Edgar Filing: CONSOLIDATED EDISON INC

424B2

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-206178

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 9, 2016

P R E L I M I N A R Y P R O S P E C T U S S U P P L E M E N T

(To Prospectus dated August 6, 2015)

8,800,000 Shares

LOGO

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

Common Shares

We are offering 8,800,000 of our common shares (par value $0.10 per share) (the “offering”).

Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ED.” On May 6, 2016, the closing price of our common shares on the New York Stock Exchange was $74.16 per share.

Investing in our common shares involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement.


	Per Share	Total
Initial Price to Public	$	$
Underwriting Discount	$	$
Proceeds, Before Expenses, to Us	$	$

We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement to purchase up to an additional 1,320,000 common shares at the initial price to public less the underwriting discount.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The common shares will be ready for delivery on or about May , 2016.


Barclays	BofA Merrill Lynch	Citigroup

J.P. Morgan	Mizuho Securities	Wells Fargo Securities

The date of this prospectus supplement is , 2016.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement


Prospectus Supplement Summary			S-1
Where You Can Find More Information			S-4
Incorporation by Reference			S-5
Risk Factors			S-6
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information			S-7
Use of Proceeds			S-8
Price Range of Common Shares and Dividends			S-9
Certain United States Federal Income and Estate Tax Consequences for Non-U.S. Holders			S-10
Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)			S-14
Notices to Investors			S-16
Legal Matters			S-19
Experts			S-19

Prospectus


Risk Factors			2
About This Prospectus			2
Where You Can Find More Information			2
Incorporation By Reference			3
Con Edison			3
Use of Proceeds			4
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges			4
Description of Debt Securities			5
Description of Common Shares			11
Plan of Distribution			13
Legal Matters			13
Experts			13

This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of the common shares subject to the offering and certain other matters relating to us and our financial condition. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, gives more general information about securities we may offer from time to time, some of which does not apply to the common shares subject to the offering. Generally, when we refer to the prospectus, we are referring to both parts of this document combined. To the extent information in this prospectus supplement differs from information in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, in any related free writing prospectus filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), and in any communication from us or the underwriters specifying the final terms of the offering. We have not and the underwriters have not authorized anyone else to provide you with any different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not and the underwriters are not making an offer to sell securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus supplement is current only as of the date of this prospectus supplement.

S-i

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

In this prospectus supplement, the words “Con Edison,” “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Consolidated Edison, Inc., a New York corporation, and its subsidiaries and predecessors.

The following summary contains basic information about the offering. It may not contain all of the information that is important to you. The “Description of Common Shares” section of the accompanying prospectus contains more detailed information regarding the common shares. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more detailed information appearing elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus.

Con Edison

Con Edison, incorporated in New York State in 1997, is a holding company that owns all of the outstanding common stock of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (“CECONY”), Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (“O&R”), the competitive energy businesses described below and Con Edison Transmission, Inc. (“Con Edison Transmission”). Our principal executive offices are located at 4 Irving Place, New York, New York 10003, and our telephone number is (212) 460-4600.

Con Edison seeks to provide shareholder value through continued dividend growth, supported by earnings growth in regulated utilities and contracted assets. The company invests to provide reliable, resilient, safe and clean energy critical for New York City’s growing economy. The company is an industry-leading owner and operator of contracted, large-scale solar generation in the United States. Con Edison is a responsible neighbor, helping the communities it serves become more sustainable.

CECONY

CECONY provides electric service to approximately 3.4 million customers in all of New York City (except a part of Queens) and most of Westchester County, an approximately 660 square mile service area with a population of more than nine million. CECONY delivers gas to approximately 1.1 million customers in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens and most of Westchester County. CECONY operates the largest steam distribution system in the United States by producing and delivering approximately 22,000 million pounds of steam annually to approximately 1,700 customers in parts of Manhattan.

O&R

O&R and its utility subsidiaries, Rockland Electric Company and Pike County Light & Power Company (“Pike”), provide electric service to approximately 0.3 million customers in southeastern New York and in adjacent areas of northern New Jersey and northeastern Pennsylvania, an approximately 1,350 square mile service area. O&R and Pike deliver gas to over 0.1 million customers in southeastern New York and adjacent areas of northeastern Pennsylvania. In October 2015, O&R entered into an agreement to sell Pike.

Competitive Energy Businesses

Con Edison pursues competitive energy opportunities through three wholly-owned subsidiaries: Consolidated Edison Solutions, Inc., Consolidated Edison Energy, Inc. and Consolidated Edison Development, Inc. These businesses sell to retail customers electricity purchased in wholesale markets and enter into related hedging transactions, provide energy-related products and services to wholesale and retail customers, and develop, own and operate renewable and energy infrastructure projects. In June 2015, Con Edison initiated a plan to sell the retail electric supply business of its competitive energy businesses.

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Con Edison Transmission

Con Edison Transmission invests in electric and gas transmission companies through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Consolidated Edison Transmission, LLC (“CET Electric”) and Con Edison Gas Pipeline and Storage, LLC (formerly known as Con Edison Gas Midstream, LLC, “CET Gas”). CET Electric, which was formed in 2014, owns a 45.7 percent interest in New York Transco LLC, a company that is expected to own electric transmission assets being developed in New York. CET Gas, which was formed in 2016, owns a 12.5 percent interest in Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC, a company developing a proposed gas transmission project in West Virginia and Virginia. At March 31, 2016, Con Edison’s capital contribution to Con Edison Transmission was $24 million.

On April 20, 2016, a CET Gas subsidiary entered into a contribution agreement pursuant to which it agreed to purchase, for $975 million (subject to closing adjustments), a 50 percent equity interest in a new entity, Stagecoach Gas Services LLC (“Stagecoach”), to which a Crestwood Equity Partners LP subsidiary agreed to contribute 100 percent of the equity interests in certain gas pipeline and storage companies (the “Acquisition”). Pursuant to the limited liability company agreement to be entered into for Stagecoach, for the first three years following the initial closing for the Acquisition, the CET Gas subsidiary is to receive 65%, 65% and 60%, respectively, of available cash distributed by Stagecoach. Con Edison has guaranteed (subject to a $946 million maximum amount) certain obligations of the CET Gas subsidiary under the contribution agreement and Barclays Bank PLC, an affiliate of Barclays Capital Inc., Bank of America, N.A., an affiliate of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Citibank, N.A., an affiliate of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., an affiliate of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., an affiliate of Mizuho Securities USA Inc., and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, an affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, have provided committed financing of up to $1.0 billion in connection with the Acquisition (the “Bridge Facility”). See “—The Offering —Use of Proceeds,” “Use of Proceeds” and “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)—Other Relationships.”

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The Offering

Common shares offered

8,800,000 shares (10,120,000 shares if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common shares is exercised in full).

Common shares outstanding as of May 5, 2016

294,040,379 shares.

Common shares to be outstanding after the offering (1)

302,840,379 shares (304,160,379 shares if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common shares is exercised in full).

