voted on the
proposal at the meeting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth the compensation of the Company's Chief
Executive Officer and the four most highly compensated executive officers other
than the Chief Executive Officer who were serving as executive officers at the
end of 2001. The positions shown are the officers' positions with the Company or
with the Company's principal subsidiaries, Con Edison of New York or Orange and
Rockland Utilities, Inc. as of December 31, 2001.
LONG TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION
------------------------------------------ ---------------------
OTHER RESTRICTED NUMBER OF
ANNUAL STOCK OPTION ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION AWARDS(2) SHARES COMPENSATION(6)
--------------------------- ---- ------ ----- ------------ ---------- --------- ---------------
Eugene R. McGrath........ 2001 $1,123,333 $1,400,000 $16,389 -- 200,000 $51,407
Chairman of the Board 2000 $1,030,000 $ 981,000 $17,408 $6,237,500 150,000 $49,459
and Chief Executive 1999 $ 943,333 $ 585,000 $17,996 -- 150,000 $41,746
Officer(1)(3)
Joan S. Freilich......... 2001 $ 425,000 $ 275,000 -- -- 40,000 $12,750
Executive Vice President 2000 $ 385,000 $ 250,000 -- $1,559,375 40,000 $11,550
and Chief Financial 1999 $ 338,333 $ 170,000 -- -- 50,000 $ 9,676
Officer(1)
Kevin Burke.............. 2001 $ 370,000 $ 290,000 -- -- 50,000 $11,100
President and Chief 2000 $ 310,000 $ 215,000 -- $1,559,375 20,000 $ 7,600
Operating Officer(4) 1999 $ 264,167 $ 113,401 -- -- 18,000 $ 7,901
John D. McMahon.......... 2001 $ 379,617 $ 270,000 -- -- 40,000 $11,389
Senior Vice President 2000 $ 332,800 $ 215,000 -- $1,559,375 40,000 $ 9,984
and General Counsel(1) 1999 $ 272,800 $ 115,000 -- -- 20,000 $ 8,276
Stephen B. Bram.......... 2001 $ 386,667 $ 194,400 -- -- 40,000 $ 9,050
President and Chief 2000 $ 366,000 $ 145,350 -- -- 18,000 $10,130
Executive Officer of 1999 $ 343,417 $ 90,000 -- -- 16,000 $10,363
O&R(5)
------------
(1) Holds same positions with Con Edison of New York.
(2) The aggregate restricted stock holdings by the individuals named in the
table at December 31, 2001 was 350,000 restricted stock units, with each
unit representing the right to one share of Common Stock of the Company. The
aggregate units had a value of $14,126,000 based on the closing price of a
share of Common Stock as of December 31, 2001. The units vest 50% on August
31, 2003, 25% on August 31, 2004 and 25% on August 31, 2005. Amounts equal
to dividends payable on the Company's shares are payable on the restricted
stock units.
11
(3) Also President of CEI.
(4) Position with Con Edison of New York.
(5) Position with Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc.
(6) The amounts shown in this column consist of amounts contributed by Con
Edison of New York under its Thrift Savings Plan for Management Employees
(Thrift Plan) and Deferred Income Plan (DIP) and amounts paid for life
insurance for Mr. McGrath, as follows: For 2001, Mr. McGrath, life
insurance--$17,707; Thrift Plan--$5,100; DIP--$28,600; Ms. Freilich, Thrift
Plan--$5,100; DIP--$7,650; Mr. Burke, Thrift Plan--$5,100; DIP--$6,000; Mr.
McMahon, Thrift Plan--$5,100; DIP--$6,289; Mr. Bram, Thrift Plan--$2,550;
DIP--$6,500. For 2000, Mr. McGrath, life insurance--$18,559; Thrift
Plan--$5,100; DIP--$25,800; Ms. Freilich, Thrift Plan--$5,100; DIP--$6,450;
Mr. Burke, Thrift Plan--$3,400; DIP--$4,200; Mr. McMahon, Thrift
Plan--$5,100; DIP--$4,884; Mr. Bram, Thrift Plan--$4,250; DIP--$5,880. For
1999, Mr. McGrath, life insurance--$18,957; Thrift Plan--$5,513;
DIP--$17,276; Ms. Freilich, Thrift Plan--$5,513; DIP--$4,163; Mr. Burke,
Thrift Plan--$5,513; DIP--$2,388; Mr. McMahon, Thrift Plan--$5,513;
DIP--$2,763; Mr. Bram, Thrift Plan--$6,225; DIP--$4,138.
REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Company's executive compensation policies are administered by the
Executive Personnel and Pension Committee of the Board, which was composed of
five Board members in 2001. All action by the Committee pertaining to executive
compensation, except for awards under the 1996 Stock Option Plan, is submitted
to the full Board for approval. The Committee submits the following report
related to compensation matters for 2001.
The Committee's compensation policy--The Committee believes that total
executive compensation should be such as to attract to the Company, motivate and
reasonably reward individuals of the highest professional and personal
qualifications and, at the same time, secure substantial and proportionate value
for the Company. In 2001, compensation of the Company's executive officers
consisted primarily of base salary, which is reviewed by the Committee annually,
a potential award under Con Edison of New York's Executive Incentive Plan or in
the case of one officer an award under the Orange and Rockland Annual Team
Incentive Plan (ATIP), which are shown in the Summary Compensation Table on page
11 under the caption "Bonus," and a potential award under the 1996 Stock Option
Plan (the "Stock Option Plan"), which was approved by the stockholders at the
1996 Annual Meeting. In making its recommendations to the Board, with respect to
salaries of officers, the Executive Incentive Plan and in making awards under
the Stock Option Plan to officers, other than Mr. McGrath, the Committee
considered recommendations made by Mr. McGrath. The Committee initiates the
recommendations that are made to the Board with respect to Mr. McGrath's salary,
any award under the Executive Incentive Plan and any grants the Committee makes
to him under the Stock Option Plan. The establishment of goals and awards under
O&R's ATIP plan are made by O&R's Board.
Individual performance is the primary factor considered in determining base
salary, within a range appropriate to that individual's position, although in
some cases corporate performance may also be relevant to base salary
determinations. Awards under the Executive Incentive Plan are based on both
individual and corporate performance. Grants under the Stock Option Plan are
based on individual performance and on an assessment of the individual's
responsibility for the success and growth of the Company and its subsidiaries.
Base salary ranges are identified for the officers with reference to salaries
paid by other utilities and industry in general, as reflected in surveys by
compensation consulting firms. In addition, an attempt is made to assure
internal equity by maintaining appropriate salary relationships. Increases for
individuals are based on the current salary's relationship to the range for the
position (but not to any specific level within the range) and the individual's
performance with respect to the requirements of the individual's position.
In considering the level of Mr. McGrath's compensation, the Committee
reviewed surveys of the total compensation, including base salary and incentive
compensation, paid to the chief
12
executive officers of other large utilities with revenues exceeding $5 billion,
a survey, entitled the "2000 Energy Services Industry Executive Compensation
Report," of the compensation paid to chief executive officers in the electric
utility industry and a survey of comparably sized general industry companies in
the Northeast. The Committee does not target Mr. McGrath's compensation to any
specific level within the ranges of compensation paid by these comparison
companies but uses the surveys as references. The utilities included in the
surveys referred to in this paragraph and the previous paragraph are some but
not all of the utilities included in the Standard & Poor's Electric Utilities
Index shown on the performance graph on page 19. None of the non-utility
companies in the surveys are in the Index.
The Committee believes that an evaluation of corporate performance must
take into account many factors affecting the Company's operations, over some of
which management has total or considerable control and over others of which it
has little or no control. In this context, the Committee looks not only at
current reported financial operating results and financial condition (as
reflected in such factors as earnings per share and return on common equity),
but also at a wide range of other information relating to the quality of service
provided to customers, the efficiency of operations, the development and
management of personnel and the effectiveness of management's efforts to
strengthen the Company for the future. In recommending the base salaries or
awards under the Executive Incentive Plan or grants under the Stock Option Plan,
the Committee does not have a predetermined list of criteria nor does it have a
formula for weighing or applying the criteria the Committee members consider.
The process is neither arithmetic nor formulaic, but judgmental.
2001 Base Salary Determinations--In 2001 individual performance and overall
compensation ranges relevant to officers were the factors considered by the
Executive Personnel and Pension Committee in determining the base salaries
recommended for such individuals.
2001 Executive Incentive Plan Awards--Each year under the Executive
Incentive Plan, a maximum fund is established by the Committee, subject to the
approval of the Board, based on the salaries of the eligible participants at the
end of the prior year. This maximum fund may not exceed three quarters of one
percent of Con Edison of New York's net income for common stock for the year.
Awards may be made by the Committee, subject to approval by the Board, to
eligible executives based on their performance during the year. Payment of
one-third of the award is deferred for five years and is subject to forfeiture
in certain circumstances. Portions of awards that are required to be deferred
are treated during the mandatory deferral period as if the portions were
invested in the Company's common stock and are credited with dividend
equivalents and credited or debited for increases or decreases in the market
value of an equivalent number of shares.
In recommending the amount awarded under the Executive Incentive Plan for
year 2001, the Committee considered the following financial factors for 2001:
earnings per share for 2001 in comparison to the budget and 2000 earnings per
share; earnings available for common stock for 2001 in comparison to the budget
and 2000 earnings; the increase in the Company's common stock price compared to
the Standard & Poor's ("S&P") 500 stock index and the S&P electric utilities
index; the total market return on the Company's common stock for 2001; the rate
of return on shareholders' equity in 2001 compared to 2000; the total average
annual return on the Company's common stock for the five-year period ending
December 31, 2001 compared to the average for the S&P electric utilities index;
the increase in the Company's dividend of 0.9% in 2001 compared with the
industry average increase of 1.2%; and the continued strength of the Company's
credit quality, with senior unsecured debt ratings of A-1 by Moody's and A+ by
Standard and Poor's.
The Committee also considered the following additional factors: the
Company's extraordinarily successful efforts to restore electric, gas and steam
service following the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center, which
resulted in extensive damage to the Company's system, the efforts to insure
adequate energy supplies during the 2001 summer and for the future; the
excellent reliability of its energy delivery systems during the summer; the
Company's leadership role in developing mechanisms to mitigate electricity
prices when the competitive market is not functioning adequately
13
and in educating governmental leaders, customers and the public about the power
supply situation in New York; the award to the Company of the Edison Electric
Institute's highest award, the Edison Award; the successful closing of the sale
of the Indian Point 1 and 2 nuclear generating stations on September 6, 2001 and
the closing of the sale of the jointly owned Roseton Generation Station in
January 2001; the increase in the enrollment in the Company's Retail Choice
programs; the termination of the Company's merger agreement with Northeast
Utilities and the litigation resulting therefrom; the Company's continued
progress in its programs to protect the environment; and the increase in
minority representation in the Company's workforce from 33.7% to 36.0% and in
female representation from 14.5% to 15.3%.
Based on the Committee's review of the Company's performance in 2001, as
reflected in the factors mentioned above, for 2001 the Committee recommended,
and the Board approved, that the total amount awarded under the Executive
Incentive Plan to all participants as a group be 100% percent of the target
amount provided by the Plan.
CEO Compensation--In making its recommendations to the Board with respect
to both the base salary and the Executive Incentive Plan award for 2001 of Mr.
McGrath and the Stock Option grant and Restricted Stock Award made to him in
2001, the Committee considered among other things, the Company's good financial
and operating results; the Company's financial condition; the Company's response
to the September 11 terrorist attack; Mr. McGrath's leadership role in
addressing issues affecting the Company and the utility industry in general; the
Company's continued progress in achieving the goal of environmental excellence;
and the compensation levels of the chief executive officers of the other
companies included in the compensation surveys referred to on page 13.
I.R.S. Limitations on Deductibility of Executive Compensation--Federal law
restricts the deductibility, for federal income tax purposes, of certain
executive compensation above a specified threshold. In 2001, a portion of Mr.
McGrath's compensation exceeded the threshold. In the Committee's judgment, the
non-deductibility of the compensation is not material. The Committee intends to
take into account these tax law provisions in structuring the Company's
executive compensation in future years.
The Executive Personnel and Pension
Committee
E. Virgil Conway (Chairman)
Vincent A. Calarco
George Campbell, Jr.
Sally Hernandez-Pinero
Richard A. Voell
14
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE
IN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
The Company has entered into employment agreements (the "Employment
Agreements") with Messrs. McGrath, Burke and McMahon and Ms. Freilich, four of
the officers named in the Summary Compensation Table.
Each Employment Agreement provides that the officer will serve in the
positions shown on the Summary Compensation Table. Mr. McGrath and Ms.
Freilich's agreements provide that the Board shall nominate each of them for
re-election to the Board of Directors through the term of their agreements. The
initial employment periods of the agreements continue until August 31, 2005. The
initial employment period in each agreement will be automatically extended for
one-year periods unless either party terminates the agreement on six months'
prior notice. Mr. McGrath's agreement may not be automatically extended more
than twice. Each Employment Agreement provides for an annual base salary in the
following amounts: Mr. McGrath--$1,090,000; Ms. Freilich--$425,000; Mr.
Burke--$330,000; and Mr. McMahon--$342,000. The agreements provide that the
Executive Personnel and Pension Committees will review the salaries at least
annually for possible increase. The current salaries payable under the
agreements are the following: Mr. McGrath--$1,190,000; Ms. Freilich--$470,000;
Mr. Burke--$490,000; and Mr. McMahon--$463,000. The agreements also provided for
restricted stock awards, which are shown in the Summary Compensation Table. Mr.
McGrath's agreement also provides for supplemental term life insurance, the
premiums for which are included in the Summary Compensation Table.
The employment periods under the Employment Agreements may also be ended by
the Company for "cause," as defined in the agreements, or without cause. Mr.
McGrath may end his employment period with or without "good reason" as defined
in his agreement. The other officers may end their employment periods without
"good reason" or, following a "change in control," with "good reason," as such
terms are defined in the agreements. If Mr. McGrath is terminated other than for
"cause," death or disability or he resigns for "good reason," or if the other
officers are terminated prior to a "change in control" other than for "cause,"
death or disability, the officer will receive: (i) a lump sum equal to the
officer's target award under the Company's Executive Incentive Plan ("EIP"),
prorated through the termination date; (ii) a lump sum equal to two times the
sum of the officer's annual salary and target award under the EIP; (iii) a lump
sum equal to the net present value of two years additional service credit under
the Company's pension plans (assuming compensation at the officer's annual
salary and target award); (iv) continued participation in the Company's health
and life insurance plans for two years following termination, and (v) two years
additional service credit toward eligibility for (but not for commencement of)
retiree benefits. In addition, stock options will fully vest. In the event such
a termination occurs after a "change in control," the "two" becomes a "three" in
clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) above. In addition, the officer would receive
a gross-up for excise taxes, if any, due under the Internal Revenue Code on any
termination payments. If the Company terminates Mr. McGrath's employment without
"cause," or he terminates his employment for "good reason," or he dies or
becomes disabled, any unvested restricted stock units become fully vested on
termination of employment. If the other officers die or become disabled, or if,
following a "change in control," the Company terminates their employment without
"cause," or the officer terminates his or her employment for "good reason," any
unvested restricted stock units become fully vested on termination of
employment.
The Employment Agreements provide that the officers are prohibited from
competing with or recruiting employees from the Company or its subsidiaries or
affiliates for two years after termination of employment, other than following a
"change in control."
15
SEVERANCE PLAN
The Company has a severance plan to provide officers of Consolidated
Edison, Inc., and certain officers of its subsidiaries, including the officer
listed in the Summary Compensation Table who is not covered by an employment
agreement, certain benefits in the event their employment is involuntarily
terminated by the Company without "cause," at any time. Enhanced severance
benefits (as described below) would be payable if within two years following a
"change of control," the officer is involuntarily terminated, other than for
"cause," or the officer resigns for "good reason" (all such terms as defined in
the plan). For an involuntary termination of employment before a "change of
control," benefits under the plan include: (i) a lump sum equal to the officer's
target award under the EIP, prorated through the termination date; (ii) a lump
sum equal to one times the sum of the officer's annual salary and target award
under the EIP; (iii) a lump sum payment equal to the net present value of one
additional year's service credit under the Company's pension plans (assuming
compensation at the officer's annual salary and target award); (iv) one year's
additional service credit toward eligibility for (but not for commencement of)
retiree benefits; (v) continued participation for one year in the Company's
health and life insurance plans; and (vi) outplacement services for one year. In
the event the involuntary termination occurs or the officer resigns for "good
reason" after a "change of control," the "one" becomes a "two" in clauses (ii),
(iii), (iv) and (v) above. Payments under the plan are subject to reduction if
the reduction would result in greater after-tax proceeds to the officer than if
full payments were made and were subject to taxation to the officer as an
"excess parachute payment" under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.
STOCK OPTIONS
The purpose of the Stock Option Plan, which provides for granting options
to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock, is to promote the interests of
the Company and its stockholders by providing long-term incentives to those
persons with significant responsibility for the success and growth of the
Company and its subsidiaries, by strengthening their ability to attract and
retain officers and other employees, and by aligning the interests of such
persons with those of the Company's stockholders by facilitating their purchase
of an equity interest in the Company. All grants of stock options outstanding
under the 1996 Stock Option Plan have a term of 10 years from date of grant and
an exercise price equal to 100 percent of fair market value on the date of
grant. The stock options are non-transferable and become exercisable three years
after the date of grant. In the event of a change in control of the Company, the
Executive Personnel and Pension Committee of the Board may provide for
appropriate adjustments including (i) rescinding or taking any other action with
respect to any option to the extent necessary to permit the Company to engage in
a merger, consolidation or business combination intended to be accounted for as
a pooling of interests transaction or (ii) accelerating any exercisability or
expiration dates, and settlements of options either at the time the option is
granted or at a subsequent date.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR (2001)
NUMBER OF % OF TOTAL
SHARES OPTIONS
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO GRANT DATE
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES EXERCISE OR EXPIRATION PRESENT
NAME GRANTED IN 2001 BASE PRICE DATE VALUE(1)
---- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Eugene R. McGrath...................... 200,000 15.5% $37.75 4/19/11 $1,046,000
Joan S. Freilich....................... 40,000 3.1% $37.75 4/19/11 $ 209,200
Kevin Burke............................ 50,000 3.9% $37.75 4/19/11 $ 261,500
John D. McMahon........................ 40,000 3.1% $37.75 4/19/11 $ 209,200
Stephen B. Bram........................ 40,000 3.1% $37.75 4/19/11 $ 209,200
---------------
(1) The grant date present values were calculated using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model applied as of the grant date, April 19, 2001. The values
generated by this model depend upon
16
the following assumptions: an option exercise date eight years after the
grant date, a constant dividend yield on the underlying stock of 5.83
percent, an assumed annual volatility of the underlying stock of 21.32
percent; and a risk-free rate of return for the option period of 5.22
percent. The market value on the grant date is the closing price of the
Common Stock on the day preceding the grant date. No assumptions were made
regarding restrictions on vesting or the likelihood of vesting.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR (2001)
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES (12/31/01)
NUMBER OF SHARES UNDERLYING VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED OPTIONS IN THE MONEY OPTIONS AT
SHARES AT FISCAL YEAR END FISCAL YEAR END(1)
ACQUIRED VALUE --------------------------- ---------------------------
ON EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
----------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Eugene R. McGrath........ 0 0 210,000 500,000 $1,494,150 $1,701,000
Joan S. Freilich......... 0 0 54,000 130,000 $ 359,240 $ 418,800
Kevin Burke.............. 0 0 42,000 88,000 $ 248,890 $ 287,700
John D. McMahon.......... 0 0 6,000 100,000 $ 42,690 $ 418,800
Stephen B. Bram.......... 0 0 48,000 71,000 $ 341,520 $ 222,300
---------------
(1) Represents the difference between the market price of the Company's Common
Stock and the exercise price of the option at 12/31/01. The amounts may not
be realized. Actual values, if any, will be realized at the time of any
exercise.
17
PENSION PLANS
The following table shows, for the salary levels and years of service
indicated, the annual pension benefit payable commencing at age 65 under
Consolidated Edison Retirement Plan, a funded, tax-qualified, defined benefit
pension plan, and Con Edison of New York's Supplemental Retirement Income Plan,
an unfunded, non-qualified plan (together referred to as the "Plans"), as
supplemented in the case of Mr. McGrath by his employment agreement. CEI does
not have a separate pension plan.