Use of Proceeds

The offering is being made in connection with the Acquisition but is not conditioned upon completion of the Acquisition. We expect that the net proceeds from the offering will be approximately $ million (assuming no exercise by the underwriters of the option to purchase additional common shares in the offering), after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses. We expect to use the net proceeds from the offering and the net proceeds from an anticipated separate offering of our unsecured debt securities for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of outstanding short-term debt bearing interest at variable rates. Subsequently, we expect to fund the Acquisition with available cash and the proceeds from the issuance of additional short-term debt. At May 5, 2016, the weighted average annualized yield for the $642 million of our commercial paper that was outstanding was 0.70 percent. See “—Con Edison Transmission” and “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest) —Conflicts of Interest.”

New York Stock Exchange symbol

“ED.”

Risk Factors

Investing in our common shares involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement.

Conflicts of Interest

Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates may hold a portion of the commercial paper that we may repay using the net proceeds from the offering. We understand that if an underwriter and its affiliates were to receive more than 5 percent of the net proceeds, the underwriter would be required to conduct its distribution of the common shares in accordance with Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). See “Use of Proceeds” and “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)—Conflicts of Interest.”

(1) The number of our common shares to be outstanding after the offering is based on 294,040,379 common shares outstanding as of May 5, 2016.

S-3

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission and these filings are publicly available through the Commission’s website (http://www.sec.gov). You may read and copy materials that we have filed with the Commission at its public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330.

This prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, which includes information incorporated by reference (see “Incorporation by Reference,” below), is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 we have filed with the Commission relating to the common shares offered hereby. As permitted by the Commission’s rules, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not contain all of the information included in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules we file with the Commission. You should read the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules for more complete information about us and our common shares.

The registration statement, exhibits and schedules are also available at the Commission’s public reference room or through its website.

You may obtain a free copy of our filings with the Commission by writing or telephoning us at our principal executive offices: Corporate Secretary, Consolidated Edison, Inc., 4 Irving Place, New York, New York 10003 (Telephone No.: 212-460-3331). The filings are also available through the Investor Information section of our web site: www.conedison.com. The information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus by reference, and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus.

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The Commission allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus information we file with the Commission. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to documents that we have previously filed with the Commission or documents that we will file with the Commission in the future. The information we incorporate by reference is considered to be an important part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Information that we file later with the Commission that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus will automatically update and supersede this information.

We are incorporating by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus the following Con Edison documents that we have filed with the Commission:

•

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015;

•

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016;

•

Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 20, 2016; and

•

Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the Commission on April 4, 2016 (portions thereof incorporated by reference in Part III of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015).

We are also incorporating by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus any additional documents that we may file with the Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (other than those “furnished” pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 in any Current Report on Form 8-K or other information deemed to have been “furnished” rather than filed in accordance with the Commission’s rules) prior to the termination of the offering.

S-5

RISK FACTORS

Our businesses are influenced by many factors that are difficult to predict, and that involve uncertainties that may materially affect actual operating results, cash flows and financial condition. These risk factors include those described in the documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus (see “Incorporation by Reference,” above), and could include additional uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently do not consider to be material. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as any other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

S-6

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein contains forward-looking statements that are intended to qualify for the safe-harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations and not facts. Words such as “forecasts,” “expects,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “believes,” “plans,” “will” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements reflect information available and assumptions at the time the statements are made, and speak only as of that time. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements because of various factors such as those identified in reports Con Edison has filed with the Commission, including that:

•

the Company’s subsidiaries are extensively regulated and are subject to penalties;

•

its utility subsidiaries’ rate plans may not provide a reasonable return;

•

it may be adversely affected by changes to the utility subsidiaries’ rate plans;

•

the intentional misconduct of employees or contractors could adversely affect it;

•

the failure of, or damage to, its subsidiaries’ facilities could adversely affect it;

•

a cyber-attack could adversely affect it;

•

it is exposed to risks from the environmental consequences of its subsidiaries’ operations;

•

a disruption in the wholesale energy markets or failure by an energy supplier could adversely affect it;

•

it has substantial unfunded pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities;

•

its ability to pay dividends or interest depends on dividends from its subsidiaries;

•

it requires access to capital markets to satisfy funding requirements;

•

its strategies may not be effective to address changes in the external business environment; and

•

it also faces other risks that are beyond its control.

S-7

USE OF PROCEEDS

The offering is being made in connection with the Acquisition but is not conditioned upon completion of the Acquisition. We expect that the net proceeds from the offering will be approximately $ million (assuming no exercise by the underwriters of the option to purchase additional common shares in the offering), after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses. We expect to use the net proceeds from the offering and the net proceeds from an anticipated separate offering of our unsecured debt securities for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of outstanding short-term debt bearing interest at variable rates. Subsequently, we expect to fund the Acquisition with available cash and the proceeds from the issuance of additional short-term debt. At May 5, 2016, the weighted average annualized yield for the $642 million of our commercial paper that was outstanding was 0.70 percent. See “Prospectus Supplement Summary —Con Edison Transmission” and “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest) —Conflicts of Interest.”

S-8

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES AND DIVIDENDS

Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), under the symbol “ED.” The following table sets forth the range of intra-day high and low sale prices, as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape, and the cash dividends declared on the common shares for the periods indicated:


	High		Low		Dividends
2014
First Quarter	$	56.68	$	52.23	$	0.63
Second Quarter	$	58.57	$	52.87	$	0.63
Third Quarter	$	58.12	$	54.58	$	0.63
Fourth Quarter	$	68.92	$	56.40	$	0.63
2015
First Quarter	$	72.25	$	58.65	$	0.65
Second Quarter	$	63.03	$	56.86	$	0.65
Third Quarter	$	67.37	$	57.71	$	0.65
Fourth Quarter	$	67.94	$	60.30	$	0.65
2016
First Quarter	$	77.02	$	63.47	$	0.67
Second Quarter (through May 6, 2016)	$	77.23	$	70.73		(1	)

(1)	On April 21, 2016, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.67 per share payable on June 15, 2016 to shareholders of record on May 18, 2016.

On May 6, 2016, the last reported sale price of the common shares on the NYSE was $74.16 per share.

Dividends on our common shares are paid as declared by Con Edison’s Board of Directors. Dividends are typically paid on the 15th of March, June, September and December. Dividends can be paid by check or electronic deposit, or may be reinvested.

S-9

CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX CONSEQUENCES

FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following summary discusses certain material U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences to “non-U.S. holders” relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common shares. As used herein, a non-U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of our common shares that is not a “U.S. Person” (as defined below) or a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This summary is based upon the provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. Treasury regulations, rulings and judicial decisions, all as in effect on the date hereof. Those authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. There can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) will agree with the statements herein. A “U.S. Person” means a beneficial owner of our common shares that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

•

an individual who is a citizen or a resident of the United States;

•

a corporation (or any entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;

•

an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

•

a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) was in existence on August 20, 1996, was treated as a U.S. domestic trust immediately prior to that date, and has validly elected to continue to be treated as a U.S. domestic trust.