FINAL YEARS OF SERVICE
AVERAGE --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SALARY 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
------- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
$ 50,000 $ 11,250 $ 15,000 $ 19,000 $ 24,000 $ 25,250 $ 26,500 $ 27,750
$ 100,000 $ 23,293 $ 31,057 $ 39,321 $ 49,586 $ 52,086 $ 54,586 $ 57,086
$ 200,000 $ 51,043 $ 68,057 $ 86,071 $ 108,086 $ 113,086 $ 118,086 $ 123,086
$ 300,000 $ 78,793 $105,057 $ 132,821 $ 166,586 $ 174,086 $ 181,586 $ 189,086
$ 400,000 $106,543 $142,057 $ 179,571 $ 225,086 $ 235,086 $ 245,086 $ 255,086
$ 500,000 $134,293 $179,057 $ 226,321 $ 283,586 $ 296,086 $ 308,586 $ 321,086
$ 600,000 $162,043 $216,057 $ 273,071 $ 342,086 $ 357,086 $ 372,086 $ 387,086
$ 700,000 $189,793 $253,057 $ 319,821 $ 400,586 $ 418,086 $ 435,586 $ 453,086
$ 800,000 $217,543 $290,057 $ 366,571 $ 459,086 $ 479,086 $ 499,086 $ 519,086
$ 900,000 $245,293 $327,057 $ 413,321 $ 517,586 $ 540,086 $ 562,586 $ 585,086
$1,000,000 $273,043 $364,057 $ 460,071 $ 576,086 $ 601,086 $ 626,086 $ 651,086
$1,500,000 $411,793 $549,057 $ 693,821 $ 868,586 $ 906,086 $ 943,586 $ 981,086
$2,000,000 $550,543 $734,057 $ 927,571 $1,161,086 $1,211,086 $1,261,086 $1,311,086
$2,500,000 $689,293 $919,057 $1,161,321 $1,453,586 $1,516,086 $1,578,586 $1,641,086
The Plans provide pension benefits based on (i) the participant's highest
average salary for 60 consecutive months within the 120 consecutive months prior
to retirement ("final average salary"), (ii) the portion of final average salary
in excess of the Social Security taxable wage base in the year of retirement,
and (iii) the participant's length of service. For purposes of the Plans, a
participant's salary for a year is deemed to include any award under the
Executive Incentive Plan (See "Report on Executive Compensation" above) for that
year; provided that the portions of awards that are required to be deferred will
not be included in the pension calculation if such portions are forfeited in
accordance with the plan. Participants in the Plans whose age and years of
service equal 75 are entitled to an annual pension benefit for life, payable in
equal monthly installments. Participants may earn increased pension benefits by
working additional years. Benefits payable to a participant who retires between
ages 55 and 59 with less than 30 years of service are subject to a reduction of
1 1/2 percent for each full year of retirement before age 60. Early retirement
reduction factors are not applied to pensions of employees electing retirement
at age 55 or older with at least 30 years of service. However, benefits payable
on the portion of final average salary in excess of the Social Security taxable
wage base to a participant who retires before age 65 are subject to IRS
reduction factors. The years of service covered by the Plans are for: Mr.
McGrath, 39 years; Ms. Freilich, 24 years; Mr. Burke, 29 years, Mr. McMahon, 25
years and Mr. Bram 39.
Current compensation rates covered by the Plans for Messrs. McGrath, Burke,
McMahon and Bram and Ms. Freilich are approximately equal to the sum of the
amounts set forth under the captions "Salary" and "Bonus" in the Summary
Compensation Table on page 12. The Plans provide an annual adjustment equal to
the lesser of 3% or 3/4 of the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index to
offset partially the effects of inflation.
Mr. McGrath's agreement provides that under certain circumstances, if he
elects upon termination of his employment to defer the commencement of his
pension as permitted by the Plans, the Company will accrue and later pay with
interest the amounts that Mr. McGrath would have been entitled to receive under
the Plans during the deferral period, as supplemented by his agreement.
18
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following performance graph compares the Company's cumulative total
stockholder return on its Common Stock for a five year period (December 31, 1996
to December 31, 2001) with the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor's
Electric Utilities Index and the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index.
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR TOTAL CUMULATIVE RETURN*
[PERFORMANCE CHART]
Years Ending
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company/Index
------------- 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated Edison Inc. 100 150.30 203.00 139.22 166.28 184.40
S&P 500 Index 100 133.36 171.48 207.56 188.66 166.24
Electric Companies-500 100 126.24 145.78 117.54 180.34 165.44
* Based on $100 invested at December 31, 1996; reinvestment of all dividends in
equivalent shares of stock; and market price changes on all such shares.
CERTAIN INFORMATION AS TO INSURANCE AND INDEMNIFICATION
No stockholder action is required with respect to the following information
which is included to fulfill the requirements of Sections 725 and 726 of the
Business Corporation Law of the State of New York.
Effective December 2, 2001, the Company purchased insurance providing for
reimbursement, with certain exclusions and deductions, to (a) CEI or its
subsidiaries for payments they make to indemnify directors, trustees, officers
and assistant officers of CEI and its subsidiaries (b) directors, trustees,
officers and assistant officers for losses, costs and expenses incurred by them
in actions brought against them in connection with their acts in those
capacities for which they are not indemnified by CEI or its subsidiaries and (c)
CEI and its subsidiaries for any payments they make
19
resulting from a securities claim. The insurers are: A.C.E. Bermuda Insurance
Ltd., Associated Electric & Gas Insurance Services Limited, Continental Casualty
Company, Federal Insurance Company, Greenwich Insurance Company, Lumbermens
Mutual Casualty Company, and Zurich American Insurance Company. The cost of this
insurance was $863,500 for a one year term. The Company also purchased from
Federal Insurance Company, Royal Insurance Company of America and Zurich
American Insurance Company additional insurance coverage, for one year effective
January 1, 2002, insuring the directors, trustees, officers and employees of CEI
and its subsidiaries and certain other parties against certain liabilities which
could arise in connection with the administration of the employee benefit plans
of the Company and its subsidiaries. The cost of such coverage was $230,351.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2003 ANNUAL MEETING
In order to be included in the proxy statement and form of proxy relating
to the Company's 2003 Annual Meeting, stockholder proposals must be received by
the Company at its principal offices at 4 Irving Place, New York, New York
10003, Attention: Corporate Secretary, by December 9, 2002.
OTHER MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING
Management intends to bring before the meeting only the election of
Directors and Proposal No. 2 above and knows of no matters to come before the
meeting other than the matters set forth herein. If other matters or motions
come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the
accompanying form of proxy to vote such proxy in accordance with their judgment
on such matters or motions, including any matters dealing with the conduct of
the meeting.
PLEASE VOTE, SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND MAIL IT PROMPTLY IN
THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE, OR VOTE YOUR PROXY BY TELEPHONE OR ON THE
INTERNET IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS SET FORTH ON THE PROXY CARD. YOUR
VOTE IS IMPORTANT. Stockholders planning to attend the meeting but choosing not
to return the proxy card should send a note requesting an admission ticket in
the envelope provided.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
SADDIE L. SMITH
Secretary
New York, N.Y.
April 8, 2002
20
APPENDIX A: 2001 FINANCIAL REPORT
21
Selected Financial Data
CON EDISON*
Year Ended December 31 (Millions of Dollars) 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues $ 9,634.0 $ 9,431.4 $ 7,491.3 $ 7,093.0 $ 7,196.2
Purchased power 3,630.5 3,644.7 1,824.0 1,253.8 1,349.6
Fuel 393.8 350.8 430.1 579.0 596.8
Gas purchased for resale 860.0 789.1 485.2 437.3 552.6
Operating income 1,127.5 1,016.1 1,019.8 1,053.3 1,035.3
Net income for common stock 682.2 582.8 700.6 712.7 694.5
Total assets 16,996.1 16,767.2 15,531.5 14,381.4 14,722.5
Long-term debt 5,501.2 5,415.4 4,524.6 4,050.1 4,188.9
Preferred stock subject to
mandatory redemption 37.1 37.1 37.1 37.1 84.6
Common shareholders' equity 5,666.3 5,472.4 5,412.0 6,025.6 5,930.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings per share $ 3.22 $ 2.75 $ 3.14 $ 3.04 $ 2.95
Diluted earnings per share $ 3.21 $ 2.74 $ 3.13 $ 3.04 $ 2.95
Cash dividends per
common share $ 2.20 $ 2.18 $ 2.14 2.12 $ 2.10
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average common shares
outstanding (millions) 212.1 212.2 223.4 234.3 235.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CON EDISON OF NEW YORK*
Year Ended December 31 (Millions of Dollars) 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues $ 8,122.2 $ 8,000.7 $ 6,956.0 $ 6,998.7 $ 7,196.2
Purchased power 2,818.9 2,988.1 1,669.2 1,252.0 1,349.6
Fuel 351.0 322.1 430.2 579.0 596.8
Gas purchased for resale 666.0 490.6 351.8 370.1 552.6
Operating income 1,046.5 952.1 1,001.5 1,067.1 1,035.3
Net income for common stock 649.5 570.1 698.3 728.1 694.5
Total assets 14,518.8 14,547.9 13,682.2 14,172.8 14,722.5
Long-term debt 5,011.8 4,915.1 4,243.1 4,050.1 4,188.9
Preferred stock subject to
mandatory redemption 37.1 37.1 37.1 37.1 84.6
Common shareholders' equity 4,665.8 4,479.6 4,393.8 5,842.7 5,930.1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Con Edison, which was established as the parent holding company for Con
Edison of New York effective January 1, 1998, owns all of Con Edison of New
York's outstanding shares of common stock.
Market Price Range in Consolidated Reporting System
and Dividends Paid on Common Stock
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001 2000
Dividends Dividends
High Low Paid High Low Paid
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Quarter $38.38 $31.44 0.55 $36.19 $26.19 0.545
2nd Quarter $40.00 $35.76 0.55 $36.81 $28.88 0.545
3rd Quarter $43.37 $36.90 0.55 $35.56 $29.81 0.545
4th Quarter $42.20 $36.50 0.55 $39.50 $32.06 0.545
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As of January 31, 2002, there were 103,380 holders of record of common stock.
A-1
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This discussion and analysis relates to the accompanying consolidated financial
statements of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (Con Edison) and should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.
Except where noted, this discussion and analysis is presented on a consolidated
basis.
CON EDISON'S BUSINESS
Con Edison is a holding company that provides a wide range of energy-related
services to its customers through its regulated and unregulated subsidiaries.
Con Edison's core business is energy distribution and it is also pursuing
related growth opportunities in competitive businesses.
Con Edison's principal subsidiary is Consolidated Edison Company of New York,
Inc. (Con Edison of New York), 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. (O&R) is also a regulated utility
subsidiary of Con Edison. O&R, 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.
Con Edison has four unregulated subsidiaries: Consolidated Edison Solutions,
Inc. (Con Edison Solutions), a retail energy services company that sells
electricity and gas to delivery customers of utilities, including Con Edison of
New York and O&R; Consolidated Edison Energy, Inc. (Con Edison Energy), a
wholesale energy supply company that enters into financial and commodity
instruments as part of its energy trading activities; Consolidated Edison
Development, Inc. (Con Edison Development), a company that acquires, develops
and operates generating projects; and Con Edison Communications, LLC (Con Edison
Communications), a company that builds and operates fiber optic networks to
provide wholesale telecommunications services. The unregulated subsidiaries
participate in competitive energy supply and services businesses that are
subject to different risks than those found in the businesses of the regulated
utility subsidiaries. The unregulated subsidiaries accounted for approximately
8.2 percent of consolidated operating revenues and 1.7 percent of consolidated
net income in 2001, and 5.0 percent of consolidated total assets at December 31,
2001.
SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS
The September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center damaged electric, gas
and steam transmission and distribution facilities of Con Edison of New York.
See Note Q to the financial statements.
In 2001 Con Edison of New York completed the sale of its 480 MW interest in the
jointly owned Roseton generating station and its 1,000 MW nuclear generating
unit and related assets for $642.5 million. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources
- Generation Divestiture," below. Con Edison of New York's remaining electric
generating facilities consist of steam-electric plants located in New York City
with an aggregate electric capacity of approximately 629 MW.
A-2
In April 2001 Con Edison of New York reduced its electric rates $209 million (on
an annual basis). Together with previous decreases implemented since its 1997
Restructuring Agreement, Con Edison has decreased its electric rates by $691
million (on an annualized basis). See "Regulatory Matters - Electric," below.
In March 2001 Con Edison and Northeast Utilities commenced litigation relating
to their October 1999 merger agreement. See Note P to the financial statements.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Con Edison's financial statements reflect the application of the company's
accounting policies. These accounting policies conform to accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America. The accounting policies and
the judgments and uncertainties affecting their application that are most
important to the portrayal of Con Edison's financial condition and results of
operations are discussed in the notes to the financial statements. It is likely
that materially different amounts would be reported in financial statements
under different conditions or using different assumptions.
Con Edison's critical accounting policies include Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types
of Regulation" and, in accordance with SFAS No. 71, the accounting requirements
and rate making practices of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and
state public utility regulatory authorities having jurisdiction.
SFAS No. 71 specifies the economic effects that result from the cause and effect
relationship of costs and revenues in the rate-regulated environment and how
these effects are to be accounted for by a regulated enterprise. Revenues
intended to cover some costs may be recorded either before or after the costs
are incurred. If regulation provides assurance that incurred costs will be
recovered in the future, these costs would be capitalized as deferred charges or
"regulatory assets" under SFAS No. 71. If revenues are recorded for costs that
are expected to be incurred in the future, these revenues would be accrued as
deferred credits or "regulatory liabilities" under SFAS No. 71. Actions of a
regulator may also reduce or eliminate the value of an asset of a regulated
enterprise, or impose a liability (or eliminate a liability it imposed) on the
enterprise. Authoritative accounting pronouncements that apply to enterprises in
general also apply to regulated enterprises. However, enterprises subject to
SFAS No. 71 are required to apply it instead of any conflicting provisions of
standards in other authoritative pronouncements. If some of an enterprise's
operations are regulated and meet the criteria specified in SFAS No. 71, it is
applied only to that regulated portion of the enterprise's operations.
Critical accounting policies of Con Edison are referenced in Note A (Summary of
Significant Accounting Policies), Note D (Pension Benefits), Note E (Post
Retirement Benefits Other Than Pensions) and Note O (Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities) to the financial statements.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Con Edison's liquidity is dependent on its cash flows from its operating,
investing and financing activities listed on the accompanying consolidated
statement of cash flows and discussed below. As a result of these activities,
cash and temporary cash investments increased $176.5 million at December 31,
2001 compared to December 31, 2000.
A-3
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Con Edison's cash flows from operating activities reflect principally its energy
sales and its cost of operations. The volume of energy sales is dependent on
factors external to Con Edison such as weather, economic conditions and
technological developments. The prices at which Con Edison's utility
subsidiaries provide energy to their customers are determined in accordance with
rate agreements approved by the state public utility regulatory authority having
jurisdiction - New York State Public Service Commission (NYPSC), New Jersey
Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) and Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
(PPUC). See "Regulatory Matters," below. In general, changes in the utility
subsidiaries' cost of purchased power and gas affect the timing of cash flows
but not net income because the costs are recovered in accordance with rate
agreements. See "Recoverable Energy Costs" in Note A to the financial
statements.
Net cash flows from operating activities in 2001 increased $332.5 million
compared with 2000, principally as a result of lower energy costs which are
reflected in decreased customer accounts receivable and recoverable energy
costs, offset in part by decreased accounts payable balances. Net cash flows
from operating activities in 2000 decreased $202.8 million compared to 1999, due
principally to increased energy costs, including $90 million of replacement
power costs that were not recovered from customers. See Note G to the financial
statements.
Net income for common stock is a result of cash and non-cash transactions. Only
cash transactions affect Con Edison's cash flow from operations. Principal
non-cash charges include depreciation. Principal non-cash credits include
accrued pension credits. Pension credits result from favorable past performance
in Con Edison of New York's pension fund and assumptions about future
performance. See Note D to the financial statements.
Con Edison's accounts receivable - customer, less allowance for uncollectible
accounts decreased $296.6 million at December 31, 2001 compared with year-end
2000, due primarily to lower customer billings during the fourth quarter by Con
Edison's utility subsidiaries, reflecting lower energy costs, offset in part by
the timing of customer payments and the remaining receivables from the higher
summer billings. Con Edison of New York's equivalent number of days of revenue
outstanding (ENDRO) of customer accounts receivable was 29.6 days at December
31, 2001, compared to 29.7 days at December 31, 2000. For O&R the ENDRO was 23.6
days at December 31, 2001 and 33.4 days at December 31, 2000.
Recoverable energy costs decreased $130.2 million at December 31, 2001 compared
with year-end 2000, reflecting decreased purchased power and gas costs,
resulting from lower sales volumes. See "Recoverable Energy Costs" in Note A to
the financial statements.
Gas in storage increased $28.4 million at December 31, 2001 compared with
year-end 2000 due primarily to higher volumes resulting from lower withdrawals
as a result of warmer weather in 2001 as compared to 2000.
Prepayments decreased $77.9 million at December 31, 2001 compared with year-end
2000 due primarily to a prepayment of Federal and State taxes of $70.0 million
at year-end 2000 by Con Edison of New York.
A-4
The decreases in 2001 compared to 2000 in electric plant, accumulated
depreciation, materials and supplies, nuclear decommissioning trust funds, and
the regulatory assets for future Federal income tax, as well as the
establishment in 2001 of a regulatory asset for the sale of Con Edison of New
York's nuclear generating unit, reflect generation divestitures in 2001. See
"Generation Divestiture," below.
Deferred environmental remediation costs increased 13.5 million at December 31,
2001 compared with year-end 2000, reflecting site investigation and remediation
costs for Con Edison's utility subsidiaries deferred under current rate
agreements. See Note F to the financial statements.
The $15.0 million increase in the regulatory asset for the workers' compensation
reserve and the $15.0 million increase in the accumulated provision for injuries
and damages at December 31, 2001 compared with year-end 2000 reflect primarily
workers' compensation claims relating to alleged asbestos exposure. See Note F
to the financial statements.
For information about the regulatory asset for World Trade Center restoration
costs, see Note Q to the financial statements.
Accounts payable decreased $355.1 million at December 31, 2001 compared with
year-end 2000, due primarily to lower energy purchases in December 2001 as
compared to December 2000.
Accrued taxes increased $82.3 million at December 31, 2001 compared to year-end
2000, primarily because, in light of the World Trade Center attack, the Federal
government extended to January 2002 the due date for the final payment of 2001
income taxes for affected companies.
Regulatory liabilities increased $80.4 million at December 31, 2001 compared
with year-end 2000, reflecting the deferral, pending future disposition by the
NYPSC, of a $92.5 million refund from the New York Independent System Operator
(NYISO) and an $81.5 million tax refund resulting from a casualty loss deduction
taken by Con Edison of New York relating to the World Trade Center attack. These
increases were offset in part by the recognition in income of $37 million of
gains on generation divestiture, and $25.9 million of previously deferred New
York Power Authority (NYPA) revenue increases related to the amortization of a
NYPA revenue deficiency pursuant to terms of the agreements covering Con Edison
of New York's electric rates. See "Restructuring Agreements" in Note A to the
financial statements.
During 2001 other regulatory liabilities decreased $75.2 million, due primarily
to a reduction of $80.6 million in the deferral related to New York State tax
law changes. The reduction in the deferral was attributable to recognition in
income of deferred state income tax expense and lower revenue-based tax
collections. Changes in the New York State tax laws applicable to utility
companies, effective January 1, 2000, repealed or reduced certain revenue-based
taxes and instituted a net income-based tax. In June 2001 the NYPSC issued its
final order relating to these tax law changes. It authorized each utility to use
deferral accounting to record the difference between taxes being collected and
the tax expense resulting from the tax law changes, until those are incorporated
into base rates.
A-5
CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Cash flows used in investing activities in 2001 decreased $494.9 million
compared with 2000, due primarily to the receipt of proceeds from generation
divestiture, which offset increased utility construction expenditures ($101.2
million) related to meeting load growth on Con Edison of New York's electric
distribution system. See "Generation Divestiture" and "Capital Expenditures"
below.
Con Edison's investments increased $176.4 million during 2001 compared with
2000, due principally to generation projects of Con Edison Development (see Note
C to the financial statements), higher build-out costs of $42.6 million for Con
Edison Communications and an expenditure of $25.5 million by Con Edison of New
York to improve its underground facilities. This improvement will increase the
capacity of Con Edison of New York to provide telecommunication companies access
to install communication lines within Con Edison of New York's facilities.
In June 2000 Con Edison Development, purchased an 80 percent interest in a
partnership that owns a 236-MW electric generating unit in Lakewood, New Jersey
(the Lakewood Project) for $98.1 million.
Deferred real estate sale costs related to the demolition and remediation of a
nine-acre development site in midtown Manhattan along the East River were $105.4
million at December 31, 2001 compared to $103.0 million at December 31, 2000. In
2000 Con Edison of New York agreed to sell this site for an expected price of
$576 million to $680 million depending on zoning and other adjustments. The sale
is subject to NYPSC approval and other conditions. The buyer paid Con Edison of
New York $50 million as a down payment, which Con Edison of New York used to
fund a portion of the demolition and remediation expenses. The down payment has
been recorded as a regulatory liability.
CASH FLOWS USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash flows used in financing activities in 2001 increased $190.8 million
compared with 2000, a result of decreased external borrowings and increased debt
redemption.
External borrowings are a source of liquidity for companies that could be
affected by changes in credit ratings, financial performance and capital
markets. For information about Con Edison's credit ratings and certain financial
ratios, see "Capital Resources," below.
Con Edison had $343.7 million of commercial paper and other short-term notes
outstanding at December 31, 2001 and $255 million outstanding at December 31,
2000. Con Edison's average daily short-term borrowing outstanding in 2001 was
$241.8 million compared with $319 million in 2000. The weighted average interest
rate was approximately 4.6 percent in 2001 compared to approximately 6.4 percent
in 2000. For additional information about Con Edison's short-term borrowing, see
Note C to the financial statements.
In February 2001 Con Edison of New York redeemed $150 million of 6.5 percent
8-year debentures. In June 2001 Con Edison of New York issued $400 million of
7.5 percent 40-year debentures. In addition Con Edison of New York issued $224.6
million of variable rate 35-year tax-exempt debt (with an initial weekly rate of
2.25 percent) through the New York State Energy Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA), the proceeds of which were used in July 2001 to redeem, in
advance of maturity, $228.2 million of tax-exempt debt with a weighted average
interest rate of 7.2 percent. In November 2001 Con
A-6
Edison of New York issued $98 million of variable rate 35-year tax-exempt debt
(with an initial weekly rate of 1.9 percent) through NYSERDA, the proceeds of
which were used to redeem, in advance of maturity, $100 million of tax-exempt
debt with an interest rate of 6.375 percent. In December 2001 Con Edison of New
York redeemed $150 million of variable rate 5-year debentures.
During 2000 Con Edison of New York repaid at maturity $275 million of
debentures, with a weighted average annual interest rate of approximately 7.48
percent, and issued $975 million of 5-year and 10-year debentures, with a
weighted average annual interest rate of approximately 7.39 percent. During
2000, O&R repaid at maturity $120 million of debentures, with a weighted average
annual interest rate of 8.27 percent, and issued $55 million of 10-year, 7.5
percent debentures.
Con Edison purchased approximately 1.9 million shares of its common stock, at an
aggregate cost of $60.7 million, in 2000. Through December 31, 2000, a total of
23.2 million shares were purchased under a stock repurchase program begun in
1998, at an average price of $43.13 per share, and a total cost of $1.0 billion.
No purchases were made by Con Edison in 2001.
GENERATION DIVESTITURE
Con Edison sold most of its electric generating capacity in 1999. O&R completed
the sale of all its generating assets prior to the completion of Con Edison's
acquisition of O&R in July 1999.
In January 2001 Con Edison of New York completed the sale of its 480 MW interest
in the jointly owned Roseton generating station for approximately $138 million.
In September 2001 Con Edison completed the sale of its nuclear generating
facilities and related assets for $504.5 million. The proceeds were net of a
$73.8 million payment to increase the value of the nuclear decommissioning trust
funds being transferred to $430 million, the amount provided for in the sales
agreement.
Net income for 2001 reflects neither the $37.1 million net after-tax gain on the
Roseton sale (which was deferred as a regulatory liability) nor the $175.4
million net after-tax loss on the nuclear generating facilities sale which was
deferred as a regulatory asset.
Con Edison of New York's remaining electric generating facilities consist of
plants located in New York City with an aggregate capacity of approximately 629
MW.
For additional information about generation divestiture, see Note I to the
financial statements.
CAPITAL RESOURCES
Con Edison is a holding company that operates only through its subsidiaries and
has no material assets other than its interests in its subsidiaries. Con Edison
expects to finance its capital requirements and the payment of dividends to its
shareholders primarily from dividends it receives from its subsidiaries and
through external borrowings, including commercial paper. Con Edison's ability to
make payments on its external borrowings is dependent upon its receipt of
dividends from its subsidiaries or proceeds from the sale of its securities or
its interests in its subsidiaries. For information about restrictions on the
payment of dividends by Con Edison of New York, see Note B to the financial
statements.
In addition Con Edison has determined to use authorized but previously unissued
shares of its common stock instead of shares purchased on the open market for
its Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and
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Cash Payment Plan, Stock Purchase Plan and Stock Option Plan. In 2001 1.9
million shares were purchased in the open market for these plans.
Con Edison expects its utility subsidiaries to finance their operations, capital
requirements and payment of dividends to Con Edison from internally generated
funds and external borrowings. For information about the company's $950 million
commercial paper programs and revolving credit agreements with banks, see Note C
to the financial statements.
In December 2001 the NYPSC authorized Con Edison's utility subsidiaries to issue
not more than $1.95 billion of debt securities prior to 2006. The NYPSC also
authorized the refunding of the utility subsidiaries' outstanding debt
securities and preferred stock.
Con Edison's unregulated subsidiaries have financed their operations and capital
requirements primarily with capital contributions from Con Edison, internally
generated funds and external borrowings and off-balance sheet financing
guaranteed by Con Edison. See Note J to the financial statements.
Con Edison's ratio of earnings to fixed charges for 2001, 2000 and 1999 and
common equity ratio at December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 were:
2001 2000 1999
------------------------------
Earnings to fixed charges (SEC basis) 3.49 3.10 4.04
Common equity ratio 49.6 49.1 53.1
The changes in interest coverage in these years reflect changes in pre-tax
income and changes in interest charges due to debt issuances and refundings.
Excluding a $130 million charge for replacement power costs (see Note G to the
financial statements) and the $32.1 million charge for merger-related expenses
(see Note P to the financial statements), Con Edison's ratio of earnings to
fixed charges for 2000 would have been 3.47. The changes in the equity ratio
reflect the issuance of debt.
The commercial paper of Con Edison and its utility subsidiaries is rated P-1,
A-1 and F-1, respectively, by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Moody's),
Standard & Poor's Rating Services (S&P) and Fitch Ratings (Fitch). Con Edison's
unsecured debt is rated A2, A and A-, respectively, by Moody's, S&P and Fitch.
The senior unsecured debt of Con Edison's utility subsidiaries is rated Al, A+
and A+, respectively, by Moody's, S&P and Fitch.
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
The following table compares Con Edison's capital requirements relating to its
regulated and unregulated subsidiaries for the years 1999 through 2001 and
estimated amounts for 2002 and 2003:
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
--------------------------------------------------
(Millions of Dollars)
Regulated utility construction expenditures $ 678 $ 959 $1,042 $1,307 $1,388
Investment in unregulated subsidiaries 165 121 164 307 257
--------------------------------------------------
Sub-total 843 1,080 1,206 1,614 1,645
Retirement of long-term securities at maturity 225 395 638 337 185
--------------------------------------------------
Total $1,068 $1,475 $1,844 $1,951 $1,830
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The increased regulated utility construction expenditures in 2002 and 2003
reflect expenditures for permanent electric, gas and steam system restoration
following the World Trade Center attack, incremental electric load growth and
reliability programs, an increased level of gas infrastructure expenditures and
the cost to repower Con Edison of New York's East River steam-electric
generating plant.
The investment in unregulated subsidiaries reflects Con Edison's funding to the
unregulated subsidiaries as well as the subsidiaries' own investments. At
December 31, 2001 and 2000, Con Edison's investment in these subsidiaries, on an
unconsolidated basis, was $473.5 million and $405.6 million, respectively.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS
In the normal course of business, companies enter into contracts and make
commitments. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America do not require every obligation undertaken by a company to be included
as a liability on its balance sheet. However, material off-balance sheet
obligations are required to be disclosed in the footnotes to the financial
statements.
The following tables summarize Con Edison's material contractual obligations to
make payments. Long-term debt and capital lease obligations are included on Con
Edison's balance sheet. Operating leases and non-utility generator contracts
(for which undiscounted future annual payments are shown) are disclosed in the
footnotes to the financial statements.
Payments Due by Period
Less than After 5
Contractual Obligations Total 1 year 1-3 years 4-5 years years
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Millions of Dollars)
Long-term debt (Note B) $ 5,839 $ 311 $ 785 $ 350 $ 4,393
Capital lease obligations (Note J) 79 8 15 14 42
Operating leases (Note J) 412 50 135 77 150
Non-utility generator contracts (Note H) 8,679 541 1,082 1,054 6,002
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $15,009 $ 910 $ 2,017 $ 1,495 $10,587
Con Edison's material commercial commitments to make payments in addition to
these contractual commitments are its guarantees of certain obligations of its
subsidiaries. Con Edison estimates that, at December 31, 2001, the maximum
aggregate amount of these guarantees, most of which expire or can be terminated
within one year, totaled approximately $1.1 billion, of which approximately
$456.2 million of underlying obligations to which guarantees relate were
outstanding. The guarantees include Con Edison's guarantee in an amount not to
exceed $239.7 million, of the residual value for an electric generating project
leased by Con Edison Development (see Note J to the financial statements). In
addition to the guarantees listed above, Con Edison Development has $51.3
million of guarantees outstanding for obligations of its subsidiaries.
NON-EXCHANGE TRADED CONTRACTS ACCOUNTED FOR AT FAIR VALUE
Con Edison Energy is engaged in energy trading activities, in relation to which
Con Edison recognized in income in 2001 unrealized mark-to-market pre-tax net
gains of $9.6 million, reflecting changes in the fair value of derivative
financial and commodity instruments. See "Financial Market Risks," below and
Note O to the financial statements.
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ELECTRIC POWER PURCHASES
In 2001 Con Edison's utility subsidiaries purchased substantially all of the
energy they sold to customers pursuant to firm contracts with non-utility
generators and others or through the NYISO's wholesale electricity market.
In general Con Edison's utility subsidiaries recover prudently incurred
purchased power costs pursuant to rate provisions approved by the state public
utility regulatory authority having jurisdiction. See "Financial Market Risks,"
below and "Recoverable Energy Costs" in Note A to the financial statements. From
time to time certain parties have petitioned the NYPSC to review these
provisions, the elimination of which could have a material adverse effect on Con
Edison's financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
To reduce the volatility of electric energy costs, Con Edison's utility
subsidiaries have firm contracts to purchase electric energy (including the
output of the nuclear generating unit divested in 2001) and have entered into
derivative transactions to hedge the costs of expected purchases for a
substantial portion of the electric energy expected to be sold to customers in
summer 2002. See Notes H and O to the financial statements.
Con Edison's utility subsidiaries do not expect to add long-term electric
generation resources other than in connection with the re-powering of Con Edison
of New York's East River generating plant, which will add incremental electric
capacity of approximately 200 MW. In a July 1998 order, the NYPSC indicated that
it "agree(s) generally that Con Edison of New York need not plan on constructing
new generation as the competitive market develops," but considers "overly broad"
and did not adopt Con Edison of New York's request for a declaration that,
solely with respect to providing generating capacity, it will no longer be
required to engage in long-range planning to meet potential demand and, in
particular, that it will no longer have the obligation to construct new
generating facilities, regardless of the market price of capacity.
REGULATORY MATTERS
ELECTRIC
In July 2001 the FERC concluded that the three independent system operators in
the Northeastern United States, including the NYISO, should combine to form one
regional transmission organization (RTO) and initiated a process with respect to
issues associated with its formation. The terms and conditions pursuant to which
an RTO for the Northeastern United States would be formed and operate have not
been determined. FERC has, however, indicated that an RTO should have certain
characteristics, including independence from market participants and operational
authority for all transmission assets under its control, and perform certain
functions, including tariff administration and design, congestion management,
market monitoring, planning and expansion and interregional coordination. Con
Edison's transmission facilities, other than those located underground, are
currently controlled and operated by the NYISO.
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In 1996 the NYPSC, in its Competitive Opportunities Proceeding, endorsed a
fundamental restructuring of the electric utility industry in New York State,
based on competition in the generation and energy services sectors of the
industry.
In September 1997 the NYPSC approved a restructuring agreement among Con Edison
of New York, the NYPSC staff and certain other parties (the 1997 Restructuring
Agreement). Pursuant to the 1997 Restructuring Agreement, Con Edison of New York
reduced electric rates on an annual basis by approximately $129 million in 1998,
$80 million in 1999, $103 million in 2000 and $209 million in 2001, divested
most of its electric generating capacity, and enabled all of its electric
customers to be served by competitive energy suppliers. For additional
information about the 1997 Restructuring Agreement, see Note A to the financial
statements.
In November 2000 the NYPSC approved an October 2000 agreement (the 2000 Electric
Rate Agreement) that, among other things, revises and extends the electric rate
plan provisions of the 1997 Restructuring Agreement and addresses certain
generation divestiture-related issues.
The electric rate plan provisions of the 2000 Electric Rate Agreement cover the
five-year period ending March 2005. Pursuant to the 2000 Electric Rate
Agreement, Con Edison of New York reduced the distribution component of its
electric rates by $170 million on an annual basis, effective October 2000.
The 2000 Electric Rate Agreement continues the rate provisions pursuant to which
Con Edison of New York recovers prudently incurred purchased power and fuel
costs from customers. See "Recoverable Energy Costs" in Note A to the financial
statements.
For additional information about the 2000 Electric Rate Agreement, see "Rate and
Restructuring Agreements" in Note A to the financial statements.
O&R has entered into settlement agreements or similar arrangements with the
NYPSC and the New Jersey and Pennsylvania public utility commissions, that
provide for a transition to a competitive electric market and address
customer/shareholder sharing of net synergy savings from Con Edison's July 1999
acquisition of O&R. See "Rate and Restructuring Agreements" in Note A to the
financial statements.
GAS
In November 2000 the NYPSC approved an agreement between Con Edison of New York,
the NYPSC staff and certain other parties that revised and extended the 1996 gas
rate settlement agreement through September 2001. The 1996 agreement, with
limited exceptions, continued base rates at September 1996 levels through
September 2000.
On February 15, 2002, Con Edison of New York, the Staff of the NYPSC and several
other participants in the current Con Edison of New York gas rate proceeding,
submitted to the NYPSC for approval a settlement of various gas rate and
restructuring issues for the three-year period ending September 30, 2004. The
rate agreement reduces retail sales and transportation rates by approximately
$25 million, on an annual basis.
In November 2000 the NYPSC also approved a gas rate settlement agreement between
O&R, NYPSC Staff, and certain other parties covering the three-year period
November 2000 through October 2003.
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For additional information about the new gas rate agreements, see Note A to the
financial statements.
STEAM
In November 2000 the NYPSC approved an agreement between Con Edison of New York,
the NYPSC staff and certain other parties with respect to the steam rate plan
filed by Con Edison in November 1999. The agreement provides for a $16.6 million
steam rate increase, which took effect October 2000 and, with limited
exceptions, for no further changes in steam rates prior to October 2004.
For additional information about the agreement, see Note A to the financial
statements.
NUCLEAR GENERATION
In September 2001 Con Edison of New York completed the sale of its nuclear
generating unit and related assets. For information about the sale, the NYPSC
proceeding related to the outage of the unit in 2000 and additional information,
see Note G and I to the financial statements.
FINANCIAL MARKET RISKS
Con Edison's primary market risks associated with activities in derivative
financial instruments, other financial instruments and derivative commodity
instruments are interest rate risk and commodity price risk.
The interest rate risk relates primarily to new debt financing needed to fund
capital requirements, including utility construction expenditures and maturing
debt securities, and to variable rate debt. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources
- Capital Requirements," above.
In general the rates Con Edison's utility subsidiaries charge customers for
electric, gas and steam service are not subject to change for fluctuations in
the cost of capital during the respective terms of the current rate agreeements.
The utility subsidiaries manage interest rate risk through the issuance of
mostly fixed-rate debt with varying maturities and through opportunistic
refundings of debt through optional redemptions and tender offers. In addition
Con Edison and its subsidiaries, from time to time, have entered into derivative
financial instruments to hedge interest rate risk.
In general the rates Con Edison's utility subsidiaries charge customers for
electric, gas and steam service are subject to change for fluctuations in the
cost of purchased power or gas during the respective terms of the current rate
agreements. See "Electric Power Purchases," above and "Recoverable Energy Costs"
in Note A to the financial statements. Con Edison's subsidiaries use derivative
instruments to hedge purchases of electricity, gas and gas in storage.
At December 31, 2001 neither the fair value of the hedged positions outstanding
nor potential, near-term derivative losses from reasonably possible near-term
changes in market prices were material to the financial position, results of
operations or liquidity of Con Edison. See Note O to the financial statements.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
For information concerning potential liabilities arising from laws and
regulations protecting the environment, including the Federal Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
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of 1980 (Superfund), and from claims relating to alleged exposure to asbestos,
see Note F to the financial statements.
IMPACT OF INFLATION
Con Edison is affected by the decline in the purchasing power of the dollar
caused by inflation. Regulation permits Con Edison's utility subsidiaries to
recover through depreciation only the historical cost of their plant assets even
though in an inflationary economy the cost to replace the assets upon their
retirement will substantially exceed historical costs. The impact is, however,
partially offset by the repayment of the utility subsidiaries' long-term debt in
dollars of lesser value than the dollars originally borrowed.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This discussion and analysis includes forward-looking statements, which are
statements of future expectation and not facts. Words such as "estimates,"
"expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans" and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements. Actual results or developments might differ
materially from those included in the forward-looking statements because of
factors such as competition and industry restructuring, the outages at the
nuclear generating unit sold in 2001 (see Note G to the financial statements),
the Northeast Utilities litigation (see Note P to the financial statements),
developments in energy and capital markets, technological developments, changes
in economic conditions, changes in historical weather patterns, changes in laws,
regulations or regulatory policies, developments in legal or public policy
doctrines, and other presently unknown or unforeseen factors.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Con Edison's earnings per share in 2001 were $3.22 ($3.21 on a diluted basis).
Earnings per share in 2000 and 1999 were $2.75 ($2.74 on a diluted basis) and
$3.14 ($3.13 on a diluted basis), respectively. Excluding a $130 million charge
relating to replacement power costs (see Note G to the financial statements) and
a $32.1 million charge for merger-related expenses (see Note P to the financial
statements), earnings per share in 2000 would have been $3.24 ($3.23 on a
diluted basis).
Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 were as follows:
2001 2000 1999
--------------------------------
(Millions of Dollars)
Con Edison of New York $ 649.5 $ 570.1* $ 698.3
O&R 40.2 39.1 22.2**
Unregulated subsidiaries 11.5 7.7 (10.9)
Other*** (19.0) (34.1) (9.0)
--------------------------------
Con Edison $ 682.2 $ 582.8 $ 700.6
* Includes a charge for the possible disallowance of $130 million of
replacement power expenses.
** O&R earnings are for the period subsequent to its acquisition July 1999.
*** Includes parent company expenses, goodwill amortization and inter-company
eliminations and a $32.1 million charge in 2000 for merger-related
expenses.
Con Edison's earnings for 2001 increased $99.4 million compared with 2000,
reflecting principally the effects of warmer than normal summer weather in
2001($76.3 million), a decrease in nuclear production expenses relating to the
nuclear generating unit ($98.4 million), lower depreciation expenses ($60.2
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million), increased pension credits ($53.1 million), gain on generation
divestiture ($37.5 million), recognition of revenue related to previously
deferred NYPA rate increases ($35.2 million), non-recurring charges in 2000
relating to Con Edison of New York's replacement power costs ($130 million) and
merger related expenses ($32.1 million), and a net increase in earnings from the
unregulated subsidiaries ($3.8 million), offset by electric rate reductions of
approximately $375.6 million.