This summary deals only with our common shares held as capital assets within the meaning of section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This summary does not address all of the U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences that may be relevant to a non-U.S. holder in light of such holder’s own particular circumstances, nor does it deal with special situations, such as:

•

tax consequences to non-U.S. holders who may be subject to special tax treatment, such as holders of more than 5 percent of our outstanding common shares, dealers in securities, banks, insurance companies, partnerships or other entities treated as pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, certain former citizens or residents of the United States, “controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies,” corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid federal income tax, tax-exempt entities, common trust funds, certain trusts, hybrid entities, foreign governments, international organizations and dealers or traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings;

•

tax consequences to persons holding our common shares as part of a hedging, integrated, constructive sale or conversion transaction or a straddle;

•

any gift tax consequences;

•

the Medicare tax imposed on certain investment income;

•

alternative minimum tax consequences, if any; or

•

any U.S. state, local or foreign tax consequences.

If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership) holds our common shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the status and activities of the partnership. Prospective investors that are partnerships (or entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes) should consult their own tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income and estate tax considerations to them and their partners of holding our common shares.

S-10

THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR GENERAL PURPOSES ONLY. IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF OUR COMMON SHARES, YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISERS CONCERNING THE U.S. FEDERAL AND ESTATE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU IN LIGHT OF YOUR OWN PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION, THE EFFECT OF ANY CHANGES IN APPLICABLE TAX LAW, AND YOUR ENTITLEMENT TO BENEFITS UNDER AN APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.

Dividends on Common Shares

If we make a distribution of cash or other property (other than certain pro rata distributions of our common shares) in respect of our common shares, the distribution will be treated as a dividend to the extent it is paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). If the amount of a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such excess first will be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in our common shares, and thereafter will be treated as capital gain. Distributions treated as dividends on our common shares held by a non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30 percent, or at a lower rate if provided by an applicable income tax treaty and the non-U.S. holder has provided the documentation required to claim benefits under such treaty. Generally, to claim the benefits of an income tax treaty, a non-U.S. holder will be required to provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E (or appropriate substitute or successor form) certifying its entitlement to benefits under the treaty.

If, however, a dividend is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States by the non-U.S. holder (and, if an applicable tax treaty so provides, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States), the dividend will not be subject to the 30 percent U.S. federal withholding tax (provided the non-U.S. holder has provided the appropriate documentation, generally an IRS Form W-8ECI, to the withholding agent), but the non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in respect of the dividend on a net income basis, and at graduated rates, in substantially the same manner as U.S. Persons. Dividends received by a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and which are effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30 percent (or a lower rate if provided by an applicable tax treaty).

A non-U.S. holder that is eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax under an income tax treaty may obtain a refund or credit of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for a refund together with the required information with the IRS.

Sale or Other Disposition of Common Shares

Subject to the below discussions of backup withholding and FATCA, a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on gain realized on the sale or other disposition of our common shares unless:

•

such non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of such sale or disposition, and certain other conditions are met;

•

such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business in the United States (and, if an applicable tax treaty so provides, is attributable to a permanent establishment or a fixed base maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States); or

•

we are or have been a “U.S. real property holding corporation,” which we refer to as a “USRPHC,” under section 897 of the Code at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition and the non-U.S. holder’s holding period for its shares of our common shares.

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Gain realized by such non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet above will be subject to a flat 30 percent tax (or such lower tax rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses.

Gain realized by a non-U.S. holder that is effectively connected with such non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis, and at graduated rates, in substantially the same manner as a U.S. Person (except as provided by an applicable tax treaty). In addition, if such non-U.S. holder is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30 percent (or a lower rate if provided by an applicable tax treaty).

Generally, a corporation is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its United States real property interests equals or exceeds 50 percent of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests and its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business (all as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes). Given the lack of clear guidance in this area, there can be no assurances that we are not or will not become a USRPHC. If, however, we were a USRPHC during the applicable testing period, non-U.S. holders owning (directly or indirectly) more than 5 percent of our common shares will be subject to different tax consequences and should consult their own tax advisers. U.S. federal income tax will not apply to gain realized on the sale or disposition of our common shares by a non-U.S. holder that owns (directly or indirectly) 5 percent or less of our common shares so long as our common shares are “regularly traded on an established securities market” (such as the NYSE) as defined under applicable Treasury regulations. However, we can provide no assurance that our common shares will remain regularly traded.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Dividends and proceeds from the sale or other taxable disposition of our common shares are potentially subject to backup withholding at the applicable rate (currently 28 percent). In general, backup withholding will not apply to dividends on, or proceeds from the disposition of, our common shares paid by us or our paying agents, in their capacities as such, to a non-U.S. holder if the holder has provided the required certification (generally on Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E) that it is a non-U.S. holder and neither we nor our paying agent has actual knowledge (or reason to know) that the holder is a U.S. Person.

Generally, the amount of dividends on our common shares paid to a non-U.S. holder and the amount of any tax withheld from such dividends must be reported annually to the IRS and to the non-U.S. holder. Copies of these information returns may be made available by the IRS to the tax authorities of the country in which the non-U.S. holder is a resident under the provisions of an applicable tax treaty or agreement.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is furnished on a timely basis to the IRS.

Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the application of the information reporting and backup withholding rules to them.

FATCA

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act provisions of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act and Treasury regulations thereunder, commonly referred to as “FATCA”, generally, will impose a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30 percent on certain types of payments, including payments of U.S. source interest or dividends and gross proceeds from the sale of certain securities producing such U.S. source interest or dividends made to (i) “foreign financial institutions” unless they agree to collect and disclose to the IRS information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. account holders or (ii) certain “non-financial foreign entities” unless they certify that they do not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or furnish

S-12

identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner (generally by providing an IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E). In certain circumstances, the relevant foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity may qualify for an exemption from these rules, which exemption is typically evidenced by providing appropriate documentation (such as an IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E). In addition, an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and the jurisdiction of a foreign financial institution may modify the information reporting and related rules under FATCA.

The withholding obligations described above generally will apply to payments of dividends on the common shares, and to payments of gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of the common shares occurring on or after January 1, 2019. Non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding FATCA and the application of these requirements to their investment in the common shares.

U.S. Federal Estate Tax

Common shares owned or treated as owned by an individual who is not a citizen or resident of the United States (as specifically defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) at the time of death will be included in the individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes and may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise.

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UNDERWRITING (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

We have agreed to sell 8,800,000 of our common shares in the offering. Subject to certain conditions, we have agreed to sell to each of the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has severally agreed to purchase from us, the number of common shares set forth opposite that underwriter’s name in the table below:


Name	Number of Shares
Barclays Capital Inc.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Mizuho Securities USA Inc.
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

Total		8,800,000

The underwriters must purchase all of the common shares offered by this prospectus supplement if any of these shares are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated. Sales of our common shares made outside of the United States may be made by affiliates of the underwriters.

We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or, if indemnification is unavailable, to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of any of these liabilities.

Commissions and Discounts

The underwriters have advised us that they propose initially to offer our common shares to the public at the initial price to public set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $ per share. After the initial public offering, the public offering price and concession may be changed.

The following table shows the initial price to public, underwriting discount and proceeds before expenses to us. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional common shares in the offering. We expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $ million (assuming no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional common shares), after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses.

Per Share

No Exercise of
Option to Purchase
Additional Shares

Full Exercise of
Option to Purchase
Additional Shares

Initial Price to Public

Underwriting Discount

Proceeds, Before Expenses, to Us

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The expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting discount, are estimated to be approximately $550,000.

Option to Purchase Additional Shares

We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement to purchase up to an additional 1,320,000 common shares in the offering (representing 15% of the common shares offered hereby) (the “option shares”) at the initial price to public less the underwriting discount and an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by us and payable on the common shares offered hereby but not payable on the option shares.

Lock-Up Agreement

We have agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, without the prior written consent of the underwriters, we will not, directly or indirectly, during the 90-day period after the date of this prospectus supplement, directly or indirectly, issue, sell, offer or contract to sell, grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of, our common shares. This agreement does not apply to issuances pursuant to the underwriting agreement, upon conversion of our outstanding securities in accordance with their terms, or in connection with our employee stock or dividend reinvestment plans.

Electronic Prospectus

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be made available in electronic format on the websites maintained by one or more underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in the offering. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of shares to the underwriters and selling group members for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representatives to the underwriters and selling group members that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.

NYSE Listing

Our common shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “ED.” We intend to list the shares offered hereby on the NYSE.

Stabilization and Short Positions

Until the distribution of the common shares offered hereby is completed, Commission rules may limit the underwriters and selling group members from bidding for or purchasing our common shares. However, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize the price of the common shares, such as bids or purchases that peg, fix or maintain the price of the common shares.

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may make short sales of our common shares. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters, at the time of the offering, of a greater number of common shares than they are required to purchase in the offering. Short sales may be “naked short sales,” which are short positions in excess of that amount. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing common shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our common shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Similar to other purchase transactions, the purchases by the underwriters to cover short positions may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common shares or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common shares. As a result, the price of our common shares may be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of these transactions. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued at any time.

Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the common shares. In addition, neither

S-15

we nor the underwriters make any representation that the representatives will engage in these stabilizing transactions or that any transaction, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Other Relationships

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include, among other activities, securities trading and underwriting, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, corporate trust, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, the underwriters and/or their respective affiliates have in the past and may in the future provide us and our affiliates with financial advisory and other services for which they have and in the future will receive customary fees.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates.

Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates have a lending relationship with us. In particular, affiliates of Barclays Capital Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Mizuho Securities USA Inc., and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and affiliates of certain other underwriters participate in our revolving credit arrangements. Barclays Bank PLC, an affiliate of Barclays Capital Inc., Bank of America, N.A., an affiliate of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Citibank, N.A., an affiliate of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., an affiliate of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., an affiliate of Mizuho Securities USA Inc., and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, an affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, have provided us with the Bridge Facility. Barclays Capital Inc. has served as our financial advisor in connection with the Acquisition.

The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Conflicts of Interest

Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates may hold a portion of the commercial paper that we may repay using the net proceeds from the offering. We understand that if an underwriter and its affiliates were to receive more than 5 percent of the net proceeds, the underwriter would be required to conduct its distribution of the common shares in accordance with FINRA Rule 5121. The amount of the commitment under the Bridge Facility, subject to certain exclusions, will be reduced by the amount of net proceeds received by us from the issuance of debt securities and equity securities (including the common shares offered hereby). See “Use of Proceeds.”

NOTICES TO INVESTORS

No Public Offering Outside the United States

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

S-16

European Economic Area

Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus is a prospectus for the purposes of the European Union’s Directive 2003/71/EC (and any amendments thereto, including by Directive 2010/73/EU) as implemented in member states of the European Economic Area (the “EEA”) (the “Prospectus Directive”). Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do we or they authorize, the making of any offer of our common shares through any financial intermediary, other than offers made by the underwriters which constitute the final placement of our common shares contemplated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

In relation to each Member State of the EEA which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), each underwriter has represented and agreed that it has not made and will not make an offer of our common shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to the public in that Relevant Member State other than:

(a)

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

(b)

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters for any such offer; or

(c)

in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,

provided that no such offer of our common shares shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of our common shares to the public” in relation to any of our common shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and our common shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe to our common shares, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State.

United Kingdom

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are directed solely at persons who (i) are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) have professional experience in matters relating to investments or (iii) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(A) through (D) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 or (iv) are persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as “Relevant Persons”). This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not Relevant Persons. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relates is available only to, and will only be engaged in with, Relevant Persons in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the United Kingdom Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”) does not apply to us. All applicable provisions of the FSMA must be complied with in respect to anything done or to be done by the underwriters in relation to any common shares in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

Canada

Notice to Canadian Residents

This document constitutes an “exempt offering document” as defined in and for the purposes of applicable Canadian securities laws. No prospectus has been filed with any securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada in connection with the offer and sale of the common shares. No securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada has reviewed or in any way passed upon this document or on the merits of the common shares and any representation to the contrary is an offence.

S-17

Canadian investors are advised that this document has been prepared in reliance on section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (“NI 33-105”). Pursuant to section 3A.3 of NI 33-105, this document is exempt from the requirement to provide investors with certain conflicts of interest disclosure pertaining to “connected issuer” and/or “related issuer” relationships as would otherwise be required pursuant to subsection 2.1(1) of NI 33-105.

Resale Restrictions

The offer and sale of the common shares in Canada is being made on a private placement basis only and is exempt from the requirement that the issuer prepares and files a prospectus under applicable Canadian securities laws. Any resale of common shares acquired by a Canadian investor in this offering must be made in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, which may vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made in accordance with Canadian prospectus requirements, a statutory exemption from the prospectus requirements, in a transaction exempt from the prospectus requirements or otherwise under a discretionary exemption from the prospectus requirements granted by the applicable local Canadian securities regulatory authority. These resale restrictions may under certain circumstances apply to resales of the common shares outside of Canada.

Representations of Purchasers

Each Canadian investor who purchases common shares will be deemed to have represented to the issuer and to each dealer from whom a purchase confirmation is received, as applicable, that the investor (i) is purchasing as principal, or is deemed to be purchasing as principal in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, for investment only and not with a view to resale or redistribution; (ii) is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in section 1.1 of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions (“NI 45-106”) or, in Ontario, as such term is defined in section 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario); and (iii) is a “permitted client” as such term is defined in section 1.1 of National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations.

Taxation and Eligibility for Investment

Any discussion of taxation and related matters contained in this document does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a Canadian investor when deciding to purchase the common shares and, in particular, does not address any Canadian tax considerations. No representation or warranty is hereby made as to the tax consequences to a resident, or deemed resident, of Canada of an investment in the common shares or with respect to the eligibility of the common shares for investment by such investor under relevant Canadian federal and provincial legislation and regulations.

Rights of Action for Damages or Rescission

Securities legislation in certain of the Canadian jurisdictions provides certain purchasers of securities pursuant to an offering memorandum, including where the distribution involves an “eligible foreign security” as such term is defined in Ontario Securities Commission Rule 45-501 Ontario Prospectus and Registration Exemptions and in Multilateral Instrument 45-107 Listing Representation and Statutory Rights of Action Disclosure Exemptions, as applicable, with a remedy for damages or rescission, or both, in addition to any other rights they may have at law, where the offering memorandum, or other offering document that constitutes an offering memorandum, and any amendment thereto, contains a “misrepresentation” as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws. These remedies, or notice with respect to these remedies, must be exercised or delivered, as the case may be, by the purchaser within the time limits prescribed under, and are subject to limitations and defences under, applicable Canadian securities legislation. In addition, these remedies are in addition to and without derogation from any other right or remedy available at law to the investor.