Con Edison's earnings for 2000 decreased $117.8 million compared with 1999,
reflecting principally the effects of cooler than normal summer weather in 2000
as compared with warmer than normal summer weather in 1999 ($59.3 million),
electric rate reductions of $139.3 million, higher distribution expenses of
$19.7 million for the relocation of company facilities to avoid interference
with municipal infrastructure projects, $48.3 million of increased interest
charges and non-recurring charges of $130 million for replacement power costs
and $32.1 million of merger-related expenses, offset in part by increased
revenues resulting from the favorable economy of $26.1 million, $157.1 million
of increased pension credits, an increase in earnings of $12.3 million from the
unregulated subsidiaries and $16.9 million of increased O&R earnings.
Earnings reflect the levels of electric, gas and steam sales discussed below.
Con Edison's operating revenues in 2001 compared with 2000 increased by $202.6
million, and its operating income increased by $111.3 million. Operating
revenues in 2000 compared with 1999 increased by $1.9 billion, and operating
income decreased by $3.7 million.
A discussion of Con Edison's operating revenues and operating income by business
segment follows. Con Edison's principal business segments are its electric, gas
and steam utility businesses of its regulated utility subsidiaries and the
businesses of its unregulated subsidiaries. For additional information about Con
Edison's business segments, see Note N to the financial statements.
ELECTRIC
Con Edison's electric operating revenues in 2001 decreased $50.3 million from
2000 and in 2000 increased $1.1 billion from 1999. The decrease in 2001 reflects
decreased purchased power costs (see "Recoverable Energy Costs" in Note A to the
financial statements) and electric rate reductions of $375.6 million in 2001,
offset by the effects of the warmer than normal summer weather when compared to
cooler than normal weather for the 2000 period. The increase in 2000 reflects
increased purchase power costs, offset in part by decreased sales resulting from
the cooler summer weather in 2000 as compared with 1999, and electric rate
reductions of approximately $139.3 million in 2000. Also, O&R's financial
results are not included in earnings for the periods prior to its July 1999
acquisition by Con Edison.
Electricity sales volume for Con Edison's utility subsidiaries increased 3.1
percent in 2001 compared with 2000 and increased 1.7 percent in 2000 compared
with 1999.
The increase in sales volume in 2001 reflects the warmer than normal summer
weather and economic growth. Con Edison's electric sales vary seasonally in
response to weather, and peak in the summer.
After adjusting for variations, principally weather and billing days, in each
period, electricity sales volume for Con Edison of New York increased 2.4
percent in 2001 compared with 2000 and increased 3.6
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percent in 2000 compared with 1999. For O&R weather adjusted electric sales
increased 3.3 percent in 2001 compared with 2000 and increased 0.5 percent in
2000 compared with 1999.
Con Edison's electric operating income increased $93.2 million in 2001 compared
with 2000. The increase in Con Edison's electric operating income reflects an
increase in net revenues (operating revenues less fuel and purchased power) of
$73 million. The increase in net revenues reflects principally increased sales
($76.3 million), recognition of revenue related to previously deferred NYPA rate
increases ($35.2 million), gains on the sale of divested generation plants
($37.5 million), increased system benefit charges ($41 million), recovery of
incremental non-utility generators cost ($31 million), reconciliation of state
income tax and gross receipts tax ($110.8 million; see "Income Tax," below) and
the reduction in net revenues in 2000 for replacement power costs ($130
million), offset by electric rate reductions of $375.6 million in 2001. Electric
operating income also increased due to decreased other operations and
maintenance expenses of $107.9 million and decreased depreciation and
amortization expense of $69.1 million, offset in part by increased property
taxes of $33.7 million, Federal income tax of $42.3 million and State income tax
of $99.1 million (see "Income Tax," below).
The $107.9 million decrease in other operations and maintenance expenses
reflects principally lower expenses related to Con Edison of New York's nuclear
generating unit which was sold in September 2001 ($98.4 million), increased
pension credits ($42.5 million) and decreased emission expenses ($11.3 million),
offset in part by higher distribution expenses ($13.4 million) for the
relocation of company facilities to avoid interference with municipal
infrastructure projects and increased system benefit charges ($41 million).
Con Edison's electric operating income decreased $57.6 million in 2000 compared
with 1999, reflecting a decrease in Con Edison of New York's electric operating
income of $76.7 million. The decrease in Con Edison of New York's electric
operating income includes a reduction in net revenues (operating revenues less
fuel and purchased power costs) of $325.3 million, (reflecting $59.3 million
resulting from cooler than normal summer weather), $139.3 million of electric
rate reductions and a $130 million charge for replacement power cost, offset in
part by increased pension credits ($124.5 million) and decreased property taxes
($18.1 million), dividend and subsidiary capital taxes ($13.8 million) and
income tax ($100.6 million). Electric operating income also reflects an increase
in O&R's electric operating income of $19.2 million. O&R's electric operating
income in 2000 was $47.5 million compared to $28.4 million recognized in the
1999 period following Con Edison's July 1999 acquisition of O&R.
GAS
Con Edison's gas operating revenues increased $204.0 million in 2001 compared
with 2000, reflecting an increased cost of purchased gas, offset in part by a
reduction in customers' bills of $20.0 million, reflecting a refund of
previously deferred credits and other provisions of the gas rate agreement
approved by the NYPSC in November 2000. The increase in operating income of $3.7
million reflects principally an increase in net revenues (operating revenues
less gas purchased for resale) of $5.4 million and increased pension credits of
$8.2 million, and the recognition in income in the 2001 period of previously
deferred gas credits ($7.0 million), offset in part by increased depreciation
and amortization expense ($5.3 million), increased state income tax ($8.7
million; see "Income Tax" below) and higher distribution
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expenses of $3.0 million for the relocation of company facilities to avoid
interference with municipal infrastructure projects.
Con Edison's gas operating revenues and gas operating income increased $261.9
million and $32.3 million, respectively, in 2000. These changes reflect changes
in gas sales and transportation volumes. The changes in gas operating revenues
also reflect increases in the cost of gas (see "Recoverable Energy Costs" in
Note A to the financial statements). In addition the changes reflect O&R's gas
operating revenues of approximately $183.4 million and O&R's gas operating
income of approximately $11.1 million for 2000, compared to gas operating
revenues of $56.4 million and $0.5 million of gas operating income recognized in
the 1999 period following Con Edison's July 1999 acquisition of O&R.
Firm gas sales and transportation volume for Con Edison's utility subsidiaries
decreased 2.0 percent in 2001 compared with 2000 and increased 8.0 percent in
2000 compared with 1999.
Con Edison's gas sales and transportation vary seasonally in response to
weather, and peak in the winter. The decrease in volume in 2001 compared with
2000 reflects the warmer 2001 winter compared with 2000. The increase in 2000
compared with 1999 reflects the colder 2000 winter compared to 1999.
After adjusting for variations, principally weather and billing days, in each
period, gas sales and transportation volume to firm customers for Con Edison of
New York increased 2.8 percent in 2001 compared with 2000 and increased 2.0
percent in 2000 compared with 1999. For O&R weather adjusted gas sales decreased
0.1 percent in 2001 compared with 2000 and increased 3.7 percent in 2000
compared with 1999.
A weather-normalization provision that applies to the gas businesses of Con
Edison's utility subsidiaries operating in New York moderates, but does not
eliminate, the effect of weather-related changes on gas operating income.
STEAM
Con Edison of New York's steam operating revenues increased $51.6 million in
2001 compared to 2000, reflecting primarily increased purchased steam and fuel
costs (see "Recoverable Energy Costs" in Note A to the financial statements).
Steam operating income increased $2.3 million in 2001 compared with 2000,
reflecting an October 2000 rate increase of $16.6 million. Steam operating
revenues and operating income increased $112.1 million and $6.1 million,
respectively, in 2000 compared with 1999, primarily because of increases in
purchased steam and fuel costs and the October 2000 rate increase.
Steam sales volume decreased 5.3 percent in 2001 and increased 0.8 percent in
2000. The decrease in 2001 reflects the warmer winter weather compared with
2000.
After adjusting for variations, principally weather and billing days, in each
period, steam sales volume decreased 2.7 percent in 2001 and decreased 0.7
percent in 2000.
UNREGULATED BUSINESS
Operating revenues of Con Edison's unregulated subsidiaries decreased $8.0
million in 2001 compared to 2000, reflecting lower gas revenues of $140.8
million as a result of lower gas sales and commodity prices
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in the 2001 period compared to 2000, offset by higher revenues from energy
trading of $84.4 million and the full-year ownership of the Lakewood Project of
$33.3 million.
The unregulated subsidiaries' operating income increased $11.6 million in 2001
compared to 2000 due principally to lower gas costs and higher wholesale energy
trading volumes.
The unregulated subsidiaries operating revenues increased $435.2 million in 2000
compared to 1999, reflecting higher wholesale energy trading activities.
Operating income increased $27.3 million, due primarily to higher revenues from
energy trading activities and lower operation and maintenance expenses.
TAXES, OTHER THAN INCOME TAXES
At $1.1 billion, taxes other than income taxes remain one of Con Edison's
largest operating expenses.
The principal components of and variations in operating taxes were:
Increase / (Decrease)
2001 2001 over 2000 over
Amount 2000 1999
---------------------------------
(Millions of Dollars)
Property taxes $ 648.8 $ 34.6 $ 10.1
State and local taxes related to revenue receipts 403.4 (22.1) (72.2)
Payroll taxes 60.6 1.4 1.1
Other taxes 26.3 3.4 3.0
---------------------------------
Total $1,139.1* $ 17.3 $ (58.0)
* Including sales taxes on customers' bills, total taxes, other than income
taxes, billed to customers in 2001 were $1,519.9 million.
OTHER INCOME
Other income increased $11.5 million in 2001 compared with 2000, due principally
to reduced federal income tax expense and the recognition in 2000 of $32.1
million of merger-related expenses, offset by the write-off in 2001 of an
investment of $10.2 million in the New York City Discovery Fund, which invested
in New York City based firms engaged in advanced technology. Other income
decreased $44.2 million in 2000 compared with 1999, due principally to the
recognition in 2000 of $32.1 million of merger-related expenses (see Note P to
the financial statements) and the recognition in 1999 of $29 million of deferred
federal income tax credits relating to generation divestiture (see Note I to the
financial statements).
NET INTEREST CHARGES
Net interest charges increased $23.4 million in 2001 compared with 2000,
reflecting $28.4 million of increased interest expense for Con Edison of New
York related to long-term borrowings and $5.7 million of interest expense
related to long-term borrowing for the Lakewood Project (which was purchased in
June 2000 by Con Edison Development), offset in part by $10.6 million in 2000
for interest accrued on the net-after tax gain from Con Edison of New York's
1999 generation divestiture, prior to the disposition of this gain in 2000. See
Note I to the financial statements.
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Net interest charges increased $69.9 million in 2000 compared with 1999,
reflecting increased interest expense for Con Edison of New York related to
short-term and long-term borrowings ($11.3 million and $26.2 million,
respectively), and $10.6 million related to the 1999 generation divestiture. The
increase also reflects $9.6 million of interest expense related to long-term
borrowing for the Lakewood Project and $25.4 million of O&R's interest expense
for 2000, compared with $15.4 million of O&R's interest recognized in the 1999
period following Con Edison's July 1999 acquisition of O&R.
INCOME TAX
Federal income tax increased $14.9 million in 2001 and decreased $89.3 million
in 2000, reflecting the changes each year in income before tax, deductions
related to removal costs and tax credits. In 2000 New York State implemented a
tax law change that reduced or repealed certain revenue-based taxes and
replaced them with the imposition of a net income based tax. As a result, state
income taxes increased $120.6 million in 2001 compared with 2000, offset by a
corresponding increase in other operating revenues for taxes no longer
applicable but still being recovered through rates. The new state income tax
expense is offset against the savings from the eliminated or reduced revenue
taxes. Any over-collection or under-collection of these taxes is deferred for
return to or recovery from customers. See Notes A and L to the financial
statements.
A-18
[PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LETTERHEAD]
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.:
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related
consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, of retained
earnings, of capitalization and of cash flows present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of Consolidated Edison, Inc. and its
subsidiaries at December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000, and the results of
their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2001 in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our
audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements,
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
February 21, 2002
A-19
CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
As at
December 31, 2001 December 31, 2000
---------------------------------------
(Thousands of Dollars)
ASSETS
UTILITY PLANT, AT ORIGINAL COST (NOTE A)
Electric $11,145,400 $11,808,102
Gas 2,405,730 2,300,055
Steam 758,600 740,189
General 1,354,099 1,388,602
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 15,663,829 16,236,948
Less: Accumulated depreciation 4,472,994 5,186,058
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET 11,190,835 11,050,890
Construction work in progress 654,107 504,471
Nuclear fuel assemblies and components, less accumulated amortization -- 107,641
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET UTILITY PLANT 11,844,942 11,663,002
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NON-UTILITY PLANT
Unregulated generating assets, less accumulated depreciation of $21,289 and
$48,643 in 2001 ~ 2000, respectively 291,039 230,416
Non-utility property, less accumulated depreciation of $8,606 and $5,516 in
2001 and 2000 respectively 112,394 41,752
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET PLANT 12,248,375 11,935,170
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CURRENT ASSETS
Unrestricted cash and temporary cash investments (Note A) 271,356 94,828
Restricted cash (Note C) 69,823 --
Accounts receivable - customer, less allowance for uncollectible accounts of
$34,775 and $33,714 in 2001 and 2000, respectively 613,733 910,344
Other receivables 124,343 168,411
Fuel, at average cost 18,216 28,455
Gas in storage, at average cost 111,507 83,112
Materials and supplies, at average cost 90,976 131,362
Prepayments 79,687 157,634
Other current assets 50,454 69,200
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,430,095 1,643,346
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENTS
Nuclear decommissioning trust funds (Note I) -- 328,969
Other (Note J) 216,979 197,120
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (NOTE A) 216,979 526,089
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEFERRED CHARGES, REGULATORY ASSETS AND NONCURRENT ASSETS
Goodwill 443,547 488,702
Intangible assets 85,783 --
Accrued pension credits 697,807 366,743
Regulatory assets
Future federal income tax (Note A) 659,891 676,527
Recoverable energy costs (Note A) 210,264 340,495
Sale of nuclear generating plant (Note I) 170,241 --
Real estate sale costs - First Avenue properties 105,407 103,009
Deferred special retirement program costs (Note D) 81,796 88,633
Accrued unbilled revenue (Note A) 64,249 72,619
Deferred environmental remediation costs (Note F) 62,559 49,056
Workers' compensation (Note F) 62,109 47,097
Divestiture - capacity replacement reconciliation (Note I) 58,850 73,850
Deferred revenue taxes 41,256 43,880
World Trade Center restoration costs (Note Q) 32,933 --
Other 88,260 112,603
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL REGULATORY ASSETS 1,637,815 1,607,769
Other deferred charges and noncurrent assets 235,710 199,426
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL DEFERRED CHARGES, REGULATORY ASSETS AND NONCURRENT ASSETS 3,100,662 2,662,640
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $16,996,111 $16,767,245
============================================================================================================================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
A-20
CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
As at
December 31, 2001 December 31, 2000
-------------------------------------
(Thousands of Dollars)
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
CAPITALIZATION (see Statement of Capitalization)
Common shareholders' equity $ 5,666,268 $ 5,472,389
Preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption (Note B) 37,050 37,050
Other preferred stock (Note B) 212,563 212,563
Long-term debt 5,501,217 5,415,409
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION 11,417,098 11,137,411
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MINORITY INTERESTS 9,522 8,416
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Obligations under capital leases 41,088 31,504
Accumulated provision for injuries and damages 175,665 160,671
Pension and benefits reserve 187,739 181,346
Other noncurrent liabilities 30,159 21,702
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL NONCURRENT LIABILITIES 434,651 395,223
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Long-term debt due within one year 310,950 309,590
Notes payable 343,722 255,042
Accounts payable 665,342 1,020,402
Customer deposits 214,121 202,888
Accrued taxes 146,657 64,343
Accrued interest 80,238 85,276
Accrued wages 77,131 70,951
Other current liabilities 372,404 307,541
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 2,210,565 2,316,033
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEFERRED CREDITS AND REGULATORY LIABILITIES
Accumulated deferred income tax (Note L) 2,235,295 2,302,764
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits (Note A) 118,350 131,429
Regulatory liabilities
NYISO reconciliation (Note A) 92,504 --
World Trade Center casualty loss (Note Q) 81,483 --
Gain on divestiture (Note I) 59,030 60,338
Deposit from sale of First Avenue properties 50,000 50,000
Recoverable energy costs 45,008 36,222
Accrued electric rate reduction (Note A) 38,018 38,018
NYPA revenue increase 9,169 35,021
Other 180,915 256,153
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL REGULATORY LIABILITIES 556,127 475,752
Other deferred credits 14,503 217
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL DEFERRED CREDITS AND REGULATORY LIABILITIES 2,924,275 2,910,162
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $16,996,111 $16,767,245
=======================================================================================================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
A-21
CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
For the Year Ended December 31 2001 2000 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of Dollars)
OPERATING REVENUES (NOTE A)
Electric $ 6,887,863 $ 6,938,128 $ 5,792,673
Gas 1,465,957 1,261,970 1,000,083
Steam 503,736 452,135 340,026
Non-utility 776,406 779,158 358,541
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OPERATING REVENUES 9,633,962 9,431,391 7,491,323
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING EXPENSES
Purchased power 3,630,542 3,644,675 1,824,023
Fuel 393,830 350,816 430,050
Gas purchased for resale 859,961 789,080 485,155
Other operations 1,061,950 1,146,598 1,188,623
Maintenance 430,291 458,046 437,979
Depreciation and amortization (Note A) 526,235 586,407 526,182
Taxes, other than income taxes 1,139,127 1,121,843 1,179,796
Income taxes (Notes A and L) 464,553 317,790 399,716
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 8,506,489 8,415,255 6,471,524
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING INCOME 1,127,473 1,016,136 1,019,799
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER INCOME (DEDUCTIONS)
Investment income (Note A) 9,435 8,476 14,842
Allowance for equity funds used
during construction (Note A) 1,281 1,299 3,810
Other income less miscellaneous deductions (33,396) (32,660) (13,571)
Income taxes (Notes A and L) 21,922 10,622 26,891
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OTHER INCOME (DEDUCTIONS) (758) (12,263) 31,972
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME BEFORE INTREST CHARGES 1,126,715 1,003,873 1,051,771
Interest on long-term debt 396,948 363,994 319,393
Other interest 41,823 49,527 20,065
Allowance for borrowed funds used
during construction (Note A) (7,891) (6,076) (1,895)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INTEREST CHARGES 430,880 407,445 337,563
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME $ 695,835 $ 596,428 $ 714,208
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS 13,593 13,593 13,593
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME FOR COMMON STOCK $ 682,242 $ 582,835 $ 700,615
=====================================================================================================================
AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING - BASIC 212,146,750 212,186,412 223,442,315
=====================================================================================================================
AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING - DILUTED 212,919,524 212,417,885 223,890,546
=====================================================================================================================
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC $ 3.22 $ 2.75 $ 3.14
=====================================================================================================================
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - DILUTED $ 3.21 $ 2.74 $ 3.13
=====================================================================================================================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
A-22
CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RETAINED EARNINGS
As at
December 31, December 31, December 31,
2001 2000 1999
-----------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of Dollars)
BALANCE, JANUARY 1 $5,040,931 $ 4,921,089 $4,700,500
Less: Stock options exercised 5,430 1,026 1,922
Orange & Rockland purchase accounting adjustment -- (46) 51
Net income for the year 695,835 596,428 714,208
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 5,731,336 5,516,445 5,412,837
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVIDENDS DECLARED ON CAPITAL STOCK
Cumulative Preferred, at required annual rates 13,593 13,593 13,593
Common, $2.20, $2.18 and $2.14 per share, respectively 466,726 461,921 478,155
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL DIVIDENDS DECLARED 480,319 475,514 491,748
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31 $5,251,017 $ 5,040,931 $4,921,089