S-18

Language of Documents

Upon receipt of this document, each Canadian investor hereby confirms that it has expressly requested that all documents evidencing or relating in any way to the sale of the securities described herein (including for greater certainty any purchase confirmation or any notice) be drawn up in the English language only. Par la réception de ce document, chaque investisseur canadien confirme par les présentes qu’il a expressément exigé que tous les documents faisant foi ou se rapportant de quelque manière que ce soit à la vente des valeurs mobilières décrites aux présentes (incluant, pour plus de certitude, toute confirmation d’achat ou tout avis) soient rédigés en anglais seulement.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the common shares offered hereby and certain other related legal matters will be passed upon for Con Edison by Elizabeth D. Moore, Esq., Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Con Edison, and by Shearman & Sterling LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal matters in connection with the common shares will be passed upon for the underwriters by Hunton & Williams LLP, New York, New York. Hunton & Williams LLP has from time to time performed and may perform legal services for affiliates of Con Edison.

EXPERTS

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in the Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

S-19

PROSPECTUS

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

Debt Securities

Common Shares ($.10 par value)

We may offer and sell from time to time our unsecured debt securities (“Debt Securities”) and common shares ($.10 par value) (“Common Shares”). Our Common Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ED”.

We will establish the specific price and terms of the Debt Securities and the Common Shares we will offer (collectively, the “Securities”) and how they will be offered at the time we offer them, and we will describe them in one or more supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell our Securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement before you invest in the Securities.

Investing in the Securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 2 of this prospectus.

NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

We may sell the Securities on a continuous or delayed basis directly, through agents, dealers or underwriters as designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods. We reserve the sole right to accept, and together with any agents, dealers and underwriters, reserve the right to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of Securities. If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of any Securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth any applicable commissions or discounts. Our net proceeds from the sale of Securities also will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The date of this prospectus is August 6, 2015.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Risk Factors			2
About This Prospectus			2
Where You Can Find More Information			2
Incorporation By Reference			3
Con Edison			3
Use of Proceeds			4
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges			4
Description of Debt Securities			5
Description of Common Shares			11
Plan of Distribution			13
Legal Matters			13
Experts			13

RISK FACTORS

Our businesses are influenced by many factors that are difficult to predict, and that involve uncertainties that may materially affect actual operating results, cash flows and financial condition. These risk factors include those described in the documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus (see “Incorporation by Reference,” below), and could include additional uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently do not consider to be material. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as any other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus or include in any applicable prospectus supplement.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement for the Securities that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) using a “shelf” registration process. We may use this prospectus to offer and sell from time to time any of the Securities in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the Securities. Each time we offer Securities, we will file with the Commission a supplement to this prospectus that will describe the specific terms of that offering. The specific terms of the offered Securities may vary from the general terms of the Securities described in this prospectus, and accordingly the description of the Securities contained in this prospectus is subject to, and qualified by reference to, the specific terms of the offered Securities contained in the applicable prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change the information contained in this prospectus, including information about us. If there is any inconsistency between this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. Before you invest, you should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and the information contained in the documents we refer to in this prospectus under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement contain and incorporate by reference information that you should consider when making your investment decision. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with any additional or different information. If anyone provides you with such additional, different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference therein and in any related written communication that we provide or authorize is accurate only as of the respective dates of such documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such dates.

References in this prospectus to the terms “we,” “us” or other similar terms mean Consolidated Edison, Inc., unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. We are also referred to in this prospectus as Con Edison.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus, which includes information incorporated by reference (see “Incorporation by Reference,” below), is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 we have filed with the Commission relating to the Securities. As permitted by the Commission’s rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules we file with the Commission. You should read the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules for more information about us and the Securities.

The registration statement, exhibits and schedules are also available at the Commission’s public reference room or through its Internet website.

You may obtain a free copy of our filings with the Commission by writing or telephoning us at our principal executive offices: Corporate Secretary, Consolidated Edison, Inc., 4 Irving Place, New York, New York 10003 (Telephone No.: 212-460-3331). The filings are also available through the Investor Information section of our website: www.conedison.com. The information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus by reference, and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The Commission allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus information we file with them. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to documents that we have previously filed with the Commission or documents that we will file with the Commission in the future. The information we incorporate by reference is considered to be an important part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the Commission that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus will automatically update and supercede this information.

We are incorporating by reference into this prospectus the following Con Edison documents that we have filed with the Commission:

•

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014;

•

Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015; and

•

Current Reports on Form 8-K, dated January 15, 2015, April 20, 2015, May 18, 2015 and July 16, 2015.

We are also incorporating by reference into this prospectus any additional documents that we subsequently file with the Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (other than those “furnished” pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 in any Current Report on Form 8-K or other information deemed to have been “furnished” rather than filed in accordance with the Commission’s rules) prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement.

Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or any other subsequently filed document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

CON EDISON

Con Edison is a holding company that operates only through its subsidiaries. We were incorporated in New York State in 1997.

Our principal business operations are those of our regulated utility companies, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (“Con Edison of New York”) and Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (“Orange & Rockland”), and our competitive energy businesses.

Con Edison of New York provides electric service in all of New York City (except a part of Queens) and most of Westchester County, an approximate 660 square mile service area with a population of more than nine

million. Con Edison of New York also provides gas service in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens and most of Westchester County, and steam service in parts of Manhattan.

Orange & Rockland, along with its regulated utility subsidiaries, provides electric service in southeastern New York and adjacent areas of northern New Jersey and northeastern Pennsylvania and gas service in southeastern New York and adjacent areas of northeastern Pennsylvania.

Con Edison pursues competitive energy opportunities through three wholly-owned subsidiaries: Con Edison Solutions, Con Edison Energy and Con Edison Development. These businesses sell to retail customers electricity purchased in wholesale markets and enter into related hedging transactions, provide energy-related products and services to wholesale and retail customers, and develop, own and operate renewable and energy infrastructure projects. During the three months ended June 30, 2015, Con Edison initiated a plan to actively market and sell the retail electric supply business of its competitive energy businesses.

In addition, in 2014 Con Edison formed Consolidated Edison Transmission LLC to invest in a transmission company.

Con Edison has no material assets other than the stock of its regulated utility subsidiaries and competitive energy businesses. Our ability to pay interest on the Debt Securities and dividends on the Common Shares is dependent on our receipt of dividends from these subsidiaries or proceeds from the sale by us of additional securities or assets. Our utility companies are subject to certain restrictions on the dividends that they may pay to us, as discussed in the notes to our consolidated financial statements in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we inform you otherwise in a supplement to this prospectus, we anticipate using the net proceeds received by us from the sale of the Securities for general corporate purposes, including, among others, investment by us in our subsidiaries, repayment of our short-term debt and repurchase, retirement or refinancing of our other debt securities. We may temporarily invest net proceeds prior to their use.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the five most recently completed fiscal years and for the most recent year-to-date quarter-end period are included in the management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The Debt Securities are expected to be issued under an indenture, dated as of April 1, 2002 between Con Edison and The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly known as The Bank of New York (successor as trustee to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly known as JPMorgan Chase Bank))), as Trustee (“Trustee”), as amended and supplemented by a First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 1, 2009 (such Indenture, as amended and supplemented, is herein referred to as the “Indenture”), copies of which are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

The Debt Securities to be issued under the Indenture will be unsecured general obligations of Con Edison ranking equally and ratably in right of payment with the other unsecured debt securities of Con Edison issued under the Indenture that are not subordinated obligations of Con Edison (“Subordinated Securities”); provided, however, that if so provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of Debt Securities, the Debt Securities will be Subordinated Securities.

There is no requirement that future issues of Debt Securities of Con Edison be issued under the Indenture, and Con Edison will be free to employ other indentures or documentation, containing provisions different from those included in the Indenture or applicable to one or more issues of Debt Securities, in connection with future issues of such other Debt Securities. Any such other indenture or documentation would be described in a prospectus supplement or in a revision to this prospectus.

The Indenture does not specifically restrict the ability of Con Edison to engage in transactions which could have the effect of increasing the ratio of debt to equity capitalization of Con Edison or a successor corporation. For example, the Indenture does not limit the amount of indebtedness of Con Edison, the payment of dividends by Con Edison or the acquisition by Con Edison of any of the equity securities of Con Edison or Con Edison of New York. The Indenture also permits Con Edison to merge or consolidate or to transfer its assets, subject to certain conditions (see “Consolidation, Merger and Sale” below). Con Edison must obtain approvals from state and/or federal regulatory bodies to merge or consolidate.

The following summary of the Indenture does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms.

General: The Indenture provides that the Debt Securities offered and other unsecured debt securities of Con Edison issued under the Indenture, without limitation as to aggregate principal amount (collectively the “Indenture Securities”), may be issued in one or more series, in each case as authorized from time to time by Con Edison.

Reference is made to the prospectus supplement relating to the Debt Securities offered for any of the following terms not provided herein:

(1)

the title of the Debt Securities;

(2)

the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities;

(3)

the percentage of the principal amount representing the price for which the Debt Securities shall be issued;

(4)

the date or dates on which the principal of, and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities shall be payable;

(5)

the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Debt Securities shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined;

(6)

if the amount of payments of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debt Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

(7)

the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the dates on which any such interest shall be payable and any record dates therefor and the basis for the computation of interest, if other than a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months;

(8)

the place or places where the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Debt Securities shall be payable;

(9)

the period or periods, if any, within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions upon which the Debt Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of Con Edison;

(10)

the obligation, if any, of Con Edison to redeem, purchase or repay the Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Debt Securities shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid pursuant to such obligation;

(11)

whether the Debt Securities shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, if so, the identity of the Depositary for such Global Security or Global Securities;

(12)

if other than $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Debt Securities shall be issued;

(13)

if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Debt Securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the Debt Securities;

(14)

any deletions from or modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 6.01 of the Indenture pertaining to the Debt Securities;

(15)

the provisions, if any, relating to the defeasance of Debt Securities of a series prior to the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 12.02 of the Indenture (see “Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance”);

(16)

the terms, if any, upon which Con Edison may elect not to pay interest on an interest payment date;

(17)

the provisions, if any, relating to the subordination of the Debt Securities pursuant to Article 14 of the Indenture (see “Subordination”); and

(18)

any other terms of the Debt Securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture and not adversely affecting the rights of any other series of Indenture Securities then outstanding. (Section 2.03)

Con Edison may authorize the issuance and provide for the terms of a series of Indenture Securities pursuant to a resolution of its Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee thereof or pursuant to a supplemental indenture. The provisions of the Indenture described above permit Con Edison, in addition to issuing Indenture Securities with terms different from those of Indenture Securities previously issued, to “reopen” a previous issue of a series of Indenture Securities and to issue additional Indenture Securities of such series.

The Indenture Securities will be issued only in registered form without coupons and, unless otherwise provided with respect to a series of Indenture Securities, in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. (Section 2.02) Indenture Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities (see “Global Securities”). One or more Global Securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Indenture Securities of the series to be represented by such Global Security or Global Securities. (Section 2.01) No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of Indenture Securities, but Con Edison may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. (Section 2.05)

One or more series of the Indenture Securities may be issued with the same or various maturities at par or at a discount. Debt Securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below the

market rate (“Original Issue Discount Securities”) will be sold at a discount (which may be substantial) below their stated principal amount. Federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to any such Original Issue Discount Securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.

Subordination: If the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of Indenture Securities so provides, such securities will be Subordinated Securities and the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Subordinated Securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness (defined below) to the extent set forth in the next paragraph. (Section 14.01)

In the event (a) of any distribution of assets of Con Edison in bankruptcy, reorganization or receivership proceedings, or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or any other marshalling of assets and liabilities of Con Edison, except for a distribution in connection with a consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease permitted under the Indenture (see “Consolidation, Merger and Sale”), or (b) the principal of any Senior Indebtedness shall have been declared due and payable by reason of an event of default with respect thereto and such event of default shall not have been rescinded, then the holders of Subordinated Securities will not be entitled to receive or retain any payment, or distribution of assets of Con Edison, in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Subordinated Securities until the holders of all Senior Indebtedness (or, in the circumstances described in the foregoing clause (b), all Senior Indebtedness due and payable by reason of such an event of default) receive payment of the full amount due in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Senior Indebtedness or provision for such payment on the Senior Indebtedness shall have been made. (Section 14.02)

Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the holders of the Subordinated Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until all amounts owing on the Subordinated Securities shall be paid in full. (Section 14.03)

“Senior Indebtedness” means all indebtedness of Con Edison for the repayment of money borrowed (whether or not represented by bonds, debentures, notes or other securities) other than the indebtedness evidenced by the Subordinated Securities and any indebtedness subordinated to, or subordinated on parity with, the Subordinated Securities. Senior Indebtedness does not include customer deposits or other amounts securing obligations of others to Con Edison. (Section 14.01)

The Indenture does not limit the aggregate amount of Senior Indebtedness that Con Edison may issue. As of June 30, 2015, $13.7 billion of Senior Indebtedness was outstanding, not including as “Senior Indebtedness” $2.5 billion of guarantees by Con Edison of certain obligations of its subsidiaries.

Redemption: If the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of Indenture Securities so provides, such securities will be subject to redemption at the option of Con Edison. Notice of any redemption of Indenture Securities shall be given to the registered holders of such securities not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. If less than all of a series of Indenture Securities are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Indenture Securities of such series or portions thereof to be redeemed.

Global Securities: The Indenture Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary identified in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Indenture Securities in definitive form, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. (Sections 2.01 and 2.05)

The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any Indenture Securities of a series will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. Con Edison anticipates that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.

Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security will credit, on its book entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the Indenture Securities represented by such Global Security to the accounts of institutions that have accounts with such Depositary (“participants”). The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the underwriters through which such Indenture Securities were sold. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in such Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary for such Global Security or by participants or persons that hold through participants. The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Security.