==========================================================================================================================
CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Year Ended December 31 2001 2000 1999
------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of Dollars)
NET INCOME FOR COMMON STOCK $ 682,242 $ 582,835 $700,615
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS), NET OF TAXES
Investment in marketable equity securities, net of $703 and
$454 taxes in 2001 and 2000, respectively (808) (843) --
Minimum pension liability adjustments, net of $1,580 and
$703 taxes in 2001 and 2000, respectively (2,095) (1,304) --
Unrealized (losses)/gains on derivatives
qualified as hedges due to cumulative
effect of a change in accounting principle, net of
$5,635 taxes (8,002) -- --
Unrealized (losses)/gains on derivatives qualified as
hedges, net of $21,901 taxes (31,191) -- --
Reclassification adjustment for gains/(losses) included in net
income, net of $10,291 taxes 14,807 -- --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS), NET OF TAXES (27,289) (2,147) --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $ 654,953 $ 580,688 $700,615
==============================================================================================================================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
A-23
CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
As at
December 31, December 31, December 31,
2001 2000 1999
----------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of Dollars)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $ 695,835 $ 596,428 $ 714,208
PRINCIPAL NON-CASH CHARGES (CREDITS) TO INCOME
Depreciation and amortization 526,235 586,407 526,182
Deferred income tax (excluding taxes resulting
from divestiture of plant) 5,629 177,736 41,784
Common equity component of allowance for funds used
during construction (1,281) (1,299) (3,810)
Accrued pension costs (259,107) (201,666) (34,803)
Other non-cash charges 37,815 18,448 42,050
CHANGES IN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES NET OF EFFECTS OF
DIVESTITURE OF UTILITY PLANTS, PURCHASE OF THE LAKEWOOD
PROJECT AND PURCHASE OF ORANGE AND ROCKLAND UTILITIES
IN 2001, 2000 AND 1999, RESPECTIVELY
Accounts receivable - customer, less allowance for uncollectible 296,611 (262,799) (66,371)
Materials and supplies, including fuel and gas in storage (20,086) (19,980) 56,554
Prepayments, other receivables and other current assets 119,325 (131,203) (37,588)
Deferred recoverable energy costs 130,231 (221,804) (57,692)
Cost of removal less salvage (101,163) (130,590) (71,451)
Accounts payable (353,601) 402,861 167,598
Other - net 273,528 204,895 (56,449)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 1,349,971 1,017,434 1,220,212
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION
Utility construction expenditures (1,103,823) (1,002,607) (679,486)
Common equity component of allowance for funds used during
construction 1,281 1,299 3,810
Nuclear fuel expenditures (6,111) (27,357) (16,537)
Contributions to nuclear decommissioning trust (89,185) (21,301) (21,301)
Payment for purchase of Orange and Rockland,
net of cash and cash equivalents -- -- (509,083)
Payment for purchase of the Lakewood Project, net of cash
and cash equivalents -- (98,090) --
Divestiture of utility plants (net of federal income tax) 671,473 -- 1,138,750
Investments by unregulated subsidiaries (195,664) (19,309) (101,953)
Demolition and remediation costs for First Avenue properties (2,398) (101,935) --
Deposit received from sale of First Avenue properties -- 50,000 --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION (724,427) (1,219,300) (185,800)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES INCLUDING DIVIDENDS
Repurchase of common stock -- (68,531) (817,399)
Net proceeds from short-term debt 39,720 (265,031) 430,196
Issuance of long-term debt 722,600 1,030,000 767,689
Retirement of long-term debt (309,590) (403,230) (225,000)
Advance refunding of preferred stock and long-term debt (328,150) -- (300,000)
Issuance and refunding costs (23,218) (5,468) (16,440)
Common stock dividends (466,962) (462,503) (477,110)
Preferred stock dividends (13,593) (13,593) (13,593)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH FLOWS USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES INCLUDING DIVIDENDS (379,193) (188,356) (651,657)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH AND TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CHANGE FOR THE PERIOD 246,351 (390,222) 382,755
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD $ 94,828 $ 485,050 $ 102,295
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT END OF PERIOD $ 341,179 $ 94,828 $ 485,050
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LESS: RESTRICTED CASH 69,823 -- --
BALANCE: UNRESTRICTED CASH AND TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS $ 271,356 $ 94,828 $ 485,050
==================================================================================================================================
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest $ 390,677 $ 351,165 $ 321,785
Income taxes 217,175 136,573 846,559
Business Acquisitions
Assets $ -- $ 225,462 $ 1,009,049
Purchase price in excess of net assets acquired -- 66,336 436,725
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets -- 291,798 1,445,774
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt, minority interest and liability assumed -- 193,708 936,691
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used to acquire $ -- $ 98,090 $ 509,083
==================================================================================================================================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
A-24
CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CAPITALIZATION
Shares outstanding
December 31, December 31, Year Ended December 31
2001 2000 2001 2000
____________________________________________________________
(Thousands of Dollars)
COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (NOTE B)
Common stock, $.10 value, authorized 500,000,000
shares 212,146,750 212,027,131 $ 1,482,341 $ 1,482,341
Retained earnings 5,251,017 5,040,931
Treasury stock, at cost; 23,230,850 shares and
23,460,963 shares in 2001 and 2000, respectively
at December 31, 2001 and 2000 (1,002,107) (1,012,919)
Capital stock expense (35,547) (35,817)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Investment in marketable equity securities,
net of $703 and $454 taxes in 2001 and 2000,
respectively (1,651) (843)
Minimum pension liability adjustments, net of
$1,580 and $703 taxes in 2001 and 2000,
respectively (3,399) (1,304)
Unrealized (losses)/gains on derivatives qualified as
hedges arising during the period due to
cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principles, net of $5,635 taxes (8,002) -
Unrealized (losses)/gains on derivatives qualified as hedges,
net of $21,901 taxes (31,191) -
Reclassification adjustment for gains/(losses) included in
net income, net of $10,291 taxes 14,807 -
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of taxes (29,436) (2,147)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TOTAL COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 5,666,268 5,472,389
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PREFERRED STOCK (NOTE B)
Subject to mandatory redemption Cumulative
Preferred, $100 par value, 6 1/8% Series J 370,500 370,500 37,050 37,050
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TOTAL SUBJECT TO MANDATORY REDEMPTION 37,050 37,050
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OTHER PREFERRED STOCK
$5 Cumulative Preferred, without par value, authorized
1,915,319 shares 1,915,319 1,915,319 175,000 175,000
Cumulative Preferred, $100 par value, authorized
6,000,000 shares*
4.65% Series C 153,296 153,296 15,330 15,330
4.65% Series D 222,330 222,330 22,233 22,233
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TOTAL OTHER PREFERRED STOCK 212,563 212,563
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCK $ 249,613 $ 249,613
==================================================================================================================================
* Represents total authorized shares of cumulative preferred stock, $100 par
value, including preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
A-25
CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.
STATEMENT OF CAPITALIZATION
Long-term debt (Note B) At December 31
Maturity Interest Rate Series 2001 2000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of Dollars)
DEBENTURES:
2001 6 1/2 1993B $ -- $ 150,000
2001 3.25 1996B -- 150,000
2002 6 5/8 1993C 150,000 150,000
2002 4.72* 1997A 150,000 150,000
2003 6 3/8 1993D 150,000 150,000
2003 6.56 1993D 35,000 35,000
2004 7 5/8 1992B 150,000 150,000
2005 6 5/8 1995A 100,000 100,000
2005 6 5/8 2000C 350,000 350,000
2007 6.45 1997B 330,000 330,000
2007 7 1/8 1997J 20,000 20,000
2008 6 1/4 1998A 180,000 180,000
2008 6.15 1998C 100,000 100,000
2009 7.15 1999B 200,000 200,000
2010 8 1/8 2000A 325,000 325,000
2010 7 1/2 2000A 55,000 55,000
2010 7 1/2 2000B 300,000 300,000
2023 7 1/2 1993G 380,000 380,000
2026 7 3/4 1996A 100,000 100,000
2027 6 1/2 1997F 80,000 80,000
2028 7.1 1998D 105,000 105,000
2028 6.9 1998D 75,000 75,000
2029 7 1/8 1994A 150,000 150,000
2029 7.0 1999G 45,000 45,000
2039 7.35 1999A 275,000 275,000
2041 7 1/2 2001A 400,000 --
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL DEBENTURES 4,205,000 4,105,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAX-EXEMPT DEBT - NOTES ISSUED TO NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY FOR FACILITIES REVENUE BONDS:
2014 6.09 1994** 55,000 55,000
2015 4.21 1995** 44,000 44,000
2020 5 1/4 1993B 127,715 127,715
2020 6.10 1995A 128,285 128,285
2022 5 3/8 1993C 19,760 19,760
2026 7 1/2 1991A -- 128,150
2027 6 3/4 1992A -- 100,000
2027 6 3/8 1992B -- 100,000
2028 6.00 1993A 101,000 101,000
2029 7 1/8 1994A 100,000 100,000
2034 2.74* 1999A 292,700 292,700
2036 1.95* 2001A 224,600 --
2036 1.81* 2001B 98,000 --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL TAX-EXEMPT DEBT 1,191,060 1,196,610
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE
INTEREST DEBENTURES:
2031 7 3/4 1996A 275,000 275,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER LONG-TERM DEBT 167,845 177,440
UNAMORTIZED DEBT DISCOUNT (26,738) (29,051)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 5,812,167 5,724,999
LESS: LONG-TERM DEBT DUE
WITHIN ONE YEAR 310,950 309,590
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LONG-TERM DEBT 5,501,217 5,415,409
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION $11,417,098 $11,137,411
================================================================================================================
* Rates reset weekly, quarterly or by auction held every 35 days;
December 31, 2001 rates shown.
** Issued for O&R pollution control financing.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
A-26
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS
These notes form an integral part of the accompanying consolidated financial
statements of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (Con Edison) and its subsidiaries.
CON EDISON
Con Edison is a holding company that provides a wide range of energy-related
services to its customers through its regulated and unregulated subsidiaries.
Con Edison's core business is energy distribution and it is also pursuing
related growth opportunities in competitive businesses.
Con Edison's principal subsidiary is Consolidated Edison Company of New York,
Inc. (Con Edison of New York), 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. (O&R), a regulated utility that Con Edison
acquired in July 1999 (see Note K), 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.
Con Edison has four unregulated subsidiaries: Consolidated Edison Solutions,
Inc. (Con Edison Solutions), a retail energy services company that sells
electricity and gas to delivery customers of utilities, including Con Edison of
New York and O&R; Consolidated Edison Energy, Inc. (Con Edison Energy), a
wholesale energy supply company that enters into derivative financial and
commodity instruments as part of its energy trading activities; Consolidated
Edison Development, Inc. (Con Edison Development), a company that develops
generating projects; and Con Edison Communications LLC (Con Edison
Communications), a company which builds and operates fiber optic networks to
provide wholesale telecommunications services. The unregulated subsidiaries
participate in competitive energy supply and services businesses that are
subject to different risks than those found in the businesses of the regulated
utility subsidiaries.
NOTE A - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
Con Edison's consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Con
Edison and its consolidated subsidiaries, including the regulated utilities, Con
Edison of New York and O&R. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accounting policies of Con Edison and its subsidiaries conform to accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America. For regulated
public utilities, like Con Edison of New York and O&R, accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States include the Financial Accounting
Standards Board's (FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No.
71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation," and, in
accordance with SFAS No. 71, the
A-27
accounting requirements and rate-making practices of the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) and their state public utility commissions.
The standards in SFAS No. 101, "Regulated Enterprises - Accounting for the
Discontinuation of Application of the FASB Statement No. 71, "have been applied
to Con Edison's electric supply business, including electric generating assets
and non-utility generators (NUG) contracts and related regulatory assets and
liabilities (the Deregulated Business), which was deregulated as a result of the
Restructuring Agreement (defined below). The application of SFAS No. 101 to the
Deregulated Business had no material effect on the financial position or results
of operations of Con Edison. No loss has been recognized in income in connection
with generation divestiture (see Note I), the NUG contracts (see Note H) or
deferred charges (regulatory assets - principally relating to future federal
income taxes) and deferred credits (regulatory liabilities) relating to the
Deregulated Business. Recovery of Con Edison of New York's loss on the sale of
its nuclear generating unit, its costs under NUG contracts and regulatory assets
net of regulatory liabilities is probable under the Restructuring Agreement.
RATE AND RESTRUCTURING AGREEMENTS
In September 1997 the New York State Public Service Commission NYPSC) approved a
restructuring agreement between Con Edison of New York, the NYPSC staff and
certain other parties (the Restructuring Agreement). The Restructuring Agreement
provided for a transition to a competitive electric market through the
development of a "retail access" plan, a rate plan for the period ending March
31, 2002, a reasonable opportunity for recovery of "strandable costs" and the
divestiture of electric generation capacity by Con Edison of New York.
At December 31, 2001, approximately 145,000 Con Edison of New York customers
representing approximately 20 percent of aggregate customer load were purchasing
electricity from other suppliers under the electric Retail Choice program
(which is available to all of Con Edison of New York's electric customers). Con
Edison of New York delivers electricity to customers in this program through its
regulated transmission and distribution systems. In general Con Edison of New
York's delivery rates for Retail Choice customers are equal to the rates
applicable to other comparable Con Edison of New York customers, less an amount
reflecting costs otherwise associated with supplying customers with energy and
capacity.
Pursuant to the Restructuring Agreement, Con Edison of New York reduced electric
rates, on an annual basis, by $129 million in 1998, $80 million in April 1999,
$103 million in April 2000 and $209 million in April 2001. The 2001 rate
reduction excludes the divestiture of the nuclear generating facility and the
Roseton plant. The effect in 2001 of the April 2001 decrease was partially
offset by recognition in income of $36 million relating to rates for
distributing electricity to customers of the New York Power Authority and $50
million (after tax) of deferred generation divestiture gain. See Note I.
Pursuant to the Restructuring Agreement, as amended by a July 1998 NYPSC order,
Con Edison of New York has sold approximately 7,790 MW of the approximately
8,300 MW of generating capacity that it owned at the time the Restructuring
Agreement was executed. See Note I.
A-28
In November 2000 the NYPSC approved an agreement (the 2000 Electric Rate
Agreement) that revises and extends the rate plan provisions of the
Restructuring Agreement. Pursuant to the 2000 Electric Rate Agreement, Con
Edison of New York reduced the distribution component of its electric rates by
$170 million on an annual basis, effective October 2000, and further reduced
electric rates, effective April 1, 2001, in accordance with the Restructuring
Agreement (as discussed above).
In general under the 2000 Electric Rate Agreement, Con Edison of New York's base
electric transmission and distribution rates will not otherwise be changed
during the five-year period ending March 2005 except (i) with respect to certain
changes in costs above anticipated annual levels resulting from legal or
regulatory requirements, inflation in excess of a 4 percent annual rate,
property tax changes and environmental cost increases or (ii) if the NYPSC
determines that circumstances have occurred that either threaten Con Edison of
New York's economic viability or ability to provide, or render Con Edison of New
York's rate of return unreasonable for the provision of safe and adequate
service.
Under the 2000 Electric Rate Agreement as approved by the NYPSC and as modified
in December 2001, 35 percent of any earnings in each of the rate years ending
March 2002 through 2005 in excess of a specified rate of return on electric
common equity will be retained for shareholders and the balance will be applied
for customer benefit through rate reductions or as otherwise determined by the
NYPSC. There was no sharing of earnings for the rate year ending March 2001. The
earnings threshold for the rate year ending March 2002 of 12.9 percent can be
increased by 25 basis points if certain demand reductions and supply increases
exceed targeted projections. The earnings threshold for rate years ending March
2003 through March 2005 of 11.75 percent can be increased by 50 basis points.
The threshold will increase by 25 basis points if certain demand reductions and
supply increases exceed targeted projections and by an additional 25 basis
points if certain customer service and reliability objectives are achieved. Con
Edison of New York could be required to pay up to $40 million annually in
penalties if certain threshold service and reliability objectives are not
achieved.
Con Edison of New York's potential electric strandable costs are those prior
utility investments and commitments that may not be recoverable in a competitive
electric supply market. Con Edison of New York is recovering these costs in the
rates it charges all of its electric customers. The 2000 Electric Rate Agreement
continues the stranded cost recovery provisions of the Restructuring Agreement,
stating that Con Edison of New York "will be given a reasonable opportunity to
recover stranded and strandable costs remaining at March 31, 2005, including a
reasonable return on investments, under the parameters and during the time
periods set forth therein."
The 2000 Electric Rate Agreement also continues the rate provisions pursuant to
which Con Edison of New York recovers prudently incurred purchased power and
fuel costs from customers. See "Recoverable Energy Costs" in this Note A.
In 1997 the NYPSC approved a four-year O&R restructuring plan, pursuant to which
O&R sold all of its generating assets made retail access available to all of its
electric customers effective May 1, 1999 and reduced its electric rates by
approximately $32.4 million through rate reductions implemented in December 1997
and 1998. In 1998 and 1999, similar plans for O&R's utility subsidiaries in
Pennsylvania
A-29
and New Jersey were approved by state regulators. The Pennsylvania plan provides
for retail access for all customers effective May 1999. The New Jersey plan
provides for rate reductions of $6.8 million effective August 1999, an
additional reduction of $2.7 million effective January 2001 and a final
reduction of $6.2 million effective August 2002.
In accordance with the April 1999 NYPSC order approving Con Edison's acquisition
of O&R, Con Edison of New York has reduced its annual electric and gas rates by
approximately $12 million and $2 million, respectively, and O&R has reduced its
electric rates by $6.1 million and its gas rates by approximately $1.1 million.
In November 2000 the NYPSC approved an agreement between Con Edison of New York,
the NYPSC staff and certain other parties that revised and extended the 1996 gas
rate settlement agreement through September 2001. The 1996 agreement, with
limited exceptions, continued base rates at September 1996 levels through
September 2000.
Under the new agreement, the level above which Con Edison of New York shared
with customers 50 percent of earnings was increased from a 13 percent to a 14
percent rate of return on gas common equity. In addition customer bills were
reduced by $20 million during the January through March 2001 period.
Approximately $22.6 million that normally would be credited to customers over
various annual periods was credited during the four-month period ending March
2001, and $19 million of charges to customers resulting from the reconciliation
of actual gas costs to amounts included in rates that were scheduled to be
billed to customers beginning December 2000 instead were billed to customers
beginning April 2001.
Under the new agreement, Con Edison of New York also reduced firm transportation
customer bills by a retail choice credit and implemented other programs designed
to increase customer and marketer participation in Con Edison of New York's gas
Retail Choice programs, the net costs of which are to be recovered by reducing
credits otherwise due customers or deferred for future recovery from customers.
On February 15, 2002, Con Edison of New York, the Staff of the NYPSC and several
other participants in the current Con Edison of New York gas rate proceeding,
submitted to the NYPSC for approval a settlement of various gas rate and
restructuring issues for the three-year period ending September 30, 2004. The
rate agreement reduces retail sales and transportation rates by approximately
$25 million, on an annual basis.
In November 2000 the NYPSC also approved a gas rate settlement agreement between
O&R, the NYPSC staff, and certain other parties covering the three-year period
November 2000 through October 2003. With limited exceptions, the agreement
provides for no changes to base rates. O&R will be permitted to retain $18.1
million of deferred credits that otherwise would have been credited to
customers.
In November 2000 the NYPSC approved an agreement between Con Edison of New York,
the NYPSC staff and certain other parties, which provided for a $16.6 million
steam rate increase in October 2000 and, with limited exceptions, no further
changes in steam rates prior to October 2004. Con Edison of New York is required
to share with customers 50 percent of any earnings for any rate year covered by
the agreement in excess of a specified rate of return on steam common equity
(11.0 percent for the first rate
A-30
year, the 12-month period ended September 2001;10.5 percent thereafter if the
re-powering of Con Edison of New York's East River steam-electric generating
plant is not completed). A rate moderation mechanism will permit Con Edison of
New York to defer a portion of the revenues collected in the first two rate
years attributable to the rate increase and recognize such deferrals in income
during the last two rate years.
Under the steam rate agreement, upon completion of the East River re-powering
project, the net benefits of the project (including the net after-tax gain from
the sale of a nine-acre development site in mid-town Manhattan along the East
River) allocable to steam operations will inure to the benefit of steam
customers.