So long as the Depositary for a Global Security, or its nominee, is the owner of such Global Security, such Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Indenture Securities represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the Indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have Indenture Securities of the series represented by such Global Security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of Indenture Securities of such series in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture.

Payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on Indenture Securities registered in the name of or held by a Depositary or its nominee will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the Global Security representing such Indenture Securities. None of Con Edison, the Trustee or any paying agent for such Indenture Securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security for such Indenture Securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Con Edison expects that the Depositary for Indenture Securities of a series, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, in respect of a Global Security will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such Global Security as shown on the records of such Depositary. Con Edison also expects that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such Global Security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such participants.

If a Depositary for Indenture Securities of a series is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by Con Edison within 90 days, Con Edison will issue Indenture Securities of such series in definitive form in exchange for the Global Security or Global Securities representing the Indenture Securities of such series. In addition, Con Edison may at any time and in its sole discretion determine not to have any Indenture Securities of a series represented by one or more Global Securities and, in such event, will issue Indenture Securities of such series in definitive form in exchange for the Global Security or Global Securities representing such Indenture Securities. Further, if Con Edison so specifies with respect to the Indenture Securities of a series, each person specified by the Depositary of the Global Security representing Indenture Securities of such series may, on terms acceptable to Con Edison and the Depositary for such Global Security, receive Indenture Securities of the series in definitive form. In any such instance, each person so specified by the Depositary of the Global Security will be entitled to physical delivery in definitive form of Indenture Securities of the series represented by such Global Security equal in principal amount to such person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security.

Payments and Paying Agents: Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, payment of principal of and premium, if any, on Indenture Securities will be made against surrender of such Indenture Securities at The Bank of New York Mellon, Corporate Trust Division, 111 Sanders Creek Parkway, East Syracuse, NY 13057. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, payment of any installment of interest on Indenture Securities will be made to the person in whose name such Indenture Security is registered at the close of business on the record date for such interest. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, payments of such interest will be made at The Bank of New York Mellon, or by a check mailed to each holder of an Indenture Security at such holder’s registered address.

All moneys paid by Con Edison to a paying agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Indenture Security that remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest shall have become due and payable will be repaid to Con Edison and the holder of such Indenture Security entitled to receive such payment will thereafter look only to Con Edison for payment thereof. (Section 12.05) However, any such payment shall be subject to escheat pursuant to state abandoned property laws.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale: The Indenture permits Con Edison, without the consent of the holders of any of the Indenture Securities, to consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or sell, transfer or lease its properties as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any person, provided that: (i) the successor is a corporation organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof; (ii) the successor assumes Con Edison’s obligations under the Indenture and the Indenture Securities; (iii) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default (see “Default and Certain Rights on Default”) and no event that, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and (iv) certain other conditions are met. (Section 11.02) The Indenture does not restrict the merger of another corporation into Con Edison.

Modification of the Indenture: The Indenture contains provisions permitting Con Edison and the Trustee, without the consent of the holders of the Indenture Securities, to execute supplemental indentures to, among other things, establish the form and terms of any series of Indenture Securities issuable thereunder by one or more supplemental indentures and to add to the conditions, limitations or restrictions to be observed by Con Edison and to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained in the Indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained therein or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under the Indenture as shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture and shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Indenture Securities. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting Con Edison and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Indenture Securities of any series at the time outstanding, evidenced as in the Indenture provided, to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture with respect to Indenture Securities of such series, or modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Indenture Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the fixed maturity, or the earlier optional date of maturity, if any, of any Indenture Security of a particular series or reduce the principal amount thereof or the premium thereon, if any, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or make the principal thereof or premium, if any, or interest thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Indenture Security, without the consent of the holder of each Indenture Security so affected, or (ii) reduce the principal amount of Indenture Securities of any series, the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the holders of all Indenture Securities of such series outstanding thereunder. (Sections 10.01 and 10.02)

Default and Certain Rights on Default: The Indenture provides that the Trustee or the holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of Indenture Securities of a series outstanding thereunder may declare the principal of all Indenture Securities of such series to be due and payable immediately, if any Event of Default

with respect to such series of Indenture Securities shall occur and be continuing. However, if all defaults with respect to Indenture Securities of such series (other than non-payment of accelerated principal) are cured, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Indenture Securities of such series outstanding thereunder may waive the default and rescind the declaration and its consequences. Events of Default with respect to a series of Indenture Securities include (unless specifically deleted in the supplemental indenture or Board Resolution under which such series of Indenture Securities is issued, or modified in any such supplemental indenture):

(i)

failure to pay interest when due on any Indenture Security of such series, continued for 30 days;

(ii)

failure to pay principal or premium, if any, when due on any Indenture Security of such series;

(iii)

failure to perform any other covenant of Con Edison in the Indenture or the Indenture Securities of such series (other than a covenant included in the Indenture or the Indenture Securities solely for the benefit of series of Indenture Securities other than such series), continued for 60 days after written notice from the Trustee or the holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Indenture Securities of such series outstanding thereunder;

(iv)

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and

(v)

any other Event of Default as may be specified for such series. (Section 6.01)

The Indenture provides that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Indenture Securities of any series outstanding thereunder may, subject to certain exceptions, direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to, or exercising any power or trust conferred upon, the Trustee with respect to Indenture Securities of such series and may on behalf of all holders of Indenture Securities of such series waive any past default and its consequences with respect to Indenture Securities of such series, except a default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any of the Indenture Securities of such series. (Section 6.06)

Holders of Indenture Securities of any series may not institute any proceeding to enforce the Indenture unless the Trustee thereunder shall have refused or neglected to act for 60 days after a request and offer of satisfactory indemnity by the holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Indenture Securities of such series outstanding thereunder. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Indenture, however, the right of any holder of Indenture Securities of any series to enforce payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the holder’s Indenture Securities when due shall not be impaired. (Section 6.04)

The Trustee is required to give the holders of Indenture Securities of any series notice of defaults with respect to such series (Events of Default summarized above, exclusive of any grace period and irrespective of any requirement that notice of default be given) as to which it has received written notice within 90 days after the occurrence thereof, unless cured before the giving of such notice, but, except for defaults in payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Indenture Securities of such series, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as it determines in good faith that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of such holders. (Section 6.07)

Con Edison is required to deliver to the Trustee each year an Officers’ Certificate stating whether such officers have obtained knowledge of any default by Con Edison in the performance of certain covenants and, if so, specifying the nature thereof. (Section 4.06)

Concerning the Trustee: The Indenture provides that the Trustee shall, prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Indenture Securities of any series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default with respect to such series which have occurred, perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into the Indenture against the Trustee. During the existence of any Event of Default with respect to the Indenture Securities of any series, the

Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it under the Indenture with respect to such series and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. (Section 7.01)

The Trustee may acquire and hold Indenture Securities and, subject to certain conditions, otherwise deal with Con Edison as if it were not Trustee under the Indenture. (Section 7.04)

The Bank of New York Mellon, which is the Trustee under the Indenture, is a participating bank under Con Edison’s revolving credit agreement and is a depository for funds and performs other services for, and transacts other banking business with, Con Edison in the normal course of business.