The agreement continues the rate provisions pursuant to which Con Edison of New
York recovers prudently incurred purchased steam and fuel costs and requires Con
Edison of New York to develop a strategy for hedging price variations for a
portion of the steam produced each year.
UTILITY PLANT AND DEPRECIATION
Utility plant is stated at original cost. The capitalized cost of additions to
utility plant includes indirect costs such as engineering, supervision, payroll
taxes, pensions, other benefits and an allowance for funds used during
construction (AFDC). The original cost of property, together with removal cost,
less salvage, is charged to accumulated depreciation as property is retired. The
cost of repairs and maintenance is charged to expense, and the cost of
betterments is capitalized.
Rates used for AFDC include the cost of borrowed funds and a reasonable rate on
Con Edison of New York's own funds when so used, determined in accordance with
NYPSC and FERC regulations. The AFDC rate was 6.8 percent in 2001, 7.2 percent
in 2000 and 9.1 percent in 1999. The rate was compounded semiannually, and the
amounts applicable to borrowed funds were treated as a reduction of interest
charges.
Con Edison's utility subsidiaries generally compute annual charges for
depreciation using the straightline method for financial statement purposes,
with rates based on average lives and net salvage factors. Con Edison's
regulated utility depreciation rates averaged approximately 3.1 percent in 2001,
3.6 percent in 2000 and 3.4 percent in 1999.
REVENUES
Con Edison's utility subsidiaries recognize revenues for electric, gas and steam
service on a monthly billing cycle basis. O&R accrues revenues at the end of
each month for estimated energy usage not yet billed to customers, while Con
Edison of New York does not accrue such revenues. Con Edison of New York defers
for refund to firm gas sales and transportation customers over a 12-month period
all net interruptible gas revenues not authorized by the NYPSC to be retained by
Con Edison of New York.
RECOVERABLE ENERGY COSTS
Con Edison's utility subsidiaries generally recover all of their prudently
incurred fuel, purchased power and gas costs, including hedging gains and
losses, in accordance with rate provisions approved by their state public
utility commissions. For Con Edison of New York, the provision also includes a
$35 million annual incentive or penalty ($25 million effective April 1, 2002)
relating to electricity costs. If the actual
A-31
energy costs for a given month are more or less than amounts billed to customers
for that month, the difference is recoverable from or refundable to customers.
Differences between actual and billed energy costs are generally deferred for
charge or refund to customers during the next billing cycle (normally within one
or two months). At December 31, 2001, Con Edison of New York had deferred $92.5
million of New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) refunds for purchased
power. Any reconciliation to actual supply by NYISO will be recoverable from or
refundable to customers. At December 31, 2001, Con Edison's New Jersey utility
subsidiary, Rockland Electric Company, had deferred $76.7 million of such costs
for charge to customers in the manner and at such time as is to be determined by
the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
Temporary cash investments are short-term, highly liquid investments that
generally have maturities of three months or less. They are stated at cost,
which approximates market. Con Edison considers temporary cash investments to be
cash equivalents.
INVESTMENTS
For 2001 and 2000, investments consisted primarily of the investments of Con
Edison's unregulated subsidiaries, which are recorded either at cost or using
the equity method. Investments in 2000 also included the external nuclear
decommissioning trust fund, which was transferred in connection with the sale of
Con Edison of New York's nuclear generating unit. See Note I.
GUARANTEES OF SUBSIDIARY OBLIGATIONS
Con Edison has guaranteed certain obligations of its subsidiaries. These
guarantees, which had maximum limits totaling $1.1 billion and $683 million at
December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively, relate primarily to certain
obligations of Con Edison Development (See Note J) and obligations of up to $484
million in 2001 and $263 million in 2000 under power purchase and sales
agreements entered into by Con Edison Solutions and Con Edison Energy. As of
December 31, 2001, a total of $456.2 million of underlying obligations to which
the guarantees relate were outstanding, of which, $52.4 million, representing
accounts payable and mark-to-market contract positions, was included in the
consolidated balance sheet. Con Edison does not expect to incur losses as a
result of these guarantees.
NEW FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
During 2001 the FASB issued four new accounting standards: SFAS No. 141,
"Business Combinations," SFAS No. 142, "Accounting for Goodwill and Other
Intangible Assets," SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,"
and SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived
Assets."
SFAS No. 141 requires that all business combinations initiated after June 30,
2001 use the purchase method of accounting, which includes recognition of
goodwill. The application of SFAS No. 141 had no effect on Con Edison's
consolidated financial statements.
SFAS No. 142, which Con Edison adopted on January 1, 2002, provides that
goodwill (i.e., the excess of cost over the fair value of assets of businesses
acquired) and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives shall no longer be
subject to amortization. Con Edison's intangible assets relate to certain Con
Edison
A-32
Development power purchase and transmission rights agreements. Con Edison's
amortization expense in 2001 for goodwill was $11.1 million and for intangible
assets was $5.9 million. Under SFAS No. 142, Con Edison will continue to
amortize the intangible assets relating to the power purchase agreement on a
straight-line basis over its 25-year contract period but will cease amortizing
goodwill and the indefinite lived intangible asset relating to the transmission
rights agreement. As a result net income for common stock in 2002 will be $11.9
million ($0.06 per share) more than it would have been had Con Edison continued
to amortize its good will and its indefinite lived intangible asset. In
accordance with SFAS No. 142, Con Edison will in 2002, and thereafter as
required by SFAS No. 142, review its goodwill and intangible assets for
impairment. If determined in 2002 to be impaired, goodwill or the intangible
assets will be reduced to their fair value and an impairment charge will be
reflected as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. Following
2002 any such charge would be recognized in income.
SFAS No. 143, which Con Edison is required to adopt on January 1, 2003, requires
entities to record the fair value of a liability associated with an asset
retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred. When the liability
is initially recorded, the entity capitalizes the cost by increasing the
carrying amount of the related asset. The liability is increased to its present
value each period and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life
of the related asset. Upon retirement of the asset, the entity settles the
obligation for the amount recorded or incurs a gain or loss. Con Edison has not
yet determined the effect of this standard on its consolidated financial
statements.
SFAS No. 144, which Con Edison adopted on January 1, 2002, replaces SFAS No.
121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to be Disposed of." SFAS No. 144 requires that long-lived assets be
measured at the lower of book value or fair value less cost to sell. The
standard also broadens the reporting of discontinued operations. Con Edison does
not expect the application of this standard to have a significant effect on its
financial position or results of operations.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX
In accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes," Con Edison's
utility subsidiaries have recorded an accumulated deferred federal income tax
liability for substantially all temporary differences between the book and tax
bases of assets and liabilities at current tax rates. In accordance with rate
agreements, the utility subsidiaries have recovered amounts from customers for a
portion of the tax expense they will pay in the future as a result of the
reversal or "turn-around" of these temporary differences. As to the remaining
temporary differences, in accordance with SFAS No. 71, the utility subsidiaries
have established regulatory assets for the net revenue requirements to be
recovered from customers for the related future tax expense. See Note L. In 1993
the NYPSC issued a Policy Statement proposing accounting procedures consistent
with SFAS No. 109 and providing assurances that these future increases in taxes
will be recoverable in rates.
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits are amortized ratably over the lives
of the related properties and applied as a reduction to future federal income
tax expense.
Con Edison and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return.
Income taxes are allocated to each company based on its taxable income.
A-33
STATE INCOME TAX
The New York State tax laws applicable to utility companies were changed
effective January 1, 2000. Certain revenue-based taxes were repealed or reduced
and replaced by a net income-based tax. In June 2001 the NYPSC issued its final
Order relating to the tax law changes. It authorized each utility to use
deferral accounting to record the difference between taxes being collected and
the tax expense resulting from the tax law changes, until those changes are
incorporated in base rates.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS
Research and development costs relating to specific construction projects are
capitalized. All other such costs are charged to operating expenses as incurred.
Research and development costs in 2001, 2000 and 1999 amounting to $14.0
million, $14.1 million and $12.4 million, respectively, were charged to
operating expenses. No research and development costs were capitalized in these
years.
RECLASSIFICATION
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current
year presentation.
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
In accordance with SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share," Con Edison presents basic
and diluted earnings per share on the face of the Consolidated Income Statement.
Basic earnings per share (EPS) is calculated by dividing earnings available to
common shareholders ("Net income applicable to common stock" on the Consolidated
Income Statement) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding
during the period. In the calculation of diluted EPS, weighted average shares
outstanding are increased for additional shares that would be outstanding if
potentially dilutive securities were converted to common stock.
Potentially dilutive securities for Con Edison consist of stock options whose
exercise price is less than the average market price of the common shares during
the reporting period. These options were granted under the Stock Option Plan
(see Note M). Additionally awards of restricted stock are included in the
diluted earnings per share calculation.
A-34
Shown below is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the
basic and diluted EPS calculations.
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
(MILLIONS OF DOLLARS - EXCEPT SHARE DATA) 2001 2000 1999
------------------------------------------ ---- ---- ----
(Thousands of Shares)
Net income $ 695.8 $ 596.4 $ 714.2
Less: Preferred stock dividend requirements 13.6 13.6 13.6
Net income applicable to common stock
(Numerator for basic and diluted EPS) $ 682.2 $ 582.8 $ 700.6
Number of shares on which basic EPS is
Calculated 212,147 212,186 223,442
Add - Incremental shares attributable to effect of dilutive securities 773 232 449
Number of shares on which diluted
EPS is calculated 212,920 212,418 223,891
Basic EPS $ 3.22 $ 2.75 $ 3.14
Diluted EPS $ 3.21 $ 2.74 $ 3.13
Stock options to purchase 5.33 million, 4.67 million and 3.04 million common
shares for the year ending December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 were not included in
the respective period's computation of diluted earnings per share because the
exercise price of the option was greater than the average market price of the
common shares.
ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
NOTE B - CAPITALIZATION
CAPITALIZATION OF CON EDISON
Con Edison's outstanding capitalization, on a consolidated basis, consists of
its common shareholders' equity and the outstanding preferred stock and
long-term debt of its subsidiaries. Con Edison's authorized capitalization also
includes six million authorized, but unissued, Preferred Shares, $1.00 par
value.
PREFERRED STOCK NOT SUBJECT TO MANDATORY REDEMPTION
Con Edison of New York has the option to redeem its $5 cumulative preferred
stock at $105 and its cumulative preferred stock, Series C and Series D, at a
price of $101 per share (in each case, plus accrued and unpaid dividends).
PREFERRED STOCK SUBJECT TO MANDATORY REDEMPTION
Con Edison of New York is required to redeem its cumulative preferred stock,
Series J shares, on August 1, 2002. The redemption price is $100 per share (plus
accrued and unpaid dividends). Series J shares may not be called for redemption
while dividends are in arrears on outstanding shares of $5 cumulative preferred
stock or other cumulative preferred stock.
A-35
DIVIDENDS
Dividends on Con Edison's common shares depend primarily on the dividends and
other distributions that Con Edison of New York and Con Edison's other
subsidiaries pay to Con Edison, and the capital requirements of Con Edison and
its subsidiaries. Under Con Edison of New York's Restructuring Agreement, the
dividends that it may pay are limited to not more than 100 percent of its income
available for dividends, calculated on a two-year rolling average basis.
Excluded from the calculation of "income available for dividends" are non-cash
charges to income resulting from accounting changes or charges to income
resulting from significant unanticipated events. The restriction also does not
apply to dividends paid in order to transfer to Con Edison proceeds from major
transactions, such as asset sales, or to dividends reducing Con Edison of New
York's equity ratio to a level appropriate to its business risk.
Payment of Con Edison of New York's common stock dividends to Con Edison is
subject to certain additional restrictions. No dividends may be paid, or funds
set apart for payment, on Con Edison of New York's common stock until all
dividends accrued on the $5 cumulative preferred stock and other cumulative
preferred stock have been paid, or declared and set apart for payment, and
unless Con Edison of New York is not in arrears on its mandatory redemption
obligation for the Series J cumulative preferred stock. No dividends may be paid
on any of Con Edison of New York's capital stock during any period in which Con
Edison of New York has deferred payment of interest on its subordinated
deferrable interest debentures.
LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt maturing in the period 2002-2006 is as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 $311
2003 185
2004 150
2005 450
2006 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt includes the note issued by Con Edison of New York to the New
York State Energy Research and Development Authority for the net proceeds of the
Authority's $224.6 million aggregate principal amount of Facilities Revenue
Bonds, Series 2001 A. The interest rate determination method for this debt is
subject to change in accordance with the related indenture, and the debt
currently bears interest at a weekly rate determined by its remarketing agent.
While the debt bears interest at a weekly rate, it is subject to optional and,
in certain circumstances, mandatory tender for purchase by Con Edison of New
York.
Long-term debt includes notes issued by O&R to the New York State Energy
Research and Development Authority for the net proceeds of the Authority's $55
million aggregate principal amount of 1994 Series and $44 million aggregate
principal amount of 1995 Series Pollution Control Refunding Revenue Bonds. The
interest rate determination method for this debt is subject to change in
accordance with the related indenture, and the debt currently bears interest at
a weekly rate determined by its remarketing
A-36
agent. While the debt bears interest at a weekly rate, it is subject to optional
and, in certain circumstances, mandatory tender for purchase by O&R.
Long-term debt is stated at cost, which, as of December 31, 2001, approximates
fair value (estimated based on current rates for debt of the same remaining
maturities).
NOTE C - SHORT TERM BORROWING
At December 31, 2001, Con Edison and its utility subsidiaries had commercial
paper programs, under which short-term borrowings are made at prevailing market
rates, totaling $950 million. These programs are supported by revolving credit
agreements with banks. At December 31, 2001, $159.0 million, at a weighted
average interest rate of 2.02 percent, was outstanding under Con Edison's $350
million programs; no commercial paper was outstanding under Con Edison of New
York's $500 million program; and $16.6 million, at a weighted average interest
rate of 1.90 percent, was outstanding under O&R's $100 million programs. Con
Edison of New York changes the amount of its program from time to time, subject
to a $1 billion FERC-authorized limit.
Bank commitments under the revolving credit agreements total $950 million, of
which $775 million expires in late 2002 (by which time renewal is expected). The
commitments may terminate upon a change of control of Con Edison, and borrowings
under the agreements are subject to certain conditions, including that the ratio
(calculated in accordance with the agreements) of debt to total capital of the
borrower not at any time exceed 0.65 to 1. At December 31, 2001, this ratio was
0.52 to 1 for Con Edison, 0.52 to 1 for Con Edison of New York and 0.51 to 1 for
O&R. Borrowings under the agreements are not subject to maintenance of credit
rating levels. The fees charged for the revolving credit facilities and
borrowings under the agreements reflect the credit ratings of Con Edison of New
York.
During 2001 Con Edison also made short-term borrowings from an affiliate of the
lessor of the Newington Project. See Note J. The average daily outstanding
amount of such short-term borrowing was $59.9 million at an average interest
rate of 4.9 percent. At December 31, 2001, $49.2 million was outstanding at an
interest rate of 4.2 percent.
In 2001 Con Edison Development used special-purpose entities to arrange for
short term financing of electric generating projects. At December 31, 2001,
approximately $119.3 million of such financing was outstanding, for which Con
Edison had deposited $69.8 million into an escrow account in order to secure
payment. The company expects that this financing will be repaid, and the
restricted cash returned to Con Edison in 2002.
NOTE D - PENSION BENEFITS
Con Edison provides non-contributory pension benefits that cover substantially
all employees of Con Edison of New York and O&R and certain employees of other
Con Edison subsidiaries. The plan is designed to comply with the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
Investment gains and losses are fully recognized in expense over a 15-year
period (13 years for O&R in 1999 and 2000). Other actuarial gains and losses are
fully recognized in expense over a 10-year period.
A-37
Con Edison offered a special retirement program in 1999 providing enhanced
pension benefits for those employees who met specified eligibility requirements
and retired within specific time limits. These incentives fall within the
category of special termination benefits and curtailments as described in SFAS
No. 88, "Employers' Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined
Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits." The increase in pension
obligations as a result of these programs amounted to $49.7 million. For Con
Edison of New York, the Agreement provided that $15 million of this amount would
be expensed in 2000 and the remaining $30 million would be recorded as a
regulatory asset and amortized over a 15-year period beginning in October 2000.
For O&R pension costs for 1999 reflect the impact of the sale of its generating
assets. Due to the relatively high number of employees for whom benefits ceased
to be accrued as a result of this event, a curtailment charge of $4.7 million
was recognized. A portion of this curtailment charge was recorded as a
regulatory asset in accordance with SFAS No. 71 and a portion was expensed.
The acquisition of O&R by Con Edison in July 1999 triggered purchase accounting
requirements that are reflected in the net periodic pension cost. Under such
accounting O&R's accrued pension liability was adjusted to recognize all
previously unrecognized gains and losses arising from past experience different
from that assumed, all unrecognized prior service costs, and the remainder of
any unrecognized obligation or asset existing at the date of the initial
application of SFAS No. 87, "Employers' Accounting for Pensions." A portion of
these adjustments was recorded as a regulatory liability in accordance with SFAS
No. 71 and a portion was expensed.
O&R is currently allowed to recover in rates pension costs recognized under SFAS
No. 87. In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 71, Con Edison of New York
defers for future recovery any difference between expenses recognized under SFAS
No. 87 and the current rate allowance authorized by each regulatory jurisdiction
in which it operates.
The components of Con Edison of New York and O&R's net periodic pension costs
for 2001, 2000 and 1999 were as follows:
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
(Millions of Dollars)
Service cost - including administrative expenses $ 95.3 $ 90.0 $ 110.9
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 425.2 408.7 378.4
Expected return on plan assets (657.4) (565.7) (505.6)
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) (193.9) (186.1) (92.8)
Amortization of prior service cost 13.6 10.5 12.6
Amortization of transition obligation 3.0 3.0 2.5
Recognition of curtailment and termination benefits - - 11.9
Recognition of purchase accounting - - (29.6)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET PERIODIC PENSION COST (314.2) (239.6) (111.7)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization of regulatory asset* 4.2 17.7 2.2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL PENSION COST $(310.0) $(221.9) $(109.5)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost capitalized (61.4) (41.4) (47.5)
Cost charged to operating expenses $(248.6) $(180.5) $ (62.0)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Relates to increases in Con Edison of New York's pension obligations of $33.3
million from a 1993 special retirement program and $45 million from a 1999
special retirement program.
A-38
The funded status at December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 was as follows:
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
(millions of Dollars)
CHANGE IN BENEFIT OBLIGATION
Benefit obligation at beginning of year $5,630.4 $ 5,241.6 $ 5,673.9
Service cost - excluding administrative expenses 93.6 88.7 109.6
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 425.2 408.7 378.4
Plan amendments 9.8 37.7 0.8
Net actuarial loss/(gain) 30.4 128.5 (705.4)
Termination benefits and curtailments -- -- 49.7
Benefits paid (285.1) (274.8) (265.4)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFIT OBLIGATION AT END OF YEAR $5,904.3 $ 5,630.4 $ 5,241.6
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $7,347.5 $ 7,720.1 $ 6,945.7
Actual return on plan assets (406.6) (84.7) 1,047.0
Employer contributions 3.7 4.7 13.0
Benefits paid (285.1) (274.8) (265.4)
Administrative expenses (25.8) (17.8) (20.2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FAIR VALUE OF PLAN ASSETS AT END OF YEAR $6,633.7 $ 7,347.5 $ 7,720.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funded status $ 729.4 $ 1,717.1 $ 2,478.5
Unrecognized net (gain) (184.2) (1,496.8) (2,478.2)
Unrecognized prior service costs 95.9 99.8 72.5
Unrecognized net transition (asset)/liability at January 1,1987* (0.6) 2.4 5.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET PREPAID BENEFIT COST $ 640.5 $ 322.5 $ 78.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Being amortized over approximately 15 years.
The amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2001,
2000 and 1999 were as follows:
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
(Millions of Dollars)
Prepaid benefit cost $674.4 $350.6 $113.0
Accrued benefit liability (40.2) (37.1) (34.9)
Intangible asset 0.6 7.1 --
Accumulated other comprehensive income 5.7 1.9 --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net amount recognized $640.5 $322.5 $ 78.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The actuarial assumptions for Con Edison of New York and O&R at December 31,
2001, 2000 and 1999 were as follows:
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
DISCOUNT RATE 7.50% 7.75% 8.00%
EXPECTED RETURN ON PLAN ASSETS 9.20% 8.50% 8.50%
RATE OF COMPENSATION INCREASE - CON EDISON 4.30% 4.55% 4.80%
RATE OF COMPENSATION INCREASE - O&R
Hourly 4.15% 4.40% 3.00%
Management 4.15% 4.40% 1.00%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A-39
Con Edison offers a defined contribution savings plan that covers substantially
all employees of Con Edison of New York and O&R and certain employees of other
Con Edison subsidiaries. Con Edison made contributions to the plan of
approximately $16.7 million, 16.4 million and $16.7 million for years 2001, 2000
and 1999, respectively.
NOTE E - POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS (OPEB)
Con Edison of New York and O&R have contributory comprehensive hospital, medical
and prescription drug programs for all retirees, their dependents and surviving
spouses.
Con Edison of New York also has a contributory life insurance programs for
bargaining unit employees and provides basic life insurance benefits up to a
specified maximum at no cost to retired management employees. O&R has a
non-contributory life insurance program for retirees.
Certain employees of other Con Edison subsidiaries are eligible to receive
benefits under these programs. The company has reserved the right to amend or
terminate these programs.
Investment gains and losses are fully recognized in expense over a 15-year
period for Con Edison of New York and O&R (10 years for O&R in 1999 & 2000). For
both plans, other actuarial gains and losses are recognized in expense over a
10-year period.
For O&R, plan assets are used to pay benefits and expenses for participants that
retired on or after January 1, 1995. O&R pays benefits for other participants.
Plan assets include amounts owed to O&R of $0.3 million in 2001, $2.2 million in
2000 and $1.4 million in 1999.
During 1999, O&R sold its electric generating assets. Because of the relatively
high number of O&R employees for whom benefits in the plan ceased to be accrued
as a result of this event, a curtailment charge was recorded in accordance with
SFAS No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits other than
Pensions."
The acquisition of O&R by Con Edison in July 1999 triggered purchase accounting
requirements that are reflected in the net periodic benefit cost. Under such
accounting O&R's accrued postretirement liability was adjusted to recognize all
previously unrecognized actuarial gains or losses, all unrecognized prior
service costs, and the remainder of any unrecognized obligation or asset
existing at the date of the initial application of SFAS No. 106. The total of
these adjustments along with the curtailment charge discussed above were
recorded as a regulatory asset in accordance with SFAS No. 71.
O&R is currently allowed to recover in rates OPEB costs recognized under SFAS
No. 106. In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No.71, the company defers
for future recovery any difference between expenses recognized under SFAS No.
106 and the current rate allowance authorized by each regulatory jurisdiction in
which it operates.
A-40
The components of Con Edison of New York and O&R's postretirement benefit
(health and life insurance) costs for 2001, 2000 and 1999 were as follows:
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
(Millions of Dollars)
Service cost $ 12.2 $ 10.7 $ 15.4
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation 88.4 78.8 77.8
Expected return on plan assets (73.8) (62.3) (43.7)
Amortization of net actuarial loss 10.2 1.2 27.2
Amortization of prior service cost 1.4 1.4 1.4
Amortization of transition obligation 17.4 17.4 18.6
Recognition of curtailment and termination benefits -- -- (5.1)
Recognition of purchase accounting valuation -- -- 39.2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET PERIODIC POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT COST $ 55.8 $ 47.2 $130.8
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost capitalized/deferred 13.2 10.3 53.0
Cost charged to operating expenses 42.6 36.9 77.8
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The funded status of the programs at December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 was as
follows:
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
(Millions of Dollars)
CHANGE IN BENEFIT OBLIGATION
Benefit obligation at beginning of year $1,169.8 $1,012.5 $1,177.5
Service cost 12.2 10.7 15.4
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation 88.4 78.8 77.8
Plan amendments -- (0.4) --
Net actuarial (gain) loss 148.7 127.6 (205.5)
Benefits paid and administrative expenses (82.0) (71.4) (63.5)
Participant contributions 14.0 12.0 10.8
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFIT OBLIGATION AT END OF YEAR $1,351.1 $1,169.8 $1,012.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 844.1 $ 872.3 $ 697.0
Actual return on plan assets (29.3) 4.4 103.4
Employer contributions 55.9 23.5 121.0
Participant contributions 13.9 11.9 10.8
Benefits paid (75.5) (62.9) (55.7)
Administrative expenses (4.9) (5.1) (4.2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FAIR VALUE OF PLAN ASSETS AT END OF YEAR $ 804.2 $ 844.1 $ 872.3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funded status $ (546.9) $ (325.7) $ (140.2)
Unrecognized net (gain) loss 210.9 (32.1) (215.6)
Unrecognized prior service costs 8.0 9.4 11.2
Unrecognized transition obligation at January 1, 1993* 191.4 208.8 226.2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCRUED POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT COST $ (136.6) $ (139.6) $ (118.4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Being amortized over a period of 20 years.
A-41
The actuarial assumptions for Con Edison of New York and O&R at December 31,
2001, 2000 and 1999 were as follows:
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
DISCOUNT RATE 7.50% 7.75% 8.00%
EXPECTED RETURN ON PLAN ASSETS
Tax-exempt assets 9.20% 8.50% 8.50%
Taxable assets
Con Edison of New York 8.20% 7.50% 7.50%
O&R 8.70% 8.00% 7.50%
The health care cost trend rate assumed for 2002 is 8.0 percent. The rate is
assumed to decrease gradually to 5.0 percent for 2006 and remain at that level
thereafter.
A one-percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate would
have the following effects:
1-Percentage-Point 1-Percentage-Point
Increase Decrease
-------- --------
(Millions of Dollars)
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation $167.7 $(146.8)
Effect on service cost and interest cost components $ 14.2 $ (12.1)
NOTE F - ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
Hazardous substances, such as asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and
coal tar, have been used or generated in the course of operations of Con
Edison's utility subsidiaries and may be present in their facilities and
equipment.
The Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
of 1980 (Superfund) and similar state statutes impose joint and several strict
liability, regardless of fault, upon generators of hazardous substances for
resulting removal and remedial costs and environmental damages. Liabilities
under these laws can be material and in some instances may be imposed without
regard to fault, or may be imposed for past acts, even though such past acts may
have been lawful at the time they occurred.
At December 31, 2001, Con Edison had accrued $132.2 million as its best estimate
of the utility subsidiaries' liability for sites as to which they have received
process or notice alleging that hazardous substances generated by them (and, in
most instances, other potentially responsible parties) were deposited. There
will be additional liability relating to these sites and other sites, the amount
of which is not presently determinable but may be material to Con Edison's
financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Con Edison's utility subsidiaries are permitted under current rate agreements to
defer for subsequent recovery through rates certain site investigation and
remediation costs with respect to hazardous waste. At December 31, 2001, $62.6
million of such costs had been deferred as regulatory assets.
Suits have been brought in New York State and federal courts against Con
Edison's utility subsidiaries and many other defendants, wherein a large number
of plaintiffs sought large amounts of compensatory
A- 42
and punitive damages for deaths and injuries allegedly caused by exposure to
asbestos at various premises of the utility subsidiaries. Many of these suits
have been disposed of without any payment by the utility subsidiaries, or for
immaterial amounts. The amounts specified in all the remaining suits total
billions of dollars but Con Edison believes that these amounts are greatly
exaggerated, as were the claims already disposed of. Based on the information
and relevant circumstances known to Con Edison at this time, these suits are not
expected to have a material adverse effect on Con Edison's financial position,
results of operations or liquidity.
Workers' compensation administrative proceedings have been commenced, wherein
current and former employees claim benefits based upon alleged disability from
exposure to asbestos. Based on the information and relevant circumstances known
to Con Edison at this time, these claims are not expected to have a material
adverse effect on Con Edison's financial position, results of operations or
liquidity. At December 31, 2001, Con Edison had accrued a $136.7 million
provision as its best estimate of the utility subsidiaries' liability for
workers' compensation claims, including those related to asbestos exposure. Of
this amount $62.1 million was deferred as a regulatory asset. Other legal
proceedings have commenced, wherein non-employee contractors claim benefits
based upon alleged disability from exposure to asbestos. At December 31, 2001,
Con Edison of New York had accrued a $4.0 million provision as its best estimate
of the utility subsidiaries' liability for these alleged claims and deferred a
like amount as a regulatory asset.
NOTE G - NUCLEAR GENERATION
In September 2001 Con Edison of New York completed the sale of its nuclear
generating unit and related assets and the transfer to the buyer of its nuclear
decommissioning trust funds. See Note I.
The NYPSC is investigating a February 2000 to January 2001 outage of the nuclear
generating unit, its causes and the prudence of Con Edison of New York's actions
regarding the operation and maintenance of the generating unit. The proceeding
covers, among other things, Con Edison of New York's inspection practices, the
circumstances surrounding prior outages, the basis for postponement of the
unit's steam generator replacement and whether, and to what extent, increased
replacement power costs and repair and replacement costs should be borne by Con
Edison's shareholders.
Con Edison of New York has billed to customers replacement power costs for the
outage incurred prior to August 2000 and after October 2000, but not
approximately $90 million of replacement power costs incurred in August through
October 2000. Con Edison of New York has also accrued a $40 million liability
for the possible disallowance of replacement power costs that it had previously
recovered from customers.
An appeal is pending in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second
Circuit of the October 2000 decision by the United States District Court for the
Northern District of New York, in an action entitled Consolidated Edison Company
of New York, Inc. v. Pataki, et al., in which the court determined that the law
that directed the NYPSC to prohibit Con Edison of New York from recovering
replacement power costs for the outage from customers was unconstitutional and
granted Con Edison of New York's motion for a permanent injunction to prevent
its implementation.
A-43
Con Edison of New York is unable to predict whether or not any proceedings,
lawsuits, legislation or other actions relating to the nuclear generating unit
will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of
operations or liquidity.
NOTE H - NON-UTILITY GENERATORS (NUGs)
Con Edison's utility subsidiaries have contracts with NUGs for approximately
3,127 MW of electric generating capacity, including a contract with the buyer of
the approximately 1,000 MW nuclear generating unit that Con Edison of New York
sold in 2001. Assuming performance by the NUGs, the utility subsidiaries are
obligated over the terms of the contracts (which extend for various periods, up
to 2036) to make capacity and other fixed payments.
For the years 2002-2006, the capacity and other fixed payments under the
contracts are estimated to be $541 million, $539 million, $543 million, $529
million and $525 million. Such payments gradually increase to approximately $600
million in 2013, and thereafter decline significantly. For energy delivered
under most of these contracts, the utility subsidiaries are obligated to pay
variable prices that are estimated to be lower overall than expected market
levels. For energy from the nuclear generating unit sold by Con Edison of New
York in 2001, Con Edison of New York is obligated to pay an average annual price
of 3.9 cents per kilowatthour.
Under the terms of its electric rate agreements, Con Edison of New York is
recovering in rates the charges it incurs under contracts with NUGs. The 2000
Electric Rate Agreement provides that, following March 31, 2005, Con Edison of
New York will be given a reasonable opportunity to recover, through a
non-bypassable charge to customers, the amount, if any, by which the actual
costs of its purchases under the contracts exceed market value.
O&R is recovering its costs under the contracts pursuant to rate provisions
approved by the state public utility regulatory authority having jurisdiction.
The Restructuring Agreement provided for a potential NUG contract disallowance
of the lower of (i)10 percent of the above-market costs or (ii) $300 million (in
2002 dollars). The Restructuring Agreement provided that Con Edison of New York
could offset the potential disallowance by NUG contract mitigation and by 10
percent of the gross proceeds of any generating unit sales to third parties. Con
Edison of New York has offset the entire $300 million maximum possible
disallowance through NUG contract mitigation and generating plant divestiture
proceeds.
NOTE I - GENERATION DIVESTITURE
In 1999 Con Edison of New York completed the sale of almost 6,300 MW of its
approximately 8,300 MW of electric generating assets for an aggregate price of
$1.8 billion. The net book value of the assets sold was approximately $1
billion.
In 1999 pursuant to the Restructuring Agreement, as amended by a July 1998 PSC
order, $50 million of the net after-tax gain was applied as an increase to the
accumulated depreciation reserve for Con Edison of New York's nuclear generating
unit and $29 million of accumulated deferred taxes and investment tax credits
relating to the assets sold were recognized in income. Pursuant to the 2000
Electric Rate Agreement, the balance of the net after-tax gain (including
interest accrued thereon) was applied in 2000
A-44
as follows: $188.2 million was credited against electric distribution plant
balances, $107.3 million was used to offset a like amount of regulatory assets
(including deferred power contract termination costs), $50 million was deferred
for recognition in income during the 12 months ending March 31, 2002, and $12
million was deferred to be used for low-income customer programs. In addition
$30 million of employee retirement incentive expenses related to the generation
divestiture were deferred for amortization over 15 years and $15 million of such
expenses were charged to income in 2000.
The 2000 Electric Rate Agreement provides for recovery of an approximately $74
million regulatory asset representing incremental electric capacity costs
incurred prior to May 2000 to purchase capacity from the buyers of the
generating assets Con Edison of New York sold in 1999, from the shareholders'
portion of any earnings above the earnings sharing levels specified for each
rate year. By March 2005 any remaining unrecovered balance will be charged to
expense. Fifteen million dollars of this amount was charged to expense in
December 2001. See "Rate and Restructuring Agreements" in Note A.
In January 2001 Con Edison of New York completed the sale of its 480 MW interest
in the jointly owned Roseton generating station for approximately $138 million.
The net after-tax gain from the sale, which has been deferred as a regulatory
liability, was $37.1 million. In September 2001 Con Edison of New York completed
the sale of its approximately 1000 MW nuclear generating facilities and related
assets for $504.5 million. The proceeds were net of a $73.8 million payment to
increase the value of the nuclear decommissioning trust funds being transferred
to $430 million (the amount provided for in the sales agreement). The net
after-tax loss from the sale, which has been deferred as a regulatory asset, was
$175.4 million. In addition Con Edison of New York was authorized effective
September 2001 to continue to recover the cost of nuclear assets, which are
included in rates, until the loss on divestiture has been recovered. The 2000
Electric Agreement provides that Con Edison of New York "will be given a
reasonable opportunity to recover stranded and strandable costs remaining at
March 31, 2005, including a reasonable return on investments." See "Rate and
Restructuring Agreements" in Note A.
O&R completed the sale of all of its generating assets prior to the completion
of Con Edison's purchase of O&R in July 1999.
NOTE J - LEASES
In November 2000 a Con Edison Development subsidiary entered into an operating
lease arrangement with a limited partnership (Lessor) to finance the purchase,
installation, assembly and construction of a 525 MW gas-fired electric
generating facility under construction in Newington, New Hampshire (Newington
Project). The limited partnership is a special-purpose entity and has an
aggregate financing commitment from third-party equity and debt participants of
approximately $353 million. In accordance with SFAS No. 13 "Accounting for
Leases" and related EITF issues (including EITF Issue No. 90-15, "Impact of
Non-substantive Lessors, Residual Value Guarantees, and Other Provisions in
Leasing Transactions" and EITF Issue No. 97-10, "The Effect of Lessee
Involvement in Asset Construction"), the Newington Project and the related
lease obligations are not included on Con Edison's consolidated balance sheet.
The Lessor has appointed the Con Edison Development subsidiary as construction
agent responsible for completing construction of the project by no later than
June 2003. The initial lease term is approximately eight years, beginning at the
date of construction completion, which is expected to be
A-45
July 2002. At the end of the lease term (June 2010), the subsidiary has the
option to extend the lease or purchase the project for the then outstanding
amounts expended by the Lessor for the project. If the subsidiary chooses not to
extend the lease or acquire the project, then Con Edison will guarantee a
residual value of the Newington Project for an amount not to exceed $239.7
million. The subsidiary would also have contingent payment obligations to the
Lessor if an event of default should occur during either the construction period
or the lease period. If the subsidiary defaults, then its obligation would equal
up to 100% of the Lessor's investment in the Newington Project, which could
exceed the aforementioned residual value guarantee. At December 31, 2001,
project costs were approximately $305 million. The subsidiary's payment and
performance obligations relating to the Newington Project are fully and
unconditionally guaranteed by Con Edison.
Future minimum rental payments as of December 31, 2001 are approximately as
follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 $ 16.6
2003 33.2
2004 33.2
2005 33.2
2006 33.2
Thereafter 116.1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $265.5
================================================================================
Con Edison Development subsidiaries have invested in two leveraged lease
transactions involving the leasing of gas distribution assets and an electric
generating facility in the Netherlands. The subsidiaries' equity investment of
$93 million represented approximately 36% of the purchase price; the remaining
64% or $166 million was furnished by third-party financing in the form of
long-term debt that provides for no recourse against the subsidiaries and is
primarily secured by the assets. At December 31, 2001, the company's net
investment in these leveraged leases amounted to approximately $71 million,
which was included at cost on Con Edison's consolidated balance sheet. See
"Investments" in Note A.
Con Edison Development has guaranteed the repurchase and remarketing obligations
of one of its subsidiaries with respect to $40.7 million of debt relating to
moderate income rental apartment properties eligible for tax credits under
Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code. In accordance with FASB EITF Issue No.
94-1, neither the rental apartments properties nor the related indebtedness is
included on Con Edison's consolidated balance sheet.
Con Edison's subsidiaries lease electric generating and gas distribution
facilities, other electric transmission and distribution facilities, office
buildings and equipment. In accordance with SFAS No. 13, these leases are
classified as either capital leases or operating leases. Most of the operating
leases provide the option to renew at the fair rental value for future periods.
Generally, it is expected that leases will be renewed or replaced in the normal
course of business.
Capital leases: For ratemaking purposes capital leases are treated as operating
leases, therefore, in accordance with SFAS No. 71 the amortization of the leased
asset is based on the rental payments
A-46
recovered through rates. The following assets and obligations under capital
leases are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December
31, 2001 and 2000:
2001 2000
---- ----
(Millions of Dollars)
UTILITY PLANT
Production $ -- $ 0.7
Transmission 13.5 14.9
Common 29.7 18.6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $43.2 $34.2
================================================================================
CURRENT LIABILITIES $ 2.1 $ 2.8
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 41.1 31.4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES $43.2 $34.2
================================================================================
The future minimum lease commitments for the above assets are as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 $ 7.5
2003 7.8
2004 7.5
2005 7.3
2006 7.2
All years thereafter 42.2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $79.5
Less: amount representing interest 36.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Present value of net minimum lease payments $43.2
================================================================================
Operating leases: The future minimum lease commitments under Con Edison's
non-cancelable operating lease agreements excluding the Newington Project are as
follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 $ 33.9
2003 34.2
2004 34.7
2005 5.3
2006 5.0
All years thereafter 33.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $146.6
================================================================================
NOTE K - ACQUISITION OF ORANGE AND ROCKLAND UTILITIES (O&R)
In July 1999 Con Edison completed its acquisition of O&R for $791.5 million in
cash. Con Edison has accounted for the acquisition under the purchase method of
accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The
results of operations of O&R for the years 2001 and 2000 and the six months
ended December 31, 1999 have been included in the consolidated income statement
of Con Edison. Con Edison has recorded in its consolidated financial statements
all of the assets and liabilities of O&R. The fair value of O&R's regulatory
assets approximates book value. All other assets and liabilities of O&R were
adjusted to their estimated fair values. The $437 million excess of the purchase
price paid
A-47
by Con Edison over the estimated fair value of net assets acquired and
liabilities assumed was recorded as goodwill. Con Edison adopted SFAS No. 142,
"Accounting for Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," on January 1, 2002. See
Note A. In accordance with regulatory agreements, costs to achieve the merger
have been deferred as regulatory assets and are being amortized over a five-year
period ending May 2004.
The unaudited pro forma consolidated Con Edison financial information shown
below has been prepared based upon the historical consolidated income statements
of Con Edison and O&R, giving effect to Con Edison's acquisition of O&R as if it
had occurred at the beginning of 1999. See "New Financial Accounting Standards"
in Note A for information about Con Edison's accounting for goodwill. The pro
forma information is not necessarily indicative of the results that Con Edison
would have had if its acquisition of O&R had been completed prior to July 1999,
or the results that Con Edison will have in the future.
1999
----
(Millions of Dollars)
Revenues $ 7,817
Operating income 985
Net income 646
Average shares outstanding (000) 223,442
Earnings per share $ 2.89
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE L - INCOME TAX
The components of income taxes are as follows:
Year ended December 31 2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
(Thousands of dollars)
Charged to Operations:
State
Current $ 69,279 $ 28,941 $ --
Deferred - net 78,989 -- --
Federal
Current 380,509 103,670 836,783
Deferred - net (57,089) 193,257 (428,859)
Amortization of investment tax credit (7,135) (8,078) (8,208)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL CHARGED TO OPERATIONS 464,553 317,790 399,716
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charged to Other Income:
State
Current (4,102) (5,304) --
Deferred - net 72 -- --
Federal
Current (8,684) (1,095) 1,430
Deferred - net (7,045) (3,892) (13,825)
Amortization of investment tax credit (2,163) (331) (14,496)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL CHARGED TO OTHER INCOME (21,922) (10,622) (26,891)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $ 442,631 $ 307,168 $ 372,825
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A-48
The tax effect of temporary differences which gave rise to deferred tax assets
and liabilities is as follows:
As of December 31 2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
(Millions of dollars)
Liabilities
Depreciation $1,348.5 $1,441.1 $1,367.1
SFAS 109 659.8 676.5 785.0
Other 413.4 397.9 337.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 2,421.7 2,515.5 2,490.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets:
Other (186.4) (212.7) (222.5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS (186.4) (212.7) (222.5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET LIABILITY $2,235.3 $2,302.8 $2,267.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reconciliation of the difference between income tax expenses and the amount
computed by applying the prevailing statutory income tax rate to income before
income taxes is as follows:
Year ended December 31 2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
(% of Pre-tax income)
STATUTORY TAX RATE
Federal 35% 35% 35%
Changes in computed taxes resulting from:
State Income Tax 9% 2% --
Depreciation Related Differences 3% 4% 5%
Cost of Removal (4)% (6)% (3)%
Amortization of Taxes Associated With Divestiture Assets -- -- (3)%
Other (4)% (1)% --
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective Tax Rate 39% 34% 34%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE M - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Under Con Edison's Stock Option Plan (the Plan), options may be granted to
officers and key employees of Con Edison and its subsidiaries for up to a total
of 10 million shares of Con Edison's common stock. Generally options become
exercisable three years after the grant date and remain exercisable until 10
years from the grant date.
As permitted by SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," Con
Edison has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (APB No.
25), "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations in
accounting for its employee stock options. Under APB No. 25, because the
exercise price of Con Edison's employee stock options equals the market price of
the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is
recognized.
Disclosure of pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share
is required by SFAS No. 123. The information presented below relates to the
income and earnings per share of Con Edison. This information has been
determined as if Con Edison had accounted for its employee stock options under
the fair value method of that statement. The fair values of 2001, 2000 and 1999
options are $5.23,
A-49
$4.42 and $7.90 per share, respectively. These values were estimated at the date
of grant using the BlackScholes option pricing model with the following
weighted-average assumptions:
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
Risk-free interest rate 5.22% 6.25% 5.24%
Expected lives - in years 8 8 8
Expected stock volatility 21.32% 20.51% 18.76%
Dividend yield 5.83% 6.60% 4.46%
The following table reflects pro forma net income and earnings per share had Con
Edison elected to adopt the fair value approach of SFAS No. 123 (income in
millions):
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
Net income
As reported $ 682 $ 583 $ 701
Pro forma 678 578 697
Diluted earnings per share
As reported $3.21 $2.74 $3.13
Pro forma 3.19 2.72 3.11
These pro forma amounts may not be representative of future disclosures due to
changes in future market conditions and additional option grants in future
years. For 2001, 2000 and 1999, the number of total shares of common stock after
giving effect to potentially dilutive securities as used in the reported diluted
earnings per share calculation is 212.9 million, 212.4 million and 223.9
million, respectively.
A summary of the status of Con Edison's Stock Option Plan as of December 31,
2001, 2000 and 1999 and changes during those years is as follows:
Weighted
Average
Shares Price
------ -----
Outstanding at 12/31/98 2,395,950 $34.589
Granted 1,293,950 47.880
Exercised (113,440) 27.875
Forfeited (20,250) 40.246
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at 12/31/99 3,556,210 39.607
Granted 1,349,500 32.499
Exercised (68,697) 29.732
Forfeited (48,100) 39.231
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at 12/31/00 4,788,913 37.749
Granted 1,487,050 37.758
Exercised (363,013) 29.740
Forfeited (160,300) 41.333
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at 12/31/01 5,752,650 $38.157
A-50
The following summarizes the Plan's stock options outstanding at
December 31, 2001:
Weighted
Average Shares Remaining
Exercise Outstanding Contractual
Plan Year Price At 12/31/01 Life
--------- ----- ----------- ----
2001 $37.758 1,481,050 9 years
2000 32.499 1,292,500 8 years
1999 47.876 1,213,900 7 years
1998 42.609 825,350 6 years
1997 31.500 578,150 5 years
1996 27.875 361,700 4 years
As of December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 there were outstanding vested options to
purchase 939,850, 1,304,863 and 572,460 shares of common stock, respectively, at
an exercise price below the closing market price on that day.
Pursuant to employment agreements, effective September 2000, certain senior
officers of Con Edison and Con Edison of New York were granted an aggregate of
350,000 restricted stock units. The units, each of which represents the right to
receive one share of Con Edison common stock and related dividends, vest over a
five-year period or immediately upon the occurrence of certain events. Pursuant
to APB No. 25, Con Edison is recognizing compensation expense and accruing a
liability for the units over the vesting period. The expense recognized for
restricted stock during 2001 and 2000 was $3.1 million and $0.9 million,
respectively.
NOTE N - FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY BUSINESS SEGMENT
Con Edison's business segments were determined based on similarities in economic
characteristics, the regulatory environment, and management's reporting
requirements. Con Edison's principal business segments are:
- Regulated Electric - consists of regulated activities of Con
Edison of New York and O&R relating to the generation,
transmission and distribution of electricity in New York, New
Jersey and Pennsylvania.
- Regulated Gas - consists of regulated activities of Con Edison
of New York and O&R relating to the transportation, storage
and distribution of natural gas in New York and Pennsylvania.
- Regulated Steam - consists of regulated activities of Con
Edison of New York relating to the generation and distribution
of steam in New York.
- Unregulated Subsidiaries - represents the operations of the
competitive electric and gas supply, energy-related products
and services and the operations of the affiliate that invests
in energy infrastructure and wholesale telecommunications
businesses.
- Other - includes the operations of the parent company, Con
Edison, and consolidation adjustments.
All revenues of Con Edison's business segments, excluding revenues earned by an
affiliate of Con Edison on certain energy infrastructure projects, which are
deemed to be immaterial, are from customers located
A-51
in the United States of America. Also, all assets, excluding certain investments
in energy infrastructure projects by an affiliate of Con Edison, which are
deemed to be immaterial, are located in the United States of America. The
accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the
summary of significant accounting policies. See Note A.
Common services shared by the business segments are assigned directly or
allocated based on various cost factors, depending on the nature of the service
provided.
The financial data for business segments are as follows:
REGULATED ELECTRIC
------------------
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
(Thousands of Dollars)
Operating revenues $ 6,887,863 $ 6,938,128 $ 5,792,673
Intersegment revenues 12,589 53,514 150,488
Depreciation and amortization 407,992 477,352 433,203
Income tax expense 382,153 239,772 339,630
Operating income 902,176 808,960 858,681
Interest charge 316,449 309,753 268,392
Total assets 12,193,525 12,386,304 11,831,548
Construction expenditures 810,821 786,211 530,068
REGULATED GAS
-------------
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
(Thousands of Dollars)
Operating revenues $ 1,465,957 $1,261,970 $1,000,083
Intersegment revenues 3,181 6,113 2,812
Depreciation and amortization 72,050 66,780 66,262
Income tax expense 73,768 64,942 60,598
Operating income 179,823 176,171 152,212
Interest charge 72,068 66,498 52,498
Total assets 2,711,008 2,607,624 2,295,191
Construction expenditures 169,739 140,702 119,602
REGULATED STEAM
---------------
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
(Thousands of Dollars)
Operating revenues $503,736 $452,135 $340,026
Intersegment revenues 1,903 2,023 1,667
Depreciation and amortization 17,902 18,173 17,996
Income tax expense 5,695 2,407 2,910
Operating income 27,893 25,557 19,450
Interest charge 20,768 18,191 15,363
Total assets 746,587 686,807 631,353
Construction expenditures 64,308 32,014 28,488
A-52
UNREGULATED SUBSIDIARIES
------------------------
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
(Thousands of Dollars)
Operating revenues $785,739 $793,740 $358,541
Intersegment revenues - - -
Depreciation and amortization 17,470 13,547 3,303
Income tax expense 2,937 10,669 (5,122)
Operating income 29,590 18,024 (9,313)
Interest charge 16,863 9,652 -
Total assets 995,476 820,942 387,692
Construction expenditures 163,921 121,214 165,000
OTHER
-----
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
(Thousands of Dollars)
Operating revenues $ (9,333) $(14,582) $ -
Intersegment revenues 9,333 14,582 -
Depreciation and amortization 10,821 10,555 5,418
Income tax expense - - 1,700
Operating income (12,009) (12,576) (1,231)
Interest charge 4,732 3,351 1,310
Total assets 349,515 265,568 385,692
Construction expenditures - - -
TOTAL
-----
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
(Thousands of Dollars)
Operating revenues $ 9,633,962 $ 9,431,391 $ 7,491,323
Intersegment revenues 27,006 76,232 154,967
Depreciation and amortization 526,235 586,407 526,182
Income tax expense 464,553 317,790 399,716
Operating income 1,127,473 1,016,136 1,019,799
Interest charge 430,880 407,445 337,563
Total assets 16,996,111 16,767,245 15,531,476
Construction expenditures 1,208,789 1,080,141 843,158
NOTE O - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
As of January 2001 Con Edison adopted SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities," as amended by SFAS No. 137, "Deferral of
the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133," and SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for
Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities - an amendment of
FASB Statement No. 133" (collectively, SFAS No. 133).
ENERGY PRICE HEDGING
Con Edison's subsidiaries use derivative financial instruments to hedge market
price fluctuations in related underlying transactions for the physical purchase
or sale of electricity and gas (Hedges).
Con Edison's utility subsidiaries, pursuant to SFAS No. 71, "Accounting for the
Effects of Certain Types of Regulation," defer recognition in income of gains
and losses on a Hedge until the underlying transaction is completed. Pursuant to
rate provisions that permit the recovery of the cost of purchased power and gas,
Con Edison's utility subsidiaries credit or charge to their customers gains or
losses on Hedges and related transaction costs. See "Recoverable Energy Costs"
in Note A. To the extent SFAS
A-53
No. 71 does not allow deferred recognition in income, Con Edison's utility
subsidiaries have elected special hedge accounting pursuant to SFAS No. 133
(Cash Flow Hedge Accounting). Con Edison Solutions (which provides competitive
gas and electric supply and energy-related products and services) has also
elected Cash Flow Hedge Accounting.
Pursuant to Cash Flow Hedge Accounting, except as described in the following
paragraph, the mark-to-market unrealized gain or loss on each Hedge is recorded
in other comprehensive income and reclassified to income at the time the
underlying transaction is completed. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 133, Con Edison's
subsidiaries recognized after-tax transition gains of $1.7 million in other
comprehensive income and $0.4 million in income. In 2001 the company
reclassified to income from accumulated other comprehensive income after-tax net
losses relating to Hedges of $12.4 million. These losses, which were recognized
in net income as fuel or purchased power costs, were largely offset by
directionally opposite changes in the market value of the underlying
commodities.
Under Cash Flow Hedge Accounting, any gain or loss relating to any portion of
the Hedge determined to be "ineffective" is recognized in income in the period
in which such determination is made. As a result changes in value of a Hedge may
be recognized in income in an earlier period than the period in which the
underlying transaction is recognized in income. The company expects, however,
that these changes in values will be offset, at least in part, when the
underlying transactions are recognized in income. In 2001 Con Edison Solutions
recognized in income mark-to-market unrealized pre-tax net losses of $6.2
million relating primarily to derivative transactions that were determined to be
"ineffective." As of December 31, 2001, unrealized after-tax losses amounting to
$12.7 million relating to the subsidiaries' Hedges for which Cash Flow Hedge
Accounting was used were for a term of less than two years and $11.6 million of
after-tax losses relating to such Hedges were expected to be reclassified from
accumulated other comprehensive income to income within the next 12 months.
Con Edison Energy (which markets specialized energy supply services to wholesale
customers) enters into over-the-counter and exchange traded contracts for the
purchase and sale of electricity and installed capacity, gas or oil (which may
provide for either physical or financial settlement) and is considered an
"energy trading organization" required to account for such trading activities in
accordance with FASB EITF Issue No. 98-10, "Accounting for Contracts Involved in
Energy Trading and Risk Management Activities." With respect to such contracts
entered into by Con Edison Energy, Con Edison recognized in income unrealized
mark-to-market pre-tax net gains of $9.6 million in 2001.
INTEREST RATE HEDGING
O&R and Con Edison Development (which invests in and manages energy
infrastructure projects) use Cash Flow Hedge Accounting for their interest rate
swap agreements. In connection with its $55 million promissory note issued to
the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for the net
proceeds of the Authority's variable rate Pollution Control Refunding Revenue
Bonds, 1994 Series A (the 1994 Bonds), O&R has a swap agreement pursuant to
which it pays interest at a fixed rate of 6.09 percent and is paid interest at
the same variable rate as is paid on the 1994 Bonds. Upon adoption of SFAS No.
133, the company recognized after-tax transition adjustment losses relating to
the swap agreement of $8.1 million in other comprehensive income. In 2001 the
company reclassified $1.2 million
A-54
of such losses from accumulated other comprehensive income to income. As of
December 31, 2001, unrealized after-tax losses relating to the swap agreement
amounted to $8.3 million of which $1.1 million were expected to be reclassified
from accumulated other comprehensive income to income within the next 12 months.
In connection with $95 million of variable rate loans undertaken relating to the
Lakewood electric generating plant, Con Edison Development has swap agreements
pursuant to which it pays interest at a fixed rate of 6.68 percent and is paid
interest at a variable rate equal to the three-month London Interbank Offered
Rate. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 133, the company recognized after-tax transition
adjustment losses relating to the swap agreements of $1.6 million in other
comprehensive income. In 2001 the company reclassified $1.2 million of such
losses from accumulated other comprehensive income to income. As of December 31,
2001, unrealized after-tax losses relating to the swap agreements amounted to
$3.4 million of which $1.9 million were expected to be reclassified from
accumulated other comprehensive income to income within the next 12 months.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Unrealized (losses)/gains on derivatives, net of tax included in Accumulated
other comprehensive income was as follows:
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2001
-----------------
(Millions of Dollars)
Unrealized (losses)/gains on derivatives qualified as Hedges due to cumulative effect of a change
in accounting Principles, net of $5.6 taxes $ (8.0)
Unrealized (losses)/gains on derivatives qualified as Hedges, net of $21.9 taxes (31.2)
Reclassification adjustment for gains/(losses) included in net income, net of $10.3 taxes 14.8
Unrealized (losses)/gains on derivatives qualified as hedges, at December 31, 2001 ------
$(24.4)
======
NOTE P - NORTHEAST UTILITIES
In March 2001 Con Edison commenced an action in the United States District Court
for the Southern District of New York, entitled Consolidated Edison, Inc. v.
Northeast Utilities, seeking a declaratory judgment that Northeast Utilities has
failed to meet certain conditions precedent to Con Edison's obligation to
complete its acquisition of Northeast Utilities pursuant to their agreement and
plan of merger, dated as of October 13, 1999, as amended and restated as of
January 11, 2000 (the merger agreement). In May 2001 Con Edison amended its
complaint. As amended Con Edison's complaint seeks, among other things, recovery
of damages sustained by it as a result of the material breach of the merger
agreement by Northeast Utilities and the court's declaration that under the
merger agreement Con Edison has no further or continuing obligations to
Northeast Utilities, and that Northeast Utilities has no further or continuing
rights as against Con Edison.
In June 2001 Northeast Utilities withdrew the separate action it commenced in
March 2001 in the same court and filed as a counter-claim to Con Edison's
amended complaint its claim that Con Edison materially breached the merger
agreement and that as a result Northeast Utilities and its shareholders have
suffered substantial damages, including the difference between the consideration
to be paid to Northeast Utilities shareholders pursuant to the merger agreement
and the current market value of
A-55
Northeast Utilities common stock, expenditures in connection with regulatory
approvals and lost business opportunities. Pursuant to the merger agreement, Con
Edison agreed to acquire Northeast Utilities for $26.00 per share (an estimated
aggregate of not more than $3.9 billion) plus $0.0034 per share for each day
after August 5, 2000 through the day prior to the completion of the transaction,
payable 50 percent in cash and 50 percent in stock.
Con Edison believes that Northeast Utilities has materially breached the merger
agreement, and that Con Edison has not materially breached the merger agreement.
Con Edison believes it is not obligated to acquire Northeast Utilities because
Northeast Utilities does not meet the merger agreement's conditions that
Northeast Utilities perform all of its obligations under the merger agreement.
Those obligations include the obligation that it carry on its businesses in the
ordinary course consistent with past practice; that the representations and
warranties made by it in the merger agreement were true and correct when made
and remain true and correct; and that there be no material adverse change with
respect to Northeast Utilities. Con Edison is unable to predict whether or not
any Northeast Utilities-related lawsuits or other actions will have a material
adverse effect on Con Edison's financial position, results of operations or
liquidity.
NOTE Q - WORLD TRADE CENTER ATTACK
Con Edison of New York estimates that it will incur approximately $400 million
of costs for emergency response, temporary restoration and permanent replacement
of electric, gas and steam transmission and distribution facilities damaged as a
result of the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center. Most of the
costs are expected to be capital in nature. In December 2001 Con Edison of New
York filed a petition with the NYPSC for authorization to defer the costs. The
company estimates that its insurers will cover approximately $65 million of the
costs. The company expects the NYPSC to permit recovery from customers of the
costs, net of any Federal reimbursement, insurance payment and tax savings. At
December 31, 2001, the company had capitalized $54.9 million of such costs as
utility plant and deferred $32.9 million of such costs as a regulatory asset. In
addition at December 31, 2001, the company accrued a regulatory liability to
defer recognition in income of an $81.5 million tax refund claim resulting from
a casualty loss deduction taken by the company relating to the attack.
A-56
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(INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, MARK
THE "EXCEPTIONS" BOX AND WRITE THAT NOMINEE'S NAME IN THE SPACE PROVIDED
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*Exceptions___________________________________________________
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2. Ratification of appointment of
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE FOLLOWING STOCKHOLDER
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CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF
COMMON STOCK OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PLEASE DATE AND The undersigned hereby appoints Peter W. Likins, Gordon J.
SIGN ON REVERSE Davis and Joan S. Freilich and each or any of them with
SIDE. TO VOTE power of substitution, proxies to vote all stock of the
IN ACCORDANCE undersigned (including any shares held through the Company's
WITH THE Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan)
RECOMMENDATIONS at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 20, 2002 at
OF THE BOARD 10:00 a.m. at the Company's Headquarters, 4 Irving Place,
OF DIRECTORS New York, N.Y. or at any adjournments thereof, as specified
NO BOXES on the reverse side in the election of Directors and on the
NEED BE proposals, all as more fully set forth in the proxy
CHECKED. statement, and in their discretion on any matters that may
come before the meeting.
Your vote for the election of Directors may be indicated on
the reverse side. Nominees are: 01 - V.A. Calarco, 02 - G.
Campbell, Jr., 03 - G.J. Davis, 04 - M.J. Del Giudice, 05 -
J.S. Freilich, 06 - E.V. Futter, 07 - S. Hernandez-Pinero,
08 - P.W. Likins, 09 - E.R. McGrath, 10 - G. W. Sarney,
11 - R.A. Voell and 12 - S.R. Volk
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE,
BUT IF NO CHOICE IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE
ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS LISTED ABOVE
(PROPOSAL 1) AND "FOR" PROPOSAL 2; AND "AGAINST" PROPOSAL
3.
CON EDISON
P.O. BOX 11003
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10203-0003
[CON EDISON, INC LOGO]