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance: The Indenture may be satisfied and discharged upon delivery of all outstanding Indenture Securities for cancellation or if all other Indenture Securities are to be paid within one year, at maturity or upon redemption, upon deposit with the Trustee of amounts sufficient for such payment and all other sums due under the Indenture. (Section 12.01) In addition, the Indenture provides that if, at any time after the date of the Indenture, Con Edison, if so permitted with respect to Indenture Securities of a particular series, shall deposit with the Trustee, in trust for the benefit of the holders thereof, (i) funds sufficient to pay, or (ii) such amount of obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States of America as will, or will together with the income thereon without consideration of any reinvestment thereof, be sufficient to pay all sums due for principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Indenture Securities of such series, as they shall become due from time to time, and certain other conditions are met, the Trustee shall cancel and satisfy the Indenture with respect to such series to the extent provided therein. (Section 12.02) The prospectus supplement describing the Indenture Securities of such series will more fully describe the provisions, if any, relating to such defeasance of the Indenture with respect to such series.

Reports Furnished Securityholders: Con Edison will furnish the holders of Indenture Securities copies of all annual financial reports distributed to its stockholders generally as soon as practicable after the mailing of such material to the stockholders. (Section 4.07)

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES

Con Edison’s authorized capital stock consists of 500,000,000 Common Shares ($0.10 par value per share), of which 292,871,896 shares were issued and outstanding as of July 31, 2015, and 6,000,000 preferred shares ($1.00 par value per share) (“Preferred Shares”), of which no shares have been issued. Con Edison’s Board of Directors is authorized from time to time to issue the Preferred Shares as Preferred Shares of any series and, in connection with the creation of each such series, to fix by the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance thereof the number of shares of such series and the designations, relative rights, preferences and limitations (including dividend, liquidation and voting rights, preferences and limitations) of such series to the full extent permitted by the law of the State of New York, except that holders of the Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to more than one vote for each Preferred Share held. The Preferred Shares will have no voting rights, except as so fixed or as required by applicable law.

The following description of the Common Shares does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to Con Edison’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

Dividends. Subject to any prior rights of Preferred Shares (if any should become outstanding), Common Shares are entitled to dividends when, as and if declared by Con Edison’s Board of Directors, and Con Edison may purchase or otherwise acquire outstanding Common Shares out of funds legally available therefor.

Liquidation Rights. Subject to any prior rights of Preferred Shares (if any should become outstanding), upon liquidation of Con Edison, any remaining net assets of Con Edison are distributable pro rata to the holders of Common Shares.

Voting Rights. Holders of Common Shares are entitled to one vote for each share. There are no cumulative voting rights. Holders of Preferred Shares shall have no voting rights unless, in connection with the issuance of Preferred Shares, Con Edison’s Board of Directors provides voting rights (in which event the voting rights shall not be more than one vote for each Preferred Share held) or unless otherwise required by law.

No Preemptive Rights. Holders of the Common Shares are not entitled to preemptive rights.

Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Shares is Computershare, P.O. Box 30170. College Station, TX 77842-3170.

Certain provisions of Con Edison’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation and by-laws and New York law may have the effect of encouraging persons considering unsolicited tender offers or unilateral takeover proposals for Con Edison to negotiate with the Board of Directors and could thereby have an effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of Con Edison. These provisions include:

Authorized But Unissued Shares. As of July 31, 2015, 183,917,404 Common Shares and 6,000,000 Preferred Shares were authorized but unissued and 23,210,700 Common Shares were held by Con Edison or Con Edison of New York as treasury shares. Such shares could be issued without stockholder approval in transactions that might prevent or render more difficult or costly the completion of a takeover transaction. In this regard, Con Edison’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation grants the Board of Directors broad corporate power to establish the rights and preferences of preferred stock, one or more classes or series of which could be issued which would entitle holders to exercise rights which could have the effect of impeding a takeover, including rights to convert or exchange the stock into Common Shares or other securities or to demand redemption of the stock at a specified price under prescribed circumstances related to a change of control.

Advance Notice By-law. Under Con Edison’s by-laws, written notice of any proposal to be presented by any shareholder or any person to be nominated by any shareholder for election as a director must be received by Con Edison’s Secretary at Con Edison’s principal executive offices not less than 70 nor more than 90 days prior to the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is first publicly announced or disclosed (in a public filing or otherwise) less than 80 days prior to the date of the meeting, such notice shall be given not more than ten days after such date is first so announced or disclosed.

Section 912. Con Edison is subject to Section 912 of the New York Business Corporation Law. Accordingly, Con Edison may not engage in a business combination, such as a merger, consolidation, recapitalization, asset sale or disposition of stock, with any “interested shareholder” for a period of five years from the date that the interested shareholder first became an interested shareholder unless:

•

the business combination, or the acquisition of stock that resulted in the interested shareholder first becoming an interested shareholder, was approved by Con Edison’s Board of Directors prior to the interested shareholder becoming an interested shareholder;

•

the business combination is approved by the disinterested shareholders at a meeting of Con Edison’s shareholders called no earlier than five years after the date that the interested shareholder first became an interested shareholder; or

•

the business combination meets certain “fair price” valuation requirements.

An “interested shareholder” is any person that is the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the outstanding voting stock of Con Edison or is an affiliate or associate of Con Edison that at any time during the prior five years was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 20% or more of the then outstanding voting stock of Con Edison.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may offer the Securities (a) through agents; (b) through underwriters or dealers; (c) directly to one or more purchasers; or (d) through a combination of any of these or other methods of sale. We will identify the specific plan of distribution in a prospectus supplement, including: (1) the identity of any underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and the amount of the Securities underwritten or purchased by them and their compensation; (2) the initial offering price of the Securities and the proceeds that we will receive from the sale of the Securities; and (3) any securities exchange on which the Securities will be listed.

It is anticipated that any underwriting agreement pertaining to any Securities will (1) entitle the underwriters to indemnification by Con Edison against certain civil liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribution for payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof, (2) provide that the obligations of the underwriters will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and (3) provide that the underwriters generally will be obligated to purchase all such Securities if any are purchased. The underwriters or affiliated companies may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, Con Edison and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

In connection with an offering made hereby, any underwriter may purchase and sell the Securities in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover short positions created by the underwriters in connection with an offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases for the purpose of preventing or delaying a decline in the market price of the Securities, and short positions created by the underwriters involve the sale by the underwriters of more Securities than they are required to purchase from Con Edison. The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed to broker-dealers in respect of the Securities sold in the offering may be reclaimed by the underwriters if such Securities are repurchased by the underwriters in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the Securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market; and these activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

The anticipated date of delivery of the Securities will be as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of the Securities.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, the validity of the Securities and certain other related legal matters will be passed upon for Con Edison by Elizabeth D. Moore, Esq., Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Con Edison. Certain legal matters in connection with the Securities will be passed upon for any underwriters by Hunton & Williams LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166. Hunton & Williams LLP from time to time has performed and may perform legal services for affiliates of Con Edison.

EXPERTS

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in the Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

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